Mafui is very clever.
The news of the Akatsuki Organization's attack on the Hidden Sand Village has already spread throughout the Ninja World.
Konoha Village is a higher-tier ally of the Hidden Sand Village, and Akihara Kagura is surely here to help settle things for the Sand. Having learned that members of the Akatsuki are active in the Land of Thunder, he came to The Hidden Cloud Village to gather information on them.
Mafui looked at Akihara Kagura, sincerity and humility in her eyes: "Lord Kagura possesses the strength to break through a Ninja Village single-handedly. If you want to do something, you probably don't need evidence, right? Just having suspicions should suffice…"
"..."
Akihara Kagura looked somewhat surprised at Mafui.
This secretary of the Fourth Raikage is genuinely smart. Her logic is persuasive enough to convince Akihara Kagura. She spoke softly, "Since Lord Kagura wants to obtain some evidence from The Hidden Cloud Village, it means Lord Kagura doesn't truly believe our village colludes with the Akatsuki nor has ever suspected us of doing so…"
"You're smart."
Akihara Kagura gently praised Mafui but then suddenly said, "However, I infiltrated The Hidden Cloud Village to gather intelligence. Leaving empty-handed doesn't seem right, does it?"
"..."
All the high-ranking members of The Hidden Cloud present rolled their eyes.
Do the ninjas from Konoha Village misunderstand something about intelligence-gathering missions? Directly attacking the enemy's village, is that what you call infiltration and intelligence gathering?
"Actually, like Lord Kagura, we also want to obtain information on the Akatsuki Organization."
Mafui's expression gradually turned serious as she earnestly explained, "Because two members of the Akatsuki appeared in the Land of Thunder and attacked the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki of The Hidden Cloud Village, we are also investigating the Akatsuki's activities…"
"Mafui!"
A Hidden Cloud Jonin promptly stopped Mafui, raising his voice: "This is top-secret intelligence of the village, you can't…"
"Is there any need to hide this information now?"
Darui, the right-hand man of the Fourth Raikage, felt this Jonin wasn't seeing the situation clearly and voluntarily spoke up to explain for Mafui: "The Two-Tailed Jinchuriki's existence was to ensure the village's safety, but now the village has already been infiltrated, and the Two-Tails haven't appeared. There's no need to keep such information secret anymore…"
"All intelligence is for protecting the village's interests."
Darui glanced at The Hidden Cloud Village, now a forest, and shook his head: "When the village is in danger, what's the use of holding onto intelligence…"
After speaking, Darui looked at Akihara Kagura: "Konoha's… this lord, in a sense, Konoha and The Hidden Cloud Village are facing the same enemy. The Hidden Cloud Village and Konoha should unite and gather intelligence on the Akatsuki Organization…"
"That doesn't seem quite right."
Akihara Kagura raised a finger and shook it gently, "My first purpose in coming to The Hidden Cloud Village is to gather intelligence on the Akatsuki Organization; the second is to seek revenge for The Hidden Cloud Village's past attempts to steal the Kekkeigenkai of Konoha…"
"Oh, by the way."
"Besides past evidence, I caught someone red-handed."
Akihara Kagura placed his hand on an apple core, and with the infusion of his Chakra, an apple tree slowly grew, bearing apples all over its branches.
Akihara Kagura plucked a pure and harmless apple, took a bite, and continued, "While I was eating an apple here just now, you seemed to be discussing how to steal my Wood Release Bloodline. Should I give you more time to continue your discussion?"
"..."
Sweat trickled down Darui's forehead as he opened his mouth to explain in a heavy voice, "But… it's because Lord Kagura entered the Land of Thunder that we feared your strength, and had to consider you a potential enemy invading The Hidden Cloud Village…"
"You have a point too."
Akihara Kagura raised his palm, unraveling Darui and Mafui's palms, then plucked two apples from the tree, tossing them to the two rational Hidden Cloud ninjas.
"..."
Darui looked at the apple in his hand, but he had no mood to eat it.
Even Mafui beside him, although she could smell the sweet fragrance of the apple, was sweating and couldn't bring herself to eat it.
"Well, then tell me…"
Akihara Kagura, biting the apple, sincerely asked, "Now that I have invaded The Hidden Cloud Village, how should we handle this so you won't blame me?"
"..."
Darui and Mafui sweated as they racked their brains to find an appropriate answer.
According to their way of thinking…
It'd be best if you'd just sincerely apologize and commit seppuku!
However, Akihara Kagura didn't seem like such an inflexible person; otherwise, he wouldn't have directly attacked The Hidden Cloud Village and revealed his intentions.
"What does Lord Kagura think?"
Darui's brows slightly furrowed.
"How about this, just assume I'm here as a guest."
Akihara Kagura patted the apple tree he had grown, "Consider this apple tree a gift from me to you…"
"Thank you."
Mafui instantly saw the vitality it would bring to The Hidden Cloud Village.
"However…"
Akihara Kagura looked at them and continued, "Gather all the Secret Techniques of The Hidden Cloud Village as compensation for what was done to Konoha…"
"!!!"
Darui and Mafui definitely didn't dare agree to this!
Yet, they couldn't quite refuse Akihara Kagura. Negotiations need to happen between equals, and currently, they didn't have anything to leverage in negotiation.
"Oh, by the way."
"I should also bring some gifts back to others."
"Got to bring Lady Tsunade some local specialties when I return."