A few hours later, night had fallen.
In Raftra Kitchen, the scent of cooking filled the room. The large central table was piled high with an assortment of dishes.
He placed the last plate down and sat back in his chair, leaning against it with a soft exhale.
"Done," he murmured. He drew a deep breath and turned his gaze calmly toward the entrance, waiting for the guests he had invited.
Beside him, Naruto fidgeted in his seat. His eyes sparkled, he could not take his gaze off the spread of food laid out on the table.
"So… what are all these dishes?" Naruto asked impatiently.
Raftra glanced at him and offered a thin smile. "I'll explain once everyone has arrived. Hang on a little longer, alright?"
Naruto puckered his lips, then rested his chin on the table, staring at the food with an unabashed hunger.
Kakashi sat a bit apart in a chair near the wall.
He had been quiet since they arrived, one hand supporting his chin, his single visible eye glancing at Raftra every so often. From small gestures to the way he managed the room, Kakashi observed everything with careful judgment.
Not long after, the sound of the door sliding open reached them. Hiruzen entered in his white Hokage robe, looking composed though clearly tired from a long day.
Behind him, Tsunade stepped in with her arms folded across her chest, her expression half-languid, half-curious. Shizune followed politely, bowing slightly as she entered Raftra Kitchen.
Raftra rose immediately. "Welcome, Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade, Miss Shizune."
His smile was warm and his tone that of a practiced host. Naruto, who sat beside him, stood as well, cheerful at their arrival, Kakashi offered a brief, casual nod.
Hiruzen scanned the simple yet tidy interior Raftra had prepared.
"So you really named this place Raftra Kitchen?" he said, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"That's right. What do you think?" Raftra replied, polite and with a quiet confidence.
Hiruzen walked slowly to the table, stroking his beard. "Hmm… the atmosphere is different from the usual eateries in Konoha. It feels… warmer."
"You've tidied and modified the place so it's not the same as before, and the name 'Raftra Kitchen' suits it well."
Raftra chuckled lightly. "That was my intention. I want this to be more than just a stall, I want it to be somewhere people can feel at ease."
Tsunade gave a cursory glance before taking the chair set at the side of the table. "A food stall that's supposed to be different from the rest…" Her voice was flat, but a subtle edge lay beneath it. "I want to know—what makes you so confident, young man?"
Raftra turned to her with a polite smile. "Lady Tsunade can judge for herself when she tastes it. Flavor is hard to fake."
Shizune restrained a small smile and sat. "I must admit, the aroma is tempting. I noticed it when I first came in."
Naruto, unable to contain himself, blurted out, "Yeah! It smells amazing, Grandpa! I can't wait!"
The comment loosened the atmosphere, Hiruzen chuckled softly. Kakashi remained quiet, watching Raftra's expressions with a careful eye.
Once everyone was seated, their gaze fell on the neatly arranged dishes.
Raftra clapped his hands softly. "Very well. Allow me to explain what I prepared tonight."
He pointed as he spoke. "First is something you already know—spaghetti. The same as what I brought to the Hokage's office earlier today."
They all nodded slowly, remembering its distinct taste, Tsunade and Shizune had not yet sampled it.
"Second, sweet-and-spicy sour chicken. I learned this recipe from my parents," Raftra explained, though privately he knew that was a convenient fiction.
"Third, battered fried chicken. It's my original recipe—I'd dare say no one can replicate this flavor yet."
Naruto's eyes lit up at that, and Shizune looked intrigued.
"Fourth, Raftra-style fried rice. Fried rice may already be known here, but this version is different. There's a special seasoning that makes it bolder, fresher—distinct from others."
Tsunade lifted a single eyebrow, skeptical but silent.
"And finally," Raftra indicated a large plate at the end of the table, "an egg martabak. It's my personal favorite and one of the signature items I'll be selling."
Naruto swallowed audibly, prompting another faint smile from Hiruzen.
"A rather generous spread," Hiruzen commented quietly. "Five dishes unseen before—may your endeavor prosper."
