The Nine-Tails stared at Orion and spoke coldly:
"You've gone this far for Naruto… yet that brat sees you as a rival."
"And honestly, your image in his mind isn't that great."
These words weren't meant to sow discord—it was simply curious.
Why would Orion do so much… for someone who didn't even treat him that well?
Orion, however, already knew this.
And he didn't care.
"I know."
"He's just a kid. It's normal to feel jealousy."
"Especially with his personality."
"I know he sees me as a rival."
"But I also believe—if I were ever in danger, he'd risk his life to save me."
He continued calmly:
"Seeing me as a rival isn't a bad thing."
"It pushes me to grow stronger."
"And it gives him someone to chase."
"As long as I keep improving, he'll have to keep improving too."
"It's good for both of us."
Orion truly didn't care about Naruto's current attitude.
At this stage, Naruto was still immature.
And more importantly—
Orion knew what Naruto would become in the future.
Besides, they weren't even on the same team.
Even if Naruto treated him as an enemy…
So what?
Orion had absolute confidence—
His future wouldn't be inferior to Naruto's.
It might even surpass him.
Why bother with such trivial things?
Of course…
Part of what Orion said was just improvised nonsense.
After all, he had gotten used to "guiding" Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto.
Now, even when talking to the Nine-Tails—
He casually spun convincing words.
Whether they were true or not—
Even he didn't care.
But the Nine-Tails believed him.
Because Orion spoke calmly, without hesitation or malice.
The Nine-Tails looked at him strangely.
"You're just a brat yourself, aren't you?"
"Why do you talk like you're not a kid?"
Orion replied indifferently:
"My body may be young."
"That doesn't mean I'm a child."
The Nine-Tails snorted.
"You may be strong… but your thinking still belongs to a child."
Orion ignored it and turned to leave.
After taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
Without turning around, he said:
"Actually… I think you should accept Naruto."
"Do you really want to stay trapped like this forever, filled with hatred?"
"If you accept him, you'd at least gain some freedom."
"And Naruto has a lot of potential."
"What do you think?"
"ROAR!!"
That was the Nine-Tails' answer.
Orion sighed.
"Stubborn."
"This is the only chance you have for freedom right now."
"Otherwise, it's just endless sealing."
"Why go through that?"
The Nine-Tails sneered.
"You want me to submit to that brat?"
"On what basis?"
"Is he Hashirama Senju?"
"Or the Hagoromo Otsutsuki?"
Orion paused slightly.
"Six Paths Sage?"
The Nine-Tails smirked.
"Don't tell me you don't know who he is?"
Orion replied calmly:
"Of course I do."
"The legendary ancestor of ninjas."
That was the standard explanation taught in the ninja academy.
Even though Orion knew more—
He had no intention of revealing it.
The Nine-Tails chuckled.
"He is the ancestor of ninjas."
"But people only know the legend."
"They have no idea how powerful he truly was."
As it spoke—
Its thoughts drifted back thousands of years.
Its memories had grown hazy over time.
Seeing it lost in thought, Orion turned to leave again.
The Nine-Tails frowned.
"You really have no patience."
"Can't you at least listen?"
Orion stopped, clearly annoyed.
"Then hurry up."
"I hate it when people drag things out."
The Nine-Tails glared at him.
"If you were my jinchūriki…"
"I'd probably be fighting you every day."
"You're way too impatient."
It sounded like a complaint—
But in truth—
It was a form of acknowledgment.
The Nine-Tails had never spoken like this to anyone except the Six Paths Sage.
Deep down—
It was already recognizing Orion.
And it wasn't wrong.
To Orion—
There was no real difference between intelligent beings.
Humans, tailed beasts, summon creatures—
All were the same.
All deserved equal communication.
The Nine-Tails continued:
"You humans… always treat us as weapons."
"As disasters."
"Even people like Madara Uchiha and Hashirama…"
"They were no different."
"But you…"
It paused.
"You're different."
For the first time—
It felt like it was being treated as an equal.
Not as a weapon.
Not as a monster.
Then it said something unexpected:
"If you were my jinchūriki…"
"That wouldn't be so bad."
Of course—
Orion didn't think deeply about it.
He simply found it troublesome.
Why would he ever want to become a jinchūriki?
His power didn't depend on the Nine-Tails.
There was no benefit.
In theory—
If Orion became strong enough in the future—
He could seal the other half of the Nine-Tails (inside Minato Namikaze) into himself.
But—
He had never considered it.
And never would.
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