After nearly two hours of relentless cleaning, the shop finally looked immaculate. The floor that had been thick with dust now gleamed, chairs and tables were neatly arranged, and the air inside the room no longer felt stifling.
Raftra sat for a moment with Kakashi and Naruto. They all drew deep breaths, trying to shake off their fatigue. Naruto even slumped into a chair with an expression of relief.
"That was pretty tiring," Naruto said, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"Cleaning always is," Raftra replied.
He rose and glanced briefly toward the kitchen. "But I've only done half the work. If I don't start now, I won't be able to open the shop tomorrow. I need to prepare everything immediately."
Kakashi remained in his seat, reopening the book that had been never far from his hand.
"Go on. I'll stay here," he said curtly.
Naruto straightened at once. "I'm coming! I want to see what you're going to make."
Raftra glanced at him and offered a faint smile. "You can watch, but don't ask too many questions—just pay attention. If there's something you can help with, I'll tell you."
"Okay!" Naruto replied enthusiastically, and hurried into the kitchen after Raftra.
Kakashi stayed in the front room. He lounged back with the book open, yet his eyes flicked toward the window every few moments.
He could feel it—someone watching them. He didn't need to see them directly, his instincts as a shinobi told him people had been observing them.
Kakashi turned his head toward the glass. As he suspected, a shadow moved swiftly across the neighboring roof and vanished. A few seconds later, another shadow slipped into the nearby alley.
Root… Danzo's men.
He recognized their surveillance style: always from a distance, always melting away when noticed. That didn't mean they would give up. They would remain nearby, keeping watch.
Kakashi exhaled softly. He didn't pursue them or react—there was no point. If he moved, they would scatter, if he remained still, they would keep watching.
'As usual, Danzo has his people watching from the shadows. Nothing changes,' he thought.
He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to refocus on his book, though the observation was duly noted in his mind. This wasn't mere formality, Danzo never trusted anyone at face value, especially a stranger like Raftra.
…
In the kitchen, Raftra had laid out all the groceries on the long, cleaned table. Naruto stood beside him, eyes bright with curiosity, like a child watching a new performance.
"First, we make the dough," Raftra said, rolling up his sleeves.
He took a large bowl, poured in wheat flour, then cracked several eggs into it. He added a little water, some salt, and a drop of oil. His hands began to stir slowly, then knead the mixture with the pads of his palms.
Naruto leaned in, eyes unblinking. "So… is this like making mochi?" he asked innocently.
Raftra chuckled softly. "Similar, but the end result is very different. This isn't a sweet—this is a main course."
The kneading took time. Raftra's hands moved in a steady rhythm—pressing, folding, pressing again—until the dough became smooth and elastic.
Naruto reached out as if to help, but Raftra stopped him with a flat look.
"If you touch it now, the dough could be ruined. Let me handle it," he explained. "I'll teach you later when there's time—today, just watch."
"All right…" Naruto said.
He pulled his hand back and nodded obediently, but his gaze remained hungry with curiosity.
When the dough was sufficiently smooth, Raftra took a special knife and sliced it into thin sheets. Using a simple cutter, he turned the sheets into long strands resembling noodles.
Naruto held his breath, eyes wide. "Wow! So it's like ramen!" he exclaimed.
Raftra did not look up. "It may look similar, but it's not," he replied. "It's called spaghetti. Remember: this is not ramen."
While the dough was cooking, Raftra set a large pot of water on the stove. The flame licked the pot until the water boiled, and he lowered the strands of spaghetti in one by one.
"Ramen usually has broth, right?" Naruto asked, tilting his head like an inquisitive child.
"Yes. Ramen is served in broth. Spaghetti is not. The difference is significant," Raftra said calmly.
"This is eaten with a sauce, not a soup. From flavor to ingredients to cooking method—everything's different. Don't lump them together."
Naruto nodded quickly, though his face still clearly showed confusion.
While the spaghetti boiled, Raftra prepared the sauce. He placed another pan over the flame, added a little oil, and sautéed minced garlic until it released its fragrance.
