“That bastard is mine. I have no time to explain it, but it would GREAT for you to help this noob to fight the Spectres.”

  “Uh, uhm..” – the three musketeers.

  “NO UH UHM! FIGHT. NOW!”

  **

  As Ren, Ryosuke, and Yamada launch themselves to fight against the Spectres that have surrounded them, Sakura set her stance, ready to battle Kentaro.

  “Ready to die, you scum?”

  “The audacity of my niece.. think you can outdo me, little girl?”

  “Oh, I’ve been thinking to rip those hands off and gauche those eyes.. and break your fucking skull, every single day, uncle dearest.”

  She then initialled an attack, fast as a jaguar, and her kick landed right on Kentaro’s face.

  He bled and retrieved himself for a second before he smirk. “Is that all you’ve got?”

  Ha!

  I’ve got more coming to you fucker!

  As the blood-red moon rose high above the jagged peaks in the Underworld Realm, the glade held a haunting stillness, as if the very air were holding its breath. Sakura tightened her grip on her twin Katanas that she had just drawn out, the polished steel glimmering ominously beneath the low light.

  Her heart pounded a furious tempo in her chest, each beat a reminder of the betrayal of that day, the betrayal that had shattered her world.

  The rustle of leaves whispered warnings, but she paid no heed; her eyes were locked on her uncle, Kentaro, once an esteemed warrior in his younger days, now a treacherous would-be overlord... and someone who is lower than trash in Sakura's eyes.

  “A little pet has come to play..” Kentaro mocked, his laughter echoing through the trees. His sword glinted, a menacing shade of darkness, the mark of a man who had surrendered his honor for power. “I had hoped you’d grow up to be something more than a broken little girl.”

  “I am not broken!” Sakura spat, fury igniting in her gut as she remembered the countless lessons her father had taught her, and what her teacher had planted in her mind, her routine, her trainings! Each strike, each meditation, and every terrifying encounter had led her to this moment. “You betrayed our clan! You betrayed my father! You.. you betrayed me!”

  “Hahaha!” He laughed. “YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN BORN!”

  With that, both surged forward.

  The world blurring around them as Sakura launched into a flurry of practiced strikes, her blades slicing the air with deadly precision. She was a whirlwind of motion, each movement a dance of violence and grace. V had taught her the longest, compared to her other students.

  Kentaro, though larger and more experienced, met her with a swing of his weapon, the sound of their swords clashing ringing like thunder in the silence of the glade.

  “You think you can defeat me with that little show?” he snarled, his face twisted in contempt. He swiped at her, forcing her to leap back just in time to avoid a crippling blow. The anger coursing through her veins sharpened her focus; she had trained for this moment, and the memories of her endless trainings fuelled her every move.

  “I’ve trained my entire life for this!” She declared, eyes fierce with determination as she re-engaged him, unleashing a series of rapid thrusts and slashes that forced him back. A strike here, a dodge there –it was more than just a fight; it was a clash of wits and wills. Kentaro danced backwards, his strikes growing less assured as he struggled to keep up with her agility.

  “You think your training makes you special? Nothing can replace real strength.” He roared, countering her with a powerful horizontal swipe. Sakura narrowly avoided the blade, pivoting on her feet and retaliating with a low sweep, aiming to take his legs out from under him. He jumped over her, but she was already moving, spinning in a lightning-quick arc and aiming for his torso.

  “Is that what you tell yourself, scum?” She taunted, feigning weakness with an over-exaggerated stance before launching herself back into the fray. “That strength without morals is all that matters? You’re nothing but a coward.” She smirked.

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  Their weapons met again, the vicious clash sending sparks flying into the air, illuminating the encroaching darkness. Kentaro’s frustration bubbled over as he pushed against her, shoving her back with strength that made the earth tremble beneath their feet. “You’re a foolish girl! You don’t understand the depths of power!” He shouted, desperation undercutting his bravado as he bore down on her.

  But Sakura had inherited more than just her father’s skills and her teacher’s tactical movement; she bore their spirits, too. With each aggressive swing, she felt the lessons of a lifetime echoing within her. “Power without honor is worthless!” She retorted, ducking under his next swing and coming up with a vicious uppercut that knocked him back. He stumbled, surprise flashing across his face.

  “Your pride is your weakness, little wench!” He yelled, coming at her with a renewed fury.

