I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 396 and 397: Taira no Masakado (Revised)

Kyoto, Hachiman City, Ishikimizu Hachimangu Shrine.

In the early Heian period, Hachiman Okami appeared to him and told him that he wished to protect Kyoto nearby. So he moved from Usa Hachiman Shrine to the peak of Mount Otoko in Hachiman City, where he has been for 1,100 years.

Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, along with Ise Grand Shrine, is one of the two major shrines of the Japanese Imperial Family.

"Now, please welcome Saito Kyudan Norishi to conduct the Na-sa ceremony."

More than a dozen teams from the Tokyo Metropolitan Student Archery Federation, who traveled all the way from Tokyo, gathered here to compete for the sole right to participate in the team championship title match.

Naruto Uchiha, dressed in a white top and black hakama, stayed in the line of students from the University of Tokyo, looking ahead with great interest.

Before a giant target lay offerings of sea bream, fruits, and other items, laid out as tribute to Hachiman Daimyojin, the god of archery. A middle-aged man dressed as a priest, holding a prayer scroll, chanted in a strange tone, as if reciting a sutra:

"Looking back, the precious bow blessed by the divine power of Hachiman Daimyojin, through the virtues of concentration and wisdom, removed obstacles and thieves from the path, and vanquished demons of life and death. When it comes to the power to exorcise all demons, none other than this deity possesses it. Now, at this sacred site, we respectfully invite Hachiman Daimyojin to protect us..."

After the priest finished reciting, he slowly stepped back a few steps, handing the stage over to an elderly man dressed in a pure black kimono with graying temples.

The frail old man sat on the ground, setting aside his bow and arrows, and took off his short sleeves, exposing his left shoulder.

Then, straightening his back and adopting a near-textbook shooting posture, he drew his bow and aimed at the target thirty meters away.

On a black and white target one meter in diameter, there is a red-painted character for "ghost," about the size of a soccer ball.

"call out."

With a single arrow, the ninth-ranked Fan Shi beautifully pierced through the character "鬼" (ghost) on the target.

"good!"

Compared to the reserved participating teams below, the crowd watching in front of Hachiman Shrine were generous with their applause and cheers.

"Oh."

Uchiha Naruto.

It's not that I look down on the old man's shooting skills; after all, to maintain such accuracy at such an advanced age is truly a testament to his enduring strength.

I just felt that this archery ceremony was superfluous.

Japan has a wide variety of rituals related to bows and arrows. For example, after a newborn is born, wealthy families will hold a bow-striking ceremony, inviting a master of archery to strike the bow to dispel evil spirits. There are also archery ceremonies before festivals, archery ceremonies and bow betting in the first month of the lunar calendar, horse archery during the Dragon Boat Festival, and the first-level archery and horse archery ceremony in the tenth month, all used to exorcise demons and ward off evil.

Although the meaning is excellent, it seems a bit excessive to make such a big fuss about holding the archery ceremony at Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine for a small regional selection competition.

Naruto Uchiha thought to himself without a care in the world, completely oblivious to the fact that he was the one who started it all.

Before 1965, even the most ritualistic sport of archery would not have made such a grand show of praying for divine protection.

Thanks to Uchiha Naruto's elaborate and superstitious charade, the whole of Japan began to regress towards feudal superstition.

The saying "Heaven is watching" is no longer just an empty phrase in this extraordinary era.

Before holding a grand event, people from all walks of life feel uneasy if they don't perform a shamanistic ritual.

Of course, Naruto Uchiha, who possessed extraordinary power, was the least religious of them all.

All the gods and Buddhas in the heavens were used as aliases by Uchiha Naruto without any restraint, yet no divine retribution was ever seen.

"However, it's quite unusual to put the character for 'ghost' on a target."

Uchiha Naruto suddenly had a brilliant idea:

"Still at Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine, could this 'demon' be a veiled reference to Taira no Masakado?"

Taira no Masakado is one of the four great vengeful spirits of Japan. Many military generals in Japan rebelled, but they all used the slogan of respecting the emperor and punishing the traitors. If they failed, they would naturally die and their families would be exterminated. If they succeeded, they would only make the emperor a figurehead or exile him and establish a new emperor. They would never dare to replace the emperor.

Taira no Masakado was the only one who truly intended to storm Heian-kyo, seize the Emperor's throne, and enjoy himself.

Although the Taira no Masakado Rebellion was quelled in less than a year, the rebels were arrogant and had once inflicted heavy losses on government troops, even reaching the capital, which terrified the Yamato court.

The imperial court sent people to the Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine to pray for victory. After that, the government troops were as if they had divine assistance and defeated the rebels one after another. Taira no Masakado himself was killed by a stray arrow on the battlefield.

The incense at Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine has also become very popular.