Raftra returned the compliment with a confident smile.
Everyone began to take portions, save for Kakashi, who remained leaned back in his chair.
"Kakashi-san, aren't you eating?" Naruto asked.
"I'm not hungry yet, Naruto," he replied flatly when offered a plate.
"I see."
Raftra cast him a brief look and smiled faintly, privately noting, 'As I suspected—Kakashi only removed his mask before me and Naruto. That act must carry some intent.'
Hiruzen reached for his fork and began with the spaghetti. Naruto copied him eagerly, stuffing a large bite into his mouth. Tsunade and Shizune sampled as well.
"Hmm…" Hiruzen nodded as he chewed slowly. "Consistent. Just as good as earlier this afternoon. Not a note out of place."
Naruto, mouth full, chimed in, "Yeah! Just like before—delicious!"
Tsunade set her fork down and said, "The noodle texture is different. Not mushy, not overly firm. And the seasoning… unique. I've never had noodles like this."
Shizune added with admiration, "There's a kind of balance—savory, a touch of sweetness, but not too much. It tastes like something I've never tried before."
Raftra smiled, satisfied by their reactions.
They moved on to the sweet-and-spicy sour chicken. At the first bite, the room filled with approving murmurs.
"This is… interesting," Tsunade said, a small spark in her eyes. "The spice doesn't dominate, the sweet and sour are balanced. It's addictive."
"Indeed," Shizune agreed. "The meat is also tender, not tough. How do you make it so soft?"
Hiruzen nodded. "Food like this could easily become popular."
Naruto, almost finished with his portion, gave a thumbs-up. "So tasty!"
Next came the battered fried chicken. The first bite yielded a crisp, satisfying crack.
"Hah…" Tsunade paused. "Crunchy on the outside, soft within. I've never had chicken with this texture before."
Shizune smiled. "Usually fried chicken hardens when it cools, but this remains warm and the skin stays dry."
Hiruzen chuckled through his mouthful. "If a place near the academy served this, the children would come every day."
Naruto ate in happy silence, his face the picture of contentment.
They tried the fried rice next. As they tasted it, the three went quiet for several seconds.
"This is fried rice?" Tsunade asked, surprised.
"Yes," Raftra replied calmly.
"The flavor… it's unlike any fried rice I know. There's something hard to describe, yet it keeps you reaching for more."
Shizune nodded. "There seems to be an unusual secret seasoning."
Hiruzen stroked his beard. "This could be the hallmark of your establishment, Raftra—something others can't copy."
Naruto patted his stomach. "I could eat this every day!"
Finally, the egg martabak. Shizune sampled first and turned with an astonished expression.
"Even though it's basically eggs and a few seasonings, the taste is remarkable."
Tsunade added, "Crisp without being oily. Soft in texture, and the scallion aroma is strong. I can see why this is your favorite."
Hiruzen chewed slowly, then smiled. "Simple but powerful. No wonder you like it, Raftra."
Naruto swallowed a large piece and laughed with satisfaction. "No wonder this is your favorite! It's so good!"
Raftra let their comments flow without elaborate replies. Their faces said enough.
A few minutes later, the meal had warmed the mood, plates were piled empty.
Without being asked, Kakashi stood and began collecting the dishes. He balanced several plates in his arms with practiced ease and strolled toward the kitchen.
Raftra rose. "Let me help, Kakashi-san."
Kakashi glanced back briefly from behind his mask and shook his head. "No need. You cooked all this by yourself, you must be tired. I didn't eat much, so I'll handle the cleanup."
Raftra paused, then nodded. "Very well, I'll leave it to you."
Shizune watched toward the kitchen, mildly surprised. "I never imagined seeing Kakashi Hatake—the Copy Ninja—washing dishes."
Raftra smirked and looked at her. "Do you know Kakashi-san well, Shizune-san?"
"Not very," she replied with a shake of her head. "We've crossed paths a few times—missions or official matters. He's famous enough it's hard not to know him."
