I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 340 & 341 Death Penalty

"The results of the second trial are now announced as follows: Suspect Yamashita Tetsu is found guilty of illegal possession of controlled firearms and sentenced to five years in prison."

At the Osaka High Court, in a closed-door trial, an elderly male judge dressed in black and wearing medals is announcing the verdict.

"He was convicted of illegal possession of explosives and sentenced to three years in prison."

"Convicted of damaging a building, sentenced to three months in prison."

Sitting in the dock was a middle-aged man in his forties, unremarkable in appearance, but with a rather sturdy build.

Although he has an ordinary face that wouldn't attract much attention on the street, the name Yamashita Toru is a household name in Japan.

Before the arrival of the extraordinary era, Yamashita Toru single-handedly accomplished a world-shaking feat, becoming famous worldwide.

As the judge uttered one charge after another, Yamashita Tetsu remained unmoved, raising his head slightly, making no attempt to conceal his contempt and disdain.

This fueled the judge's anger. He glanced down at the document in his hand and said fiercely:

"Shooting resulting in death constitutes intentional homicide, and the sentence is death! The Nara District Court's initial verdict of life imprisonment is overturned."

Even upon hearing that he would be executed, Yamashita Tetsu remained unfazed.

He sneered, about to say something, when suddenly he rolled his eyes and drooped his head.

Seeing that Yamashita Toru seemed to have fainted, the judge finally revealed a smug smile on his tense old face.

This insolent and rebellious mob, after appearing in court, displayed an arrogant disdain for the court from beginning to end, which had already enraged him.

In the end, he just pretended to hold on, but when he heard about the death penalty, he fainted on the spot.

"go."

The judge gave a wink to the police officers, signaling them to confront this tragic reality.

Before they could even wake him up, Yamashita Tetsu suddenly raised his head.

It was as if he had suddenly surfaced from the deep sea, his mind was in chaos, his ears were ringing, and his head was throbbing. Yamashita Toru struggled to open his eyes.

Unlike his previous gaze, his eyes were now filled with the sense of having experienced many hardships and the lingering fear and bewilderment of someone who had survived a calamity.

"Ah! Ah, ah..."

Yamashita Toru seemed to have just woken up from a nightmare. His forehead was covered in sweat. He looked around in surprise and disbelief, and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Is this the Osaka Court of Justice? How did I get here?!"

Am I already dead?

That devastating Tailed Beast Ball was more terrifying than a nuclear bomb. Even if you were only on the edge of the battlefield, how could you escape being hit?

Yamashita Toru's expression shifted between light and dark.

Who saved me?

No, the power of the Tailed Beast Ball is such that even the highest-ranking executives under the "King," such as the Five Kage, could not withstand it!

Only the supreme king can turn the tide.

But he was just an ordinary member of the organization, so how could he possibly be treated differently by Wang?

Even if I were truly rescued, how could I possibly return to the Osaka High Court where I was sentenced to death back then?

"What year is it?! Answer me now!"

With a twisted expression and agitated, Yamashita Toru turned his head and pressed the police officer beside him for answers.

"This year is the fifth year of the Reiwa era... 2023..."

The man was startled by Yamashita Tetsu's tone, shrank back, and reflexively replied.

That groundbreaking press conference, which announced the arrival of an extraordinary era to the world, only happened last year?

I've somehow traveled back to three years ago...

"This is impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Yamashita Toru's body trembled, and he lost his composure, shouting and yelling wildly.

He tried to stand up, but his hands were handcuffed to the seat, preventing him from getting up.

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

The judge repeatedly struck the gavel heavily, reprimanding the judge without any politeness:

"Silence! Silence! Yamashita Tetsuya, this is a courtroom tirade!"

The police officers behind him hurriedly pressed the agitated Yamashita Tetsu back into his seat.

Seeing that Yamashita Toru was unable to move, the judge gave a cold smile:

"Yamashita Tetsu, it's too late for you to pretend to be insane now. The prosecution has already issued a psychiatric evaluation report stating that you are mentally sound and fully capable of criminal conduct."

He, as a social elite, had seen plenty of these kinds of mobs who wouldn't shed a tear until they saw the coffin.

Despite their arrogant and fearless demeanor after being arrested, they reveal all their ugly sides when facing death, trying to evade legal punishment.

Don't you even know what kind of people you are? Do you even deserve to be called mentally ill?

"Take the prisoner Yamashita Tetsu away; he'll be transferred to the prison tomorrow."

As Yamashita Tsutomu was dragged away, the judge nodded in satisfaction.

After two long years, we have finally been able to give an explanation to the spirit of the former Prime Minister.

There are even some fools who regard this rebellious and unruly man as a hero, which is simply heretical!