Hachiman Daimyojin is regarded as the incarnation of Emperor Ōjin and is the ancestral deity of the Japanese Imperial Family.

As the god of samurai and archery, Hachiman Shrine is like the Guan Yu temples on the mainland, flourishing all over Japan. Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine, being close to Kyoto, was frequently visited by emperors and retired emperors throughout history, thus gaining a status as the imperial shrine second only to Ise Grand Shrine.

"The 'demon' character on the target might have another meaning. From the perspective of Yin-Yang philosophy, Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine is also the location of the gate to the underworld in Heian-kyo..."

Naruto Uchiha's thoughts wandered as he recalled his knowledge of occultism.

"Alright, the archery ceremony is now officially over. Next, we will proceed with the Tokyo Metropolitan Archery Federation Men's Team Competition. Please enter the venue in an orderly manner."

Okay, here we go.

Naruto Uchiha casually carried his kimono sack and followed the Tokyo University team toward the arena.

"Truly effortless, is this the composure of a king, Uchiha?"

Just then, a handsome, bespectacled man with a sunny disposition appeared.

He had striking features and was exceptionally handsome. His facial features resembled those of a young Takuya Kimura, and in terms of appearance alone, he was only slightly less handsome than Naruto Uchiha.

"Even though Tokyo has six qualifying spots in the East-West rivalry, and even though you're the high school champion, times have changed. Universities are full of hidden talents; if you slack off like this, you might not even get sixth place!"

Naruto Uchiha squinted at the handsome man with glasses, feeling utterly bewildered.

"I will repay the debt of two years ago with tenfold the revenge this time."

After saying that, the handsome man with glasses turned and left with an air of arrogance.

Wait, who are you?

Don't act like we're very close.

Naruto Uchiha was somewhat puzzled.

Naruto Uchiha is completely face-blind to people he doesn't care about.

Even after arriving at the archery tournament venue and pondering for a while, Naruto Uchiha still couldn't recall it.

Upon entering the competition venue, one could see male and female university students dressed in hakama (traditional Japanese clothing) and carrying bow bags everywhere.

It must be said that trousers greatly enhance the temperament of young men and women, making them look radiant and dashing.

The first day was a team battle, and Naruto Uchiha didn't have to fight. He went to the audience and locked onto his target at a glance.

"Ah Ming, over here!"

He saw a beautiful woman with long, straight black hair waving at him from afar, and then she walked over with light, graceful steps.

Matsudaira Chiyo wore delicate light makeup and a burgundy midi skirt. Her proportions were beautiful, and her long, fair legs were faintly visible as she walked.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Some male viewers were attracted by Matsudaira Chiyo's appearance and glared angrily at Uchiha Naruto.

The other women, however, cast envious glances at Matsudaira Chiyo.

"Ah Ming, you look so cool in your kyudo hakama uniform."

Matsudaira Chiyo cradled her flushed face in her hands, her eyes revealing a hint of aggression as she scrutinized Uchiha Naruto.

"There's no need to fly all the way here."

Naruto Uchiha casually tugged at his collar, glanced at it, and said:

"If you want to see me in hakama, I can change for you anytime."

"Unlike you, Ah Ming, I don't like to do cosplay at home. It's much more fun to see it live."

Matsudaira Chiyo said with a smile:

"And after the competition, I'd like to visit the Gion Festival in Kyoto with you."

"Chiyo, you're in luck. This year's Gion Festival will probably be much more spectacular than in previous years."

A strange light flashed in Uchiha Naruto's eyes, and he said meaningfully.

"Really? I'm really looking forward to it."

The two then sat in the audience, ready to enjoy the upcoming team battle.

"The first shooting range, Sakura Merrill Lynch University..."

The announcer's loud voice came over the radio:

"Sakura Meirin University Daimae, second-year student Takada Yu..."

As the announcer spoke in an orderly fashion, the five team members from each of the two universities, carrying their bows, walked onto the field in an orderly manner.

"Ah Ming, do you really not need to go on stage? Your skill is unmatched in the East University Archery Club."

"Although archery team battles don't emphasize teamwork that much, a certain level of understanding is still required."

Naruto Uchiha calmly gazed at Daizen below, who was forming his body, with a hint of arrogance:

"I'm not on the same level as them."

The Tokyo University archery club is too weak. Even if Naruto Uchiha hits every shot, he can't lead them to the next round. Why waste your time?

"Ah Ming, what is the meaning of the 'ghost' pasted on the target during the Na She ceremony?"

Matsudaira Chiyo casually tossed out a question.

In front of Matsudaira Chiyo, Uchiha Naruto could not reveal the rumors he had speculated about regarding Taira no Masakado and the Rei-kimon.

"It should be to drive away evil spirits with a bow and arrow, and to pray for good fortune," Uchiha Naruto said without revealing his true intentions.

