Killer B, Kumogakure's Young Ninja Exchange Meet

"Partner?"

Shaoyu was somewhat curious. Given young Ai's status and strength, anyone he acknowledged and called a "partner" was certainly no ordinary person.

Then he suddenly remembered something and smiled.

"Right, right, right. Come on, come on. He should be at the Seventh Training Ground behind the village right now."

Without another word, young Ai grabbed Shaoyu and led him toward the training area at the back of the village.

Most of Kumogakure's training grounds were built against the mountains. The Seventh Training Ground lay in a relatively secluded valley, its ground level and surrounded by jagged boulders that served as natural barriers and training equipment.

Before they even got close, they heard an extremely rhythmic series of impacts coming from the training ground, accompanied by the dull crashes of fists and kicks striking stone.

It was a boy who looked much younger than young Ai. He had dark skin and was already tall and solidly built for his age. His short hair was dark, and lightning-shaped facial markings, similar to young Ai's but lighter in color, ran along both cheeks.

He was bare-chested, his muscles sleek and explosive. His movements were swift and powerful, every punch and kick carrying a sharp whistle through the air before smashing into specially made metal posts with heavy thuds.

Unlike Ai's broad, fierce, and overwhelmingly forceful style, this boy's movements were nimbler and more varied, carrying a distinct sense of rhythm.

Perhaps sensing the newcomers' gazes, the boy training in the field paused, stopped, and turned around.

His eyes first landed on young Ai, and a bright, even somewhat foolish grin immediately spread across his face.

"Hello there, big bro~."

Killer B had not yet learned much rap at this point, but there was already something strangely peculiar about his voice.

Uchiha Shaoyu: "..."

Young Ai was clearly used to it. He even rubbed his forehead with a headache, then scolded him with a laugh.

"B! How many times have I told you to speak properly? Cut out those weird tones. Get over here—I'm introducing you to an important person."

Even after being scolded, the young Killer B was not bothered. Chuckling, he ran over and curiously turned his gaze toward Uchiha Shaoyu.

When he saw Shaoyu's deep, calm eyes and sensed the restrained yet invisible pressure emanating from him, the playful expression on Killer B's face faded slightly, and a trace of scrutiny appeared in his eyes.

"Big bro, who might this be? A newly arrived senior, a master perhaps? Sharp eyes, extraordinary air! Friend or foe, tell me without delay! Yo-ho!"

Killer B still could not resist asking in his newly budding rap style.

"This is Elder Uchiha Shaoyu! Our village's newly appointed elder. He's incredibly strong—even the old man admires him."

Young Ai smacked the back of Killer B's head irritably.

"Greet him properly!"

"E-Elder?!"

Killer B was clearly startled, staring wide-eyed at Shaoyu.

But then he seemed to recall that he had heard about him some time ago.

"Elder Uchiha, our first meeting, Killer B stands here in esteem! Big bro's partner, a future bright and clear, please guide me well, yo-ho!"

After saying that, he clenched his right fist and placed it over his left chest, giving a standard Kumogakure salute that looked somewhat comical paired with his earlier words.

Uchiha Shaoyu looked at the boy before him, who had yet to become the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, was in the budding stage of his rap obsession, and had a lively personality but clear eyes. He was somewhat surprised, but also amused.

So this was young Ai's partner, one half of the future "AB Combination"?

He certainly had character.

He did not mind the other's strange manner of speaking. He gave a slight nod, his tone calm.

"No need for such formalities, Killer B. Ai often mentions you. He says you are a hardworking and talented ninja. Anyone who can become Ai's partner must be exceptional."

"Really? Big bro praises me all the time? Yeah! That's great! Train hard, rewards will arrive! Big bro approves, the elder sees my light! A future shining bright, yo-ho!"

He excitedly waved his arms and started rhyming again.

Young Ai helplessly covered his face beside them, though there was a smile in his eyes.

He turned to Shaoyu and explained.

"Elder Shaoyu, don't mind him. B's just got this problem. I don't know where he picked up those weird tunes lately, but he chants them all day long."

