Sarada's POV

After a week of being reunited with my family. I am back again in the Kiyotaka's arena. In an hour, three students of the Akatsuki Academy will have a friendly sparring with the White Room subjects. TV screens projected our faces and names.

Taiyo Uzumaki against Kuro Azumi

Minami Uzumaki against Gaburieru Tesuki

and I am against Shana Katumi-Uchiha.

Though my dad was hesitant to make a contract with Mr. Kiyotaka, he agreed to the sparring anyway. This is the only way he could release his students being held captive.

Everyone inside the arena are on hype. I felt a bit nervous waiting for the time to start. I decided to walk around the perimeter first. As I wandered around I saw many kids my age.

Then I saw that boy, from the cold way he looked at me, I know he is Ibuki Kiyotaka.

I could only feel sorry for the other Ibuki as I reminisce the last time I saw him.

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(Memories from the Dragonic Valley)

Sarada: Where am I?

I asked in terror as I saw dragons fighting like they're in a war. I don't want to be caught in the middle of that hellish war. I stood trembling top on of a hill overlooking the valley witnessing fires coming from everywhere.

Kemono: This is the dragonic valley. As you can see there are dragons all over. No human body can enter this valley. All you can see here are real dragons and souls of men. With the help of the dragon queen Zelhori, our souls are here while our bodies are in our world.

Sarada: That is why everything is weird. Why are we here? Why did you bring me here?

Kemono: This is the only place for the two souls of Ibuki can separate from the body and face off in a fight. You are here to help my son Ibuki win. If you help him, I will help you see your mom and dad in return.

Sarada: You know my parents?

Kemono: Yes. And I promise to bring you back to them if you cooperate with me this time.

I accepted his offer and listened to his instructions. He pointed to me the two souls of Ibuki who were fighting for their life. One with black aura and the other purple. From the looks of it, the one with the black aura is dominating this battle.

Sarada: I don't understand.

Kemono: There are actually two souls who live within Ibuki's body. My real son is Ibuki Kiyotaka, that one with a purple aura.

Sarada: He has two souls.. How is that possible?

Kemono: It is an unexpected product of Orochimaru's experiments. Another soul was born and has become an intruder to my son's body. And sometimes he dominated him. The other soul with black aura calls himself Ibuki Kuroshi.

Sarada: Ibuki Kuroshi.... I remember he introduced himself to me as soon as I woke up.

I think I am getting the situation why I am here now. As I saw Ibuki Kiyotaka on the verge of dying, Mr. Kiyotaka held me like a hostage. He was threatening to kill me.

I could understand why he would do this to me. He just wanted to protect his real son. So I didn't resist at all. Plus I also believe he would send me back to my parents if I cooperate.

But I feel sorry for Ibuki Kuroshi. He is not the real owner of the body he is in. Therefore he is not human at all...

Although he was more humane to me than the other one who is cold to me. He was caring, compassionate and was worried sick about me.

I could only sigh as I saw how he was defeated because he wanted to protect me. He cried out to me and I felt the guilt of betraying him... but I can't get myself to help him. All I can do was look at him shot by an arrow before I collapsed.

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(Back to present)

I beheld Ibuki has a lot of fans. Everyone greeted him like he is someone famous. He's been surrounded by girls who are fangirling him. And he talked to them like a playboy calling them either babe or hun while being touchy.

I don't know why, but I felt a bit regretful. I missed the other Ibuki. I sighed as I thought what if Ibuki Kuroshi was here... But he's not.

Hai...
I wonder what happened to him.. did he die? Or was he still within that body?

The other him seemed like a nice and compassionate guy but this one....

He is a predator who thinks he owns all the girls around just because they're clingy to him.

Grudgingly I walked away and bumped to a boy.

Kuro: Hey Sarada.

Sarada: I'm sorry I forgot who you are.

Kuro: It's ok. We only met a few times. I am Kuro Azumi.

Sarada: Hi Kuro-san

Kuro: I didn't know you'd be here today. I thought you died already.

Sarada: What do you mean dead?

Kuro: Ibuki. I thought he killed you already.

I was shocked and confused at why would Ibuki kill me. I believe this boy knows something and I need to extract information from him.

Sarada: I guess he just can't.

Kuro: He can but he won't.

Sarada: If he can then why wouldn't he?

I was hoping he would give me the answer but he stood too close to me, pat my head and smiled at me.

Kuro: You... are so cute.

I blushed at his gesture but before I could even say a word Ibuki pulled me away from Kuro.

Ibuki: Who said you can do that to her?

I hated it that he acted like he owns me.

Damn, am I one of his babes?

I don't know why but I ran away from Ibuki and luckily he is out of sight now.

Kuro: STOPPPPP....!!!

