I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 379 and 380: Demon King's City

The Yata no Kagami (Eight-Span Mirror), the Yasakani no Magatama (Eight-Span Curved Jewel), and the Ame-no-Murakumo no Tsurugi (Kusanagi Sword) are the Three Sacred Treasures of the Japanese Imperial Family.

"But in reality, there are actually five of the Three Sacred Treasures."

Uchiha Naruto was, after all, a university student majoring in history at the University of Tokyo, and the power system of the Uchiha clan was closely related to Japanese mythology. He had put a lot of effort into this area and could readily quote relevant records.

Shintoism has a concept called "kata-dai," which is a substitute for a sacred artifact. However, it is not a replica but rather a substitute that has undergone the ritual of "mitama-sen," in which the divinity of the sacred artifact is transferred to the substitute, giving it the same status as the original.

The sacred objects (gami) in the hundreds of branches of some major Japanese shrines are equestrians (katadai) that were taken from the main shrine through a ritual called "Mitama-sen" (mitama transfer ceremony).

Furthermore, Shintoism claims that the transfer of souls will not lose the original's divinity, and that the divinity is as if it can split infinitely, like mitosis.

It's even more amazing than a shadow clone.

The Three Sacred Treasures, historically used in the Emperor's enthronement ceremony, fought over by various factions, burned by fire, and sunk to the bottom of the sea during the Battle of Dan-no-ura, are the Three Sacred Treasures in the Imperial Palace collection. They are the original Yasakani no Magatama, the Yata no Kagami (Eight-Span Mirror), and the Ame-no-Murakumo no Tsurugi (Kusanagi Sword).

The other two sacred treasures, the genuine Yata no Kagami (Eight-Span Mirror) has been enshrined at the Omiya Shrine in Ise Grand Shrine, Mie Prefecture for a thousand years; and the genuine Ama no Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Kuroko's Ame-no-Murakumo Sword) is enshrined at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture.

Even when the Three Sacred Treasures were brought out during the Emperor's enthronement ceremony, they were placed in wooden boxes, and even the Emperor never saw them in person.

Due to the special nature of the Three Sacred Treasures, investigation is prohibited.

Whether the Yata no Kagami enshrined at Ise Grand Shrine is an original artifact passed down from the 7th century when the Kojiki was written is unknown.

"However, these are all old almanacs from before the extraordinary era. As far as I know, the Japanese government and the Shrine Office have been investigating the ancient shrine artifacts in Japan in hopes of finding extraordinary heritage among them."

Naruto Uchiha blinked, his expression remaining impassive as he thought to himself.

After Naruto Uchiha unearthed the large pit where Minamoto no Yorimitsu's ghost had been stored in his armor, this time-consuming and laborious shrine archaeological project had already begun.

However, it is unknown whether any investigation was conducted into the Three Divine Artifacts, which are the highest-level divine artifacts.

"After I get back, I'll inquire about it a bit."

Uchiha chuckled.

"But probably not. After all, even the royal family isn't sure about their own bloodline. If they find out the truth, things could get really interesting."

"Takikawa-sensei, when is the Tokyo Metropolitan Archery Federation's selection tournament?" Uchiha Naruto asked.

"Before the Extraordinary Era, the selection process always began on the second Saturday of August."

Takikawa 7th Dan, beaming with excitement, gestured a few times in the air with his right hand and said:

"However, the competition schedule overlaps with the Obon festival, so in recent years it has been moved up a month to mid-July."

The Obon Festival, also known as the Ghost Festival in Buddhism, is as important as the Lunar New Year in Japan.

After the Meiji Restoration, Japan abolished the lunar calendar and adopted the new calendar, and the Obon festival was also moved to around August 15th.

After the miraculous appearance of the Lord of Mount Tai, the status of the Obon Festival was elevated to an unprecedented level. The Japanese government also holds the Lord of Mount Tai Festival during the Obon Festival, which is even more grand than ever before.

"Yeah, during summer vacation."

Naruto Uchiha nodded.

"I'll have to trouble you then, Uchiha-kun."

After finishing his report with satisfaction, Takikawa, the seventh-dan dojo master, glanced at the side of the dojo and asked curiously:

"Uchiha-kun, this elusive black cat only appears when you're at the dojo. Could it be your pet?"

A black cat was lying lazily on the paulownia wood floor of the dojo.

It was a black cat, as black as ink, with a round head and a pair of pointed little ears. It looked very cute and endearing.

Takikawa 7th Dan couldn't help but take a few steps forward, about to squat down and pet the black cat.

