Within the Uzumaki shrine, a plume of smoke erupted, revealing the newly dressed Naruto and Fu. Both coughed slightly as dust mingled with smoke, irritating their lungs.

"Not the best way to travel," Fu muttered, brushing soot from her outfit.

"Yeah, no kidding," Naruto replied, waving a hand to clear the air.

After a moment, Naruto walked over to the pedestal and carefully removed the scroll. With Fu following closely, he made his way back to the main room of the shrine. His eyes scanned the shelves and corners as he searched for a sealing scroll. It took a minute, but eventually, he found one tucked away in a drawer. Placing it on the floor, he unsealed its contents, revealing a book and a headband adorned with the Uzumaki swirl on the headplate.

Naruto picked up the headband, running his fingers over its emblem before pocketing it. He then carefully sealed the summoning contract back into the scroll and stashed it safely in his pouch.

"What's that?" Fu asked, leaning over his shoulder as Naruto picked up the book.

He turned it over in his hands, inspecting the worn cover. The bold title caught both of their eyes: The Legend of the Rikudo Sennin.

Fu's eyes widened with awe, sparkling with excitement. "No way! That's incredible!"

Naruto shrugged, though a small grin tugged at his lips. "Guess we've got some reading to do later." He slipped the book into his pocket for safekeeping.

Turning toward the shrine's window, he noted the position of the sun in the sky. It was barely midday, and his stomach growled in agreement with the realization.

"Hey, what do you say we grab something to eat at Ichiraku Ramen?" Naruto suggested, flashing Fu a grin.

Her face lit up with a smile. "Sounds like a plan! I'm starving after that little adventure. Let's go!"

Naruto chuckled and nodded, leading the way as they left the shrine. The sunlight outside felt warm and inviting after the cool, ancient stillness of the Uzumaki shrine. Together, the two made their way back to Konoha, the thought of ramen.

They walked through the crowded streets of Konoha, Naruto pulling up the hood of his new jacket. The design was unique, with red markings shaped like eyes or fox ears, giving it an intimidating yet stylish look. The hood cast a shadow over his face, masking his expression as he moved through the bustling crowd.

Beside him, Fu walked confidently in her new outfit, her bright demeanor contrasting with Naruto's guarded stance. Her clothing caught the attention of many men in the village, from young adults to older villagers, their gazes lingering a bit too long for Naruto's liking. He grit his teeth, his patience fraying with each leering look. Without a word, he grabbed Fu's hand and quickened their pace, guiding her away from the stares.

Fu glanced at him curiously but didn't protest, sensing his irritation. "Something wrong, Naruto?"

"Yeah," he muttered, not looking at her. "I'm not gonna let those pigs stare at you like that."

Fu blinked, then smiled to herself. Despite his gruff tone, she could tell he was looking out for her.

As they pushed through the crowd, Naruto sighed in annoyance. He hadn't seen the streets this crowded in a while. Something big must be happening, he thought. Villagers bumped into him without apology, further souring his mood, but he shrugged it off.

Eventually, they arrived at Ichiraku Ramen, and Naruto's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw a familiar figure waiting at the stand. Hatake Kakashi, his lazy sensei, sat at the counter, flipping through his infamous orange book.

Curious, Naruto approached him, lowering his hood as he stepped into the ramen stand. "What are you doing here, sensei?" he asked in a calm tone, his usual exuberance absent.

Kakashi looked up from his book, his lone visible eye showing mild surprise. He gave Naruto a quick once-over, noting his new outfit. "Trying out a new look, Naruto?"

Naruto glanced down at himself before shrugging nonchalantly. "Figured it was time for a change."

Fu butted in with a grin. "Because his jumpsuit was horrible," she teased, earning a glare from Naruto. She stuck her tongue out playfully, causing Kakashi to chuckle.

"Well, it's a good change," Kakashi said, turning to Fu. "And you're looking great too, Fu."

Fu spun around with a big grin, flashing a peace sign. "I know, right? I look awesome!"

Naruto couldn't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm.

Kakashi gestured to a pair of stools. "Why don't you two join me? First two bowls are on me."

Naruto's eyes lit up at the mention of free ramen. Fu, equally excited, quickly took a seat beside him.

