Morning was rising as Raftra hurried from his house toward the market.
The sun climbed, and the market began to bustle. Vendors were busy calling out their wares—fresh vegetables, meat, spices, kitchenware, and various other goods.
Raftra moved through the streets with quick steps and a focused gaze. On his back sat only an empty bag that now served to hold the loan money from Hiruzen.
Before leaving, he had quietly opened his phone inside the bag. For some reason, the internet was still working—a secret advantage.
He could not do much with it, but he had already searched for every item he needed: from cooking equipment to basic ingredients.
Stoves, pots, knives, seasonings, and even daily cost projections—he had memorized them all.
'Now I only need to match prices and quality here. I might not find identical items, but close enough will do.'
He paused at a metalware stall. Charcoal stoves, large pots, knives, and pans were lined up. He bargained politely and eventually bought a solid basic set: a large pot, a flat pan, a sharp knife, a long metal ladle, and other essentials.
Next he went to a food stall. He purchased a large quantity of dried noodles, fresh vegetables, soy sauce, oil, flour, and several basic seasonings.
Finally, he stopped at the butcher's stall.
"How much for a whole chicken?" Raftra asked.
"Eight hundred ryo each," the vendor replied.
Raftra did a quick calculation in his head and said, "I'll take twenty. Please cut them into small pieces."
The vendor was briefly surprised, then smiled and called his assistant. Several packets of chicken were packed into large sacks.
Raftra organized everything so it could be carried with minimal trouble—some packed into containers and bags, the rest tied with special cords he had purchased earlier.
When the heavy bags were in his hands, he paused at the market's edge and looked east.
'The shop is in that direction…'
He inhaled deeply.
'Okay. All the basic supplies are ready. Now it's time to see the place where everything will begin.'
But then…
In the distance, two women walked slowly through a narrow alley toward the eastern district. One was Tsunade Senju, beside her walked Shizune, who stole occasional glances toward Raftra.
"He's carrying an awful lot of food supplies," Shizune whispered. "Do you think he really intends to open a food business?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, watching from afar. "Perhaps. But all of that could be part of a performance."
They kept their distance from Raftra, avoiding the crowd to remain inconspicuous.
Unbeknownst to them—or rather, entirely known to him—Raftra was aware he was being observed.
He had sensed the presence of the Anbu earlier. They did not speak or show themselves, but their steps and aura were evident to someone used to reading an environment.
Since leaving the market, he had also noticed two people following him from another direction.
'Tsunade and Shizune, huh… I figured they'd appear sooner or later.'
He did not look back, did not react, and did not change his pace. Only his breathing deepened slightly—not from anxiety, but to maintain calm under pressure.
'Let them watch if they want. I have no intention of causing trouble, and this is not the time to pick fights.'
He adjusted the position of the carrying cords in his hands and quickened his step toward the shop Hiruzen had promised.
'If they want to watch, let them. The important thing is that I don't stray from my goal while being observed.'
…
Before long, Raftra arrived at a small building on a corner in the eastern district. The shop sat between a woodworking store and a few small stalls that seemed long closed. Beside it was a sizeable empty lot.
The building was simple: brick walls, an old door, dusty glass windows, and a blank wooden signboard above.
He turned the key the Anbu had given him and pushed the door open slowly. The hinges creaked.
Inside, the room was indeed small—about fifteen by ten meters. Dust covered the floor, four old tables sat in the corners, a small shelf looked ready to collapse.
The walls peeled in places and the ceiling looked dull. But it would be enough.
'This place is far from ideal… but it will suffice to start a small business.'
Raftra set his bags in a corner, rolled up his sleeves, and began cleaning.
He swept the floor, moved tables, rearranged the shelves, and wiped the windows with a cloth found inside the shop.
From a nearby rooftop, two pairs of eyes watched every movement.
Tsunade leaned back with her arms crossed while Shizune crouched beside her, occasionally jotting notes.
"From here… he seems genuinely serious," Shizune observed.