He then added crushed tomatoes, a bit of chili, and several secret spices he had purchased earlier. A sharp aroma filled the room and made Naruto swallow loudly.
"It smells… amazing," Naruto murmured, clutching his suddenly audible stomach.
Raftra glanced once and continued cooking without comment. He stirred the sauce gently, letting it simmer until it thickened and deepened to a dark red.
A few minutes later, the spaghetti was done. Raftra lifted it with tongs, placed portions onto three large plates, and ladled the sauce over them.
He finished with a light sprinkling of herbs.
Naruto stared at the plate, eyes shining. "Seriously, this makes me so hungry! So… it's not ramen, right?"
Raftra nodded. "Not ramen. Remember: it's called spaghetti."
Naruto swallowed again, barely able to wait for Raftra's cue to begin eating.
…
Raftra emerged from the kitchen carrying two large plates. Steam rose from the spaghetti, spreading a rich scent of tomato sauce, garlic, and herbs.
Naruto trailed behind him with a full plate, his face already impatient as a child at a feast.
Kakashi remained seated, book in hand, but as the aroma filled the room he closed the book and looked toward the table.
"So, what is this?" Kakashi asked, his tone flat but with a hint of interest.
Raftra set the two plates on the table and sat down.
"It's called spaghetti. A recipe from my home. I plan for it to be one of the five main dishes at Raftra Kitchen."
Naruto sat eagerly, bringing his face close to the plate and inhaling the fragrant sauce. "It smells nothing like ramen. It's stronger, stranger… but it makes me hungry."
"Because the seasoning is different," Raftra said, reaching for a fork from the shopping bag. He handed one to Kakashi and another to Naruto.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "With a fork? Not chopsticks?"
Naruto looked puzzled as well. "Why a fork?"
Raftra leaned forward slightly. "If you use chopsticks, it feels like eating ramen."
"This isn't ramen. We'll eat with forks—consider it part of the experience and tradition."
Naruto gaped for a moment, then raised his fork. "Fine, as long as I can eat it."
Kakashi observed for a moment before trying it himself. He managed to twirl a proper amount of spaghetti and brought it to his mouth.
He chewed slowly. After a few seconds his expression shifted. "Hm… unfamiliar, but good. Lighter than I expected."
Naruto took his first bite of spaghetti. The sauce exploded across his tongue and his eyes lit up. "Woooah! This is amazing! Savory, tangy, sweet, spicy… it's all mixed together! I've never eaten noodles like this before!"
Raftra sat quietly, watching them both. "Good, if you like it. If people like you can enjoy it, then others will too."
Naruto looked at Raftra with his mouth still full. "I'll come here all the time! If I can, I'd eat this every day!"
Kakashi glanced at Naruto and returned to eating.
The three of them ate in a peaceful silence. For the first time, the table felt warm. There was no talk of surveillance, trauma, or suspicion—just three people seated together, enjoying a dish the village had never known.
Raftra quietly leaned back in his chair and watched the two before him. He thought, 'The first step is done. If this food can make a kid like Naruto happy, then winning the whole village's favor is not impossible.'
But his thoughts shifted to Kakashi.
'Yesterday he revealed his face without hesitation. And now, in front of Naruto, he did the same.'
'That's odd. The Kakashi I know—Kakashi as he's written in the story—isn't the type to take off his mask carelessly. He's too closed-off for that.'
Raftra toyed with his fork, turning it slowly. 'So there are two possibilities. First, maybe Kakashi isn't as guarded in reality.'
'But judging by his speech and the calculating look in his eyes… I doubt that possibility is true.'
He glanced again at Kakashi, who was calmly sipping water. 'The more plausible possibility is the second one. Kakashi intentionally showed his face. He chose to be more relaxed, more open.'
'Not because he felt at ease, but because he had an agenda. Perhaps to test my reaction, or maybe it's part of an order from Hiruzen that I don't know about.'
Naruto beside him chewed with a beaming face. "This is so good! I've never tasted anything like this in my life! The flavor is unique and different."
