The next morning, the atmosphere in Raftra Kitchen felt subtly changed. When the shop's door opened, the fresh scent of spices being heated filled the air. But this time it was not only Raftra busy in the kitchen—his two new employees, Yuria and Kimkanji, were already at their stations, ready for their tasks.
Raftra stood in the kitchen with a calm composure, giving short but clear instructions. "Yuria, focus on the seasonings and the pots. Make sure the timing is right—don't overcook."
Yuria nodded without expression, her face was an even mask, her movements quick but stiff. From the start Raftra had noticed her nature. 'She's disciplined, but overly rigid. If she has to serve customers with that unsmiling face, people might feel uncomfortable,' he thought.
On the other hand, Kimkanji appeared more relaxed. He occasionally answered customers with a warm smile and even joked a little when a child pointed excitedly at the spaghetti. Raftra watched from a distance, then turned his attention back to Yuria.
"For kitchen matters, leave it to Yuria. If customers need friendliness, Kimkanji can handle that," he murmured as he arranged plates on the prep table.
Meanwhile, Kakashi remained at the register. He sat casually, one hand supporting his chin while the other lazily—but precisely—recorded transactions. From time to time he glanced toward the kitchen to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Customers began to flow in. This time, their workflow looked more orderly. Raftra remained the head chef, setting the rhythm, while Yuria kept the flavors consistent behind the scenes, and Kimkanji kept the shop lively through his interactions.
Amid the bustle, Raftra allowed himself a faint smile. 'Yes… this looks like the first step toward expansion. If their rhythm stabilizes, I can start thinking bigger.'
Time slipped by until noon. The morning rush had eased, and the shop became quieter.
Empty plates stacked neatly in a corner, the scent of cooking still lingering in the air, and chairs were slowly filled only by customers eating at an unhurried pace.
Raftra sat beside Kakashi, wiping his hands with a clean cloth. His gaze wandered to the patrons, watching them enjoy their meals.
A thin smile surfaced. 'Good — with employees my workload is lighter.'
A while later, Yuria and Kimkanji came out of the kitchen and joined them. Their movements were stiff, clearly tired after working since morning, but neither complained. They merely stretched and drew in long breaths.
Raftra looked to Yuria first. "How's your work going so far?" he asked.
Yuria stared straight ahead without expression before answering flatly, "This is all easy to do, and rather calming. I've liked cooking since I was a child, so this task doesn't feel heavy."
Raftra nodded, then turned to Kimkanji. "And you?"
Kimkanji smiled lightly. "It's enjoyable. I'm used to cooking, so the rhythm is easy to follow. Interacting with customers is pleasant too—they're polite and not demanding."
Hearing their replies, Raftra felt satisfied. He leaned back against the wall, folded his arms, and closed his eyes for a moment.
'Hiruzen really chose carefully,' he thought.
'They're not ordinary Anbu. They can even cook—clearly selected to match my needs.'
'So… the Hokage didn't take his small investment in me lightly.'
A faint smile curved Raftra's lips, but he hid it by looking down.
He straightened in his chair, glanced at the register, and opened a small drawer beneath it. From there he took out a medium-sized notebook with a worn brown cover. He settled back and placed the book on the table.
"This," Raftra said as he tapped its cover lightly, "is the data log I've kept since this shop first opened."
He flipped through the pages to show everyone around him. Raftra's handwriting was neat, filled with tables, dividing lines, and simple diagrams. Each day recorded the number of customers, the most-ordered dishes, peak hours, and even estimated ingredient usage.
Kakashi glanced briefly, his face impassive. He had often seen Raftra make these notes each night after the shop closed. For Yuria and Kimkanji, however, their reactions were different—their eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised.
Yuria leaned in a little, her tone remained flat but showed curiosity. "Did you make these records yourself?"
Raftra nodded lightly. "Yes. Why?"
Kimkanji raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "I've never seen notes this clear. Usually reports I encounter are simpler or even messy. But this… is tidy, structured, and easy to understand."
Raftra closed a page and looked at them. "That recording system comes from where I came from. They're used to details, so every number, every movement—everything goes into the table. It's complex, but readable if you get used to it."
He tapped the book again. "From now on, any business matters related to me will use this recording system. So I hope you two will learn it."
Yuria nodded quickly, her face still impassive. "Understood."
