Leaving the Hokage's office, Travis walked through the village with an air of confidence. The sun hung high in the sky, casting warm light over Konoha's rooftops. People moved about their daily routines, unaware of how easily he could change everything around them if he wanted.
But for now, his goal was simple—securing a proper place to live. He wasn't about to settle for some tiny shinobi barracks or a cramped house in the residential district. No, he wanted something with a view, something that screamed status.
As he walked, his eyes scanned the buildings, looking for something that fit his standards. That's when he spotted it—a high-rise complex near the Hokage Tower, standing taller than most of the other structures around. It was modern, by this era's standards, with wide balconies and large windows overlooking the village.
'Perfect.'
Approaching the building, he stepped inside the front entrance, where a middle-aged woman sat behind a wooden desk. She looked up, her expression shifting from neutral to slightly nervous when she recognized him.
"Ah, Travis-sama! What brings you here?" she asked, straightening in her seat.
"I want an apartment," he said, cutting straight to the point. "Something high up with a good view."
The woman nodded quickly and shuffled through some scrolls. "Yes, of course. We have several units available. The top floors are usually reserved for elite shinobi or wealthy civilians, but I'm sure an exception can be made for you."
"Damn right," Travis muttered, waiting as she pulled out a key.
"This one is on the tenth floor," she said, handing it to him. "It's spacious, comes fully furnished, and has a private balcony. I believe it will suit your needs perfectly."
Travis took the key and gave her a nod before heading toward the stairs. He could've taken the elevator, but a small workout never hurt. In a few swift steps, he reached the tenth floor and made his way to the designated unit.
Sliding the door open, he stepped inside and took in his new living space. The apartment was impressive—wooden floors, a large open area, and a balcony that overlooked the entire village. From here, he had a clear view of the Hokage Monument in the distance and the bustling streets below.
Dropping his bag onto a nearby chair, he walked over to the balcony, resting his hands on the railing as he surveyed his new domain.
'A good base of operations. Now, onto the real goal—finding Kushina.'
With a smirk, he turned back inside, already planning his next move.
Travis leaned against the railing of his balcony, eyes fixed on the bustling village below. The warm glow of lanterns flickered as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the rooftops. His crimson gaze sharpened as he considered his next move.
'I think the best way is for us to go on a mission together. From what I understand, they haven't started dating officially. That gives me the perfect advantage to make her like me,' he mused, a smirk tugging at his lips.
With that plan in mind, he turned back inside, shutting the sliding door behind him before making his way to the couch. The apartment was spacious, but he hadn't bothered to admire the decor. Right now, he had more important things to focus on.
Sitting down, he closed his eyes and focused, allowing the vast knowledge of this world's history—both from his own memories and the information he had inserted into his identity—to surface. He sorted through the details, piecing together a timeline of upcoming events.
'In a year, the Third Great Ninja War will begin… it'll span for about ten years. During that period, Minato will get married, then become Hokage. Kakashi will officially become a ninja, forming a team with Obito and Rin. A lot happens, but I'm not here for anyone else besides Kushina… though, I wouldn't mind getting to know Sasuke's mom while I'm at it.'
A low chuckle escaped him as he ran through different strategies in his mind. There was no need to rush things—he had time, and he knew how to manipulate the flow of events to his advantage.
Once he had finalized his plan, he wasted no time and made his way back to the Hokage Tower. The building was quieter at this hour, with fewer shinobi lingering around. As he approached Hiruzen's office, he didn't even bother knocking.
Pushing the door open, he was met with an unexpected sight—Hiruzen Sarutobi, the so-called "Professor" and Hokage of the Leaf, was sitting behind his desk, eyes locked onto an open book filled with… questionable content.
Travis raised a brow before shaking his head in disappointment. "You perverted old man. What would your wife think?"
Hiruzen nearly jumped, snapping the book shut as he coughed into his fist. "W-Well, she doesn't know." He quickly composed himself, giving Travis a wary look. "Why are you here again?"
Travis smirked, stepping forward. "I need to go on a mission… and I need Kushina to go with me."
The room fell into silence for a brief moment before Hiruzen exhaled and leaned back in his chair. "You know that's not possible. Kushina is not permitted to leave the village due to her being the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. You're well aware of this."
"I do," Travis said, unfazed. "But she's also highly skilled in sealing jutsu, correct?"
Hiruzen's expression remained cautious, but he nodded. "Yes, as a member of the Uzumaki clan, she possesses exceptional talent in that field. Why do you ask?"
Travis leaned forward slightly, his smirk widening. "Don't you think it's about time the Leaf received a second tailed beast?"
The Hokage's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I've located the Three-Tails," Travis stated plainly. "And I need her sealing abilities to help me contain it."
Hiruzen sat up straighter, clearly caught off guard by the revelation. "The Three-Tails… are you certain?"
"Positive," Travis replied. "Now, are you going to help me, or do I need to remind you that keeping a tailed beast under your control is one of the biggest advantages a village can have?"
The Hokage fell silent, his fingers interlocked in thought. After a long moment, he sighed. "And who exactly is meant to be its jinchūriki?"
"Don't worry about that," Travis said, turning toward the door. "Just have Kushina ready by tomorrow."
Before leaving, he glanced back over his shoulder, a teasing smirk on his lips. "Oh, and one more thing—stop masturbating in the Hokage's office. What would the previous Hokages think?"
Hiruzen choked, coughing violently as Travis stepped out and shut the door behind him.
'And I was just about to do that…' Hiruzen thought bitterly.
TO BE CONTINUED