As if snapping out of it, Naruto spoke just as the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox finished laughing:
"You... could you be the legendary Nine-Tailed Demon Fox?"
A trace of disbelief laced Naruto's voice, his eyes wide open and filled with astonishment.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said:
"Oh, quite a sharp mind, aren't you?"
A hint of surprise colored the voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox as its gigantic eyes narrowed slightly, sizing up the tiny figure before it.
Then, shifting its tone, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said fiercely:
"Brat, what are you doing here? You were clearly in a berserk state just a moment ago."
The voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was like thunder, causing the entire Mind Realm to tremble slightly.
The ferocious gaze of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox felt as though it could pierce right through Naruto, and the immense pressure left Naruto barely able to breathe.
Hearing the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox say this, Naruto suddenly realized that his earlier emotional loss of control had caused him to go berserk, which spelled serious trouble.
Naruto's face instantly turned pale, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his heart filled with remorse and self-blame.
"I... I don't know how things ended up like that."
Naruto stammered, his eyes filled with panic and helplessness.
Immediately following that, he interrogated the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox:
"Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, was my berserk state your doing? And why are you inside my body anyway? Give me an honest answer right now!"
Anger made Naruto's voice sharp. He clenched his tiny fists and shivered slightly, as if struggling to rein in his emotions.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said, speechless:
"Asking why I'm inside your body? How hilarious. Do you think I *want* to be inside your body?"
Irritation filled the voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox as its massive tails lashed violently, stirring up a gale.
Naruto said:
"If you don't want to be in my body, then hurry up and get the hell out of my body! You bastard, demon fox!"
Naruto's little face flushed crimson, anger making his voice crack slightly, while his eyes burned with a stubborn flame.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said:
"Interesting, very interesting, you..."
The voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox dragged on with a hint of playfulness, an odd gleam flickering in its enormous eyes as if it were pondering something.
Seemingly thinking of something, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox cut itself off, then changed its tune and said to Naruto:
"Naruto, as long as you lift this seal, I'll get right out of your body."
The voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was laced with temptation, its eyes revealing an eager longing.
Naruto said:
"Oh, really? It's that simple?"
Naruto tilted his head, looking at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox with a skeptical expression and a glint of cunning in his eyes.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said:
"That's right, it's just that simple. Come on, hurry up and help me open this seal!"
The voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox grew increasingly urgent, its massive body leaning forward slightly as if it could hardly wait to shatter these restraints.
Seeing Naruto deep in thought and believing there was hope, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox continued to lure Naruto with words to open the seal.
"Think about it, Naruto. Once you break this seal, you'll never be troubled by me again and can live freely."
With a bewitching voice, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox continued:
"You won't have to worry about hurting the people around you because of my existence anymore, either."
"Besides, the moment I get out, I will grant you immense power, making you invincible."
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox went on:
"When that happens, no one will ever dare look down on you or bully you again."
The words of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox echoed through the Mind Realm like a spell, attempting to shake Naruto's resolve.
After thinking for a moment, Naruto said:
"Kyuubi, this is the cage that seals you, right?"
Naruto's gaze was firm and clear as he looked straight at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, his tone devoid of the slightest fear.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said:
"Once this seal is undone, I can leave your body. Isn't that what you want?"
Urgency tinged with a hint of impatience colored the voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, its huge eyes locked onto Naruto, trying to catch a hint of wavering in his expression.
Naruto said:
"That may be true, but why should I let you go?"
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, a confident smile on his face and a resolute gleam in his eyes.
Realizing he had been played by Naruto, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said angrily:
"You little..."
The roar of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was filled with fury, shaking the entire Mind Realm as its nine massive tails whipped about frantically, kicking up gale-force winds.
Naruto then said:
"Since I know you're inside my body, your power should be put to use for me."
Naruto's words rang out with force, his tiny body radiating a powerful aura, his eyes filled with determination and courage.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said:
"Want to control my power? You're a hundred years too early for that!"
Disdain and mockery dripped from the voice of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, its colossal frame trembling slightly as if scoffing at Naruto's overestimation of his own abilities.
Pointing at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, Naruto said:
"How would I know if I don't try!"
Naruto pointed a resolute finger at the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, his eyes burning with an unyielding fighting spirit, his entire figure seemingly shrouded in an invisible glow.
The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox chuckled, then said to Naruto:
"Naruto, you know you always get a perfect score on your regular tests, but why can't you use chakra on your graduation exam?"
A hint of mystery laced the words of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, a cunning glint flashing in its eyes as if it were deliberately whetting Naruto's appetite.
After a brief moment of thought, Naruto said with a sudden flash of realization:
"Could it be you, Nine-Tailed Demon Fox?"
Naruto's eyes locked onto the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, his gaze filled with anger and suspicion.
Laughing heartily, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox said:
"That's right! It was me who suppressed your chakra on the day of your exam, preventing you from gathering it and making you unable to perform the Clone Technique. Hahaha..."
The laughter of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was utterly unbridled, its massive body vibrating slightly with the sound as if immensely proud of its own mischievous prank.
Furious, Naruto said:
"You..."
Naruto's face flushed crimson, veins bulging on his forehead, his teeth grinding together as the flames of anger burned in his eyes.
As soon as his anger subsided, Naruto instantly calmed down and said to the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox:
"Kyuubi, you can suppress my chakra, and as for me, I have you sealed inside my body. How about we make a deal? You stop suppressing my chakra and lend me your power as well. If I'm satisfied, I might consider lifting the seal and letting you out. What do you say?"