Orion's growth rate was simply too fast.
Even though Kakashi Hatake had already recognized his extraordinary talent—
And believed he had the potential to one day reach the level of the Fourth Hokage—
He had never imagined—
That Orion would improve this quickly.
At this point—
Orion only lacked a few high-damage offensive jutsu.
And with his terrifying learning ability—
It wouldn't take long before he truly reached jonin level…
Perhaps even elite jonin.
Kakashi shook his head.
Forming hand seals—
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall{Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall
Several earth walls rose instantly—
Burying the corpses of the two enemy ninjas.
After handling the aftermath—
Kakashi walked out of the forest.
Looking at the trees that had been shattered along the way—
Even he felt shocked.
"How strong does he have to be… to break trees like this?"
"These were just aftershocks…"
"Even most ninjutsu couldn't do this."
When he returned—
Orion was standing calmly.
Seeing Kakashi, Orion asked:
"What happened to them?"
Kakashi sighed.
"They're dead."
Then he asked:
"Do you know who they were?"
Even though Orion already knew—
He still asked:
"Who?"
"Two chunin from the Hidden Mist."
"They were targeting Mr. Tazuna."
Kakashi's gaze turned sharp—
As he looked at Tazuna.
He already understood—
The mission had been misrepresented.
Two chunin attackers?
That was no longer a C-rank mission.
At minimum—
This was B-rank.
And likely—
Even higher.
Those two were probably just scouts.
Which meant—
A jonin-level enemy could appear.
That would make this—
An A-rank mission.
The gap between C-rank and A-rank was enormous.
Even the payment difference was massive.
C-rank: up to 50,000 ryoA-rank: starting from 150,000 ryo
Orion also looked at Tazuna.
Under the pressure of two gazes—
Tazuna grew nervous.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
He tried to act calm—
But it was obvious he was uneasy.
Kakashi spoke coldly:
"Those ninjas were after you, weren't they?"
Tazuna immediately denied it.
"How could that be? They were clearly after you!"
Kakashi frowned.
Before things escalated—
Orion stepped in.
"Mr. Tazuna, if you don't explain the situation clearly…"
"We cannot guarantee we will continue this mission."
"There's no point hiding it."
"These two won't be the last."
"If we withdraw—what do you think will happen to you?"
That broke him.
After a long silence—
Tazuna sighed.
He told them everything.
Then—
He bowed deeply.
"Our Land of Waves needs that bridge…"
"We're poor… we can't afford A-rank missions…"
"Please… help us…"
He knelt down.
Orion said nothing.
He looked at Kakashi.
The decision—
Was not his.
Kakashi helped Tazuna up—
Then turned to the team.
"What do you all think?"
"Continue… or return to the village?"
No one spoke.
Sasuke Uchiha was still staring at Orion—
His mind shaken.
Sakura Haruno remained silent—
Following Sasuke's lead.
Naruto Uzumaki—
Was still stunned.
Kakashi sighed.
Then looked at Orion.
Orion internally felt helpless.
He hadn't intended to interfere.
This wasn't his team.
But if he stayed silent—
Kakashi might cancel the mission.
So he spoke:
"Kakashi-sensei…"
"I think we should continue."
"I believe Mr. Tazuna."
Kakashi nodded.
"If that's your decision…"
"Then we proceed."
Then he turned to Tazuna:
"You must tell us everything."
"Who exactly did they hire?"
Tazuna nodded quickly.
"It's Gatō…"
"He hired a powerful jonin from the Hidden Mist…"
Kakashi muttered:
"As expected…"
"A jonin…"
His expression grew serious.
He wasn't worried about himself—
Or Orion.
But Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—
Were still true genin.
Against a jonin—
They would stand no chance alone.
Kakashi issued orders:
"Orion—protect Mr. Tazuna."
"No matter what happens."
"Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura—stay close to Orion."
"If you split up, you'll be picked off."
Sasuke didn't like it—
But he still nodded.
He had seen Orion's strength.
Sakura agreed immediately.
After all—
Orion had just saved her life.
Naruto stood there blankly.
Kakashi called out:
"Naruto?"
Naruto snapped back.
"Ah—yeah… I don't mind…"
But inside—
He was shaken.
He had done nothing.
Sasuke had reacted.
Orion had acted.
But him?
He froze.
Naruto clenched his teeth.
"Next time…"
"I'll stand in front of them…"
"I'll surpass them!"
Suddenly—
He pulled out a kunai—
And stabbed his own hand.
"AHHH!"
Everyone froze.
No one expected that.
Kakashi nodded slightly.
"You performed poorly earlier…"
"But at least you understand your weakness."
That was enough—for now.
Orion, however, remained thoughtful.
He hadn't wanted to interfere earlier.
This was supposed to be Team 7's test.
But—
When Sakura was about to die—
Kakashi still didn't act.
Orion understood.
Kakashi had done it deliberately.
To test him.
To see—
Orion's true combat ability.
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