"Lady Moroha sends her regards." A purple Chameleon whispered to Mika the moment she was summoned. "I am Kikyo, Priestess of Power." Kikyo bowed, her eyes cold and serious. She was about the size of Kagome, and had a potent aura of power about her. "I have been asked to teach you my specialty, Barriers and healing. I am an expert in both aspects, and My Lady has seen fit for you to learn from me in these areas."
Mika bowed back, pleased. "I am beyond honored. There has been a lull in missions since Yagura attacked us two days ago. My guess is that he is fighting his genjutsu, and is unable to focus on us." he sighed. "I have reached a lull in my skills, I need to be better. I want to learn more, and I thought you could help." He gestured to Yugao next to him. "This is Yugao, my mentor. She says she wants me to learn from you all more, as that is what allowed the sanin to grow to such heights."
"I can see the wisdom there... very well... I will teach you what I know. Starting with Healing, as that is your specialty as well, and then we will move into some basic barriers."
Yugao smiled. "I will be having him working with me daily as well as learning more sealing due to this lull, but I might be sent on a mission, this felt wise to me."
"It is... now... shall we begin?"
"""
Three Months Later
The next three months passed by fast for Mika. Though there were battles and missions, Mika spent about seventy percent studying, training or more. Yugao, Chojuro and even Ao trained with him. Ao was an expert taijutsu user, and he ripped through Mika's defenses with precision and strength, but after a few weeks Mika managed to hold his own. Yugao was a familiar ass kicking, but one he could only barely handle due to her upping her level each time he reached hers. Then there was Chojuro who was brute strength and almost dance like skill, he easily bested Mika when he went all out something he had not done the first time they sparred.
Each day though, Mika got better. Having to best three powerful A rank fighter each and every day, for months, learning their styles on top of the frequent mass battles, Mika grew. He learned to fight dirtier, to hit harder, to be smarter. His chakra levels skyrocketed from the lessons, the combat and the stress. He felt like a different person as each day passed and boy did it show, alongside his six new scars, two of which landed on his face.
Soon, by the end of the Three Months, Something amazing happened.
"Kid, I think you're officially about Low S rank." Yugao muttered, shaking on the ground next to Chojuro and Aoi, all three being healed by Kagome and Kikyo. " I think Kakashi or Guy would have troubles, sans gates or Sharingan."
Chojuro nodded, his blade across the training ground where Mika had kicked it after dislocating Chojuro's wrist with a twist. "She's got a point... ow!" He called out as Kikyo popped it back into place. "I mean you were already A rank when you came here, but now... I think you're ready to start training with someone stronger, at least in raw combat."
Ao sighed. "To think I've been so easily bested by a mere teenager." And yet the man was smirking slightly, despite his face being bruised by Mika's kick to the face.
Clapping, soft and cold, drew their attention to Mei. "But are you ready to face me? I am a High S rank kunochi, there is a massive gap between Low and High S ranks. Are you ready for me?" He nodded once and she was there in his face, foot slamming into his crossed arms.
As he slid back, he grabbed her ankle and yanked it with enough force to throw her back where she exploded into a thick cloud of Mist. He closed his eyes, and moved his hands through the proper signs, grateful for his medical training as he it really helped his chakra control. Without hesitation, he sent out and layered three genjutsu ( something he mastered in battle) on top of each other, ensuring a delay on it.
He felt Mei shatter the first one, but by the time she did so he was in her face, ducking under her fist and slamming a palm into her belly. He heard the air leave her lungs, stunning her long enough for a sharp uppercut that failed as her body exploded into lava, burning his hands just slightly before he could coat it in chakra.
'She can make lava and mist clones, fuck.' Deciding to take a risk, he unsheathed his blades and threw himself into the air, above the Mist. "Lighting Wave!" And threw waves of Lighting into the Mist, making Mei shriek for a moment, the Mist fading to show her scorched hair.
"That was unkind." And she retaliated by using her remarkable raw speed to deck him, sending him flying back. Then, she unleashed the most massive water dragon he had ever seen at him.
Knowing he needed to act, he gathered fifty percent of his dwindling chakra. "Lighting Burial!" And sent it at the Water Dragon, with enough force that the raw heat dispersed the dragon into mist. He swayed, struggling to stand.
Mei did not attack, she clapped. "You did well... I think you're strong enough to lead Missions now. I have one for you, in a dungeon sixty miles to the east. Rest up, It is time for you to really show us what you are made of."
And he nodded, eager and willing to help and prove it all, but so very, very tired none the less.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.