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

Beginners simply cannot apply it in actual combat, and even those who reach the Jonin level don't have that much time to learn it, and it would also change their fighting style. By then, they wouldn't know if it would actually increase their strength and would have wasted their time. Only those who consciously learn sealing techniques from a young age can fully utilize sealing techniques in combat.

Ye Lan didn't expect the sealing technique to bring much improvement; he would be satisfied if it could increase his margin for error in battle. Tsunade didn't expect him to become a sealing technique master immediately after a month either; as long as he could reach a usable level, he would be guaranteed the position of director.

Ye Lan would study the Impure World Reincarnation technique he used to blackmail Orochimaru, but this ninjutsu required extensive experimentation, and he couldn't conduct live experiments in the village. As a Jonin, he couldn't leave the village without a reason; he knew someone in the village was watching his every move. He might not pay attention normally, but if he acted strangely, the higher-ups in Konoha would definitely find out.

If he completes the task of repairing the barrier, he can leave himself an opening, allowing him to freely enter and leave the village. The experiment of Impure World Reincarnation can then be carried out. He will then find some evil mountain bandits and thugs as materials. He does not require the Impure World Reincarnation technique to be very complete; he only needs to resurrect the dead members of the Uchiha clan to obtain most of the information.

Ye Lan didn't find the learning particularly enjoyable; he also felt it was tedious. However, knowing what he was carrying changed his mindset towards learning. He had already gained Tsunade's trust, and as long as he completed one or two more important missions, he would be entrusted with important responsibilities, getting closer and closer to the village's core secrets. He would gradually uncover the truth behind the night of the massacre.

Chapter 55 Sealing Curse

"Tsunade, how could you make such an absurd decision?" Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, having already learned that Yoru was about to take charge of repairing the Konoha barrier, went directly to Tsunade to question her.

"Absurd? I don't see it that way." Tsunade was already prepared; as long as she stood firm, these two advisors wouldn't be able to do anything to her.

"We must remain highly vigilant against the Uchiha clan. During the Nine-Tails' rampage twelve years ago, many people saw the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes," Mizumono Houen warned.

Tsunade was not in the village at that time. The Nine-Tails had caused too much damage, which aroused suspicion among the Konoha leaders who had always been wary of the Uchiha clan.

"You know it was twelve years ago. How old was Ye Lan back then? How could he have the ability to control the Nine-Tails?" Tsunade didn't want to dwell on those old stories; these things couldn't possibly be related to Ye Lan.

"That's hard to say. Even if it wasn't him controlling the Nine-Tails, the Uchiha might still be connected to him. You know, that kid Ye Lan has eyes just like Madara Uchiha. We all saw it a while ago!" Koharu Utatane's usually narrowed eyes widened considerably. The appearance of Susanoo couldn't be hidden from the higher-ups of Konoha, and she felt fear towards this power.

Tsunade, who had only heard of it, didn't pay much attention. Looking at the advisors who had always been prejudiced against the Uchiha, she couldn't help but sigh and said, "Konoha was founded by my grandfather and Madara Uchiha. Now, only I am left of the Senju clan, and only two brats are left of the Uchiha clan."

Even if the Uchiha clan committed any wrongdoings in the past, it has nothing to do with them. Have you all lived this long and still not had a shred of tolerance?

The two advisors, who had been lectured by Tsunade, blushed and didn't know how to answer her. They couldn't very well reveal that they had instigated Itachi to massacre the Uchiha clan, as that would expose their past.

"Alright, that's settled then. Now it's up to Ye Lan's talent in sealing techniques." Tsunade took the opportunity to finalize the matter, refusing to make any further changes.

"Hmph, only you would have such an idea as to send members of the Uchiha clan to learn sealing techniques." Even at the very end, Koharu Utatane remained defiant.

"It has nothing to do with whether he's an Uchiha or not, he is Ye Lan." Tsunade had complete confidence in Ye Lan.

So what is Ye Lan doing? Let's turn our attention over here. He's out shopping. It's not that he's being lazy, but if he just keeps working behind closed doors, he might not get anything done. He needs to relax a bit now.

"Ye Lan!" I ran into an acquaintance on the street. It was Mitarashi Anko, the captain of the Chunin Exams. She was eating a large string of sweet dumplings with great relish, with crumbs of food stuck to the corners of her mouth.

"You should eat less sweets, or you'll become a 200-pound fat man," Ye Lan said, looking at Hong Dou's unrestrained eating habits.

"No problem, I never gain weight!" Hongdou patted her chest with a smile.

