Uzumaki Skylark didn't reject the proposal outright. He simply leaned back, studying Raizen with a calm smile that said he was listening but already calculating ten moves ahead.
"Then tell me, Amamiya-dono. What compensation does your clan offer the Uzumaki in exchange for taking this mission?"
Raizen kept his tone polite, but he threw the ball right back at him. "Patriarch Uzumaki… what is it that you want?"
Let the man name his own price. Always easier to negotiate when the other side shows their hand first.
Skylark's expression tightened. The Uzumaki clan wasn't lacking in gold or territory. They had Uzushio, the country as their backbone, and half the trade routes bending around their coastline. Minerals, crops, manpower… meaningless to people built on sealing arts and sheer chakra stamina.
Which only made Raizen more confident. The trick with negotiation is simple: let the other guy realize he barely needs anything you can offer.
Skylark exhaled slowly. "…There is one thing."
Raizen felt the room shift. Nobody says that line unless it's something crazy.
"I've heard rumors," Skylark said, "that Amamiya-dono possesses a unique chakra ability… something the world calls Dust Release. If you are willing to share that technique with the Uzumaki, we will accept this mission without hesitation."
Raizen froze for half a breath.
Dust Release.
The forbidden, molecular-shredding, almost-lost art.
Something no sane Warring States clan would hand out like candy.
Skylark continued, voice low. "Our clan are masters of seals, yes. But we have no technique capable of deciding a war alone. If we can learn your Dust Release—or even incorporate its principles into our fūinjutsu—we could finally create sealing arts capable of overwhelming even the greatest enemies."
Raizen kept his face neutral, but his mind raced.
Dust Release wasn't something you could learn by willpower. It required three nature transformations, absurd chakra control, and honestly… borderline masochism. Even if the Uzumaki tried, maybe one person out of a thousand would get close.
And if they couldn't learn it, they'd just fold the theory into sealing arts. He could live with that.
He hid his amusement behind a slow exhale. "Your request is… difficult. Dust Release can break anything down to molecules. It's beyond a simple bloodline trick. I classify it as Bloodline Erasure. Are you certain the Uzumaki want to trade mere sealing techniques for something that surpasses every bloodline limit?"
Skylark's breath hitched. Even he hadn't expected the secret to be that heavy.
After a long silence, he replied, "If it is truly as powerful as you say… then I will add something. Not only will the Uzumaki teach sealing arts to your alliance, we will also teach barrier creation. Our full fūin and kekkai curriculum."
Raizen pretended to hesitate. Just for show.
Then he let the grin slip. "In that case… we have a deal."
Skylark burst into laughter, clearly relieved. "Excellent! Then the employment contract is settled!"
The rest of the negotiation passed in warm hospitality. Raizen stayed in Uzushio for two days while Skylark arranged the team: fifteen elite seal-masters, each hand-picked for teaching the Konoha Alliance.
When the preparations were finally complete, Raizen delivered the scroll detailing Dust Release theory. Skylark's face drained of color the moment he read the method, then flushed in awe.
"This… this could change everything."
Raizen only shrugged. "If you can integrate it, good for you."
Two days later, fifteen Uzumaki stood ready at the village gate, all armed and carrying travel packs. Raizen accepted them with a short nod. He didn't plan to linger. Three-Tails was still waiting to be dealt with.
The group left Uzushio and crossed the sea bridge, heading toward the Land of Fire. After hours of travel, Raizen suddenly stopped. His eyes narrowed. His voice cut through the wind.
"Come out. You've been tailing us since we left the village."
A rustle of leaves.
A girlish huff.
A familiar redhead stepped out from the trees, hands on hips.
"Heh. How did you even notice?"
Raizen rolled his eyes. "That concealment technique of yours wouldn't fool a blind academy student."
It was Uzumaki Mito, of course. Her presence came off like a flare to anyone with functioning chakra senses.
She shot him a fierce look. "It's none of your business."
"What are you even doing here? Planning to join the Konoha Alliance with us?"
"Yes!" she snapped without hesitation. "I'm tired of being cooped up in Uzushio. This is the first chance I've had to leave in months."
The fifteen Uzumaki escorts immediately panicked.
"Princess Mito! You must return!"
"We can't allow this!"
"Please—"
Mito's eyes flashed, and every one of them shut their mouths instantly. Princess authority. Terrifying.
Raizen had to admit, it was impressive. He hadn't expected Mito to silence her clan with a single glare.
He sighed. The road ahead was already messy, and bringing the clan princess into a war zone wasn't exactly ideal. But Mito wasn't the type to turn around just because someone told her to.
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, wondering whether he should take Uzumaki Mito to the Konoha Alliance… or physically drag her back himself.