Orion didn't respond to what the Nine-Tails had said. He simply looked at it calmly.
The Nine-Tails, however, seemed worried that Orion might just leave.
Even it didn't realize that—
Orion was different from everyone else.
Perhaps it was because, for the first time in a thousand years, someone was willing to speak to it as an equal.
"The Hagoromo Otsutsuki lived over a thousand years ago."
"He was the one who created the Ninja Sect—the predecessor of modern ninjas."
Orion nodded.
That matched what was recorded in the ninja world.
Seeing Orion's impatience, the Nine-Tails continued:
"He had two sons—Indra Otsutsuki and Asura Otsutsuki."
"Indra was the elder, Asura the younger."
"One inherited his eyes… the other his body."
Orion frowned slightly.
"And what does that have to do with him?"
"Don't rush," the Nine-Tails grumbled. "Let me finish."
It had finally found someone it was willing to talk to—
And this guy was this impatient.
Orion stayed silent, signaling it to continue.
After glaring at him, the Nine-Tails went on:
"Do you know what kind of power the Six Paths Sage had?"
Orion replied:
"According to legend, he had the power to create the world… and destroy it."
The Nine-Tails thought for a moment, then nodded.
"That's right."
"He truly possessed that kind of power."
That surprised Orion—partly acting, partly genuine.
After all, he remembered that kind of power being associated with Kaguya.
The Nine-Tails noticed his reaction and smirked.
"What, you don't believe it?"
"It sounds like mythology," Orion said honestly.
The Nine-Tails chuckled.
"That's because modern ninjas don't understand him."
"But let me tell you—"
"His power wasn't weaker than the legends."
"It was stronger."
"Oh?"
Orion showed interest.
The Nine-Tails seemed unusually willing to talk.
Perhaps because—
Orion reminded it of the Six Paths Sage himself.
"Tell me this," the Nine-Tails asked.
"How many tailed beasts exist in the ninja world?"
"Nine," Orion replied.
The Nine-Tails looked slightly surprised.
"You know more than I expected."
"Most ninjas don't even know that."
Orion didn't respond.
To him, that was basic knowledge.
In fact—
His theoretical knowledge surpassed even Kakashi Hatake.
While others focused on combat—
Orion had spent years reading in the Konoha library.
Even during academy days, only Sakura Haruno could rival him in theory.
Though he always intentionally held back his scores.
The Nine-Tails continued:
"Those nine tailed beasts…"
"Originally came from a single entity."
Orion paused.
"What do you mean?"
The Nine-Tails looked at him seriously.
"Exactly what you think."
Orion narrowed his eyes.
"So… the Six Paths Sage split one beast into nine?"
The Nine-Tails smiled.
"You're quick."
"That's right."
"We were all split from a single being—"
"The Ten-Tails."
Orion's expression changed slightly.
"And the Six Paths Sage…?"
The Nine-Tails nodded.
"He was the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki."
Orion couldn't help but react.
"The Six Paths Sage… was a jinchūriki?"
"Then how powerful was that thing?"
The Nine-Tails let out a low chuckle.
"Very powerful."
"The Ten-Tails had the power to destroy the world."
"And a large part of the Sage's strength came from it."
"Before he died…"
"He feared the Ten-Tails would bring disaster."
"So he split its chakra into nine parts."
"And that's how we were created."
Orion fell silent.
This time—
His shock was genuine.
He remembered fragments of this from before—
But hearing it again still hit hard.
After a while, Orion asked:
"If that's the case…"
"Could the Ten-Tails appear again?"
The Nine-Tails sighed.
"In theory… yes."
Then it looked at him with a grin.
"What? Scared?"
Orion shook his head.
"Not really."
"I just don't have a clear idea how strong it is."
"I'm curious how it could return."
The Nine-Tails looked surprised.
"You're not afraid?"
Orion smiled faintly.
"I'd like to be."
"But I can't imagine what 'destroying the world' really means."
"Is it like your power…"
"Or something far beyond that?"
The Nine-Tails burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! You're interesting."
But soon—
Its expression turned serious.
"Let me tell you clearly."
"The Ten-Tails' power…"
"Is countless times greater than mine."
"When I use my full power—"
"I might destroy dozens of kilometers."
"But the Ten-Tails?"
"One casual Tailed Beast Bomb…"
"Can wipe out thousands of kilometers."
Orion stared at it.
"Thousands of kilometers…?"
That reaction was real.
Because even with his knowledge—
He had never fully grasped that scale.
A single attack—
Capable of destroying an entire nation.
That kind of power…
Was beyond imagination.
◇ 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