The Missing Squad 12 (end)

Even though Silver managed to take down four enemies, the remaining five held their ground. These weren't ordinary shinobi—they were hardened warriors who had fought alongside the Ginkaku Force, skilled in both offense and defense.

But Silver wasn't going to let them regroup.

His body flickered in and out of view as he launched relentless hit-and-run strikes, using Chidori Nagashi to paralyze and disorient his foes whenever they tried to counterattack. His movements were unpredictable, striking from unexpected angles and vanishing before they could retaliate.

Meanwhile, his teammates capitalized on the chaos.

Aiko (Whisper) used her mind-based ninjutsu to disrupt the enemy's chakra flow, her piercing mind waves forcing them to move sluggishly. Ryota (Sight), a Hyūga, weaved through the battlefield with fluid Gentle Fist strikes, targeting their chakra points with pinpoint accuracy. Hiroshi (Embers) rained down controlled bursts of fire, forcing the enemy to stay on the defensive. And Kaori (Verdant), with her swift, acrobatic taijutsu, moved like a whirlwind, striking at their blind spots while reinforcing their team's coordination.

Despite the odds, the Konoha ANBU were overwhelming their opponents.

Silver saw an opportunity. He darted in once more, Chidori Kusanagi extending in a streak of blue lightning. His blade clashed against a Kumo jonin's lightning-infused katana, sparks flying as their techniques collided. With a sharp twist, Silver redirected the enemy's blade before slicing clean through his torso, reducing their numbers to four.

The remaining enemies knew they were at a disadvantage. Their initial confidence had crumbled, replaced by desperation. Silver could see it in their movements—hesitation, uncertainty. They were considering retreat.

He wasn't going to let that happen.

With a glance at his team, he signaled the final assault. This battle was about to end.

The Ambush in the Land of Hot Water

Two weeks had passed since Silver had begun his investigation into the disappearance of multiple ANBU squads. He had meticulously combed through intelligence reports, connecting dots between scattered clues. Though he had no concrete evidence, the coded parchments found in Kusagakure suggested a troubling pattern—certain factions within Kumogakure were operating across multiple nations, targeting shinobi for bounties.

Now, he found himself patrolling the border of the Land of Hot Water with his team—Aiko (Whisper), Ryota (Sight), Hiroshi (Embers), and Kaori (Verdant). It was supposed to be a routine patrol, but the sudden sight of a signal flare in the distance changed everything.

Without hesitation, they rushed toward it. But as they arrived at the scene, Silver's instincts flared.

The lone ANBU operative standing there wasn't the one who fired the flare.

It was him—Kaito Yotsuke, a missing-nin from Kumogakure.

A former shadow guard of the Raikage, Kaito had abandoned his position to serve under the infamous Ginkaku and Kinkaku. His portrait was listed in the Bingo Book, marked with a 30-million ryo bounty. A member of the Ginkaku Force, known for ambushing and eliminating shinobi squads for profit.

Silver's grip on his Kusanagi sword tightened.

"It looks like the trap still worked," Kaito chuckled, his deep voice carrying through the clearing. "Is this the eighth squad we've killed and sold for bounty? Konoha keeps sending lambs to the slaughter."

Then, without warning, Kaito vanished—his body glowing with the telltale golden aura of Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

A fraction of a second later, his lightning-clad fist shot forward, aiming straight for Silver's head.

Too slow.

A crackling burst of Chidori Nagashi—the flowing lightning technique—erupted from Silver's body. The moment Kaito's fist connected, a surge of counter-electricity lashed back, forcing him to retreat.

Kaito smirked. "You must be Silver Blade. I recognize your bounty." He rolled his shoulders, lightning sparking from his fingertips. "You'll fetch a good price."

Without waiting, he spat out a bolt of Lightning Release: Thunder Fang, tearing through the trees where Silver had stood.

But all he hit was wood.

Substitution Jutsu.

Then, Silver struck from behind—his Chidori Kusanagi slicing through the air. Kaito barely managed to twist away, the blade carving a gash into his shoulder.

The battle had begun.

The Clash of Shinobi

Silver assessed the battlefield quickly. His teammates were engaged in their own fights. While he faced Kaito, five remaining enemies—all skilled Kumo-nin—continued their assault.

Ryota (Sight) weaved through the battlefield, his Gentle Fist striking pressure points with precision. One Kumo-nin barely dodged a disabling strike to his heart but took a chakra-disrupting blow to his stomach.

Hiroshi (Embers) unleashed Great Fireball Jutsu, forcing two opponents into evasive maneuvers. But it wasn't enough to overwhelm them.

Kaori (Verdant) used Earth Release: Rock Shield, blocking a barrage of lightning kunai while countering with vines that tried to ensnare their attackers.

Aiko (Whisper) had disappeared.

Kaito is the real problem.

Silver knew he couldn't win in a prolonged battle. Kaito's Lightning Release Chakra Mode acted as a natural defense, making him resistant to standard lightning jutsu. Without a lethal Wind Release technique, Silver lacked a direct counter.

But that didn't mean he couldn't adapt.

Chidori Storm.

Electricity crackled violently around him. Bolts of pure lightning lashed outward in multiple directions. The technique was a sure-hit jutsu, almost impossible to evade once activated.

Kaito blocked with his arms—but instead of piercing through, the attack only rendered him unconscious.

Even unconscious, his body had resisted the full brunt of an A-rank assassination technique.

Silver's eyes narrowed. This bastard's body is like tempered steel.

But there was no time to be shocked.

Two Kumo-nin tried to grab Kaito's unconscious form, but Silver zipped past them—his Chidori Kusanagi flashing through the air.

Two fell instantly.

The other three tried to flee, but Aiko made her move.

Aiko (Whisper) had been waiting for the perfect moment.

Using Phantom Step, she disappeared from sight, weaving between the chaos unseen.

When she reappeared, her kunai was already sinking into the spine of one Kumo-nin. Before he could scream, she was gone again.

The remaining two hesitated.

Aiko's fingers flew into seals.

Yamanaka Secret Technique: Mind Paralysis Jutsu!

The last two enemies froze, struggling against the invisible force locking their bodies in place.

"Now!" Silver's voice rang out.

Ryota dashed in, Gentle Fist strikes finishing them off with pinpoint chakra disruption.

Just like that, the battle was over.

Aftermath

The battlefield was littered with bodies—nine Kumo-nin dead, Kaito Yotsuke still unconscious.

Silver exhaled sharply, sheathing his Kusanagi sword. "We salvage the bodies."

Kaori and Hiroshi began sealing the corpses into scrolls for later interrogation. Aiko, still clutching her wound from earlier, was stabilized but needed urgent medical attention.

Kaito was restrained.

"This one's too dangerous to kill just yet," Silver murmured. "We take him back to Konoha."

If they could interrogate Kaito, they might finally uncover who was truly behind the disappearances.

With the battle over, they turned toward the Fire Country border.

The mission wasn't over yet.