Chapter 22: Bounties in the Bingo Book

The border conflict with Iwagakure had been escalating rapidly. Skirmishes that once seemed isolated were now happening frequently, and the intensity of the attacks suggested that Iwagakure was becoming desperate to push into the Land of Lightning. But amidst the chaos, the A-B combo and the Ei-Yugito duo were making waves, not only within their own village but across the Five Great Nations.

A, now a 12-year-old Chunin, commanded respect through his immense physical strength and raw leadership. His partner, B, an 11-year-old Genin and Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, was a prodigy in his own right, wielding eight swords covered in lightning chakra with deadly precision. Though B had yet to master his Tailed Beast chakra, his prowess in combat was enough to send shivers down the spines of their enemies.

On the other side, Ei, the 10-year-old daughter of the Third Raikage, and Yugito, also 10 and the Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails, were steadily building their reputations. Ei, with her remarkable swordsmanship and developing mastery over the Lightning Chakra Mode, was a mirror of her father's strength. Yugito, wielding Matatabi's blue flames, was becoming an elemental powerhouse. Together, they formed an unstoppable duo.

---

After another grueling skirmish, the team gathered in the main command tent at the border camp for a much-needed debriefing. The tent was quiet, the tension from constant battle still hanging thick in the air. Ei, Yugito, Samui, and Mabui took their places alongside A and B.

The flap of the tent rustled, and a messenger entered, bowing deeply as he handed a sealed scroll to A.

"A message from the Raikage, Lord A," the messenger said.

A took the scroll, his expression unreadable as he broke the seal and read the contents. His brows furrowed at first, but then a slow grin spread across his face. "Looks like we're getting some recognition."

He unfurled the scroll, revealing a thick booklet attached to it—the latest edition of the Bingo Book, a notorious publication that listed the most dangerous shinobi and often included bounties placed on their heads by rival villages.

Everyone in the tent fell silent, understanding the gravity of what this meant. Their names had reached the ears of enemies, and now they were being marked for elimination.

B snatched the Bingo Book from A's hands with a grin. "Let's see what kind of price they've put on us!"

---

Flipping through the pages, B quickly found A's entry.

"A: Chunin, son of the Third Raikage, Lightning Release specialist. Bounty: 3 million ryo," B read aloud, smirking as he looked up at his older brother.

A shrugged nonchalantly. "Could've been higher."

"You're not exactly low-profile," Samui commented dryly, leaning back in her chair.

B continued scanning the book until he found his own listing. "B: Genin, Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails. Bounty: 4 million ryo."

The group exchanged looks, impressed. At only 11 years old, having such a high bounty was a testament to B's potential danger, especially with his status as a Jinchuriki.

"And now… Ei," B said, flipping to the next page. "Ei: Academy Student, daughter of the Third Raikage, prodigy of Lightning Release and kenjutsu. Bounty: 2 million ryo."

Ei's stoic expression didn't change, but the weight of the acknowledgment felt heavy. She wasn't just some anonymous figure on the battlefield anymore; her status as the Raikage's daughter made her a prime target, and the bounty solidified her as a rising threat.

Yugito's entry followed soon after. "Yugito Nii: Academy Student, Jinchuriki of the Two-Tails. Bounty: 3 million ryo."

Yugito's mismatched blue and yellow eyes narrowed slightly as she processed the news. "Looks like they're underestimating me."

A chuckled. "Not by much. You're not exactly an easy opponent, Yugito."

Samui, who had been listening quietly, spoke up next. "The fact that you've all got bounties means Iwagakure is feeling the pressure. They're worried."

Mabui nodded in agreement. "We're making waves, but this also means we need to be cautious. There will be mercenaries, bounty hunters, and enemy shinobi gunning for us now."

The seriousness of the situation sank in as they realized the implications of being listed in the Bingo Book. Their actions had gained them fame, but with fame came danger.

---

Ei glanced down at her own hands, feeling a mix of pride and responsibility. She knew this was just the beginning, and the bounty on her head meant she was now a target not just because of her skills but because of her lineage as the Third Raikage's daughter. 

"Regardless of the bounty, we can't afford to let it distract us," Ei finally said, her voice steady. "Our focus is still on defending the Land of Lightning and pushing back Iwagakure. The price on our heads doesn't change that."

Yugito nodded in agreement. "They can put whatever number they want on us. It won't make a difference in the end."

A grinned, his confidence unwavering. "Let them try. We've faced worse."

B, ever the optimist, laughed. "If they think this is enough to stop us, they're in for a rude awakening."

The atmosphere lightened slightly, but the underlying tension remained. They were now marked targets, and the battles ahead would only grow more intense.

---

Later that evening, as the group dispersed to continue their training and preparations, Ei found herself standing near the edge of the camp, gazing out at the mountains in the distance. She could feel the weight of her lineage pressing down on her—being the daughter of the Raikage came with its own set of expectations, and now the bounty had recognized her for it.

But Ei wasn't worried. If anything, the bounty served as motivation. She would prove her strength, not just as the Raikage's daughter, but as her own person—a shinobi capable of standing on her own.

With a final glance at the Bingo Book, Ei resolved to push herself even harder in the days to come. Iwagakure may have placed a price on her head, but they had no idea what she was truly capable of.

End of Chapter 22.