//------------------------------//
// Arc 2 Chapter 3: Everfree Expedition 
// Story: Ring eyed Shinobi 
// by Seeker Of Knowledge 
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(Everfree Forest)

(Evening: 20 minutes later)

“So I’ve found where I made that field of sand but nothing’s coming near it. Maybe the animals here can’t survive in a desert.” The shinobi thought as he examined his surroundings. “Maybe I should try for something small like a bird.” He said as he looked up and noticed a flying ball, and blinked twice realizing it was some form of insect. “Well it’s a start, gonna need something smaller though.” Zeko said realizing the chakra rod in his hand was far too large for the creature and formed five small needles from each of the fingertips from his other hand. 

“Universal Pull.” Zeko said hand outstretched towards the insect that trilled in fear as it was pulled out of the air and ended up in a predator’s grip. The insect made noises out of fear as it tried to escape its captor; “Calm down this won’t hurt at all.” Zeko said as he stabbed the creature through the side with the black needle causing it to stop moving. “Now the rest. Huh, I wonder if I can make it communicate while I use it.” The shinobi thought as he planted the other needles into the rest of the insect. 

“Let’s see how this goes.” He thought as he began to pierce his face and ears with some small rods and needles to control the insect. He then used his chakra and sent it to the insect causing it to open its eyes revealing that its right eye was now a Rinnegan. “Ok I see what you see, so let me try moving you.” The insect fluttered it’s wings and hovered in the air next to its new master. “This could be pretty useful, and since you’re so small I’m guessing you’re a prey item so I can use you to lure more animals out.” Zeko said as he willed his new pet to fly and scout the area. 

“That might be the easiest path to learn, I just have to figure out how to summon other people...or ponies I guess.” He said to himself as he followed his overhead scout. “Once I figure this out I’ll learn the human path next, killing the subordinates of the evil for information doesn’t sound too bad to- Wait who’s that?” His thoughts interrupted by his birds eye view picking up someone fighting something in a swamp ahead. “That might be some kinda animal, and maybe someone who needs help.” Zeko said as he sprinted towards the altercation.

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(Everfree Forest Marsh)

“Just up ahead!” Zeko said as he called his scout back, trying to keep it out of harms way. He jumped onto a branch as he looked into the clearing and saw a large reptile trying to eat a pony with black and white stripes and a knife with gold etchings. “At least she isn’t like a kid’s paint color.” He thought as he watched her dodge a bite but wasn’t fast enough to evade a tail swipe that drove her into the water.

“It seems my end is near, this is made quite clear.” She said as the reptile approached with a malicious grin showing its jagged rock-like teeth. She tried to slice the monster’s throat with her knife but her arm was pinned by one of its front legs; “You may have bested me cragadile, but I won’t let you win with a smile.” She said before hitting the cragadile in the eye making it lose its grin and roar in pain. “Now reptile I may depart with a smile.” She shut her eyes and smirked knowing the cragadile wouldn’t be happy eating her but her personal victory was cut short by a yell.

“Rasengan!” Zeko said as he slammed into the beast’s side with a ball of swirling air, throwing it off of the Zebra. “Are you ok miss?” He said helping her up. “That thing looks like it packs a punch.”

“I am fine but we do not have much time. We must run before it is no longer stunned.” She said worried that the cragadile would eat her and the child.

“I’d rather not run from such a useful new pet. But its back looks too tough to penetrate so I’ll go for the stomach.” Zeko said taking Samehada off of his back and placing it down and producing two sharp chakra rods from his palms. “You should stay back so it doesn’t decide to attack you.” He said before jumping at the cragadile.

“You foolish boy, this creature is no toy!” She yelled to him before the cragadile caught him in its mouth and bit down, but to their surprise it only had sand in its maw and bellowed in pain as a rod was thrust into its back leg.

“Damn, it’s tougher than I thought. I couldn’t break its skin.” The teenager was brought out of his thoughts by an incoming tail which he barely dodged. “I need to make weak spots before I do this or I’ll end up on its menu.” Zeko jumped back to avoid the incoming jaws but wasn’t quick enough as he had to grab them to avoid being eaten. The cragadile was about to bite down harder but had a rock thrown into its eye, letting the shinobi jump back.

“Young one this is not for fun, one mistake and your life will be undone.” The zebra said as the cragadile turned its sight to her and rushed towards her with surprising speed.

“Shit!” Zeko thought as he put his rods in his teeth and made a series of hand signs, then formed a ball of electricity in his hand. “Chidori!” He said lunging at the creature and forcing his electrified hand into its back cutting through its tough hide. “The rod!” A familiar voice in his head spoke, he didn’t question it as he spun and thrust a chakra rod into the wound forcing it to stop its rampage. 

“How has it come to a stop, without you forcing it to drop?!” The zebra asked in disbelief that something so dangerous was forced to stop by a child who didn’t even know the name of said beast.

“I just put it under my influence. Speaking of which...” Zeko responded and proceeded to produce smaller sharpened rods from his fingers. “I think I’ll get the nose, and the tongue.” The shinobi placed two piercings into the cragadile‘s nose and warped them making them into a loop and stabbed a rod through its tongue. “Now to send some chakra...” He said clasping his hands together making the cragadile open its eyes revealing a Rinnegan in its right one and its other was now blue instead of bright orange. “That’s new, hey miss...?” 

