After Naruto finished his free meal, he lounged back on the bench near the register. His belly was full, his face content, and every so often he glanced at the other customers still enjoying their food.
Meanwhile, behind the kitchen counter, Raftra began tidying the dirty plates. He deliberately washed them right away while there were no new orders.
Not long after, Kakashi walked over slowly. Usually he would sit quietly or keep watch over the room with calm composure, but this time something was different. He rolled his sleeve up slightly and stood beside Raftra.
Without much talk, Kakashi took a few dirty plates and began rinsing them.
Raftra looked up, surprised. "Hey, you don't have to, Kakashi-san. I can do it myself—just sit down."
Kakashi replied in his flat tone while focusing on the plates in his hands. "It's fine. I'm bored anyway. Better to move my hands than to sit idle."
Raftra was about to protest again, but he shrugged. "Alright, if you insist."
They worked together in silence. For several seconds the only sounds were the scrape of sponges, running water, and plates being set on the rack.
The room was very quiet until Kakashi broke the silence with a remark that sounded casual but carried weight.
"That fake contract…" he paused, then glanced at Raftra. "Very interesting. What exactly was your purpose in lying to Naruto?"
Raftra stopped mid-motion. He did not answer immediately, seeming to weigh his words. After a few seconds he smiled faintly. "There are three reasons I did it."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Three reasons? What are they?"
Raftra set a freshly rinsed plate on the rack and held up three fingers. "First, I can feed Naruto without making him feel indebted.
"You know he's an orphan and rarely has extra money. If I simply gave him free meals, he'd feel embarrassed. With the contract, he feels secure because he believes someone else is paying."
Kakashi nodded slowly, not interrupting.
"Second," Raftra continued, "I wanted to grow close to Naruto."
"Why?" Kakashi asked.
Raftra exhaled. "Because after I learned who Naruto really is, I… for some reason felt the need to look after him. Not out of pity, but out of a feeling that I had to."
Kakashi's expression sharpened.
"And the third," Raftra added with a thin smile, "I want to bring Naruto and the Hokage closer together."
"Bring them closer? What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.
"From what I observe, their relationship already resembles that of grandfather and grandson. I only want to nudge it toward something more real."
Kakashi paused wiping a glass and then stared at Raftra for a long moment. In his flat voice he said, "So you want to manipulate them?"
Raftra shook his head, his expression serious. "Not manipulate. I prefer to call it guidance."
"Their relationship exists, I only want them to realize how close they truly are. I'm not forcing anything or exploiting them. I'm just… preparing the path."
Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then looked back down at the glass in his hand. "Then isn't it a problem for you to keep feeding Naruto for free? Won't that hurt your business?"
Raftra snorted softly. "Not at all. Besides, I have a grand plan to make myself wealthy in the future.
"Feeding Naruto every day won't cause any real loss."
'Besides, Naruto is a key character,' he thought.
Kakashi, still standing beside Raftra while washing glasses, spoke again. "You've been honest with me so far… was all of that deliberate?"
Raftra glanced over briefly and laughed softly, shrugging as if it were nothing to think too deeply about.
"Yes, I did it on purpose," he said. "I know dealing with a shinobi like you is different from dealing with ordinary people. If I tried to lie, sooner or later you'd notice.
"You're clever—too sensitive to small things. So instead of wasting energy covering up, I chose to be upfront from the start."
He placed another rinsed plate on the rack and continued, "Besides, wouldn't you prefer I was honest?
"That way you don't have to guess my moves or watch every gesture. Saves energy, right?"
Kakashi paused, his hand still on the glass he was drying. He turned slightly with his usual blank expression and spoke softly, "But your 'honesty'… could itself be a lie."
Raftra laughed again, more freely this time. "That's true. I can't deny that."
"If I say I'm honest, I might not truly be. If I say I'm lying, it might not be a lie."
"So yes… that's the risk when dealing with someone like you. A shinobi who's clever and perceptive about everything."
He leaned forward slightly, speaking more casually. "To be honest, I pity people like you. You overthink, always questioning what's true and what isn't. It's exhausting, isn't it?"
Kakashi didn't answer immediately, he closed his eye for a moment as if considering Raftra's words.
Raftra resumed. "But don't get me wrong. That mindset is tiring, but it also saves lives.
"With perpetual suspicion and constant analysis, we avoid danger. The thing is—it must be controlled. Otherwise you risk missing important moments because you're too busy guessing."
Silence returned for a moment, the only sound the steady trickle of water from the tap. They kept working as if the earlier conversation had been mundane, while its meaning lingered beneath the surface.
