I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 364 and 365 Time Magazine

"Is this the village where you grew up, Naruto-kun?"

A military green SUV was driving on a country road. In the distance, the towering Arakawa-dake rose into the clouds, and below the mountainside lay lush forests.

The countryside is vast and sparsely populated, with rustic wooden buildings and flat rice paddies lining the roads, creating a charmingly wild atmosphere.

"I wasn't born in this village. I only lived here for a few years during elementary school, and then I went back to Tokyo before junior high school."

Uchiha Naruto, gripping the steering wheel, chuckled softly, glancing at Matsudaira, the young lady in the passenger seat, who was curiously observing the rural scenery. He found it somewhat amusing.

Matsudaira Chiyo rolled down the car window, and a fresh breeze rushed into the car.

It was June, the grass was growing and the birds were singing. The rice in the paddy fields was green and lush, and occasionally you could see water buffalo leisurely swishing their tails and grazing on the ridges.

"It looks beautiful." Matsudaira Chiyo took a deep breath and smiled.

"The young lady is just trying something new. In this small village where there aren't even convenience stores, she'll be crying and begging to go back to Tokyo in less than two days."

Uchiha Naruto joked, glancing sideways at Arakawa Gaku with a hint of nostalgia.

"Aside from a few handicrafts and agriculture, the village basically has no other industries or specialties. The only thing worth mentioning is that you can see Mount Fuji from the top of Arakawa-dake. However, transportation is not as convenient as other villages, so tourism has not been developed."

The Uchiha clan's hometown is Kawanemoto Town in Shizuoka Prefecture, a small village located at the foot of Mount Arakawa in the Oi River region.

Arakawa-dake is the sixth highest peak in Japan, located 52 kilometers from Mount Fuji.

Shizuoka Prefecture's economy ranks among the top ten out of Japan's 47 administrative units, thanks to its long mountain ranges and alluvial plains. Shizuoka Prefecture has a highly developed agriculture, especially its tea production, which is unparalleled in Japan.

However, the village's geographical location is somewhat awkward; while they won't starve by farming, they also won't become wealthy.

"So you're staying at the Uchiha family's old house today? I want to see where you grew up."

Matsudaira Chiyo's eyes sparkled.

"Unfortunately, my house in my hometown has been uninhabited for almost ten years and hasn't been cleaned, so it's not a place I can live in anytime soon."

Matsudaira Chiyo was slightly disappointed, but Uchiha Naruto changed the subject:

"However, Aunt Nami had already gone back to the village, so we stayed at her place. I spent more time at my maternal grandmother's house than at the old house; it felt just like my own home."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Matsudaira Chiyo gave Uchiha Naruto a reproachful look.

Following his original memories, Uchiha Naruto drove towards the Sakaki family's ancestral home. Although it was noon, he didn't see many villagers on the way.

After the off-road vehicle drove over a small hill, it came into view a courtyard in a traditional, old-fashioned Japanese style.

There was also a woman dressed as an assistant at the entrance of the courtyard, looking around expectantly.

After the SUV stopped at the gate of the yard, Uchiha Naruto and Matsudaira Chiyo got out of the car, and the woman immediately turned around and walked into the yard.

"Miss Sakaki, Mr. Uchiha is back!"

Shortly after, surrounded by several female assistants, Nami Sakaki, dressed in a black women's suit, walked over with a dashing air.

"Ming-zai... uh, Ah-ming arrived so quickly?!"

Unlike her previous tomboyish physical education teacher, Namikazu Sakaki now has a sharp gaze, a shrewd and capable demeanor, and a hint of a strong woman.

After all, Namikazu Sakaki is now in charge of a foundation with a scale of tens of billions of yen, and she has honed her skills over the years.

Being an extraordinary individual is the ticket to a new era, and its importance is self-evident. The official Twelve Divine Generals alone have an astronomical annual salary and mission allowance.

In addition to being superheroes, the Twelve Gods also possess the attributes of superstars.

After the advent of the extraordinary era, countless people around the world eagerly awaited any news about extraordinary individuals.

The Twelve Divine Generals are a more attractive source of traffic than Olympic champions, Hollywood stars, or super internet celebrities.

Under such circumstances, the Twelve Divine Generals could earn far more from their side jobs than from their main jobs simply by casually filming a movie or making a small appearance.

Uchiha Senmon, the head of the Supernatural Police Department, was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for three consecutive years, enjoying unparalleled popularity.

The Uchiha Sage Sect has a huge number of fans worldwide.

