//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Shinobi of Equestria // by Fan of Fanfics //------------------------------// Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor do I own MLP Sitting down at Ichiraku's ramen stand, much to the pleasure of the ponies, who still were getting down walking human-style, Naruto ordered a bowl of Vegetable Ramen for each of them. He wasn't big on veggies, but as long as it was ramen, there was no way he was going to complain. He also didn't want to make the girls feel sick if he got beef or pork. He knew the Ponies weren't big on meat. It took a minute for the girls and even Spike to get a hang of the utensils, chopsticks requiring more finger movement than the formerly hoofed ponies could currently muster. But a little coaching from the blonde saw them get at least something of a grasp. The first to take a bite was Pinkie Pie, and her friends each watched with curiosity, seeing what she had to say. She seemed to like it...because within a second of her first bite, her eyes widened and she began scarfing the noodles down at a speed Naruto found impressive. Spike seemed to have taken a similar liking to the ramen, his cheeks stuffed with his food. Sharing a look, each of the other ponies took a bite, and while they didn't eat at the same speed as Pinkie, Naruto, and Spike, their eyes lit with delight at the flavor of the ramen. Even Rainbow Dash seemed to lose the gloom of not having her wings. As they ate, Twilight turned to Naruto. "So, do you think we could go to the village library after lunch?" she asked, hopefully. Looking to the unicorn-turned-human, he slurped up the noodles still hanging from his mouth, stroking his chin. "Well," he said. "I suppose we could hit the general library, if you want," he replied. "But the shinobi library is off limits to civilians unless they're accompanied by a Jonin...unfortunately, I'm still technically a genin, so I can't get you in." Twilight nodded, feeling a little depressed about not getting into the shinobi library, but nodded. At least she would be able to learn something about human culture through the normal library. Rainbow Dash wasn't quite as enthusiastic. "The library?" she groaned. "Can't we go somewhere else? You told me last week that Shinobi were warriors. I wanna see some in action." Naruto sighed as the girls began to bicker with each other, before an idea popped into his head. "Well, if you all want to go do different things, I could always make some clones to escort you all around the village," he said, and the excited looks he got from his pony (and dragon) friends was enough to tell him his solution was more than adequate. "It's settled than," he continued. "I'll send a clone to the meeting so they know what our plans are for the day, and you'll all get the grand tour from me." He was met with pleased faces as well as a pumped fist and cheer from Pinkie Pie, before they went back to their ramen. The lunch nearly cleared out Naruto's wallet. While Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash had settled for one bowl each, Spike had eaten three, Pinkie ate seven, while Naruto beat them all with a whopping total of ten bowls of Ramen. The single-bowl eaters gawked at the blonde ninja, wondering where he put it all. They had long since given up trying to answer that question when it came to Pinkie. As they waited for one of Naruto's clones to grab some more money from his account, Naruto also sent a clone to the meeting of their leaders. And once they had all settled on who was going where, and seeing what, the group split. At the meeting of the leaders, much more was being discussed than merely a treaty of peace and the sharing of knowledge. Both Tsunade and Jiraiya thought it better to be frank with the Equestrian royals just why Naruto was chosen to be the shinobi living within the Pony-dominated world. It was just as Gaara had expected. Due to them being Jinchuriki, he and Naruto were both under the threat of capture from the Akatsuki. Since becoming Kazekage only a few months prior, he had been expecting the terrorist organization would make a move against himself. Fortunately, as of yet, it hadn't happened. Once Celestia and Luna were brought up to speed on what exactly a Jinchuriki was, the Princess of the Sun decided to voice a few concerns. Luckily, they had Konohamaru out. No need to blow everything because the young boy decided to blab what they were doing. "If these Bijuu are so powerful, what is to stop them from breaking through their seals?" she asked with a serious look on her face. Jiraiya, both being a seal master and a spy, already expected such a question. He merely crossed his arms and adopted a rather thoughtful look. "You have nothing to worry about, Princess," he announced, the certainty of his statement evident in his voice. "Naruto's seal is one of the most complex ever created, and is linked to his will power and emotions. Basically, if he's kept happy, he won't use any of the Kyuubi's power. Given what you've told us about these bearers of the 'Elements of Harmony' that Naruto has been hanging around, I doubt he'll be subject to much in the way of negative emotions." Celestia nodded, finding the answer satisfactory. At least she knew that the safety of her subjects wouldn't likely be compromised. Luna turned to the young Kazekage now. "So you are one of these 'Jinchuriki' as well?" she asked, the Sand user merely nodding in conformation, but he didn't actually turn to look at her. "And what of the seal holding back your demon? Is it of the same caliber?" This time, Gaara shook his head. "My seal is incomplete," he announced. "I find