The sky was painted in shades of orange as the sun dipped lower, stretching the shadows of trees across the ground. The faint hum of evening insects mingled with the soft whisper of the breeze.
In a quiet park, a teenage boy suddenly appeared in the middle of the grassy field—out of nowhere.
Raftra landed on the ground with a thud, instinctively propping himself up with both hands. He blinked several times, lifted his head, and looked around in confusion.
'Where… am I?'
He sat still for a few seconds, his heart racing, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
This park was clearly unfamiliar, yet for some reason, it carried a faint sense of familiarity.
Slowly, he got to his feet and brushed the wrinkles from his white-and-gray school uniform. A black backpack hung over his shoulders, the same one he had been carrying earlier.
He immediately checked its contents—inside were a laptop, a phone, a notebook, three changes of clothes, a deck of Uno cards, and five packs of instant noodles. Everything was intact.
Raftra stepped away from the grassy patch, walking slowly as he took in his surroundings.
In the distance, beyond the rooftops of houses with traditional designs, he saw a towering brown cliff.
And on its surface… were giant faces carved into the stone.
Raftra froze mid-step. "…The Hokage Monument?"
He knew those faces well. Faces he had only ever seen in anime and manga.
Hashirama. Tobirama. Hiruzen. Minato.
'Don't tell me…'
The realization began to sink in—he was no longer in his own world.
'Am I… in Konoha?'
He glanced at the people passing by—some carrying shopping bags, others wearing the metal forehead protectors of shinobi.
'No way… this can't be real…'
Everything looked exactly like the world of Naruto. But this wasn't on a screen or in the pages of a comic—it was all real, right in front of him.
Raftra stood there for a long moment, struggling to believe it. Yet there was no reason to deny it; everything he saw, everything he felt, was far too real.
Just as he was about to start walking again, his eyes caught sight of a small figure sitting beneath one of the park's trees.
It was a young boy, sitting alone on a wooden bench. His shirt was worn and black, his shorts plain, and his messy blond hair caught the fading light.
The boy's head was bowed, idly tracing lines in the dirt with a twig. His face was empty of expression, his eyes distant.
Raftra recognized him instantly.
'That's… Naruto.'
The boy looked no older than seven.
There was no one else near him; the other children played far away on the opposite side of the park, not a single one approaching.
Naruto was completely alone.
Raftra froze, a tightness building in his chest.
'I know this moment. This is when he's being shunned. One of the loneliest times in his childhood.'
Seeing it in person hurt more than watching it in the anime. Naruto seemed used to sitting there by himself, as if it had become part of his life. But to Raftra, it was still painful to witness.
'He's just a kid… he hasn't done anything wrong.'
He looked away for a moment, yet his gaze kept drifting back toward Naruto.
Raftra gripped the straps of his backpack tightly. Deep inside, a small voice kept speaking.
'I grew up watching him… and now I'm here, in this very moment.'
He stood still, unsure whether to approach or simply keep watching from a distance. But one thing was certain—the world in front of him was no longer just a story. The boy who had once been nothing more than fiction now sat before him, real and breathing.
Raftra remained frozen for a while longer, then finally drew in a deep breath. His hand curled slowly into a fist. He knew he couldn't just stand there.
'I have to go to him. At least… talk to him for a bit.'
His steps carried him slowly toward the bench beneath the tree where Naruto sat. The sound of his footsteps brushed through the grass and gravel. Naruto didn't look up—he was still drawing shapes in the dirt with his twig.
Raftra stopped a few steps away from the bench and spoke carefully.
"Uh… hey, kid… are you here by yourself?"
Naruto's head snapped up. His eyes showed mild surprise, but not fear. He simply looked at Raftra with curiosity.
"Yeah, I'm alone," he replied quietly.
Raftra tried to offer a friendly smile. "Why? Where are your friends?"
Naruto lowered his head again, fiddling with the twig in his hands. "Don't have any. They don't want to play with me."
Raftra went silent. Hearing that made his chest feel heavier.
'This… really is just like the story.'
He glanced at the bench where Naruto sat, then took a seat beside him, leaving a polite amount of space. The air between them felt slightly awkward, but Naruto didn't seem bothered by his presence.
"What's your name?" Raftra asked.
"Naruto… Uzumaki Naruto." He lifted his face a little. "I'm seven years old, just started my first year at the ninja academy."
Raftra nodded slowly, a faint smile on his lips. "That's a cool name."
