The scene shifted from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to two muscular, dark-skinned men.
They stood side by side, with lightning-streaked clouds as their backdrop.
The one on the left was brawny with bulging muscles and spiky golden hair, his body wreathed in violent Lightning Chakra. The one on the right had a darker complexion, wore sunglasses, had eight octopus-like tails extending from his back, and was striking an exaggerated pose.
[The AB Combo—the brotherly duo of the Fourth Raikage, A, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer Bee. This is also a tradition passed down through generations of Raikage; each Raikage to take office is called "A," and A must find a "B" with whom he can achieve perfect, 100% synchronicity. Only by working together can they unleash their greatest strength. The Fourth Raikage's chosen partner is Killer Bee.]
[The Raikage's ferocity, combined with the Eight-Tails' power, is arguably Kumogakure's strongest spear and shield. Their strength is definitely among the top tier of Shinobi duos.]
"Yeah! We're the best! Oh yeah!"
Killer Bee jumped up from his chair, striking a pose with his hands, twisting his body as he launched into an impromptu rap.
"AB Combo, famous across the land!"
"Big bro and me, the greatest band!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, A&B's the best!"
He circled the office while rapping, eight Chakra tails emerging from his back, swaying to the rhythm.
The Fourth Raikage, A, sat in his chair, arms crossed over his burly chest. His expression, however, was far from pleased.
"Among the top…"
He repeated the phrase in a low voice, his brow furrowed into a knot.
"What does it mean by 'among the top'? Are we not the strongest?"
His Lightning chakra leaked out slightly due to his annoyance, crackling in the air.
The AB Combo of Kumogakure—a tradition passed down through successive Raikages—the synergy he and Bee had honed through countless life-and-death battles, and they weren't the strongest duo?
"I'd like to see who ranks ahead of us."
A said in a deep voice.
[However, the AB Combo also has its destined rival. During the Third Great Ninja War, they encountered the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, and the two sides engaged in an incredibly spectacular battle.]
The scene shifted:
Smoke and dust billowed across the battlefield. A golden flash darted through the lightning, too fast for the naked eye to track.
The Fourth Raikage, A, was wreathed in electricity, each thrust carrying the force to destroy everything in its path. Killer Bee's eight tails thrashed wildly behind him, his greatsword spinning like the wind in his hands.
And the blond-haired Konoha ninja wove effortlessly between their combined assault.
The light of the Flying Raijin flashed repeatedly. Minato's figure would appear behind A one moment, and above Bee's head the next. Kunai clashed with Lightning Release, exploding in blinding sparks.
The final freeze-frame: Minato's kunai pressed against the back of Killer Bee's head, while Bee's greatsword was pointed at Minato's abdomen. The two were locked in stalemate, with A poised to strike but unable to intervene in this delicate balance.
[This battle could be called a draw. However, Namikaze Minato was fighting one against two—he alone faced both members of the AB Combo. On the surface, it was a tie, but in reality, Minato had the upper hand. At the time, Killer Bee had the power of the Eight-Tails inside him, while Minato had mastered the Flying Raijin. From this perspective, Namikaze Minato was still slightly superior.]
The screen froze on the gentle smile of that blond-haired shinobi.
[Kumogakure]
The air in the office instantly solidified.
Bee stopped his dancing, his eyes behind his sunglasses fixed on the blonde figure on the Sky Screen.
His eight tails slowly retracted into his body. For once, his expression was serious.
A said nothing, he stood by the window, his back to everyone. Only the occasional burst of Lightning chakra around him betrayed his emotions.
Dodai carefully watched the Raikage's back, not even daring to breathe.
"One against two... slightly superior..."
A's voice squeezed out through his teeth, each word like a thunderclap.
"Namikaze Minato."
He abruptly turned and punched the wall. Debris flew, and a huge hole appeared in the wall.
Bee walked over and patted his big brother on the shoulder.
"Big bro, don't be angry. That guy... is already dead."
A's body stiffened for a moment.
Yes, Minato was dead.
He died during the Nine-Tails' rampage, in the 50th year of Konoha, at the height of his prime.
A had once wondered if they had the chance to fight again—if Minato were still alive... who would win? It was uncertain.
But he was dead.
A slowly unclenched his fist.
---
[Konoha, Year 50 · Hokage Office]
"Minato! Look!"
Kushina burst into the office, her long red hair streaming behind her, her face full of excitement.
She grabbed Minato, who was sitting at his desk, and pulled him up, pointing at the scene playing on the Sky Screen outside the window.
"The Sky Screen is showing the scene of you fighting the Raikage brothers! One against two, and you're slightly superior!"
Minato was dragged to the window, looking at the scene of "himself" in a fierce battle with the AB Combo on the Sky Screen, his expression somewhat complicated.
---
[Konoha, Year 60 · Training Ground]
Naruto stood on the training ground, his head tilted back, his mouth hanging open wide enough to fit an egg.
"That man... is he the Fourth Hokage?"
On the Sky Screen, a golden flash darted through the lightning, moving so fast it was dazzling.
The man had a gentle smile on his face, unafraid in the face of two powerful enemies, fighting one against two, and ultimately achieving a draw.
No, to be precise—he was slightly superior.
"So cool!"
Naruto's eyes sparkled like stars.
"And so strong too! That Raikage guy looks super fierce, and that guy with the tails—two of them couldn't even beat him alone! That's incredible!"
He turned excitedly to look at Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei! Have you met the Fourth Hokage? Is he super strong? Is he even powerful than Old Man Third? Does he—"
Naruto's words stopped.
Because Kakashi stood there, motionless, his face hidden in the shadows of his mask and forehead protector, his expression unreadable.
But his exposed right eye was fixed on the blonde figure on the Sky Screen, something trembling violently deep within his pupil.
"...Kakashi-sensei?"
Naruto walked over cautiously.
Sakura and Sasuke also sensed that something was wrong.
Sakura asked in a low voice, "Kakashi-sensei, what's wrong?"
Kakashi didn't answer.
He just looked at the Sky Screen, at that figure so familiar it hurt.
The blonde hair, that gentle smile, the light of the Flying Raijin Jutsu...
Kakashi closed his eyes.
Naruto had grown up so much, yet he had never told Naruto that the Fourth Hokage was his father.
Kakashi's hand trembled slightly.
"Kakashi-sensei?"
Naruto leaned closer, tilting his head.
"Are you okay? You look really pale, you know."
Kakashi opened his eyes and looked at the face so close to his own.
So similar. So incredibly similar to Minato-sensei.
"Naruto."
He spoke, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Yeah?"
Kakashi was silent for a few seconds.
But in the end, he simply reached out and ruffled Naruto's blonde hair.
"The Fourth Hokage... was a very powerful man. And... a very kind man too."
Naruto blinked, then smiled.
"Really? Then I'm going to become a Hokage just as awesome as him! Even better!"
"Yeah, I know you will."
Kakashi withdrew his hand and looked up at the fading figure on the Sky Screen.
'Sensei... I'm sorry. I still haven't been able to tell him the truth.'
'But I will. When the time is right. I promise.'