Tsunade watched silently for a moment, then nodded slightly. "So far… everything he's done looks normal—nothing suspicious."
"He even cleaned the place by himself," Shizune added.
Tsunade did not answer immediately, her gaze remained wary, searching for hidden flaws.
"People like him… they're either truly genuine or extremely adept at hiding something," she murmured.
Down below, Raftra continued working. Sweat beaded on his temples, but his face remained calm and focused. No complaints, no breaks—just steady labor.
And although he never looked up, he knew he was being watched. 'Watch as much as you like,' he thought.
…
After nearly an hour of cleaning, Raftra stepped out with firm steps. Sweat still clung to his brow, but he did not look tired. He felt a quiet satisfaction as he looked at the shop's door, now much cleaner and tidier.
He locked the door carefully and headed back to the market.
There remained several heavy items he had left at a stall earlier—such as a large sack of flour, several big bottles of soy sauce, five pieces of chicken, and a small crate of extra kitchen tools.
From the rooftop, Tsunade and Shizune watched in silence.
Shizune watched Raftra walk away. "He's going out again? Didn't he just finish cleaning?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes and exhaled softly. "That boy… he seems unfamiliar with the meaning of rest."
Shizune murmured, "If he's faking it, he's very convincing. Everything he does looks natural."
Tsunade kept her gaze fixed. "He's efficient, tidy, and focused. If this is all an act… it's a high-level performance."
"Are we going to keep following him?" Shizune asked.
"We will follow him until he returns," Tsunade replied. "I want to see everything through before I decide."
Meanwhile, Raftra continued walking briskly, aware they were following. He never turned, but he could feel the pressure trailing him since morning.
He did not care. His mind was set on one thing—preparing everything as well and as quickly as possible.
'I cannot waste time. Every day here could determine my survival.'
A short while later, sweat soaked the back of his neck. Both hands carried heavy bags of flour, soy sauce bottles, and other items heavy enough to make his arms tremble.
'Perhaps I overdid it.'
His pace slowed. Passing a small park in the village center, he decided to pause.
He sat on an empty bench, set the bags on the ground, and took a bottle of water from his bag. He drank slowly to steady his breathing.
'It's heavy… but I cannot entrust this to someone else. I have to manage everything myself. It's tiring, but oh well…'
He leaned back and watched the blue sky dim with thin clouds.
From behind a building, two figures still observed him.
Shizune glanced at Tsunade. "He's starting to look tired… but he still hasn't complained."
Tsunade watched Raftra with guarded eyes, though now a hint of doubt mingled with her suspicion—not because she distrusted him, but because she was beginning to think this person might truly be earnest.
Without a word, Tsunade stepped forward.
Shizune startled. "Tsunade-sama?!"
"I want to speak to him directly. I've observed enough—now it's time to talk."
Shizune hurried to follow.
As Raftra sat catching his breath, he sensed a strong aura approaching. He did not turn immediately, but he knew—this was not the Anbu. It felt different.
Footsteps stopped in front of him, and a voice spoke.
"Looks like you do not understand the meaning of the word 'rest,' do you?"
Raftra turned slowly. "Hm?"
Standing before him was a blonde woman with tied-back hair, and beside her a young woman with short black hair, somewhat awkward.
Raftra rose, said nothing, and bowed slightly in respect. He deliberately behaved as though he did not know them.
Tsunade looked him in the eye. "Your name is Raftra, isn't it?"
Raftra nodded. "Yes. I am Raftra. Is there something I can help you with?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, studying his every move.
"I want to speak plainly—about who you are, and why you are here."
Raftra answered calmly, "In that case… please sit. I don't mind answering all of that."
Tsunade did not sit immediately. She stood, watching him with suspicion and composure. Raftra remained standing with a neutral expression.
They were like statues—motionless yet thoughtful.
Shizune stood a few steps behind. She felt the peculiar tension filling the air between them—not chakra, but the strain of two strong personalities measuring each other.
Raftra sat back down slowly and picked up his water, not drinking immediately. His eyes stared ahead, refusing to break the silence.