Kakashi spoke in a low voice. "I… am starting to like you."
Raftra pretended to smile. "To clarify—I like women."
Kakashi glanced at him and wore his bored facade. "That's not what I meant…"
Raftra then let out a small laugh. "Haha, I was joking. I know that's not what you meant, and I'm glad you're starting to like me."
Kakashi exhaled slowly. "You… somehow read me remarkably well. As if you've known me a long time."
Raftra smiled without replying. 'Because I actually do know you, Kakashi,' he thought.
…
Several hours later, night had fallen. The atmosphere at Raftra Kitchen had changed considerably from the warm daylight hours.
If sunlight had made the place feel cozy earlier, the night air introduced a different mood. The hanging lamps became focal points, casting a simple but comfortable glow across the room.
Raftra was unusually busy. He darted between kitchen and dining area, delivering dishes to customers, then returning to prepare new orders.
Sweat beaded at his temples, yet his expression remained friendly each time he faced a patron. The first impression on opening day was crucial to him, so he kept smiling and maintained warm manners despite the fatigue.
Meanwhile, Kakashi had a different task. He sat at the register, noting incoming orders and calmly handling payments.
His movements were orderly and quick—far tidier than Raftra had expected. Occasionally he lifted his head to make sure no customer seemed confused. Though relaxed in appearance, it was clear he was helping keep the pace steady.
"Wow... Kakashi-san working here now? Retired from being a shinobi?" one customer asked.
"I'm not retired. I'm just helping a friend on my day off," Kakashi answered.
"Oh… I thought you'd retired," the customer said.
At the register, Naruto merely sat beside Kakashi, doing nothing more than watching. His eyes followed the flow of people—from those waiting for meals to Raftra bustling in the kitchen.
Every so often Naruto seemed like he wanted to say something, but he simply remained quiet, observing.
Some of the new arrivals showed visible discomfort at Naruto's presence. Their glances were sometimes scornful, sometimes cold, though none openly complained. They chose to pretend it didn't matter.
For them, Naruto's presence might be unpleasant, but not reason enough to leave. They stayed, continued to eat, and kept ordering—only casting occasional uneasy looks in his direction before returning to their meals.
Raftra, attentive to the atmosphere, noticed this. As he stepped out of the kitchen carrying a serving of fried rice to a table, his eyes flicked toward Naruto.
He saw how several customers tried to ignore the boy. Rather than worry, Raftra felt relieved.
Inwardly he thought, 'At least Naruto's presence isn't causing people to refuse their meals or make a fuss.'
'This is good. My business remains safe, and Naruto can stay without being shunned.'
He returned to the kitchen and continued his routine with no outward change in expression. What mattered most that night was maintaining a conducive atmosphere.
Then—
The evening wasn't yet late. Only about two hours had passed since sunset, but Raftra Kitchen had already run out of ingredients. The storage shelves were empty, the spices used up, there was nothing left to prepare.
Eventually Raftra had to close the stall earlier than planned.
The last customers, having finished their meals, left satisfied. A few newcomers who had just arrived looked disappointed to find the doors shut.
They asked why the place was closed though the night was still young. Raftra, standing near the door, explained politely that they had exhausted their supplies.
Fortunately most people were understanding. They smiled and promised to return. Some even declared, "If it sold out, it must be good. We'll come back tomorrow!"
Hearing that, Raftra felt relieved, though a tinge of disappointment lingered. Once the door was finally locked, he walked slowly toward the large window on the side of the room.
From there he could see the outside bustle—the streetlamps were lit, villagers still passed by, and muffled conversations drifted through the night air.
He sighed and murmured, "What a shame… the turnout was good, but we ran out of supplies. It feels like a missed opportunity."
Meanwhile, Kakashi was busy wiping the recently vacated tables. He moved with a relaxed efficiency.
Naruto joined in, though his efforts were slower and sometimes less tidy. At least he tried, and Kakashi didn't mind.
From the table he was cleaning, Kakashi said plainly, "You work too obsessively. You've been back and forth nonstop. You must be exhausted, right?"
Naruto looked toward Raftra and nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I saw you running around all the time. Looks like you haven't rested at all!"
Raftra, still standing by the window, scratched his head with a slightly awkward expression. "Yeah… I'm really tired."
"But it's such a pity to lose customers. If we'd had more ingredients, we could've stayed open longer."
Kakashi placed the cloth on the table and stood upright. He glanced at Raftra and said calmly, "There will be tomorrow. Don't be upset about losing some customers tonight.
"If you keep pushing yourself, your shop might have to close longer because you fall ill. That would be worse."