myself unable to sleep...If I were to fall asleep, the demon within would take over, both going on a rampage in the physical world, and consuming my soul from the inside. Fortunately, I can sustain myself through strict mental disciplines and meditation." Jiraiya frowned, looking at the red-head. "Be that as it may, I highly suggest that if they allow it, you follow to Equestria, and put someone you trust in control of Suna." Glaring a bit at the Sannin, Gaara scowled in disgust. "You would have me relinquish my position and leave my people?" he asked, and Jiraiya could see just how much the boy had changed since he fought with Naruto those years ago. Gone was the psychopath murderer who cared for nothing and no one aside from himself and his next kill. Naruto had ignited a spark within the Suna boy, and that spark was now a roaring flame. He had grown much, and Jiraiya was proud that his student had inspired the change. He shook his head. "We all know the outcome of a battle with the Akatsuki. Not only would you lose, but the village you strive to protect would likely be devastated in the process. What I ask is not for you to leave your people. I ask you to leave for them." For a moment, Gaara went silent, contemplating the Toad-sage's words. He turned to the Equestrian Royals, his face devoid of emotion, but his eyes telling of the raging conflict within. "How long will you be here before returning home?" he asked, the sisters Night and Day sharing a look with one-another before turning back to the leader of Suna. "After the meeting, we will be touring the village, so we shall be here until at least the end of the day," Celestia replied, prompting the red-head to nod. "Then if it is alright with the both of you, I will consider Master Jiraiya's words until then. For now, please excuse me." In a swirl of sand, the boy was gone, leaving the two Sannin and two princesses to their devices. A knocking on the door brought their attention to Naruto, who peaked his head into the room. "I hate to intrude," he said, trying to at least be somewhat respectful. "But we've finished our meal, and the boss and us clones are going to be escorting the others around the village." Tsunade nodded to show she had heard and understood. Turning to the blonde, Celestia spoke. "Very well," she announced, also nodding, mirroring the Hokage. "We'll be joining you all once our business here has been finished." Smiling at the announcement, the shadow clone dispelled itself in a cloud of smoke. With Naruto and Twilight, Naruto blinked a few times, receiving the information. "It seems the Princesses will be meeting up with us shortly," he announced, the unicorn-girl giving him a quizzical look. "How do you know that?" she asked, and Naruto just rubbed the back of his head. "My clone dispelled. When they do that, anything they know or have learned gets transferred directly to my mind. It's a handy trick. I can learn more in one day than most can in a month." Had he known just what he had said would do to Twilight Sparkle, he would have kept it a secret. He noticed too late the stars in the unicorn's very wide eyes. "Teach me!" she cried, tackling the surprised blonde to the ground. "Please teach me how to use Shadow Clones! Please! Please! Pleeeeaaaassseeeee!" Naruto was unsure of what to say or do, just sputtering incoherently at the Pony's pleading. Though more for the fact her chest was pressing into his. "I don't know," he said, pulling himself out from beneath the Unicorn. "You don't even know how to use Chakra. Trying to teach you to use Shadow Clones would be like trying to teach a legless person how to run..." Seeing the crestfallen look upon Twilight's face, he sighed. "But maybe I can teach you about Chakra, and we can see what happens." He found himself back on the ground, trapped in a bear-hug from the Pony-girl. He really needed to keep his mouth shut. "Thank you, Naruto!" Twilight exclaimed, fantasizing already all the studying she could do with a technique like shadow clones. Standing carefully, so-as not to just outright lose her balance again, Twilight waited for Naruto to stand and brush himself off. "Now, let's hit the library, please." Naruto just sighed and shook his head, motioning for the girl to follow. Once they reached the Library, the blonde found a table for Twilight, while he went to the shinobi-section to find scrolls on the basics of chakra, and a few more advanced technique scrolls for himself, mainly on advanced sealing theory. On his trip with Jiraiya, he had learned about seals, but it was always nice to keep refreshed. He made sure to collect several scrolls on different jutsu as well. No sense in letting his skills slip just because he wasn't technically on active duty. Twilight blew a strand of hair from her face, reading the scrolls on village history only halfheartedly, wishing she could follow Naruto into the shinobi-only area. She stopped, glancing around the room. The Library was nearly empty, and there was nobody around. Sliding out of her seat, quietly, the Unicorn-girl took one last glance around before slipping as quickly as she could into the shinobi-section. She didn't spot, however, the figure who had not only seen her, but decided to follow. Pinkie Pie looked around excitedly, asking what everything and every place was, while Naruto, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash all just looked embarrassed for the pony-girl, who was being stared at by nearly everyone they passed. The three decided to form one group, as both Applejack and Rainbow Dash wanted to see shinobi in action, while Pinkie just wanted to see everything. As they neared the training