I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 180 and 182: The Avengers

The next day.

With clear skies, gentle breezes, and the Golden Week holiday in May, this national highway connecting Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture should be bustling with traffic. However, roadblocks have been set up near the outskirts of Saitama Prefecture.

Even if some drivers were unwilling to have driven so far for nothing, they had no choice but to turn around and return the way they came when they saw the armed Self-Defense Forces at the checkpoint.

After passing through the checkpoints set up on the national highway, Uchiha Senmon drove to a hill not far from Saitama Prefecture.

On Google Maps, there used to be a gas station here, but now not even ruins remain.

"This time, a gas pipeline explosion won't do. A gas station explosion? But even a gas station explosion wouldn't change the terrain or cut down the mountain."

Uchiha Senmon got out of the car and looked at the scene, which resembled the epicenter of a nuclear explosion, and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

At the explosion site, a group of people wearing white protective suits were searching for something with various instruments in their hands.

"While you were driving, the Metropolitan Police Department had already issued a statement saying that a tanker truck fully loaded with chemical liquids had crashed into a gas station, causing a chain reaction of explosions."

A burly police officer, whose weight was more than one-tenth of the police car's original weight, got out of the back seat.

It's hard to imagine that someone with such a weight is the head of the Fourth Investigation Division.

"Section Chief, the explosion's epicenter wasn't far from Saitama Prefecture. Tens of thousands witnessed the fireball and mushroom cloud, and were awakened by the explosion. Can such a reason really convince the public?"

"Can ordinary citizens really distinguish between a chemical tanker explosion, a missile explosion, or a battle between superhumans?"

Section Chief Akagi took out his phone and checked the time.

"The superhuman battle that took place in Ota Ward, Tokyo, was suppressed by the government, let alone the massive explosion in the suburbs of Saitama Prefecture. Unless the superhumans raz the Imperial Palace to the ground, those bigwigs will continue to cover up the truth."

Uchiha Senmon's expression darkened. Within the Metropolitan Police Department, he belonged to the open faction, advocating for the public to be made aware of the existence of the supernatural.

However, the Metropolitan Police Department's actions greatly disappointed the Uchiha Sage Sect. No matter how many people died or how much trouble the superhumans caused, the Metropolitan Police Department was determined to cover up the truth.

Especially after the earth-shattering battle between Jiraiya and Sasori of Akatsuki in Tokyo, the fully operational national machinery was able to completely erase the video footage from the internet in the information-rich Reiwa era.

Even in foreign media outlets that pride themselves on freedom of speech and press, not a single word could be found.

The resistance faced by the open-minded faction was greater than the Uchiha Sage had imagined.

"Tsk tsk tsk, even though I've seen satellite maps, being there in person still gives it a much better feel."

Section Chief Akagi looked around, took out his phone and snapped a few pictures, marveling at the sight.

"I thought Master Jiraiya and Sasori were already quite fierce, but I didn't expect Itachi to be even stronger than them! Look at this mess. In terms of destructive power alone, this is the most devastating one."

The massive explosion that occurred shortly after midnight naturally shook the Tokyo metropolitan area, throwing the Metropolitan Police Department into chaos.

The ambulance crew members rescued by Naruto Uchiha immediately reported the incident to the police upon returning to the city. Through their statements, the Metropolitan Police Department learned who the superhuman at the explosion site was and what kind of enemy he had dealt with.

"This extraordinary individual named Itachi must be the Kage-level powerhouse that Master Jiraiya mentioned. He already possesses the abilities of mental manipulation and teleportation, and with this missile-level explosion, the bigwigs above are probably going to have sleepless nights again."

Section Chief Akagi laughed heartily a few times, acting as if it were none of his business.

"However, I personally believe that 'Itachi' has no ill intentions towards the Metropolitan Police Department, or at least towards humans. His actions in rescuing people this time, even in an abandoned city, prove that he is not a vicious criminal," Uchiha Senmon said after a moment of contemplation.

Because he was in front of the trusted Section Chief Akagi, Uchiha Senmon didn't hold back and spoke his mind.

"Immortal Sect, you don't understand the logic of the big shots above. Whether there is malice or not is not important; what is important is whether they have the ability," Section Chief Akagi said meaningfully.

"What if it's an ordinary civilian, or even an invincible person without parents, children, or relatives? But it's different for a superhuman with immense power. Who cares whether the person holding the nuclear launch button is good or evil? Possessing disruptive power, yet being beyond control, is something no government can tolerate."

Uchiha Senmon sighed; he wasn't unaware of these principles.

However, there are too many selfish desires and evil intentions among the top levels of the Japanese government, which has led to many of its policies running counter to the interests of the public.

"Immortal Sect, has anyone ever told you that you're a bit too soft-hearted? You've always been like this since college."

Section Chief Akagi addressed Uchiha Senmon by his name in a very friendly manner, offering his advice.

"This won't do if you want to be a good head of the Fourth Investigation Division."

"Section Chief, what does this mean?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Senmon adjusted his glasses, his tone becoming very serious.

"I have applied for medical retirement from the Superintendent General of Police and recommended you to be the next head of the Fourth Investigation Division!" The big news revealed by Chief Akagi caught the Uchiha Senmon off guard.

"Section Chief, are you retiring due to illness? Has your old injury flared up again?" Uchiha Senmon quickly asked.

"Pretty much. Back in the day, I made it to the finals of the National Police Kendo Tournament, just like you. But the side effects of the medication I took after my injury made me so obese that I am what I am now."

Section Chief Akagi pinched his belly and said self-deprecatingly.

"Especially since April, there have been a series of extraordinary events, my workload has doubled, and my body is taking a heavy toll. If this continues, I may die young."

Section Chief Akagi patted Uchiha Senmon on the shoulder and laughed heartily.

"Don't make that face, this is a good thing. Although I can't go abroad because of the confidentiality agreement, I can go to Okinawa to enjoy the southern scenery and recuperate. With your previous merits, plus the fact that you persuaded General William to gain the appreciation of the Superintendent General, there shouldn't be any problem with recommending you."

"Immortal Sect. The responsibility of investigating the Fourth Division is now entrusted to you!"

"I will do my best!" Uchiha Senmon closed his eyes and nodded heavily.

"Speaking of which, Immortal Sect, once you become a section chief, you won't have to be on the front lines. That way, you'll have more time to spend with your family," Akagi asked, as if she had just remembered something.

"Your child with Mikoto should be in high school by now, right? Which school does she attend?"

"It should be the first year of high school, but I can't remember which school I attended." Uchiha Senmon was taken aback upon hearing this, then lowered his head to wipe his glasses to hide his embarrassment.

"You're not behaving like a father at all. I've wanted to tell you this before, since you were so focused on your work. Mikoto doesn't want to see you and your child so distant either."

"It's for Mikoto's sake that I have to work even harder. Only in the Metropolitan Police Department's Fourth Investigation Division is it possible to catch that monster red-handed."

Uchiha Senmon's voice turned cold, and in his dark eyes, a burning rage, a determination unique to an avenger, blazed as he prepared to reduce the world to ashes.

Section Chief Akagi's expression was complicated, and she seemed to feel a little guilty. Her lips trembled a few times, but in the end, she bit her lower lip and remained silent.

(End of this chapter)