Before Mika walked into the Academy for his last days at the Leaf for the known time, Yugao had agreed to do him a favor. "I'll learn how to do the Flying Swallow from Asuma. I saw him a few hours ago, I know you wanted to master it."
Nodding, Mika hurried into the Academy, making a mental note of what skills he had and wanted to master. He had to if he wanted his trip to matter...
'Kenjutsu in general, but adding more styles and movements would be welcome. Same with taijutsu actually, I wanted to learn the Strong Fist but I doubt that will happen for a time. I am a medical expert, with about a year and a half of study and practice. I am just about finished with water manipulation, I know water clones and the water trumpet jutsu. I know the false, double false surroundings and Hell's viewing genjutsu and of course the Chameleon jutsu of the Chameleon clans. I can summon. I can do the basics of seals, but would love to learn more. Oh and I can track and infiltrate moderately well.
Yugao is a master kenjutsu user, an expert at healing and sealing, so that is good. She was an ANBU captain, so she is skilled in all aspects of the shinobi world, and can pass on more tracking, infiltration and so on into my combat style.
I think after about six months of missions, combat and more training I will actually be powerful enough to call myself an A rank ninja. I can only hope I reach S rank soon, I cannot afford to get so easily thwarted by people like with Kisame.'
"MIKA!" Lee's bellow startled Mika out of his mind.
Turning, he saw the boy limping ever so slightly though less than the day before. "How are you feeling?"
Lee beamed. "I feel almost at full power, only a few more days and sessions with Lady Tsunade... so, are you ready for this?"
"That I am."
And so, Mika and Lee moved into Iruka's class, where they saw a bevy of young children looking at them with awe. Iruka introduced them with a cringy amount of fanservice. "This is Mika and Rock Lee. They graduated at the same time, almost a year and a half ago, and yet both are powerful figures in the Leaf. Rock Lee, while still a genin, is one of the Leaf's most skillful Taijutsu masters. Mika on the other hand is a class three medic and a special jonin specializing in kenjutsu and healing.
Please show them your respect!"
Both boys bowed, though Mika still felt uncomfortable. His eyes moved and he saw a familiar face. Konohomaru Sarutobi, a boy most chunin or jonin knew of. He was a spoiled brat by most metrics, the grandson of the Third Hokage. Mika had heard rumors in the hospital about his antics.
"Hello, everyone."
"YOSH! HELLO ACADEMY STUDENTS!" Lee barked out, making Mika sigh.
Masking rolling his eyes, Mika stepped forward. "We were sent here, for a few reasons, but mostly to prove a point. Effort matters. Lee and I, we come from new lines. Neither of us have any trace of shinobi ancestry and yet we are both capable of defeating jonin in combat. Lee can open the Inner gates, up to five, something few can do with even one. He could kill anyone in our year, only I would classify myself as stronger.
As for me, I am just shy of a class four medic with just a year and a half of study. Only experience and time keeps me short. I am also a near expert with my tanto.
We accomplished this through sheer effort alone, nothing more. Yes, we had good mentors for part of our journey, but that alone is not enough to be great. You have to earn it, mold yourself to be great."
The kids looked on in awe, and Mika hated the Hokage. The last thing these kids needed was to be lied to, to have patriotism forced into their throats to mold them into child soldiers... and yet, here they were, doing just that.
It was sickening, wrong... and Mika was doing it anyway.
Fuck was wrong with the world they lived in...
""
Six hours later
Mika sat down, looking at a headstone, carved like everyone else's in the rows of the dead. "I am sorry... Hinata, this is my first time visiting. I should have come before, but I was... afraid. I am leaving the Leaf, for a time, but I will never, ever forget you. I should have been here before.. My soul, it aches without you. Your bright and shinning face, knowing you were always there, my first equal."
The endless expanse of graves burned something fierce into Mika's heart, knowing that so many had died pointlessly.
"I never thought of death before, but I find myself considering it a lot since you passed. It was arrogant of me... and yet, here I am. My sister, my friend... Please watch over me, and know that I will live my life in part for you, just as I do for myself...our dreams will come true, with or without you."
Reaching over, he brushed over the name. Hinata Hyuuga...
Pulling from his side a set of sunflowers, he placed them on her grave. "Our favorite... I hope that if there is an after life... that you guide me onward and life my offering."
Tears fell but he did not bother wiping them, as finally he allowed himself to grieve.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.