ground, Pinkie gasped at seeing the team there, taking off at a run, surprising RD and Applejack, who at this point had only just gotten used to walking. "I hope she doesn't do that all day," Naruto groaned. "The last thing we need is for Pinkie Pie to get lost in a Ninja Village." Rainbow Dash just laughed. "She won't get lost," she insisted. "All we'll need to do is follow the destruction." Thinking about just the people he knew around the village, the Blonde only nodded in agreement. It was as they got closer to the training area, that the shinobi began to pale, and both ponies took note of that. Looking to their tour guide, the Pegasus and Earth ponies shared a look. "You ok?" Applejack asked, and Naruto shook his head. Of all the people in Konoha he didn't want to meet, these two were the top of the list. Lee and Guy, the sensei and look-a-like student pair in Team 9. He could already hear the two enthusiastically shouting about Pinkie's 'Youthfulness' and energy, and Pinkie, being the pony she was, actually went along with it. Both Tenten and Neji had stopped their spar, choosing instead to watch in shame as the spectacle unfolded. But when the green clad duo began to hug, they couldn't manage to continue, turning away just as the beach and sunset shimmered into view. As the two ponies and their guide neared, Naruto too saw the ungodly images begin to manifest behind the hugging duo. It was too late to save Pinkie, but the girl seemed too enthralled by it all to even care about the potential destructive powers of it all. He did, however, manage to grab Applejack and Rainbow Dash and turn them around. The curious ponies attempted to see what the fuss was all about, but their heads were held firmly in place. After a few moments, when he was assured that Lee and Guy were finished with their embrace, he carefully took a glance over his shoulder and his jaw dropped. The spandex-clad duo had vanished from the training field, and Pinkie Pie with them, all gone in a trail of dust. Dashing over to the other members of the team, he motioned toward the dissipating trail. "Please tell me you know where those three are running off too!" he exclaimed, frantically. As if the idea of losing Pinkie, or any of the ponies, somewhere in Konoha wasn't bad enough, but to have Equestria's Number-One party-pony running around with Guy and Lee...he could only imagine and shudder at the thought. It was then Tenten and Neji took notice of the three. "Oh, Naruto," Tenten said. "I had heard you were going to be taking on a diplomatic mission, long-term. I thought you'd already left." He only fixed his exasperated gaze ever firmer on her and she suddenly registered that he asked them a question. It was Neji who gave the answer, his Byakugan active, staring in the direction of the now disappeared trio. "It would appear that a young lady with a...peculiar chakra signature...has joined Lee and Guy-Sensei for their daily run," he announced, at this point long-since used to the antics of both his sensei and enthusiastic teammate. "Much like these young ladies here. She's with you, I take it." Naruto could only nod, palming his face at the problems arising for him. He only hoped the other groups were faring better. "Oh, sorry...excuse me...pardon me...oh my..." Fluttershy was nearing a panic attack. Rarity had decided, being the fashionista that she was, to go clothing shopping. While Naruto thought it was a ridiculous idea to buy clothes she wouldn't be wearing, especially since the clothing would be paid for with his money. But Rarity wanted to see and get her hooves-turned-hands on anything remotely fashionable. If they looked good on a human, she had assured herself she could rework them to look absolutely fabulous on Ponies. A few personal touches here or there. Or she could even scrap all of them and incorporate the style into completely original designs. The possibilities were endless. But the crowded stores were proving to be too much for the pegasus pony, as she could barely take three steps without running into someone, or having someone run into her. "Well, I think that should be plenty of items I can use for inspiration..." Naruto and Spike, both of whom were stuck carrying the numerous bags, each let out a sigh of relief. But before any of the group could blink, she had already vanished and left an outline of dust where she once stood. Apparently she had gotten a grasp of her heels. Naruto blinked, wondering where she had gone, but at that moment, the pile of bags shifted in his arms. "This won't end well." Her eyes sparkled even more than the jewelry she wore. And like a predator, her eyes scanned everything around her. They soon paused on a purple shirt that JUST had her name on it. She rushed towards the item, and grabbed it. Only to be met with a resistance. Rarity turned to see what happened, only to be met with a glare from a blonde haired girl. Her hand gripped to the other sleeve. Rarity glared back, and gave a pull. "Ino Yamanaka. And you?" Ino greeted as she pulled, her teeth grit in frustration, even as she tried to sound sweet and civil. Rarity lurched forward, but held strong. A crash was heard elsewhere in the store, but both girls ignored it. "Rarity. And I believe…" She pulled. Both were unaware of a rip. "…I saw this first…" Pulling back, Ino glared daggers at the transformed Unicorn. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken," she growled. The fabric was beginning to stretch, which Fluttershy, Spike, and Naruto, the latter two covered in assorted garments, noticed when they finally found the unicorn. "Definitely not gonna end well," he groaned palming his face.