Besides the fact that Uchiha Senmon is a national hero promoted by the Japanese government, whose strength is second to none among the Twelve Divine Generals and who has a splendid resume, it is also because this is a world that values ​​appearance.

The good looks of the Uchiha clan are undeniable, and a large portion of the Uchiha Sage's fan club consists of fans who admire their appearance.

Not long after Uchiha Senmon entered the historical stage, talent agencies were already waving money at their door. Hollywood even tailored a new series of superhero movies specifically for Uchiha Senmon, and warmly invited Uchiha Senmon to play himself.

You can pick up money while lying down.

The Uchiha Sage Sect naturally declined such public commercial activities.

However, power and wealth inevitably tend to concentrate in the hands of the extraordinary.

As a frequent guest on various documentaries and supernatural programs, Uchiha Senmon's papers, after being declassified and published as popular science books on supernatural beings, have earned him over 10 billion yen in copyright and portrait fees alone.

After careful consideration, the Uchiha Sage Sect decided to donate the entire sum of money.

They established the world's first charitable foundation to aid victims of supernatural disasters.

However, the Uchiha Sage was too busy to manage the Foundation's mundane affairs. Just then, Sakaki Nami volunteered to help her brother-in-law.

As the sister-in-law of the Uchiha Sage, Nami Sakaki was definitely someone he trusted.

Uchiha Senmon entrusted the foundation to Sakaki Namiru with some skepticism. After a period of time without any problems, he simply let go and allowed her to do as she pleased.

"Ah Ming, who is this girl?"

Sakaki Namiryu looked at Matsudaira Chiyo, who was standing next to Uchiha Naruto, with some surprise and uncertainty.

"Nami-ru-nee, this is my girlfriend, Matsudaira Chiyo."

When Uchiha Naruto was in front of Sakaki Namikaze, he started calling her "sister" instead of "auntie."

Matsudaira Chiyo stepped forward, bowed at a 90-degree angle, and greeted him politely:

"Hello, I am A-Ming's girlfriend. I am very sorry for visiting you today without prior notice."

"Ms. Matsudaira, welcome!"

Sakaki Namiru immediately returned the greeting.

Then she couldn't help but glare at Uchiha Naruto, blaming him for not giving her a prior notice and for bringing her such a big surprise.

Uchiha Naruto shrugged dismissively.

"Ms. Matsudaira, have we met somewhere before? It feels like we've met before."

Sakaki Nami squinted, scrutinizing Matsudaira Chiyo's beautiful face, and couldn't help but ask.

"I feel the same way. Seeing you makes me feel so close to you, like family. Can I call you Nami-chan, like A-Ming does?" Matsudaira Chiyo said with a smile.

"Of course! Come on in, kid. Bring your own luggage in!"

Sakaki Nami warmly grasped Matsudaira Chiyo's hand and pulled her inside, completely ignoring Uchiha Naruto.

With my sister and brother-in-law away, as an elder, I must carefully oversee things.

Yes!

Matsudaira Chiyo turned her head and secretly gave Uchiha Naruto a peace sign.

Somewhat helpless, Uchiha Naruto could only take two suitcases from the trunk of the SUV and drag them into the yard.

Naruto Uchiha walked into the living room of the Sakaki family's ancestral home, looked around, and seemed to feel a sense of nostalgia as he revisited the place.

The living room was spacious enough, even brighter than Naruto Uchiha's current apartment, since land in the countryside wasn't worth much.

In the middle of the living room is a retro-style hearth, and an iron pot hangs from the roof beam.

"My house hasn't been lived in for two or three years. I just cleaned it up yesterday. Please don't mind, Chiyo."

"How could that be, Nami-chan? This is where Akane grew up. Coming here feels like coming home."

In no time, Matsudaira Chiyo had made Aunt Nami very happy, and Aunt Nami even called her by her first name.

Before Matsudaira Chiyo revealed her true nature as a fun-loving person, her appearance as a well-educated and refined young lady was still quite deceptive.

Sakaki Nami looked at Matsudaira Chiyo with her bright eyes and white teeth, and her elegant and proper speech, and became more and more satisfied.

After a brief conversation, I learned that Matsudaira Chiyo was a university student at Ochanomizu University and came from a very wealthy family.

As a tomboy who grew up in the countryside, Nami Sakaki still quite liked this kind of rich girl's behavior.

"Chiyo, how could a girl as good as you be interested in my son, Ming? Apart from his face being just like his father's, he doesn't have anything else to offer."

