The Missing Squad 6

Two weeks later, Silver and his team were patrolling the borderlands of the Land of Hot Water. The terrain was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind and the distant murmur of a stream. Their mission was routine, a basic border surveillance to ensure no hostile forces were attempting to cross into Konoha's territory. But that changed in an instant.

In the distance, a flare shot up into the sky. The bright flash of red and gold burned through the twilight, unmistakable in its intent. It was an Anbu signal flare—urgent, and unmistakably from Konoha.

Without exchanging words, Silver's instincts kicked in. He gave a sharp signal to his team, and they immediately adjusted their course. Their quiet patrol became a sprint, each of them knowing the gravity of the situation. An Anbu flare wasn't something to be taken lightly. It meant that someone was in danger, or something had gone terribly wrong.

Aiko, Ryota, Hiroshi, and Kaori followed closely behind, moving in perfect synchronization. They were all seasoned operatives, trained to respond with efficiency, but the urgency in the air made them all aware of how dangerous the situation could be. It was an emergency call, and the only thing that mattered now was reaching the source of the flare.

They moved swiftly through the dense forest, their senses heightened. The trees blurred past them as they cut through the terrain, their thoughts fixed on the potential threat ahead. A few minutes later, they emerged from the forest and arrived at a clearing, where they spotted the source of the flare.

A single figure was standing in the center of the clearing, bloodied and battered. The figure was wearing the distinctive black cloak of an Anbu, though it was torn and stained with dirt. Silver's eyes narrowed as he recognized the operative—it was one of the missing Anbu, barely standing, their chakra depleted and their body on the verge of collapse.

Silver immediately called out, "Get in formation! Secure the area!" His voice was steady, but his mind raced with questions. Who had done this? And why? It was clear the operative had been through hell, but whether they were the target or merely a witness was still uncertain.

Kaori quickly moved forward, her medical expertise already at the ready as she knelt by the injured operative. She checked for vital signs, muttering quietly to herself as she assessed the damage. Ryota and Hiroshi took up defensive positions, scanning the perimeter for any sign of an ambush.

Aiko, as always, stood by Silver's side, her eyes focused and alert. The group was prepared for anything, but even Silver couldn't shake the nagging feeling that they were walking into something much larger than a simple attack. There was more to this flare than just a lone Anbu survivor—it was a signal, a sign that something had gone terribly wrong.

The injured operative managed to speak, their voice hoarse. "It's a trap... They're... coming."

Before Silver could ask for further details, the ground beneath their feet trembled. It was a faint vibration at first, but it quickly grew stronger. Silver's eyes widened in realization. "Ambush," he muttered under his breath.

The sound of footsteps—dozens of them—echoed through the trees as enemies closed in. Silver's team immediately shifted into defensive positions, their eyes scanning the trees for any sign of movement. They were not alone anymore.

Silver's hand gripped the hilt of his Kusanagi sword. Whatever was coming, he would make sure to be ready. His mind raced, trying to anticipate the enemy's next move. But for now, they would have to deal with the ambush head-on.

And as the first shadow appeared through the trees, Silver's resolve hardened. He wasn't going to let this attack succeed. Konoha's enemies had made a grave mistake.