A (エー, Ē, Viz: Ei, English TV: Ay) was the First Raikage (初代雷影, Shodai Raikage, Literally meaning: First or Founding Lightning Shadow) who founded Kumogakure in the Land of Lightning.

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Background

During his leadership in the early days of Kumogakure after the Warring States Period, A presumably sent the Gold and Silver Brothers to capture the Nine-Tails, a task at which they ultimately failed.[2] He also gave land in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning to the Yotsuki Clan in return for their loyalty.[3]

At the first meeting of the five Kage during the First Shinobi World War, he was accompanied by the future Second Raikage; his long-time bodyguard.[1] He sat alongside the other Kage and told Hashirama that bowing to other Kage was not a sign of a lasting leader. After asking the First Kazekage to give voice to his alternative request, since Sunagakure already had a tailed beast, he expressed outrage when the Kazekage made a demand of receiving 30% of whatever they would pay for a tailed beast from Konoha. As infighting broke out and Hashirama Senju made his plea to them to preserve the future of their children and unite, he looked on intently.[4]

Before his death during the war, A would leave a strong moral mark related to his desire to protect Kumogakure in his bodyguard, whose long service and dedication earned him the nomination as his successor.[1]

Personality

While not much was seen of his personality, A did seemingly have a verbal tic, ending his sentences with "yo" (よ).[5] He also seemed to have a habit of folding his arms. He was a prideful man and held the idea that shinobi shouldn't lower their heads so easily. A had a strong will to protect Kumogakure, something he passed down to his successor.

Appearance

A was a dark-skinned man, with prominent creases under his eyes and a mop of shaggy black hair, which partially obscured his forehead protector. In terms of attire, he wore a high-collared dark kimono-shirt, dark pants bound by a sash and a light-coloured scarf around his neck. He also wore small stud-earrings. In the anime, his attire consists of a cream-coloured coat with a high collar, a white forehead protector, zōri and a purple scarf around his neck.

Abilities

As the First Raikage and the founder of Kumo, A was undoubtedly a powerful shinobi.

Part II

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes

Main article: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes

Subsequent to Kaguya Ōtsutsuki being sealed by Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, he and the other deceased Kage were summoned from the Pure Land by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki to aid him and the Hokage in summoning Team 7, the tailed beasts and Madara Uchiha from Kaguya's dimension. He later commented on the state of things before his and the other Kage's souls were released to the Pure Land once more.

Trivia

In terms of appearance, A bears a stark resemblance to music icon Jimi Hendrix.

References