Tsunade sat as well, leaning back, but watched him carefully from the side.
Time seemed to slow.
'She's probably crafting her opening line carefully, so I must be ready for every scenario,' Raftra thought.
Tsunade's mind ran similar lines.
'His gaze is steady. Not restless. Too controlled… this boy knows how to maintain his expression.'
They were playing chess without a board.
At last, Tsunade spoke softly but firmly. "So… you're the new youngster who says he wants to open a business, right?"
Raftra turned slightly, a small smile on his lips.
"Yes. And apparently I've become a hot topic in the village, right?"
Tsunade did not smile. "You attract attention too quickly."
Raftra looked straight ahead. "I did not intend to attract anyone. But I also cannot remain a shadow in this village."
Silence returned. Shizune held her breath.
Though few words were exchanged, the intensity made it feel as if they had been conversing for hours.
Raftra took a sip of water. He did not rush, his gaze grew sharper—not aggressive, but purposeful. He needed to steer the conversation. Too passive would let Tsunade dominate the dialogue, too aggressive would make him seem suspicious. He chose a middle course—initiating yet calm, fluid yet directed.
He turned slightly toward the woman beside him and spoke with a relaxed yet enigmatic tone.
"Excuse me… may I ask who you are, actually?"
Tsunade turned slowly and did not answer immediately. Her expression shifted from assessment to a search for understanding.
Raftra's face remained plain—unforced and honest. He asked as if he truly did not know who she was.
That made Tsunade silent a little longer than usual.
Tsunade is a renowned name—one of the legendary Sannin. Many in the ninja world, and even civilians in smaller villages, would recognize it.
But this boy asked as if he had never heard the name.
Shizune looked surprised, about to speak, but Tsunade raised a hand to stop any response.
Finally, Tsunade said slowly, "My name is Tsunade."
Raftra nodded quietly. "Tsunade… a good name."
Tsunade watched his eyes for any change. There was none—no shock, no excessive reaction, no fake admiration. He listened like someone learning a fact and then moved on.
Tsunade wondered, 'Does he truly not know me?' or 'Is he playing a very subtle role?'
Raftra took another sip of water and looked ahead. "Then, Lady Tsunade, what would you like to talk about?"
His tone was polite but now clearly in control.
Tsunade realized he was clever. He was slowly directing the interaction, and she found herself intrigued.
She leaned forward, hands folded beneath her chest. This time she would not circle, she would be direct.
"I am Tsunade Senju—one of the three legendary Sannin," she said, her voice firm and laden with weight.
She offered that statement like a test and waited for an immediate reaction.
Instead, Raftra merely nodded. "I see. But I did not ask about that, I asked about your purpose."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Do you know what being a legendary Sannin means?"
Raftra shrugged slightly as if thinking, then shook his head.
"I have not heard that term before," he replied. "But it seems important, from the way you speak."
His answer sounded naive, polite, and honest. Yet Tsunade sensed something odd.
'He shows no reaction at all? Not even a little?'
She tilted her head, focusing more intently.
"I will speak plainly—you are suspicious. No one knows who you are, where you came from, or why you appeared in this village."
She fixed her gaze on him. "And now you're living with a child whom the village should be strictly protecting."
This time Raftra returned her gaze calmly. Not frightened, not defensive—only a consistent tranquility.
"I know that from Hiruzen," he said evenly. "I also know that the Anbu have been watching me since the day I appeared."
His words were simple, almost as if describing the weather.
Shizune's eyes widened. Tsunade fell silent a moment. 'He knows… and yet acts as if it is normal?'
Tsunade drew a deep breath. Her bait had failed.
'This boy is hard to provoke.'
For the first time in a while, Tsunade felt challenged.
She reclined and crossed her legs. "Interesting," she murmured.
Seconds passed in silence until Raftra glanced at Tsunade with a casual expression.
"If I may ask… what is a Legendary Sannin?" he said lightly.
The tone seemed mere small talk, but that very nonchalance made Tsunade wary again.
