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

"We have the largest steel factory in the entire ninja world, as well as the best technical masters. In addition, we are not as divided by conflicting interests as other villages. This is something that other countries cannot do. Even if they try to imitate us, the cost of materials alone would be much higher than ours."

Pain and Konan realized that Amegakure had reached the forefront of the world in this aspect, and their previous apprehension towards Konoha had vanished.

"As for cooperation with Konoha, there's one more thing. Actually, what Amegakure lacks most right now is medical knowledge."

Ye Lan explained his considerations, and when it came to making choices about Yu Yin's future, Ye Lan was definitely more rational than emotional.

"The medical department has now been established, but there are almost no ninjas who can skillfully use the Palm Healing Technique, and medical knowledge is extremely lacking. Konoha is the birthplace of medical ninjas."

The reason why Tsunade is so famous and no one in the ninja world dares to lay a hand on her is not only because she is one of the Legendary Sannin, but also because she is known as the number one medical ninja in the ninja world. Even if the Raikage finds Tsunade, he will not rashly resort to violence.

"As you all know, due to the climate, most of Amegakure's food is imported, and the same goes for the more precious medicinal herbs. Even Konoha's medical teams mostly use herbs for treatment. Amegakure can't afford to buy medicinal herbs right now."

So you mean...

Payne had already guessed what was going on, and for the first time couldn't help but ask a question.

"If you want us to cooperate with Konoha, then you have to exchange medical knowledge and herbs. Even if it comes at a price, we're willing to pay it. Now that the research and development department is operational, the medical department should also get on track."

"This is not an easy task to accomplish."

Medical ninjas are a valuable resource for Konoha, and the defense of Konoha Hospital is of paramount importance. It won't be easy for Ye Lan to reach a deal with Konoha.

"These things are all negotiable. I don't know how confident I am until I meet the other party. If all else fails, we can also suggest an exchange program."

Ye Lan wasn't a mind reader like Konoha, so he didn't know what price the other party was willing to pay. He was absolutely willing to trade his current car technology for some medical knowledge, and he would be overjoyed if it could lower the price of imported medicinal herbs.

"This is no easy task. After all, Amegakure hasn't dealt with other countries for a long time. Going out rashly might attract the attention of other countries."

This actually goes against Payne's strategy of infiltrating and developing his territory. He was afraid that if they crossed paths too much, other villages would discover something.

"What do you think these countries are trying to achieve by proposing cooperation?"

Ye Lan weighed the cooperation reports from the villages other than Konoha in his hand, then threw them away violently, sending countless sheets of paper flying through the air like a shower of flowers.

"They were testing Amegakure, in other words, testing Hanzo."

A piece of paper falling from the sky obscured Ye Lan's face, but her sharp gaze pierced through the gap.

"If that's the case, why should we do as they wish?"

Xiao Nan said coldly, "As soon as Yu Yin got better, other villages couldn't wait to test the waters and even wanted to take it over."

As expected, no good thing comes from a great power.

"Since they're testing us, let's show them Amegakure's current strength. If we keep hiding, they'll think we're showing weakness."

Moreover, Ye Lan believes that Konoha may have already guessed about Akatsuki's presence in Amegakure, so it would be better for Akatsuki to make a public appearance.

"what do you mean?"

Payne understood that Akatsuki's current members definitely couldn't be directly exposed to other villages, and if they really needed to choose someone to negotiate, there weren't any good candidates right now.

"That Yugakure ninja who went to promote the car at the beginning did a pretty good job. The wanted posters in Yugakure can be dealt with with some money. Amegakure needs someone who can stand in the open now, so let him go to this negotiation. I'll give him some instructions, and he can follow secretly."

Ye Lan had already selected the personnel and said directly.

Pain nodded. He had some impression of this person. Although his strength was only at the level of an ordinary Jonin, he had made a great contribution to the popularity of Amegakure's car.

"Even if you follow secretly, this is still Konoha. Aren't you afraid of being discovered?"

Xiao Nan still had some reservations. She no longer suspected that Ye Lan had other intentions, but she was afraid that he might do something bad with good intentions.

