Mabui is very intelligent.
The news of the Akatsuki's attack on the Sand Village has already spread throughout the ninja world.
The Konoha Village is the superior ally of the Sand Village. Akihara Kagura must be here to seek justice for the Sand Village, having learned about the Akatsuki's activities in the Land of Lightning, and came to the Cloud Village to gather intelligence on the Akatsuki.
Mabui looked at Akihara Kagura with a sincere and humble expression: "Lord Kagura, you possess the power to single-handedly defeat a ninja village. If you want to do something, you shouldn't need evidence, right? A suspicion should be enough..."
"..."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Mabui in surprise.
The secretary of the Fourth Raikage is indeed very intelligent. She even has the logic to persuade Akihara Kagura. In a soft voice, she said: "Since Lord Kagura wants to obtain some evidence from the Cloud Village, it means that Lord Kagura does not actually believe that our village is in collusion with the Akatsuki, and has never suspected it..."
"You are very smart."
Akihara Kagura praised Mabui softly, then suddenly said: "But I infiltrated the Cloud Village to gather intelligence. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to leave empty-handed?"
"..."
All the high-ranking officials of the Cloud Village rolled their eyes.
Do the ninjas of the Konoha Village have some misunderstanding about intelligence gathering missions? They call directly conquering an enemy village infiltration and intelligence gathering?
"In fact, we, like Lord Kagura, also want to obtain information on the Akatsuki."
Mabui's expression gradually became serious as she explained earnestly: "Because two members of the Akatsuki appeared in the Land of Lightning and attacked the Cloud Village's Two-Tails Jinchuriki, we are also investigating the Akatsuki..."
"Mabui!"
A Cloud Jonin quickly stopped Mabui and said loudly: "This is top-secret information of the village, it cannot..."
"Is there any need to hide this information now?"
The right-hand man of the Fourth Raikage, Darui, felt that this Jonin was missing the point and took the initiative to defend Mabui: "The existence of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki is to ensure the safety of the village. But now that the village has been breached and the Two-Tails Jinchuriki has not appeared, there is no need to continue hiding this information..."
"All intelligence is to protect the interests of the village."
Darui glanced at the forested Cloud Village and shook his head: "When the village is in danger, what use is keeping the information?"
After speaking, Darui looked at Akihara Kagura: "Lord from the Konoha Village, in a sense, both the Konoha and Cloud Villages face the same enemy. It would be better if we join forces to gather intelligence on the Akatsuki..."
"This seems unlikely."
Akihara Kagura raised a finger and gently shook it: "I came to the Cloud Village for two purposes: the first is to gather intelligence on the Akatsuki; the second is to seek revenge for the Cloud Village's past attempt to seize the Konoha's kekkei genkai..."
"Oh, by the way."
"Besides the old evidence, I also caught you red-handed."
Akihara Kagura placed his hand on the apple core, and with the infusion of his chakra, an apple tree slowly grew, bearing apples.
Akihara Kagura picked a harmless apple, took a bite, and continued: "While I was eating an apple here just now, you were discussing how to seize my Wood Release kekkei genkai. Should I give you more time to continue your discussion?"
"..."
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Darui's forehead, and he explained in a deep voice: "But... this is because Lord Kagura entered the Land of Lightning. We feared your power and had to consider you as a potential enemy who might invade the Cloud Village..."
"You have a point."
Akihara Kagura raised his hand, releasing Darui and Mabui, then picked two apples from the tree and threw them to these two rational Cloud ninjas.
"..."
Darui looked at the apple in his hand but had no appetite to eat it.
Even Mabui, holding her apple, was sweating coldly and could not think of eating it, despite smelling its sweetness.
"Then tell me..."
Akihara Kagura bit into his apple and sincerely asked: "Now that I have invaded the Cloud Village, how should we handle this so you won't hold it against me?"
"..."
Darui and Mabui sweated profusely, thinking hard about how to answer.
In their minds...
It would be best if you committed seppuku as an apology!
However, Akihara Kagura did not seem like such an old-fashioned person. Otherwise, he wouldn't have directly invaded the Cloud Village in such a confrontational manner.
"What is Lord Kagura's idea?"
Darui frowned slightly.
"Let's just say I'm here as a guest."
Akihara Kagura patted the apple tree he had created: "Consider this apple tree as my gift to you..."
"Thank you."
Mabui immediately realized the vitality in Cloud Village.
"However..."
Akihara Kagura looked at them and continued, "You need to gather all the secret techniques of Cloud Village as an atonement for what you did to Konoha..."
"!!!"
Darui and Mabui couldn't make this decision!
However, they also seemed unable to refuse Akihara Kagura. Negotiations only happen when both parties are equal, and they were not qualified for that yet.
"Oh, by the way."
"When visiting, others often bring gifts."
"When I return, I need to bring something local for Lady Tsunade."
As Akihara Kagura spoke, he glanced at the Fourth Raikage beside him: "I'll take the Raikage back with me, so Lady Tsunade doesn't think I did nothing. After all, I have superiors too."
"..."
Darui and Mabui dared not make a decision!
"Scum..."
The Fourth Raikage, his mouth blocked by vines, looked angrily at Akihara Kagura. If he broke free, he would undoubtedly fight Akihara Kagura to the death!
"Of course, you can also refuse."
Akihara Kagura tossed the apple in his hand, continuing slowly: "I'll just take all the Cloud ninja corpses back as gifts and have the Yamanaka clan extract the memories I need from your bodies..."
"You scoundrel..."
The Fourth Raikage squeezed out a sentence from his throat.
"I've always heard that the Raikage title is inherited by family."
Akihara Kagura's words darkened the Fourth Raikage's expression: "Will the Fourth Raikage die honorably with Cloud Village, or come with me as a specialty product from the Land of Lightning?"