Naruto frowned slightly, still studying him with curiosity. "What about you? What's your name?"
"My name's Raftra," he replied. "I'm from a village pretty far from here—called Bandung."
Naruto tilted his head. "Bandung? Where's that?"
"It's really far. So far you probably couldn't reach it just by walking," Raftra said.
Naruto stared at him for a while. Maybe because he was still young, he didn't take the answer too seriously.
"I see," he murmured.
Raftra gave a thin smile. He wasn't sure what else to say about himself. No one in this world would believe who he truly was—especially not a child like Naruto.
The minutes passed without much conversation. The sun sank lower, tree shadows stretched longer, and night crept closer.
Suddenly, Naruto rose from his seat. "I'm going home."
Raftra instinctively stood as well, though he didn't say anything.
Naruto walked away slowly, then glanced back for a moment.
"See you, Raftra."
Raftra nodded. "See you too, Naruto."
The boy walked off, leaving the park steadily growing emptier. Raftra simply stood there, watching his small figure from behind.
A doubt stirred inside him. 'Should I try to get closer to him? Or… just leave it at this?'
He kept watching as Naruto walked alone at a slow pace, as though he were used to it. But this time, something in Raftra's chest felt different.
'I can't just let this be.'
He drew in a breath, then hurried after Naruto. His pace quickened until he caught up from behind.
"Hey, Naruto!"
The boy turned, slightly startled. "Hm? What is it?"
Raftra scratched the back of his head, looking a little awkward. "Do you know somewhere I can boil water?"
Naruto blinked in confusion. "Boil water?"
Raftra lifted his backpack slightly. "Look—inside here, I've got instant noodles. But I can't eat them without hot water."
Naruto studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Oh… alright, come with me. I know a place where you can cook and get water."
Without another word, Naruto turned and began walking. Raftra followed at his side.
"Thanks," Raftra said.
"No problem," Naruto replied.
....
As they walked past several adults, Raftra began to notice something that made him uneasy.
It was the stares.
Many people looked at Naruto with cold, unkind eyes. Some even gave sharp, cutting glances, as if his very presence was an annoyance. They said nothing, but their expressions spoke volumes.
Raftra glanced at Naruto.
The boy walked as if nothing was out of the ordinary. He didn't lower his head, didn't get angry—he simply moved forward, as though this was the way the world treated him every single day.
Raftra's hand curled into a fist inside his pocket. He was angry… no—furious.
'Their eyes are full of malice.'
'I know why they act this way… but still, to treat a child who knows nothing about that incident like this…'
Raftra's feelings began to shift. Now it wasn't just curiosity or the desire for a short conversation—he truly wanted to stay by this boy's side. Whether as a friend, a protector, or simply someone who didn't see him as a monster.
The two of them kept walking through narrow backstreets until they reached a quiet alley.
The walls of the nearby houses were weathered, and the sunlight had almost vanished entirely.
"Here," Naruto said, pointing to a corner.
It was a simple spot: a rusted metal drum used for burning trash, a large metal pot resting beside it, and not far away, a water tap dripping slowly.
Naruto gestured toward the tap. "The water's safe to drink, but they say it's better to boil it first."
Raftra nodded. "Alright, thanks."
But before he could start preparing anything, Naruto was already getting ready to leave. "Well then, I'm heading home."
Raftra quickly stopped him. "Wait, Naruto—stay here for a bit. I want to cook for you too, as thanks."
Naruto paused, looking uncertain. "Huh? For me too? Seriously?"
Raftra nodded as he opened his backpack.
"I brought five packs—I can't finish them all by myself."
Naruto still looked unsure, but finally gave a small nod and sat down against the wall.
"In that case… thanks."
Raftra took two packs of noodles from his bag, turned on the tap, and began filling the pot with water. He lit a fire beneath the metal drum using a small lighter from his pocket.
'Good thing I brought this.'
While waiting for the water to boil, Raftra glanced at Naruto. "Do you always go home by yourself?" he asked, trying to start a conversation.
"Mm-hm. I'm used to being on my own," Naruto replied casually.
"Don't you get bored? Or… lonely?" Raftra asked.
Naruto shrugged. "Sometimes. But I'm used to it. It's better than forcing myself to be friends with people who don't like me."
The answer made Raftra pause for a moment, but he still managed a small smile. "Well, then you're not alone right now. Today, you're going to have noodles with me."
Naruto turned to him, looking surprised. "So you were serious? You're really giving this to me for free?"