She glanced at Shizune, then answered.
"Sannin is the title given to the three strongest ninjas Konoha ever had—three who stood on the battlefield alone and could turn the tide of war. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and I."
"Hanzo of Amegakure named us so after a fierce battle where we resisted his forces and emerged victorious. We were called monsters or living legends. Our names make enemies tremble."
She paused, gauging Raftra's reaction.
He simply nodded as if hearing an interesting fact. "Oh, I see," he murmured.
No awe, no intimidation, no further curiosity—just calm listening.
Shizune became uneasy, uncertain whether the boy was too naive or tremendously self-controlled.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. She had exaggerated her tale of fame and dominance, yet Raftra remained unmoved.
'This child is either too foolish or too well-trained to act ordinarily.'
And precisely because of that flat response, Tsunade felt more convinced—Raftra was not ordinary.
She leaned back again, now shifting from intimidation to investigation.
"So… after knowing I am a legendary ninja, you are not at all intimidated?"
Raftra turned slightly. "Why would I be? I'm merely sitting in the village park and happen to be speaking to someone famous."
Tsunade paused, then let out a short laugh—not carefree, but edged with amusement, disbelief, and challenge.
"Hah… this child."
She looked at Raftra with a slight grin. "So you're not afraid of me? If I wanted, I could kill you where you sit. Quietly, without Shizune moving."
Shizune flinched. "T-Tsunade-sama…"
But Tsunade raised a hand to hush her.
Raftra remained seated, calm, and not defiant. He shrugged.
"Why fear if I have done nothing wrong? I'm just a lost child trying to survive," he said simply.
His answer was brief and forthright—neither boastful nor dismissive. Honest and composed.
Tsunade's smile turned sardonic, half jest and half threat.
"Courage and foolishness are two sides of the same coin," she said.
Raftra offered a slight smile. "That's true. But I think it's foolish to panic when there is no reason."
Tsunade tilted her head. "A fine answer—too fine for someone your age."
Raftra said nothing and returned his gaze forward.
Tsunade studied him for a few moments, exhaled, and thought, 'He knows what he's doing. His manner of speaking, his control of expression, even how he avoids verbal traps. He is no ordinary child.'
Nearby, Shizune felt the awkwardness of the dense, silent atmosphere.
Tsunade spoke again, half teasing, half testing. "Are you always this calm? Or only when speaking to a legendary ninja?"
Raftra offered a faint smile and replied playfully, "Calm is a choice. Besides, I do not feel in danger, your face is too pleasant to kill without reason."
Tsunade laughed more freely this time. "You are bold…"
Suddenly she rose.
Without warning, with no preamble, her hand shot toward Raftra's face with full force.
There was no complicated technique—just a raw strike powered by the strength of a legendary Sannin.
"TSUNADE-SAMA!!" Shizune shouted in panic, but too late.
BRUUUUAAAKK!!
The wind blasted the park like a brief explosion. The ground near the bench cracked slightly, leaves and dust scattered, and the air grew heavy for an instant.
Yet—
Tsunade's hand stopped a fraction of an inch before Raftra's face—so close it nearly grazed his nose but did not touch.
Raftra's expression remained composed, though his eyes had shifted: they were colder and sharper. He remained calm, but a flicker of annoyance surfaced.
"I am quite sure your position is not equal to Hokage's. Are you aware you almost killed me—a mere civilian with not even a drop of chakra?" he said quietly.
Tsunade stood, fist still raised, staring deeply at Raftra. Her brow furrowed. What she had just done was not a mere jibe.
And the boy was unshaken.
She slowly lowered her hand and exhaled—not remorseful, but recognizing one fact:
Raftra was more than clever, his mental fortitude could not be easily shaken.
Tsunade sat back down without another word. Shizune watched them both, still holding her breath.
Silence returned to the park, its tension only now dispersing—until the sound of small, hurried footsteps cut through.
"RAAFTRAAAA!!"
