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Extended Epilogue – 10 Years Later
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A New Dawn
Ten years had passed since the day the Revenant army fell.
The world had changed. No one whispered Shinkuro's name anymore; it became just a lesson in the Academy scrolls—a tale of what happens when power corrupts.
And me? I'd changed too. My hair was a little longer, my demeanor calmer, but my Storm chakra still flowed strong.
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Life With Hana
"Arashi! Breakfast is getting cold!" Hana's voice carried from inside our home.
I stepped in, smiling as I saw her moving gracefully in the kitchen—one hand stirring soup, the other expertly blocking our son's attempt to sneak a rice ball.
"Shin, let your mother finish," I chuckled, ruffling his messy hair.
Shin grinned, his eyes holding that familiar spark of Storm chakra even at eight years old.
Hana looked up, meeting my gaze with that same warmth she'd shown me on the battlefield years ago. "You're still staring like the first day," she teased.
"Still can't believe I'm lucky enough to have you," I said honestly, stealing a kiss on her cheek. She blushed, but her smile stayed.
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Hokage's Offer
Later that day, I stood in the Hokage's office—this time under Kakashi Hatake, who had taken over leadership.
"Arashi," he said, leaning back in his chair, "we want you to consider the Hokage position."
I blinked. "Me? Hokage?"
"You're already leading Storm Division, you ended one of the greatest threats this village has ever seen, and people respect you," Kakashi said simply.
I thought about it—about the long nights, the endless responsibility. And I thought about Hana and Shin, waiting at home.
"Thank you," I said, bowing slightly. "But no. I have everything I want already."
Kakashi smiled knowingly. "Sometimes the strongest shinobi are the ones who choose peace over power."
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Storm Division's Legacy
Storm Division had grown into an elite unit of its own, officially recognized by the Hokage. Kai now led it as captain, still as loud and wild as ever but tempered by experience.
Sera taught advanced sealing to ANBU recruits, while Kaoru had become a specialist in heavy assault operations.
When I visited the division, they still called me "Captain" out of habit. I didn't correct them.
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A Quiet Evening
That evening, Hana and I sat on the porch watching Shin chase fireflies with his little sister, Emi, who had inherited her mother's chakra bloom talent.
"Do you ever miss it?" Hana asked quietly. "The chaos, the battles?"
I smiled, pulling her close. "Sometimes. But I've had enough storms in my life. Now… I like the quiet ones."
She rested her head on my shoulder. "Good. Because I plan to keep you around for a long time."
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Final Words
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and purple, I thought back to Daisuke, to Shinkuro, to everyone we'd lost and saved.
"We did it," I whispered.
Hana squeezed my hand. "We did."
And for the first time in my life, I believed—truly believed—that peace wasn't just a pause between wars. It was our life now.