The next several weeks for Mika and Hinata were exceedingly potent. Mika spent his mornings learning to suppress his chakra to unimaginable levels and then snap it back to allow him use of his jutsu. The Chameleons taught him, and he taught Hinata, to mask his form via light and chakra. This was in additions to combat training, you never knew fear until you saw a giant Chameleon's tongue snap a tree in half and tear it out. Mika learned to avoid that soon enough.
In the Afternoons and evenings, he would spend his time sparring with Hinata, correcting her form and showing her how to integrate the water clones or other water manipulation into her combat style. Neji would help her as well, and it shows as by the months end Hinata was moving with a grace that Mika was unable to match, at least in taijutsu. She was easily scrapping at jonin level in terms of sheer taijutsu powers. It really was remarkable.
Before they knew it, it was time for the Chunin exams, Hinata was facing Naruto and she was ready in a way he knew she never would have guessed she'd be given her past obsession over the boy. She stood tall and strong, her muscles showing around her biceps and forearms, she was ready to kick some serious ass.
"You must be proud." Hiashi said, turning to him. Mika sat near the man and his worthless clan members, mainly Hiashi's Father and sadly, Hanabi herself. It broke Mika's heart to realize she would lose her kin, but it was something that had to happen, one way or another. She would merely have to endure.
Mika nodded, a small smirk on his face. "More than I can express, she really is something else." He turned to the field. "Hinata was always a brilliant Kunoichi, it was confidence that was her downfall. Or rather her lack of it." A subtle dig and one that hit home as Hiashi cringed. "I wonder who and what she would be with prior support... sadly, we will never know. Now, onto the match."
""'
Hinata wanted to laugh as The idiot boy known as Naruto started the match with a declaration. Arms crossed, like he was tough, he said. "I don't want to hurt you, give up Hinata!"
She did in fact laugh, unable to stop herself. "You, the dead last, you the weakest and worst Ninja in our class? The boy that graduated quite literally due to a fluke?" He flushed. "You are an embarrassment to the village, to the world Naruto. Really I should be asking you to forfeit."
Naruto burned red and charged, creating half a dozen clones.
Hinata moved around each strike coming her way, slapping, jabbing and poking. She wasted no energy, moving toward the real Naruto she did not bother to block his points. she knew there was no point, not after Mika informed her of his Jinchuuriki status. No, instead she sent a jab to his neck, knocking him out entirely. The boy fall to his face, startling the world about him.
"That was too easy." She muttered, just as the proctor declared her the winner. 'To imagine, just a few months ago, and I would have not even been able to look at Naruto cross eyed, but now... now I bested him, easily... how times change.'
And as she marched up the steps, she turned to Mika, the realization of their actions and plans fulling hitting him. She accepted it entirely in a way she never had before, and that changed everything.
"""
Mika laughed. "That was embarrassing, but not too shocking." As she walked out, Hinata turned to him, nodding, and Mika knew, she was ready, ready in a way she never was before... and that was exactly what he wanted to see...
It was wonderful to see, and he knew she would not hold back.
Something that would ensure their success entirely.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.