Hidden Cloud Village, Raikage's Office:
"Dad, do you have any S-rank missions for me? I want to go all out this time. I'm tired of doing A-rank or lower missions all the time."
"There aren't any S-rank missions at the moment," the Third Raikage said with a smile, "but I do have a task that's even more important than an S-rank mission for you."
"Even more important?" A's eyes lit up. "What kind of mission?"
"The Selection Tournament for the Successor of B."
Again with that? The previously energetic A instantly pulled a long face. "Didn't I already say there's no need? I already have Cousin Shenzai as my partner, and he's the only one who can suppress the Eight-Tails' Jinchūriki."
"But he's still a failure. Any Jinchūriki who can't freely control the Eight-Tails is considered a failure. At best, he's a half-baked version."
Hearing his father's words, A looked genuinely helpless. "I really don't want to waste time on this anymore. There's never anyone suitable."
"This time is different," the Third Raikage said confidently, which was rare for him. "There are twelve candidates this time, and one of them is a genius."
"You're talking about that boy everyone in the village's been talking about — Killer Bee, right?"
"That's the one," the Raikage replied.
"I knew it," A said knowingly. "He really is a genius, but he's still too young. His strength at this age doesn't amount to much. Besides, every year they say some genius was picked from the academy, but none of them ever worked out."
"That may be, but I'll make you a deal," the Raikage said with a hopeful smile. "If we still can't find a suitable successor for B this time, I promise we'll stop looking."
"Fine, you said it!" A responded loudly. Honestly, he was already sick of it. After having his hopes dashed every time, anyone in his shoes would probably lose it too.
"Alright then, go rest for now. Come see me at 5:30 this afternoon."
"Got it," A replied, turning and walking out of the office.
As he watched his son leave, the Third Raikage murmured, "If even this once-in-a-century genius fails, then we really won't find anyone. Don't let me down, Bee."
Speaking of this Killer Bee, as Raikage, how could he not investigate a child who frequently left the village? If he were a spy, that would be a serious problem. However, the truth turned out to be quite the opposite. After observing him for a long time, the Raikage was shocked by the boy's insane and reckless training methods.
What could have driven a child to pursue strength so desperately? The Raikage still remembered — if he hadn't intervened that one time, the kid might've been shattered to pieces falling from a cliff over a thousand meters high.
Of course, what the Raikage didn't know was that Killer Bee, thanks to his Devil Fruit powers, wasn't afraid of falling at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life training in such extreme conditions. Bee's value for life was many times that of others.
"I really can't wait for today's selection trial," the Third Raikage muttered as he gazed out the window.
Elsewhere, on the ninja academy rooftop…
Holding two lunchboxes, Motoi grumbled as he saw Killer Bee strolling toward him slowly, "Big Bro Bee, what took you so long? The food's getting cold."
"Sorry," Killer Bee apologized sincerely. "The teacher called us in, and we ended up waiting way longer than expected."
"Huh?! You didn't do anything crazy again, did you?" Motoi cried.
"Of course not," Bee explained. "The teacher wanted to talk because I'm participating in the selection for B's successor after school today."
"NANI?!"
Motoi cried out, looking at Bee with admiration. "As expected of Big Bro Bee — so awesome!"
"I believe you'll definitely succeed and inherit the title of B!" Motoi added.
"Of course I will," Killer Bee said confidently. "The title of B was made for me."
"Then I'll congratulate you in advance!" Motoi said, then his expression fell. "Too bad I won't be able to watch it."
"Don't worry, I'll bring you along. If they don't let you in, then I won't go either," Bee said casually.
Motoi looked hopeful. "Really?"
"Obviously."
As Bee replied, he grabbed one of the lunchboxes and started eating without hesitation.
After eating meals like this for a while, Bee had already figured out what kind of meat was in the delicious and crispy rice dish. He'd been shocked at first to learn it was bear meat — black bear meat, from bears taller than most adults.
But after training outside the village and seeing black bears, tigers, wolves, and other forest kings up close, he gradually got used to it. Besides, with his current strength, even these predators were no match for him. He had even tasted tiger meat before — though it didn't compare to the black bear's.
After finishing their meal, the two chatted cheerfully. Most of the time, Motoi asked Bee to explain things he didn't understand during class.
Before long, they lay down in a shady spot on the rooftop to rest. After a good nap, they each returned to their respective classes.
Time flew by, and when school ended, the sun was already leaning west. As promised, Bee brought Motoi with him to the selection trial venue.
In the middle of a high mountain slope in the Hidden Cloud Village stood a large, circular training field. Twelve children stood inside, all looking expectantly at the Third Raikage and Lord A. Every one of them hoped to become part of the AB Duo. Everyone in the village knew that Lord A, one half of the AB Duo, was the next Raikage. Becoming his partner would be the greatest honor imaginable!
Now, the chance to become A's partner was right before them.
No qualified candidates again this year, huh? Dodai thought, looking at the ordinary bunch. Still, he began to explain the rules aloud: "Listen up! Out of you twelve, only one will earn the title of B."
Dodai, a jōnin, pointed to the muscular man beside the Third Raikage. "This man, A, is the next candidate for Raikage. In our Hidden Cloud Village, we've always had a tradition — to pair the Raikage with a partner who can perfectly coordinate with them. This maximizes the Raikage's power and provides personal protection. That's the important meaning behind the title of B."
Dodai then walked over to a rubber dummy and said, "We will now begin the coordination test. Each of you will pair with A to execute the technique 'Extreme Bull Lightning Lariat' and attempt to twist off this dummy's neck."