Kimkanji added, "We're ready to study it more deeply."
Raftra nodded in satisfaction. But Kimkanji didn't stop there, he pointed to one page—a graph trending upward. "If I'm honest… from these numbers, it looks like you don't just want to run a small shop. You want to scale up, right?"
The question drew a faint smile from Raftra. He folded his hands. "Few can read my intent from mere numbers. Your instinct is sharper than I thought."
Kimkanji chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. "I liked economics since I was young—besides being a ninja, of course. So I can guess where these records are taking you."
Raftra looked at them in turn and murmured inwardly.
'Hiruzen didn't take this lightly. Again, he sent the right people. Yuria with technical skill, Kimkanji who can read patterns and has a business mind. They're not just ordinary Anbu.'
He took a deep breath and spoke seriously, "Yes. I do want to expand the business. That's why the two of you were assigned here. I need people I can truly trust to help me."
"In three months, I want that foundation to be in place."
Raftra fixed his gaze on them. "Because you're Anbu, the chance of betrayal is low, but not impossible. So I want you to help me sincerely, at least for as long as you're here."
Yuria's stare remained steady and serious. "If it's an order from the Hokage, we will do it."
Kimkanji added, "And personally, I want to see how far this can go."
Hearing that, Raftra only offered a thin smile. 'Good, at least they understand their roles.'
Beside Raftra, Kakashi sat relaxed near the register. His hand supported his chin, his eyes half-lidded as if unconcerned. But he had paid attention to every detail of the recent discussion.
In his mind, Kakashi murmured, 'Raftra is skilled at conversation. The way he guided Yuria and Kimkanji was clear, unhurried, and he knows how to emphasize points without sounding intimidating. That way, they not only hear him—they understand his goals.'
He glanced at Raftra rearranging his notebook. 'If there's no outside interference, I think the plan he's building can run smoothly.'
'Slowly, this shop will be more than a place to eat, it will become a foundation for something bigger. And that boy knows exactly where he wants to go.'
Kakashi exhaled deeply. His thoughts then turned to a name that always pricked at his caution.
'But… Danzo's shadow can't be taken lightly. For over a week I've sensed Anbu Root watching Raftra's every move. They may pretend to merely observe, but I can't fully trust them.'
'If Danzo views Raftra as a threat or an asset to control, he won't hesitate to move.'
Kakashi's gaze narrowed slightly as he stared out the shop window. 'I hope they're only watching… and not preparing for something worse.'
He sat up straighter and pretended to be engrossed in the small book in his hand. Yet his mind kept turning, calculating scenarios in case Danzo ever reached out toward Raftra.
....
Days continued with a nearly identical rhythm. The shop opened in the morning, customers came in, ate, paid, and left satisfied. Each day the shop grew livelier, and every time the door opened, Raftra Kitchen added another shade to its warmth.
On the first day, Raftra still held full control. He cooked, managed ingredients, and ensured the flavors remained as they always had.
Yuria and Kimkanji mostly learned—they helped chop ingredients, prepare seasonings, or jot down orders when Raftra became too busy.
By the second day, Raftra began relinquishing some control. Occasionally he entrusted Yuria and Kimkanji with an entire order, from start to finish.
Though the results weren't identical, Raftra smiled when he tasted them. They were close—only missing the small final touches he usually added. Customers didn't notice, and that was more than sufficient.
The following days stabilized. On the third, fourth, and fifth days, both became more accustomed. The differences in taste grew thinner. Sometimes Raftra merely added a little seasoning at the end, but otherwise they had mastered the recipes he taught.
By the fifth day, Yuria and Kimkanji matched him in consistency.
Day six became a turning point. Raftra decided to give them full responsibility. This was no longer mere assistance or trial—they stood as lead chefs. Raftra supervised from behind, offering direction only when necessary. He even found time to sit at the register with Kakashi or share light banter with regular customers.
He also introduced a new system in the kitchen: clear division of labor—who prepared ingredients, who focused on certain dishes, who managed plating, and who took orders in rotation.
This method allowed the three cooks to work neatly without stepping on each other's toes. Yuria's rigid nature suited preparation and maintaining consistency, while Kimkanji's flexibility could cover gaps when unexpected orders arrived.
And then the seventh day since Raftra had new employees arrived.
