Naruto: Imitation Ninja

Xing Liu feared that the couple might still try to pressure him into marriage, so he decided to openly share the details of his earlier considerations with them.

Of course, he only mentioned the goals of the Akatsuki and his plan to eliminate the organization. He carefully avoided speaking about the more critical plot points, as he knew they were better left unsaid.

If, after his explanation, Minato decided in a fit of anger to convene a Five Kage Summit, wouldn't that risk the Akatsuki's forces sweeping them all away?

After all, that was the fully-formed Akatsuki… When the second pillar charged in alone, he was severely reprimanded by the five village representatives. However, if the entire Akatsuki were to attack together, it would be an entirely different story.

Even with the second pillar as cannon fodder, he probably wouldn't be able to defeat even the weakest member of the Akatsuki, like Hidan…

"So, you're planning to keep playing the lazy fish?" Minato, after hearing Xing Liu's plan, seemed more surprised that he wasn't pushing for a Five Kage Summit or similar measures.

This lazy fish was actually planning to turn things around?

In fact, Minato was likely the happiest person about Xing Liu no longer deciding to keep slacking off.

Because with one less ninja of his level slacking around, didn't that mean Minato could slack off himself?

Minato looked at Xing Liu with a slightly different expression now. If it weren't for the fact that the brat didn't want to inherit his position, Minato might have just handed over the Hokage title and left with Kushina to travel the world.

"Not that I'm totally done slacking off. This plan still depends on when Naruto gets back," Xing Liu said with a shrug, "So, I'm still allowed to be lazy for now."

"You…" Minato sighed. If anyone found out that the person before him, who was stronger than him, was actually a lazy fish, wouldn't they want to die from shame?

After all, others would have to exhaust their entire lives just to reach the point where Xing Liu was starting from… How could anyone bear such a cruel fact?

"Alright, enough of that. Instead of wasting time with this, we should focus on getting all the jinchuriki here for village protection. Gaara, the jinchuriki of Shukaku, is the future Kazekage of Sunagakure."

"And Naruto even ran into him during the Chuunin Exams," Xing Liu added, sharing some details about Gaara's situation with Minato so that he could decide what to do.

"I'll think about it, but if this plan is to go through, it'll need you to handle it personally."

Transferring a jinchuriki was a huge task, and relying on just Kakashi and the others would definitely make it difficult.

"Don't worry. I suggested this, so I'll see it through," Xing Liu reassured him. This was a matter that could determine whether he could retire early, so of course, he would take responsibility to the end.

Otherwise, if a few tailed beasts were to escape, he'd be the one stuck cleaning up the mess.

Since it was getting late, the three of them decided to order some Ichiraku ramen takeaway. But for Xing Liu, who had already eaten ramen several times that day, he wasn't in the mood to see ramen again anytime soon.

...

Time passed, and when Xing Liu awoke the next morning in his apartment, it marked six years since his arrival in this ninja world.

"Has it really been six years?" Xing Liu murmured as he looked at the sleeping figure of Saki beside him.

Ever since the day he had decided not to slack off anymore, Xing Liu had relentlessly pursued Saki, whom he had met by chance at the gambling house. Finally, just yesterday, under a clear sky and pleasant weather, the two of them had officially become husband and wife.

"Mm… Big brother, why are you up so early?"

Despite now being married, Saki still called him "big brother" instead of "husband" or "lord." From the moment they met, he had always been her big brother, and now, he was her very own big brother.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Xing Liu gently stroked Saki's fluffy head and smiled.

"No, it's just that it feels a bit unreal… I didn't expect that I would become Big Brother's wife." Saki nuzzled her small head against Xing Liu's large hand, her voice soft.

"This isn't a dream, Saki. Big Brother truly belongs to you now." Xing Liu's words were meant for Saki, but it could just as easily have been to himself.

If it weren't for that day when he'd made up his mind, he might still be hiding somewhere, drifting aimlessly. How could he have ever married such a cute girl in this world?

Knock knock—

"Xing Liu, are you awake? Minato says he has something important to discuss with you."

The couple, who had been about to continue their tender moment, reluctantly pulled away upon hearing the knock at the door. However, they were in no hurry, and there was no shortage of hesitation as they slowly got dressed.

Creeeak—

By the time they opened the door, nearly thirty minutes had passed. Xing Liu walked out looking refreshed, while Saki, following him, looked adorably flushed.

"I said, little brother, even though you just got married yesterday, I've got a very important mission for you…" Minato, seeing the two of them leave the room, instantly knew that they had probably been engaging in some "not suitable for children" activities. Being a former Hokage, he could easily read their expressions.

But as he saw the inseparable couple, Minato remembered why he was there.

Despite knowing it wasn't the best moment for Xing Liu, Minato had no choice but to ask for his help.

Not to mention, the likes of Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and others who had just attended Xing Liu's wedding were all now sent on missions by Minato.

Had it not been for Xing Liu's wedding night, Minato would have already sent him out on a mission...

"Speak up. What do you want me to do now? The sooner you tell me, the sooner I can wrap it up and be back before dinner," Xing Liu said, sounding somewhat arrogant, but given his space-time ninjutsu, he had the right to be.