I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 214 and 215: "Even Lei the Hero"

In a corner of the heavily guarded Yoyogi Park.

The exact locations where Mineko Yuki and the other six people fainted were marked with signs, and seven lines drawn with white lines were used to mark the locations of the crime scene.

Several drones were flying overhead, while hundreds of police officers were conducting a grid search on the ground, walking around the area.

There were also researchers in white coats carefully collecting grass and soil samples on the grass. Several air collectors and airborne dust and bacteria samplers were operating in all directions.

It has the momentum to dig three feet into the ground, to search the heavens and the underworld!

Those unaware of the facts might mistakenly believe that a serious criminal case with heavy casualties had occurred in Yoyogi Park upon seeing this scene!

"Inspector Matsuura, when will the investigation be completed?"

The Shibuya Ward Mayor wiped the sweat from his forehead with a tissue handed to him by his secretary and asked a middle-aged police officer in uniform with thick eyebrows and a square face.

Yoyogi Park, adjacent to Meiji Shrine, is one of the most famous attractions in Shibuya Ward.

During the Golden Week holiday, tourists from other prefectures flocked to Yoyogi Park, putting considerable pressure on him, the mayor of Shibuya Ward, to close the vast park.

However, when the governor of Tokyo called, he had no choice but to obey.

"I'm not entirely sure either; it depends on the investigation results and the Metropolitan Police Department's orders."

Superintendent Matsuura carefully considered his words before replying, "However, Warden, you should be prepared. This lockdown of Yoyogi Park may not be over in just a day or two."

"I see."

The Shibuya Ward Chief nodded, turned around to look at the police officers conducting a thorough search, a look of curiosity on his face, and mysteriously approached Inspector Matsuura.

"Inspector Matsuura, I heard that the mass coma incident yesterday was related to superhumans? Could you give me a little hint so I'm aware of the situation?"

Inspector Matsuura, with a slight bluish stubble under his mouth, had a somewhat subtle expression.

He was the on-site commander of the Minamoto no Yorimitsu Onimusha incident in Ota Ward.

After the extraordinary battle between Sasori of the Red Sand and Master Jiraiya, the country barely managed to cover it up by fully mobilizing its propaganda machine, but this only applied to ordinary citizens and not to the upper classes.

In Tokyo's elite bureaucratic circles, the existence of monsters and superhumans is already semi-public knowledge.

While the citizens were stunned, they were also instinctively filled with curiosity and desire for the mysterious side.

In a country like Japan where class barriers are so strong, most of the powerful and wealthy have obtained everything they have through their bloodline. I succeeded because I was born into a good family, and I was born into a good family because of the protection of gods and Buddhas.

As a result, it is not hard to understand why feudal superstitions such as praying to gods and Buddhas have become so prevalent.

From then on, they became even more superstitious and fanatical within circles of power and wealth.

Although they hadn't had enough of worldly riches and honors, their desires were insatiable. They wanted everything: mysterious and unpredictable supernatural powers, the possibility of extending lifespan, and even immortality!

According to information that Superintendent Matsuura had overheard, the Metropolitan Police Department had recently received a series of large donations, which were undoubtedly from powerful figures who wanted to get involved.

While the Shibuya ward mayor is a superior citizen, he is not qualified to know the inner workings of supernatural events.

"Your Excellency, there are confidentiality agreements within the Metropolitan Police Department, so I can only say I have no comment!"

Inspector Matsuura pondered for a moment, but his words remained perfectly confidential.

"Okay, okay."

After seeing off the Shibuya Ward Mayor, Superintendent Matsuura was greeted by a police car at the entrance of Yoyogi Park.

Escorted by several police officers, a well-mannered folklorist wearing glasses walked over.

"Commander, it's been over a week."

The folklorist was beaming and walking with a brisk pace, as if his career had been given a second spring.

"Professor Nagayama, I have stepped down from my temporary command position and am now an investigator. You can just call me Matsuura," Inspector Matsuura said.

Superintendent Matsuura beckoned over and called over a police officer, from whom he took two portrait sketches.

One photo shows a white-haired man with disheveled hair, dressed like a Kabuki actor, while the other shows a black-haired man with a sinister and effeminate face, wearing a black robe with red cloud patterns.

It's Jiraiya and Orochimaru!

The best profiler in the Metropolitan Police Department drew a lifelike sketch based on the accounts of the fat woman, the bespectacled man, and several others, with an accuracy of eight or nine points.

