After a long walk along the village's main road, they finally reached the residential district. Night had fallen, oil lamps lined the streets, casting a soothing warm yellow glow.
Raftra spoke at last. "My name is Raftra," he said quietly, his voice flat but clear.
"What's your name?" Kakashi asked.
He kept walking at an even pace, hands in his pockets. He only glanced over slightly, his one visible eye fixed ahead.
"Hatake Kakashi. Direct subordinate of the Hokage. As of tonight, my duty is to watch over you."
Raftra gave a small nod, then drew a deep breath. "Sorry to trouble you with this assignment. It sounds dull, doesn't it? Just watching over a foreign kid like me."
Kakashi answered without changing his tone, as if stating a simple fact.
"Bored? Not really. This is a pleasant assignment. No fights, no life-or-death stakes. Light and clear."
That answer made Raftra look at him longer. "My impression of you is good, Kakashi-san. You speak to the point. I like that."
They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound their steps on the quiet street.
Then Raftra glanced at him again. "May I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"Why do you wear a mask… and hide one eye with your headband? If that's too sensitive, you don't have to answer."
Kakashi didn't turn. Only his shoulder moved slightly. "It's my style. No special reason."
'He's not honest,' Raftra thought, but he did not press. He knew the limits, digging too deep now would only make things awkward. Their relationship was new. It wasn't time to pry.
A few steps later Raftra spoke again. "So… how much do you know about me? What did the Hokage tell you?"
This time Kakashi paused briefly, then glanced at him. His gaze was hard to read—calm, but sharp.
"The Hokage said you are someone to be watched. You came without cause, without explanation, and your body… has no chakra."
"He said you're an ordinary guy, but surveillance is absolute."
Raftra slowed a little and lowered his head for a moment before meeting Kakashi's eyes again. "Is that really what he said? Or are you testing my reaction?"
Kakashi replied quickly, in the same even tone. "Aren't you the one testing? Your question wasn't casual. It was too neat, too directed. You want to size someone up… or perhaps steer the conversation toward a purpose."
Raftra fell silent for a beat, then laughed softly. The sound was calm, but there was a faint weariness in it.
"I'm not surprised. From the start I guessed you were clever."
"But don't misunderstand. I'm not playing any game. I just want to get closer."
"After all, we'll be living under the same roof for a while. It would be uncomfortable if we didn't know each other, right?"
Kakashi did not answer at length. He looked ahead again and resumed walking as if the matter were closed.
Still, from his manner Raftra could read one thing: he had managed to pry a small gap open. Kakashi might not show it, but he was beginning to acknowledge his presence.
Their steps grew more relaxed. The streets had emptied, only crickets and the night breeze accompanied them. Raftra finally spoke again.
"Kakashi-san, does your house… have any groceries?" he asked, glancing briefly. "If not, let's buy some. Of course, on your money. I don't have anything right now."
Kakashi cast a quick look. "Don't buy too much."
Raftra nodded lightly as if it were no problem. "All right—tell me the limit and I'll stick to it."
"Oh, and one more thing… teach me how the money system works in this village. I need to know how it operates."
Kakashi answered shortly, "I'll explain later."
Raftra smiled faintly, then stared back down the road.
'Good. Slowly, I'll make Kakashi see me as a little brother. It will take time, but I can do it. I just need to play this role patiently,' he thought.
His gaze stayed forward, but his mind ran farther ahead.
'And when the time is right, I'll introduce him to Naruto. The relationship between them is key. The faster that bond forms, the better Naruto's development—and the greater my advantage.'
Raftra remembered a tiny detail from the original story he knew.
'Don't forget… Kakashi has an indirect tie to Naruto. When Naruto was still in the womb, Minato assigned him to watch over Kushina.'
'It's a small, nearly invisible connection, but it exists. And I… will use it to the fullest.'
'That means, in the future, Kakashi and I will act as older brothers to Naruto. Meanwhile, I and Naruto will be like younger siblings to Kakashi.'
'The plan is difficult, but hopefully it will work.'
Not long after, they stopped at a grocery still open despite the late hour.
Upon entering, the scents of spices and fresh vegetables greeted them.
Raftra lingered a step behind Kakashi, observing every detail—taking the chance to learn.
"How does the money system work here?" he asked calmly.
Kakashi produced a few coins from his pouch and showed them briefly. "These are ryo. One copper coin for small things, one silver coin for daily purchases, and gold for large transactions. Don't overcomplicate it—just remember their relative values."