"The Chinese character for 'ghost' can be broken down into 'jia', 'yi', and 'si' (meaning 'nothing'), which means that there is no winner or loser in archery competitions."

A beautiful, long, raven-feather-like woman, a Yamato Nadeshiko, sat down beside Matsudaira Chiyo and smiled slightly.

"You don't mind me sitting here, do you, Minister Matsudaira, and Uchiha?"

Naruto Uchiha and Chiyo Matsudaira exchanged a glance, both somewhat surprised.

He is the captain of the archery club at Jinguji High School.

Call, call Ba...

Uchiha Naruto racked his brains, pondering deeply.

"What a coincidence, Yashiro-kun."

Matsudaira Chiyo smiled and called her by her surname.

"have not seen you for a long time."

"I am truly flattered that Minister Matsudaira still remembers me."

Yashiki Saki smiled politely.

"Yashiro-kun is also a student of Jinguji, so of course I remember him."

Although it was a long-awaited reunion with the high school archery club captain, Uchiha Naruto and Yashiki Saki had only met once. Given Uchiha Naruto's indifferent personality, there was naturally not much to talk about.

As for Yashiki Saki and Matsudaira Chiyo, they reminisced about their time at Jinguji High School and quickly became much closer, chatting and laughing together. Anyone who didn't know them would think they were best friends.

"Matsudaira and Uchiha transferred from Jinguji High School one after the other, causing quite a stir and becoming one of the two great unsolved mysteries of Jinguji High School."

Naruto Uchiha glanced at Chiyo Matsudaira, but she showed no reaction and returned his bright smile.

Matsudaira Chiyo, with her strikingly beautiful appearance, must be quite famous at Jinguji High School.

Uchiha Naruto was a low-key person, but his surname "Uchiha" would inevitably become famous after Uchiha Senmon became the head of the Supernatural Police Department.

The surname Uchiha is extremely rare in Japan, so students will definitely be able to make that connection.

Sure enough, Yashiki Saki's gaze towards Uchiha Naruto became increasingly strange, as if she were looking at some rare and exotic beast.

"Uchiha-kun, if I may ask, what is your relationship with Chief Uchiha of the Supernatural Police Department?" Yashiki Saki finally couldn't contain her curiosity and asked hesitantly.

"It is indeed my father."

Yashiki Saki covered her lips, a look of "I knew it" flashing in her eyes.

Naruto Uchiha had seen this kind of reaction many times before and didn't take it seriously.

Yashiro-senpai was the captain of the archery club in high school and was quite skilled. She will definitely join the archery club after entering university, so her appearance here should not be a coincidence, but rather she is here to participate in the women's selection competition.

and……

Naruto Uchiha narrowed his eyes.

Although the men's and women's hakama are slightly different, you can tell that Yashiro-senpai's style is the same as that of the inexplicably handsome guy with glasses from before, who went to the same university.

"Senior Yashiro..."

"Now that we're no longer at the same university, there's no need to use honorifics, Uchiha-kun."

Uchiha Naruto had always disliked the Japanese system of using titles based on seniority, so since Yashiki Saki didn't mind, he simply called her by her surname.

"Yashiro, Meiji University has a male contestant..."

Naruto Uchiha briefly described the handsome man with glasses, then asked:

"Excuse me, who is he? Why do he look at me like we still have a grudge?"

"Fujiwara-kun was the runner-up in the National High School Archery Tournament in 2005."

Naruto Uchiha's face showed a look of understanding.

Oh, so he's a defeated opponent.

"Uchiha, you really don't remember him?"

A mischievous glint flashed in Yashiro Saki's eyes as she said:

"Fujiwara, this 'Prince of Kyudo,' and you, the 'Noble Prince of Kyudo,' are known as the twin peaks of the East and West."

"The archery nobleman... pfft..."

Matsudaira Chiyo couldn't help but chuckle, burying her pretty face in her hands and turning her head away to secretly laugh.

hateful!

Naruto Uchiha's face darkened.

What kind of archery princes and archery virtuosos are these? Can you Japanese people please stop being so childish?!

Which journalist earned this nickname, which is practically a black mark on their record?

Believe it or not, I'll show you that the power of the Minister of the Supernatural Police Department is limitless!

"Excuse me, Mr. Takizawa needs to speak with me urgently."

Uchiha took out his phone, glanced at it, apologized to Matsudaira Chiyo and Yashiki Saki, and stood up.

A few minutes later.

"The next match is the men's team match between the University of Tokyo and Meiji University."

The broadcast voice had a varied intonation:

"Ryunosuke Takeuchi, a third-year student at the University of Tokyo."

"The second-year students from the University of Tokyo..."

"..."

"University of Tokyo, freshman Uchiha Naruto."

(End of this chapter)