I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 329 and 330: The Three-Year Term

One good news and one bad news.

The deputy prime minister and the group of dignitaries behind him exchanged glances, all showing expressions of mixed joy and worry.

"Let's hear the good news first, no, let's hear the bad news first... Let's hear the good news first, Jiraiya-sama."

"No, no, no, it's better to suffer first and then enjoy the sweetness. Hmm, it's really hard to choose."

Jiraiya-sama is really wicked; he always keeps them in suspense like this, making them anxious and on edge.

"Haha, alright, let me tell you the good news first."

Jiraiya placed Abi's body in a wooden coffin, then sealed it in a scroll, tied it with rope, and put it away before leisurely standing up.

"The good news is that the decree from the Lord of Mount Tai has been conveyed to this immortal: the 'Severing the Connection Between Heaven and Earth' is complete!"

The deputy prime minister and the governor of Tokyo exchanged glances, their faces filled with ecstatic joy.

Since 1990, the resurgence of paranormal events has been a persistent problem plaguing the Japanese government.

Monsters and evil spirits can be considered minor disturbances, like a scab, but the Akatsuki Kage-level powerhouses who descended to the mortal realm since April of this year are an absolute thorn in our side.

Look at the Sapporo Super Battle, the eruption of Mount Fuji, and today's Asakusa Incident, all happening in less than half a month.

Let alone Japan, a small island nation, being unable to withstand it, even the world's leading superpower, the beacon of democracy, would feel the pain deeply.

If this happens a few more times, the destruction of a nation and the extinction of a race are no joke.

Now all of this is finally over. The days of living in constant fear and uncertainty are gone forever!

Even if Asakusa is reduced to a blank canvas, it's still worth it.

"With the combined efforts of this immortal and Lord Taishan, we not only thwarted the Akatsuki's plot and killed the evil Obi, but also blocked the passage between the two worlds."

Jiraiya said with great pride.

"From now on, it will be impossible for a Kage-level powerhouse like the Akatsuki to project himself into the real world. This immortal is truly great."

It was clearly the Lord of Hell who captured Tobi's soul from the Akatsuki organization; the Toad Sage's contribution was at most bringing His God down to reality, yet he's here boasting about it.

Isn't this just like when Kobe and I went on the court and scored 90 points together?

Some people were secretly complaining.

The "severing of the connection between heaven and earth" was also reported to the government only after seeing the imperial edict, which is most likely a major undertaking by the Lord of Mount Tai.

However, those present were all seasoned veterans of officialdom, and none of them were so tactless as to speak out directly. Instead, they rushed to sing praises.

"Lord Jiraiya is truly powerful and possesses boundless magical abilities!"

"With a sage like him, Japan will be at peace! How could those petty scoundrels of the Akatsuki possibly be a match for a single blow from a sage like him?"

Wait, Lord Taishan?

The Superintendent General of Police, who had remained silent until now, changed his expression slightly and frowned.

It's not Yama, nor Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, but the Lord of Mount Tai...

However, the stone Buddha unearthed at Senso-ji Temple, along with the small white beast resembling Di Ting, all point to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Finally, the stone Buddha revealed its true form as Yama, which should also be Yama, the King of Hell.

How could it be the Lord of Mount Tai?

I really can't figure it out.

The Superintendent General glanced at Uchiha Senmon, who was watching coldly from behind.

Perhaps the Uchiha Inspector who was present at the scene knows the various reasons; we can question him later.

After a few minutes of enthusiastic praise, the crowd gradually calmed down. After a period of euphoria and shock, their minds began to return to calm, and worry began to creep onto their faces.

Jiraiya-sama said there were both good and bad news. So what's the bad news?

Although everyone wanted to ask but dared not, they were so anxious they were scratching their heads.

He had no interest in keeping them in suspense any longer and said calmly:

"The good news is that the Jedi-Sky Bridge is complete; the bad news is that it's only half complete."

Although everyone was mentally prepared, the bad news still made everyone's faces change drastically.

"Lord Jiraiya, what exactly is going on?"

"Although the Lord of Mount Tai has blocked the ever-expanding passage, preventing Shadow-level experts from projecting into the lower realm, this blockage is only effective for a limited time."

Jiraiya picked up the jade book in his hand, glanced at it, and raised his right hand, extending three fingers.

"Three years! The Taishan Prefecture Lord's Absolute Heavenly Connection can last for at least three years, but it's hard to say how long it can continue after that."

Jiraiya's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over them, making them feel cold all over, their hands and feet go cold, and sweat involuntarily streamed down their faces.

Only three years?!

This is only treating the symptoms, not the root cause.

"Lord Jiraiya, even a powerful being like Lord Taizan couldn't completely restore the world to its original state?" the Deputy Prime Minister asked with a grim expression.