"Of course I'm serious. After all, you helped me find this place."
A faint smile formed on Naruto's lips, his eyes a little brighter. "Thanks! I thought you were joking, Raftra."
"I'm not joking. I want you to eat with me."
When the water began to boil, Raftra placed the noodles into the pot and stirred them. Slowly, the savory aroma filled the air.
Soon, Naruto began talking more—about the academy, about strict teachers, about difficult lessons, even about how the cafeteria food wasn't good.
Raftra listened, occasionally chuckling. Though the conversation was simple, it felt warm and alive.
A few minutes later, the noodles were ready. Raftra divided them into two makeshift bowls—one for himself and one for Naruto.
They sat near the drum, the small fire still glowing faintly beneath the pot.
Naruto blew on his noodles before taking a big bite. "Delicious! This is so good."
Raftra took a bite as well. "Of course it is—these noodles are a legend where I come from."
They shared a small laugh. For a brief moment, the world felt peaceful.
After several minutes, both bowls were empty. Raftra leaned back against the wall, while Naruto sat with a full stomach and a satisfied expression.
"That was amazing," Naruto said, rubbing his belly. "Almost as good as Ichiraku's ramen."
Raftra smiled. "So… only almost?"
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. It's missing the toppings. If it had meat slices, eggs, and other stuff… it would be serious competition."
"I'll make a note of that," Raftra chuckled. "Next time, I'll bring the complete toppings."
Naruto laughed, swinging his legs lightly. But as the laughter faded, he noticed Raftra's expression had grown a little distant.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asked quietly.
Raftra was silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Well… I don't know where I'm going to sleep tonight."
Naruto looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Honestly, I don't have anywhere to stay. No home. Just this bag," Raftra said, pointing to the backpack lying on the ground.
Naruto hesitated for a few seconds, looking conflicted.
"I don't have much space to offer…" he said slowly. "But… if you don't mind, you can sleep at my place tonight."
Raftra looked at him, surprised. "You mean it?"
Naruto nodded quickly. "My house is small, just one room. But I have an extra mattress for the floor—it should be enough for one person."
A warmth spread in Raftra's chest. He hadn't expected the first person to show him kindness in this world to be a boy who was shunned by everyone else.
"In that case… thank you, Naruto."
Naruto rubbed his cheek awkwardly. "Well… it's better than letting you sleep outside in the cold night air."
They packed up the empty noodle wrappers and put out the fire in the drum. The sky had grown dark, and the air was turning colder.
….
Their footsteps stopped in front of a small, weathered apartment building. Naruto's place was on the second floor, at the far end of a quiet corridor in the old building. He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the wooden door, which creaked slightly as it opened.
"Come in," he said casually.
Raftra stood at the doorway for a moment, taking in every small detail.
The outer walls were cracked, the door handle rusted, and a small pile of worn shoes sat by the entrance. Wildflowers grew in the corner of the tiny balcony—likely sprouting on their own, untouched.
Once he stepped inside, a faint dampness lingered in the air. It wasn't a foul smell, but it clearly belonged to a home that wasn't cleaned often.
Inside, there were only four small rooms: a living area with a worn carpet and an old wooden table, a cramped kitchen with empty dish racks, a small bedroom, and a thin-walled bathroom.
Raftra looked around. No decorations. No family photos. Just a quiet home that felt lonely.
'He's been living like this… all alone, since he was little?'
'No wonder he becomes so strong later.'
Naruto slipped off his sandals and walked toward the bedroom. "I'm going to take a bath."
When Naruto closed the bathroom door behind him, Raftra sat on the floor and unzipped his bag. He took out his phone and switched it on, keeping it hidden under the bag.
'Better to be careful… who knows if there are ninja who can spy from afar or something.'
The screen lit up. Strangely, the battery still showed 100%—even though it had been around 70% earlier that afternoon. The signal bar was full, and oddly, the internet connection was active despite the complete lack of cell towers in this world.
'Weird… why is the internet still working?'
He opened his chat app. No notifications. No new messages.
He tried contacting a couple of people from his old world, but each attempt failed—none of the messages went through.
'Internet's working but I can't send anything?'
He opened social media. The feed loaded normally. Accounts from his old world were still active. His friends were still posting their latest stories and photos. Even current news headlines appeared—covering topics clearly from his own world.
Raftra opened YouTube and played a random video. It ran smoothly, without buffering, in high quality.