By now, the small shop had become well known throughout Konoha. Not only for its unique taste, but also for its friendly, socially adept owner. Additionally, rumors of Raftra's closeness to the Hokage had spread and further increased the shop's appeal.
Customers came from all walks of life: young ninjas fresh from training, small families seeking a meal together, and merchants stopping by to refuel. All left with satisfied faces.
Raftra, seated behind the register, could only smile faintly. 'Two weeks… and this shop has already become part of Konoha. A good start.'
'And I hope no outside party wants to undermine this business—may it remain so until the expansion preparations are complete.'
....
Night came before they realized it. After the door closed and the last customer left, Raftra Kitchen settled into a quieter mood. The pendant lights still glowed, illuminating wooden tables now cleared of food.
Raftra sat with a serious posture at one of the dining tables. In front of him sat three men from different backgrounds. They were not ordinary guests but the backbone suppliers who had provided ingredients for Raftra Kitchen since its opening.
The first man, Sinju, sold chicken and eggs and was in his fifties. Slightly portly with darker skin, his hands were sturdy from hard work.
The second, Ponte, sold spices and cooking oil and was in his forties. He had a thinner face with sharp eyes and spoke cautiously.
The third, Jamin, the youngest at thirty-two, supplied staples like flour, cassava, and rice. He was fit and energetic—a contrast to the more seasoned pair.
Their relationships with Raftra had been established since the shop began. All the ingredients used by Raftra—from meat and eggs to spices and flour—came from their hands.
"How have you been?" Raftra opened the conversation lightly.
Sinju chuckled softly. "Business was brisk today, so I could head home earlier."
Ponte only nodded. "So far, everything is smooth—no stocking issues."
Jamin chimed in enthusiastically, "I'm glad—sales picked up since your place started getting busy, Raftra-san."
Raftra smiled at their replies. "That's fortunate, it means today was a good day for all of us."
But Jamin, usually frank, cocked his head. "But… why call us here at night?"
Ponte nodded. "Yes, I'm curious too. Is there a problem with the supplies we sent?"
Sinju folded his hands on his chest, his voice grave. "If there's an issue, better we talk directly."
Raftra shook his head slightly. "Not a problem. Quite the opposite. Raftra Kitchen is doing better than I anticipated." He looked at each of them. "I want to discuss the next step. I'd like to form an official partnership."
They exchanged glances—interest mixed with caution.
Sinju exhaled slowly. "An official partnership, huh? That sounds good, but how sure are you that the shop can keep rising? I don't mind that, as long as there's certainty. I've traded long enough to not trust sweet talk easily."
Jamin leaned forward. "I want to know the terms. A partnership should benefit both sides, not just one."
Ponte agreed. "Right. We've seen sellers promise everything and end up hurting suppliers. We're not opposed, but we must be careful. For us, security matters most."
Raftra bowed his head briefly, then opened a slim folder he had prepared since yesterday. He handed several sheets of paper across the table for them to read.
"I understand your hesitation. That's why I prepared this draft agreement. Read it while I explain."
Sinju, Ponte, and Jamin looked down, studying the pages that contained simple tables, bullet points, and additional notes.
Raftra explained calmly. "In short, I don't intend this partnership to be a burden. If Raftra Kitchen's performance dips someday, I don't want you to shoulder the loss."
"So the agreement is flexible: you may still sell to others, but Raftra Kitchen will be prioritized as your primary customer."
He tapped the paper. "This means I won't force exclusivity. You remain free to trade elsewhere. But when I place an order, I want it prioritized. This way no one feels constrained, yet we all benefit."
They read more carefully now, their expressions shifting from guarded to more relaxed.
Jamin smiled slightly. "You're thinking about us too… usually large buyers only care about themselves."
Ponte nodded thinly. "This system is simple but fair. I don't see a catch."
Sinju, who had been the toughest, finally leaned back in his chair. "Hmph. At least I know you're not rash. If this is how things are, I'll consider it seriously."
Raftra smiled faintly and thought inwardly, 'This is only the beginning. If this partnership works, I can build a stronger foundation to grow the business.'
Ponte, who had been watching the agreement, spoke up with a dry but clear tone.
"Now that I think about it… this condition feels more like you want to be our main customer rather than a formal tight partnership."
Jamin agreed with a doubtful face. "I feel the same. Frankly, on paper it reads more like a notice. As if you want to secure priority without being truly bound to us."
