As the golden shells completely fell away, Tsubasa and Inari stood there in shock.
They looked at their hands, unable to believe they were still alive.
"We… didn't die? H-how is this possible?"
The ground around them was scorched black, steam still rising from the earth. The smell of burning filled the air. They stood in the middle of a massive crater—yet somehow, they had survived.
Inari's mind raced.
"It was him… it had to be him… he saved us!"
He immediately thought of Orion.
Before this, he hadn't believed Dazuna. He hadn't believed Orion and the others could defeat the ninja hired by Gato. After being captured, he had been even more certain—he had even mocked Naruto's words in his heart.
But now—
He was alive.
Saved by Orion.
How could someone his age be so strong?
If his father had been this strong… would he still be alive?
Inari's thoughts churned—until he suddenly realized something.
Orion wasn't there.
He looked around frantically but saw only Raiga Kurosuki in the distance, raging furiously.
"Mom… was it him who saved us?"
Tsubasa nodded softly. "Who else could it be?"
On the other side, Sakura searched everywhere.
"Orion… where are you?"
Her voice trembled.
She was terrified he had been caught in the explosion.
In such a deadly situation, he had still chosen to save her.
No one could remain indifferent to that.
Especially when they weren't even that close before.
But no matter how she looked—
There was no sign of him.
Her heart sank.
She collapsed to her knees.
"This is all because of me…"
Before she could finish—
A blur flashed before her eyes.
"Why are you crying? I'm not dead."
Sakura froze.
She looked up.
A familiar figure stood before her.
"O-Orion… you… you're alive?!"
"Ah! You're really alive!" Tsubasa and Inari cried out in shock.
After such a massive explosion… he had survived.
It was unbelievable.
Sakura rushed toward him, but Orion stopped her with one hand on her shoulder.
"That's enough. Stay here and protect them."
"I want to test what I've learned these past few days."
"He's a jōnin. I'm not sure I can beat him… I'll try to hold out until Kakashi-sensei arrives."
He spoke calmly, though there was a hint of seriousness in his tone.
Sakura bit her lip, then nodded firmly.
"Don't worry. I'll protect them."
Orion didn't argue.
He knew Sakura was still too weak—this was just to keep her out of danger so he wouldn't have to divide his attention.
Facing Raiga, he couldn't afford distractions.
Meanwhile, Tsubasa and Inari looked at Orion with complete trust.
He had already done the impossible once.
Inari clenched his fists, eyes shining.
"Orion-nii, go! I'll protect Mom! I won't hold you back!"
Orion gave a small nod. "Good."
Sakura watched his back, her gaze completely changed now.
For the first time—
She felt truly safe.
"Be careful… I'll handle things here. Just focus on the fight," she said seriously.
Orion nodded.
Then—
He pulled out a kunai.
"Crackle—"
Golden lightning instantly wrapped around the blade.
Inari's eyes went wide.
"Lightning?! That's so cool!"
Sakura, however, understood what it meant.
"He can use Lightning Release without hand signs… and at this level…"
"He's already far beyond us."
Tsubasa was equally stunned.
"So this… is a ninja?"
Compared to what she had seen before—even compared to Zabuza Momochi—this felt even more overwhelming.
At that moment, Raiga finally spotted Orion standing at the bottom of the crater.
His eyes narrowed.
"So you're alive… you really are."
"With that many explosive tags, you still didn't die… you're seriously annoying."
"But since you refused to die quickly… I'll make sure you suffer this time."
"My blades are thirsty for blood."
"This time, you won't escape."
He turned to his subordinates.
"You two—use the Hidden Mist Technique. Cover the area."
The two chūnin swallowed nervously.
They could feel it—
The clash of killing intent between Orion and Raiga.
Cold. Heavy. Suffocating.
"This… this kid… how can his presence rival Raiga-sama?"
"He's just a genin… what kind of monster is he?"
Even as they spoke, they formed hand seals.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Thick fog rapidly spread across the battlefield.
Within moments, everything within a hundred meters was swallowed by dense mist.
The killing intent in the air became even more oppressive.
The battle… was about to begin.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus (NR)Chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus (NR)Chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 (NR)Chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage