A Difficult Road Home 2

The patter of rain against the dense foliage was the only sound accompanying Tetsuma and his three newly assigned squad members as they made their way out of the Land of Rain. The storm clouds above shifted, their gray depths mirroring the tension that still hung in the air after his last battle.

The team moved swiftly but cautiously. Tetsuma, despite his recovery, was still wary of another surprise attack. The war had turned the Land of Rain into a killing field, with shinobi from all factions moving through its treacherous terrain.

Then—

The sharp whistle of kunai and shuriken cut through the downpour.

Tetsuma's reflexes kicked in instantly.

"Substitution—now!" he commanded.

In a flash, all four of them flickered out of existence, replaced by chunks of wood that were shredded by the incoming barrage.

Tetsuma and his team reappeared on the thick branches of nearby trees, weapons drawn. Their ambushers stood before them.

A team of Suna Anbu.

And at their center—

Ebizo.

Tetsuma's sharp silver eyes locked onto the figure of the man leading the ambush. Despite the Anbu mask covering Ebizo's face, his presence was unmistakable.

"I should have expected Sunagakure to be lurking in these parts," Tetsuma said, his voice calm despite the tension.

Ebizo gave a small, knowing chuckle. "And I should have expected the famed 'Silver Blade' to still be alive. Your reputation precedes you, Senju Tetsuma."

Tetsuma tilted his head slightly, keeping his stance loose but ready. He needed information. If Sunagakure's elite Anbu squad was here, it meant their movements had purpose.

"Strange," Tetsuma mused, sheathing his sword just enough to show he wasn't looking for an immediate fight. "I would have thought the great Suna Anbu Commander had bigger plans than attacking a mere four-man squad. Surely you didn't come all this way just for me?"

Ebizo was silent for a moment before responding. "Konoha and Iwa are at each other's throats. Kumo lurks in the north, waiting for its chance. The world is at war, and yet you—one of Konoha's most dangerous men—are out here alone, just ripe for the taking. My question is, why?"

Tetsuma smirked slightly, noting the way Ebizo's stance remained cautious but not aggressive. He was testing the waters, just as Tetsuma was.

"I could ask you the same thing," Tetsuma countered. "Suna's been rather... quiet in this war. Raiding, gathering resources, striking where it's convenient. But not committing to the battlefield."

Ebizo chuckled. "It's called strategy, Tetsuma. Not everyone throws themselves into the fire like Konoha does."

Tetsuma narrowed his eyes. He had a suspicion now.

Suna was waiting.

Waiting for Konoha and Iwa to weaken each other. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to deliver the final blow.

"A shame, really," Tetsuma said, resting a hand on his sword. "It almost sounds like you're hoping Konoha and Iwa destroy each other so you can pick up the pieces."

Ebizo didn't respond, but the silence was telling.

Tetsuma's smirk widened. He had his answer.

Sunagakure was preparing to strike.

The only question was when.