This was supposed to be filler, but it ended up inspiring something awesome, a throw back to my og Mika story.
Four Days Later
Taking the path through the Forest of Death with the Hokage, a secret route that would not interfere with the chunin hopefuls, Mika found himself almost a touch fidgety. He had to work a hundred times harder to remain calm. To his benefit, the potent presence of the training ground actually helped mediate some of his issues. He felt... comfortable there, knowing he was more dangerous than most things there really helped.
Soon, wordlessly, he was there in the center of the Forest, in a tower standing guard to the Hokage as he reviewed the footage with the other ninja.
'I am happy Hinata's team finished second, good on them, but that Sand Team... nintey seven minute to complete the damn exam? That's... terrifying. I am not sure I could o that, not when the entire place is swarming with enemy ninja. It's not that big, avoiding people would be damn near impossible. No, they are far above even Chunin level. Hell, maybe even jonin or close to it, but together, they are probably stronger than I am. Especially the red head, not a single scratch on him.'
"Mika." The Hokage said. " Come here and exam Anko. She was given a Curse mark, decades ago, by Orochimaru and recently reactivated. He is here, he infiltrated the exam to give Sasuke Uchiha one as well. It has a high kill rate, one out of ten. We need to be sure it will not harm Anko. I have already tightened the seal, but perhaps you can offer some insight medically?"
Walking over, he heard that very same woman, Anko say. "That brat, he's not even half my age?"
The Old Hokage laughed. "He is also a brillant medic and your equal as a ninja, special jonin. I would venture to say he could take you in combat, Anko. Do not underestimate him. He survived Yugao's training and overpowered her at Jonin level once."
Anko hissed, then smirked. "He bested Yugao? He's her brat... nice. Come here, kid, show me what you've got."
Rolling his eyes, he let his hands roam over her seal. "Interesting... I sense foreign chakra, a lot of it, and something else. It has the normal chakra elements, physical and spiritual, but it has a third element. Something that acts as a magnifier. My guess? It's in a deadzone on purpose, it was designed to ensure that the user has access to an extra reserve of extremely potent chakra. Not unlike that Sage mode I read the First Hokage and Jiraiya of the Sanin used."
The Old man nodded. "Essentially you are right, but what else?"
"It's causing strain on her body, a lot of it, it's essentially a chakra siphon on her, it must be excruciating to have activated and worse as no medication could really help her recover... You have my appreciation for that. If you'd like, I could search for a cure? I have been studying sealing for a while, I could work on mixing my medical skills and sealing knowledge to one day free you."
She just stared at him, before smirking. "I would like that, brat... I really would. Oh and you so owe me a spar."
"Agreed, but it will have to wait, I am training that girl on the screen, Hinata. She is my protégé and one of my favorite people."
They shook on it. " Sounds perfect but one day..."
The Hokage laughed. "It is time to begin the next stage, everyone is present. Are you ready, Mika, for the exams? You never got to take them, you were field promoted after all."
'Maybe I can replicate this seal, or something like it... or maybe a summon...hmm... I did hear that a reverse summoning can lead one to a summons... I might have to look into that...'
"""
Hinata had, sadly, been bored the entire exams. The first was effortless given her Hyuuga education. The second was perfectly tailored to her team, they were all trackers and Shino had a way with bugs. A simple trap had made them a shoe in for second place. It really was no hard task to get through the exam.
And yet, the hardest part proved to be hearing the Hokage's bullshit speech on comraderies and patriotism. She hated him, something she only realized there. He may not have made the Hyuuga seal legal, but he kept it that way... and he would suffer, one way or another.
Until then, she had to wait for vengeance as Sasuke was to fight a boy name Yoroi. Besides, she saw Mika and it made her want to prove her worth to her closest and only friend.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.