Raftra nodded, studying the coins' shapes and engravings, committing them to memory.
'Easy. The values resemble money from my world. I can adapt quickly,' he thought.
As promised, Raftra didn't buy much. He picked up four pieces of fresh chicken, some onions, ginger, chilies, and a few spices he could use to make a simple yet enticing dish.
He knew this step wasn't just about eating, it was about making an impression.
At the cashier, a warm-faced middle-aged man greeted them.
"Ah, Kakashi-san, long time no see."
Kakashi only gave a short nod, his tone flat as usual. The shopkeeper glanced at Raftra and then smiled broadly.
"Your friend, huh? You never bring anyone here."
The friendly attitude was clearly influenced by Kakashi's presence. His reputation as a respected ninja made merchants treat Raftra kindly as well.
Raftra noticed.
'Thank you, Hiruzen. Placing Kakashi as my watcher was the right decision.'
'With his reputation, people will treat me well just because I walk beside him.'
After paying, Kakashi handed Raftra a paper bag with the groceries.
They walked home along a moonlit path. Raftra carried the bag carefully, as if it contained something precious.
....
When the house door opened, the scent of old wood welcomed Raftra. Kakashi lit the lamp, and warm light filled the room.
The house was modest but tidy: two bedrooms with sliding doors, a sitting area with a low table and floor cushions, a small kitchen with simple utensils, and a dining area that flowed from the kitchen. The bath was at the back—simple but clean.
Kakashi showed him briefly from room to room. "This is the sitting room… that's the kitchen… the empty room on the right can be yours."
Raftra only nodded, but his eyes never stopped working. He took in every small detail: a half-filled shelf of scrolls, a short sword hanging on the sitting room wall, and the faint scent of dried tea in a kitchen corner. He stored all of it away.
'This house… is large enough for a single man. It would be more fitting for a small family,' he thought.
'But Kakashi lives alone. Quiet. Empty. No sign of anyone else. Maybe that shows how closed off he is, or perhaps… his loneliness.'
He glanced at the empty room assigned to him. The bed was simple, with a small shelf and a low table. Few furnishings—but that made it comfortable. Nothing distracted his thoughts.
'An empty room is a blank canvas. The perfect place to start something new.'
After a short tour, Raftra moved to the kitchen. He took the groceries from the bag: four chicken pieces, onion, ginger, chili, sweet soy sauce, and a few simple spices. His hands set to work, cutting and mixing with motions he'd mastered since childhood.
Kakashi sat in the sitting room with a book—clearly light reading. He glanced toward the kitchen occasionally, eyes narrowing as he analyzed Raftra's movements.
All he saw was a young man busy cooking. No suspicious gestures, no strange motions. Raftra's movements were normal—perhaps too normal for someone newly freed from prison.
Inside, Raftra thought, 'I've assessed this house: Kakashi isn't the type to suspect everything, but he's always alert.'
'This house is quiet and empty—he's used to being alone. If I want to insert myself into his life, I must be a presence that doesn't disturb. I must add color to his solitude.'
'I cannot be loud like Guy, I must play the calm family role. Let Guy be the noisy one.'
Kakashi finally rose and moved closer, drawn by the tempting aroma.
"Hmm… what are you making?" he asked casually as he approached the table.
But in an unexpected move his elbow brushed the kitchen knife Raftra had left at the edge of the counter. Kakashi quickly caught it and set it back.
And in that instant Raftra's world collapsed.
Seeing Kakashi holding the knife, Raftra froze. His breath hitched, his chest tightened. In a flash, the dark memories returned: the masked faces of Danzo's torturers, their cold stares, the bloodied blades. All those moments surged back.
"A—ah…!"
Raftra staggered backward and crashed into the kitchen wall. His hands shook uncontrollably. His breathing became rapid and ragged, his vision blurred. The world around him seemed to tilt.
Kakashi stared in alarm, and in a heartbeat he understood. As someone who carried his own wounds, he recognized the reaction—trauma, a wound deeper than the physical.
Without hesitation, Kakashi knelt beside Raftra and patted his shoulder gently.
"Calm down," he said softly, his tone gentler than usual. "It's over. No one will hurt you here."
Raftra kept his head bowed, breath heavy, but slowly he lifted his face. The chaotic look eased when he saw Kakashi's gaze—not suspicion, but understanding.
His trembling hands began to steady. "I'm sorry," Raftra said in a weak voice.
