Chapter 5 is here- please review.
Naruto [wearing a cloak so you could not see his skin or face], Nazo, Fumiko and their sensei, Kei were walking down the small road to Konoha, surrounded by trees and the chatter of wildlife. They walked in silence, each contemplating the beauty around them. However, Naruto could not help but feel anxious about the situation he was in- being surrounded by people who used to know him, but did not now. Sure, he would not be able to tell his friends that he was Naruto, but he maybe he could become their friend again. These thoughts echoed around and around his head and he pulled his cloak tighter around him.
As the group approached the gate, the guards asked if they could prove that they were here for the chuunin. Kei showed them the proper papers and they were allowed through. As they entered the village square, Kei turned and spoke "Ok, do what you want for now. I am going to get you registered. Croc, here is some money for your ramen obsession." With that, Kei hurried off.
Sakura, Lee, and Hinata were in the village square, mentally preparing for the chuunin exams when they overheard a strange mist sensei say "Croc, here is some money for your ramen obsession." As one, their heads bobbed up and they all stopped dead in their tracks. As if on cue, they swiveled in time to hear someone in green cloak say "What is wrong, Croc? Normally you would say ramen is the food of the gods, followed by believe it!" The trio could only stare with ashen faces at the strange group. Then one of the girls in the group looked at 'Croc' and said something that made their hearts skip a beat. "Yeah, normally you are a happy-go-lucky kind of guy that always gets my joke! What, being in your old home make you nervous? I mean you were given a blood line from a scroll in a swamp that made you look like a lizard!"
Sakura, Lee, and Hinata could tell that the last word was an insult, but now they HAD to know who 'Croc' was really. It was not every day that they had evidence like this! They had to report to the Hokage AND talk with "Croc." Fortunately, it appeared it would be easy to locate him in the ramen stand. So the three ran to the 'kage's tower. When they found out that it would be a while before they could see the Hokage, Lee spoke his idea. "I will go see if it truly is our lost youthful friend Naruto while you two wait on our youthful Hokage." He then ran out so fast that none of them could argue.
Naruto want off by himself to his one-time favorite ramen stand. He sat down and ordered his noodles. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted an older and taller Rock Lee striding determinedly towards him with a strange expression on his face. Lee walked straight to him, then sat down next to him. They stared at each other in silence for several beats before Lee broke the tension. "I am Rock Lee, the second green beast of Konoha. Who are you, my most youthful friend?" Still hiding behind the anonymity of the deep hood on his cloak, Naruto shifted uncomfortably before replying in a gruff voice. "My name is Croc. It is nice to meet you."
Lee could sense that 'Croc' was uncomfortable in his presence. The twisty sensation in his stomach settled down. Croc and Naruto just might be one and the same. He studied the shadowed hood and hunched form as he watched 'Croc' turn back to his noodles. Wondering the best way to determine if his theory was correct, he said "Naruto"- to see 'Crocs' reaction. 'Croc' choked on his ramen and stiffened. That was all Lee needed to know that Croc was indeed Naruto. Looking over the silent and stiff form of 'Croc' once more time, Lee paid for his uneaten bowl of ramen and left to tell the Hokage. His face was scrunched in thought. Why had Naruto left and joined Mist? And why had he not contacted them before this? His face was grim as he neared the Hokage's tower.