After everyone sat down, Naruto looked at Kakashi and asked,
"Kakashi-sensei, why did the old man Third Hokage keep you guys behind?"
Sasuke and Sakura also looked over curiously.
They wanted to know as well.
Orion sat beside Kakashi without saying anything.
Naturally, Kakashi couldn't possibly reveal what the Third Hokage had discussed with them.
So he simply replied calmly,
"He just asked about the details of this mission."
"And because Orion performed exceptionally well, he's officially been promoted to chūnin starting today."
Ayame, who was making ramen for everyone, froze for a moment.
She turned toward Orion with a delighted expression.
"Really? Orion, you really became a chūnin?"
Orion smiled faintly.
"Yeah. I just got lucky."
Teuchi, standing nearby, also laughed happily.
"Just as I thought!"
"I already said Orion was outstanding. He was definitely going to achieve great things someday."
"To celebrate your promotion to chūnin, everyone's meals today are free!"
Teuchi declared boldly.
Orion quickly waved his hand.
"Teuchi-san, you really don't need to do that."
Teuchi immediately shook his head.
"How could I not?"
"This is something worth celebrating!"
"Of course we should celebrate it properly."
Seeing how happy Teuchi looked, Orion knew there was no point trying to persuade him otherwise, so he could only accept.
Since Orion often came to Ichiraku Ramen, both Teuchi and Ayame had become very familiar with him over time, and their relationship was quite good.
Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were all completely stunned.
They stared at Orion in disbelief.
"Orion… you really became a chūnin?"
Sakura asked incredulously.
Orion nodded.
"I guess so. That's what the Third Hokage said."
Naruto immediately looked dissatisfied.
"Why does only Orion get promoted to chūnin?!"
"I performed really well too!"
"Why him?!"
"The old man Third Hokage must really be getting senile!"
Although Naruto wasn't actually jealous—and deep down he already believed Orion was qualified to become a chūnin long ago—he was still extremely envious.
Sasuke also frowned slightly.
Although he wasn't obsessed with becoming a chūnin, seeing Orion promoted still made him feel a little jealous.
That feeling was unavoidable.
After all, Orion was his classmate.
They had just completed the same mission together.
Yet the Third Hokage had personally promoted Orion to chūnin.
That kind of treatment naturally made Sasuke feel envious… and even slightly jealous.
Kakashi said,
"Naruto, if you want to become a chūnin too, then work even harder."
"You'll have to work hard enough to surpass Orion."
Naruto stared directly at Orion.
He still couldn't understand why Orion could become a chūnin already.
Sure, Orion was incredibly strong.
But didn't becoming a chūnin require completing many missions first?
Orion had actually completed fewer missions than him.
Orion had only completed two D-rank missions and one C-rank mission.
Meanwhile, Naruto had completed three D-rank missions and one C-rank mission.
Although the Third Hokage said the Land of Waves mission had effectively become a B-rank mission, the official records had not been changed.
So officially, it was still recorded as a C-rank mission.
Sasuke looked at Orion.
Although he felt jealous, he also understood Orion's strength was already more than sufficient.
"Idiot."
"Did you forget who saved you when you lost control?"
Even though he envied Orion, Sasuke still defended him.
Because he genuinely acknowledged Orion's strength.
Sakura also chimed in,
"Exactly!"
"Do you seriously think Orion isn't qualified to be a chūnin?"
With both Sasuke and Sakura turning against him, Naruto pouted miserably.
"When did I ever say he wasn't qualified?!"
"It's just… he really hasn't completed many missions!"
"So why does the old man Third Hokage let him become a chūnin already?"
Naruto still felt unconvinced.
Kakashi patted Naruto's shoulder earnestly.
"If you're jealous, then surpass him."
"Stop slacking around all the time."
"Or do you think your talent is inferior to Orion's?"
Even though Kakashi personally believed it probably was, he was trying to motivate Naruto, so naturally he had to phrase it differently.
Naruto immediately fell for it.
