I just returned to Konoha and found that my entire clan was gone.

The technological advancements and systems of this era have repeatedly left Ye Lan feeling frustrated; previously, there was no opportunity to utilize them. Now, however, there is room for them to shine.

Chapter 135 Future Plans (Part 3)

"I'll take over as the Minister of the Military, Konan will manage Amegakure's economy, and what about you...?"

What made Nagato even more curious was that Ye Lan hadn't assigned him any position. Logically speaking, since the plans and arrangements were all made by Ye Lan, Nagato wouldn't have any objections even if he held a position. But he didn't take on any position at all.

"I'll pass. I don't have the habit of staying in one place for long. I'll have to get back to my own things once everything is settled."

Ye Lan had his own plans, and he also understood that many things still needed to be done by professionals. His only advantage as a half-baked expert was that he could offer some novel ideas.

"Then I won't arrange for you to team up with anyone else. You can move around freely in Amegakure."

Not only Konan, but Yelan was also surprised by Nagato's trust.

After a moment of surprise, he nodded.

...

"So what brings you here?"

Scorpion, who was in the Hiruko area, looked at the bustling construction site in front of him and said with dissatisfaction that he had been left behind by the leader when he was supposed to go out on a mission.

What's even more surprising is that there were quite a few ninjas helping out at the construction site, which greatly accelerated the progress.

"Don't say that. This is also for the better development of the organization."

Ye Lan said casually, at this moment he was only wearing a Rain Village headband on his waist, and the Rain Village ninjas who passed by all showed him respectful looks.

"I just wanted to find a quiet place to study the puppets, but I didn't expect you to adapt so quickly. Did you even throw away your Konoha headband?"

Scorpion's tone was slightly sarcastic; even rogue ninjas didn't change their sects as quickly as Ye Lan.

Don't worry about the details.

Ye Lan seemed not to notice the scorpion's sarcasm and casually waved his hand.

Two days ago, Pain personally announced to Akatsuki that Itachi was a spy for Konoha and that the problem had been solved. Meanwhile, Ye Lan and Sasuke have officially joined Akatsuki.

Regarding Ye Lan and Sasuke's arrival, these people had different thoughts. Some were disdainful, some were just watching the show, and apart from the clamoring Hidan, no one wanted to fight Ye Lan.

To allow Ye Lan to move around the village more easily, Nagato had Konan give Ye Lan the identity of a Jonin from Amegakure, which is why he wears the Amegakure headband.

As for the Konoha headband, it must have turned to dust by now.

"I asked you to come because I think you have strong hands-on skills and I wanted you to help me with some things."

Ye Lan took out the drawings he had made and handed them to Xie.

Scorpion was also a little curious, but remembering the leader's instructions, he patiently accepted the blueprints.

He was about to throw away the blueprints right after reading them, and his usually deep voice was unusually angry.

"Are you kidding me? You want me to make something that's not even a toy!"

Ye Lan hurriedly took the blueprints that Scorpion had thrown away. He hadn't been this flustered when he fought Danzo. Without these, he would really have to redraw them. He had put a lot of effort into drawing them back then.

"Why are you so angry? You're not young anymore, why are you still acting like a child?"

Ye Lan muttered to himself while holding the blueprints.

"Uchiha Yelan, do you really think I wouldn't dare to make a move?!"

Scorpion was truly enraged. This disrespect for art was the greatest insult to him. Making him do such things was better left undone.

Just as Scorpion was about to make his move, Ye Lan extended two fingers.

Scorpion was still puzzled by Ye Lan's actions when Ye Lan directly told him the answer.

"Twice! If you can make this, the puppet materials I provide next time will be doubled!"

"You brat, do you think I'm so easily bought off? You've seriously underestimated my passion for art!"

Upon hearing this, Scorpion did not show the happy expression Ye Lan had imagined; instead, he became even more furious, and his expression did not seem to be feigned.

Ye Lan was puzzled. As Xie was about to take out the scroll for using puppets, Ye Lan quickly extended another finger.

"Three times, three times the materials, is that alright? This is the maximum benefit I can get for you."

"make a deal!"

In an instant, Scorpion retracted the scroll and snatched the blueprints back from Ye Lan's hand.

Those practiced movements seemed to have been rehearsed countless times in his mind, leaving Ye Lan dumbfounded.

Didn't we agree on a shared pursuit of art? You said my work would be an insult to you, how did it turn out like this?