'Everything's working like normal…'
But when he tried typing a comment, a notification popped up:
[Error: Unable to process your request.]
He tried again—still failed. He even attempted to make his own post, typing a short status before pressing the send button.
[Failed to post. Please try again later.]
He stared at the phone screen for a few seconds, then let out a slow breath.
'I can see everything… but I can't interact. Everything moves as usual, but I can't take part in it.'
His old world was still out there, but he couldn't reach it. Couldn't speak to it. Couldn't leave a trace. All he could do was watch through the screen.
Slowly, he turned the phone off and slipped it back into his bag. Leaning against the wall, he stared blankly at the ceiling of the small home.
The sound of running water continued from the bathroom. The lights were on, and night had fully settled in.
'Looks like… I really have to start living here… in this dangerous place.'
And for the first time since his arrival, Raftra truly felt he wasn't on vacation, wasn't dreaming, and wasn't watching a story. He was now a part of this world.
A few minutes later, after Raftra finished his bath, he stepped out wearing a clean dark T-shirt and casual long pants he had brought from home. His hair was still damp, but he felt far more refreshed than before.
Naruto sat on the living room floor, idly playing with the corner of a pillow, waiting with a slightly bored expression.
"You took a while," Naruto commented.
"Sorry—the water was freezing," Raftra replied with a small laugh.
He sat down beside Naruto and unzipped the side compartment of his bag. From inside, he pulled out a small box filled with colorful cards.
Naruto's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What's that?"
"This is called UNO—a card game," Raftra said as he opened the box. "Want to try?"
Naruto nodded quickly. "Yeah!"
Raftra began explaining the basic rules—matching colors and numbers, how the +2, +4, reverse, skip, and wild cards worked.
At first, Naruto looked a little confused. He often played the wrong card, and sometimes forgot to say 'UNO' when he was down to his last one. But he learned quickly.
It didn't take long before laughter filled the room. Naruto laughed when Raftra got hit with two +4 cards in a row, and Raftra laughed back when Naruto was skipped right before winning.
For two hours, they played with genuine excitement. The once cold and quiet home now felt lively, even if it was only the two of them.
Near the end of the game, Naruto began to look tired. His eyelids grew heavy, and his movements slowed.
"I'm… sleepy," he murmured, letting out a wide yawn.
"Alright—last round," Raftra said with a smile.
Not long after, Naruto fell asleep sitting up, his head resting on the table, mouth slightly open. He had drifted off without even moving to his bed.
Raftra watched him for a moment, then carefully stood and approached. Bending down, he gently lifted the small boy into his arms. Naruto was light—far too light for a child his age.
Slowly, Raftra laid him down on the small bed in the corner of the room. He pulled a thin blanket over him, tucking it up to his shoulders.
Naruto remained fast asleep. Raftra then sat on the floor, leaning his back against the cold wall.
His eyes drifted over the worn, stained house before settling once again on Naruto's sleeping face.
'He's so kind… even though he has no one.'
....
About thirty minutes after Naruto had fallen asleep, the house was completely silent. Raftra still sat with his back against the wall, occasionally glancing at the ceiling, then back at Naruto, who was peacefully sleeping on the bed.
Suddenly, three soft knocks sounded at the door.
Tok… tok… tok.
Raftra's eyes opened, his body instinctively tensing. He didn't move right away—only sat there, quietly watching the door.
'Who would come here this late…?'
His mind worked quickly. There was only one group who could have found him this fast.
'Could it be… Hiruzen?'
He rose slowly, careful not to wake Naruto. As he approached the door, he pressed his ear against the wooden surface. No sound from outside—only a heavy, oppressive silence.
Raftra opened the door just a crack.
Standing before him was a man in a long robe and a distinctive hat. His beard was white, his eyes sharp, and his expression grave.
Behind him stood two masked Anbu, silent and unmoving.
The old man's gaze met Raftra's. "May I come in?"
His tone was calm, yet cold—nothing like the voice of an ordinary old man.
Raftra could feel the strange pressure radiating from them. His shoulders felt heavier, the air around them thicker. But he kept his composure.
"Yes… please," Raftra replied, opening the door wider.
Hiruzen stepped inside slowly, his eyes flicking briefly toward Naruto, still asleep in the room. He then sat down on the thin mat in the middle of the living area. The two Anbu remained standing near the door without a word.
Raftra went to the kitchen, filled a glass with water, and set it in front of Hiruzen.
"Sorry—this is all I have," he said.