"But he really does train hard. His taijutsu and swordsmanship foundations are both solid. He's one of the best of our generation."

Uchiha Shaoyu nodded. He could see Killer B's solid foundation and abundant energy.

Though he was not yet the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, his own potential was already remarkable. No wonder the Raikage had chosen him to be raised as Ai's partner.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot. There's something I was about to tell you."

Ai clapped his hands.

"The strength exchange meet for the village's younger generation that I mentioned before officially begins this afternoon at the Third Grand Training Ground."

"Your Uchiha Lianhuo and Mihuo went over early this morning to register. What do you say? Want to go take a look? You can also get a sense of the level of Kumogakure's younger generation."

After giving it some thought, Uchiha Shaoyu nodded in agreement. This was indeed a good opportunity to observe Kumogakure's rising generation and see how his own clansmen performed.

Lianhuo and Mihuo were both outstanding among the clan's younger generation. Lianhuo in particular, as Elder Setsuna's grandson, possessed both talent and character. After the trials of their defection, his strength had improved further.

The two headed together toward the Third Grand Training Ground on the western side of the village, a place specifically used for large gatherings and drills.

Before they even approached, they could hear the clamor, cheers, and thunderous crashes of ninjutsu colliding from the direction of the training ground.

Clearly, the exchange meet had already begun, and the atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

As they entered the training ground, they saw Kumogakure ninja packed around its edges. Most were chūnin and genin, though quite a few jōnin and representatives of various clans were also watching from the sidelines and offering pointers.

At the center stood a massive square arena built from sturdy stone, with clear boundary lines marked across it.

At that moment, two people were fiercely battling atop the arena. One of them had black hair and black eyes and wore the Uchiha clan's signature dark blue high-collared attire, modified into a simpler Kumogakure-style design.

Lianhuo moved with swift ferocity. The crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his eyes was clearly visible—it was none other than Uchiha Lianhuo!

His opponent was a tall, dark-skinned Kumogakure youth with wild long hair. He wore a standard jōnin flak jacket, and his eyes were fierce.

His attacks came like a raging storm. He used Kumogakure's common combat style of combining Lightning Release with taijutsu, flickers of lightning flashing between his fists and feet with considerable power.

The Kumogakure ninja around the arena watched with bated breath, occasionally crying out in surprise or admiration.

"So strong."

"That Uchiha kid's reactions are so fast."

"The Sharingan truly lives up to its reputation. He's practically predicting every one of Rō's attacks."

"Rō is recognized as one of the strongest of our generation aside from Big Brother Ai. How is he getting suppressed this badly?"

"I heard that Uchiha Lianhuo has jōnin-level strength too. And those eyes... that's practically cheating."

Young Ai led Shaoyu to a spot with a better view. Pointing at the long-haired Kumogakure youth on the arena, he quietly introduced him to Shaoyu.

"That man up there is one of Kumogakure's outstanding younger generation. His name is Yotsuki Rō. He's a distant cousin of mine. He's very strong and has officially been a jōnin for some time. His Lightning Release and taijutsu are both quite solid, and he has a combative personality."

His tone carried approval for a younger member of his clan, but also a hint of helplessness.

"But from the looks of it now... he's having a hard time against your Uchiha Lianhuo."

Uchiha Shaoyu's gaze settled on the arena.

Just as young Ai had said, the situation in the match was obvious at a glance.

Though Yotsuki Rō's offense was fierce, possessing both speed and power, and though he wielded Lightning Release chakra with considerable skill, every attack carrying the force of thunder, an ordinary jōnin would likely have been thrown into a panic by such rapid, ferocious assaults.

Yet Uchiha Lianhuo appeared completely at ease.

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan granted him dynamic vision and perception beyond that of ordinary people. In his eyes, Yotsuki Rō's swift attack trajectories seemed slowed down and broken apart.

He always dodged or blocked at precisely the right moment with the smallest possible movements. At the same time, his Sharingan constantly captured and copied the flow of his opponent's Lightning Release chakra and his taijutsu habits.

There might have been a slight gap in their physical attributes, but the Three-Tomoe Sharingan perfectly covered that weakness.