“Zecora is my name, and tell me what have you done to make the cragadile tame?” The zebra asked curious as to how dark knives made a cragadile submissive.

“Well the rods I put in it and this insect.” Zeko said as his scout flew to him and landed on his shoulder; “Let me send my energy to them and control their minds.” He finished while petting the insect.

“You have have used your might to tame a mere parasprite?” She asked surprised that he had the ability to manipulate animals. He looked back at the parasprite before realizing that the species was called that.

“Never would’ve guessed that was the name. Well either way my name is Zeko and I’m a human, not a pony.” He said bringing his subjugated pets attention to the zebra. “The cragadile is still mad at you for hurting its eyes, but that’s not important. How have you managed to survive in this forest for so long?” The shinobi asked putting Samehada on his back again.

“I admit living in the Everfree, is not very easy. Many of the creatures around will often try to bring one down.” She answered in rhyme. “But I ask young male, from where would a human hail?” 

“A different world entirely, I was brought here through various means and I don’t have much chance to return.” He responded with a somber tone. “I should put these away so I don’t draw too much attention.” Zeko thought before planting his hands on the ground and causing his pets to disappear.

Zecora stood still unable to process how something that claimed to not be a unicorn of any kind just performed a teleportation spell. “I am in complete surprise, how did you deceive my eyes?” Zeko looked and didn’t understand until he realized he dispelled them in front of her.

“I just put them away for later use. Also why do you rhyme so much?” He asked wondering how she continued to speak in rhythm as he remembered one person that was said to always rap when he spoke.

“It is what we do in my country, I do not need to continue if need be.” Zecora offered to which Zeko nodded realized it would be less confusing to him at times if she spoke regularly. “Well then I suppose I can speak in a relatable manner around you... Zeko.” She said snickering at her unintentional rhyme.

“As funny as that was can I know why you live in this forest because it doesn’t seem like a smart decision based on the wildlife.” He said applying his knowledge of the ponies and remembering they strayed away from danger when given an opportunity.

“Well to most ponies it would be a challenge to live here, but I am not unfamiliar with the wilds. I am an alchemist and am well versed in potions and incantations.” Zecora answered while looking at the Samehada with a near glare. “And I can tell a wicked weapon when I see it, what is that creature on your back?” 

“It’s my sword and maybe even my best friend. It’s name is Samehada and it’s a living sword.” Zeko answered rubbing the back of his head and realized he was still wearing his hidden sand head accessory. “Different world so I don’t need to wear this.” He thought as he took it off and ruffled his hair so it changed its appearance. “I can show you since I can tell you don’t fully believe me.” He said unwrapping the bandages.

“I have seen many outlandish things in my time, but a living weapon may be where I draw a line. If one were to exist I would hav-“ Zecora’s eyes shot open and her native rhyming stopped once she saw the sword open a mouth and take Zeko’s headwear with a tongue. 

“Samehada I need my lineage shirt, I got this one dirty and Rarity would scream if she saw me like this.” Zeko said as he had Rarity pegged for a fashionista who freaked out at the sight of dirt. Samehada extended a shirt with a zipper that had the Uchiha crest and Zeko replaced his current jacket with it while Samehada took the dirty jacket and closed its mouth. “You wouldn’t happen to have any food where you live would you? I haven’t eaten in a while.” Zeko said with a sheepish grin zipping up his shirt as Zecora struggled to make sense of what she saw. She managed a nod and picked up her knife before leading the two back through the woods.

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(Zecora’s Hut)

“That was the most delicious meal I’ve had in weeks, and I’ve only been here a day and a half!” Zeko said as he placed his now empty bowl down. 

“I am glad you liked it but I would like to know more of your weapon and perhaps of your world as well.” She asked as she removed her battle outfit revealing a lithe figure in Amazonian underclothing. She sat back down and expected a flustered boy to look at her but was mildly surprised when he showed no change.

“Well I can tell you about my world but I never really had time to study the story and I can only give the basics.” Zecora nodded at this and Zeko began telling her what he told Twilight of the Sage of Six Paths and the tailed beasts. He moved on to Samehada and its owners in the past causing her to gasp twice when she found out it can absorb life energy from others but he assured her it only does it if he wants it to.

“That is quite a lot of information. Would you happen to know of any healing remedies from your world?” She asked wanting to know if the medicine in his world was more easily acquired or utilized.

“Well I know some recipes but I’ll have to tell you next time I’m here, Twilight will kill me if I’m not back soon.” Zeko said standing and stretching his arms.

“I have one last question before you go, how was it that you were not affected by my show?” She asked in her native manner confusing Zeko until he realized she meant how she got comfortable in her home.

“Well I never really spent much time with the opposing gender and I just heard friends talking about it.  I’m not too interested otherwise.” He said as he walked towards the door and opened it. “But you are very beautiful, as far as I’m concerned.” He said before leaving causing Zecora to blush. 

“He is an interesting one, I can tell his life is quite fun.” She thought to herself as she began to make a potion that she used the cragadile scales for.

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