I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 301 & 302: Bird in a Cage

"This Buddha statue has a unique shape, unlike anything I've ever seen before."

Uchiha Senmon took out his night vision camera and took a few more pictures of the Buddha statue on the rock wall from a different angle.

The Buddha statue is over ten meters long, with its face and body severely damaged. The damage was not caused by weathering but by fighting. Only the benevolent features are still faintly visible, but three horns protrude from the Buddha's forehead.

"These pictographs, unlike oracle bone script and hieroglyphics, are another system of ancient writing."

Uchiha Senmon considered himself quite knowledgeable, but he knew nothing about the origins of Buddhist statues and hieroglyphs.

The only thing we can do is take more pictures and data, and then hand them over to the Metropolitan Police Department for analysis. Maybe we can decipher some valuable information.

Although the Uchiha Sage himself did not have much hope for this.

"Mr. Yakushi Kabuto is a man of profound knowledge, both ancient and modern, with an exceptional memory. Could you perhaps offer some guidance?"

During their rest outside the ruins temple, Uchiha Senmon subtly tried to glean information about the mystical side and the Akatsuki organization from Kabuto Yakushi.

"The inscriptions on the temple cannot be deciphered by outsiders; only the eyes of the Hyuga clan can discern them."

Kabuto looked up at the writing on the cliff face a few times, then glanced at the Uchiha Sage Clan, and said meaningfully.

"Encrypting text so that only specific eye techniques can decipher it is a practice frequently used by the Sharingan."

Uchiha Senmon's heart skipped a beat.

Kabuto Yakushi's words were loaded with meaning; perhaps he already knew his secret.

As dusk fell and the stars shifted, the moon rabbit leaped into the night sky.

Just then, the melodious strains of classical musical instruments playing in the distance filled the air, captivating all who heard them.

"They're here!"

Uchiha Senmon and Yakushi Kabuto exchanged a glance, their expressions differing.

The former showed a vigilant and worried expression, as if facing a formidable enemy, while Yakushi Kabuto displayed undisguised excitement.

Under the bright moonlight, a large troop of people rode through the clouds and mist, arriving in a grand procession.

The celestial maidens at the front of the procession were dressed in colorful feather robes, their appearances and attire extremely beautiful, and they were playing various musical instruments.

Behind them was a troop of celestial soldiers and generals dressed in golden armor, surrounding a royal carriage draped with light gauze curtains and adorned with tassels on all four sides.

The group finally floated in the air, five feet off the ground, in the open space in front of the temple.

"The rainbow is her garment, the wind her steed, and the cloud lords descend in droves. It's just like the scene in the ending of 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,' where the celestial beings welcome Princess Kaguya back to heaven."

Uchiha Senmon's expression was complicated as he murmured softly.

A celestial general, whose armor gleamed brightly, stepped forward from the ranks, crawled forward, and knelt down.

"Princess Hinata!"

The heavenly general ignored the Uchiha Senmon group in front of the temple and knelt on the ground, calling out to the temple.

The Hyuga shrine maiden walked out of the temple with her eyes lowered.

"Lady Kaguya invites you to meet her at the Moon Castle."

Tianjiang buried his head in the ground and spoke in a mechanical, flat tone.

It really is a puppet!

Uchiha Senmon's pupils contracted.

From the moment the group arrived, the Uchiha Sage noticed that these stunningly beautiful celestial maidens and imposing celestial soldiers all had expressionless and lifeless faces.

"Besides the black-clad puppets used in combat, there are puppets for other purposes as well," Uchiha thought to himself.

The Hyuga Shrine Maiden walked towards the cloud chariot with a cold expression and without saying a word.

"My lady, this is a trap. Please be extremely careful. Princess Kaguya dared to extend this invitation; she must have something to rely on," Uchiha Senmon warned solemnly.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. If the Hyuga priestess is unexpectedly defeated by Kaguya, then the Uchiha Senmon will have no chance of escaping unscathed.

Hinata nodded slightly, indicating that she had listened.

After the Hyuga shrine maiden boarded the cloud chariot, Kabuto Yakushi pushed up his glasses and also walked towards the cloud chariot.

"Mr. Kabuto Yakushi, what are you doing? According to the battle plan, we should be in the rear..."

"Don't get me wrong, I never agreed to cooperate with your Metropolitan Police Department's operations."

The Pharmacist Kabuto wore an indifferent expression and said slowly:

"Whether it's Akatsuki's conspiracy or Kaguya-hime triggering the eruption of Mount Fuji, whatever the consequences or how many people die, it's none of my business."