"Nami-neechan, what are you saying? A-Ming is so talented, gentle and considerate. Besides being a top student at Tokyo University, he is also a national high school champion in archery. I am the one who is not good enough for him," Matsudaira Chiyo said softly.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Namikazu Sakaki suggested:

"Chiyo, would you like to see Akira's room here?"

"Um, Nami-neechan, is it really okay?"

"Of course! It's on the second floor, at the very back, in the room with the markings on the door indicating height!"

"Then I'll be rude."

Matsudaira Chiyo stood up, gave a graceful bow, and then walked towards the stairwell.

As Uchiha Naru was about to go upstairs with Matsudaira Chiyo, he noticed that Aunt Namikazu was frantically giving him meaningful glances, and immediately knew that Aunt Namikazu was intentionally trying to get Matsudaira Chiyo away.

"Ah Ming, you blockhead! How come you suddenly became so insightful after starting university?! When you were in elementary school here, you weren't interested in girls at all. How did you manage to win over this Matsudaira lady?"

Sakaki Nami looked on with a gossipy expression, her eyes shining, and she lowered her voice to say something.

"I'm an adult too. Instead of worrying about this, you should worry about yourself. You're not a kid anymore, Nami-nee-san," Uchiha Naruto said emphatically.

This move hit her right where it hurt, and Sakaki Namiru choked instantly.

"Speaking of which, Ms. Matsudaira has always seemed familiar. Akira, do you know anything about her?" Sakaki Nami frowned, deep in thought.

"Chiyo is also a student at Jinguji Private High School. Nami-neechan, you were a student physical education teacher at Jinguji for a semester three years ago. It's not surprising that you've met by chance," Uchiha Naru replied casually.

"Oh, I remember now! When I went for my interview at Jinguji High School, which you attend, that Matsudaira lady was watching from the sidelines."

Upon hearing what Uchiha Naruto said, Sakaki Namikazu suddenly had a sudden realization.

"I knew there was no way my resume could pass the private high school's screening. Turns out it was your girlfriend who helped. So you two got together three years ago?" Sakaki Nami said with a teasing smile.

Uchiha Naruto remained noncommittal.

At the time, although Uchiha Naruto attracted Matsudaira Chiyo's attention, it was not out of love, but rather out of a playful curiosity.

"If I calculate the time, it was before my brother-in-law became successful, so I can feel a little more at ease."

Namikazu Sakaki let out a breath, her expression immediately becoming much more relaxed.

"Times have changed. The Uchiha clan is no longer the country folk who weave round fans. There are countless people eyeing my brother-in-law's power as the number one superhuman and head of the Supernatural Police Department, as well as the foundation's money. We must be more careful."

Namikazu Sakaki's face darkened.

"Although my brother-in-law is prone to having many romantic entanglements, he is deeply devoted to my sister, and his love will last until death. Now that you have a girlfriend, you should learn from your brother-in-law."

Sakaki Namiru seemed to remember something and muttered a couple of words under her breath.

Being too focused on one thing isn't good either.

Aunt Nami was implying something.

Uchiha Naruto, unperturbed, asked:

"Grandma and Grandpa, how are you feeling?"

"He's in good health, but he keeps complaining that he feels stifled in the big city and wants to go back to the village to farm."

"The old man is really stubborn. For safety's sake, it's best to stay in Tokyo."

Uchiha Mei sighed.

"Returning to the village after many years, it feels really desolate and dilapidated."

This is something that can't be helped.

Japan's population crisis has deepened due to declining birthrates and an aging population. As young residents migrate to big cities and the elderly die, many villages are disappearing silently.

Especially after the advent of the extraordinary era and the confirmed existence of monsters, the widespread panic further exacerbated the concentration of population in urban areas.

After all, there are hardly any young and strong people in remote and impoverished areas. If they encounter a monster attack, they can only wait to die. By the time rescue arrives, their bones will be cold.

However, with the disappearance of the Crimson Moon, the number of times monsters and evil spirits caused trouble also decreased significantly.

According to official statistics, only a dozen or so people died in the first half of the seventh year of Reiwa (1959) due to bizarre attacks.

There are not as many murder cases as there are murder cases, so some people have started to take chances.

The current official propaganda in Japan is to encourage its citizens to get used to coexisting with monsters and evil spirits.

"Tonight is the night of the funeral. The last elder of the village with the surname Uchiha has also returned to dust."

Sakaki Namikazu looked at Uchiha Naruto with a mischievous smile on her face.

"The Uchiha clan is small, so you'd better work hard, Naruto."

(End of this chapter)