I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 369 and 370: The Soul Departs, the Corpse Remains

After the uninvited guests dispersed, the once bustling and noisy funeral hall returned to its proper emptiness and tranquility.

"call."

Uchiha Senmon remained calm and composed. Compared to being fawned over by everyone before, this state of mind made him feel more at ease and carefree.

The Uchiha clan, who preferred quiet to activity, always politely declined various banquets and invitations.

Given its current status and power, the only people in this country who would feign compliance with the head of the Supernatural Police Department and the first extraordinary Uchiha Senmon are a small group of people in the clouds. These local bullies in Shizuoka Prefecture don't even give him the face to look at them.

"I'll leave the task of revitalizing the village to you, Nami Ryu."

While the main family was preparing for the night watch, Uchiha Senmon pulled Sakaki Namikaze aside and gave her some instructions:

"I want to delve deeper into the village's history and culture, not just its economic aspects."

Uchiha Senmon rushed back to attend his uncle's funeral. Seeing the old village chief so frail and aged, he couldn't help but feel saddened by the changes in life and felt that he could do something.

Moreover, he couldn't stay in the village for long, and he wasn't very confident about whether he could uncover the secrets of the Uchiha clan hidden in history and their ancestral home, the Naka Shrine.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to support the village's development, we can visit the village's elderly and explore the old sites and historical relics around the village, and perhaps discover some clues.

Killing two birds with one stone.

History? Culture?

Nami Sakaki was completely confused.

Sakaki Nami had no objection to her brother-in-law's desire to invest in and give back to his hometown, but she couldn't quite understand his desire to explore the village's history and culture.

Nami Sakaki was born and raised here. As a child, she ran wild all over the mountains with other boys and knew very well that the village had no historical background whatsoever.

Is my brother-in-law trying to develop the village's tourism industry?

However, these small mountain villages with a history of two or three hundred years are everywhere in Shizuoka Prefecture. The shallow historical and cultural heritage of the entire village cannot compare to even a fraction of the extraordinary reputation of my brother-in-law.

It would be better to simply advertise "Hometown of the Uchiha Minister," a prestigious brand that would guarantee a constant stream of tourists.

However, my brother-in-law's idea must have a deeper meaning, and I just need to blindly support it.

"Then let A-Ming wander around the village for the next few days. Isn't he a top student in the history department at Tokyo University? Maybe he can unearth some relics from the Heian period in the village," Sakaki Nami casually joked.

"I never expected that A-Ming could get into Tokyo University on his own."

Uchiha Senmon smiled and shook his head.

As fellow students of Tokyo University, Uchiha Senmon knew all too well how difficult it was to get into Tokyo University.

However, once you cross the Red Gate, it truly is like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, achieving a leap in social class.

While other countries often have two top-ranked universities, the University of Tokyo's status among Japanese universities is undeniably unparalleled.

In Japan's important ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the highest bureaucratic positions, the Administrative Vice-Ministers, are basically monopolized by graduates of the University of Tokyo (ministers are not bureaucrats and can only be politicians).

The term "Tokyo University faction" is widely used in both the national civil service system and the management of large banks and conglomerates.

As long as you are a graduate of the University of Tokyo, you don't need to scheme and make connections like other young people. The seniors of the University of Tokyo who hold high positions will naturally treat the graduates as their own people and help and promote them. For the graduates of the University of Tokyo who have climbed to high positions, the juniors will naturally stand by their side and become their right-hand men.

In Japanese society, the University of Tokyo label is seen as a certification of elites and highly intelligent individuals.

Even now, state media continues to emphasize that Minister Uchiha is a graduate of the University of Tokyo.

Born in a small mountain village, the lonely and destitute Uchiha Senmon was driven by an intense desire to change his own and those of his loved ones' fate, which led him to study hard and gain admission to Tokyo University.

Despite living a life of luxury, Ah Ming was able to stay true to himself, study patiently, and eventually cross the Red Gate.

This child is like me.

This made the Uchiha Sage Sect both proud and somewhat guilty.

After all, he offered nothing but financial support.

It must be thanks to Mikoto's spirit in heaven that Amin was able to grow up healthy and become an outstanding person.

"By the way, brother-in-law, will the village's investment come from the foundation?"

"No, after all, my original intention in establishing the foundation was to help those affected by supernatural events, and the subsidies for the village are my private matter. Using the foundation's money would inevitably give others something to say."

The Uchiha Sage immediately rejected the idea without even thinking:

"I have some extra foreign currency from this trip to the United States, totaling around 20 million US dollars. I'll use this money."

