Chapter 24

After a few hours. Travis got bored, since he had no one to talk. In his room, he paced back and forth, a wave of restlessness overtaking him. The silence was almost suffocating.

'Man, it's so boring. When are they gonna ask us to save that Gaara guy? I'm feeling like fighting someone right now,' he thought, frustration creeping into his mind.

With a flick of his wrist, his sword materialized, a surge of energy coursing through his body as the weapon burst into a brilliant blue glow.

The light bathed the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls, and the air hummed with power. He watched as the blade shifted in his hands, morphing into a sleek, glowing blue saber.

'That's much better, for now at least. In worlds like One Piece, I'd use a katana if needed. What other world do I wish to go to? Maybe Black Clover... Nah, it's not completed. I’ll just have to wait and see,’ he thought, a small smirk curling on his lips as he envisioned the possibilities.

The sword disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared, and the room fell into a deep, oppressive darkness once again.

' I don't really wish to give anyone my power. It's pretty inconvenient, especially since I've mastered everything. Meaning, no one can cultivate it to be better than it already is,' he thought, his eyes narrowing in quiet contemplation.

His training hadn’t been just about learning new techniques. He spent countless years refining and sharpening what he already knew. He’d perfected his control over Reiatsu, a force so powerful and versatile that he could bend reality to his will. There was nothing he couldn’t do with it now—if he chose to.

'I'll sleep for now. Just have to wait and see what the morning has in store for me,' he thought, finally settling into the stillness of his room, letting the night wash over him.

....

The next morning, Travis stepped out into the crisp air of the village. The streets were just beginning to wake—vendors setting up stalls, children running past in small groups, shinobi moving with purpose through the alleys and rooftops. He tucked his hands into the pockets of his coat and walked with a steady, unhurried pace.

Despite everything, it felt... familiar.

But what surprised him most was the anonymity. No glances of recognition, no curious whispers, no one stopping to greet him. It was like he was just another passerby.

Hiruzen did a great job erasing my existence. That’s probably the most useful thing he's done for someone, he mused, a bitter smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

He continued through the market district when he suddenly felt it—a flicker of familiar chakra approaching rapidly. Strong, focused, and unmistakably hers.

“Travis!” a voice rang out.

He turned toward it just as Sakura came into view, dressed in her mission gear, her expression bright despite the early hour.

He offered a small smile. “Yo, what’s good?”

“I’m alright,” she said, stopping in front of him and brushing a strand of pink hair behind her ear. “We’re going on a mission, so Lady Tsunade said I should come get you.”

“Ah, let’s go then,” he replied casually, already adjusting the strap on his shoulder pouch.

The two of them moved through the village in comfortable silence, the streets gradually growing busier. The sun had climbed higher, casting golden light across the tiled roofs and sandstone paths. As they reached the base of the Hokage’s Tower, towering and imposing as ever, Travis paused for a moment to glance up at it.

'Hmm? Oh, they were about to give Naruto a mission, but then the news about Gaara arrived,' he thought, sensing the shift in the room's atmosphere.

Just as he neared the door, a woman dashed past him, her footsteps fast and frantic. Travis couldn't help but smile as he watched her rush by, his pace unhurried as he followed her into the office.

"LADY FIFTH! BAD NEWS!" she shouted, her voice filled with urgency.

Travis stepped in just behind her, the room falling into a tense silence the moment he entered. All eyes were on him, but he paid no mind to the attention as he casually strolled in.

"The Kazekage has been taken by an organization called Akatsuki! We just received the message!" the woman announced, her voice tight with worry.

Travis’s expression remained neutral, though he could sense the weight of the situation settling in around him. He walked in further, the tension in the air palpable.

"WHAT?!" the Hokage snapped, her voice sharp as she looked at the gathered group.

" Kakashi, your mission has changed. You are to go immediately to the Sand, find out the situation, and relay it to the Leaf. After that, follow the orders of the Sand and back them up. Travis, I’d like for you to go with them. You are now temporarily a member of Team 7. Do I make myself clear?" she ordered, her gaze firm and unwavering.

"Yes, Lady Hokage!" Kakashi and the others shouted in unison, but Travis simply yawned, stretching his arms as though the whole thing was no big deal.

'I need something to eat first,' he thought, the rumbling in his stomach reminding him of his priorities.

As the others began to leave, Tsunade called out to him, her voice stopping him in his tracks.

"Travis, stay behind," she said, her tone a little more pointed now.

Reluctantly, he turned around, his curiosity piqued though he would never admit it.

"How did you do that?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in quiet suspicion.

"Do what?" he replied, his tone casual, though he could already sense the questioning undertone in her voice.

"You know what I’m talking about," she said, her patience thinning.

Travis smiled to himself, a sly glint in his eyes. "Oh, that? I just did. No need for any explanation. Just be happy that I helped you. Don’t worry, I don’t expect anything in return," he said, brushing past her and walking out without a second glance.

As he left, the feeling of satisfaction washed over him, and his mind wandered to the simple pleasure of causing a little chaos.

'Man, I love messing with people,' he thought, his lips curling into a grin as he walked away.


Several minutes later, everyone was geared up and ready to go. Travis, now dressed in the traditional ninja attire, looked like he belonged in the field. His headband was wrapped securely around his arm, the symbol of Konoha glinting in the morning sun.

"Alright, time to go, guys," Naruto said, his voice filled with determination. Just as they were about to leave, the air seemed to shift, and with a sudden flash, Jiraiya appeared out of nowhere.

"Yo! On your first mission, I see. Well, good luck, kid," Jiraiya greeted, his usual carefree attitude masking the underlying seriousness of the situation. "Remember, the Akatsuki are looking for you, so I suggest you be more careful, Naruto. Also, I'm sure you already know—you're forbidden to use that jutsu. You got that?"

"I know," Naruto answered, his expression hardening, but the weight of Jiraiya’s words lingered in his eyes.

"Alright, Kakashi, make sure Naruto doesn't do anything stupid. He's all yours," Jiraiya added, his tone light but still carrying the warning.

"Yeah..." Kakashi muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly, but he gave a short nod.

"Travis, Sakura, Kakashi-sensei, hurry up, let’s go!" Naruto called, already stepping forward, his impatience clear.

TO BE CONTINUED