Ye Lan smiled and said confidently.

"I forgot to tell you something: I oversaw the reconstruction of Konoha's current barrier, and I have some ways to change my entire demeanor. As long as I don't use my Sharingan, I won't be detected."

Chapter 164 Return to Konoha

The morning sun pierced through the clouds, gradually dispersing the smog on the road. The sunlight was warm but not scorching.

Whether it's climate or geographical location, the Land of Rain can't compare to the Land of Fire in the very center of the continent.

The only downside is that it borders too many countries, making it vulnerable to being attacked by a group of nations. During World War III, the Land of Fire was fighting against the other four major powers simultaneously.

"Lord Yelan, am I really capable?"

As Xiu walked along the road, he said somewhat nervously that he didn't care about meeting the daimyo or nobles, as they were just ordinary people with no power. However, he was inevitably nervous coming to Konoha, a place full of powerful people, especially since he had previously been a rogue ninja.

Ye Lan said with some dissatisfaction.

"I've told you countless times, after leaving the village, my name is Lan Ye. Also, I'm your colleague, so you don't need to use honorifics to address me."

After thinking for a moment, Ye Lan changed his clothes and entered Konoha head-on with Xiu and the others.

Besides improving his control over natural energy, learning immortal techniques also allows him to slightly alter his appearance.

He had grown two centimeters taller, and his once somewhat childish facial features had become more angular. All the bangs on his forehead were combed back, leaving only a tuft of hair on his forehead.

Even those who know him well wouldn't recognize him as the original Ye Lan. In addition, with the circulation of natural energy, even a ninja dog would recognize him as two different people.

"Remember what I told you: you only need to be responsible for the bottom line; leave the swearing to me."

This is the persona Ye Lan set for himself for this operation. Xiu will definitely face many similar situations in the future, and now is the perfect time to train him. Yu Yin wants someone to stand in the spotlight, and Xiu is the most suitable person at present.

However, this was somewhat different from what Xiu had imagined. He had finally mustered the courage to kill the nobles who had framed his friends and leave the village. After joining Akatsuki, he did not seek to do anything earth-shattering, but he felt that he would do more assassinations of nobles in the future.

Who knows, his reputation might have improved even further in a few years. But after joining Akatsuki, he became the de facto spokesperson for Amegakure, and he didn't need to do anything that required the use of force.

Xiu gave a bitter laugh. Although he was also a Jonin, he had never been exposed to these things before and was not very confident. He was afraid that he would mess things up.

"Be confident. I must have a reason for choosing you. Besides, you were once an S-rank rogue ninja of Yugakure, even though you aren't anymore."

Ye Lan could tell at a glance that the other party lacked confidence, but there really wasn't a good candidate. Yu Yin was currently in a period of transition, and since no one from Xiao could show their face, Xiu had to be forced into the role.

He is, after all, a Jonin. With Ye Lan's help, he can at least stabilize the situation. Moreover, he seems to be quite satisfied with Xiu's performance, except that his strength is a bit weak.

"Shu, you can do it. I believe in you. Don't let down Yoru... the Jonin of Arashiha."

The female ninja who had followed Xiu to Amegakure persuaded him, saying that she was the only one who had come here alive with Xiu, and that she had always been by his side no matter where he was.

Ye Lan glanced at the female ninja named Liang. This woman's greatest strength was her ability to maintain proper boundaries. With her help, Xiu's performance would be just as good as it seemed.

Besides the three of them, the Konoha team selected for this trip also included Hydrangea, who was in the same team as Shu. After her previous companion died, Konan assigned her to this team to carry out missions together with them.

She was with Xiu when he negotiated the steel deal with the nobles last time.

Ziyanghua glanced at Ye Lan, surprised that he had turned into a Jonin of Amegakure and that his "transformation technique" was so powerful that she hadn't noticed at all.

It's strange that a ninja who defected from Konoha would join Amegakure, but it's clear that Konan values ​​Yoruichi highly, as she specifically instructed them to obey Yoruichi's orders in everything before they set off.

"arrive."

Ye Lan stopped and looked up at the familiar gates of Konoha. This was the second time he had returned.

