But just then, the aura emanating from Hashirama Senju abruptly changed, releasing an overwhelming pressure that was suffocating, like surging waves, completely overwhelming the Nine-Tails.
In that moment, Hashirama Senju wielded the power of Conqueror's Haki, and that pressure seemed to take on a tangible quality, filling the air with a suffocating sense of oppression.
The Nine-Tails' previously arrogant expression instantly froze, its body jolting violently as its massive frame trembled uncontrollably, nearly collapsing to the ground.
"How is this possible?" Shock and fear filled the Nine-Tails' eyes, and a cry of unwilling rage escaped its mouth.
"Just by pressure… this guy, even after dying, can still become stronger?"
It simply couldn't accept that it was facing such terrifying power even when its adversary appeared as a lingering spirit.
Fury and alarm filled the Nine-Tails' heart as its colossal body thrashed violently, its nine enormous tails swinging wildly, churning the surrounding water into turbulent waves.
Accompanied by a deafening roar, the terrifying chakra within it surged forth like a volcanic eruption, forming a powerful energy barrier that finally offset most of the pressure that had nearly crushed it.
"So strong." Naruto felt as if he were at the center of a storm, the terrifying pressure around him making his breathing rapid.
His body trembled slightly, his eyes wide with astonishment.
He had never imagined that someone could be this powerful, capable of reducing even the mighty Nine-Tails to such a pitiful state through sheer pressure alone.
Naruto could clearly feel that the pressure radiating from Hashirama Senju was unlike any power he had ever experienced before.
It was an awe that stemmed from the depths of the soul, the essence of a sovereign.
"Nine-Tails, your power is too great."
Hashirama Senju's voice echoed in the silent space.
"With your level of strength, the boy Naruto cannot yet control it."
Naruto stood to the side, his eyes filled with tension and curiosity.
"I'm sorry, Nine-Tails, but I must seal away part of your power until Naruto is able to control all of it."
Hashirama Senju's voice suddenly turned cold as he made an indisputable decision.
"Damn you, Hashirama Senju, you still want to seal me away."
Rage burned in the Nine-Tails' eyes, its body quaking violently as its nine massive tails lashed out, throwing the surrounding air into chaos.
Its roar was deafening, as if it would shatter the very sealing space.
Its chakra erupted like surging tides, and its immense power instantly shattered the Conqueror's Haki that had been pressing down on it.
Even though it was sealed, its terrifying strength still sent chills down the spine.
Yet, in the next instant, the Nine-Tails' expression changed drastically. A powerful chakra erupted from around Hashirama Senju's body, spreading rapidly like surging waves.
Then, a colossal wooden figure that blotted out the sky appeared.
This wooden figure was incredibly massive, as if it could support the entire space, radiating a formidable presence that inspired awe.
The wooden figure's arms were further reinforced with Armament Haki, which glowed with an unbreakable black luster.
Hashirama Senju manipulated the wooden figure, extending a giant hand directly toward the Nine-Tails.
The Nine-Tails resisted frantically, its body struggling with all its might, trying to break free from the wooden figure's grasp.
Yet, no matter how hard it tried, it could not escape the wooden figure's hand.
"Roar!" A desperate howl escaped the Nine-Tails, filled with unwillingness and fear.
"How is this possible? How has this guy grown so much stronger?" Shock and doubt filled the Nine-Tails' heart.
When Hashirama Senju had sealed it away back then, he had been powerful, but not to such a terrifying extent.
Naruto stood to the side, stunned by the scene before him.
He watched as Hashirama Senju manipulated the wooden figure, effortlessly suppressing the Nine-Tails, and a feeling of deep admiration welled up within him.
"You will regret this, Hashirama Senju!"
The Nine-Tails' roar shook the entire sealing space, its body writhing wildly, its nine tails lashing out, and flames of hatred shooting from its eyes.
"I'm sorry, Nine-Tails."
Hashirama Senju sighed inwardly, a hint of helplessness in his voice.
The Nine-Tails' power was simply too great; if left unconstrained, it would pose a threat to Naruto.
He narrowed his eyes slightly as a powerful sealing technique slowly manifested in the giant wooden hand's palm, aiming to completely suppress and seal away a portion of the Nine-Tails' power.
Feeling the approach of that powerful sealing force, the Nine-Tails closed its eyes in fury.
Despair and resentment filled its heart, and it burned with rage at Hashirama Senju's actions.
"Wait, old man!" But suddenly, Naruto's voice rang out amidst the tense atmosphere.
"Hmm?" Hashirama Senju paused slightly, turning to look at Naruto with a hint of confusion.
He hadn't expected Naruto to suddenly speak up and stop him at this crucial moment.
"Old man, could you not fight him?" Naruto said suddenly, his eyes sincere as they met Hashirama Senju's.
Though his voice carried a trace of nervousness, it was filled with unwavering resolve.
"Oh?" Hashirama Senju stopped his action, a look of surprise appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, the Nine-Tails, upon hearing Naruto's words, slowly opened its eyes. A flicker of astonishment replaced the fury in its gaze as it looked incredulously at the brat Naruto, as if wondering if it had heard correctly.
"This fox has been locked up here for so long, without being able to interact with anyone. It's too pitiful."
As Naruto spoke, a trace of sympathy showed in his eyes.
He remembered his own past experiences, growing up alone, hated and ostracized by the people in his village.
But even so, he had at least been able to talk to people, to roam freely through the streets and alleys of Konoha.
Yet this Nine-Tails before him was sealed in this cramped, dark space, with no freedom, no interaction, enduring loneliness and isolation day after day.
In comparison, the Nine-Tails was truly too pitiful.
"I am the foremost of the tailed beasts! I have no need to communicate with the likes of you!"
Feeling the sympathy in Naruto's words, as if a sore spot had been touched, the Nine-Tails opened its massive jaws in fury and roared with all its might.
Its chakra churned wildly around it, a flicker of disdain in its eyes, as if Naruto and Hashirama Senju were nothing but insignificant insects in its sight.
Yet, deep down, this was the first time it had ever truly looked upon Naruto with such seriousness. The boy's resolute gaze seemed to carry an intangible force that it could not easily ignore.
"Haha, aren't you talking now?"
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