Aftermath 2

The Escape Route

Silver and his team did not head directly to the Fire Country border post—he knew better than that.

The Ginkaku Force wasn't just an ordinary pursuit squad. In the future, they would annihilate a Kage-level powerhouse and a Super Kage-level shinobi, a feat few in history could claim. If they engaged now, survival was uncertain.

Instead, Silver made a calculated decision.

"We're heading toward the Land of Rice."

His team didn't question him. They knew Silver wasn't one to make reckless choices. The Land of Rice bordered the Land of Sound, a rarely patrolled area. From there, they could divert toward the Valley of the End, where a secret ANBU passageway existed—one that Tobirama Senju himself had used during his time as Anbu Minister.

"Only a select few know of it..." Silver thought, grateful that his mother, Senju Toka, was the current ANBU Commissioner. That knowledge was now his greatest advantage.

As they moved, they left behind misleading tracks—ones that led toward Fire Country's border outposts. If the Ginkaku Force pursued them directly, they would lose valuable time deciphering the false trails.

But Silver knew that wouldn't fool them forever.

They had to reach the Valley of the End before the real hunt began.

As Silver and his team flickered through the dense forests and rugged terrain, they remained highly vigilant. The Ginkaku Force was notorious for their ability to track and respond quickly, so Silver kept his senses sharp, constantly scanning for any signs of pursuit. He also ensured that Kaito Yotsuke, the unconscious S-rank shinobi from the Yotsuki clan, was securely bound and carried along. His lightning chakra-infused body had been a tough challenge to deal with, but Silver had managed to subdue him, for now, keeping him unconscious with careful restraint.

The team's journey was tense. Every few moments, Silver would gesture for them to halt, listening for any disturbance, aware that their enemies might still be on their trail, trying to uncover their whereabouts.

As they moved through the dense woods of the Land of Rice, Aiko, ever the curious strategist, broke the silence.

"Tetsuma," Aiko said, her voice low but sharp, "I've been thinking about the way we handled that fight earlier. Your tactics, the way you handled those other shinobi... it's impressive. Tell me, how does the ANBU typically approach combat? What are the core principles we follow in situations like this?"

Tetsuma, whose mind had been occupied with the gravity of their mission, turned to Aiko with a thoughtful expression. He paused for a moment, considering her question.

"ANBU tactics vary depending on the mission and the team," he began, his voice steady, "but there are a few key principles that never change: stealth, adaptability, and overwhelming force when needed."

Aiko nodded, her expression focused as she absorbed his words.

"Stealth is critical for an infiltration mission," Tetsuma continued. "If the enemy doesn't know we're there, we can control the flow of the engagement. You saw how I used my lightning body flicker—we make ourselves unpredictable, so they can't anticipate our moves. But once we're compromised, we switch to adaptability."

He glanced at Hiroshi briefly, the unsung strategist of the team, then back to Aiko.

"When adaptability comes into play, it's about responding to the unexpected. In our line of work, the terrain, the enemy's jutsu, and their strategies are always variables. You saw me adjust my tactics during the ambush. Chidori-style techniques for precision and defense, my use of Kusanagi for overwhelming force—it's about switching styles and balancing what's necessary for the situation."

Aiko absorbed everything, her hands tightening around her weapon. She could see the logic in his approach, and it was something she had always admired about the ANBU. It wasn't about brute force alone—it was about understanding the mission, understanding the enemy, and knowing how to exploit their weaknesses.

"And the overwhelming force?" she asked, wanting to understand more.

Tetsuma's gaze hardened for a brief moment, a seriousness in his tone.

"Sometimes," he said softly, "when things go sideways, the only thing left to do is overwhelm them—flood them with force before they can regroup. It's about finishing the job quickly and decisively. But that doesn't mean we don't weigh the risks. It's always about balance."

Aiko nodded, her expression more contemplative now, as they continued on their way, staying silent for a while. The weight of the mission ahead pressed on them, but there was something reassuring in knowing their strategies were rooted in deep, well-practiced principles.

As they trekked forward through the wilderness, Silver could feel the ever-looming presence of danger behind them. The Ginkaku Force wouldn't give up easily, and the longer they stayed exposed, the more they risked. He needed to get his team to the ANBU passageway—safety lay ahead, but the path was fraught with peril.

But they were ANBU, and there was no challenge too great when they worked together.