During his trip to the United States, many people offered Minister Uchiha generous gifts, but the Uchiha clan politely declined them all. Soon after, some clever people came up with various ways to send money to Minister Uchiha.

This money is for the Uchiha Sage's speaking fees at various universities and companies in the United States.

This is reasonable and legal given the circumstances in the United States.

Even the IRS, which is known for its ruthless pursuit of profit, has issued a certificate stating that no taxes need to be paid.

In the United States, Uchiha Senmon met many foreign dignitaries and powerful figures.

Despite their different appearances, languages, and beliefs, the foreign dignitaries were no different from the Japanese nobles. They exuded an aura of decay, and their murky eyes could not conceal their greed for extraordinary power, which extended to the Uchiha clan.

They're all a bunch of worthless scoundrels, not worth a second glance.

The only person who left any impression on the Uchiha Senmon was the CEO of SpaceX.

In the 21st century, it is no longer surprising for private aerospace companies to launch small satellites and commercial rockets.

However, this is the only private company that has been able to send astronauts into space and successfully land a lunar probe on the lunar surface.

Even the Uchiha Immortal Sect, still resentful of the Scarlet Moon Incident, should be treated with more respect.

SpaceX CEO confidently stated that the company is already preparing for a manned lunar landing mission and will launch its first rocket as early as the end of 2025.

The Uchiha Sage Sect was skeptical of this.

Capitalists are less trustworthy than the US government; heaven knows what nonsense they'll spout to boost stock prices.

However, SpaceX's development momentum and aerospace capabilities in recent years are obvious to all, and it has also made a name for itself in the hearts of the Uchiha Sage Sect.

What if it actually happens?

After finalizing the matter, the conversation between the two once again turned to Uchiha Naruto.

"Brother-in-law, what do you think of Miss Matsudaira that A-Ming brought back this time?"

In fact, Sakaki Namiru's impression of Matsudaira Chiyo was not bad; in fact, it could be said to be quite good.

Besides the positive first impression of being a well-bred young lady, Matsudaira Chiyo's ease and composure in front of the dignitaries of Shizuoka Prefecture before the all-night ceremony also earned Sakaki Namiru's secret approval.

Compared to Akira, Miss Matsudaira is much more mature in her dealings with people.

The men of the Uchiha clan are all like this: cold on the outside but warm on the inside. They always have a cold face when facing strangers, polite but arrogant.

To put it nicely, it's about being calm and composed, unperturbed by praise or criticism; to put it bluntly, it's about being arrogant and haughty.

My brother-in-law was like that when he was young, but he became a little more tactful after he started working at the Metropolitan Police Department.

Ah Ming found a beautiful woman from all walks of life who was eloquent and charming, which complemented his partner's qualities.

Even so, we cannot let our guard down.

"I heard that Ms. Matsudaira and A-Ming were high school classmates. Being close to someone gives you an advantage."

Sakaki Nami suggested, "Even with this relationship, we can't be completely at ease. Who knows if they'll take advantage of my brother-in-law's influence? I think we should send someone to investigate."

"Uh...that won't be necessary."

Uchiha Senmon's expression was somewhat strange, his eyes filled with reminiscence and a sigh at the incredible nature of fate.

"My subordinates in the police department had already reported the Matsudaira family's information to me. I never expected such a coincidence. I guess it's fate."

"Brother-in-law, what are you saying?" Nami Sakaki was a little confused.

"Ms. Matsudaira's mother is an old friend of mine. She was a very kind and caring senior at Tokyo University. I can't call her senior now; I should call her Mrs. Matsudaira."

Beep beep beep!

Sakaki Namiryu's sister-in-law's alarm suddenly went off.

Not right, not right.

But I've never heard my sister mention the surname Matsudaira before.

Suddenly, Namikami Sakaki had a flash of inspiration and blurted out:

"Is Ms. Matsudaira's mother's surname Jinguji?"

"That's right, this was Mrs. Matsudaira's surname before she got married. Miss Matsudaira even told you this? It seems you two get along very well." Uchiha Senmon, completely unaware of Sakaki Nami's little scheme, said directly.

Sure enough!

Sakaki Namiru's eyes suddenly sharpened, and she quickly retrieved the labels from her long-forgotten memories.

Her sister had privately complained to her that she had encountered a formidable rival while she was in Tokyo with her brother-in-law.

Not only is she a rich family's daughter, but she is also a talented woman from Tokyo University. She launches a fierce offensive on her brother-in-law, wanting him to marry into her family.