"I overreacted. Just… seeing you hold that knife… it reminded me of them. Of the torture. I… I'm too weak…"
Kakashi shook his head, looking at him firmly yet with empathy. "That's not weakness."
Raftra turned, puzzled.
"It's a natural reaction," Kakashi continued. "A reaction because you're still human, because you have fear. That doesn't make you weak. It only shows the wound is real."
Raftra fell silent, his chest rose and fell more evenly. The words pierced him but in a calming way.
Kakashi added, his voice heavier as if from experience, "I know how it feels. I've been through the same. At first, every sound, every object, can trigger those bad memories. My reaction was like yours."
He looked into Raftra's eyes. "So don't ever think you're weak because you're afraid. It means… you're still alive."
Raftra closed his eyes for a moment and let the words sink in. "Thank you, Kakashi-san."
A few minutes later, Raftra set plates on the simple wooden table and served the food he'd prepared: four pieces of chicken glazed in a glossy sweet-spicy sauce, quick-sautéed vegetables, and a bowl of steaming white rice.
He pulled up a chair and sat across from Kakashi. On the surface it looked ordinary, but for Raftra there was an undercurrent of tension.
Before touching his spoon, he asked cautiously, "So… should I go eat in my room separately?"
Kakashi paused, tilting his head as if not understanding. "Eat separately? Why would you do that?"
Raftra glanced at Kakashi's mask and exhaled softly. "You always wear it. The mask—and the headband that covers your eye. From what I've seen… you don't intend to show your face to others. If that's the case, I can eat in my room. I don't mind."
For the first time since meeting Raftra, Kakashi chuckled—low, almost like a sincere murmur. "Ah… so that's what you meant."
He removed his headband slowly and set it on the table, sliding his black mask down to his chin.
Raftra finally saw the face rarely revealed—not the secretive legend behind the mask, but a young man with tired yet calm eyes.
"No need to go that far," Kakashi said. "It'd be a hassle to hide my face all the time. Besides, we'll be living together for a while. It's fine if you see me like this."
Raftra was taken aback. He had expected Kakashi to insist on keeping his habits. This openness was unexpected.
'Interesting. He's more relaxed than I thought. If he can be this open… it will be easier to position myself close to him,' Raftra thought.
'Our relationship could develop faster than I planned.'
'But why did he open up so quickly? Is this an order from Hiruzen to make Kakashi more accessible to me? Maybe Hiruzen intends to make me comfortable with Kakashi's openness so he can observe me doing what he expects.'
Kakashi chewed slowly, his half-lidded eye showing more life as the flavors—sweet, sour, and spicy—met his tongue.
Raftra, spooning rice, offered a light jest. "Honestly, Kakashi-san, you're handsome. If the women of the village saw your face every day, I'm sure you'd be showered with flowers."
"Such a shame a face like that hides behind a mask."
Kakashi only glanced briefly, then returned to his meal without much reaction.
He chewed calmly and said flatly, "Your cooking is good. I've never tasted seasoning like this before."
Raftra smiled. "Then I'll put this dish on the menu of the stall I'll open."
Kakashi looked at him for a beat, longer than before—evaluating whether it was youthful boasting or true resolve. "A stall, huh..." he murmured.
After dinner they washed dishes in turns. The quiet—water running and light clinks of plates—felt oddly soothing.
When they finished, Kakashi went to his room and Raftra to the small empty room that was now his bed.
"Good night," Raftra said.
"Night," Kakashi replied.
Raftra lay on the simple mattress, staring at the ceiling. He sighed occasionally, his body still ached from trauma and torture, but his mind refused rest.
'Raftra Kitchen…' he murmured inwardly. 'Should I name the stall after that vision I saw? As if the future already nudges me.'
He turned onto his side facing the window.
'If the restaurant succeeds, will the next step really be Raftra Industries?'
'And the Konoha Clan Organization… should I build something that large? For what purpose—power? Control? Or just to prove I can rise above being a stranger in this world?'
He closed his eyes briefly, yet his thoughts kept churning. The image of the unknown woman at his side returned—always present in his visions, as an ally or perhaps more.
'Who are you? Why do you appear in every vision, as if you're a central part of my future? Why are you the one beside me? Why not someone else I already know?'
He exhaled in frustration. 'Enough. It'll drive me mad if I keep thinking on this.'
'Better to focus on removing this trauma…'
Raftra shut his eyes, but his thoughts remained noisy. The face of that strange woman lingered. He lay there, unable to find peace, turning possibilities over and over in his mind.