Search and Rescue Op. 1

As Silver and his team made their way back to Anbu Headquarters, located behind the Hokage Tower and beneath the monumental Hokage Rock, they were already preparing for the mission ahead. The tension that had filled the Hokage's office now lingered, but they knew they had no time to waste. This mission could decide not only the fate of the missing Anbu squads but also the security of the Land of Fire itself.

Once inside the headquarters, Silver and his team split off toward their designated locker rooms. The familiar scent of the Anbu base filled the air, and the sound of their footsteps echoed as they moved through the hallways. Each of them knew the routine by heart, the feeling of the cool, dark corridors almost a second skin.

Silver didn't waste any time as he entered the locker room. He pulled off his civilian clothes and quickly donned his Anbu uniform. The black fabric of the outfit felt familiar, almost comforting—every fold and seam well-practiced from countless missions. He finished by slipping his Anbu mask over his face, the dog face design a constant reminder of his role and the weight of the missions ahead.

One by one, his team did the same. Aiko adjusted her mask carefully, making sure the delicate white markings of her "Whisper" codename were aligned perfectly. Ryota, with his sharp Hyuga eyes, checked his mask with meticulous precision before stepping out of the locker room. Hiroshi, usually calm, cracked his neck, his mask—emblazoned with the symbol of his "Embers" codename—shining faintly under the dim lights. Kaori, her movements always fluid, wore her "Verdants" mask with silent resolve, her sharp eyes betraying none of the thoughts behind them.

As they gathered in the hallway, the quiet was broken by the distant hum of the headquarters. They moved in synchronicity, like a well-oiled machine, heading toward the training grounds where they would meet the additional Anbu squad assigned to assist them.

The training grounds behind the headquarters were usually reserved for sparring and honing skills, but today they served as a staging area for the upcoming mission. Silver and his team stood silently, waiting for the rest of the Anbu squad to arrive.

Silver's mind was focused, replaying the details of the mission in his head. They were about to enter the unknown, facing an enemy who had already eliminated two squads of highly skilled operatives. The missing Anbu squads could have been ambushed, or worse, captured. Kusagakure might have more hidden forces than they anticipated.

As the minutes passed, he could feel the weight of the mission bearing down on them. His team stood by him, each one ready for whatever came next. The silence was broken when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the training ground. The additional Anbu squad arrived—four more operatives, all masked and ready for action.

The squad leader, a tall woman with a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped forward. Her mask had the symbol of a bird, her codename "Falcon." Without a word, she joined Silver's team, and the other squad members took their places, standing in line behind them.

Silver turned to his team and the additional operatives. "We're moving out immediately," he said, his voice sharp and direct. "The longer we wait, the more chances Kusagakure has to cover their tracks. We're going to move quickly, find the missing squads, and gather whatever intel we can. No one is to get left behind."

Ryota nodded, his Byakugan activating slightly as he scanned their surroundings. "Understood. We'll stay in formation and stay alert."

Aiko placed a hand on the hilt of her sword, her gaze steely. "Let's make sure we don't repeat the mistakes of the last mission."

Kaori adjusted her mask one final time. "We won't. We've got this."

The Falcon squad leader, eyes steely beneath her mask, gave a sharp nod. "We'll follow your lead, Silver. We're ready."

With the additional squad in place and everyone prepared, Silver felt a surge of confidence. They were a formidable force, but the dangers they would face ahead would push them all to their limits. With a final glance at his team, he nodded.

"Let's move."

As they left the training ground, the mission ahead seemed to close in on them, the weight of their responsibilities pressing harder with every step. But they were Anbu—silent shadows in the night, trained for the impossible.

And this time, failure wasn't an option.