Hiruzen gave a small nod. He accepted the glass politely but did not drink.
For several seconds, there was nothing but the ticking of an old clock on the wall.
Finally, Hiruzen spoke, his eyes fixed on Raftra. "My name is Hiruzen Sarutobi. I am the Hokage of this village."
Raftra widened his eyes slightly, feigning surprise. "Oh… no wonder your face felt a little familiar."
Hiruzen didn't smile. He studied Raftra's reaction closely, as if judging whether the surprise was genuine… or an act.
Raftra maintained his expression—bewildered and impressed, like any ordinary teenager unsure what to say.
Between them, a quiet tension began to form. Though their words were polite, the atmosphere was far from casual.
Silence filled the small room again. Raftra sat across from Hiruzen, trying to remain calm while his mind worked at full speed.
'I need to think carefully… No half-truths. If I slip even once, he'll know.'
Raftra's mind raced, piecing together a believable backstory—a past that sounded logical, not too elaborate, yet convincing enough.
Hiruzen's calm but piercing gaze never left him, as though reading every tiny movement and shift in expression.
Finally, the Third Hokage broke the silence.
"So… what is your name?"
Raftra lifted his head. "My name is Raftra."
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Which village are you from?"
"A village called Bandung. It's quite far away, but I don't know the exact direction… I only know the name."
Hiruzen gave a slow nod, but his eyes didn't soften.
"And why did you suddenly appear in this village?"
The question made Raftra pause. He lowered his head, wearing an expression of confusion and frustration, then slowly looked back up.
"I don't know. When I woke up earlier… I was already in a park I didn't recognize. I was alone… with only my bag and my belongings."
He paused before continuing, adding a touch of emotion to his voice.
"At first, I thought it was just a dream. But everything felt too real."
He let out a quiet breath, as though speaking weighed heavily on him.
"I don't have anyone here… and I truly have no idea how I ended up in this place."
"I swear, I'm not lying."
Hiruzen remained silent. His eyes stayed sharp, studying every detail of Raftra's posture, tone, and face.
Yet there was no nervous quiver in Raftra's voice, no suspicious hesitation. Everything—the expression, the tone, the body language—supported his words.
Hiruzen took a small sip of the water Raftra had given him.
"I see…"
His voice was neutral. Neither trusting nor accusing. Just steady.
Raftra met that gaze with collected calm—something honed from watching countless episodes, reading countless stories, and now… living one himself.
'Don't show any weakness. One wrong word, and I could be taken by the Anbu tonight.'
'Worst-case scenario… I get interrogated under torture.'
Hiruzen set the empty glass on the table, leaning forward slightly. His eyes sharpened even more.
"There is one more thing that makes you suspicious."
Raftra stayed still, alert.
"You have no chakra in your body. Not even the slightest trace."
Raftra's eyes widened. "What…?"
It wasn't entirely an act—he truly hadn't known for certain. While he had suspected it because he didn't belong to this world, hearing it confirmed was still a shock.
He lowered his head, showing a mix of surprise and confusion. After a few seconds of silence, he looked up slowly.
"I… I thought no one here would notice that in a new place like this…" he said quietly.
"But I guess it's still obvious."
Hiruzen didn't reply—he only looked deeper into Raftra's eyes.
Raftra drew in a slow breath, speaking with a heavier tone.
"Ever since I was little, people thought I was strange. In my home village, everyone could use chakra. Even children younger than me could walk on water with ease. But me… I could never do it. Every time they tested me, the result was always zero. No reaction, no flow of chakra."
His eyes fell to the floor, gaze empty.
"People began to avoid me. Teachers lost interest in teaching me. Even my own family… treated me as a burden. A disgrace."
The words came slowly, carrying just enough weight to sound genuine—not overly dramatic, yet enough to stir sympathy.
"I tried to practice in secret—training alone, attempting basic techniques. But I never succeeded."
"When I turned thirteen, I finally gave up."
He raised his head again, meeting Hiruzen's eyes with a tired look.
"Since then, I've just… lived. Learning ordinary things, trying to endure quietly."
"And somehow… I suddenly found myself here, in a place completely foreign to me."
The room grew still again. Outside, there wasn't a single sound. Even the Anbu by the door didn't move.
Hiruzen tapped his fingers lightly against his lips, deep in thought.
Raftra's story was too neat, too well-structured… and yet, there were no signs of deceit. His expression, his voice, his posture—all in harmony with his words.
If this was acting, it was the best Hiruzen had ever seen.