They placed their orders, and as the first bowls were served, Kakashi cleared his throat. "I decided to enter you and your teammates in the Chunin Exams," he announced casually. "I've already informed Sasuke and Sakura and gave them the necessary forms. Sasuke seemed eager—no surprise there—and Sakura... well, she looked unsure, but I doubt she'll back out."

Naruto paused mid-slurp, raising an eyebrow. "I assume the three of us need to enter as a team?"

Kakashi nodded. "Exactly. If even one of you doesn't participate, the team is disqualified."

Naruto finished his bowl, his expression thoughtful. "I think we'll be taking it, sensei. Sasuke won't let this opportunity slip by, Sakura will probably go along with it, and as for me... you already know my answer."

Ayame brought him a second bowl, and he nodded his thanks before turning back to Kakashi. "But are we ready, sensei? Sasuke's prepared—he's been training for years. I know I'm ready. But Sakura?"

Kakashi tilted his head. "What about her?"

Before Naruto could respond, Fu cut in. "The pink banshee knows the Academy Jutsu and tree-walking, and that's it. She has no drive except to get Sasuke's attention. How does that make her ready?"

Naruto nodded in agreement, his expression grim.

Kakashi winced at the harsh but truthful critique. "You should have more faith in your team, Naruto," he said cautiously.

Fu crossed her arms. "Why should Naruto have faith in them when they've never shown faith in him? They treat him like dirt and don't value his opinion. Admit it, Kakashi-sensei—they'd rather leave him to fend for himself than risk their own lives for him."

Naruto's eyes darkened, and he gave a bitter laugh. "She's not wrong."

Kakashi sighed, feeling the weight of their words. "Look, I know you have your reasons to doubt them. But the Chunin Exams will test all of you as a team. You'll need to rely on each other to succeed."

Naruto stirred his ramen thoughtfully. "I won't promise to put my faith in them," he said finally. "But I'll tolerate working with them for this."

Kakashi nodded, relief flickering in his eye. "That's all I ask." He placed money on the counter for their bowls and handed Naruto the sign-up form.

As Kakashi turned to leave, Fu called out to him with a bright smile. "Oh, and sensei?"

He glanced back.

"If Sasuke or the banshee do anything to hurt Naruto, I'll kill them," she said sweetly, her eyes sparkling with innocent cheer.

The words sent a shiver down Kakashi's spine, his instincts screaming danger. For a brief moment, he saw flashes of Kushina Uzumaki's fiery wrath and Anko Mitarashi's unhinged menace in the girl from Takigakure.

Kakashi gave a nervous chuckle, nodding stiffly. "Duly noted," he muttered before disappearing into the crowd.

Ayame and Naruto sat frozen in place, staring at Fu in disbelief.

"What?" she asked innocently, tilting her head.

Canterlot

In the grand halls of Canterlot Castle, Princess Celestia sat on her throne, a faraway look in her eyes as she absentmindedly nibbled on a slice of cake. The elegant setting of her throne room was marred by the chaotic scene in front of her—a veritable battlefield of empty plates and crumbs scattered across the floor.

"Celestia," came the stern yet calm voice of her younger sister, Luna, snapping her out of her trance.

The elder alicorn blinked, focusing on her sister's concerned gaze. "Luna," Celestia greeted with an awkward smile, but the younger princess wasn't fooled.

"What troubles you, sister?" Luna asked, stepping closer. "Thou hast been lost in thought for hours."

Celestia sighed heavily, her golden hoof gesturing to the carnage of cake remains around her. "This," she said dryly, "is what's bothering me."

Luna raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "The cakes?"

"I get hungry when I'm stressed," Celestia admitted comically, levitating another slice to her mouth and taking a dramatic bite.

Luna's eyes narrowed as she pressed further. "Is this about the girl, Fu?"

Celestia paused mid-bite, her demeanor shifting to one of melancholy. She swallowed the piece of cake and sighed again, this time with a deep sadness in her tone. "Yes, it's about Fu."

"What of her?" Luna pressed.

Celestia hesitated, her gaze lowering to the floor. "It surprised me to see a Kimera—a living one, no less. To think she crossed paths with an Uzumaki..."

