One day Later

"My lady, Chojuro had returned."

Mika, having been resting in his own personal tent with Yugao since healing forty freaking people, perked up at that declaration. Hurrying out with Yugao at his side, he saw a boy lurching toward the Rebel leader with a hesitation and softness that made Mika smile.

'He's just so cute, really.' The boy was tall with blue hair, sharp teeth one of which actually poked out as he walked, an oval shaped head and a hulking blade on his freaking back. Mika could feel the waves of potent chakra he exuded, as well as that in that blade. 'He's a seven swordsman... the only blade that big, past Sharkskin is...Hiramekarei! That blade is one of legend, even among his kinsmen. I wonder how good he actually is.'

It took a long second before the boy managed to squeak out. "I... I... Missions successful, my lady." He turned away, eyes evading everyone.

Mika grew enraged, wondering who the hell burned out his confidence. 'Bastards, whoever they are.'

Mei laughed, the most pleasant of sounds. "Wonderful, you give me great pride Chojuro. How are you feeling, are you up for a spar?"

The boy turned, tipping his head like a bird. "Spar?"

She pointed to Mika himself. "Mika, a swordsman from Leaf and quite the remarkable healer. I wanted to asses his skills, and so thought you could spar him. What do you say, do you need more rest?"

The boy shook his head rapidly, almost tearing the dam thing off. "No, M'lady, I am ready now!" He turned, eyes suddenly fierce as any dragon. "Anything for you, M'lady!"

Mika laughed. "Where do we spar?"

And like that, they were led to a large field, where dozens of aimless ninja came to watch. Mei held out her hand. "You will not make any real damage, first to ten hits!"

Chojuro nodded, summoning from a seal a simple katanna. "I cannot guarantee I won't kill you with Hiramekarei, it is designed for one hit kills or extreme damage in general."

"I appreciate that." Mika muttered. "Let's see if you can make contact at all though, my friend." The boy's eyes brightened at that simple sentence, and Mika knew he had a new project. Help Chojuro, just as helped Hinata once upon a time. 'I think you'd love him, my dear Hinata...' There was a pause, the air swirling with thin mist... and Chojuro moved 'Damn, he's fast.' Mika turned away from the blow easily, over a year and a half of medical training made it easy. Lashing out, Mika landed the first cut, on Chojuro's left arm just below the shoulder. "First blood, goes to me."

The boy was not stunned, instead his eyes lit up, excitement filling his ever cell. "I rarely can go all out... thank you, Mika."

And just like that, the real fight began. Mika quickly found out the differences between normal swordsman and the Seven Swordsman. Even one as young as Chojuro, a mere two years older than Mika. He was grace personified, stronger by leagues than Mika, and way more skilled, though Mika was much faster and agile given his smaller size. Mika had to use every ounce of dodging skill he had just to survive. Blocking was impossible, trying to do so cost him two hits.

Chojuro got the next three hits on Mika in a flash, but after that Mika found the flow in Chojuro's aggressive style, pegging the boy with two more hits. After that, an hour passed and neither got a hit on the other. Both were panting, Mika red faced but eager as all hell. Chojuro was grinning like the shark he was.

They moved to slash at each other again, Mika ready to use the Moonstep that Yugao taught him, but then Mei called out.

"That is quite enough, you are both bleeding,... I cannot say who is the winner, but you both did remarkably well."

The boys both looked at each other, bowing low and respectfully.

"You were amazing, I have never fought that style before." Chojuro called out.

Mika nodded. "Medical evasion mixed with Dancing Leaf, all speed and evasion. Yours is so powerful, your definitely a better swordsman, I just was faster and more evasive, it leveled the playing field. Seriously, let's spar again." Mika held out his fist.

Chojuro hesitated, then bumped his fist. "Agreed. You're the only swordsman here that can rival me."

Mika shook his head. "Yugao, my mentor, is miles above us both... she would be great for us both to spar with, I am positive she could take us both on at once."

"I look forward to the challenge."

"Let me patch you up, then we can talk shop?"

"Sounds great."

And like that, Mika made a new friend.

Who would have guessed?

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

This was so much fun!

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.