"..."
The Fourth Raikage gritted his teeth.
If possible, the Fourth Raikage would rather die!
He believed his subordinates would willingly die with him too!
However...
From then on...
The name of Cloud Village would vanish from the ninja world.
"Mabui."
The Fourth Raikage glanced at Mabui, gritting out his words: "Go to the forbidden techniques room and get what this scoundrel wants! During my absence, support Darui, and make sure Bee stays where he should!"
"Lord Raikage!"
A group of Cloud Jonin looked at the Fourth Raikage, deeply moved.
A leader willing to endure humiliation for his subordinates, especially one known for his unyielding spirit, willing to die before surrendering!
Akihara Kagura collected the ninjutsu and secret scrolls of Cloud Village, which could supplement the Root's database and provide some Lightning Release techniques for Uchiha Sasuke, showing him that hard work and obedience are rewarded.
The technique most suitable for Uchiha Sasuke...
Was undoubtedly the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Uchiha Sasuke had long been eager to battle his brother, Uchiha Itachi. Such a vendetta couldn't be permanently obstructed, as all Root ninja sought revenge against Uchiha Itachi, the clan exterminator!
Conveniently, Akihara Kagura also intended to secretly control the Akatsuki organization, using the opportunity to eliminate those who would never follow his orders...
Such as Uchiha Itachi.
Such as Kisame Hoshigaki.
The Akatsuki's missions to capture the tailed beasts had their members frequently out on assignments, giving Akihara Kagura the chance to defeat them one by one without attracting attention.
Rock Village.
In a remote wilderness.
Kisame Hoshigaki, wielding the Samehada, was battling the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi!
Due to constant conflicts with the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, Roshi had left Rock Village and wandered the ninja world as a traveling monk.
Naturally.
A lone jinchūriki acting independently has always been a favored target of the Akatsuki, and no matter how strong Rōshi might be, they would not fear him.
Kisame Hoshigaki, known as the tailless tailed beast, repeatedly swung his Samehada sword, slicing through Rōshi's body and absorbing his chakra.
Rain was falling on the battlefield, enhancing Kisame's combat power; the ground still bore the burning flames caused by Rōshi, the Four-Tails jinchūriki.
"Lava Release…"
Rōshi clasped his hands together, about to unleash his Lava Release.
"Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"
Kisame quickly formed hand seals, releasing a water shark before Rōshi could use his Lava Release, extinguishing the molten lava on Rōshi's body.
Kisame swung his Samehada, piercing Rōshi's body, rendering the Four-Tails jinchūriki completely powerless.
"It wasn't easy at all…"
Kisame lifted Rōshi's body with his Samehada, carrying the blade over his shoulder, letting Rōshi's body fall onto the sword.
This allowed Kisame to carry Rōshi off the battlefield while Samehada continued to absorb Rōshi's chakra, preventing further resistance.
After finishing this, Kisame walked over to Uchiha Itachi, who was standing in the rain, smiling and revealing a mouth full of shark-like teeth.
"Itachi, standing in the rain will worsen your illness…"
"Let's go."
Uchiha Itachi ignored Kisame's concern, stood up, and left with Kisame.
"Is something wrong?"
Kisame grinned and continued to ask, "Is Itachi worried about your brother? I heard that kid Uchiha Sasuke killed Orochimaru, and his strength might not be far behind yours now, right?"
"Maybe... he might even be more talented than me."
Itachi recalled the techniques Sasuke had used.
Before the final battle, Itachi had thought about how to lose to Sasuke without arousing suspicion.
However, after witnessing Sasuke's combat abilities, Itachi had to ensure he wouldn't be killed by Sasuke in the fight to pass on the information he wanted to convey...
Most importantly, Sasuke must not learn the truth.
If Sasuke discovered the truth about the Uchiha massacre, he would undoubtedly clash with Konoha, but his brother could never be a match for Akihara Kagura...
"Speaking of which…"
Itachi diverted from the topic of Sasuke and inquired about another concern: "If the Akatsuki wants to capture the Nine-Tails jinchūriki, it will certainly have to deal with Akihara Kagura. I wonder how the Akatsuki plans to capture the Nine-Tails..."
"That's not something we need to worry about."
Kisame smiled, unconcerned with such matters, focusing solely on the tasks given by Uchiha Obito and Pain.
"..."
Itachi doubted Pain's ability to accomplish this.
Pain had mentioned that he, too, had been defeated by Akihara Kagura.
If Itachi's estimation was correct, Pain lost to Akihara Kagura when Kagura was no older than thirteen. Over the years, Kagura's strength must have increased, and Itachi had witnessed Kagura's terrifying talent firsthand…
It's possible.
Akihara Kagura might still be able to overpower Pain.
In Konoha Village.
Jiraiya was also pondering this issue.
The entire shinobi world was in turmoil due to the Akatsuki's actions.
However, Jiraiya, having extensive knowledge of the Akatsuki, felt no immediate crisis from their troubles. He had witnessed Akihara Kagura single-handedly dismantle the Akatsuki and knew his two students were the true leaders of the organization.
"I need to meet Nagato."
Jiraiya confided in Tsunade about the Akatsuki, Nagato, and Konan, seriously proposing: "I need to go to the Land of Rain again, find the Akatsuki's base, and stop Nagato and Konan…"
"The Akatsuki's leader is also your student?"
Tsunade looked up at Jiraiya, sighed, and handed him a piece of information: "Before you try to stop them, perhaps you should stop another of your students…"
"What happened?"
Curious, Jiraiya took the information.
Tsunade massaged her temples and said gravely, "Akihara Kagura single-handedly attacked Cloud Village, captured the Fourth Raikage, and is now bringing him back to Konoha…"
~~~
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