"Professor Changshan, do you have any clues about the origins of these extraordinary individuals who have appeared this time?"

"Of course!" Professor Nagayama said confidently.

"I've already given a report at the Metropolitan Police Department. But since Inspector Matsuura isn't here, I'll repeat it again."

Professor Changshan had clearly done his homework; he spoke fluently and loudly:

"The toad sage Jiraiya who appeared on Mount Myōboku, and Orochimaru who controls a giant python, undoubtedly have a great connection with the Chinese folktale 'The Tale of Jiraiya the Hero!'"

"The Tale of Raiyo Heroes" is a novel series that Mitogaki Egao began writing in 1839. By 1866, a total of 44 volumes had been published, but the series was never completed due to the author's death.

"In the novel, Jiraiya is the son of a powerful family in Higo Province and a ninja who can summon toads. Princess Tsunade, whom Jiraiya loves, can control slugs. The villain in the story is Orochimaru, who can control poisonous snakes." Professor Nagayama continued, "Snakes eat toads, toads eat slugs, and slugs eat snakes. The three are mutually reinforcing and mutually restraining."

"But this is too unbelievable. How could these two superhumans be so similar to Raiya and Orochimaru? Even their names and abilities are exactly the same as those in the novels." Inspector Matsuura asked with a frown.

"It's obvious that Jiraiya, who calls himself the Toad Sage, is the prototype for Raiya."

"But 'The Tale of Raiyo Heroes' is a work from nearly two hundred years ago!"

"Inspector Matsuura, your thinking is still limited and hasn't been broadened. Judging from the conversation between Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, and Orochimaru, Jiraiya is clearly over two hundred years old."

The Metropolitan Police Department also dispatched psychologists and interrogation experts, and the conversations that the group overheard at Mount Myoboku were recorded. Through repeated comparison and review, the conversations were found to be largely consistent.

"Is it possible that, like these seven people, Mitogaki Sagami once strayed into Mount Myōboku, met Jiraiya and Orochimaru, and then wrote down their stories to create 'The Tale of Jiraiya the Hero'?" Professor Nagayama asked patiently.

"So, there might be another Princess Tsunade who can control slugs?" Inspector Matsuura's face showed a strange expression.

"Most likely!"

Professor Hasegawa demonstrated remarkable confidence and composure in his field of expertise, speaking with absolute certainty that left everyone in awe.

"The Oni Warriors of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, the Fire Rat Robe and Buddha Stone Bowl from 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,' and Jiraiya and Orochimaru from 'The Tale of the Gallant'... Since ancient times, our world has been closely connected with extraordinary beings, and the secrets of these extraordinary beings are hidden in the history and myths that have been passed down to this day!"

Among the experts in the Metropolitan Police Department, folklorists and historians were usually benched and had almost no say.

However, as the situation changed, the monsters and gods in folk legends took turns on stage, and Professor Nagayama, as the leading folklorist in the entire island nation, became popular again.

One grant after another followed, some from the government and some from conglomerates.

Good times are back!

Professor Changshan, riding high on his success, suddenly looked more than ten years younger.

"Myths and legends are not created out of thin air; the key to understanding the extraordinary world lies hidden within them!"

Because of his vested interests, Professor Changshan began to boast extensively.

It's not that he's bragging; he's just so certain of it.

"But we can't jump to conclusions like that. The evidence isn't sufficient right now. So many great young men from the Metropolitan Police Department have searched the whole area, but they haven't found a passage connecting to Mount Myoboku..."

Inspector Matsuura turned his head, looked at the lush and vibrant Yoyogi Park, and took a deep breath.

The air was fresh, carrying the unique earthy fragrance of the forest.

Although Yoyogi Park is vast, in Tokyo, one of the world's largest metropolises, it's just a potted plant inside a building.

Since Yoyogi Park opened to the public in the 1950s, millions of people have entered and exited it. If there really was a door to a mysterious world, it should have been discovered long ago.

Hearing Inspector Matsuura's question, Professor Nagayama, swaying his head, began reciting a passage:

"During the Taiyuan era of the Jin Dynasty, a man from Wuling made his living by fishing..."

The timeless classic "Peach Blossom Spring" is even included in Japanese textbooks.

"He became lost and could not find the way again. Liu Ziji of Nanyang, a man of noble character, heard of this and gladly returned to the place. However, he did not succeed and soon fell ill and died. After that, no one else inquired about the place."