Kuro: Why are you running?

Sarada: I don't know! I just want to stay away from Ibuki. I guess he is bad news.

Kuro: Damn. I don't even know why I am following you. Well anyway, I almost forgot I need to tell you something.

Sarada: What?

I look at him with curiosity while he studied me from head to toe. Then he flicked my forehead only with his index finger effortless... He was too strong and with great chakra concentrated on his fingers, I went flying 10 meters from where I stood.

Sarada: Ouch!

I complained soothing my forehead.

Sarada: Yah! Why did you do that?

Kuro: You are too weak. Are you even ready for the upcoming sparring minutes from now?

Sarada: Whatever, it's just a friendly sparring... It's like having a daily exercise... What is there to be ready about?

Kuro: Huh! I guess you don't know who your opponent is.

Sarada: All I know is she is my uncle Sasuke's adoptive daughter Shana Katumi now an Uchiha.

Kuro: Yes. You will be facing Shana Katumi-Uchiha. That girl hates you a lot. Though it might be just an ordinary spar to you but to Shana, it will be a spar to death.

Sarada: Nobody told me anything.

I croaked as I felt a bit panicky with the news.

Sarada: Why would she hate me so much? She is technically my cousin.

Kuro: She was engaged to Ibuki but their family cancelled the engagement.

Sarada: That sucks. But well lucky Shana, Ibuki is not a good catch anyway. He's a playboy. Plus they're too young to think about marriage.

Kuro: Yah, in the world of the rich and powerful, engagement could happen as soon as children reach puberty but it can even at be birth. That's to secure the line succession.

Sarada: I see. So what has that something to do with Shana hating me?

Kuro: Because Mr. Kiyotaka was eyeing on you to marry his son Ibuki. He wanted a true blood Uchiha like you, not an Uchiha only by name.

Sarada: Whhhaaatttt? But I would NEVER AGREE TO THAT!!!!

Kuro: Hey, must you shout at me? Anyway that's good. But you can't say no if both parents agree, can you?

Sarada: Whatever, I haven't think about any of that yet.

Kuro: Well that's not the pressing issue right now. What's important is how you survive battling with Shana.. I know you can't win against her skills, but you can at least survive and not die. Though if you're lucky you may defeat her.

Sarada: If that Shana is trying to kill me, then why does that concern you?

Kuro: I just wanna help you.

Sarada: Why?

Kuro: I don't want to watch a boring match.

Sarada: What?

Kuro: Don't take it personally Sarada. I just believe if you live to be a weak ninja that would be a waste of space on earth. It would be best if you just die.

Sarada: You are twisted. I think Ibuki is better than you.

Kuro: I am not as twisted as Ibuki. I am lesser evil than he is.

He was annoyed when I compared him with Ibuki. A dark-style shadow aura emerge from his hands and feet. He stepped on my shadow and using a dark-style shadow movement he was crushing my shadow but I felt the pain with my physical body as if he actually held me. I cannot move and I struggle to breath as his hand shadow strangled my shadow.

Sarada: L..ee..ss..er .... ev..i..l....? a-ll ... tt-the sssame... y-ou are e..v...ii..l..

Kuro: I will help you win against Shana but promise to pay a favor in return.

Sarada: W-what f-favor?

Kuro: I will tell you later. So, do you want my help or not?

He punished me some more like I did something wrong. I was in so much pain and I don't understand the point of me giving him a favor.. He can just torture me like this and I'd be forced to give him what he wanted.

Damn twisted evil sadist who find pleasure on the pain of others.

I tried to fight my way out of his shadow grasp and was reluctant to agree to him.

All my efforts were futile. He was just too strong and the more I resisted, the more I suffered from unbearable pain. I then realize the only way out is to submit to him.

Sarada: Ok. Ok. I agree. Tell me how to win against Shana and I will give you a favor in return.

Kuro: That's my girl.

Kuro released me and executed a medical ninjutsu healing me from all the pains he inflicted in me. I felt rejuvenated and stronger.

Sarada: How can you hurt me and heal me just like that?

Kuro: That's not important. The sparring is.

He whispered to me telling me the secret to how I could defeat Shana. I felt like it was absurd but it is possible. I can't dare do it though. It is cheating.

Kuro: Don't worry, you only owe me if that works.

He smiled as he cut the shadow of my pinky. I immediately counted my fingers thinking he had actually cut it. Luckily it's ten. My pinky is still there.

Kuro: hahaha... Don't worry. I just held your pinky's shadow as a token of our contract. Hmm like a pinky swear.

Sarada: Tsk. .. torturing me to get a pinky swear?!

I feared him as he smiled like he had evil intention. I guess I just entered into a contract which I could pay more than what I get.... an onerous contract.