Explosive Encounter 3

Silver's team had just engaged in battle with the Iwagakure Explosion Corps. The forest was alive with the crackling sound of exploding kunai, the rush of wind from jutsus, and the sharp scent of burning wood. Every corner of the battlefield felt like it was on the edge of erupting.

Silver's reflexes were honed from years of training. As a wave of kunai rained down on him, he swiftly performed the Substitution Jutsu, disappearing in a flash of smoke and reappearing behind a tree. Without missing a beat, he formed a set of hand seals. A bright flash of blue energy erupted around his hand, and the Kusanagi Chidori crackled with lightning, deflecting the incoming kunai with precise and powerful strikes. The metallic hum of the lightning-charged katana mixed with the sound of enemy kunai scattering, their sharp edges twisting away from Silver's form.

"Embers, set them up!" Silver shouted, his voice calm despite the chaos.

Embers (Hiroshi) nodded, understanding the signal immediately. He gathered chakra as he moved through hand seals, creating a series of illusionary fire clones that flooded the battlefield, distracting the enemy and giving the team an opening.

But despite their best efforts, the Iwagakure Explosion Corps was formidable. The ground beneath them trembled as more explosive traps detonated, sending shockwaves of force through the area. The sheer intensity of the battle pushed Silver's team to their limits.

Verdants (Kaori), codenamed for her mastery of Earth Release, slammed her palm to the ground, sending thick walls of stone shooting up in front of the team, blocking another volley of explosive jutsus. But her face was etched with concern; she could sense the overwhelming pressure of the Iwagakure forces closing in on all sides.

"Whisper, keep their movements hidden!" Silver commanded as the team fought for survival.

Whisper (Aiko) immediately activated her Mind Transfer Jutsu, briefly taking control of one of the Iwagakure ninja's minds, disorienting them for a few moments. But it was clear that the longer they fought, the more dangerous the situation became.

Silver's team was powerful, but the Iwagakure Explosion Corps was relentless. They had planned their ambush well, using explosive jutsus to force Silver's team into a defensive position. The situation was quickly becoming untenable.

Silver's eyes narrowed as he glanced at his team. They were being pushed back, the enemy's traps and attacks overwhelming them. Despite the efforts of Embers, Verdants, and Whisper, the enemy was forcing them to retreat. Every move they made, every jutsu they cast, was met with even more ferocious retaliation.

"We're getting swarmed!" Verdants grunted, creating another massive earth barrier to block a barrage of kunai. The explosion from the impact rattled the ground beneath her feet.

"We need to regroup and break out of this!" Silver shouted. The moment his team was momentarily distracted, Silver made a quick decision. Sight, codenamed Ryota, had already begun to move toward the rear of the enemy forces, gathering energy for an opening strike.

"Sight, get ready for a distraction!" Silver called. The moment Ryota gave him the signal, Silver was ready.

"Got it!" Sight called back.

In a split second, Sight formed a series of hand seals. A powerful gust of wind shot through the air, momentarily disorienting the Iwagakure ninja. With his opening, Silver unleashed another wave of Kusanagi Chidori, deflecting more kunai and striking at the heart of the enemy's ranks. The explosion corps staggered from the force of the blow, their lines beginning to break.

"Everyone, fall back!" Silver barked, signaling the team to retreat into the cover of the forest.

The team, battered but still fighting with purpose, disengaged and retreated, drawing the attention of the Iwagakure forces toward the deeper woods. As they moved, Silver knew this fight wasn't over—it had only just begun.