---
Kaien's Interrogation
Kaien sat chained in an ANBU interrogation cell, glaring at me.
"You think you've won?" he spat.
"You're done, Kaien," I said coldly.
He smirked. "I was never the head. I'm just a hand… and the real head already knows your face."
"Who?" I demanded, slamming him against the wall.
Kaien laughed, blood staining his teeth. "They call him… Shinkuro. And he wants your storm."
---
The Strike Back
Minutes later, explosions rocked the outskirts of Konoha—Kaien's remaining men striking supply lines and assassinating minor officials.
"This is coordinated," Sera said grimly. "They were waiting for this exact moment."
"Shinkuro planned this," I muttered, clenching my fists. "He's baiting us into a bigger war."
---
Hana's Concern
As we geared up, Hana grabbed my hand.
"You can't fight every war alone," she whispered. "Let me be your shield too, Arashi."
Her eyes were determined, stronger than ever.
I nodded, pulling my mask on. "Then we fight together."
---
Cliffhanger
As we left for the retaliation site, I caught one last glimpse of Kaien's bloody smile behind the bars.
"He's coming for you, Arashi… and everyone you love," he said softly.
For the first time in months, a chill ran down my spine.
---
---
---
ANBU Council Meeting
We stood before the ANBU council, masks on.
"You two operate with unusually high sync," the commander observed. "Officially, you are now paired operatives."
"Acknowledged," I said firmly, Hana nodding beside me.
But behind our masks, we both smiled faintly—because we knew exactly what this meant: no more hiding our partnership.
---
Private Moment
Later, on the Hokage monument, Hana leaned against me.
"Feels different, doesn't it? Being recognized."
"Feels right," I admitted, holding her hand openly for once.
"Even if ANBU finds out about us?" she teased.
"Let them," I said simply. "You're not just my teammate anymore, Hana. You're… my person."
She laughed softly, resting her head on my chest. "Guess that makes you mine too."
---
Training Together
That night, we trained together, syncing our jutsu:
Tempest Falcon Strike + Chakra Bloom: Vine Lance → Storm Bloom Barrage, a devastating combined attack.
Hana grinned. "We're unstoppable now."
"Yeah," I agreed, watching her, "we are."
---
Cliffhanger
A crow landed on my shoulder—a message scroll from the Hokage.
"Shinkuro has moved… and he's targeting Hokage Tower itself," I read aloud.
Hana's grip tightened. "Then we end this before it starts."
"Together," I said, storm chakra already rising.