Just as Sasuke was about to stab himself—
Orion's gaze sharpened.
In the next instant—
His chakra erupted.
Boom—
A surge of golden chakra burst from Orion's body.
The overwhelming force instantly shattered the killing intent radiating from both Kakashi and Zabuza.
The suffocating pressure vanished.
To Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura—
It felt like stepping from a freezing winter into warm sunlight.
Sasuke's hand froze mid-motion.
He slowly regained his senses and looked toward Orion, who stood calmly nearby.
"That… that was Orion's chakra…?"
"It's so strong…"
Until now, Orion had only shown his taijutsu.
But this—
This level of chakra—
Left Sasuke completely stunned.
Naruto and Sakura also recovered, though neither realized that Orion was the one who had dispersed the killing intent.
Meanwhile—
Inside Naruto's body—
Within a dark, damp cage—
A massive crimson fox slowly opened its eyes.
"…That chakra…"
"It feels familiar… and yet different…"
This was the Kurama, the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto.
The moment Orion released his chakra, Kurama sensed it.
Its expression turned serious.
"If it's really that man's chakra…"
"What is he trying to do?"
Memories of being suppressed resurfaced—
Of Hashirama Senju, the one who once subdued it.
Orion's chakra felt eerily similar—
Filled with overwhelming vitality.
That kind of chakra was extremely rare—
Only seen in beings like Hashirama, the Sage of Six Paths, and his descendants.
Kurama narrowed its eyes… then eventually closed them again.
The seal remained intact.
For now—
It returned to slumber.
Back outside—
Hidden within the mist—
Zabuza was shaken.
"That chakra just now…"
"I've never felt anything like it."
What shocked him most—
Was that Orion's chakra had instantly dispersed the killing intent of two elite jōnin.
That wasn't normal.
"That kid… he's no ordinary brat."
"No wonder Kakashi brought him into the fight."
Kakashi glanced at Orion.
He understood exactly why Orion had acted.
Their clash of killing intent had already pushed Sasuke to the brink.
If Orion hadn't intervened—
Sasuke might have actually stabbed himself.
Still—
What surprised Kakashi was something else.
"His chakra… it's grown again."
"That monster…"
"Did that incident the other night cause this?"
Even for Kakashi—
Orion's growth rate was beyond reason.
Orion looked calmly toward the mist.
"Kakashi-sensei, you take the lead."
"I'll support you."
Kakashi turned, surprised.
"You can see where he is?"
Orion nodded.
"I can sense his chakra."
Kakashi froze.
"…A sensor-type ninja?"
To locate Zabuza within this dense mist required incredible perception.
And Orion was doing it effortlessly.
Zabuza, meanwhile, had no idea his position had already been exposed.
With no more concerns—
Kakashi prepared to strike.
"He's on the lake."
Orion spoke calmly.
Kakashi focused his Sharingan toward the water—
And instantly spotted Zabuza standing on its surface.
But—
Zabuza had already created a water clone.
Kakashi hadn't noticed it yet.
Just as Kakashi was about to attack—
Zabuza suddenly appeared—
Right in front of Tazuna.
Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura froze.
They couldn't react.
They couldn't move.
Zabuza's killing intent completely paralyzed them.
The massive blade came down—
Toward Tazuna.
Too fast.
Too overwhelming.
They couldn't stop it.
Bang—
Shhk—
The blade stopped mid-swing.
Tazuna was suddenly pushed aside by an unseen force.
Zabuza's sword hung frozen in the air.
Everyone looked—
And saw Orion standing in front of him.
His kunai—
Had already pierced Zabuza's chest.
But Orion's expression didn't change.
No excitement.
No relief.
Only calm.
A moment later—
Water began dripping from Zabuza's chest.
No blood.
Orion glanced at him, unsurprised.
"A water clone."
The next second—
Zabuza's body collapsed into a puddle.
Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura sat frozen on the ground, staring blankly.
Meanwhile—
Kakashi, who had rushed toward the lake—
Had seen everything.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Well done, Orion."
Even if it was just a clone—
If Orion hadn't intervened—
That attack would have killed Tazuna.
Tazuna, sitting on the ground, exhaled shakily.
He had truly believed he was about to die.
Looking at Orion—
Calm, composed—
He felt an overwhelming sense of security.
Sasuke clenched his fists, his expression heavy.
"The gap… how is it this big?"
"If I can't even surpass Orion…"
"How am I supposed to kill him…?"
His thoughts drifted to Itachi Uchiha.
His desire for power surged.
Naruto stood there, stunned.
He couldn't accept it.
They were the same age.
Graduated at the same time.
So why—
Was Orion this strong?
Sakura, on the other hand—
Felt something entirely different.
A sense of safety.
On the lake—
Zabuza's expression turned grim.
"That brat… he destroyed my clone instantly?"
"That level of speed… and combat instinct…"
"That's already jōnin-level."
"Who the hell is he…?"
Originally—
Zabuza had only needed to deal with Kakashi and three genin.
Now—
He was facing—
Kakashi…
And Orion.
A two-on-one.
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