Raftra folded his arms, eyes toward the kitchen, a curious expression on his face.
"By the way… how old is Kakashi-san?" he murmured, loud enough to be heard.
He asked aloud, "Kakashi-san, how old are you now?"
Kakashi answered briefly without looking up, "Twenty."
Raftra nodded and turned to Shizune. "And you, Shizune-san?"
She smiled politely. "Twenty-one."
Raftra tilted his head toward Tsunade with a meaningful grin. "Impressive, Lady Tsunade—already a sannin and still able to have young pupils. That's no small feat."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, a slight crease formed on her brow. Her tone was sardonic. "And how old do you think I am, then?"
Raftra placed a hand to his chin, feigning deep thought. "Judging by your smooth complexion and direct way of speaking—a youthful bluntness—I'd guess twenty-eight to thirty-two."
Shizune covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, while Hiruzen rubbed his beard and chuckled. "A reasonable estimate."
But Tsunade only fixed Raftra with an expression that suggested she was holding something back. "Unfortunately, I am forty-four."
Naruto, who had only been listening, exploded. "What!? You're already a granny!?"
Laughter erupted across the room. Hiruzen laughed heartily, Shizune bowed her head, covering her mouth, even Raftra could not suppress an awkward smile.
"I… I didn't know, really," Raftra stammered quickly. "You just don't look like a woman in her forties."
Tsunade shot a glare at Naruto, eyes blazing. "Who did you call a granny, huh!?"
Naruto panicked, flailing his hands. "I mean… I slipped up! I promise I won't say that again… I swear!"
Raftra sighed and ruffled Naruto's hair gently. "Naruto, when it comes to a woman's age, beauty, or weight… be more careful."
The remark sent another ripple of laughter around the table. Tsunade grunted sourly but restrained herself from striking him.
Naruto nodded earnestly. "Yes, yes—I'll remember, Raftra!"
Soon Kakashi returned from the kitchen, his hands dry—he had finished washing and tidying the dishes. He sat back down and let out a contented breath as if nothing remarkable had occurred.
Tsunade, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Raftra, do you serve alcohol?"
Raftra turned and smiled faintly. "No, Lady Tsunade. From the beginning I decided Raftra Kitchen would be alcohol-free."
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Alcohol-free? Why is that?"
Raftra exhaled briefly and explained at length. "I want this place to be welcoming to all ages. Children, families—anyone should be able to come without worrying about rowdy behavior or drunken brawls."
"Besides, to be frank, I dislike drunk patrons. Many of them, once they lose their senses, become troublesome for others. I don't want this place to earn a bad reputation because of that."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully. "A sensible reason. Creating a safe, family-friendly space is important. I can understand your decision."
Tsunade rested her elbow on the table, a hint of disappointment visible. "What a shame. Honestly, your food would pair wonderfully with a drink. A cold sake or other spirits would enhance it."
Raftra laughed lightly, his tone easy yet firm. "If you want to enjoy alcohol with the food, simply order takeout. Eat at home and drink as much as you like. That way Raftra Kitchen keeps its principle, and customers can still enjoy their meals as they prefer."
Shizune covered her mouth to hide a smile, Hiruzen stroked his beard, pleased. Kakashi's quick glance suggested a small admiration for how Raftra answered Tsunade without hesitation.
Tsunade snorted. "Hm, you're stubborn. Your reply makes it difficult to argue."
Hiruzen, who had been calm all evening, broached a new topic. His voice was level but carried weight. "Raftra, I read Kakashi's report. He said you plan for Raftra Kitchen to grow beyond a small stall… to become a large enterprise. Is that true?"
Raftra straightened, his expression turning serious. "Yes. My plan is to turn Raftra Kitchen into a major business with many branches.
"Not only in Konoha, but extending to other villages as well."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and spoke sharply. "That sounds lovely in theory. But managing a single stall is already complicated. Expanding to multiple branches isn't ambition—that's a crazy dream."