But if it wasn't… then this boy was a far deeper mystery than he had imagined.
After several seconds of quiet, Hiruzen finally spoke again. His voice was slightly lighter, yet still firm.
"The boy you met today… Naruto."
Raftra's eyes sharpened slightly, his attention fixed on Hiruzen.
"He is not an ordinary child," Hiruzen continued.
"He is… closely guarded by this village."
The tone didn't explain much, but it carried the weight of something significant—something important enough to be left unsaid.
"That is why I came to see you in person," Hiruzen said. "Not because you are a threat to the village… but because you got close to him in such a short amount of time."
Raftra gave a small nod. He understood what Hiruzen was implying.
"Starting tonight, you may stay with him. At least until we decide what to do next. But—" Hiruzen's gaze sharpened.
"You will be watched by the Anbu at all times. They are the shadows of this village."
Raftra exhaled slowly, bowing his head slightly in respect. "I understand. I have no objection to that."
"And I expect you not to cause trouble."
"I promise I won't do anything reckless. If I break the rules, you can kill me."
"Good. I like your courage."
There were no arguments, no protests.
Raftra knew that in a situation like this, defying orders would only hasten his downfall. He needed to play this smart if he wanted to survive.
Hiruzen finally rose to his feet, the Anbu behind him shifting slightly, ready to follow. But just as he took his first step toward the door, Raftra's voice stopped him.
"Wait… there's one more thing I want to discuss."
Hiruzen turned his head back, his expression unchanged—still cold, still calculating.
Raftra stood slowly, keeping his tone even. "Before you go… there's something else I need to ask."
"And what would that be?" Hiruzen asked.
Raftra met his eyes without hesitation. "I'd like to borrow some capital."
One of Hiruzen's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Borrow capital?"
Raftra nodded. "To start a business. I can't just freeload in the home of a seven-year-old without doing anything."
He kept his voice steady, aiming to sound honest without pleading.
"I want to survive in this village. And the only way I know… is to work and earn my own living."
Hiruzen studied him for a long moment. His face remained calm, but his gaze shifted—no longer as rigid as before. He hadn't expected such a request from an unknown teenager who had appeared just hours ago, whose true identity was still uncertain.
"This isn't a donation," Raftra added.
"I'm not asking for charity. I just need a chance to start my life here."
After a few seconds, Hiruzen asked, "Do you already know what kind of business you want to run?"
"Not entirely. But I'm confident I can find an opening here. All I need is a small place and a little starting capital."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his eyes softening just a fraction.
"You… are an interesting young man," he said quietly.
"Tomorrow at noon, come to the Hokage's office. We'll discuss this further there."
Raftra bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, sir. I'll be there tomorrow morning."
Hiruzen finally turned toward the door, the two Anbu falling in step behind him as they left without a sound.
Raftra stood by the door for several seconds, making sure everything outside was quiet again. Then he turned back toward Naruto, who was still sleeping soundly.
With a small sense of relief, he sat down once more, leaning his back against the wall.
'Tomorrow… I need to take the first step… and make Hiruzen trust me.'
…
Meanwhile, Hiruzen's footsteps echoed softly along the corridor outside the old apartment.
When they were far enough from the door, Hiruzen stopped. He turned slightly toward one of the Anbu walking beside him—the one wearing a white mask marked with vein-like patterns, distinctive to the Hyuga clan.
"Have you seen the contents of that boy's bag?" Hiruzen asked quietly, without turning fully.
The Anbu gave a small nod. His voice was flat when he answered, "Yes, Hokage-sama. With the Byakugan, I saw everything inside."
"Anything suspicious?"
"No weapons, no strange seals, or other dangerous items," he replied.
"But there were two unusual objects—flat and shiny. One the size of a large book, the other smaller. I don't recognize either of them, and they contain no chakra. They feel… dead, like ordinary objects."
"I see…" Hiruzen murmured, pausing briefly before continuing, "…From now on, keep a close watch on that boy."
"Do not get too close, but do not let your guard down. Record all his activities—who he meets, where he goes, and what he talks about."
The Anbu bowed deeply. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen resumed walking, his mind still circling around the puzzle that was Raftra.
'Either he's exceptionally skilled at lying… or he's been telling the truth from the very beginning.'
'I can't tell which.'
Whichever it was, Hiruzen knew one thing for certain—the boy could not be left entirely unchecked. Not until he knew exactly who Raftra was… and why he had appeared in Konoha.