Uchiha Senmon's expression was rather grim.

"My goal has always been the same: the elixir of immortality. Even though Princess Kaguya has already consumed it, collecting fragments of her flesh and blood would be of great help to me. So how could I miss this battle?"

After saying that, Yakushi Kabuto walked leisurely toward the cloud chariot, and the puppet celestial soldiers and maidens did not try to stop him at all.

"Uchiha-senpai, what should we do? Should we continue to hold our ground?" Yuki Mineko asked, somewhat at a loss.

"I'm sorry, it was my oversight."

Plans can't keep up with changes. Although a battle plan was formulated, Kabuto Yakushi was not a public official of the Metropolitan Police Department and had no need to follow the orders of the Uchiha Sagemon.

Those with extraordinary individual power can be completely unrestrained by the world, doing whatever they please and acting as they please.

Even someone as seemingly gentle as Kabuto Yakushi shows no willingness to compromise when it comes to his life's pursuit.

"Let's follow them. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!"

Uchiha Senmon's face shifted between light and shadow, before he finally gritted his teeth and said...

Princess Kaguya has countless puppets under her command, and even if they hide in the back, they feel no sense of security. Princess Kaguya only needs to send out a few dozen puppet soldiers to wipe them all out.

Rather than that, it would be better to seek refuge with the Hyuga Shrine Maiden.

After everyone boarded the cloud chariot, the celestial maidens and heavenly soldiers and generals escorted the chariot into flight.

The interior of the cloud vehicle is elegantly decorated and exudes a noble air.

Uchiha Senmon lifted the veil, looking down at the ocean and islands below, feeling both apprehensive and incredulous.

The cloud vehicle travels at a speed comparable to that of a passenger plane, yet it is extremely smooth and without any bumps.

Although the mystical side has repeatedly demonstrated their immense power to turn the world upside down, their extraordinary abilities are not limited to combat.

For example, these puppets that move freely and look almost indistinguishable from living people are far beyond the capabilities of modern technology.

After flying through the air for nearly half an hour, a magnificent Japanese-style castle appeared before everyone's eyes.

It is the City of the Moon!

However, unlike the Moon Castle which first appeared in Lake Motosu, this castle is now floating in the sky.

Against the backdrop of the enormous, bright moon, it exudes a mysterious and ancient dreamlike atmosphere, making it seem like a city built on the moon. No wonder it is called the City of the Moon.

The vehicle stopped at the entrance to Moon City, and a group of people got out of it.

"Welcome, Princess Hinata!"

"Welcome, Princess Hinata!"

Beneath the vermilion wooden pillar stood a row of maids dressed in kimonos, their movements perfectly synchronized as they bowed to the Hyuga Shrine Maiden and spoke in unison.

Needless to say, these maids were also puppets.

"It seems that Kaguya is very skilled at using puppets, as is Sasori of the Akatsuki. I just wonder whose puppetry is superior." Senmon Uchiha thought to himself, "Perhaps Kaguya is stronger than Sasori, but Kaguya's puppets are all menial tasks and cannon fodder. Sasori is probably more skilled at using puppetry."

Tosuki Hero relaxed slightly and muttered:

"I thought that as soon as we got off the carriage, we would be surrounded by a pack of ferocious puppet soldiers."

"I'm afraid they'll try diplomacy first, then resort to force," Uchiha Senmon whispered, his eyes flashing.

"Princess Hinata, please come this way."

A maid puppet stepped forward to lead the way.

With a serene expression, the shrine maiden Hinata held a sniper rifle that seemed completely out of place with her style. She took the lead without hesitation, brimming with absolute confidence in her abilities and showing no fear of being lured into a trap.

The Uchiha Senmon members had no choice but to follow.

The City of the Moon is a hidden paradise. A group of people walked along a wooden corridor. Looking around, the corridor stretched in all directions, connecting various magnificent and resplendent building complexes.

With its carved railings and jade steps, waterside pavilions and singing stages, the place exudes a very ancient historical atmosphere and is filled with a dreamlike ambiance, making it exquisitely beautiful.

Even though the group knew they were deep in enemy territory and in danger, they couldn't help but be drawn in, their eyes shining.

"I've been to Himeji Castle, but it doesn't compare to this one," Mineko Yuuki said absentmindedly, unable to help but exclaim in admiration.

"We're not here for sightseeing, so please don't let your guard down."

"sorry!"

No matter how long the corridor is, it eventually comes to an end. On the steps of an ancient palace that it connects to, Princess Kaguya, like a princess in her secluded chamber, looks down at everyone with utmost nobility and indifference.