  Sakura responded by channelling her rage into focused attacks, realizing that she could not rely simply on speed; she had to outthink him, to anticipate his movements. She ducked low, then leaped, bringing her blades down in a devastating arc –only for him to catch her, diverting her strike with a practiced flick of his wrist.

  “You’re quick, I’ll give you that,” he grunted, pushing her back before lunging forward once again, attempting to catch her in a brutal embrace. Sakura barely sidestepped his massive frame, adrenaline surging as she rolled onto the forest floor.

  The air crackled with tension, and Sakura could feel the battle drawing out some primal instinct within her. She regained her footing and adjusted her stance, breathing heavily as she calculated her next move. “Why do you serve the darkness?” She challenged, meeting his mocking gaze. “WHY DID YOU DO ALL THOSE THINGS TO ME?”

  He hesitated, the flicker of something –regret, perhaps– crossing his face. “You think you know me? You were just a child when I chose power over family!” He spat back, hatred boiling in his eyes. “You stole my brother first! You shouldn’t have existed in the first place!”

  Haaaa! Sakura sighed. What a petty trash. I see it now. There’s no way I’m seeking sense from his fuckwit brain. “Then I will take you down!” Sakura shot back, charging forward with renewed vigor, her blades blurring as they sliced the air. One strike—two—three—she was relentless, each movement powered by vengeance and the strength of her ancestors who had fought for honor before her. Kentaro deflected quickly, but she was no longer just a little girl he had once tortured; she was a force.

  “You think this is enough?” He barked, panting and grunting under the weight of her blows. “You’ll never win!” But even as he spoke, she could see the sweat glistening on his forehead, the strain etched into his every movement.

  Sakura lunged, forcing her swords forward in an intricate dance of death. She was a blur of fury, each combination calculated for maximum efficiency. “You’ve lost yourself, scum! I will not let you destroy the clan any longer!”

  With a sudden surge, she aimed a high arc at his head, forcing him to raise his sword in defense. But that was the moment she had hoped for. While he focused on blocking her high attack, she dropped down low, sweeping her leg out and catching him off guard. He yelped in surprise as he fell to the ground, and Sakura seized her moment.

  With powerful determination, she rolled onto her feet, positioning one katana at his throat while the other hovered near his heart. “Yield,” she demanded, her voice unwavering, fury still burning bright. “Or I will end this now.”

  Kentaro’s eyes blazed with defiance, yet beneath it all was a mixture of fear and realization. “You think killing me makes you the hero?” He spat, opening his mouth as if to strike back. But Sakura’s blade at his throat silenced him.

  “No.” She paused, “but it will make a sweet memory for my revenge to you, uncle dearest.” She replied fiercely. The blood moonlight illuminated her fierce gaze, and in that moment, she saw flashes of the young girl he once tormented, before power had completely twisted him into something monstrous. “You made your choices, scum. Fuck morality, I’m no hero. But I won’t let you continue this path.”

  The battle had drained the last of his strength, and as he looked up at her, resignation folded over him like a shroud. “Finish it, then,” he growled, but there was no bravado left in his voice –only the bitterness of lost potential and swallowed pride.

  “No,” she stated firmly, lowering her blade just enough to allow a sliver of life to remain. “I will not stain my hands with the blood of my family, no matter how low you are. You will stand trial for your crimes.” With one swift motion, Sakura disarmed him, sending his sword clattering into the underbrush.

  In that silence, broken only by their harsh breaths, she felt the weight of everything that had led to this confrontation. The loss, the betrayal, the pain coursing through her veins –all of it crystallized into a moment crystallized by the moon's glow.

  “Perhaps there is still hope for you,” she murmured, stepping back, creating a boundary not just of distance, but of choice. As she turned to leave, the vengeance that had once burned brightly transformed into something deeper, a bittersweet victory that heralded a future that lay, uncertain.. “OR NOT.”

  She slashed him.

  Right on his neck.

  “How’s that for a soap opera?” She grinned. “Like I give a fuck about ethics and all that bullshit! I wasn't planning on letting you breathe further, dumbass!”

  You tainted the Ikari’s name, you bastard!

  Sakura then breathed heavily, before she fell onto the ground.

  Is it over? She looked over her three classmates who are still fighting the Spectres. No, it’s not. Get back up, Sakura.. come on… She pushed herself to be on her knees again, but the battle that lasted almost all night long with Kentaro weighed her down.

  She’s exhausted.

  Come on, you little bitch. GET UP!

  Your friends needed you!