Mika was grateful for the longer trip back, walking at a mundane pace it took three days to get back. By the time he returned to the Leaf, not only did Yugao explain where he could have done better- 'Bring a wooden blade in a seal, it is the best way to overcome lighting chakra users if you do not have wind chakra... though, your use of water chakra against him was brilliant.'- he was also fully healed and ready for just about anything.

Which was perfectly timed as Neji Hyuuga was being carted into the village as soon as Mika was at the gates, his chakra so faint Mika could scarcely feel it. He shoulder was a gaping wound and he just looked dead.

Without hesitating, Mika called out, with Yugao rushing to Lady Tsunade. "What happened?" Sprinting alongside the medics.

One turned. "Sasuke Uchiha defected, a team was sent after him and this was the result. Orochimaru's men nearly killed most of them, including Choji Akamichi, Shikamaru Nara, Kiba and Akamaru Inuzuka and Naruto Uzumaki. Lady Tsunade is already treating the Akamichi boy. Go to the emergency room, you will be needed to cast the healing jutsu required to heal Neji."

"I will be there in a flash." And Mika was gone, moving fast as he could, using employee entrances to get to the Emergency room where he saw a preparing Shizune. "Tell me what you need!"

She nodded. "Clean up, and ready yourself. This jutsu will take hours, have you ever cast a jutsu this potent? What are your chakra levels?" Her tone was cold, serious, and utterly potent.

"No, I have not, but I have cast similar jutsu in smaller surgeries. I have just broken into low jonin level chakra levels. Low B I do believe Yugao called my chakra levels."

"That will do." She nodded. "Find a corner, and remember your training. I will give instruction as needed. I am the lead here."

For the next four hours, FOUR HOURS, Mika was threading his chakra into Neji's body. The jutsu, one of the Wound Regeneration techniques, was utterly exhausting to manage. Mika poured his power into the jutsu for as long as he could, watching as Neji's cells made an almost tumor like form before slowly reintegrating into his flesh, using his hair as a conductor.

The instant they finished, however, Mika collapsed to the side, utterly exhausted. "That... was... hard. Kami, how do even my chakra coils ache?"

Shizune, a powerful and skilled medic trained by Tsunade herself, nodded. Even she looked worn, sweaty and beat up. "It was... you did great. This counts as an A rank mission, this jutsu is not easy... go rest. Come find Lady Tsunade in a few hours, I'll let her know you are resting."

Mika bowed. "Understood..."

"""

Four hours Later

Exhausted, saving Choji Akamichi was hard even for her, Tsunade had no desire to go to her office but she did so anyway. Yugao and Mika were, waiting patiently. "How did things go?"

Yugao stepped forward. "It went perfectly, almost. There were a few small unexplained hiccups. Raiga had a companion, a child with a potent bloodline that altered the mission and made it hard for even me to fight. However, Mika managed and Ragia, and the child, took their own lives. Mika had his summons take the Kiba blades to their realm."

She frowned. "Summons?"

"I genuinely forgot to mention it, so much happened after the Invasion. I am the only Chameleon summoner. I've only trained with them during the interim between the second and third exams. I've been too busy otherwise."

This time Tsunade nodded. "I see... we will discuss that later. Until then, good work. I will approve your acceptance into ANBU. It will start in three days. Until then, I want to use you as inspiration." Her words seemed to make Mika startle. She actually laughed. "I need you to show the most recent class of Genin what hard work can do. Shortcuts cannot be allowed. That mind set has ruined most of your generation, I want to, need to see it changing. A simple speech, and showing off a bit. You pick what you do, just make sure it works."

"I... ugh... fine." She laughed again, knowing the boy had a well recorded soft spot for people in need of learning. His time with Hinata proved that. "Can I bring Rock Lee? He is proof of that same, actually."

"I can allow that, he is still mostly recovering. He has a week off, bar his stupid decision to chase after Naruto and the others. I had to send Sand Ninja after them..."

"I appreciate that. If that is all, I would like to find Lee... oh and first-" She watched the boy ready himself for a summoning jutsu. "Summoning Jutsu! Kagome." And in a puff of smoke, a small chameleon appeared. "Hiya, Kagome. We can chat for a bit, but first care to give us the Kiba blades?"

"Sure thing!" She squeaked, making Tsunade chuckle some more.

In a puff of smoke, she saw the Kiba blades, and as she did so, an amazing idea crossed her mind. One she both loved and loathed, knowing it could just likely end in tragedy as a happy ending. Hell, the chance of it ending good was practically zero, but still the idea was something she could not ignore.

"Mika... we might have to delay your time in ANBU... As you know, Mist is still in a civil war. The rebels have been asking for aid for a decade, we never answered..." She looked up at him, seeing potential that she knew could change everything. "You are a skilled enough medic. All you have to stop you from becoming A rank or a class four medic is experience. If I send you to Mist, to act as healer or guardian... would you? Could you? Are you willing to make that sort of risk?"

Mika actually paused, considering his words she could tell. "I would... but first I would stop at Wave. Kakashi buried the sword of Zabuza Momichi there."

"Very well... Yugao, you will go with him. Mika, make sure you reveal yourself as the Pale Healer. Do what you can, heal, help, and make sure the world is better. Be a medic, true and potent. I will send you off in three days, after your lesson... " She pinned the boy with a stare. "I should explain why you. Part of it is your skills, you could provide he best aid among my ninja. You are a healer and warrior, and at a high level at that. However, most of us, you are technically replaceable sad as it is to say. Your death will not cripple the Leaf. If you survive, we win, if you die it won't hurt us."

Mika bowed. "I do understand, I learned as much in the hospital."

"This is your first S rank mission. Work as a full unit, you two. Yugao is in charge, naturally. Sasuke left to train and grow under Orochimaru. Naruto will do the same with Jiraiya. Mika, this is your turn, to grow, to change, to become as powerful a figure as you can become. With the skills and experience to honor the duty The Third wanted you for. To become the guardian of Naruto, our Jinchuuriki.

Can you agree to this?"

Mika nodded, then bowed once more, low and deeply formal. "I will, my Lady. I will return a proven ninja in time."

And just that like, as if she had no sent him to die, she waved her hand at him. "Have your lesson tomorrow at the academy, and then on the third day ready yourself for a long trip away... and know my thoughts are with you."

:::

Mika left, stunned and shaking. Yugao actually looked at him with worry. "Are you alright?"

"I am to help stop a war... one that has lasted for over a decade."

She held his shoulder. "You are the strongest of your generation. You are a fierce fighter and amazing healer. Your healing skills alone will be a massive perk to the rebels. If anyone can do this, it is you... now... brace yourself, for real war is nothing like what you've face."

He sighed. "I would never expect it to be... help me prepare?"

"Always. I have actually been to Mist, years ago, before the Itachi betrayed his clan. I will lead you, but do not worry, we will make it through this, one way or another..."

But if not, Mika knew the truth. They would be killed and forgotten, something that happened in ANBU and most high ranking missions...

Was he ready for that...

'Bring it on.'

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

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.