The cool mountain air of Kumogakure swept through the office of the Raikage, rustling parchments and scrolls laid neatly across the great desk. The Fourth Raikage—Ay—stood at the window, arms crossed over his massive chest, his sharp eyes scanning the distant peaks like a hawk watching for shifts in the wind.
A soft knock came at the door. Mabui entered, her usual composed demeanor slightly strained with interest.
"Another report on the boy, Rai," she said simply, offering the folder forward.
Ay took it, flipping through its included written analysis, sensor transcripts, and first-hand accounts gathered meticulously by instructors and witnesses.
"Six years old," Ay muttered, pausing at the page outlining Rai's most recent sparring session. "Chakra-based summoning via unique foreign medium… baseline chakra reserves approaching peak genin despite his age…"
He raised a brow.
"And he destroyed a Lightning Style technique with one of his… cards?"
Mabui nodded. "Yes, sir. The instructor reported it as a 'Mystical Space Typhoon.' She attempted a mid level Lightning Release technique she of course did not use her full strength. Rai's summon dispersed the jutsu before it made contact."
Ay leaned back slightly, intrigued. "Now that… that's useful. Jutsu aren't supposed to be that easily unraveled, especially not Lightning-natured ones."
The Raikage's fingers tapped against the desk.
"What about barriers? High-tier Fuinjutsu ones. Could it break those too?"
Mabui hesitated. "The boy was asked. His response was… unusual."
Ay raised an eyebrow. "Unusual how?"
She recited from memory. "He said, 'According to the card's text, anything chakra-based that qualifies as a Spell or Trap should be destroyable—so that probably includes barriers, tags, maybe even something like a summoning seal.'"
Ay's silence thickened the room. Then he exhaled sharply, somewhere between a laugh and a scoff.
"Hmph. He speaks about chakra techniques like they're components in a board game. But that kind of detachment—that perspective—could be a strength. Especially if this system of his continues evolving."
He set the folder down.
"Bring him to me. Not as a scolding. A meeting. Let's see if he's sharp enough to know what he wants."
---
Later That Day
The walk up to the Raikage's office was not one Rai took lightly.
Kaida-sensei had delivered the message with only a raised brow. "You've been summoned. Don't keep him waiting."
Now, standing before the great carved doors of the Tower's highest chamber, Rai felt something uncommon: hesitation. Not fear—just weight. The sense that his next words would ripple outward for a long time.
The guards opened the doors, and he stepped in.
Ay waited behind the great desk, but not seated. He stood, as always, like a grounded storm cloud waiting for release.
"Rai. Sit."
Rai obeyed without a word.
Ay stared at him for a long moment before speaking.
"I've read the reports. Plenty of them. You're unusual. Even by shinobi standards."
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
"You've got a system that no one fully understands—not even you. But you've used it to summon chakra constructs that can contend with full-fledged Chunin, destroy elemental jutsu, and possibly erase advanced Fuinjutsu."
"Yes, sir."
Ay studied him.
"I'm considering placing you on a Genin team permanently. Not in the future. Now."
Rai blinked. Then frowned.
"That's… flattering. But I don't think I'm ready. Not yet."
Ay's brow twitched.
"Explain."
Rai raised his gaze.
"My system draws cards daily. Each one expands my options. Right now, my deck is shallow. Barely more than a handful of monsters and a few spells. If I rush into formal missions, I'll stall my progress. The more I train, the more I draw—and the more effective I become."
Ay crossed his arms.l and glared at him.
"You're saying no to a Raikage's offer."
Rai didn't flinch. "I'm asking for a delay. Let me finish my foundational training. Two months. At most. I'll be twice as valuable after."
A slow grin crossed the Raikage's face. "Hmph. You've got guts. And clarity. I can respect that."
He turned back to his window.
"Fine. But in three days, you'll spar against a high-level Chunin of my choosing. I want to see this system of yours in action."
Rai stood and bowed. "I won't disappoint."
As he left the room, Ay's voice rumbled behind him one last time.
"One more thing, Rai."
He paused.
"You said that 'Mystical Space Typhoon' could erase anything that counted as a spell or trap. Next time we meet, you tell me—what else counts as a trap in the world of chakra. I want to know just how far this logic of yours goes."