The massive water curtain remained in front of Orion for over ten seconds before he withdrew his chakra.
"Crash—!"
Without his chakra sustaining it, the gigantic wall of water collapsed instantly, flooding the surrounding area into a shallow pool.
Maintaining such a massive volume of water required an enormous amount of chakra.
At the very least—
It would normally require jōnin-level reserves to sustain something like that.
"Impressive… far stronger than I expected."
"And just now—you mixed Wind Style into it, didn't you?"
Kakashi said as he walked over.
Orion glanced at the water beneath his feet and nodded.
"I just felt like a technique like that wouldn't be very useful in actual combat."
Kakashi smiled.
"It's a defensive jutsu. It's extremely effective against Fire Style."
"There are many shinobi in the ninja world whose Fire Style is incredibly powerful—like the Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Although he's proficient in all five chakra natures, his strongest are Fire and Earth Style."
"His Fire Style techniques are even hotter than those of the Uchiha clan."
"The destructive power is far greater—ordinary Water Style techniques can't even block them."
Kakashi paused slightly, then added,
"But… I think your version could."
Even Kakashi had to admit—
The Third Hokage's Fire Style could break elemental disadvantages.
It could overpower Water Style despite the natural counter.
That alone showed just how terrifying it was.
Orion recalled this as well.
During the battle against the reanimated First and Second Hokage—
Hiruzen's Fire Style could even clash evenly with the Second Hokage's Water Style.
And the Second Hokage specialized in Water Style.
Even with elemental disadvantage—
Hiruzen still held his ground.
"Sensei, is the Uchiha clan really that skilled in Fire Style?"
Orion asked, pretending not to know.
Kakashi didn't suspect anything and explained,
"The Uchiha clan is the strongest Fire Style clan in Konoha."
"They've developed many of their own Fire Style techniques—far more powerful than ordinary ones."
"Custom techniques?"
Kakashi nodded.
"Yes. For example, the basic Fireball Jutsu."
"The Uchiha refined it into the Great Fireball Technique."
"It's technically the same foundation—but the power difference is huge."
"I've seen Itachi Uchiha use it before."
Orion paused slightly.
"Itachi Uchiha?"
At the mention of that name, Kakashi's expression turned serious.
He seemed to drift into memory.
"…Yes. Itachi Uchiha."
"He used to be my colleague in the Anbu."
"A shinobi with extraordinary talent."
"…It's just a shame. In the end, he betrayed both the village and his clan."
Kakashi didn't know the full truth behind the Uchiha massacre.
He knew the official explanation wasn't that simple—
But since he wasn't an Uchiha, he never investigated deeply.
He only felt regret.
After all—
The Uchiha clan was Obito's clan.
And Itachi had once been a ninja Kakashi held in high regard.
If Kakashi ever learned the truth—
That Obito had worked together with Itachi—
He might regret calling it a "shame."
Orion thought for a moment and said,
"I wonder why Itachi left Sasuke alive."
"At that time, Sasuke had no ability to resist, right?"
Kakashi looked at him.
"Because Sasuke is his younger brother."
"And that's exactly why Sasuke hates him so much."
"When I asked him about his dream…"
"He said he wanted to kill Itachi with his own hands."
Orion fell silent.
There was nothing he could really say.
Sasuke's situation…
Was truly tragic.
If the Uchiha clan hadn't been wiped out—
Sasuke would never have become the person he is now.
Before the massacre—
He had actually been a bright and cheerful child.
Even his "coldness" at the academy was just pride.
The kind of aloofness that came from being the best.
But after that night—
Everything changed.
His coldness became isolation.
His only goal—
To grow stronger and kill Itachi Uchiha.
He buried all his emotions.
Because he had no choice.
Deep down—
Sasuke was still kind.
In some ways—
Naruto actually had it easier.
At least Naruto always had someone watching over him—
And he had friends like Shikamaru, Chōji, and Kiba.
He never experienced family love—
So he didn't fully understand what he lost.
But Sasuke?
He had everything.
A strict but caring father.
A loving mother.
A genius older brother he admired deeply.
And then—
That same brother slaughtered their entire clan.
Even their parents.
And before leaving—
Forced Sasuke to relive the massacre again and again.
That kind of trauma…
Would push anyone to the edge.
Orion could even tell—
Sasuke had feelings for Sakura.
During their earlier encounter—
Sasuke instinctively moved to protect her.
That had been his first real battle.
There was no time to think.
Yet he still stepped forward without hesitation.
That alone said enough.
Even if he never showed it—
There was something there.
Orion understood Sasuke.
He couldn't even imagine—
If he went through the same thing—
Whether he would stay sane.
He might become even more extreme.
When Orion first came to this world—
He had been excited at the thought of growing alongside Naruto.
After all—
Naruto's story had once inspired him deeply.
But after living with him for six years—
That feeling faded.
At first, Orion admired Naruto for not falling into darkness.
But now—
After seeing his life up close—
He couldn't relate anymore.
Because people like Naruto…
Were not rare.
Orion had seen many like him in his previous life.
In fact—
Many had it far worse.
Naruto at least had:
The Third Hokage watching over himFriends around himFinancial supportFreedom to act out
He could even vandalize the Hokage Rock—
And face no real punishment.
That kind of treatment?
Was practically royal.
Why would someone like that "turn dark"?
There were countless war orphans in Konoha.
Many had lost everything—
Especially during the Nine-Tails attack.
Their lives were far harsher than Naruto's.
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