Ye Lan had no way to deal with Hong Dou's personality. She was also an acquaintance of hers in Konoha, and casually asked, "I haven't seen you lately. Have you been on a mission somewhere?"

"The Hokage asked me to investigate the truth behind the murder of a nobleman. At the time, we couldn't find the killer, and it took me a long time to find a clue. It seems to be a famous bounty hunter from the underground bounty agency. What was his name again? Kakuzu! I heard that guy even fought against the First Hokage! Are you kidding me? The First Hokage has been dead for so many years!" Anko looked up and thought for a moment before speaking.

"You're not investigating the truth behind the murder of the Kanagawa family, are you?" Ye Lan interrupted, feeling a sense of familiarity with Hong Dou's description.

"That's right! How did you know?"

"My previous mission was to protect the safety of the eldest daughter of Kanagawa, but I didn't expect them to make a move as soon as I left." Ye Lan shrugged, also surprised that they would do such a thing.

"Looks like having a big reputation has this advantage; the other side doesn't dare to make a move when you're around," Hongdou teased.

"It's not that exaggerated. I have fought against them before. They are very strong. If you encounter them, run away immediately." Ye Lan didn't know if Kakuzu had fought against the First Hokage, but just from a brief encounter, he knew that Kakuzu was no ordinary person.

Seeing that Hongdou didn't seem to care, Yelan warned, "That guy is no less dangerous than Orochimaru."

Upon hearing Orochimaru's name, Anko's playful expression vanished, and she said with some disbelief, "Is it really that exaggerated?"

“No, I’ve fought against them all, and I have my own judgment.” Ye Lan said this, and Hong Dou nodded seriously.

"Will the curse mark on your body still affect you?" After finishing talking about the mission, Ye Lan asked about Hong Dou's condition. He was by Hong Dou's side when the curse mark took effect, and he knew that it was a side effect for Hong Dou.

"Fortunately, as long as it doesn't consume too much chakra, this thing doesn't really have any effect on me."

"How about... I reinforce it with a sealing technique for you? Not being able to use your full strength during the mission will affect you." Ye Lan wasn't just acting on a whim; he also wanted to know what level his sealing technique, which he had been learning for some time, had reached.

"You also know sealing techniques?" Hongdou couldn't believe that a ninja like Yelan, who had achieved considerable success in both ninjutsu and swordsmanship, would also learn sealing techniques.

"I've just had some recent insights, and dealing with cursed seals shouldn't be a problem." Ye Lan didn't want to admit that he had only been learning for a short time and just wanted to find someone to practice on.

"Alright, shall we go to the practice field?" Hongdou suggested, knowing that many sealing techniques required complicated setups.

"Hmm." After the two arrived at the training ground, Ye Lan first drew a magic circle for casting a sealing spell on an open space. Seeing Ye Lan's skillful execution, Hong Dou couldn't help but feel relieved.

"Sit in the center of the formation and reveal your spell mark," Ye Lan said after drawing the magic circle.

Hongdou didn't care at all. She took off the coat she always wore, leaving only a tight-fitting fishnet top on her upper body, and sat directly in the magic circle.

Ye Lan stood behind Hong Dou, looking straight ahead at the curse mark that had already appeared on the back of Hong Dou's neck, and said, "It might hurt a little."

"Huh?" Hongdou wanted to turn around and ask Yelan how much it hurt, but Yelan's fingers formed a seal in a second: Yin-Mao-Si-Wu-Wei... Sealing Evil Seal.

Chakra concentrated in his right hand and pressed it onto the curse seal. The special symbols drawn around the magic circle all flowed towards the curse seal on Anko's neck, gradually forming a seal.

"Ah!" Hongdou finally couldn't help but cry out. It was a nerve pain that most people couldn't bear.

Before long, both Ye Lan and Hong Dou were drenched in sweat. Ye Lan was a bit clumsy and it took a lot of energy to use it for the first time, while Hong Dou was in pain. Finally, the seal ended, and a magic circle appeared around the curse mark on Hong Dou's neck. It was a success.

"Ha..." Red Bean said breathlessly, "Is it over?"

"Hmm." Ye Lan pondered for a moment and said, "However, in my opinion, cursed seals are not all bad. You can study how to use cursed seals in the future. Currently, cursed seals have been completely suppressed by my sealing techniques. You can try to add some power of cursed seals to your ninjutsu, which may bring some unexpected benefits."

