"How about it, Naruto? If you want, it's not like I can't lend you my power..." The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's voice echoed beside Naruto's ear, carrying a trace of ill-intentioned amusement. That tempting voice stirred a yearning within him.
Naruto stared at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox inside the cage. Its nine tails danced like flames, radiating immense power—power dozens, perhaps hundreds of times greater than his own.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's power! Naruto thought longingly. Such strength truly was tempting.
However, in the next instant, scenes that had once caused him unbearable pain suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He remembered the time, several years ago, when he had gone out training with his master, Pervy Sage, and grievously wounded him with his four tails. Pervy Sage had collapsed to the ground, blood staining his clothes red, claw marks carved across his chest. It was an image Naruto would never forget.
Then there was the time they pursued Orochimaru at Tenchi Bridge. He had lost control again and unleashed the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's power, but Sakura had been accidentally injured by him. Her terrified expression and pained groans still lingered in Naruto's heart, leaving him shaken even now.
He feared that, through one careless mistake, he might do something he would regret beyond measure.
That kind of power was like a savage beast. It was fine while locked in a cage.
But once released, it would bring uncontrollable consequences.
It would only hurt the companions around him. Deep down, Naruto Uzumaki never wanted to see something like that happen again.
I will never use it! Naruto Uzumaki told himself. He raised his head and looked firmly at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox in the cage, shaking his head without hesitation. He extended an arm, holding his palm toward the fox in a