Chapter 1: I’ve been transported?

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

It was a regular Saturday morning, and I planned to spend the day watching anime and playing games, just like always.

But then, something completely unexpected happened—

I transmigrated!

And not just anywhere—I arrived in the world of Naruto, just before Naruto Uzumaki was born. This was the time when the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, was about to sacrifice his life to seal the Nine-Tails.

---

Land of Fire, Hidden Leaf Village

Inside the Hokage's residence, Minato Namikaze was walking around with his wife, Kushina Uzumaki. He gently supported her as they strolled.

"Kushina, our child is going to be born soon, right?" Minato asked with a soft smile.

Kushina rubbed her swollen belly with a hint of concern. "I have a feeling it'll be any day now… But when the baby is born, the seal on the Nine-Tails inside me will weaken..."

Seated nearby, I chuckled. "Aunt Kushina, it's just the Nine-Tails. I'm sure Lord Minato has a plan."

Minato nodded. "Xing Liu is right, Kushina. You just need to focus on resting. I'll handle everything else—even if it costs me my life, I'll make sure you and our child are safe."

I watched Minato closely. That determined expression of his...

But this time, no matter what, I wouldn't let Konoha's Yellow Flash die with his wife.

---

The day of Naruto's birth arrived—the same day Minato and Kushina were destined to die.

Outside the Hidden Leaf Village, deep in the forest, only a few guards were stationed at the perimeter. On the ritual platform, it was just Minato, Kushina, and me.

"This is ridiculous," I scoffed. "They sent Aunt Kushina all the way out here to give birth, and they only assigned a handful of guards? Aren't they worried that someone might attack while the Nine-Tails' seal is weak?"

"Don't blame the Third Hokage for this, Xing Liu," Minato said. "He has to consider the safety of the village."

"And honestly, even if Obito Uchiha does come to cause trouble like you said, having more people here would only make things worse."

Minato looked at me with a serious expression. "But you… You don't know any ninjutsu, do you? Why did you come to such a dangerous place? I can still send you home with Flying Raijin."

I shook my head. "No need to trouble yourself, Lord Minato. I may not know any jutsu, but I can take care of Aunt Kushina. If something does happen, you won't have to split your focus worrying about her."

"See, Minato? Xing Liu has a point," Kushina added. "If anything goes wrong, it'll be better to have an extra person looking after me. That way, you can focus on the fight."

Minato hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But if things get dangerous, I need you to prioritize your own life. If you can't promise me that, I'll send you home right now."

I grinned. "I promise, I'll take care of myself first."

Minato finally relented. "Alright then. Xing Liu, I'm counting on you to stay with Kushina. But I really hope I never have to use my last resort."

He glanced at Kushina, who was lying on the platform, then clenched his fists. If things really went south, he had already prepared for the worst...

I could see it in his eyes—he was thinking about entrusting everything to me.

If this had happened right after I transmigrated, I would have had no choice but to accept it.

But last night, I finally received the essential gift every transmigrator needs.

---

The Night Before

I was lying in bed, racking my brain for ways to prevent Minato and Kushina's deaths.

Then, suddenly, my vision went white. In an instant, I found myself in a vast, empty space.

"Where… am I?"

An old man with a long, bushy beard appeared before me, studying me from head to toe.

"So you're the transmigrator this time?" he mused. "A little weak, but you might still get the job done."

I cleared my throat. "Uh, excuse me, old man… Where is this place? And who are you?"

"This is your consciousness space," he said casually. "As for me? I'm just an old man you'd find anywhere."

"Or, you can call me… God."

I froze. "Wait… You're God?"

The old man stroked his beard. "Didn't I just say that? And don't tell me you don't know why you're here."

I hesitated. "Let me guess—you're here to give me some kind of cheat ability?"

"Smart kid," he chuckled. "What, you think I'm gonna hand you a system? Might as well make you invincible while I'm at it."

"No system. But I'll give you a talent."

He raised his hand, and a beam of light shot into my body.

"It's done. Now, off you go."

Before I could even react, my consciousness snapped back to reality.

"You didn't even tell me what the talent does…"

Just then, a system screen popped up in front of me.

Talent Ability—Copy

"Huh? What does that even mean?"