The black cat darted behind Uchiha Naruto with lightning speed, peeking out its small head. Its heterochromatic eyes, one gold and one blue, were like jewels as it coldly stared at Takikawa 7th Dan.

Takigawa, a 7th Dan, was able to discern a hint of disdain in the black cat's intelligent eyes.

He couldn't help but feel both annoyed and amused.

"Sorry, Meow-chan doesn't like strangers touching her."

Naruto Uchiha bent down and stretched out his arm. The black cat, which had previously looked aloof and elegant, obediently climbed into his arm and rubbed against him.

Takigawa 7th Dan looked on with envy.

"Uchiha-kun, your cat is practically a spirit now, isn't it?"

Takigawa, a 7th dan, gave some further instructions regarding the Tokyo Metropolitan Kyudo Federation selection next month, and then left the kyudo training ground.

"Yoruichi, is something the matter?"

Naruto Uchiha lowered his head and asked the black cat in his arms in a soft voice.

"My lord, the first phase of the royal city's construction is complete. Lily hopes you can come to the site for inspection."

The black cat raised her head, but did not speak human language. However, her telepathic message was still accurately conveyed to Uchiha Naruto.

"In addition, there are some tasks you previously assigned that I need to report to you on their progress."

The art of connecting hearts and minds.

"I see, then I'm really looking forward to it."

Naruto Uchiha smiled, then packed up his bow and arrow equipment and walked into the empty changing room.

The black cat followed closely behind and slipped inside.

Naruto Uchiha took off his kyudo hakama (traditional Japanese archery) clothes, while the black cat faithfully looked around, seemingly on guard against anyone breaking in.

However, the black cat's gaze kept falling on Uchiha Naruto, who was shirtless.

"Yoruichi, let's go."

After changing into casual clothes, Naruto beckoned to the black cat, and the black cat leaped up and jumped onto Naruto's shoulder.

Then Naruto Uchiha snapped his fingers, and the scene in the locker room seemed to be paused. All the light and color began to fade, as if frozen in a black and white silent film.

In the next instant, the space shifted, and vitality and brilliance surged into my eyes from all directions.

However, the scene had changed. Naruto Uchiha was now sitting on a rock-carved seat. When he opened his eyes, he saw a dilapidated and desolate hall with pits and marks all over the floor and walls.

"Meow!"

The black cat on Uchiha's shoulder lost all its intelligence in its eyes, looked around in surprise and doubt, then leaped off Uchiha Naruto's shoulder and ran towards a figure kneeling on the stone steps in front of the seat.

"Yoruichi, the ninja cat you keep is really timid."

Naruto Uchiha stared at the woman below the steps and shook his head.

The woman, whom Naruto Uchiha called Yoruichi, had a tall figure and was dressed in a black bodysuit. Even the lower half of her face was covered by a black cloth, revealing only a pair of large, cat-like eyes.

Her attire resembled that of a female ninja.

Moreover, her heartbeat, pulse, and breathing were almost non-existent, making her presence extremely faint.

Upon hearing Uchiha Naruto's question, the female ninja remained silent and lowered her head quietly.

"Shut up again? You were so talkative when you were possessing the cat using the Mind Transfer Technique."

Uchiha Naruto thought to himself.

However, Yoruichi Kato's personality has always been a bit strange. She's not exactly introverted, but she needs to possess a ninja cat to communicate fluently with Naruto Uchiha using telepathy, which always makes Naruto Uchiha feel a bit odd.

But it was a minor matter, and Naruto Uchiha did not consider it offensive.

"Smack."

Stroking the cold, rough handrail of the rock seat, Uchiha Naruto stood up and descended the stone steps, his crisp footsteps echoing through the empty, desolate walls.

Naruto Uchiha walked out of the hall and onto the terrace, looking down at everything outside.

Temples with Buddhist and Shinto influences, vermilion pillars, ornately carved halls, and vast stretches of ancient-style streets and settlements...

The magnificent city, imbued with the vicissitudes of history, unfolded slowly before Naruto Uchiha's eyes, as if frozen in a painting.

Its architectural style is different from that of modern cities on Earth, yet it inherits the ancient Eastern style, full of mystery, and gives people a powerful spiritual shock.

Naruto Uchiha is not in Tokyo, or even anywhere on Earth, but in a secret realm.

The "Royal City" and "Ark" that he showed Yamashita Tetsu in the simulated world line were more than just empty promises.

In fact, Uchiha Naruto had been secretly making arrangements for this matter all along.

Although there are quite a few members of Naruto Uchiha's Hawk organization who can rival the Twelve Divine Generals under the official forces.

However, the biggest backing for official superhumans is the state apparatus.

