In this story, the Wave Mission is three Months after graduation. That should be enough time for Naruto to start whinning about the missions but not so much that there was massive growth.
The Chunin exams is six months after Graduation. It is the only way that Team Gai waiting a year makes sense.
Mika cringed, his father's angry expression following him from his zombie body. The image lingered for a moment before fading away at his own panicked surge of chakra. "Release."
The form faded and he saw Ibiki looking at him with sympathy. "I am sorry you saw that, but it was the only way for you to learn and experience the Hell's Viewing technique." He sighed. "Next time, you'll use it against me. We will render you all but immune to genjutsu and an amazing practioner. I am actually a really experienced with Genjutsu, I use it often in my practice. I will have you know, I am probably the second best genjutsu user behind Kurenai Yuhi, Hinata's instructor."
Mika nodded, pleased. "You're also a fantastic taijutsu user, are remarkably strong and have great control over your chakra. I bet you can also heal, to make interrogations longer?"
Ibiki smirked. "That I can, I will help you master the Mystic Palm you are learning from Hana. I believe every squad needs a healer. You are going to be a very, very busy boy. Can you handle this?"
"Easily."
"I also plan on showing you the Earth Clone jutsu, test your elemental affinity, and get you a few supplemntary techcniques. I also plan on massively bolstering your chakra levels, I think by the time of the chunin exams, in Six months, you'll be easily approaching Jonin level. Well, Special Jonin but still. Probably with a focus in planning and kenjutsu."
Mika nodded again, however he had one last question. "I will need help with sealing, it is how the Fourth and Second mastered the Hirashin. So many powerful techniques are lost, and not all need a massive chakra reserve."
"I'll get you some books to study, but we won't even start practicing until we establish a routine... if the Chunin exams is in just less than six months, let's aim for month two for when you can practice sealing. Fair?"
"Sounds great."
"Now, we will practice genjutsu for another ten or so minutes, than I want you sparring with me on the pond. We need to keep your skills sharp."
'''
Sore and very tired, Mika was eagerly greeted by his sweet kitten just as he placed the sealing and anatomy books Ibiki ordered him to read. "Howdy there Shin." The cat purred as his picked him up, petting chakra into his body. "How was your day, Shin?" The cat meowed loudly, and Mika giggled. "Oh, really, that is so fascinating my sweet boy." He kissed his little nose. "Time for training. Hana said just start with fetch and basic play to bulk you up. So let's get started."
For the next hour Mika played fetch with Shin, throwing a cat toy that his kitty would maul then bring back. Mika had him fight a vicious dangling cat toy, and so on for the entire hour. But soon, Shin was too tired and curled up against Mika to sleep. Mika could not help but cry at the sight.
"It really is time someone loved me." Moving with his kitty, Mika opened up the sealing book. "I have only so long, time to get started. Good thing I have never gotten more than four hours of sleep in my life per night."
When Mika did sleep, with his kitty on his chest, he had the best night sleep he had ever had... it was almost magical.
"""
At Neji's own training ground
"Move your arm up as you lunge." Neji told Hinata, correcting her Gentle Fist strikes. "You are still holding back, you need to be vicious, harsh even... Gentle or not."
She nodded, easily correcting her form. "You make a great tutor, Neji."
He nodded. "Now that the stick is out of my ass." They shared laughter. "So, why do you really want to be here?"
"I came to a realization... if I wanted my freedom, I must help our entire clan. I plan on undoing the Curse Mark." He stopped moving, stunned. "I want to get good enough to viciously defeat all of those that would try and stop me. I want real healing, not abuse and slavery. Mika wants to learn sealing, he can handle that part. You know how our clan is never allowed that. Even the Main Branch isn't. We will handle the political side, with father and our worthless grandfather."
His heart soared. "You'd really do that?"
"I've wanted to for years, only now I feel like I have the power to make it a reality. Stepping into my own power helped me change. You can help me become better and Mika, I want him part of this. My first friend and an outside force."
Neji bowed. "Than to that end, We will fight together."
She pulled him into a hug. "Always."
"Then we really, really have to whip you into the most powerful shape we can."
"I have an idea, Mika is training with Hana Inuzuka. I want to do the same, to adjust my style and learn healing. Father all but ignores me, this should work.:"
"That would be a good idea. I have seen what she can do, she followed us on a C rank. She would be a fantastic teacher for you."
""
Shin purred, daddy was sleeping and happy. He was happy. Love Daddy, love Mika...
'Soon... soon Shin help Daddy... soon he help make daddy strong... Daddy chakra, help Shin think... will help... Love Daddy, Love Daddy...'
Curling into his father more closely, he felt a new exchange of chakra between them and his knowing burned brighter but so did his love...
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.