"How's my drawing? Not bad, right?"

Ye Lan looked at Scorpion's appearance and said irritably.

"Compared to your strength, you're nothing but a pile of dog shit!"

Scorpion's merciless evaluation caught Ye Lan somewhat off guard.

"Your explanation of this principle is utter nonsense, and how did you arrive at such a result without even explaining the process? How did you even guess it? It's completely useless except for being a bit creative."

Ye Lan suppressed her initial resentment and silently kept quiet. Indeed, professional matters should be handled by professionals.

After Scorpion had looked at it for a while, he couldn't help but ask.

"Can that thing actually be made?"

"As long as we have enough materials, there shouldn't be any major problems, except for a few places where we need to experiment a few more times."

Scorpion put away the blueprints. He hadn't expected to get so many puppet materials from making just one thing. It was a huge profit, much more comfortable than doing quests in the sun and wind for a meager reward.

"Then you must remember to show it to me after you've finished."

For Yuyin to develop, technological advancement is of paramount importance.

If they want to quickly improve the overall strength of Amegakure, they can train the next generation, but it won't be as fast as Nagato's plan. So Yelan can only start from this aspect.

After seeing Scorpion off, a familiar black cat appeared in Ye Lan's sight.

Ye Lan stepped forward, picked up the black cat, and said helplessly.

"Where have you been these past few days? I was just looking for you."

Ye Lan could have summoned it using a spirit summoning technique, but he was so busy that he forgot. If he hadn't seen it by chance, he wouldn't have known where the guy had gone off to.

"Oh dear, Ye Lan, I only took a stroll around Amegakure. The food here is definitely not comparable to that of Konoha."

This black cat is none other than Naraku, whom Ye Lan signed with Granny Cat.

Ye Lan weighed the cat in her hand; it seemed to have gotten a few pounds heavier.

"Since you miss Konoha so much, I'll send you on a mission."

"Meow?"

Naraku was puzzled. They had just escaped from Konoha, so why were they calling him back now?

"I just want you to deliver a letter. Here, give it to someone named Kakashi Hatake."

Ye Lan took out the letter she had already written and handed it to Naraku.

"Kakashi, who is that?"

Ye Lan covered his face. He had forgotten that Naraku had never met Kakashi, so he had to describe him to it.

"Yeah, he's a Jonin from Konoha, wearing a mask, with white hair, and he looks really smug."

"Meow, after delivering the letter, is it alright for me to stay in Konoha for a while?"

Naraku barked a few times to indicate that he remembered, and then began to sweep his tail across Ye Lan in a fawning manner.

"The rest is up to you; just give the letter to him."

Ye Lan stood up. When it came to delivering messages, the Ninja Cat Clan was quite reliable.

Seeing this, Naraku nodded, turned around and disappeared from Ye Lan's sight. Ye Lan was somewhat envious of this method of concealment.

"Heh, Uchiha Obito..."

After Obito's defeat this time, he might very well set his sights on Kakashi. Ye Lan believes that Kakashi will give him a surprise.

Obito certainly never imagined that he, a "rogue ninja," could have connections with Konoha's elite Jonin.

If Obito were to go there rashly, he would definitely suffer a great loss.

...

"Ahh~"

"What's wrong? Is Kakashi not feeling well?"

Kai looked at Kakashi, who looked somewhat tired. For Jonin, getting sick had become quite rare.

"Oh, it's nothing? Maybe I just didn't get enough rest..."

Kakashi looked somewhat melancholy. Ever since learning the truth about his father's death, he had changed and become even more of a drifter.

Perhaps Ye Lan is right; being a ninja is just a profession.

Sometimes Kakashi would have this thought in his mind too.

Kakashi paused suddenly at an intersection.

"What's wrong, Kakashi?"

Kai, who appears careless but is actually observant, noticed something amiss and asked directly.

"No, let's go."

Kakashi glanced at the black cat watching him from the shadows and slowly answered Gai.

Chapter 136 Time Has Passed

Kakashi stood silently before the hero's tombstone, his shadow elongated by the setting sun, making him appear exceptionally lonely.

Unlike usual, Kakashi stayed a little longer this time, his eyes fixed on the tombstone, lost in thought.

In a similarly dark corner, a pair of gloomy eyes were staring at Kakashi's back. The person seemed to blend into the surroundings, and even an elite Konoha like Kakashi could not detect him.