A pale-skinned boy with purple hair could be seen, standing in the narrow alley outside of Ichiraku's Ramen Stand. The face of this boy was partially obscured by violet bangs, this young boy's presence stood out among where he was.
Adorned with dark black pants and blue shinobi shoes, this attire contrasted his leaf green shirt. The boy also wore a small pair of tint sunglasses, completely hiding his eyes from view.
Poking his head out of the alleyway, this young boy leisurely walked into the street. Instinctively heading for Ichiraku's ramen stand, this boy took an abrupt turn at the last moment.
Approaching an old shop on the opposite side of the street, white linen sheets hung from the entryway. Glancing at the Kanji overhead, the phase 'Muto's Basket Shop' was carved into the wood providing an identity for the location.
Nervously walking inside, this unnamed boy took a glance around the strange place. Surrounded by ornate barrels, baskets and crates, this mysterious boy sighed with a hint of trepidation.
"Welcome! I'm Jonochi Muto. How may I help you, young master?" A bald-headed man spoke out.
Grabbing his rather thin beard as he spoke, this elderly shopkeeper had a small hunch in his back. Also, he had sunbaked skin that partially managed his auburn-brown eyes.
Jonochi's attire consisted of an ankle-length brown kimono, lavished with a black apron on top. This brought attention to his wooden sandals, clapping against the floor as he walked.
"I'm looking for a basket, a real fancy one." The boy asked nervously.
Humming in response, Jonochi turned around before strolling through a nearby aisle. Stroking his small beard as he walked, Jonochi eventually snagged an orante basked from his self.
"This is for a romantic picnic. A nice lavender color." Pitching his sale, Jonochi loomed over his customer.
"Its not a romantic occasion. But I'll take that basket." Pulling the well-crafted wood from Jonochi's hand, this young boy rushed to the front counter.
"That'll be 80 Ryo... Shouldn't you ask your parents first?" Jonochi chuckled.
Instead of responding with words, this purple-haired boy reached into his pocket, shuffling for change. Pulling a single golden Ryo from his pocket, this unknown boy promptly slammed it against the counter.
"Keep the change!" Running without delay, this young boy dashed out of sight, forcing Jonochi to gasp.
On his way out the door, this foreign boy reached out with one hand, grabbing a bundle of lavender-scented incense. Surging into the dirt-filled streets of Konoha, this boy quickly sprinted towards Ichiraku's ramen stand.
"Did you hear?! Rookiees are going to be at the Chunin Exams! First year Genin, that hasn't happened in over five years!" The voice of Rock Lee spoke out.
Dampened by a mouthful of slurping noodles, Lee sat beside Neji, Tenten and Guy. Eating his food with intense vigor, this sight force Tenten to gag with disgust.
Dressed in a full-bodied leaf green jumpsuit, Lee's most prominent feature were his orange-striped leg warmers. Also, the red fabric of his Konoha headband was draped across his waist, worn like a belt.
Characterized by an array of white linen, this cloth was wrapped around each of Lee's fists. This brought attention to Lee's black bowl hair-cut, matching his bushy eyebrows.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, Lee." Tenten pleaded, sitting in the background.
Defined by ear-length brown hair and dark brown eyes, Tenten's hair was woven into a pair of Chinese-style buns. Framing each side of his fair-skinned face, this exposed the Konoha headband on Tenten's face.
Adorned with a sleeveless red blouse, this attire was littered with yellow-trimmed buttons in the front. Contrasting her leaf-green pants, this outfit hung down to her ankles, revealing her blue shinobi shoes.
"That's not it!" Lee argued, choking on his food.
"One of them is Team 7, Kakashi's squad. He never takes on students." Muttering his explanation, Lee swallowed a mouthful of noodles.
"That is interesting." Neji cut in, holding both hands in front of his face.
Defined by shoulder-length black hair, tied into a loose ponytail, Neji's forehead was obscured by his Konoha headband. Also, an odd mixture of white and lavender swirled through Neji's eyes.
A 13 year old shinobi, Neji wore a short-sleeved beige shirt, held in place by three straps in the front. This shirt partially matched Neji's knee-length brown shorts, exposing his blue shinobi shoes.
Similar to Lee, Neji had an array of linen cloth wrapped across his body, shrouding his arms, ankles and torso. Brought to bare against Neji's fair-skin, this fabric covered a vast amount of his body.
"Way to go Neji! Lee! Tenten!" Guy screeched with a dramatic tone, pulling a bowl of ramen from his face.