The Eagle Organization currently lacks any Kage-level powerhouses, making it completely incapable of directly confronting the state apparatus.

In the real world, unless one possesses ninjutsu such as teleportation, teleportation, or flight, even superhumans would find it difficult to escape the relentless pursuit of a nation's forces.

Naruto Uchiha believed it was necessary to provide a logistical support and rest base for the superhumans under his direct control, so that they could conserve their energy and deal with the Twelve Divine Generals.

Moreover, even extraordinary individuals have weaknesses, such as family and friends. If these are controlled by official forces, they will inevitably be restrained.

It's safer to just throw them all into the secret realm.

Yamashita Tetsu's younger sister has now settled in the royal city.

Moreover, this is also a precautionary measure. If the changes brought about by the Scarlet Moon Incident are beyond Uchiha Naruto's control, Uchiha Naruto can also take his relatives and friends to hide in the secret realm.

Calling this place the Ark of Doomsday wouldn't be an exaggeration.

"Finally, some smoker's energy is returning."

Naruto Uchiha looked at the magnificent town and nodded slightly.

But...

Naruto Uchiha's eyes darted around, his expression slightly strange.

In this dreamlike city filled with history and mystery, there are surprisingly many things that bear the marks of modern civilization, such as utility poles, signal towers, and air conditioner units.

At first glance, it looks completely out of place.

It has a magical realism feel to it.

Running an organization's base, even a base of a supernatural organization, naturally requires a number of ordinary people.

The population living in the entire secret realm now numbers in the hundreds, including relatives and friends of the superhumans, as well as various skilled workers and engineers.

"But there's nothing we can do about it. After all, dungeons aren't meant for people to settle down in. Many buildings need to be completely repaired and rebuilt before people can live in them."

Naruto Uchiha wasn't some old-fashioned person who thought that nature and primitiveness were good and superior, and was unwilling to enjoy the conveniences brought by modern civilization.

Even if Naruto Uchiha doesn't stay in the secret realm permanently, we still need to consider the superhumans and their families who are currently settling in the royal city.

Transforming the entire secret realm instance is no simple task.

However, Naruto Uchiha possessed a miraculous system and extraordinary ninjutsu, making anything possible in the Naruto world.

On the moon, Otsutsuki Toneri can operate and maintain the entire lunar palace using puppets. Uchiha Naruto exchanges a batch of puppets from within the system to serve as basic labor and servants.

However, it is impossible to modernize the royal city by relying on these inanimate objects.

In reality, the Hawk organization has already established deep roots in the real world. It wouldn't be difficult for them to deceive and swindle a group of skilled workers and engineers to purchase large quantities of materials from the real world outside of Japan.

However, Naruto Uchiha naturally left everything to his subordinates, delegating all matters related to the construction of the royal city to them.

The thought of this made Naruto Uchiha feel a little guilty.

But on second thought, this is also a sign of trust in subordinates.

Naruto Uchiha then felt at ease.

"Although the Eagles refer to this town in the secret realm as the Royal City, considering my true identity as the mastermind behind the scenes, it would be more appropriate to call it the Demon King's City."

Naruto Uchiha thought for a moment and then asked the female ninja, Yoruichi Kato.

"Did you use telepathy to send a message to Lily?"

The female ninja nodded silently.

In that case, it should arrive soon.

Naruto Uchiha turned around and returned from the terrace to the hall. The hall was like a ruin that had been sealed for many years, dilapidated and full of cracks and pits.

Liliana did offer suggestions to renovate the ruins located atop the mountain, but Naruto Uchiha rejected them.

That's how it has to be maintained; that's what gives it the Uchiha flavor.

"After all, this is the place where Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi had their fateful showdown."

Naruto Uchiha looked up at the Uchiha clan crest on the wall, and at the unique mural behind the rock seat.

Within the Chinese character for "fox," there are nine swirling patterns resembling a fox's tail.

Uchiha Itachi is sitting here, welcoming Sasuke, who has come to seek revenge on him.

Naruto Uchiha swaggered onto the stone seat.

It's a pity he's not wearing the Akatsuki's black robe with red clouds right now, otherwise he might be able to understand Itachi's state of mind back then.

Naruto Uchiha was about to retort, "How far can your Sharingan see?"

Supported by two puppets, a silver-haired girl with a Nordic flair walked in.

Beneath the silver-haired girl's double eyelids were faint dark circles. Seeing Uchiha Naruto sitting above, a flash of anger crossed her eyes. She took a deep breath, then knelt on one knee in a gesture of respect before speaking:

"Your Majesty, please stop slacking off!"

(End of this chapter)