Yechen neither knew nor cared what some people were thinking. He had achieved his goal, and after dismissing everyone, he kept only a few trusted confidants behind.
For over a year, he had devoted himself entirely to secluded training without leaving a Shadow Clone behind, so he had no idea how far things had progressed in the outside world.
From Elder Lei's account, Yechen gained a general understanding. Although the Shinobi World had not changed much, it was moving in a better direction.
Life had become much easier for ordinary villagers, too. Trade flowed between the villages, and goods had become more plentiful.
Sunagakure, in particular, had undergone tremendous changes. Its people had once lived amid constant wind and sand, but now many oases dotted the Land of Wind, and its water supply had improved considerably.
The villagers of Sunagakure were deeply grateful for the Gods Alliance's help, which had further elevated the alliance's standing in the Shinobi World.
After learning all this, Yechen turned his gaze to Minato Namikaze.
"Minato, can you find your teacher, Jiraiya?"
Minato Namikaze looked somewhat puzzled by the question.
"Divine Lord, Master Jiraiya is still in Konoha. I think he's gathering material for a book."
Minato Namikaze blushed a little as he said this. As Jiraiya's student, he naturally knew something of his teacher's character.
"Oh," Yechen murmured meaningfully before asking,
"Did he leave any message for me?"
"No," Minato Namikaze answered directly.
What has that Pervy Sage been doing? It's been so long. Has he still not delivered my message?
Several years earlier, Yechen had asked Jiraiya to pass along his greetings to the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku and, if possible, arrange a meeting.
*Now Naruto is already four, and there's still no word from him. Has he been hanging around