That young lady's surname is Jinguji!

I absolutely did not misremember!

Sakaki Nami's eyes unconsciously revealed wariness and hostility.

"That despicable and treacherous woman, letting her daughter get close to A-Ming, could it be that she's plotting something against her brother-in-law?"

Rekindled romance? A marriage between close relatives?

Namikazu Sakaki realized she was overthinking things.

After all, this is twenty years later. Miss Jinguji has long been married and has a daughter. She wouldn't be so shameless as to do such a thing.

Letting your child date the children of someone you used to like can, to some extent, be seen as settling a past regret. Isn't this the kind of "loser" behavior that often appears in romance manga?

I should be more magnanimous and not make unfounded suspicions.

Upon thinking of this, Nami Sakaki pretended to calm down.

"Mrs. Matsudaira's husband passed away last year, and it is not easy for her and her daughter to support the family business."

Uchiha Senmon said calmly, "Let Matsudaira-san and Akira's relationship take its natural course."

confirmed!

That promiscuous woman was definitely after her brother-in-law.

Namikazu Sakaki almost ground her teeth to powder.

One foreign blonde woman left, and now a widow has arrived!

My love life has been so full of twists and turns.

I don't want that kind of thing!

My brother-in-law found another woman, and after my sister passed away, I'll have to remain single for at least ten years!

Decided!

Once we get back, we must break up Ah Ming and that woman's daughter, sever their ill-fated relationship, and not give her any chance to take advantage of us.

Sakaki Nami's face darkened, and she thought fiercely.

"Even A-Ming has a girlfriend now, Nami Ryu, you're not getting any younger, it's time to think about yourself."

Uchiha Senmon smiled and said, "There's no need to rush either the foundation's work or the investment in the village."

It was like a bucket of cold water being poured over her; Sakaki Namiryu's heart sank to the bottom.

"It's not good for girls to stay up late, you should go home too."

Uchiha Senmon beckoned to Ichimaru's assistant and several others in black suits, and gave them instructions:

"Take her home. It's getting dark, so be careful on your journey."

"Ms. Sakaki, please."

The squinty-eyed assistant, Ichimaru, walked over and said politely.

If my sister were here, my brother-in-law would definitely ask her to stay so that the couple could keep vigil for Uncle Uchiha together.

Namikazu Sakaki felt a mix of emotions, a bittersweet feeling.

And then there were my brother-in-law's unintentional remarks, which showed he didn't see me as a woman at all, but rather as a wild girl following him around.

Like a walking corpse, Nami Sakaki followed several members of the Supernatural Police Department outside.

"Boom—!"

Suddenly, lightning flashed across the night sky, the weather changed drastically, and large raindrops began to fall in a pattering patter.

Summer rain always arrives so swiftly, catching everyone off guard. Instinctively, they run from the courtyard toward the mourning hall where they can take shelter from the rain.

"It's raining so hard, thank goodness we walked fast, otherwise we would have been soaked to the bone."

"If the previous hundreds of guests were still here, this old house definitely wouldn't be able to accommodate them all."

"I hope it won't affect tomorrow's funeral."

Seeing the torrential thunderstorm that showed no signs of ending anytime soon, the Uchiha Sage Clan did not ask Sakaki Nami to return.

Uchiha Senmon, Sakaki Nami, along with several members of the Supernatural Police Department in black suits, and the family of the uncle's adopted daughter, sat in the mourning hall to keep vigil for the uncle.

"Crackling and popping."

The sudden rain pounded on the eaves and doors, making a sound.

Outside, the wind and rain were gloomy and overcast. Inside the mourning hall, the candlelight flickered. A muffled clap of thunder sounded, and a beam of lightning illuminated the smiling face of the deceased's portrait on the coffin.

A half-smile, as if he were staring at a living person.

Sakaki Nami glanced at him, then quickly lowered her head, feeling a little uneasy, and secretly moved closer to Uchiha Senmon.

"BOOM!!!"

Another sudden, deafening clap of thunder rang out, as if the sky had exploded, causing the entire old house to tremble.

"Wow wow wow!"

The people inside the mourning hall were trembling with fear, and some of the more timid ones had even closed their eyes and covered their ears.

Taking advantage of the fleeting flash of lightning, Uchiha Senmon saw a dark figure standing silently outside the window, peering inside with a terrifying gaze.

The figure was hunched over, with a stooped posture; it belonged to an elderly person.

Uchiha Senmon's pupils contracted, and the next second, several black tomoe faintly appeared.

"Uncle?"

(End of this chapter)