Raftra turned to her with a thin smile. "It will be difficult. But I believe if the system is right, the impossible becomes possible."
"I don't need to be at every branch. As long as the system runs smoothly, the shops will operate. So the key is not the number of branches, but the system that supports them."
Shizune regarded him with a mix of admiration and doubt. "You sound… very confident. Perhaps too confident."
Raftra nodded firmly. "I must be. Here, I am the only one who can fully believe in this dream. If I don't believe, who will?"
His words fell across the table and, for a moment, silenced the room. All eyes were on him. Hiruzen stroked his beard, weighing the thought.
Tsunade squinted as if searching for a flaw. Shizune bowed her head, considering. Kakashi cast just a brief glance from behind his mask.
Naruto, eyes wide from listening, blurted out spontaneously, "Then I'll believe in Raftra! If no one else believes, at least I do!"
The simple declaration drew smiles and soft sighs around the table.
Raftra turned to Naruto and smiled warmly, patting the boy's head. "Thank you, Naruto. That's more than enough."
He leaned back briefly, then reached into his pocket and produced a stack of colorful cards.
"These are games from my homeland. It's called UNO," he said, placing them on the table.
Naruto leaned forward with curiosity. "UNO? What's that?"
Raftra chuckled. "It's a card game. It uses strategy, luck, and a bit of cunning. Simple, but addictive."
Hiruzen stroked his beard. "Interesting. I haven't tried a new game in a long time."
Tsunade folded her arms, half-skeptical. "A children's toy? Don't tell me I'll waste my time with this."
Raftra regarded her calmly. "If it's just a child's toy, Lady Tsunade should win easily, right?"
Shizune's corner of the mouth twitched as she suppressed a laugh.
"Very well!" Tsunade snorted. "I'll play."
Kakashi, as usual, was unfazed. He raised a hand slightly. "Fine. As long as the rules are clear."
Raftra explained the rules in detail—the matching of numbers or colors, special cards like Skip, Reverse, Draw Two, and the dreaded Wild Draw Four.
They listened attentively, even Hiruzen leaned forward to understand.
Naruto, naturally impatient, exclaimed, "Let's begin! I'll win for sure!"
Raftra shuffled deftly and dealt seven cards to each player. The remaining deck went to the center. "Alright. The game begins."
The first card revealed: a red five.
"This will be interesting," Hiruzen muttered, studying his hand as if devising battle plans.
Tsunade grinned. "Don't expect me to go easy on the kids."
Naruto nearly shouted with excitement at his cards, though it was only the first turn. Shizune hesitated, while Kakashi sighed and held his cards with a calm air.
And so the first round began.
…
The game lasted several rounds. What had started as a serious dinner became an evening of laughter, protests, and playful teasing. Naruto howled in frustration when forced to draw many cards, Tsunade rejoiced when she trapped Hiruzen with a Draw Four.
Raftra sat relaxed, deliberately teasing his opponents. Under his casual facade, Kakashi's cool demeanor hid a sharp instinct for the game, making others suspicious of his sly moves. Shizune made a few missteps that only enlivened the table.
Finally, after the last round, Raftra closed his hand. "Alright, that's enough for tonight. This game could go on until dawn if we let it."
Naruto flopped back in his chair. "Crazy! This was so fun! But why do I always lose? The cards are unfair!"
Hiruzen laughed and leaned back. "Naruto, in games like this luck plays a part. Strategy matters too."
Tsunade sipped the remaining tea and huffed. "I don't like admitting it, but this game is addictive. It blends annoyance, challenge, and the urge to win."
Shizune smiled softly. "I'm surprised. The rules are simple but surprisingly complex in practice. No wonder it's popular where you're from, Raftra."
Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment and said quietly, "This game… is interesting."
Raftra collected the cards with a faint smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. That's the point—make people lose track of time while playing a light strategy game."
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "We have to play again tomorrow! I won't accept losing all the time!"
The table relaxed once more, for the moment the earlier tensions had been set aside.