He clenched his fist toward Orion and declared loudly,
"Orion! It won't be long before I become a chūnin too!"
"You may have become a chūnin a few days earlier than me, but I'll definitely become a jōnin before you!"
"So don't get lazy!"
"I'll surpass you really soon!"
Naturally, Orion had no intention of crushing Naruto's enthusiasm.
He simply smiled.
"Then I'll look forward to that day."
The moment Orion said that, Naruto instantly looked like he had already succeeded.
"Hahaha! That day will come very soon!"
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura stared at him speechlessly.
Both of them could clearly tell Kakashi and Orion were simply encouraging Naruto.
Neither of them believed Naruto could surpass Orion.
Even someone as proud as Sasuke had completely lost confidence in surpassing Orion after witnessing his strength during this period.
Sasuke felt that merely catching up to Orion someday would already be enough.
In fact, Sasuke believed that once he reached Orion's level, he would definitely be able to defeat Itachi Uchiha.
In Sasuke's eyes, Itachi might not even be stronger than Orion.
No.
After witnessing Orion's previous battles, Sasuke actually felt Orion might already be stronger than Itachi.
Still, seeing Naruto looking so full of confidence, both Sasuke and Sakura chose to remain silent and not ruin his excitement.
After everyone finished eating and prepared to leave, Sasuke suddenly spoke.
"Orion, come train at my house today."
Orion, who had been preparing to head home, froze for a moment.
Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura were also stunned.
The usually cold and aloof Sasuke was actually taking the initiative to invite someone to his house?
Even Orion himself hadn't expected that.
After briefly losing focus, Kakashi smiled faintly.
Naturally, he was very pleased.
He had always hoped the members of Team 7 would get along well with Orion.
Whether Naruto or Sasuke, neither of their backgrounds were ordinary.
Kakashi hoped Orion could become genuine friends with them, because that would benefit Orion greatly in the future.
One was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
The other was the last surviving member of the Uchiha Clan and someone personally valued by the Third Hokage.
If they became close friends with Orion, life for Orion inside Konoha would become much easier later on.
Combined with Kakashi's own support—and now with the Third Hokage openly expressing his stance—Orion would basically have nothing to fear in Konoha as long as he didn't do something reckless.
Orion looked at the slightly nervous Sasuke and almost laughed.
He hadn't expected Sasuke to act like this.
Still, Orion had no reason to refuse.
Although Sasuke claimed they were going to train at his house, in reality it would obviously be Orion helping Sasuke train.
After all, Sasuke currently had nothing he could teach Orion, nor anything Orion truly needed.
That said, Orion actually was interested in seeing the Uchiha Clan district.
Previously, he hadn't dared go there casually.
But now that Sasuke himself had invited him, everything became perfectly reasonable.
After thinking briefly, Orion nodded.
"Sure."
At that moment, Naruto suddenly jumped up.
"I'm going too!"
"You guys are trying to secretly get stronger without me, aren't you?!"
"I'm definitely coming too!"
Sasuke clearly didn't seem very enthusiastic about bringing Naruto along.
But if he refused Naruto, Orion might stop going as well.
Left with no choice, Sasuke reluctantly said,
"Whatever. Do what you want."
At that moment, Sakura timidly raised her hand.
"C-Can I come too?"
Sasuke nodded.
Since Naruto was already coming anyway, there was no reason to reject Sakura.
Kakashi was very happy seeing this scene unfold.
Of course, he had no intention of tagging along himself.
Stretching lazily, he sighed.
"Sigh… originally I should've gone with you guys."
"But I need to hurry and buy a book, so I can't join you today."
Orion grinned.
"Kakashi-sensei, take it easy."
"Be careful your body can handle it."
Kakashi's mouth twitched instantly.
He knew Orion had definitely read those books before.
Somewhat awkwardly, he coughed lightly.
"Ahem… anyway, you all train properly."
"I'm leaving first."
As soon as he finished speaking, he vanished from sight.
Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all stood there looking completely confused.
None of them understood what Orion's earlier comment actually meant.
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