Naruto added, "Yeah! If you open again tomorrow, lots of people will come. I'm sure!"
Raftra smiled at both of them. Kakashi and Naruto's words made sense, though the dissatisfaction at missing the night's potential still sat with him.
Just as the shop settled into quiet, the door opened. Raftra, still standing, glanced toward the entrance. He intended to tell the newcomers that the shop was closed, but his steps faltered when he saw who had entered.
Instead of shooing them away, he laughed softly and welcomed the guests.
Hiruzen, draped in his Hokage cloak, stepped in with Tsunade walking leisurely beside him, arms folded, and Shizune trailing politely behind.
The three of them took a vacant table and sat.
Kakashi and Naruto exchanged looks and then sat not far from them. Raftra approached, pulled a chair, and sat in front of Hiruzen.
Hiruzen opened the conversation gently, "Closing this early means it was busy, right?"
Raftra nodded and gave a thin smile. "Indeed, Lord Hokage. It seems my food suits the villagers' tastes. And word of mouth has spread well."
Shizune chimed in politely, "That makes sense. Your dishes are good, so it's natural they would recommend you to relatives."
Tsunade leaned back and raised an eyebrow at Raftra. "Is there any food left? I'd like to order if you have some."
Raftra shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Everything's gone.
"Besides, Lady Tsunade, it's your own fault for arriving late. If you'd come earlier, not only could you have eaten, but I could have used your presence for free promotion."
He added lightly, "It would be nice if people talked about how Raftra Kitchen was visited by one of the legendary Sannin."
Tsunade snorted and let out a bitter laugh. "You dare use my name like that."
Raftra answered without hesitation. "That's beyond my control, Lady Tsunade. If you come and eat here, of course the villagers will speak of it."
Kakashi, who had been quiet until then, remarked, "Just like this morning. The first twenty customers came because they saw Hokage-sama and Lady Tsunade here last night."
Tsunade turned sharply to Raftra, narrowing her eyes. "So the real reason you invited us last night was to promote your shop with our names?"
Raftra did not try to hide it. He merely nodded.
"Indeed."
Hiruzen heard this and chuckled, pleased. "Haha, that was a clever move, Raftra. I admire your thinking."
Tsunade simply rolled her eyes. "I feel tricked. I should have known you had such intentions from the start."
Raftra shrugged as if unashamed. "If it helps the shop gain recognition faster, I'll do it again. After all, the results speak for themselves."
Naruto, who had been sitting beside Kakashi, suddenly stood. His movement was awkward, as if unsure of what to do. Everyone's eyes reflexively turned to him.
He walked slowly toward the table where Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Shizune sat.
When he reached Hiruzen, Naruto stopped. He bowed slightly, cheeks flushed, fingers nervously twisting together. The room fell quiet as everyone waited.
Hiruzen leaned forward and looked at Naruto gently. "Yes, Naruto?" he asked softly.
Naruto lifted his head, still embarrassed. Stammering, he asked, "C-could I… sit on Grandpa's lap?"
The room reacted with immediate surprise. Shizune covered her mouth in astonishment. Tsunade's eyes widened and she raised her brows. Even Kakashi, calm as ever, could not hide a flicker of shock.
Raftra, however, smiled faintly. He leaned back in his chair and observed.
Inwardly he thought, 'Now that Naruto believes the Hokage truly regards him as a grandson, he's emboldened to ask for things that a real grandchild would.'
'That means my plan is succeeding so far. The next step can be taken when the time is right.'
Hiruzen paused for a moment, then a warm smile spread across his face. He nodded. "Of course," he replied.
Hearing that, Naruto glanced toward Hiruzen and, shyly smiling, slowly climbed into his lap.
Once seated, Naruto's face flushed even deeper, but he looked happy. Hiruzen raised a hand and began stroking Naruto's head gently, as if treating him like his own grandson.
Naruto lowered his head slightly, but did not resist. He closed his eyes briefly, savoring the gesture.
Shizune watched them with a soft expression, visibly moved. Tsunade sat with folded arms, watching the pair with a complex look—part amusement, part admiration, part bewilderment.
Kakashi, who sat a little farther away, only glanced briefly and returned to facing the register.
In his mind he murmured, 'So this was Raftra's intent. He wanted their relationship to truly look like that of grandfather and grandson. And it seems… Naruto is beginning to believe Hiruzen sees him that way.'
Raftra sat quietly, watching the scene unfold. In his thoughts he marked an important milestone: he had managed to draw Naruto closer to Hiruzen, exactly as he had planned.