Raftra smiled faintly, though his thoughts remained on Kakashi. 'From my experience as someone who's observed Naruto…'
'The second reason makes more sense. Kakashi isn't careless. If he acts like this, there must be a purpose.'
'The question now is… what is his purpose in revealing his face? To make me let my guard down?'
He drank slowly, then turned his gaze back to Kakashi who had reopened his book as if nothing had happened. 'I must be careful. If this is a game, then I must play it better than he does.'
…
After lunch, Raftra stood and began clearing the table. He gathered the dirty plates, carried them to the kitchen, and washed them one by one.
Kakashi remained seated, book in hand, as if it were an extension of himself. Naruto watched in admiration as Raftra cleaned everything with meticulous care.
When he finished, Raftra put the leftover spaghetti into a container and sealed it tightly. "Better give this to Hiruzen," he murmured and walked out of the kitchen.
He clapped his hands to make sure they were free of water and said, "I'll go to the Hokage's office for a moment. There's something I need to discuss."
Naruto lit up at the news. His eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I'm coming! I've never really been inside the Hokage's office. I've only seen it from the outside. Besides, I already know grandpa!"
Raftra paused, then glanced at Kakashi who still lounged calmly. "He… knows Lord Hiruzen?" he asked in a voice deliberately laced with surprise.
Kakashi lifted his head slightly, eyes half-closed. "I don't know the details," he answered shortly.
Naruto stepped forward, face filled with pride. "Of course I know him! Grandpa comes by my house sometimes. Sometimes he just talks, sometimes he brings food, sometimes he gives me pocket money."
Raftra caught his breath for a moment and feigned confusion, a faint furrow forming between his brows. "Pocket money? I mean… why would Lord Hiruzen give you money and food?"
Naruto hesitated for a few seconds. The broad smile he'd just flashed stiffened, though he tried to hide it with a cheerful expression.
"Because… I don't have parents," he said, scratching his head awkwardly. "So Grandpa takes care of me. Since I was little."
Silence fell.
Raftra looked at Naruto closely, then pretended to be shocked as if he had learned something huge. He glanced at Kakashi briefly before turning back to Naruto. "You… don't have parents?"
Naruto gave a small, awkward smile, though a glint of tension remained in his eyes. "Yeah. But it's okay, I'm used to it. Besides, you're new to the village, so it's natural you wouldn't know."
Raftra nodded and patted Naruto lightly on the shoulder. "Then come. Let's go to the Hokage's office together."
Naruto brightened again, his face lighting up. "Yes!"
Kakashi closed his book and stood without much comment. Raftra checked the shop once more, made sure everything was secure, and shut the door.
Naruto waited outside, swinging his feet and grinning, eager to set off.
When they were ready, the three of them walked together. Raftra in the middle, Kakashi moving with measured steps beside him, and Naruto a few paces ahead, full of energy.
…
Along the path to the Hokage's building, Konoha's bustling life unfolded—the vendors calling out their wares, children running about, and ninjas hurrying on their duties. Yet amid the crowd Raftra felt a heat rise in his chest.
Stares.
A familiar, sharp, cutting gaze full of dislike.
Some villagers glanced at Naruto reflexively and then narrowed their eyes, whispering to the person beside them.
The murmurs were low, but their meaning was clear. Faces hardened, some openly regarded Naruto with contempt.
Naruto walked ahead wearing his practiced smile, as if oblivious. Raftra knew better: the boy had grown used to it. That did not mean it didn't hurt, it had simply happened so often that Naruto learned to ignore it.
Raftra clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened and his palms sweated. He wanted to confront every whispering passerby, shake them awake, or even strike them to make them stop.
But he held himself back. He breathed slowly and forced his face to remain composed.
'I can't react now. It's not the time. If I lose my temper here, not only will I make things worse for Naruto, but I'll make myself even more suspicious.'
'But mark this—I'll change everything. Naruto will not grow up bearing the village's hatred alone. I will make them regret looking at him like that.'
