The Konoha Newcomer pt 1

"We will be landing in Japan in a few minutes, please fasten your seatbelts." Said the airline attendant over the plane's intercom. The other day, I got a free trip to a place called Konoha in a package. Something told me I'd heard the name "Konoha" somewhere. I slapped myself in the face when I found myself staring at the huge gates of the Hidden Leaf Village. Had I completely forgotten about my obsession with Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto all this time? I'm more surprised that I actually got here, I thought to myself recalling the two day trek I had getting to my destination from the airport in Tokyo. I approached the information desk.

"Hello, and welcome to Konoha. Is this your first time here?" Said one of the greeters at the gates.

"Yes, my name's—"

"Hey, Naruto! Slow down!" called a voice. I just turned to look what it was when: SLAM! An orange blur collides violently with me, scattering my bags and knocking both of us to the ground. Rubbing my head I scolded,

"Well, excuse you!" The orange blur, which I recognized as Uzumaki Naruto without the 100 mile per hour kinetic force, began to run off. He called back,

"Sorry, I've gotta go get my ramen! I haven't eaten all day!" Grunting, I began to re-gather my things. Sakura Haruno, one of Konoha's medical kunoichi, stopped to help me with my bags.

"I'm really sorry about that. Naruto can be so hyperactive at times, not to mention rude." She said.

"No kidding," I laughed "Thanks, Sakura." Sakura stopped.

"How did you know my name?" she asked. Dang, I thought. I should've thought to keep a low profile… ah well. There's no point in it now.

"I'll explain later. I need to go check into an inn. Is there any place I could meet up with you guys?" I said, changing the subject.

"Yeah. Go to Ichiraku's ramen shack. Naruto should be on his tenth bowl by the time you get there." Laughed Sakura.

"Great! I'll meet you there, and you can maybe show me around?" I asked.

"Sure." Winked Sakura. After that I went to the inn the trip package told me to go to. A voucher allowed me to stay at the inn for as long as I wanted, and I could come back anytime, all for no charge. I checked in and was given a rather extravagant room, complete with flat-screen entertainment set.

I set down my bags, and the unopened contents of the rest of the package I neglected until now. Maybe I should open it, I thought. Half expecting something to attack my face, I kept my head at a distance while tearing the tape that kept the package sealed. With my face still comfortably intact, I peered inside the box. Interesting, I thought. The very first things inside the package were some new clothes. Not just any clothes, though. There was a long-sleeved shirt, black in color, which felt thin and light but strong. Thicker, padded portions—in blue—were on the shoulders, elbows, and torso sides. A pair of pants was not much different. They were black as well, and padded areas were at the knees. I put these clothes on and took a look at myself in the mirror. I look good, I thought, smiling. The package wasn't empty yet. How the next thing got past US airport security was some kind of mystery. It was a weapons holster, neatly packed with kunai and shuriken.

"I'm in Konoha…" I said aloud to myself, "I got some new clothes and ninja weapons… I'm thinking I'm not here on vacation." I couldn't have been more correct. I wrapped the holster around my right leg and continued digging. Next were the most interesting items of all. First was a necklace. It was made of a strong metal, and bore a charm in the shape of a star. I put it on, and a mixed feeling of power, lightness, and knowledge passed over me. Jet lag, I thought. There was also a headband. A ninja's headband. It wasn't Konoha's, but the headband of the United States itself. The fabric for it was blue, strong like the clothes. But the interesting part was the guard. It had "U.S.A." on it, undoubtedly pertaining to the country I came from. It also had two large starts flanking either side of the letters. I guessed they were for liberty and freedom, two of our country's greatest qualities. I noticed the 'S' in the inscription was superscripted slightly. Below it was a decoration not unlike one seen on an army general's clothing. There were three chevrons and two upside-down curves below them, with a star taking up the space between the two symbols. I put the headband on and took another look at myself in the mirror. I look like a full fledged ninja! I thought. There was one last thing in the package: a note. It read,

"You are a Super-Elite Jounin from America, in the Land of the Free." And that was it. No signature, no return address, nothing. I glanced at the clock.

"Ah! I'm supposed to meet Sakura and Naruto!" I exclaimed. I rushed to the ramen shack in my new garb, exerting a speed I didn't think I was capable of.

"Heeeeey!" Sakura waved. "We were going to leave without you, hurry up!" When I got to them, the Genin and the Chunnin looked me up and down. They jumped when I said, "Like it? It was in this package that I got. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Who are you again?" asked Naruto.

"Right, I never introduced myself. I'm Jonathan," and without thinking, I added, "Super-Elite Jounin from America, in the Land of the Free."

"But… you're no older than me or Naruto, how can you be a Jounin?" asked Sakura.

"'Super-Elite', at that," added Naruto. Quickly making up an excuse, I said,

"I was the smartest in the academy back home. I just became this rank last year."

"Ok, then. Let's get going." Said Sakura, still baffled. Turning the corner, we saw Ino Yamanaka and Shikamaru Nara standing outside a barbecue restaurant.

"Hi, Ino, Shikamaru. Where's Chouji?" greeted Naruto.

"Do you really have to ask?" replied Shikamaru, in his usual laid-back attitude. "It's such a drag when he's really hungry like this. He runs us dry."

"That's Chouji for you," I laughed. Ino looked behind Sakura at me.

"Oh?" she said, interested. "Who's this?"

"This is Jonathan. He comes from a place called America, in the Land of the Free," answered Sakura. "He seems to know a lot about us already. He sure has Naruto and I figured out."

"I have my sources." I said, looking smartly at my hands.

"Well it's nice to see you've given up on Sasuke. This guy looks like a good catch for you, Sakura," smirked Ino. Sakura was not pleased. Blushing, she argued,

"I am not going out with him, we just met! He's a friend! I still like Sasuke!"

"Sure, Sakura. You're going out with Jonathan and Sasuke's all mine!" cackled Ino. Here we go, I thought. Looking at Naruto and Shikamaru, I could tell they were thinking the same thing. We're used to it, though.

"I am not going out with Jonathan!" Sakura continued.

"Yes you are. Sasuke's mine," challenged Ino.

"I am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are—"

"SILENCING JUTSU!" I said, making a handsign, and the loudness stopped.

"Cool! How did you do that?" said Naruto, pointing at the now silent girls. Ino and Sakura tried to yell, but my silencing jutsu stopped them from speaking. I pressed my fingers to their lips.

"Shut up and calm down, ok?" I said, they nodded.

"We've got it down that Sakura is not going out with me, right?" again, they nodded, "We've also got it that Sasuke is still up for grabs, right?" they nodded once more, "Ok, I'm going to release the jutsu and you two will apologize, got it?" the girls nodded one last time.

"Release," I said, and the jutsu lifted.

"Sorry, Ino?" offered Sakura.

"Sorry, Sakura." Ino accepted.

"There, now isn't that better?" I said. In my mind I knew this couldn't last long. Just then, the man who greeted me at the front gates came running up. Panting, he asked,

"A-are any of you a ninja by the name of Jonathan?"

"Yeah, that's me. You just saw me today, didn't you?"

"Oh, that's right, heh. You changed your clothes."

"That I did. So, what's up?"

"Lady Hokage wishes to speak with you."

END OF PART ONE. STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT!!