Chapter 126: The Power of the Nine Tails!

Chapter 126: The Power of the Nine Tails!

"Well, getting stronger, huh? I feel like I'm already strong enough now, don't you think?" Naruto said, a bit content. After all, his current power was no joke. Even against an average Jonin, he could likely win.

But the Nine Tails shook his head. Then he spoke some harsh truths.

"Naruto, you need to realize that you're not strong enough yet. Right now, you can't even handle me. If something happens, how will you protect those around you, the people you care about?"

Naruto fell silent at the Nine Tails' words. If what this guy was saying was true… then what should he do? Run away when he meets a stronger opponent? Be unable to avenge his friends and family?

But before long, Naruto's natural optimism kicked in, and he brushed the matter aside, saying casually, "Come on, isn't that why I have Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sensei? They're super strong; regular ninjas are no match for them."

The Nine Tails felt speechless. What kind of naive logic was this?

"And what if Kakashi-sensei and Jiraiya-sensei are killed?"

"What? That's impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible. For example, what if I got out right now and killed them myself? What would you do then?"

As he spoke, the Nine Tails released an overwhelming aura. In an instant, Naruto fell back onto the ground, scrambling away in fear, staring at the Nine Tails in horror. This guy… was terrifying. Just that aura alone had scared him half to death.

At that moment, Naruto finally started to take the issue seriously. If a powerful enemy killed his companions and he was powerless to help, that would be unbearable. If he didn't want them to die, he would have to get stronger—again and again.

A fierce determination filled Naruto's eyes. If he had been getting stronger in the past to bring back Sasuke, now he was determined to get stronger to protect his friends! And this pursuit of power would have no limit!

At that moment, both Naruto's chakra and aura transformed. As a tailed beast, the Nine Tails could sense it immediately, and he was shocked by the change.

Was this why the Sage of Six Paths wanted him to help this kid grow stronger? This chakra, this aura… it was definitely worthy.

"Very well. It seems you finally understand the importance of strength. In that case, let me out."

The Nine Tails suggested, but Naruto didn't fully trust him. Who knew if this was just a trick to get the seal opened so the Nine Tails could escape and go after Kakashi and Jiraiya? Even if they didn't get killed, Naruto could never forgive himself if they were harmed.

After all, the Nine Tails was a beast capable of leveling the entire Leaf Village.

"No way, I don't trust you!" Naruto shook his head vehemently. They weren't close enough yet for him to believe in the Nine Tails completely.

Hearing Naruto's response, the Nine Tails felt a pang of frustration. He was the Nine Tails! Kurama! He'd even agreed to help this brat get stronger, yet he wasn't trusted. Who could understand this feeling?

The Nine Tails glared at Naruto angrily, and that look only made Naruto more fearful and anxious. If there were a way to escape, he would have bolted without a second thought.

"Fine then, let me lend you some of my power first. Just come a little closer."

The Nine Tails coaxed, but Naruto still hesitated, still unsure. He didn't trust the Nine Tails that much.

"Damn it! Just come closer. With the seal, I can't do anything to you! Don't you want to get stronger?"

The Nine Tails roared in frustration, and his wild chakra surged toward Naruto. The sheer power of it stunned Naruto. He started wondering: if he had access to this kind of chakra, would he become even stronger?

Almost as if he were possessed, Naruto took two steps toward the seal. When he got close enough, the Nine Tails poured a torrent of chakra into Naruto's body. Given Naruto's Uzumaki lineage and Asura's chakra, there was no concern about any adverse side effects.

As the Nine Tails' chakra infused Naruto, he was suddenly pulled back into reality. Red chakra enveloped him—this was the tailed beast cloak!

"Naruto!" Kakashi immediately noticed the change and dashed over, followed by Jiraiya. Sasuke, the least powerful among them, also noticed the anomaly and wanted to approach, but Jiraiya stopped him.

"Sasuke, stay back. Naruto's state isn't normal right now!"

"What's wrong with Naruto?" Sasuke asked, his eyes filled with worry. He might be annoyed with Naruto sometimes, but Naruto was still his comrade.

"This is the tailed beast cloak. Naruto must have come into contact with the Nine Tails," Jiraiya said, realizing this could be tricky. The Nine Tails' power was available for Naruto to use, but according to his plan, that wasn't supposed to happen for another year or two. Letting Naruto tap into it early could make controlling the Nine Tails challenging. If the Nine Tails escaped from Naruto, it would be a disaster.

Thinking of this, Jiraiya's nerves tightened. Meanwhile, Naruto spoke up, "Huh? Jiraiya-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, why the serious faces?"

Naruto was puzzled, feeling the constant flow of chakra within him and an immense power. Excitedly, he pumped his fist, and a red chakra arm shot toward Jiraiya in response.

"Watch out!" Kakashi quickly took out a kunai and used a Body Flicker to shield Jiraiya. Naruto, realizing what he'd done, was taken aback—he hadn't intended to attack them. The chakra arm seemed to respond to his thoughts, retracting the moment it extended.

Naruto discovered he could control this arm!

"Naruto, what's going on?" Kakashi asked, puzzled. Jiraiya fell into deep thought; he had seen this kind of thing before, but why was it happening to Naruto? Could it be that this was one of the perks of being the prophesied child?

At that point, Naruto began to explain everything to them...