"Cherry blossoms?"

On either side of the palace stood a huge cherry blossom tree, blooming incongruously with its magnificent petals. A gentle breeze would blow, and the wet petals would fall with the wind.

"You've finally arrived."

Or rather, in Kaguya-hime's eyes, there was only Hyuga Shrine Maiden; everyone else was just trash.

"An ancient oath, sweeping across humanity; the Reincarnation Eye awakens, the Fist of the Moon, causing the world to be destroyed and reborn."

Princess Kaguya's voice echoed in the empty and quiet corridor.

"..."

The Hyuga Shrine Maiden's expression changed slightly, a rare occurrence indeed.

"This is the ancestral precept engraved in our clan's ancestral temple. Now that you have the Reincarnation Eye, why do you willingly degenerate and mingle with mortals?"

Princess Kaguya spoke to the Hyuga priestess who bore a resemblance to her, her noble, aloof, and arrogant voice surprisingly revealing a hint of sincerity.

"The Tenseigan was created to bring divine punishment upon humanity and cleanse the world of its sins. If that's the case, what wrong have I done?"

The Hyuga priestess remained silent, and seeing this, Princess Kaguya spoke again:

"You are the last remaining descendant of the Hyuga clan. I do not wish to fight you to the death. If you and I join forces, what can stop us in this world where gods and Buddhas have disappeared? If you sacrifice these people to me and break the Five Elements Seal, I can share the whole world with you."

Uchiha Senmon glanced at her from afar and saw that the pentagram Kikyo mark on Kaguya's forehead was shimmering faintly, clearly indicating that the seal left on her by Abe no Seimei had not yet been broken.

If the priestess of Hourai Island is persuaded by Princess Kaguya to join her in her evil ways, it will only make matters worse for this country.

"Boring, is that your last words?"

The Hyuga priestess showed a hint of disgust and, unsurprisingly, rejected Kaguya, even adding a cold, sarcastic remark, which was unusual for her:

"Back then, you stole the elixir of immortality and seized the City of the Moon, showing no regard for the bonds of your own kind. Now you're resorting to flattery and groveling—it's utterly laughable!"

"If you remain obstinate, then don't blame me for disregarding our kinship!"

Princess Kaguya's face showed a threatening expression as she spoke fiercely.

At the same time, he exuded a powerful and majestic aura, causing the Uchiha Sage Sect to feel waves of fear.

Even so, the Uchiha Sage Sect keenly sensed that Kaguya now seemed somewhat outwardly strong but inwardly weak compared to when she had just broken free from the seal of Mount Fuji.

"Hmm."

The Hyuga priestess suddenly opened her Tenseigan, and purple stars appeared and disappeared in her eyes. Her awe-inspiring and holy aura and pressure swept out in all directions, easily suppressing Princess Kaguya.

"Damn it!"

Princess Kaguya gritted her teeth and said.

The Hyuga Shrine Maiden suddenly raised her sniper rifle, compressing her immense spiritual power before releasing it in an instant. It was like a torrent of light, or a bolt of lightning from the gods, devouring and destroying everything in its path.

"Boom!"

With a single blow, Princess Kaguya and the palace behind her were completely shattered and blown away, turning to ashes.

"To use such crude weapons as those of humans, have you already lost all honor for the Hyuga clan?"

As Princess Kaguya's voice appeared, amidst the swirling smoke and ashes, various scattered fragments of flesh and blood began to coalesce, rapidly forming the outline of a woman.

Her flesh and skin continued to wriggle and grow, and in the blink of an eye, Princess Kaguya was resurrected once again.

"I am an immortal celestial maiden. Even if the world is destroyed, I will not perish with it. There is nothing in this world that can kill me!"

Kaguya, her skin deathly pale, spoke in exasperation, though her aura had weakened considerably compared to before.

"Even immortality has its limits. When you can no longer revert to human form, my sealing arrow..."

The shrine maiden Hyuga paused mid-sentence, glanced at the sniper rifle in her hand, her tone slightly stiff, then pretended nothing had happened and continued speaking:

"Then I can seal you away!"

"You, a mere child, dare to make such a boastful claim?"

A sinister and terrifying glint suddenly appeared in Princess Kaguya's eyes, and she smiled coldly:

"You're nothing but a caged bird!"

Princess Kaguya began to mutter incantations, the strange and obscure sounds of which sent chills down one's spine.

On the smooth forehead of the Hinata Shrine Maiden, black lines resembling curse marks suddenly appeared.

(End of this chapter)