Explosive Encounter

After two days of traveling, Silver and his team entered the Land of Grass. The humid air clung to their skin as they crossed the border into the unfamiliar terrain. They moved quickly through the thick, dense forest, their eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. The mission ahead was important, but for now, they needed to rest.

By the time they made camp for the night, the last of the day's light faded, leaving only the soft sounds of rustling leaves and distant animals. Silver, though tired, kept watch over the perimeter while his team took turns resting. The night passed uneventfully, but the weight of the mission pressed on his mind.

The next day, Silver called the team together. They had been traveling for days, and now it was time to gather some intelligence. He needed information, and the quickest way to get that was by checking the nearest town.

"Alright, team, we move out today," Silver said, his voice calm but steady. "We'll check out the town of Mizu no Sato. Gather what we can. Any intel, rumors, or anything that could help us understand the political situation here."

His team nodded in agreement.

"Whisper, Sight, keep an eye out for anything suspicious," Silver ordered. "Embers, Verdants, you're on the ground, making sure no one gets in our way."

The team split up into their respective roles, following Silver as they made their way towards the town. The road to Mizu no Sato was a quiet one, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call. It wasn't long before they arrived at the town's outskirts, and as they approached, the sharp scent of smoke filled the air.

Silver furrowed his brows. There was something off.

He motioned for his team to spread out, carefully approaching the village. As they neared the gates, a loud, distant explosion rocked the air, sending a shockwave through the earth beneath them.

"Damn," Silver muttered under his breath. "This isn't good."

Before he could react, another explosion followed, this time much closer. Silver's instincts kicked in immediately.

"Move! Get to cover!" he barked.

The team took cover behind the nearest buildings, their hands moving in practiced harmony to ready their jutsu. The explosions were coming from the outskirts of the town, and it was clear that the enemy was using heavy artillery or explosive tags.

Silver crouched low, his sharp eyes scanning the scene. He spotted movement in the distance—figures wearing the distinct headbands of Iwagakure. They were here. The explosion corps.

"Iwagakure…" Silver muttered, recognizing the signature style of explosives and earth manipulation. This wasn't a random attack. This was an organized strike.

He signaled his team to stay low and keep quiet, their bodies melding into the shadows as they watched the Iwagakure ninja advance. The explosion corps wasn't something to be taken lightly. They specialized in devastating attacks, and their presence here in the Land of Grass could mean trouble for Konoha.

"Whisper, what do you have?" Silver asked quietly.

Aiko, codenamed Whisper, had already moved ahead, using her mind techniques to gather intel. She slipped back into the shadows, her eyes scanning the enemy forces. "Looks like a full squad from Iwagakure, maybe twelve to fifteen ninja. They're preparing for another round of explosions. It's a diversion."

"Diversion?" Silver raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

Before Aiko could respond, the ground shook again, and another explosion rang out. This time, a building nearby collapsed into rubble. Silver's mind raced. There was something more here than just a random attack.

"I don't like this," Ryota, codenamed Sight, murmured. "They're not here just for chaos. They're setting something up. We need to find out what."

Silver nodded. "We'll split up. Whisper, Sight, you two keep an eye on their movements. Embers, Verdants, you're with me. We'll try to gather more information."

With the plan in place, the team moved again, each member slipping deeper into the shadows. Silver's heart was pounding. This was more than a simple recon mission—this was a full-scale operation.

They quickly navigated their way through the back alleys of Mizu no Sato, avoiding the main roads to keep out of sight. The explosions had left the town in chaos, and the streets were filled with the sounds of panicked civilians running for cover.

"Stay focused," Silver said quietly. "Our job hasn't changed. Gather intel, and if the opportunity arises, we'll strike. But no unnecessary risks."

As they approached the outskirts of the town, Silver could see the Iwagakure ninja setting up more explosive devices. It was clear they were preparing for something big. The question was what?

"Whisper," Silver called. "Any sign of their leader?"

Aiko's voice came through, calm as always. "I'm not sure. But they're definitely setting up for a larger attack."

Silver's mind clicked into overdrive. Iwagakure's explosion corps wasn't known for acting alone. There had to be more at play here.

"We're not leaving without answers," Silver said, his tone firm. "We'll follow them."

And so, the Silver team continued, navigating the chaos of Mizu no Sato, inching closer to the truth behind Iwagakure's sudden appearance. They were entering dangerous territory—both politically and physically—but there was no turning back now.