At the press conference later, I need to emphasize to the media how Yamashita Toru, after being subjected to a just trial, was so frightened that he lost control of his bladder and bowels and attempted to feign madness to escape legal punishment.

Let the world know that so-called heroes are nothing more than cowardly cowards who are all bark and no bite!

More than an hour had passed since I returned to my single cell in the detention center.

Sitting on the tatami mat, Yamashita Tetsu stared blankly at the familiar solitary detention cell, still as if in a dream.

Yamashita Tetsu once again tried to raise his left hand, but then put it down.

Because his left thigh was covered with bruises from being pinched, the intense pain was continuously being transmitted to his brain.

This really isn't a dream!

His gaze fell on the small table in the corner, and a flash of inspiration struck him. As if recalling something, he opened a thick stack of newspapers on the table.

It is the Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's largest-circulation newspaper, and its last edition was dated June 30, 2023.

At Yamashita Tetsu's request, the detention center would send over all the newspapers from the previous month every month.

So it's July 2023 now?

"I've been reincarnated three years in the past!"

In Japan, where ACG culture is prevalent, toilet paper with the theme of reincarnation has become increasingly common in recent years. Even though Yamashita Tetsu is quite old, he has still heard of the concept of reincarnation.

As memories from three years ago gradually overlapped with his recollections before his death, Yamashita Tetsu, having accepted the fact that he had been reincarnated three years prior, instantly had tears welling up in his eyes.

"Waaaaah!"

He lost control of his emotions, burying his head in the tatami mat and weeping bitterly, muttering a woman's name.

"My beloved son, my beloved son, my beloved son..."

Outside the fence, a young police officer carrying a tray walked over, and a hint of surprise and sympathy flashed in his eyes.

Mr. Yamashita had been holding on, but he broke down after hearing the death sentence.

But which one is Aiko?

I've never heard of Mr. Yamashita being single; he doesn't seem to have a wife or girlfriend.

Could it be an ex-girlfriend, or a girl from the same mountainside who was in a pen pal relationship?

During the two years that Yamashita Toru was imprisoned for his feat of single-handedly seeking the premiership, he received numerous letters from young women who expressed their affection for him. These women were referred to by the media as "Yamashita Girls."

"Ahem, Mr. Yamashita, it's time for dinner."

Opening the specially made window and bringing in the tray, the young police officer saw Yamashita Tetsu still choking back tears, unable to eat or drink, calling out the name of the woman named Aiko. He felt a pang of pity.

He looked around for a while, and seeing that no one was around, he spoke up to comfort her:

"Although the Osaka High Court handed down a death sentence on appeal, it can still be appealed to the Supreme Court, sigh..."

Despite saying that, the young man's eyes flickered, clearly indicating that it was hopeless.

Japan's judicial system employs a four-tiered, three-tiered trial system.

The courts are divided into four levels from highest to lowest: the Supreme Court, the Higher Court, the Local Court, and the Summary Family Court.

Summary family courts handle civil disputes and minor criminal cases; local courts hear all types of civil and criminal cases, both at the first instance.

The Supreme Court hears appeals from the High Court to the third instance.

However, despite this, the number of cases in which the Supreme Court rejected the appeal is extremely limited.

The chances of Mr. Yamashita succeeding in his appeal are extremely slim.

"Even if I'm sentenced to death, it's nothing. Who knows how many years it will take to carry out the sentence? In this new era, anything can happen as long as you're alive."

The young police officer was also tongue-tied, and this was the reason he offered comfort.

Although Japan nominally retains the death penalty, successive Ministers of Justice have always been careful to protect their reputations. In judicial practice, there are many cases where the death penalty is imposed in the final judgment but is not carried out for more than ten years.

Tomohiro Kato, the perpetrator of the Akihabara random killings, was executed fourteen years later.

Asahara, who orchestrated the sarin gas attack, was hanged twenty years later.

There are quite a few death row inmates who die of illness or old age in prisons.

"I understand... Thank you..."

Hearing that Yamashita Toru had stopped sobbing, the young police officer, thinking that his comforting words had worked, showed a relieved expression and turned to leave.

"Please begin your meal, Mr. Yamashita. Someone will come to collect the dishes shortly."

After venting his frustrations, Yamashita Toru wiped his eyes, but a chilling coldness appeared in his gaze.

As a reincarnated person, Yamashita Tetsuya was well aware of what would happen next.

Since he dared to take such a big risk, Yamashita Tetsu was naturally prepared to perish together with Yamashita Tetsu, even if it meant mutual destruction.

He naturally disdained to appeal.

Only six months after the second trial, once the heat died down, Yamashita Toru was executed.

It's only in name.

In reality, he was secretly sent to a secret base, his name was erased and he was assigned a number, becoming a consumable for human experiments.

Later, Yamashita Tetsu learned that it was a secret base in Yokosuka Port.