Naruto burst in from the main road, breathless and anxious. He had just returned from the academy, sweat soaked his brow and his clothes were disheveled from running.
Seeing the cracked ground, the shifted bench, and the tense air, he panicked.
He stopped in front of them and pointed at Tsunade, shouting.
"HEY, WOMAN! WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO DO TO BIG BROTHER RAFTRA?!"
Tsunade looked at Naruto, surprised to see a young boy boldly interrupting.
Shizune flinched and almost laughed nervously—Naruto had no idea whom he was confronting.
Naruto stepped forward to position himself between Raftra and Tsunade, as if to protect him.
"I don't know who you are, but don't you dare to hurt Him! He's a good person!"
The child's face flushed with anger and fear. His courage shone despite knowing Tsunade's formidable reputation.
Raftra looked at Naruto, the coldness in his eyes softened and warmed slightly.
'This child is too reckless… Tsunade is formidable,' he thought.
Tsunade continued to regard Naruto, her expression changing from irritation to surprise and then softening, a small smile tugged at her lips.
"…So this is why that old man does what he does," she murmured.
Naruto remained on guard, though his hands trembled. "Don't you dare mess with Him!"
Tsunade glanced at him, then turned back to Raftra. "You have a strong influence on this child, even after one day."
Raftra did not reply—only a thin smile.
"Don't worry, kid. I will not harm anyone today, including this young man."
Naruto, still wary, slowly lowered his hands. His breath remained ragged, but his determination to protect Raftra was clear.
Tsunade studied the boy—'So innocent, yet ready to fight for someone he trusts,' she thought.
She then addressed Raftra again. He stood calmly and lightly patted Naruto's shoulder.
"Calm down, Naruto. This woman is not cruel despite how she appears."
"Hmph! I don't believe it—she almost hit you. I saw it!"
Shizune moved closer and whispered, "It seems… that boy is truly close to Naruto."
Tsunade did not respond, merely nodded slightly and looked at Raftra once more.
"Very well," Tsunade said. "I will consider this meeting sufficient."
Naruto frowned. "So… you won't bother Raftra anymore?"
Tsunade smiled faintly. "As long as he doesn't cause trouble… there will be no need to bother him."
"But… if Raftra acts up, don't be surprised if he disappears tomorrow."
Naruto still looked anxious but nodded slowly.
Tsunade turned to leave with Shizune. Before they walked away, she paused a few steps and looked half over her shoulder at Raftra.
Her gaze became sharp—not threatening now, but carrying a clear message.
"I will continue to watch you," she said coldly. "If you deviate even slightly, I will intervene."
Then she departed with Shizune, leaving the park with steady steps.
Raftra stood, watching their backs until they were gone.
Naruto peeked at Raftra. "… Raftra, who is she, really?"
Raftra smiled faintly and looked toward the Hokage statues. "Just a very powerful—and cautious—woman."
"Oh… I see."
Tsunade and Shizune were almost at the edge of the park when a calm, clear voice sounded from behind.
"Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade paused and half turned, one brow raised. "What now?"
Raftra stepped forward a pace, still composed and with a polite smile.
"It's already noon," he said lightly.
Tsunade tilted her head, not answering.
"I would like to test a recipe for my eatery. If you don't mind… would you be willing to taste my cooking?"
Shizune glanced at Tsunade, surprised, Naruto looked puzzled as well.
Raftra added, "I thought… a legendary ninja deserves a special meal."
Tsunade searched for any ulterior motive in his expression, but his manner stayed calm and unforced.
'This boy knows how to speak. He is not merely clever—he is thinking long-term,' she thought.
She exhaled slowly and looked at Shizune.
"What do you think?"
Shizune smiled faintly. "Perhaps there's no harm. Besides… I am hungry."
Tsunade turned back to Raftra.
"Very well. I'll give you one chance."
Raftra's smile thinned. "Thank you. I guarantee the taste will make an impression."
As Tsunade stepped closer again, Raftra knew inwardly the game was not over.
To make someone like Tsunade trust him, he would have to prove it by actions, not words.