Luna's expression hardened slightly. "How are we to tell her that it was the Uzumaki Clan who wiped her people out?"

A heavy silence settled between the sisters. Celestia remained quiet, her face shadowed by the weight of the truth. "We'll have to tell her eventually," she said at last. Her voice trembled slightly. "I saw the joy in her eyes when she arrived, but I can tell she wears a mask—just like Naruto does. Being a Jinchuriki... it's not easy. It never is."

Luna's features softened. "You still remember Mito's words, don't you?"

Celestia nodded, her mind drifting back to conversations from a bygone era. "Mito once told me how much she regretted her clan's actions. She spoke of the Kimera genocide—of her own mother, who was part of the squad responsible for it. She said her mother was haunted by the atrocities, by the memory of slaying children, by the horror of what they had done. It traumatized her. Mito swore to never let her clan repeat such a mistake."

Celestia's voice cracked as she finished. "And yet, here we are. The past always finds a way to resurface."

The elder alicorn straightened her posture and fixed Luna with a serious expression. "When Naruto brings Fu here, we'll tell her. She deserves to know the truth."

For a fleeting moment, her regal demeanor held firm—until it was shattered by her stuffing an entire slice of cake into her mouth.

Luna stared at her sister, her deadpan expression speaking volumes. She reached for a slice of cake herself, only for Celestia's magic to light up, pushing the dessert cart just out of reach.

The two alicorns locked eyes—Luna's flat, Celestia's smug as she chewed. The exchange continued silently: Luna to Celestia. Back to Luna. Back to Celestia.

Finally, Luna sighed, shaking her head. Without a word, she turned and walked away, leaving her sister to savor her victory in sweets.

Konoha

Naruto and Fu left Ichiraku Ramen, the warm evening air surrounding them as they walked in opposite directions. Fu headed back to Naruto's apartment, eager to relax, while Naruto set his course for the Hokage's office. His expression was neutral, but his mind was a storm of thoughts.

As he entered the building, the faint murmurs of shinobi reached his ears. They didn't even try to keep their voices down, believing him too stupid or oblivious to notice.

"It's the demon brat."
"Why the hell is he here?"
"That thing should've died years ago."
"Why would they let a demon become a ninja?"

The words didn't hurt anymore. He had cried himself dry years ago, on his sixth birthday, when his world had been painted red with blood—his blood. The memory of that day was burned into his mind, a constant reminder of the cruelty he had endured. Now, their hatred was nothing more than background noise, a hollow echo of the pain he had learned to bury.

Naruto reached the Hokage's office, where the secretary glared at him with barely concealed disdain. "What do you want, demon?" she spat.

He ignored her, his face a mask of calm indifference. When she moved to stop him, his eyes locked onto hers, and something in his gaze froze her in place. It wasn't anger or malice, but a cold, calculating darkness that sent a primal shiver down her spine. Her instincts screamed at her to stay still, to not provoke the predator before her. Stammering, she mumbled, "I'll... I'll let the Sandaime know you're here."

Naruto said nothing, turning and walking past her without hesitation.

Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted him with a warm smile. "Ah, Naruto! It's good to see you. I must say, those new clothes suit you well."

Naruto nodded but didn't return the smile. He studied the old man carefully, noting the subtle tension in his posture. "Old man, I need to ask you something," Naruto began, his tone flat. "What do you know about the Uzumaki clan?"

Hiruzen stiffened, the smile on his face faltering for a fraction of a second before he quickly masked it with a neutral expression. "The Uzumaki clan? There's no Uzumaki clan, Naruto. Where did you hear about them?"

Naruto hesitated. He wanted to mention the Uzumaki shrine and the pony contract he had discovered, but something stopped him. Instead, he lied. "I've been listening to old people around the village. They mentioned that Hashirama married an Uzumaki, and that Kushina Uzumaki died after the Kyuubi attack. Is it true?"

The old man's forced smile didn't fool Naruto. "Yes, that's true. But you're not related to them. Your name was chosen to honor Kushina's memory."

Naruto sighed, his suspicions confirmed. "You're lying," he said bluntly, his eyes narrowing. "You've been lying to me for years, haven't you? About everything."