After Professor Nagayama finished displaying his erudition, he continued:

"Throughout history, entering another world has never been easy. Even if the powerful and wealthy wanted to search every mountain and sea, they would inevitably return empty-handed. The key lies in the word 'fate'."

Upon hearing this, Inspector Matsuura's face darkened.

Unsuccessful, the search for treatment ended in death...

The person searching high and low in Yoyogi Park right now, isn't that me?

What a jinx!

"Furthermore, it's not without evidence. That Metropolitan Police Department police academy intern named Yuki Mineko just breathed fire from her mouth in full view of everyone. The Yoyogi Police Station's cameras also captured this scene."

Inspector Matsuura was speechless.

Otherwise, the Metropolitan Police Department wouldn't be able to operate so efficiently.

"The number of registered superhumans already exceeds the number on one hand. Leaving aside those superhumans whose whereabouts are elusive, there are Dr. Satomi and Hideo Tosu who transformed from ordinary people into superhumans, but..."

"Does another mysterious world truly exist, hidden behind myths and history?"

Inspector Matsuura harbored strong questions, but after glancing at Professor Nagayama's fervent and confident expression, he wisely refrained from asking any further questions.

Looking at Professor Nagayama's face, it's as if he wishes Tokyo were a paradise of gods and Buddhas during the day and a place where a hundred ghosts roam at night.

In this way, his influence within the expert panel will inevitably increase.

Despite my personal motives, there are many points in Professor Nagayama's words that are worth considering.

"Professor Nagayama, our Metropolitan Police Department has been searching this area for so long, but we've still found nothing. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Since those seven people who mistakenly entered Mount Myōboku are destined, if we find them again and place them in Yoyogi Park, will we be able to find the passage to Mount Myōboku?"

"That's hard to say."

Professor Changshan neither confirmed nor denied it. In fact, most of his analyses of the mysterious world were just his own speculations.

"Like the fisherman who stumbled upon the Peach Blossom Spring, he could never find the way back. But compared to those who had no chance, they probably had a better opportunity."

"Professor Nagayama, have you made any other discoveries?"

"Well, I also have some preliminary thoughts on Jiraiya's Kabuki performance, which was mentioned in the report."

Professor Changshan got all excited when this was mentioned.

He took the sketch of Jiraiya from Inspector Matsuura and gestured wildly at Jiraiya's gray-white hair.

"Inspector Matsuura, look! In the traditional Japanese art of Kabuki, there is a famous play called 'Renjishi' (The Lion King). The hairstyle of the white-haired old lion in the play is very similar to that of Jiraiya."

To provide further evidence, Professor Nagayama took out a pre-prepared still from the Kabuki play "Renjishi" from his briefcase.

Inspector Matsuura took it and looked at it. It did indeed resemble the person somewhat, and he nodded slightly.

"The Tale of the Heroic Son of Raiya was adapted into a Kabuki play by Kaitake Mokuami in 1852, and it remained popular for a long time. It was later adapted into..."

Professor Changshan began reciting at length again.

Inspector Matsuura was somewhat alarmed. He had met Professor Nagayama a few times before, but he had never seen him so talkative.

"Professor Nagayama, your knowledge is truly astounding! Could you briefly summarize your views?" Inspector Matsuura praised Professor Nagayama, thereby interrupting his speech.

Professor Nagayama smacked his lips, seemingly still wanting more, before speaking:

"I believe that Jiraiya, the Toad Sage, was a Kabuki enthusiast. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dressed as a Kabuki actor and used Kabuki-style opening remarks and self-introductions."

A self-proclaimed immortal being, a superhuman, actually likes outdated Kabuki?

Is this possible?

However, considering Jiraiya's attire and demeanor, it's not impossible.

Some elderly people have a fondness for Kabuki.

"Hmm, hmm, 'The Tale of Raiyo Heroes'..."

Inspector Matsuura pondered the book title, a strong sense of curiosity rising within him; perhaps he could glean some clues from it.

"Go to the nearest bookstore and buy me a copy of 'The Tale of Lei Ye, the Hero.'"

Superintendent Matsuura randomly summoned a police officer and assigned him to buy books.

"No need to waste money, Inspector Matsuura."

Professor Nagayama, beaming with pride, announced, "Because of my report, the Metropolitan Police Department has placed a huge order! 'Children's Tale of Raiyo' has become the required reading for the Fourth Investigation Division, and everyone will have a copy soon!"

(End of this chapter)