Naruto: Imitation Ninja

Timeline: Returning to the Present

Xingliu still couldn't understand the purpose of the so-called "gift" bestowed upon him by the old man who claimed to be a "god." Yet, he had a vague feeling that this ability might be more powerful than it seemed.

"What does it even mean to 'copy everything I see'..." Xingliu sighed, muttering to himself.

His sudden sigh disturbed Uzumaki Kushina, who was lying on the ceremonial platform. Smiling, she turned her head to ask, "Xingliu, are you troubled by something? Do you want to talk about it?"

"Aunt Kushina, it's just that I've been pondering a question that doesn't make sense to me," Xingliu replied.

"If someone suddenly gave you something incredibly powerful but didn't provide any instructions—only a vague and ambiguous explanation—would you still use it?" Xingliu lowered his head, speaking in a disheartened tone.

"Is that all? And it's making you look so gloomy?" Kushina chuckled softly, covering her mouth.

"Things are made to be used, aren't they? If you don't even have the courage to try it, no matter how amazing it might be, it's no different from being just an ordinary object."

Kushina's words lit a fire in Xingliu's heart.

She's right. Even if that gift is extraordinary, it's useless unless I actually use it.

"Aunt Kushina, I understand what you mean now. Leave the task of protecting you to me this time," Xingliu declared earnestly.

"What are you two talking about? Why does Xingliu suddenly look so serious?"

Namikaze Minato had returned from his patrol and appeared before them with a smile.

"Minato, listen to this. Xingliu just said he wants to protect me. What should I say to him?" Kushina teased, covering her face as if shy.

"Well, well, kid. I leave for a bit, and you start making moves on my wife?" Minato's tone turned mockingly accusatory.

"The woman lying there is my wife, you know. If anyone's going to protect her, it should be me. What's with the sudden confession, huh?"

"Confession?" Xingliu's eyes widened in panic. All he wanted was to express his willingness to guard Aunt Kushina while Minato was away. How did it turn into a confession?

"No, Lord Fourth, that's not what I meant..." Xingliu stammered, flustered. After all, staying in this world required the Fourth Hokage's goodwill.

"Honestly, Kushina, what are you doing scaring the poor kid like that? Now, how do you plan to clean this up?" Minato sighed.

"Hahaha! I didn't think this kid would be so fun. I just couldn't resist teasing him a bit," Kushina admitted, laughing before turning to Xingliu with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, Xingliu. You just looked so serious that I couldn't help but mess with you a little. You're not mad, are you?"

Xingliu quickly waved his hands. "No, no! How could I be mad? I know you're only looking out for me."

"Alright, that's enough small talk," Minato interjected. "Xingliu, we appreciate the sentiment, but if anything happens, just remember our original agreement: prioritize your own safety. I'll take care of protecting Kushina."

"I understand."

---

Time passed, and the pain in Kushina's abdomen grew sharper as she lay on the ceremonial platform.

"Minato, I think it's time!" Kushina gritted her teeth, her body trembling slightly from the contractions.

"Don't worry. I'm here. Just relax," Minato reassured her, his eyes fixed on the light emanating from her belly.

Although he had anticipated that the seal on Kushina's Nine-Tails would loosen, he hadn't expected it to unravel to such an extent.

"Lord Fourth…" Xingliu's voice broke the tension as he pointed toward a masked man standing in the shadows, watching them.

Minato's expression hardened. "Leave it to me."

He released Kushina's hand and approached the masked figure.

"Obito, is that you?" Minato asked softly.

The masked man flinched but quickly shook his head. "No, my name is Tobi, not the Obito you speak of."

"Is that so? Let's go with that, then. So, Mr. Tobi, what brings you here? Surely, you didn't come just to witness my wife giving birth," Minato said with a faint smile.

"Who's to say? I might be interested in the fox inside your wife," Tobi replied mockingly.

So, his target is the Nine-Tails. Minato's mind raced.

"That's unfortunate," Minato replied coolly. "The fox has been with my wife for so many years, and we have no intention of parting with it. Maybe you should reconsider."

"I'm afraid that's not up to you."

In an instant, Tobi's lone exposed eye shifted, and Kushina's struggles grew more intense. The light from her abdomen blazed even brighter.

"Sharingan!" Minato exclaimed.

"As far as I know, only the Uchiha clan wields the Sharingan. Who are you, really?"

"You already know the answer, my dear teacher…"

Tobi's Sharingan transformed into a Mangekyo Sharingan, and in that moment, the surrounding scenery turned to black and white.

The light from Kushina's abdomen separated from her body.

"This is bad! It's Tsukuyomi, and the Nine-Tails' seal has been broken!"

Minato watched as the light drifted toward Tobi.

"So, this is the Nine-Tails?" Tobi remarked, holding the glowing figure in his hands.

"It doesn't look like much, but it's more than enough to destroy a village."

And with that, Tobi disappeared.

"Minato… go after him. Xingliu and I can handle things here," Kushina said weakly.

"But—"

"No buts!" she interrupted. "This is why Xingliu stayed behind. Go, or Obito will do something irreversible."

"Xingliu, I'm counting on you."

As the words left Minato's mouth, he vanished.

"Wow, the legendary Yellow Flash of Konoha lives up to his name," Xingliu muttered.