"Naruto—"

"Don't," Naruto interrupted, his voice firm. "Don't try to excuse it. I've been doubting you for a while now, and I think I've finally figured it out. You put me on Kakashi's team because of Sasuke, didn't you? Because he has the Sharingan, and you thought Kakashi could keep me in line."

Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock, his silence speaking louder than any denial ever could.

Naruto scowled. "I was right," he muttered. Turning to leave, he added coldly, "You can shove your lies up your ass. I'll make my own choices from now on."

He walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Hiruzen sat back in his chair, worry etched across his face. He couldn't let Naruto stray too far, not now. The boy had suffered more than anyone deserved, and Hiruzen cared deeply for him. But the needs of the village had always come first, and that hadn't changed.

Now, though, he feared that Naruto was slipping through his fingers. And if he did... Konoha would never recover.

Ponyville

In Ponyville, the day unfolded with its usual charm and harmony. The ponies went about their activities, the warm sun casting a golden glow over the vibrant little town. Rainbow Dash, as the weather captain, soared through the skies, effortlessly keeping them clear of clouds. She grinned, enjoying the crisp air and the sense of freedom her duties always brought.

At Carousel Boutique, Rarity busied herself among her mannequins and bolts of fabric. Her inspiration was aflame as she meticulously crafted new garments, her mind buzzing with ideas for clothing inspired by Naruto. She giggled softly to herself, envisioning designs that blended bold red and black hues and intricate patterns.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and her family worked tirelessly, gathering apples for their next batch of cider. The rhythmic sound of apples thudding into baskets filled the air, and the scent of fresh fruit was intoxicating. Apple Bloom skipped between the trees, humming a cheerful tune, while Granny Smith gave her occasional tips on cider-making.

Over at Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie was in full swing, decorating cakes and baking sweet treats. She hummed a bubbly tune, pausing to swipe the frosting off her forehead with her hoof—only to realize she'd just smeared more frosting on herself. On the counter, a cake featuring chibi versions of Naruto and Fu stood proudly, complete with exaggerated grins and adorable details.

Meanwhile, in the Golden Oak Library, Twilight Sparkle was immersed in a book, her eyes scanning every word with fervent interest. The golden rays of sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating the stacks of books that lined the walls. Spike, her dragon assistant, sorted through a pile of scrolls nearby.

"Whatcha reading, Twilight?" Spike asked, tilting his head as he tried to decipher the book's title.

Twilight looked up with a smile. "It's The Star Child. I've always loved this story—it's so fascinating and thought-provoking."

Spike scratched his chin, his tail flicking as he thought. "I think I kinda remember that one. Didn't you read it a lot when we were younger?"

"I did," Twilight admitted, her magic gently flipping a page. "It's always captivated me. The idea of a child born with divine power, radiating a light so intense it feels like standing before something... otherworldly. A god-like being that inspires awe, reverence, and even fear."

Spike shuddered, crossing his arms as a chill ran down his spine. "Yeah, it does sound pretty intense."

Twilight nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's said that the child's presence would render mortals completely insignificant, crushing them under the weight of their own existence. It's terrifying but... strangely beautiful."

Spike leaned over her shoulder, peering at the page. "What's the Star Child's name? I remember you used to try and figure it out."

Twilight's horn glowed softly as she turned another page. Her voice grew thoughtful. "The name given to the Star Child has always been a mystery. Even the book doesn't fully translate it, no matter how many times I've tried."

"So... what's the name?" Spike pressed, curiosity getting the better of him.

Twilight hesitated, as if the very act of speaking it carried weight. Finally, she whispered, "Anathema."

The name hung in the air, heavy and foreboding, sending another chill through both of them.

Spike blinked, his expression a mix of unease and intrigue. "Well... that's not ominous at all."

Twilight closed the book, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "It's a name that sparks curiosity, doesn't it? I wonder... could such a being truly exist?"

Spike shrugged, stepping back toward his scrolls. "If they do, I hope they're on our side."

Twilight chuckled softly, but her gaze lingered on the book, her mind spinning with questions she couldn't answer. The name Anathema echoed in her thoughts, a mystery that seemed to carry the weight of the cosmos itself.

To be continued...😏 Easter egg