Kakashi, meanwhile, maintained his composed demeanor with hands in his pockets, but he too noticed the same signs: the stares, the whispers, the slight distancing.
His gaze drifted to Naruto's small back as the boy kept walking.
In his mind he muttered, 'Sensei… if only you were here to see this. Your child treated as the target of hatred… shunned and isolated because of the burden you left. Is this the price he must pay for the village?'
Kakashi sighed and then looked at Raftra.
From the outside, Raftra seemed calm and focused, heading toward their destination without reacting. But as an experienced shinobi, Kakashi could read body language.
Raftra's eyes, though restrained, were full of anger. His grip was tight enough that the veins on his arm stood out. Kakashi could see the suppressed fury.
'He's angry. Very angry,' Kakashi thought. 'But he's holding it in.'
'And for what reason? Raftra barely knows Naruto, yet he's this furious—as if he's known him much longer.'
Inside Raftra's head he reaffirmed his resolve.
'Naruto… I won't wait for you to grow up, to fight until you become the village's hero and for people to accept you. I will make them know you sooner. I will change their perception—through my business, my influence, whatever I have. They will learn who you truly are. When that day comes, there will be no more hateful looks.'
They continued along. Naruto kept his small smile. Kakashi walked thoughtfully. Raftra moved forward with a simmering determination.
…
When they arrived at the Hokage's building the atmosphere changed immediately. Two shinobi stood guard at the entrance, their expressions stern.
Seeing Kakashi and Raftra approach, the guards stepped aside, but when their eyes fell on Naruto, the boy halted.
One guard raised a hand to stop him.
"Sorry, this child cannot enter. He has no business here."
Naruto forced a tight smile, masking the hurt. He took a half step back, about to accept it. But before he could speak, Raftra's hand landed on his shoulder.
"He's acquainted with Lord Hiruzen," Raftra said firmly, looking the guard straight in the eye. "You have no right to bar him unless the Hokage himself ordered it."
The tension rose. Naruto turned to Raftra, eyes wide with disbelief. Kakashi leaned against the wall and watched closely, curious to see how far Raftra would push this.
The guard frowned. "Rules are rules. This child—"
Raftra cut him off with a cool voice. "Rules? Rules are made to be followed, not twisted to suit petty whims."
"If the Hokage forbids it, show us written orders or say it plainly in front of us. Otherwise, don't masquerade as authority. You're just a guard—act according to your role."
"Report to the Hokage that the three of us have come to visit."
His tone was sharp but not loud, and it stung the guard, shame and anger colored his face.
Kakashi watched Raftra, recognizing the method—cold, logical pressure, kept just inside the bounds of propriety. 'This kid knows how to steer a situation,' Kakashi mused.
The guard ground his teeth and finally turned away. "Wait here." He moved swiftly inside to report.
Silence fell. Naruto stared at the ground, his shoulders drooping.
"Raftra…" he said softly, forcing a smile. "I'll just go home. Seems like people don't want me here."
He scratched his head awkwardly and was about to leave.
But before he could take another step, Raftra's hand pressed more firmly onto his shoulder.
"Don't go. You want to see your grandfather, don't you?"
Naruto froze. His shoulders tightened, he didn't dare look back.
Raftra continued, "If these people don't want you here, that's their problem—not yours. I want you here."
"And if what you said is true, Lord Hokage will want to see you as well."
Naruto bit his lip. The forced smile faded, replaced by a mixture of confusion and gratitude. He turned to Raftra slowly. A small light returned to his eyes.
"…You're right. Grandpa is kind," he said softly, his smile now more genuine, though still awkward.
Raftra nodded as if it were only natural.
Kakashi, who had been silent until now, kept glancing their way. His face remained expressionless, but his eyes sharpened as he watched their exchange.
In his mind he wondered, 'Is Raftra's concern sincere? Or is it just another verbal stratagem?'
'I don't know. But… if it is genuine, then good. Naruto needs someone who sees him as he is.'
Silence returned as they waited for the guard to return with the Hokage's reply.