The Missing Squad

Chapter: The Missing Squads

The early morning sun filtered through the window as Tetsuma completed his report, his pen scratching across the parchment with careful precision. The mission in the Land of Rivers had been disastrous, and he had to ensure every detail was noted. His mind replayed the ambush—the deadly silence as the enemy's kunai rained down, the struggle to protect the injured, and the failed pursuit of the remaining survivors. Three ANBU squads, gone without a trace. Not even a body to return to Konoha.

Tetsuma was still processing the chaos when there was a knock on his door. A masked ANBU appeared, standing at attention.

"The Hokage requests your presence," the ANBU said, voice steady and commanding. "He requires the mission report."

Tetsuma's expression hardened. He knew what was coming. He stood from his desk, the weight of the situation pressing on him, and nodded.

"Understood. Lead the way."

The two moved through the silent halls of the ANBU headquarters, Tetsuma's mind racing as he prepared to face the Hokage. He knew the seriousness of the mission's failure. Three squads missing, presumed dead. The village would want answers, and the Hokage would not take kindly to failure.

Upon entering the Hokage's office, Tetsuma was greeted by the sight of the Hokage, seated behind his desk. His face was unreadable, but the aura in the room told Tetsuma all he needed to know. The Hokage had been briefed on the initial findings, but now the full report would be laid out.

The Hokage's voice broke the silence. "Tetsuma, report. What happened?"

Tetsuma took a deep breath, bowing briefly before handing the Hokage the mission report. He stood still, waiting as the Hokage unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the details. The Hokage's expression remained unchanged as he read, his gaze sharp and calculating.

Tetsuma couldn't help but notice the faint tension in the Hokage's jaw. He had heard of the failed missions in the past, but nothing like this—three entire squads missing without a trace. It was unthinkable.

The Hokage finally set the scroll down. The room seemed to grow colder, and Tetsuma braced himself for what was coming.

"Three squads gone, and not a single survivor." The Hokage's voice was laced with anger, but there was a deeper, more calculating edge to it. "Tell me everything, Tetsuma."

Tetsuma exhaled slowly, his thoughts focused. "We reached the Kikyo Castle in the Land of Rivers, and it was there we encountered an unexpected resistance. The information we gathered pointed toward a deeper conspiracy, but by the time we arrived, it was already too late. The squads were attacked—overwhelmed by a force of Sand shinobi and others we couldn't identify. We couldn't retrieve any survivors. There were no bodies left behind, only traces of chakra and signs of brutal interrogation."

The Hokage's gaze hardened as he leaned forward, his eyes never leaving Tetsuma. "You're telling me that three full squads of our most elite operatives were wiped out without a trace? No survivors, no bodies, nothing?"

Tetsuma nodded, his tone steady but filled with the weight of the report. "Yes, Hokage-sama. There was nothing left of them. We were able to secure intel from the logs we found, and we confirmed that an underground force is involved, but there's still much we don't understand. The Sand shinobi, while skilled, were only a part of it. I believe there's a larger network at play, and our mission to uncover it… ended in failure."

The Hokage's eyes narrowed. "And the information you recovered?"

Tetsuma took a step forward, presenting the rest of the intel they had gathered. "The log books and other documents we found suggest the missing squads were being monitored long before the attack. The Sand shinobi weren't acting alone. I suspect they were part of a larger scheme involving multiple villages, possibly mercenaries or rogue organizations. But we haven't been able to pinpoint exactly who is behind this yet."

The Hokage stared at the report in his hands, his fingers tightening around the scroll. A silence hung in the air between them, thick with tension. Finally, he spoke, his voice low but full of conviction.

"I want every ANBU, every resource we have, to focus on finding out who did this. This cannot be allowed to go unpunished."

Tetsuma nodded firmly, understanding the gravity of the Hokage's words. "We'll track them down, Hokage-sama. I won't rest until we have answers."

The Hokage stood up, his eyes hard and resolute. "I expect nothing less. There is no excuse for this failure, Tetsuma. I'll be expecting a full investigation immediately. We cannot let this slip through the cracks."

Tetsuma bowed deeply. "I understand, Hokage-sama. I'll make it my priority."

As Tetsuma left the Hokage's office, the weight of the Hokage's expectations settled heavily on his shoulders. The missing squads were a devastating blow to Konoha, but Tetsuma knew that the true implications of the attack went far beyond just these losses. Whoever was behind this, they had sent a clear message: they were not to be underestimated.

And Konoha would make sure they paid for it.