"The Lord of Mount Tai is the Lord of Hell, in charge of the afterlife and the underworld. He is indeed the great god who controls life and death, but the source of everything is not within the Lord of Mount Tai's jurisdiction."

The Toad Sage lowered two fingers of his right hand, leaving only his index finger pointing straight at the night sky.

That bright, silvery-white moon!

"The Lord of Mount Tai has already informed this immortal that the origin of this mysterious resurgence lies on the moon!"

Everyone was stunned, their expressions quite varied.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Senmon's black pupils contracted.

Before the black sun returned to the underworld, it pointed its finger at the moon!

"Quickly, bring me the recording of the live stream!"

Clearly, it wasn't just Uchiha Senmon who thought this way. At the Superintendent General's order, technicians immediately pulled up the footage of Amami Katori's live stream.

A finger, like a pillar reaching to the sky, points straight to the heavens, as if a historic moment of confrontation with the moon has been frozen in the screen.

"This must be the guidance given to mortals by the Lord of Mount Tai before his departure!"

The Deputy Prime Minister looked at it again and again, and asked:

"What kind of anomaly occurred on the moon that led to all of this, Jiraiya-sama?"

"Stop asking so many questions!"

The Toad Immortal arrived and scolded him irritably.

"I apologize for my offense," the Deputy Prime Minister said obsequiously with a forced smile.

"While this immortal is indeed incredibly powerful and dashing, he is not omniscient or omnipotent. Only after being enlightened by the Lord of Mount Tai did this immortal have a sudden awakening and pierce through that thin veil."

Jiraiya shamelessly boasted about himself, and the others dared not say anything except to echo him.

"It is the moon that pulls reality and the underworld closer and closer, which leads to the appearance of the spatial rift and the revival of the Age of Gods. Although it is not yet clear what kind of anomaly has occurred on the moon, it is definitely the source of everything."

Everyone swallowed hard, their mouths dry.

Those who were more quick-witted immediately recalled the two Scarlet Moon Incidents.

The first Scarlet Moon Incident occurred on the eve of the Sapporo Extraordinary War, while on the night of the second Scarlet Moon Incident, the Akatsuki organization released Princess Kaguya's seal, causing Mount Fuji to erupt in flames.

The Crimson Moon also caused unrest throughout Japan, but it was quickly suppressed by the Sapporo and Mount Fuji incidents.

This is clearly more than just a coincidence.

Real hammer!

With the endorsement of Jiraiya and Lord Taizan, the truth has finally come to light.

However, some people showed a troubled and distressed expression.

However, if the revival of the Age of Gods was caused by the moon, almost like a tidal wave, why is Japan the only country in the world to be so unlucky?

The whole world should be dragged into this, right?

"Japan's Age of Gods ended the latest, disappearing only after the Heian period. Although it no longer overlaps with the underworld, it is the closest to it and therefore the most vulnerable to the impact of the Scarlet Moon Incident."

Just like submerged reefs, when the tide goes out, the tallest reef will be the first to rise to the surface.

"During the three years that the passage between the two worlds was sealed off, even Kage-level powerhouses could no longer project their clones into the mortal realm as before. However, the spiritual energy flowing endlessly to Earth would give rise to a large number of native ghosts and spirits, and the existing ones would become even stronger."

Jiraiya raised his head, his gaze sweeping eastward.

"Even in places outside of Japan, spirits and ghosts may appear next."

In an instant, the atmosphere at the scene became extremely heavy and silent; one could even hear their own heartbeat clearly.

The news brought by Jiraiya-sama was mixed.

During the three years of the Jedi Order, powerful Kage-level fighters like the Akatsuki, who harbored malice towards humanity, were no longer able to interfere with reality, which was indeed a rare respite for Japan, which had suffered greatly.

Compared to the monsters like the Kage-level powerhouses, the native monsters and evil spirits are simply not worth mentioning.

Monsters are also made of flesh and blood, and they can be riddled with holes and blown to pieces by heavy weapons.

Evil spirits can live in their own territory and do not pose a significant threat to human society.

But three years later, the Akatsuki will make a comeback...

"Lord Jiraiya, is it not possible to ask Lord Taishan to perform another 'Severed Heavenly Connection' three years later?"

The deputy prime minister's expression shifted between light and shadow, and after hesitating for a while, he tentatively said:

"Are we just going to abandon the other main deities of Buddhism and Shintoism?"

The others' eyes lit up.

Yes!

Besides the Lord of Mount Tai, there are many other great deities in Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism, which are prevalent in East Asia. If they were to manifest their power, they would surely be able to turn the tide.

Don't push your luck.

Jiraiya's expression darkened, and he spoke slowly and deliberately.

Everyone immediately fell silent, not daring to even breathe.

"What do you take the gods for? Are they clay or wooden puppets that will respond as long as you kowtow, beg, and offer incense?"

