The powerful disturbance was quickly noticed by several people. The first to detect it was Sarutobi Hiruzen, followed by other shinobi with strong sensory abilities.
"Naruto..."
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood by the window, smoking his pipe. When he sensed the immense chakra, he frowned, vanished in an instant, and raced toward its source.
"Roar!!!"
Inside the sealing space, the Nine Tails roared, bellowed, and struggled. But as time passed, its resistance grew weaker and weaker. At last, countless chains bound it completely, leaving it to lie in the cage, seething with rage. Then a mass of black tubes surged out from every direction and pierced its body, greedily draining its chakra like leeches.
The Nine Tails was furious and utterly baffled. It couldn't understand how it had suddenly ended up like this. This brat had been under its watch for years—how had he suddenly gained such power, enough to seal it completely and strip away the last of its freedom?
Before, it had been sealed too, but at least it could still move. The previous two jinchūriki had needed its power, and would at least talk to it or forcefully take it. They couldn't use its power however they pleased. But now...
It had been sealed completely, and its power was being drained without pause. It was baffled—completely baffled!
It didn't even understand what had happened to the brat. All at once, it had lost every shred of freedom and become a chakra battery.
As far as it could tell, Naruto's heart hadn't changed much. He was still as positive, loyal, and kind as before.
"Power, this is... Hahahahaha!!!! Power!!!! I need to leave Konoha! Gather the people of the great Empire!"
Feeling the Nine Tails' chakra surging through him, Naruto sensed Sarutobi Hiruzen's approach. He urged