I wasn't planning on this chapter, but inspiration struck that is why it is smaller. I love, adore this chapter.

Mika's main thing is swords, any suggestions for his next big skill?

Hana huffed. 'Is there anything this girl cannot do?' She thought, watching Hinata dodge her hounds as they leapt at the girl, working on her evasion and taijutsu. The girl barely managed this, the Hounds were extremely fast for the average ninja, but still she did it. Hinata also managed to pass every test Hana gave her, on countless subjects that even a Hyuuga heiress should have struggled to answer. It was clear she studied.

She even managed to, after a few minutes, gather her chakra into the green stream needed for the Mystic Palm. The girl was by no means a master, or even capable of the actual jutsu, but that she could even use the technique at all was... terrifying. The girl was going places, her clan was dumb for all but disowning her.

"Hinata, fight back, let's see if you can do more than evade!" Hana called out and a vicious smirk broke out on Hinata's face.

Without falling into a stance, something all beginners tended to all but require, Hinata lashed out with a kick at the closest hound, then twisted under the second, lashing out with a strong set of jabs that had him whimpering. The last she took out with a headlock before slamming it down onto her knee. The girl moved back, smirking ever so slightly.

"That enough?"

Hana sighed. "What changed? I heard you were disowned from you clan by being too weak? I may be marked as chunin but my combat skills are jonin level. My hounds are easily enough to pressure a jonin."

Hinata shrugged. "I found myself, besides I have been evaluated as low jonin in terms of sheer taijutsu skill."

"Just... I expect nothing but the best, you have proven yourself far too skilled to undervalue."

"I will honor your value, sensei."

Hana frowned. "Be sure that you do... and kick anyone that thinks less of you in the nuts. You really are a golden egg, Hinata."

""""

Mika carried an exhausted Hanabi to her compound with her father at his side. "So, do you approve of my methods in educating your children?"

The man nodded, a rare smile on his face." You excel as a mentor."

"I do try." Mika turned to Hiashi fully. "Do you know why I enjoy helping your kin?"

The man shook his head. "No clue."

"I get it. The urge to abuse your power, to flaunt it over others. I feel the urge myself, the issue is that your clan is so full of themselves from centuries of power. Without humility to balance you, you cannot see your flaws and trust me there are many. I want to help, not just Hinata and Hanabi and Neji, but you too. In a way you are a victim of your upbringing. It saddens me to think that you are bound and burdened by your inability to grow, but everyone needs to change, otherwise we are doomed to fail."

"A few months ago, I might have struck you for that observation, but you are more than right. I cannot, will not let my failings harm my clan, my family any more. If you have any other changes, other than stopping the Curse Mark which I literally cannot do, I will be happy to hear them."

Mika smiled, a rare full smile. "Well, letting your people spread their wings, try other skills? That would be great. Lessening the pressure of success would do wonders, trust me that all but killed Hinata. There are others, but those stick out. Oh and let me talk to Neji, he is one I really want to spar with. I am not sure I can best him, he is that good, You should be proud of him, Hinata may want his head on a stick, but she is proud of how far he came on his own."

What Mika didn't say, and wanted to, was that as much as Hinata wanted her father's heart in her hands, she wanted to heal her clan more. Too many were the victims of abuse and frankly... she couldn't stomach it. They had some ideas, loose as they were, to fix it. Mika currently was using Hiashi to get some influence, to make waves in that clan. It was not ethical, but he didn't really care...

He did however, care for Hinata and Hanabi and even Neji. Knowing Neji's past, he realized that Neji too was a victim. He wanted to, needed to help him... and by Kami he would...

One way, or another.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joyful chapter.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.