Ao marveled at the stands set up by the Biri-Biri company. The fight between Ringo Ameyuri and the Fourth Mizukage became a very anticipated event if only due to the tension between nations it would solve.

The Biri-Biri company went all out in preparation and made it into some kind of show, not unlike the Chunin Exams. Except, the arena was the entire region of Kuronami Plains on the eastern side of the Land of Water. It was a very big empty inhospitable area with numerous water surfaces, many boulders, and trees strewn all over it. The entire plains were massive and it only hammered down the fact that the Biri-Biri company prepared well for a fight where one participant is a jinchuuriki. ​​

The entire observatory system was made by seals... that much Ao noticed. He, however, couldn't recognize even one seal and that was a blow to his pride since he was quite proficient in the sealing arts, something the eyepatch covering his Byakugan eye was proof of.

The main stands were in the capital of the Land of Water and many important people gathered to witness this battle, buying overpriced tickets for spots or VIP rooms left and right. Honestly, Ao was getting increasingly tired of getting to know how much was the Biri-Biri company milking the situation for all the profits it was worth.

The stands in the Land of Water were not the sole place for viewing the event either. Every capital city had something similar with seals that could transfer the image in an imitation of cinema. This was the first time a fight would be viewed by every country.

'The provider of the best seals worldwide, huh?' Ao idly mused about the Biri-Biri company's previous boasting. Clearly, they could back it up if they were capable of making an international broadcast of the fight.

"Excuse me, are you Ao from Resistance?"

A voice suddenly snapped Ao from his thoughts, causing him to tense slightly. Only when he noticed it was one of the Biri-Biri employees, did Ao partially relax his body and nodded in agreement while still not letting go of the kunai stashed in his sleeve.

"Please follow me, Rei-sama is waiting for you." The attendant said and turned around.

Ao had only a brief moment to reboot his brain before he numbly followed the man.

...

Ao entered a large luxurious VIP room with a comfortable-looking sofa on one side facing a wall where the plains where the battle was about to start were shown.

"Ah, hello, Ao." Rei's voice interrupted Ao's observation of the room, causing him to switch his sight on the people inside the room.

Noticing the shift in Ao's interest, Rei smiled and started the introduction.

"This is Ao, the supposed leader of the Resistance," He said in a slightly mocking tone that made Ao frown before gesturing to the woman sitting to his right. "This lovely lady is Na Kona, the previous director of the Biri-Biri company. To her left is Nadetsu Jusen, the current director of the company." Rei smiled at a slightly dark-skinned woman who gave Ao such a piercing look it made him momentarily freeze. Seeing their brief interaction, Rei quickly motioned towards the fidgeting elderly man trying to make himself invisible, "This is, as you already know, the Water Country Daimyo."

Ao gave a respectful bow to the man despite hiding a small frown. 'First, he dares to threaten a Daimyo in his own castle and then he invites him to the battle that would decide the future of his own country and on top of that, he put him in a room with people who are so influential they could decide the fate of the Land of Water with a few signatures? No wonder the Daimyo is so jittery.' Ao bitterly thought.

Thinking about Rei and his actions, Ao quickly understood that most of it was a veiled but blatant show of power. From 'persuading' the Daimyo to take a vacation to setting up the battle in some weird Chunin Exam-like fashion. With each action, it will be harder and harder to stand against Ringo once she gets the position of the Mizukage. Rei was simply showing off Ringo's backing to an extent that would make her frightening.

'All he has to do now is show that her own power is even more frightening and the clan heads will be as meek as lambs.' Ao held back a grimace, knowing there was nothing he could do about Kirigakure getting into Ringo's hands anymore.

Rei was observing Ao's reactions to the presence of the Water Daimyo, noting that Ao guessed what was going on in the room. Unfortunately, Mei stayed with Pakura, Maki, Yuriko, and Yugito in the mansion in their hidden village and will be watching the battle from there.

'It would be so much fun seeing the Water Daimyo fearfully squirm in Mei's presence.' Rei sadly sighed. Knowing the sort of person the Water Daimyo was, it would be poetic justice. 'Alas, the girl just had to go and invent another world-ending Jutsu and be grounded by Konan.'

"Anyway, Ao, come and sit. It's actually Kona who wanted you here. She is awfully interested in your future spot as Ringo's confidant." 'secretary', Rei mentally added with a snort.

The bluenette gently smiled at Ao, causing his instinct to start screaming at him he is in danger. "Yes, I simply wanted you to sit with us when Ringo decimates your current Mizukage."

Ao, however, could read between the lines very well. 'I see. I guess this is what I asked for.' He glanced at Rei who raised an eyebrow at him. Sighing, Ao nodded, "I understand. Thank you." And sat down in his designated place next to Rei. 'Damn me and my mouth. I just had to say I wouldn't mind doing anything to better Kirigakure.' His mood somehow sunk. 'Now I am here with people who will get the village in their grasp. I can't even complain since I am sure they will improve the village as I wished.'

Shaking his head, Ao despondently watched the wall in front of him where the image of Ringo approaching Yagura in order to exchange some pre-battle niceties was located. He didn't even notice when Rei implanted a seal that would prevent him from revealing his relationship with either Konan or Tsunade who were in disguise. After all, it wouldn't be nice if the connection between Yozora and the Biri-Biri company was known.

Only then did his hands find their way around Konan's waist and pull her onto his lap before starting to kiss his way up her neck while she made herself comfortable and leaned her back onto his chest.

"I wonder how long it will take Ringo to finish." Konan started in a purring voice, causing Rei to momentarily stop kissing her neck.

"It's a show first and foremost. She will probably take her time. Plus it's the first time she can test her creations against something as sturdy as Sanbi Jinchuuriki."

Tsunade snorted, "Right. She was oddly excited about the fight. I guess you made sure she looked at the situation from the correct angle, Rei."

"I sure did." Rei cheekily answered before returning his attention to Konan.

To say Ao was bewildered would be an understatement. 'So they are not just business partners. Shit, what did I get myself into?'

Sadly for him, Rei wanted to make sure the man who will run Kirigakure in Ringo's stead is trustworthy so his discomfort went ignored. The man didn't even realize he was being watched and judged.

On the screen, Ringo finally reached Yagura and the people in the room quieted down all thinking the same.

'And so it's starting.'