Too Difficult? Then Don't Do It

Sealing Jutsu: Fire-Sealing Method!

With a casually cast barrier seal, the Fire Release the Uchiha Clan relied on for survival was effortlessly extinguished.

Elder Hiroki could only sigh helplessly and curse the absurdity of Sealing Jutsu in his heart.

He drew his long blade and gathered terrifying wind-nature Chakra around it.

If this slash landed, it would absolutely cut him in two as easily as slicing tofu.

"You never learn." Uzumaki Ashina made no special move. He merely raised his index finger and heavily tapped the empty space before him.

In an instant, ripples seemed to spread through the entire world.

The fierce, domineering slash simply could not break through the sticky restraint. The closer it drew, the weaker the force contained in the blade became.

"What the hell is this now? Can't you just fight me head-on?!" Uchiha Hiroki was nearly furious enough to explode.

Then the suddenly emerging Adamantine Sealing Chains sent him flying.

He spat out a mouthful of blood. The Uchiha elder lowered his head to look at his abdomen, which had nearly been pierced through, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

He realized that his enemy seemed to have grown even stronger.

Adamantine Sealing Chains was a powerful secret technique capable of suppressing even the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Ashina's proudest creation.

If it were truly unleashed at full power, Uchiha Hiroki's body would have been pierced through on the spot. Even if he survived, he would be crippled.

It was only because Ashina had not yet made up his mind and was unwilling to completely turn the Uchiha Clan into enemies.

Just as many had said, Uzumaki Ashina was a somewhat indecisive clan head, lacking the drive to cast everything aside in pursuit of becoming the strongest.

If his daughter had not been captured, this battle likely would not have started anytime soon.

Silently climbing to his feet, Elder Hiroki wore a grave expression as he continuously considered how to deal with his opponent.

Suddenly, a glimmer flashed in the distance. A specially made kunai tore through the air, shooting toward the enemy's rear from a blind spot.

"It won't work." Hiroki shook his head, knowing such an attack could not achieve anything.

Clang! Without Uzumaki Ashina even needing to turn around, a golden chain automatically knocked the kunai away.

At that moment, Kyosuke's figure appeared out of thin air. His Chidori Katana swiftly slashed toward the enemy several meters away.

Too far. He sighed inwardly, knowing the attack would most likely accomplish nothing.

His Flying Thunder God had not advanced to its second stage, so he could not use moving coordinates to complete instantaneous movement.

In other words, where he appeared depended on where the enemy knocked the kunai away.

A few meters might have been a short distance, but it was enough for an opponent like Uzumaki Ashina to react.

"Space-Time Ninjutsu? Truly extraordinary." The chains swept sideways, instantly sending Kyosuke flying.

So-called Jonin-level combat power was completely useless against Uzumaki Ashina.

Using the chains to pick up the specially made kunai from the ground, Uzumaki Ashina formed several hand seals, seemingly searching for a way to seal Space-Time Ninjutsu.

Naturally, Kyosuke had no intention of missing such a good opportunity.

Lightning-nature Chakra coated his blade as he directly transferred to the enemy's side, attempting to use speed to carry out an assassination.

Then he experienced the helplessness Minato and Tobirama had felt when facing Six Paths Madara during the Fourth Shinobi War.

He was clearly already within killing range, yet no matter what he did, he simply could not break through the defensive blockade.

After several attempts, he was sent flying every single time.

Even with Elder Hiroki coordinating his attacks, they still could not blast through the dense chain defense.

Is this a joke? Kyosuke sighed helplessly, knowing there was no way they could accomplish their goal today.

In the distance, Uchiha Madara arrived belatedly, though his presence would not have changed the outcome anyway.

After just two brief exchanges, the Dance King understood how troublesome this enemy was.

"This is difficult," Madara muttered.

"Then don't do it." Kyosuke gave the other two a look before walking alone toward Uzumaki Ashina. "Clan Head Uzumaki, it seems today's battle is destined to end without a result."

"Hand over Mito, and you may leave as you please." Uzumaki Ashina directly stated the bottom line of his offer.

Clearly, he did not have much experience negotiating with others.

Kyosuke smiled and shook his head. "The Uzumaki princess enjoys the Uchiha Clan's hospitality very much. I'm afraid she won't be returning anytime soon."

Seeing that the other party intended to make a move, Kyosuke smiled and took out an item.

It was something from Uzumaki Ashina's tent. Its appearance in the boy's hand proved that he had recently visited the Uzumaki camp.

After a long silence, Uzumaki Ashina's expression finally darkened completely. "Are you threatening me?"

As he spoke, immense Chakra gradually surfaced around his body. Only now did he finally reveal his full strength.

Unfortunately, the more he did so, the more it proved his helplessness.

Kyosuke could infiltrate the camp and take an item, which meant he also had the ability to assassinate any target he wished to kill.

The naked threat forced Uzumaki Ashina to refrain from making any rash move.

On one side was his daughter; on the other was his clan. Already somewhat indecisive, he now had even less idea what to do.

Besides, the boy's Space-Time Ninjutsu was fully capable of teleporting the other two away.

Even if he chose to act, he had no way to keep all three of them here.

"What will it take for you to release her?" Uzumaki Ashina's tone softened.

"The Uzumaki Clan withdraws its troops." Elder Hiroki made an extremely excessive demand.

The result was predictable. The other party immediately refused, leaving no room for negotiation.

Madara's proposal met the same fate. In the end, Kyosuke offered a relatively reasonable suggestion. "One year. Regardless of victory or defeat, I guarantee that Princess Mito will return safely after one year."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Unfortunately, I'm afraid you have no choice."

"Why wait one year?"

The other two were also curious about that question.

In response, Kyosuke gave a thoroughly unexpected answer.

"We need a year to come up with a way to defeat you."

"One year." Uzumaki Ashina sighed, knowing he did not have many options.

He had never wanted to fully side with the Senju Clan. Being able to delay things for a year seemed like a decent choice as well.

"Very well, I agree." Uzumaki Ashina's gaze swept across the three of them in turn, filled with sharp menace.

"If anything happens to Mito, my clan will use the strength of an entire nation to utterly destroy the Uchiha Clan."

With that, Uzumaki Ashina turned and left without hesitation.

Whew... The three exchanged looks and all sighed in relief.

Uzumaki Ashina's oppressive presence was far too strong. Madara even suspected that his strength might surpass his father's.

It was certainly good that they had gained a year, but how were they supposed to find a way to defeat him? "Borrow outside strength," Kyosuke gave a clear answer.

If the Senju Clan could ally with the Uzumaki Clan, then the Uchiha Clan could naturally seek allies as well.

As for that bullshit reputation, it meant nothing in the face of tangible benefits.

There were no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

Once they understood that, nothing was impossible.