The gatekeepers were still the familiar Gangzi Tie and Shenyue Chuyun, making Yelan wonder if they hadn't taken a break.

Liang stepped forward first and presented the cooperation agreement that Konoha had given to Amegakure.

After reading it, Gangzi Tie said calmly, "You must all be tired from your journey. Take a rest for a while. Your companions will take you to the Hokage later."

Jonin-level ninjas would definitely inform Konoha in advance before entering another country. They would inform Konoha before they arrived, expressing their intention to cooperate and also informing the people who were coming.

On the surface, it was a team of two Jonin and two Chunin, which was considered a show of sincerity. However, they certainly couldn't be allowed to wander around Konoha like Genin. Instead, they were asked to wait in the rest room next to the gate for a while.

These are all normal practices in the ninja world, and Ye Lan and the others didn't say much, they just waited a little longer.

They didn't have to wait long before the ninja who was to receive them arrived, and it was another acquaintance.

Yamashiro Aoba

Is Tsunade out of people? Why are they making them do this kind of work every day? Any Chunin could easily handle it.

Ye Lan thought to himself, whether it's reconnaissance, assassination, or intelligence gathering, Yamashiro Aoba is capable of it all. In other villages, he would definitely become a Jonin. It's only in Konoha, a place that values ​​seniority, that he seems somewhat mediocre.

Even if Xiu and Yamashiro Aoba were to fight each other, they might not be able to defeat the opponent.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting."

Yamashiro Aoba was very polite as soon as he arrived at the place.

"No, we just sat down too."

Ye Lan remained silent. This time, Xiu was the one in charge on the surface, and he was the first to respond to Shancheng Qingye.

"Everyone in Amegakure, the Hokage is still busy, but he has already arranged accommodations for you. I will take you there now."

Regardless of the outcome, Amegakure has responded to Konoha's request for cooperation. As long as the cooperation is successful, they are guests in Konoha. Yamashiro Aoba's attitude is quite good.

The group followed Yamashiro Aoba to the streets of Konoha. Even though it was only morning, the prosperity of Konoha was evident, with vendors calling out their wares incessantly.

Aside from Ye Lan, this was the first time Xiu and the others had come to Konoha. Although Amegakure had improved, it was still far inferior to Konoha, so they couldn't help but show some surprise.

When Yamashiro Aoba saw this, a smile inevitably crept onto his lips. He noticed that ninjas from other villages would almost always give him this look, and a sense of superiority welled up inside him.

"Cough cough..."

Ye Lan broke the silence, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone before he smiled.

"It seems that Konoha's construction industry is quite good. I just heard that the Uchiha left Konoha a while ago and the entire Hokage Building collapsed. I didn't expect it to be restored to its original state so quickly."

Chapter 165 Negotiation (Part 1)

Yamashiro Aoba stopped in her tracks. No matter what, it was never pleasant to have one's wounds reopened in front of others, and she was about to open her mouth to refute.

"Alright, enough of that. Are we almost at our accommodation?"

Ye Lan didn't give him that chance, so the honest Shancheng Qingye could only continue on this topic.

"We'll be there soon. Your accommodations aren't far from the Hokage Building."

Ye Lan glanced in the direction of the Hokage Building and walked straight ahead, ignoring the other person.

"I'm sorry, that's just how Jonin Arashiha is. I really apologize."

Liang stepped forward and eased the other party's embarrassment; the natural advantage of being a woman made it difficult for Yamashiro Aoba to retaliate.

He adjusted his sunglasses, surprised that this unknown Amegakure ninja was so difficult to get along with; the name just felt a bit strange.

After escorting Ye Lan and his group to the inn, Yamashiro Aoba gave them some instructions and then left. He needed to report to Tsunade immediately, as the people from Amegakure had arrived.

He certainly wouldn't be able to rest properly at this hour, but meeting Tsunade was a matter for tomorrow anyway. Ye Lan said goodbye to Xiu and left the inn.

As soon as he stepped out the door, Ye Lan sensed prying eyes. He glanced into the crowd without making a sound and, sure enough, it was another familiar face dressed in casual clothes.