Glancing over his shoulder, Guy hummed as a purple-haired boy quietly shuffled inside. Approaching the wooden counter, this boy was soon created by Ayame, the daughter of Ichiraku himself.
A 17 year old teenager, Ayame was extremely slender with shoulder-length brown hair, held in place by her white bandanna. True to her profession, Ayame worn an ankle-length white robe, covered in grease stains.
"I had an order for eight Iruka ramens, are they done yet?" Pulling a handful of Ryo into view, this foreign boy started counting.
"Can I have them put in this?" Placing his basket on the counter, Ayame was gifted with a golden Ryo.
"I know you don't do take out, so I'll buy the bowls too." Left utterly speechless by this revelation, Ayame stuttered for air.
"Daaad! The morning order is here! Bring up the Iruka ramens!" Pulled from her stupor, Ayame glanced over her shoulder.
Chuckling in response, Teuchi strolled out from the kitchen, leisurely holding eight ramens with both arms. Placing this steam piles of pork atop the counter, Teuchi swelled with pride.
"Is Naruto here?" Speaking with delight, Teuchi gripped his own waist.
"No dad, it's a new customer. And he's paying a lot, so don't harass him." Tossing a golden Ryo into the air, Ayame hid this coin under her bra.
Startled by Lee's slurping mouth, this bushy eyed shinobi leaned further and further from his stool. Staring without end, Lee glared at the purple-haired boy in front of him.
"Ma-... May I help you." Straining to speak, this strange boy staggered against a wood.
"Have I seen you before" Lee stuttered.
"Lee quit being so weird, he's not a shinobi." Tenten blurted out.
"You're right... My bad." Lee apologized, hanging his head with defeat.
"Now, we usually don't put lids on these, so you'll have to be really careful." Ayame explained, stacking her food inside the lavender basket.
"This is a lovely basket. Who's the lucky girl?" Teasing her customer, Ayame giggled like a school girl.
"It's... It's not for a romantic occasion. But it is special." Stuttering his response, this purple-haired boy finally picked up his basket.
Without warning, Lee once again leapt forward, shoving his face against this unknown boy. Creating an awkward silence, Lee hummed while violating his personal space.
"Na-... Naruto..." Lee murmured
"Naruto loves that ramen too, you'd really get along with him!" Taking a dramatic shift in tone, Lee smiled with a care in the world.
Pinching the edge of Lee's ear, Tenten dragged him back to his seat, throwing him with rage. Distracted by this loud noise, none of these Genin noticed as the foreign boy erupted into a swirl of leaves.
"This is interesting!" Guy pondered with happiness, holding his chin with both hands.
Meanwhile.
Slumped in a barren alleyway, this violet boy was panting for air, resting his back against a wooden wall. Lowering his freshly bought basket to the ground, Ichiraku's Ramen Stand was spread in the background.
"Gve me your money!" Snarling these orders, a grown thief loomed from the shadows.
Defined by tan skin with dirt-like complexion, this thief was 24 years old with a clean shaved scalp. Drawing attention to the tattered brown shirt he wore, this cloth was a perfect match for his torn shorts.
Brandishing a short-bladed knife, this thief inched across the ground, using his bare and naked feet. Unable to buy shoes, food or a house, this thief was forced into a life of crime.
"What are you doing?" Slurring in reply, this violet boy hummed with confusion.
"I'm mugging you! Give me your money!" The thief once again ordered.
"With a stance like that?" Observing this wound-be mugger, the violet boy stared at his awkward footing.
"What are you talking about? Just give me your money!" Lunging forward, this thief was casually tripped by the young boy.
Faceplanting the dirt-covered alleyway, this failed thief groveled in agony and embarrassment. Known as Rucho, this mugger was shrouded by the young outline of his violet victim.
"With a poor stance you are unbalanced and can easily be knocked over." As this young boy spoke, he offered Rucho a helping hand.
"But with a solid stance... You're much more serious." Pulling Rucho to his feet, this duo fell into a brief conversation after the encounter that had just occurred.
Five minutes later.
Seated in a narrow alley, Rucho was enjoying a bowl of ramen with his new friend, known only as Violet. Distilled by lingering pillars of steam, the aroma of pork, eggs and chicken polluted the air.
"I knew you weren't a criminal type." Violet chuckled aloud.
"This is so great... I've never had anyone that believed in me before." Rucho spoke with disbelief.
An interesting moment spent...