The Missing Squad 3

Tetsuma had spent the whole morning buried in the mission reports, reading each page with an increasing sense of unease. By afternoon, he had painstakingly compiled his findings into a single comprehensive report for the Hokage. It wasn't easy to synthesize so many disturbing details into something that made sense. But there was one glaring conclusion: something insidious was happening under Konoha's nose, and it was not just a simple series of random ambushes. This was organized, systematic, and it was costing Konoha far more than anyone had realized.

With the report secured under his arm, Tetsuma made his way toward the Hokage's office. As he approached the door, his mind raced. He had no idea what the Hokage would say—what anyone in the room would say—but he couldn't afford to keep his findings to himself. Not now. Too much was at stake.

When he stepped inside, he was immediately met with the weight of several discerning gazes. The room was tense, a silent air hanging thick with expectation. At the far end of the room, standing tall and dignified, was the Hokage. Beside him, his mother—ANBU Commander Senju Toka—stood with her usual unreadable expression, her eyes fixed on Tetsuma with a hint of concern. He could feel her presence, her ever-watchful eye, as always, protecting Konoha's interests with unspoken intensity.

Also present were the Hokage's five closest disciples, his most trusted advisors: Sarutobi Hiruzen, a man who carried both wisdom and battle-hardened experience in equal measure; Shimura Danzo, the stoic and calculating member of the Council; Akimichi Torifu, the ever-jovial but fiercely loyal member of the Akimichi Clan; and Mitokadu Homura, the calm and calculating voice of reason within the village's top echelon.

Tetsuma's gaze met each of them, but the tension in the room made it clear that the atmosphere wasn't just about his report. It was about something much larger. Something was wrong within Konoha's ranks.

"Ah, Tetsuma," the Hokage's voice broke the silence. "I trust you have the findings?"

Tetsuma stepped forward, handing over the thick folder with the compiled report. "Yes, Hokage-sama," he said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of what he had uncovered. "I've reviewed every mission log for the three missing squads in the Land of Rivers, as well as the missing reports from the last year. I believe this is the full scope of what's been happening over the past six months."

The Hokage nodded, his eyes scanning the report quickly. Tetsuma could see the slight twitch in the Hokage's brow. He wasn't one to show emotion easily, but Tetsuma had seen that look before. It was a look of grave concern.

As the Hokage scanned the pages, the other advisors in the room exchanged glances. Danzo's eyes narrowed, ever cautious. Hiruzen, however, looked more thoughtful, as if contemplating the long-term implications of what was in the report. Homura and Torifu seemed more focused on the Hokage's reaction than the report itself, their faces neutral but concerned.

"Ten entire squads, you say?" Danzo's voice cut through the tension. "In the last six months alone? That's an entire battalion's worth of operatives."

"Yes," Tetsuma replied, his voice firm. "It's more than just coincidence. The frequency and the manner of these disappearances suggest someone, or something, is targeting Konoha's ANBU, systematically removing our most skilled operatives."

A murmur of disbelief spread across the room. Homura, ever the pragmatist, folded his arms, his expression unchanged. "This isn't just a series of isolated incidents. This sounds like a coordinated effort. But by whom? Who could have the power and influence to take down so many of our best men?"

"I have my suspicions," Tetsuma began, his eyes scanning the room. "But there's something deeper at play here. This isn't just a raid or ambush—this is strategic. Whoever is behind this knows our weaknesses, and they're exploiting them."

"We've been keeping our eyes on the other villages, particularly Iwa," Hiruzen spoke up, his voice tinged with worry. "But none of our intelligence pointed to an external threat this significant. If this is internal, though…"

"It's worse," Tetsuma finished the thought for him. "If there's someone inside Konoha pulling the strings, then it's a matter of survival for Konoha itself. We need to find the source before it's too late."

His mother, Commander Senju Toka, was silent throughout, but Tetsuma could feel her presence intensify. She knew the stakes better than anyone. After all, she had spent years navigating the perilous political landscape of the ANBU. She finally spoke, her voice soft but commanding.

"I agree with my son," she said, her eyes locking onto the Hokage. "We cannot afford to underestimate this. If someone has infiltrated our ranks, then it's a matter of survival for Konoha itself. We need to find the source before it's too late."

The Hokage exhaled deeply, his eyes clouded with concern. The weight of the decisions ahead was heavy on his shoulders. "We'll have to investigate every lead, then," he said, looking at his advisors. "Tetsuma, I want you to lead this investigation. You and your team. Find out who is behind this."

Tetsuma nodded, a fire igniting in his chest. "I won't rest until we have answers."

"And what of the missing operatives?" Hiruzen asked, his voice tinged with concern. "What if there are still more squads out there, lost?"

Tetsuma looked at the Hokage, his determination clear. "We'll find them. We have no choice."

Danzo's gaze hardened as he stared at Tetsuma, but he didn't speak. Homura and Torifu exchanged looks, but they said nothing, all of them knowing that the road ahead would be fraught with danger. And if there was one thing Konoha's leadership knew, it was that time was running out.

After a long silence, the Hokage spoke again. "Very well, Tetsuma. You have our full support. Go. And may the Will of Fire guide you."

With that, Tetsuma bowed respectfully, his mind already focused on the task at hand. This was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning. He would not rest until every last shadow lurking in the darkness was brought into the light.