Sinju, still leaning back with folded arms, added, "So… does this mean you also want to play it safe like us?"
The table's atmosphere tensed slightly. Their tone wasn't hostile but demanded clarity.
Raftra didn't rush his answer. He sat up, met their eyes one by one, and spread his hands on the table to show openness.
"Everything you said has merit. Yes, I want to play it safe and be a primary customer. But that is not the whole reason."
He inhaled before continuing. "I designed this agreement so our relationship remains good without pressure. From what I know, business can't survive on numbers or contracts alone. Longevity in business hinges on trust."
They exchanged looks, this time weighing Raftra's words seriously.
"I realize my position is still new," Raftra went on. "This shop hasn't even been open a month. Even if it looks promising, who can guarantee I'll still be operating a year from now?"
"That's why my current task is to prove I'm trustworthy. If in a year or two our performance is consistent and all of us benefit, then we can talk about a more binding partnership with stricter terms."
Sinju chuckled—a heavy but not mocking sound.
"You're young, but you talk like someone seasoned in business. I've traded for thirty years and seen many deals. And true—the most precious thing in business isn't money… it's trust. I like your perspective."
Ponte's expression loosened. "I appreciate your honesty. Not many people are straightforward about their goals. Usually they peddle sweet promises. You speak plainly, and that's compelling."
Jamin, the youngest, still apprehensive, glanced at Sinju and Ponte before offering a thin smile.
"My experience is far less than theirs. But if you both think it's good, I'll go along. Besides, I don't lose out under this system."
Raftra tapped the table lightly. "That's sufficient for me. I don't need your full trust immediately. I only need you to believe that I'm serious about building this. Let time prove the rest."
Inwardly Raftra thought, 'Once this foundation is solid, the next steps will be easier. Business isn't just about food, it's about networks and trust. Tonight… I've just planted an important seed for the future.'
After agreeing on those basic terms, Raftra moved on to the next topic: pricing.
The discussion grew tense. Sinju, with decades of trading experience, pressured Raftra for better margins. Ponte interjected a few times, stressing the importance of stable spice prices that often fluctuated.
Jamin mostly followed the conversation, occasionally asking lighter questions like, "If staple prices skyrocket, how is the distribution handled?"
Raftra answered each question patiently—sometimes with a small smile, sometimes pressing his palm on the table to emphasize a point. He didn't speak only in numbers, he built conviction that they would profit in the long run if they supported him.
The talk lasted a long time. Raftra refilled the tea in their cups without hesitation, serving them like honored guests. Eventually they agreed on a fair price: not squeezing suppliers too hard, but not burdening Raftra Kitchen either.
At the register, the mood was far more relaxed.
Kakashi leaned back with his book open. He seemed absorbed in reading but his ears remained tuned to the negotiation.
Yuria, with her usual blank expression, ate leftovers from the kitchen quietly. Still, she listened and tried to piece together the fragments of the economic discussion: 'Whatever they're talking about… it's important. I just don't understand how Raftra's mind works in matters like this.'
Kimkanji watched most openly. He sat upright, eyes almost never leaving Raftra as he negotiated.
In his heart he admitted honestly, 'He's impressive. Two years younger than me, but the way he speaks—pressing, giving space, then pulling back—he's a shrewd merchant. I might have lost a negotiation like this.'
Kakashi, though appearing indifferent, worked diligently to map the pattern. Over the past two weeks he felt he was beginning to read Raftra's method.
'From the start, trust has been his foundation. First he convinced the Hokage to trust him. Then gradually… he made me, even Naruto, trust him, though I know he's crafty.'
'With customers it's the same. He makes Raftra Kitchen feel safe, comfortable, friendly—even alcohol-free. Everything is directed to make people trust him.'
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly as he turned a page.
'And now… he's treating suppliers in the same way. Not to bind them, but to make them trust him. Trust—he places it as the primary objective.'
If everything gathered as intended… Kakashi was curious about what move Raftra would make next.
Kakashi closed his book for a moment and watched Raftra continue talking with the three merchants. His gaze wasn't cold nor wholly suspicious.
It was a blend of cautiousness and curiosity. 'And somehow… I've grown interested in seeing how far this young man will fly—whether as a businessman or as a person. I want to watch him further.'