After a few moments where Ao could only helplessly stare at the ruler of his country choking on air, Mei again snapped her fingers and the Daimyo gasped for the much-needed oxygen while Rei started talking again in a calming tone, "I will make it easier for you. Here, a coupon for a two-month-long stay in Uzushio's best hotel for you and your family. Just put the embargo on Kirigakure and go on a long vacation. By the time you return, the current problem will be dealt with and the country should be peaceful again. It will be again in the most optimal state for leeches like you to exploit people. Ain't we simply the best for making life easier for you?"

The Daimyo gulped, knowing there is no help coming. After all, he saw Ringo manhandle even his strongest guards in two seconds and they were all capable of fighting jonins. He shakily reached towards the coupon and looked at it before his gaze turned back to Rei with an unreadable expression, "It says it will cost me 50 million Ryo." He unsurely half-asked, half-stated, bewildered at the huge price. Such a sum could afford him 50 S-rank missions! ​​

"And you think saving your life would be for free?" Rei threw the Daimyo an incredulous stare which instantly shut the man up. "Just put your most hated cousin, relative, or whatever in charge while you go enjoy yourself and I am sure Kirigakure would get you rid of him for free in a vain attempt to lift the embargo. You can consider that a bonus, pal." Rei dismissively waved his hand.

As terrified as the Daimyo was, he wasn't a new hand at these things. He often hired Kirigakure to do these kinds of 'persuasions' for him when some business partner of his got too stubborn. It was simply the first time the Daimyo was on the receiving end of these things rather than doing the blackmailing. That's why the Daimyo was aware that the man in front of him, Rei, as he called himself, was extremely generous with him. He still had no bone broken and his fingers attached to his hands. More than those on the receiving end of his own ninja's threats could say.

It didn't make the situation any less humiliating but it was the truth. Rei was basically telling him to provoke Kirigakure and then to scram but at least, he didn't choose pain as the persuasion tactic. The Daimyo knew it could be infinitely worse. His shoulders sagged and decided to accept his fate. But he was still curious.

"Why are you doing this?" The Daimyo asked, a bit of his regal aura returning to him.

Rei tilted his head, but after a while, he decided to indulge the Daimyo, "The second you put the embargo on Kirigakure, the Fourth Mizukage will be forced to negotiate with you. But you will not be available, will you? You will be quite unreachable by any means behind the strong sealing barriers of Uzushio. The poor sod ruling in your stead won't be able to lift a direct order from the Daimyo. He will be only a temporary regent, after all. Alas, I have it on a good authority that Yagura will go bonkers and off the guy ruling in your stead anyway." Rei said, knowing that Obito didn't care for anything but causing as much mayhem in the Land of Water as possible. This was revenge for Rin and if he could legally and justifiably make his puppet start an all-out war within the country, he would already do so. This way, Rei was simply speeding up the process. "Whereas we," Rei gestured at himself, Ringo, and Mei, "will be hired for... hmmm, say, fifty million Ryo, by you," He pointed at the disbelieving Daimyo, "to make sure your embargo won't be broken."

'Wait... they want to GET PAID for protecting the embargo they are forcing me to sign off!?' The Daimyo thought almost with tears in his eyes as he realized the man in front of him wanted yet another check worth FIFTY S-rank missions.

"Hence when Yagura orders the assassination of Lord Daimyo's regent, you will be able to challenge him for a battle in the name of the Water Daimyo." Ao finished, understanding the plan, "But... are you sure Yagura would agree? I can't see a reason why he would do such a thing."

"Ah, let me worry about that, will you?" Rei chuckled. 'Ah, Obito will no doubt send Yagura to his death. There is no way he wouldn't after this becomes a political problem where other nations... purely hypothetically, influenced by the Biri-Biri company... start trying to intervene. If that happens, many things could go horribly wrong with his little plan of collecting the nine bijuu. Civil wars are fine but he simply needs the status quo between the nations upheld while making sure the countries won't start allying themselves tightly with each other.'

Rei could only grin. Outwardly, the Resistance asked for help from other countries and even the Biri-Biri company. Everyone refused them, though, on the basis that they are simply rebels. Nobody wants to support rebels... or rather, even the people who would gladly support a rebellion in other countries to gain benefits from it had their own problems at the moment. Danzo, for example, was dealing with a bit of an Uchiha problem.

Therefore Obito should be quite reckless, thinking nobody wanted to intervene in the Land of Water. Rei was almost sure he would go for the assassination of the Daimyo's regent if only to stir the hornet's nest even more. Rei was also certain Obito would curse the heavens once the Biri-Biri company did a complete 180-degree reversal on their non-interference policy after that. Hence, Yagura would be sacrificed in order to calm things down.

"I am quite sure my plan will work." Rei started, "and even if it doesn't there are still other ways how to get what I want. Don't worry, I will deliver this 'improved' Kirigakure you so desire, Ao." He shrugged before looking towards the Water Daimyo, "As for you... as long as you are a good boy and don't obstruct the new Mizukage once the Resistance takes over Kirigakure, you are free to continue living your luxurious life of debauchery." He said mockingly.

"New Mizukage... so they already decided who will get the position?" The Daimyo muttered before unsurely raising his eyes towards Rei, "And... may I ask who will be the new Mizukage?"

Rei's grin only widened at the question that made sweat appear on Daimyo's forehead as a bad premonition appeared in his mind. He didn't like where this was going. Especially when Rei just meaningfully lifted his eyebrow at the question in a very amused manner.

"I look forward to working together." Suddenly a cold voice interrupted Daimyo's thoughts, causing his head to snap behind Rei where... Ringo stood with a small condescending smirk.

Daimyo's eyes widened in horror and despair as he looked pleadingly at Rei, "You must be kidding me... Her!?" He whimpered when Rei simply nodded. The first person who ever manhandled him was to be the next Mizukage. 'God, help me.' The Daimyo thought.

The poor guy could only hope he won't be forced to taste more of his socks for Ringo's amusement.