This is really, really fun for me to write. I adore getting to this point, to feeling like this is a path I was even capable of writing.
Hinata shouldn't have done it, but as Her worthless grandfather forced to once again fight Hanabi to prove her 'Superiority', she may have slightly snapped. Dodging her sisters rush forward, she twisted around her, kicked out her legs and slammed her foot into her baby sister's stomach with enough force to knock her out. It was out of character, sure, but she had gone beyond caring.
Lifting her sister up, she placed her in her stunned grandfather's arms. "Stop forcing us to fight. I will not have her branded, so she can be so easily abused as you do the Branch Members. If you continue, I will kill you one day."
The man, her Father's Father, stepped back. "You would threaten me, your own kin?"
"I feel nothing for you, the man that has made my life hell for as long as he deemed me to weak to lead." She pulled away. "I have the chunin exams to ready myself for, do not bother me." Then, ignoring her entire worthless family, she marched away, out of the compound and to her and Mika's training ground. She had steam to burn through, the exams were in three days, she had to prepare for it so that when it came time, no one would question her rise to power.
Just as they planned.
:::
The Day Before the Chunin Exams- One Month post Wave Missions
"I'm impressed, you've improved so much!" Yugao said, barely dodging Mika's tanto slash, dancing around the edge of their pond. "I never realized your speed until you learned how to actually capitalize on it. I would say that year plus you've used those weights put you at jonin speed easily."
Mika nodded, pleased with her words before flicking water at her face, something she dodged as she leaped onto the land. "I worked hard, every day, carving out my skills to the bone. You were right, I just needed your help to focus my powers."
She sent a harsh kick at him, only for his body to burst into water, his blade landing poking at her spine. She could not help it, her mouth dropped. "I wasn't going full power but damn, I was still going about jonin pace. You beat me going Jonin. I think you're officially High B rank, about Low jonin level. Be proud kid, you accomplished so much in such a short time."
"That... that is good to hear. I mean, I am just barely fourteen and I am a jonin class fighter. I cannot wait to see who I become with more time!"
They shared a smile at that. "Neither can I... and with that, I have something to tell you." She presented him a scroll from her pocket. "Lord Hokage and I have something prepared for you... for your incredible work in Wave and here training with me."
Mika, curious, opened the scroll... and gaped at what he saw. "I... I am officially a special Jonin and I will be acting as one of the Hokage's Guards for the Second Exam?" He almost squealed, he was so in shock. 'This changes nothing in regards to my treacherous plans, but by Kami is it not exciting.' Beaming at his mentor, he asked. "Are they sure?"
"Yes, your medical skills are incredible for your age as is your kenjutsu. I give you maybe a year before you are as good at Guy or Kakashi. I foresee Kage Level at Sixteen. I am proud to declare that you are entirely worthy of this honor. Be proud of this, kid, you deserve it entirely. Oh and guess what... you are fully licensed to take on genin or chunin students... it has been arranged that regardless of Hinata's promotion, she is yours after the exams."
'Okay, that makes it hard to stay on this darker path... but still, I cannot say I loathe injustice and not do something about it... onward to my goal, one way or another.' He turned away. "Can I tell Hinata, everything?"
"Yes, so go, and tell your adorable friend exactly what has become of your life."
"""
To say Hinata was stunned was the definition of an understatement. "Special jonin, really... wow."
"It changes nothing, only confirms we have an actual chance. I have five months of sealing training, sparse though it's been. We have all we need to at least cast a reversal, the books all say that big scale seals are typically applied with a reversal in mind, in case it is turned on the caster."
She nodded. "I see... I can only hope it will be enough."
"As do I... now... we have to continue to ready you. I will be in charge of your training in the month between, should you manage to get through, which I am sure you will. we will just have to adjust our training, to match our new purpose... now... are you ready?" It was an effortless thing for her to nod once more. "You are easily a Upper tier chunin level fighter, I give you three to six months to get you to my level and by then who knows how powerful I will be..." He hugged her. "Go home and prepare yourself, so much is at stake."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.