Just now, Ye Lan clearly felt the power of the cursed seal when he used the Sealing Evil Technique. That energy was very similar to the natural energy he had cultivated. Orochimaru simply added his own mark on it, and the way he used it was extremely brutal. Long-term use would greatly damage the body's functions.

Realizing the principle behind the curse seal, Ye Lan altered the application of the sealing seal, adding some of her own natural energy to balance it, significantly reducing the curse seal's side effects. While its power was less than before, the risks of using it were almost nonexistent.

Red Bean touched the curse mark on her neck and realized that it no longer felt strange; it felt like it had become a part of her body.

Chapter 56 Framing

"From now on, you'll be an Anbu member. Have you decided on your codename?" Tsunade asked, looking at Sasuke, who was already wearing an Anbu uniform.

Sasuke picked up a mask with an eagle-like design on it. "My codename from now on will be Eagle."

"Hmph, this code name is really not good." Tsunade rested her face in her hands. "Tenzo, from now on, I'll leave the hawk to you."

Sasuke was slightly taken aback when he heard this. A rather burly man appeared in the office, wearing a cat-face mask, standing next to Sasuke.

Unable to see the expression behind the mask, Sasuke felt pressured by Tenzo's gaze. It was as if Tenzo was scrutinizing him as soon as he entered the room, making Sasuke feel very uncomfortable.

"Remember, no matter what mission you're carrying out in the Anbu, you must not reveal it to any non-Anbu members, including Kakashi and Yelan. You only need to obey the Hokage's orders, understand?" Tsunade reminded Sasuke one last time, lest he act rashly.

"Yes." Sasuke bowed slightly. He understood that Tsunade was different from Kakashi, and that he would be her direct superior from now on. He could not refuse any of Tsunade's orders. Even if Tsunade sent a group of Anbu to their deaths, these people would not even flinch. He was already prepared to join the Anbu.

Then, Tenzo led Sasuke to the Anbu base. After assigning Sasuke to a squad, he went to attend to other matters. As the captain of the Anbu, Tenzo certainly wouldn't be in the same squad as Sasuke; he simply greeted Sasuke's new squad leader and left.

The squad leader, codenamed Shadow, didn't seem very old. He wasn't wearing a mask and was smiling at Sasuke. The other two teammates were a long-haired woman codenamed Antelope and a tall man codenamed Mountain Rat.

"I didn't expect you to be assigned to our class, Uchiha Sasuke." Antelope's voice was very pleasant, and her long golden hair added to her appearance.

Sasuke, seeing that the three knew his identity, no longer concealed it, removed his mask and looked calmly at his future teammates: "Is the Anbu really this lax?"

After hearing Sasuke's words, Kage whistled: "What do you think the Anbu are like? We're human too, and we have our own lives when we're not on missions. But..."

Before Sasuke could react, a sudden attack from the Shadow struck him directly in the abdomen, almost causing him to vomit up his dinner from the night before.

Seeing Sasuke's disheveled appearance, Kage casually said, "I don't care if you're a genius or not. In the Anbu, only strength matters. Everyone here is your senior. Newcomers, you'd better speak respectfully to me."

Neither your teacher, Kakashi-senpai, nor your cousin has any jurisdiction over the Anbu.

"Alright, alright, Shadow, you don't need to do this. How old is Sasuke?" Mountain Rat said with a smile, stepping forward to help Sasuke up.

Sasuke easily pushed aside Yamura's support with one hand and slowly stood up on his own. "Strength speaks for itself. I'll remember this!"

Watching Sasuke's departing figure, Kage shrugged helplessly, and Antelope couldn't help but say, "Look at what you've done, aren't you afraid that Kakashi-senpai will cause you trouble?"

"Come on, I was just following Kakashi-senpai's advice to teach this kid a lesson, and that's not enough?" Kage regained his casual demeanor. "Won't Sasuke complain? What about tomorrow's mission if we just leave like this?"

"I'll go talk to him, hehe." The kind-hearted Mountain Rat took on the task. As the oldest in the class, he wasn't the strongest, but he had the best temper. Having experienced a lot, he didn't have any ill feelings towards Sasuke.

Before he becomes strong enough, Sasuke needs to learn to adapt to life in the Anbu. When he was with his peers, Sasuke would always unintentionally show his sharpness. But in the Anbu, that sharpness is not strong enough. Only by becoming strong can he change the rules. This is something that Ye Lan and Kakashi cannot teach him with words. Sasuke must experience it firsthand in order to gradually calm down and continue to grow.

...

