Search and Rescue Opt. 5

Just as Silver's team began preparing to depart, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air, followed by the distinct thrum of metal slicing through the wind. Before anyone could react, Embers's sharp eyes caught sight of the incoming projectiles.

"Shuriken!" he shouted, already moving into action.

In perfect synchrony, the team executed Substitution Jutsu. Their forms vanished in a blur of smoke, leaving behind nothing but logs to take the barrage of shuriken. Silver reappeared a few paces away, his sharp eyes scanning the area.

The sound of the shuriken clattering to the ground was quickly replaced by a low rumble—a voice, unmistakably familiar. Silver's gaze snapped to a lone figure emerging from the shadows, his heart sinking. It was the Explosion Corps captain, the same one who had led a surprise attack against them previously.

"You again..." Silver muttered under his breath, instinctively reaching for his kunai pouch.

But it wasn't just him this time.

As the air grew thick with tension, Silver's heightened senses quickly assessed the surrounding area. Embers, Sight, and Verdants all stood ready, but the realization hit them fast—there were at least forty figures encircling them, their presence unmistakable.

"Elite shinobi," Sight said, his tone grim. "The weakest are elite Chunin, and the strongest—" He paused, his eyes narrowing. "The Explosion Corps 1st Battalion Commander. S-rank."

Silver's heart raced. The 1st Battalion Commander of the Explosion Corps was an infamous figure. A legend even among the elite, this man's explosive jutsu was devastating. He was a master of long-range explosive attacks that could level entire forests with a single blast. This was no small-time skirmish.

With the number of enemies closing in, it became clear: they were completely surrounded, and the odds were overwhelmingly stacked against them. The team was outnumbered, outgunned, and without backup.

"Focus!" Silver barked, snapping the team back into formation. "We're not getting out of this without a fight."

Embers stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor turning to that of a seasoned warrior ready for a challenge. "We need to neutralize the S-rank first. If we take him down, the rest will crumble."

Verdants nodded, her voice cool and steady. "I'll cover the perimeter. We can't afford to be surrounded."

"Agreed," Silver said, his mind working quickly to form a plan. "We'll use hit-and-run tactics. Take out the elites and force them to split up."

Before he could say more, the Explosion Corps captain stepped forward, his form a towering presence in the center of the ring of enemies. His cold smile and cocky stance only fueled the anger rising in Silver.

"I've been waiting for this moment," the Explosion Corps captain said, his voice low and filled with menace. "Did you think you could just wander into Iwa territory and walk away unscathed? You're in our domain now."

Suddenly, the earth around them trembled as the S-rank commander raised his hand. A wave of explosive energy surged beneath the ground, sending cracks splitting through the earth as explosive tags buried underground began to detonate. The first wave of explosions shook the ground beneath them.

"Scatter!" Silver shouted, leaping backward as a powerful blast erupted to his right. His mind raced, and without hesitation, he threw a series of kunai towards the elite Chunin closing in on his position. A burst of smoke filled the air as the Chunin dodged, but the S-rank commander was already gathering chakra for another devastating attack.

"We can't keep dodging forever!" Verdants yelled as she formed hand signs to summon defensive barriers around her and the team. "We need to take the fight to them."

The Explosion Corps captain's eyes flashed with excitement as the explosion jutsu surged once more, this time directing a massive barrage toward the center of the formation. Silver had only moments to act. His team was skilled, but facing an army of this caliber was not something they could easily overcome without precise coordination.

"Get ready to move!" Silver shouted, readying himself for a battle that would test every ounce of his skills as the S-rank commander advanced, ready to unleash another round of explosions.