Even Yamashita Toru, who had later experienced great trials and tribulations, still felt a chill when he recalled those few short months.

With the supplies almost exhausted, Yamashita Tetsu was on the verge of death.

Two of the Five Kage joined forces to breach Yokosuka Port, and in the process, rescued Yamashita Tetsu and several other survivors.

With nowhere else to go, Yamashita Tetsu, in order to seek revenge and escape capture, had no choice but to join the king's ranks.

Having miraculously survived, Yamashita Tetsu, by sheer chance, gained the organization's recognition and became a superhuman.

What made him even more fortunate and joyful was that he met the love of his life in the organization.

Having been ravaged by a cult, losing his family and possessions, the middle-aged Yamashita Tetsu discovers that there is still light in this world on the verge of destruction.

"Looking back now, it was a wonderful time, like a dream."

Yamashita Toru's lips curled up in a smile, tears welling in his eyes, but his expression of happiness was gradually overshadowed by sorrow.

Happy times are like morning dew, fleeting and gone in an instant.

In that turbulent and dark era, even superhumans could not protect themselves, and Yamashita Tetsu once again lost his beloved.

In despair, he repeatedly challenged dangerous missions within the organization, ultimately dying from a Tailed Beast Ball.

"There are only two years left in the Jedi-Sky Bridge!"

Yamashita Toru's eyes suddenly became incredibly resolute.

Having been given a second chance at life, he naturally knew all too well the horrific apocalyptic scene that would follow the end of the Severing Heaven and Earth Connection.

Like gods and demons, the Kage-level powerhouses fell one after another in the great battle, like shooting stars; since the resurgence of the Age of Gods, the monsters known as Tailed Beasts, who could shake the earth with a mere gesture, cruelly ravaged the world.

Mountains have broken, islands have sunk, continents have been torn apart, and the sea is like a dead place, oozing blood and black pus. Humanity has reached the brink of extinction.

This is only the first year after the end of the Jedi-Tiantong era!

According to the prophecy that Yamashita Tetsu heard, these terrifying calamities are nothing more than the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, and the real end of the world is yet to come.

However, Yamashita Tetsu died before he could witness it.

"This time, I will absolutely not let go again, my beloved daughter."

Recalling that unforgettable love and the face that haunted his dreams, Yamashita Toru clenched his fist and resolutely said:

"Power! Only by possessing greater extraordinary power can I protect everything I want to protect in the apocalypse!"

Yamashita Tetsu carefully examined his body and regretfully discovered that although he still had his combat experience and spellcasting memories from before his reincarnation, he had no spiritual power in his limbs and bones and could not use any of his original extraordinary abilities.

Does not receiving extraordinary inheritance mean one lacks extraordinary power?

Although it was a great pity, he was content to be given a second chance at life.

Although he had been sentenced to death, Yamashita Tetsu remained calm and analyzed the situation based on his memories of the major events that had occurred over the past three years.

"Indeed, the king's power and authority are the most likely ark to survive the apocalypse."

Yamashita Toru nodded slowly.

No matter how much we think about and review the situation, only by following the king and seeking refuge under the organization's protection can we have a glimmer of hope.

"I must find a way to join the organization as soon as possible and gain superhuman power! The first step is to escape from prison and regain my freedom."

Without hesitation, Yamashita Tetsu made a judgment immediately.

Although he was sent to Yokosuka Port as before, and was rescued by the two adults, he was able to join the organization and become an extraordinary being.

However, almost a year of that time was wasted.

Yamashita Tetsu only has three years to reincarnate, so every second counts. How can he waste a year in a place like this?

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and made a series of cracking sounds.

During the two years he spent in detention awaiting sentencing, Yamashita Tetsuya consistently maintained a rigorous training regimen.

Although the meals in the detention center are simple and plain, the routine is stable, and I am healthier and stronger than when I was doing odd jobs.

"It's alright. Although I don't have muscle memory, I still remember the basic physical techniques."

Yamashita Tetsu turned his neck with satisfaction. Although he didn't have any supernatural powers now, he could still take on three or five strong men with his physical abilities and combat experience.

Even so, with only this level of strength, escaping from the detention center would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Moreover, if he remembered correctly, he would be transferred to a prison for serious offenders tomorrow, at which point he would have even less chance of escaping.

"I don't know if Wang has woken up by now. But we can only try anything now, even if it's a long shot."

Yamashita Toru's eyes were filled with complex emotions. He sighed and then knelt down on the ground.

After biting his finger, he drew three bright red magatama on the ground with his blood.

"Please listen to the humble requests of your people."

Yamashita Toru clasped his hands together and began to pray with his eyes closed.

"A king who doesn't belong to this world..."

"You are the master of Scarlet and the Rinnegan..."

"The master of Yin and Yang, the unifying force of all things!"

(End of this chapter)