"Send 5 people to reinforce the barrier in area B3, and 3 people to make some confusing arrangements in area C1..." Ye Lan has become the supervisor of the Konoha barrier repair and is now assigning tasks to the barrier team in an orderly manner.

At first, the people in the barrier class were somewhat dismissive of Ye Lan, thinking that no matter how strong Ye Lan was, it was impossible for him to be proficient in barrier sealing. Given his age, how could he have so much energy to learn sealing techniques?

After Ye Lan casually showed off his skills, the group in the barrier class instantly became obedient. The control over chakra and the smooth arrangement made them feel like they had completely wasted their time learning from Ye Lan. They obediently followed Ye Lan's instructions.

Ye Lan watched the barrier team work, occasionally filling in any gaps. At that moment, several people wearing dark vests appeared in front of Ye Lan.

"Anbu? What's the matter?" Ye Lan had seen some of the Anbu in the villages and recognized their attire. He was still very polite to Tsunade's direct troops.

"Following the Hokage's orders, we need Jonin Yelan to provide a barrier deployment plan. Please prepare it." The ANBU member in front of me spoke in a cold voice, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Looking at the intricate patterns on the other party's white mask, Ye Lan was somewhat uncertain. Was it really necessary for Tsunade to send the Anbu to retrieve a blueprint? This wasn't like her. Ye Lan calmly replied, "I gave the blueprints to Lady Tsunade yesterday. Who are you?"

Ye Lan's black pupils instantly transformed into Sharingan, intently watching the other party's every move. Of course, he hadn't given it to Tsunade yet; construction had only just begun today, and many plans needed to be changed based on the actual situation. He hadn't prepared the plans at all.

Upon hearing Ye Lan's reply, the other party was clearly flustered. Then, the leader said somewhat hurriedly, "Lady Tsunade may have misremembered. We'll go back and report right away."

"Stop!" Ye Lan wouldn't let this suspicious person go. A light appeared in his hand. He hadn't even tried out his newly made ninja sword yet, and he swung it directly at the other person.

Ye Lan had no intention of killing the other party, only of capturing them. However, the other party seemed to have slipped and lunged directly at Ye Lan's ninja sword. Ye Lan did not expect the other party's desire to die, and the ninja sword pierced directly into the other party's chest.

Blood splattered all over Ye Lan. Even with Ye Lan's intelligence, he was stunned by the other party's actions. Everyone present, whether it was the barrier team or the remaining two dark members, looked at Ye Lan.

"You killed your fellow villager, I knew you, Uchiha Yelan, were evil at heart! You disregard the rules! Now what do you have to say?" Danzo finally appeared before everyone, surrounded by several ANBU ninjas.

"Ha, framing him! You old dog, you played this trick quite well." Ye Lan no longer concealed his malice; Danzo had become his prime suspect.

Previously, Ye Lan thought that as one of the founding clans of Konoha, the Uchiha would never suffer the same fate as his own family. At most, the Konoha leaders would be relegated to the sidelines. Now it seems that the massacre of the clan was more serious than he had imagined.

Chapter 57 Roots

Even a group of Root ninjas who were experienced in life and death couldn't help but feel uneasy about Ye Lan's aura. Ye Lan looked around, and even these masked ninjas dared not meet his gaze.

That's how it is. Uchiha Yelan, hurry up and make your move. As long as you make your move, I can make sure you get out of Konoha... This is the effect Danzo wanted. He hid behind the Root ninjas and kept staring at Yelan.

Just as Ye Lan's aura reached its peak, he suddenly calmed down. Although it would be satisfying to slaughter everyone at this moment, it wouldn't solve anything and would only achieve the old dog's goal. The only one who would truly feel good was the old dog. The thought that such an old dog could feel good made Ye Lan feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Uchiha Yelan, it seems you've confessed and accepted the facts?" Seeing Yelan's calm demeanor, Danzo, that old fox, immediately felt uneasy and continued to provoke Yelan, while simultaneously ordering Root to capture him.

"I will explain the situation to the Hokage. Without the Hokage's authorization, I can refuse your investigation." Ye Lan glanced at the Root members who were approaching and then stepped aside.

"Are you going to resist arrest?!" Danzo didn't expect this young Uchiha to be so difficult to deal with. Weren't all the Uchiha clan hotheads? Even provoking him like this had no effect.

"I will explain Danzo's actions—inciting Konoha ninjas to frame their own comrades—to the Hokage." Ye Lan's words sounded like he was confiding in a parent, but this was the most effective method; he didn't believe Tsunade wouldn't notice something amiss.