A/N: I know that technology actually exists in the Naruto world, as will be pointed out, but since we can't make things too easy for our characters, I had to find a way to get the technology away from them. Maybe they'll get it back, but for now, they're going to lose it.
Chapter 3: Good Bye Technology
"That's it," Ukobi complained. "Next time Raila gets the great idea to walk somewhere, we're riding a car." The trio was trudging over land that seemed to stretch forever, and the only change in the landscape was a large dark shape off to their left.
Not too long before they had been walking, the three had just gotten off the ferry from Korea. As they stepped off the ferry, they were met by a guard, which reminded Kai of an immigration guard. He stopped them and pulled them to the side.
"I'm sorry sirs and ma'am," the guard said to the group. "But I have to ask you, in order to get the complete thrill of being in an old Japanese village, to leave your luggage behind and change into one of those clothes over there." The man pointed to a rack of old Japanese clothing. Ukobi's face fell.
"Give up my technology?" Ukobi asked. "Do I have to?" The guard shook his head.
"It's not required, but I'm sure it would be a more enjoyable visit for you if you did." At first Ukobi firmly refused to give up his technology, but after some persuading from Kai and Jason, he did. Slowly, he began to put his technology into the large box the guard had provided. As he set each item into the box, he whispered good-bye to them.
"Good-bye PDA and GPS. Good-bye cell phone, game boy, and PSP. Good-bye I-pod, MP3-player, and music man. Good-bye laptop, flashlight, watch, and lighter. Good-bye ball point pen with a fully automated robot brain." As Ukobi put the last item in, he fell to the ground crying.
"You have a pen with a robot brain?" Jason asked. "What is your deal?" Ukobi just sobbed. "Get a hold of yourself. It's only for a week or two." As he said this, Jason put his cell phone and watch into the case with Ukobi's things. Kai had already put her chakra woven staff into the box, and was pulling a small burlap bag out of her suitcase before putting the suitcase in there as well. Jason started to ask what was in the bag, but before he could, Kai had left to exchange their money for some Yen. Jason put his suitcase in the box beside Kai and Ukobi's, and then went over to the clothing rack. He couldn't find anything that he liked, but as he looked, he heard the guard tell Ukobi that he could replace a few of the items that Ukobi had put into the box.
"What?" Ukobi cried excitedly.
"The GPS, the flashlight, and the pen."
"You can replace my ball point pen with a fully automated robot brain?" Ukobi asked hopefully. The guard nodded.
"This is a Jap-N-Eze Calligraphy pen with standard ink pot refill." Ukobi took the pen and ink pot, pouting. "Also, here is a map and a lantern." He also took those. Then he went over to Kai. He gave her the map and pen, but she wouldn't take the lantern.
"It won't fit in my bag," she said fastening the flap over her bag. "You'll have to leave it behind." Then she went over to the clothing rack. She glanced once or twice at Ukobi and picked out a blue shirt and a black pair of pants. She gave the clothes to Ukobi, and Ukobi was surprised. He went into the dressing room and changed as Kai picked another outfit out for Jason. She handed him several layers of red cloth in different shades, which may have been a shirt, and a pair of brown pants. She told him to put the shirt layers on in order from the lightest to darkest and sent him off to a dressing room as well. Then she chose a beige shirt and a pair of dark brown pants and changed in another dressing room. After all three had changed, they put the clothes they had been wearing into the box with their other things and Kai handed the boys a pair of shoes, returning to the rack to pick up a few changes of clothes. Jason and Ukobi looked at each other in surprise.
"I can't believe it," Ukobi said. "If I had seen this on the rack, I would have never worn it, but now that I am wearing it, I like it. How did Raila know what to get?"
"I don't know," Jason said. "But I feel the same way. I mean, this shirt has at least a million layers in it, and it kind of feels gaudy." He pulled on his sandals, and Ukobi did the same. "And of course, Raila looks perfect in her simple clothes."
"She always has looked good in those colors. Like earth tones I mean." Jason nodded in agreement and then pulled Ukobi to Kai over near the guard.
"A fingerprint will make sure that no one else takes your things out of the lock box," the guard had just finished saying. "We'll take finger print from all three of you, and if anyone of you shows up, we'll check his or her prints, and then, if they match, that person can get his or her stuff." He quickly took a thumbprint from each of the three, and then he asked, "Would you like a ride to one of the villages?"
"I thought that we would rather walk," Kai said, looking at Jason and Ukobi. Jason shrugged, and after a moment, Ukobi agreed. Therefore, the guard opened the gate and let them through. He waved at them as they left and started towards the villages.