Chikage pushed over another parchment scroll he had prepared beforehand.
"Besides the ransom, you must also sign the 'Unilateral Free Trade Agreement Between the Land of Fire's South Street Special Economic Zone and the Land of Water.'"
"From now on, the Land of Water's seafood and ores must be supplied to the South Street Trade Zone on a priority basis, entirely free of tariffs."
"All purchases made by the Land of Water's official merchant caravans within the Land of Fire must have their import and export formalities processed exclusively through the South Street Special Economic Zone."
Mei Terumi took the agreement and read its harsh commercial clauses one by one.
This practically shackled the lifeline of the Land of Water's foreign trade to the gates of the South Street Special Economic Zone.
But Yagura still lay unconscious on the floor. The sealing talismans on his body suppressed the Three-Tails' chakra within him, while Uchiha Yashiro's sword was already half drawn, radiating murderous intent.
Kirigakure could not afford internal unrest now. They had to bring Yagura back to stabilize the political situation.
"Fine. We accept the terms."
Gritting her teeth, Mei Terumi picked up the brush, signed her name at the bottom of the scroll, and stamped it with the Kirigakure special envoy's seal of authority.
"Within three days, the first installment of five hundred million ryo in silver will arrive at the Land of Fire's docks by sea."
"At that time, we will take Lord Yagura with us."
Smiling, Chikage put away the agreement and handed it to Minister Asano beside him.
"Deal."
"Yashiro, take the Mizukage back to the underground death prison. Remember to give him some rice gruel. Don't let him starve to death."
Yashiro grinned, grabbed the iron chains, and dragged Yagura out again.
Mei Terumi rose,