This is actually really fun to write, in a way I never expected.

The sound of Gai's whispered. "He's waking up!" Startled Mika into full awareness.

Turning, he saw his first friend sitting up in his bed, looking at him with eager eyes. "Gai, why does my head hurt?" He groaned. "Oh yeah, chakra exhaustion. Shit. I am going to be resting for a week at the least." He frowned, reaching into his core. "Wait, I am almost better, how long have I been asleep?"

"Oh three days!" Gai bellowed. "I had my surgery, they say you saved me... thank you, my friend." There was a softness to Gai's voice that startled Mika, a warmth that sent a smile to his own face.

"Anytime, handsome." Mika frowned. "What happened, who attacked you?"

Gai cringed. "Rock Ninja, they ambushed our mission... it was something fierce, but we managed, albiet barely, to survive. We killed them and collected their bodies, but I am not sure what was determined."

The door then opened, startling both boys as the Hokage entered with Ebisu and Hayate. "Mika, I must profess my gratitude for your skills this day. You saved one of the most loyal and capable ninjas I have ever seen." Gai blushed thickly. "Your work and effeciency saved his life, you truly have earned your Class two Medic rank. Tsunade herself would have been amazed by your acts."

Now Mika was blushing. "Thank you, My Lord."

"To that end, I have decided to rush promote you to Chunin." Mika blanched. "Gai is a jonin level fighter and has described you as having the skills of a Chunin. Normally I would wait, but your medical skills and the need for more chunin has forced my hands."

Mika nodded. "I would bow, but I am kind of indisposed."

The man laughed. "I appreciate that..." he pulled out a scroll from his pouch. "There is more to your promotion. Iida has nothing but praise for your skills and ability to obey. I would normally have you show off in the chunin exams, but I need a ninja of your caliber..." He sighed. "Actually, to be honest, Mika, I am going to have to see your skills myself. To that end, I have set up a spar between you and the ANBU that helped you saved Gai. In five days time. This will allow me to assess your skills and ensure that this is the right choice."

Mika nodded. "I can do that, I doubt I'll win but I can try."

"Victory is not the goal, proof of power is."

"That makes sense. I will be there to show off."

"Very good... oh and Hayate will be on probation for another month of so, he can train but cannot go on missions beyond C ranks. I will be having him train with you, as I hear that you are trying to master Kenjutsu."

Hayate nodded. "I would be honored to help you, you really saved my friend."

Ebisu smiled. "I have also agreed to help you as well. I am a master of the basics, I can help you refine you overall talents. I can show you some ninjutsu, Gai said you have few extra abilities. I will also help you with Genjutsu, something that should come in handy. I can only do this off and on, I have missions to go on, but for helping Gai I would be happy to help you."

For the first time since ever, Mika felt a warmth filling his very soul and the chance of becoming the next Sanin felt very, very real to him.

"""

Days passed, Mika and Gai spending it together with Ebisu and Hayate giving him scrolls on kenjutsu and genjutsu.

"We want to refine your skills, to give you a chance to really do good. What if you have to be on your own next time, not just with a member of ANBU." Ebisu told him. "We want you to actually have a chance to survive."

Soon, Mika was let out of the of the hospital with Gai at his side on crutches, moving toward a training ground atop the Hokage's Mountain where a masked Kakashi and the Hokage was waiting.

"Alright, come and show me what you can do, child?"

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.