A Powerful Turn

Eleven and a Half months post graduation- Two Weeks before Hinata Graduates.

Glowing blue blades danced on Mika's palms as he sliced off a small growth on a man's leg. "The blade, made of chakra, allows us to make extremely sharp cuts to minimize pain and maximize the excision so we can get this growth tested properly." Mika placed the growth into a baggie marked properly. "We will get this tested swiftly, it should be done in a few hours. One of our runners will deliver it personally to the testing center."

The old man, an ex ninja in fact though one that never got passed Chunin, looked at Mika with pleasure. "You are a remarkable young man, seriously, I deeply appreciate your aid. I was getting worried about that lump. Years ago, when we fought Suna, they made a cancer causing toxin. I am worried it might be that."

Mika sighed. "I won't lie and say it can't be, but it could be a great many other things. Just rest for the time being, and ready yourself for whatever is to come." As he left the man's room, Mika slumped down, he hated that sort of case. 'I am almost positive it really is cancer... poor man.' So distracted by his thoughts, he almost bumped into another medic. "I am so sorry, that was entirely my fault."

The other medic, a slightly older boy with gray hair and glasses, shook it off. "No problem. That was Mr. Moru?" The boy got closer, almost whispering. " I saw his growth the other day, I get why you'd be a bit... off."

Mika cringed. "Yeah... I could feel the excited physical chakra..."

"Exactly. Anyway, I'm Kabuto Yakushi. Nice to meet you." The shook hands. "I heard of you, Mika right? One of the top rising medics, and the first Chunin of his class, sans chunin exams?"

Mika actually blushed at this, red as a tomato. "That would be me. Care to talk while we walk to the runners?" he gestured to the growth in the baggie.

Kabuto nodded. "I've actually wanted to meet you for some time. Seriously, your growth has been explosive. I actually failed the chunin exams several times. I am a better medic, far better than most here actually. It's where I excel, I was adopted by the head of the medical division years ago. Nono, her name was."

"Huh, we are going to have to compare notes. I am having some issues with poison extraction, any advice?"

Kabuto nodded. "Be aggressive. Trust me, delicate precision is needed in more places, such as the cellular part of the extraction, but removing it from the body you have got to be rough. It will hurt, it has to, but if you can do that... you can do anything. I am sure you are only on level three extractions?" Mika nodded. "Then yeah, that is your problem. Wanna spar with me later, I could use the help to get where I need to in these next exams?"

Mika paused. "Sure. I am tutoring Hinata Hyuuga, but she is busy with clan training today. I would be happy to help you. The actual exams are in what, two and a half months, so yeah that should be fine." Mika frowned. "I just picked up some new water jutsu. I have been trying to expand my offensive ranged ninjutsu and my genjutsu. I could really use another sparring buddy."

"We get out about the same time, so why not right after our shift?"

"That sounds fine. Meet me at the gates, give me twenty minutes in case our paperwork gets a bit excessive."

They both laughed at that part.

"""

Kabuto warmly waited for Mika, his goal simple. 'I need to get something on Mika before he rises to high. We might have to snuff him out before he becomes a threat to Lord Orochimaru... if he becomes one.'

With that in mind, he waited and soon saw Mika walking out looking fit and strong, blade on his hip. The boy was wearing a typical chunin outfit, only with the extra medic pouches and his tanto on his hip. He had his headband on his arm, a sign of less attachment. Something that intrigued Kabuto quite a bit.

"You ready?" Mika asked. "Follow me, I'll lead you to my personal training ground. I used to use one of the official ones, but I found it a pain to get there and have people taking up it's space." It took about ten minutes of Ninja speed to get there, but Kabuto saw why the boy liked it. A massive pond, a clear glen and a ring of trees. It was the perfect place to train. "Let's start with a routine spar, just to give us each an idea of where we stand."

Kabuto, deciding to play it safe, vowed to limit himself to chunin level tactics. He moved swiftly, though it felt slow and swiped at Mika, who easily dodged and moved with considerable, far beyond chunin speed to kick Kabuto's chest sending him flying back onto his actual back.

'He's no Tsunade, but he has a ton of raw speed and strength. In that alone, I would saw he is a low jonin... I heard he used weights from those in the hospital, it shows.' Flipping onto his feet, Kabuto laughed. "I have never been the best with Taijutsu, it's just not my forte. I am grateful we can both heal, it will likely come in handy." With great speed, a bit higher than chunin, he tossed kunai at Mika, who frowned and actually caught them all, before throwing them back at thrice the speed.

"Why are you holding back? Our entire style is about noticing patterns, I can literally see you withholding your true power?"

Kabuto stopped, then laughed. "I have been preparing for the exams, holding back from others... you are clever, no one ever noticed that! Seriously, you're amazing!"

Mika actually chuckled. "I appreciate that, but please go full force, we both need to get stronger."

Kabuto laughed some more, pleased his ploy worked. "I guess you're right, but I will keep some things to myself."

"That's fair, so let's get to it."

And so they did, for hours they sparred and Mika did not complain more, but Kabuto was impressed... especially when Mika ran through a few familar signs and blasted him with a -" Water Trumpet Jutsu!" Hitting Kabuto square in the chest, sending him back with considerable force.

"You have been doing water manipulation training?"

"I just started stage three this week. I cannot belive it took me months to master the first two stages."

"Months, it takes most years... damn, you are good."

And like that, Kabuto knew he made the right choice. Mika would have to be killed one day, or better yet... would have to serve Orochimaru one day. That sort of skill could not be ignored...

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

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.