Naruto: Imitation Ninja

My name is Xing Liu, just an ordinary male high school student.

On a regular Saturday morning, I planned to spend the day at home watching anime and playing games, enjoying my laid-back routine.

But something unexpected happened—

I transmigrated?!

And not just anywhere—I ended up in the timeline shortly before Naruto was born, during the time when the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, sacrificed his life to seal the Nine-Tails.

---

Land of Fire, Konoha Village

Residence of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato

"Kushina, our child should be born soon, right?"

The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, gently supported his pregnant wife, Uzumaki Kushina, as they strolled around their home.

"I have a feeling the baby will arrive in a few days," Kushina said, resting her hand on her swollen belly, her voice tinged with worry. "But when the baby is born, the Nine-Tails inside me…"

"Kushina-Auntie, it's just the Nine-Tails. I believe Lord Minato will find a way to handle it," a young man sitting nearby chuckled as he reassured her.

"Xing Liu is right, Kushina," Minato said firmly. "You just need to focus on taking care of yourself and the baby. I'll handle everything else, even if it costs me my life. I'll ensure you both remain safe."

Minato's resolute demeanor did not escape Xing Liu, who was quietly observing from the side.

But this time, Xing Liu vowed he wouldn't let the "Yellow Flash of Konoha" fall alongside his wife.

---

Before long, the day of Naruto's birth arrived—the very day Minato and Kushina were fated to perish sealing the Nine-Tails.

In the forest outside Konoha Village, the ritual site was sparsely guarded, with only a handful of people stationed around the perimeter. At the site itself, there were only Minato, Kushina, and Xing Liu.

"This is ridiculous!" Xing Liu exclaimed, his lip curling in disdain. "They're actually making Aunt Kushina give birth in this desolate wilderness, with barely a dozen guards! Aren't they worried someone might attack while the Nine-Tails' seal is weak?"

"Xing Liu, don't blame the Third Hokage for sending Kushina here," Minato replied, his tone calm. "He has to think about the safety of everyone in the village."

"Besides, if my rogue disciple Uchiha Obito really does show up to cause trouble, bringing more people here would only make things worse. This number of guards is sufficient."

"Still," Minato continued, eyeing Xing Liu skeptically, "you don't know any ninjutsu, do you? Why would you come to such a dangerous place? There's still time—I could use Flying Thunder God to send you home."

"There's no need to trouble yourself, Lord Minato," Xing Liu replied with a grin. "While I can't use ninjutsu, I can take care of Aunt Kushina. If something unexpected happens, I'll be here to assist her, so you won't have to worry about her safety."

"Kushina, Xing Liu does make a good point," she said with a smile, chiming in to support Xing Liu. "If something goes wrong, having someone else to help me will let you focus on the enemy."

"Well… alright," Minato relented after a pause. "But if things do get dangerous, I want you to prioritize your own safety. Otherwise, I'll send you home right now. Can you promise me that?"

"I promise, Lord Minato," Xing Liu said, nodding.

"Good. Then I'll agree to let you stay and help Kushina. Though, I sincerely hope my preparations won't be necessary."

Minato glanced at Kushina lying on the ritual table, his expression complicated. If things went wrong, he would have no choice but to...

"Xing Liu, I'm counting on you," Minato said gravely. Though he'd only known Xing Liu for a few weeks, he trusted the man deeply.

When they first met, Xing Liu had appeared out of nowhere, dressed in strange, unfamiliar clothes. Yet, Minato couldn't sense any malice from him—only an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

"Don't worry, Lord Minato," Xing Liu replied, his tone steady. "I won't let you resort to that final measure."

He understood Minato's unspoken plea—it was a request to protect the family he might leave behind. A few days ago, Xing Liu would have reluctantly accepted this burden.

But last night, something changed.

---

Two Nights Ago, Xing Liu's Room

"Where is this place?" Xing Liu muttered, confused.

One moment, he had been lying on his bed, thinking about how to save Minato and Kushina from their tragic fate. The next, he found himself in an endless white void.

"You're the chosen transmigrator this time?"

A booming voice interrupted his thoughts as an elderly man with a thick beard emerged from the void, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"Your body seems a bit lacking, but you should be able to complete the task," the old man murmured to himself, stroking his beard.

"Excuse me, sir," Xing Liu interrupted, "where am I? And who are you?"

"This is your consciousness space," the old man replied nonchalantly. "And I'm just an ordinary old man. You can call me 'God.'"

"What?! You're God?" Xing Liu exclaimed, stunned.

"Didn't I just say that?" the old man replied, smirking. "As for why you're here, isn't it obvious? I summoned you."

So it was you! But why? Xing Liu thought, suppressing the urge to curse.

"And if I'm not mistaken," he ventured, "you're here to give me a cheat ability, right? So, is it a system or a starter pack?"

"Oh? Sharp, aren't you?" the old man chuckled. "No system, but I'll grant you a unique talent."

With a wave of his hand, a radiant light enveloped Xing Liu.

"It's done. You can go now."

Before Xing Liu could react, his consciousness snapped back to his room.

"Wait, you didn't tell me what the talent is!"

Just then, a status panel materialized in front of him.

Talent Skill: Copy

"What the heck does that mean?"