Jiraiya's aura grew increasingly heavy as he spoke, word by word.

"Deities of this level have transcended the Three Realms and are no longer bound by the Five Elements. They are beyond the cycle of life and death, and even the destruction of the world and the extinction of humanity would have no bearing on them. It is already a miracle that the Lord of Mount Tai responded to my request and took action; we cannot expect such a miracle to happen a second time!"

"Red bean paste, a secret Marseille flavor!"

The Deputy Prime Minister, who made a careless remark, was sweating profusely and trembling.

He bowed at a 90-degree angle, almost falling to the ground.

"Lord Jiraiya, we are mere mortals with limited knowledge and understanding. Please forgive our shortcomings."

The Superintendent General gritted his teeth, stepped forward to smooth things over, and said:

"Lord Jiraiya, you have done a great job. We have prepared a celebration banquet for you in Kabukicho. We invited you to visit Sapporo for research, so please do us the honor of attending."

"Kabukicho?"

Jiraiya's expression shifted.

Other citizens of higher rank are naturally also highly skilled at reading between the lines.

"Now the entire Kabukicho district is booked, and all the women can serve Jiraiya-sama alone."

"Yes, yes, yes! The beauties of Tokyo will definitely not disappoint you, my friend."

These well-dressed, powerful figures, dressed in suits and ties, greeted the guests with the same enthusiasm as a madam in Tobita Shinchi.

Although we can have a peaceful night for now, once the connection between heaven and earth is severed, a great era of upheaval and turmoil is bound to begin.

If we can seize this opportunity to establish a relationship with Jiraiya-sama, not only will our personal and family wealth and prosperity be guaranteed, but we can even rise to a higher level with ease.

Some people have already secretly taken out their phones, preparing to have their twenty-year-old wives and daughters of the same age disguised and offered themselves as bed partners.

Should we invite my still-attractive mother along? Maybe Jiraiya-sama has a taste for this.

Jiraiya's eyebrows danced with excitement, and he seemed quite tempted.

But at that moment, Jiraiya's body began to glow with a firefly-like golden light.

"Tch, it seems my time is running out."

He sighed regretfully, his expression turning serious, and he bluntly addressed the crowd:

"Alright, all of you men, step back. Yuuki, come here for a second."

"Alright... Jiraiya-sama."

Wearing an indigo police uniform, with her chest clenched tightly, Mineko Yuki lowered her head and said meekly.

But in reality, Mineko Yuki's smile was forced, and a dark aura was faintly rising behind her.

Faced with such a charming beauty as Yuuki Mineko, Jiraiya's face lit up with a wide smile, like turning the pages of a book.

Jiraiya's special treatment of Mineko Yuuki wasn't just because she was beautiful.

"Yuki, thanks to your quick thinking this time, I was able to come to the mortal world from Mount Myōboku using the Reverse Summoning Technique."

That's like bringing up a sore spot; Yuuki Mineko's pretty face immediately turned red, and she wished she could unleash a powerful fireball to burn the lecherous sage to death.

How can you expect a beautiful young woman in the prime of her life to spew frogs in front of the person she admires?

The mere thought of this incident filled Mineko Yuuki with shame and indignation.

I hope you didn't see this! I hope you didn't see this! I hope you didn't see this!

Jiraiya ignored her and continued:

"You were able to learn the Great Fireball Technique by chance at Mount Myōboku, so you can be considered half a disciple of mine. How about it, would you like to become my formal disciple?"

Mineko Yuuki, who was mentally making a scarecrow for the lecherous sage, blinked her eyes, feeling flattered and surprised.

Although she always thought Jiraiya was a bit of a rascal, Mineko Yuuki also thought he was a good person.

Having witnessed Jiraiya's power, Mineko Yuuki naturally knew that this was a very strong and powerful force, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Mr. Jiraiya!"

Yuki Mineko immediately seized the opportunity and changed her address to "sir".

The Toad Sage nodded in satisfaction, seeing how understanding and sensible Mineko was.

"Female disciples are indeed cuter."

Suddenly, Jiraiya looked at Mineko Yuuki and uttered a soft question.

"Huh, Mineko, why do you smell like Konohana Sakuya-hime? Oh, I see, it's Lava Release."

The Toad Sage turned his face and shouted at the outermost Uchiha Sage Gate.

"Hey kid using Wood Release, get over here right now."

"Lord Jiraiya, please give your orders," said Senmon Uchiha as he rushed over.

"My new disciple, thanks to the care of Princess Konohana Sakura. In return, this immortal will teach you a skill as well."

While Mineko Yuuki was still completely confused, Senmon Uchiha instantly understood.

Before leaving, Lady Konohana Sakura said that in gratitude for their help in escaping her predicament, she would also give Yuuki a gift.

"Do you like toads, snakes, or slugs? Or which type would you like to be?"

(End of this chapter)