I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 398 & 399: Son of God

"Sorry I'm late, there was a traffic jam."

"Seriously, Editor-in-Chief Shikishima? You get stuck in traffic even though you drive a Mazda?"

"You know how crowded Kyoto gets during the Gion Festival, right?"

Yesterday, sports reporter Shikijima, who had been secretly calling him the "Great Demon King," waved his hand dismissively at his friend's teasing and eagerly replied:

"Which shooting range is Naruto Uchiha's match taking place at? It's not over yet, is it?"

The pace of the archery competition is quite fast, and the champion of the Tokyo Archery Federation team competition was determined in just one day.

Meiji University, originally a strong favorite, was eliminated in the second round due to a loss of focus and poor performance. In the end, Sakura Merin University won the right to participate in the throne battle.

"The preliminary rounds are over, and the six contestants for the East-West showdown have been decided. We are now in the process of ranking them."

"Really? Am I that late?" Shikijima reporter asked in surprise.

"So many players withdrew from the competition that the schedule has been greatly accelerated."

The reporter from Shiki Island suddenly realized.

In yesterday's team battle, Naruto Uchiha shone brightly, like the incarnation of the god of archery. His amazing arrow shattered the confidence of many players.

It's a champion-level dominance, completely on a different level from his peers.

Given the overwhelming gap in skill, it's understandable that other competitors would choose to withdraw from the competition to avoid humiliation.

The reporter shook his head.

However, archery is a martial art that challenges oneself. True victory lies not in defeating an opponent, but in breaking free from constraints and shooting an arrow that is better than yesterday's.

"Let's go, let's go take a look."

The reporter and his friend were taken aback when they entered the venue.

"good!"

"Clap clap clap".

"well!"

In one corner of the audience, the front row was packed with beautiful young women cheering and applauding the crowd below. Some were dressed in kyudo hakama (traditional Japanese archery) while others wore festival kimonos, all dressed to the nines, displaying their beauty and charm in a very pleasing sight.

"She's practically a superstar," the reporter exclaimed.

And the quantity is even greater than yesterday.

Judging from their attire, apart from some female contestants, most of them were friends and family members accompanying the team, or girls who came after hearing the news.

If only there were that many spectators for archery.

The reporter from Shikijima sighed inwardly as he walked to one side of the field, where his colleagues had already set up their cameras and microphones.

He glanced at it.

There were dozens of reporters, including sports reporters, entertainment reporters, and reporters from major newspapers.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Student Archery League selection tournament, a small event, has never attracted so many reporters. Needless to say, they are all here for the son of the Uchiha captain.

"Hmm, there are three people left."

The reporter picked up the camera hanging around his neck and looked down at the audience.

The ranking matches after qualifying from the regional archery tournament adopt a one-shot kill system.

Each person shoots an arrow each time, and if they hit the target, they can stay on the field until only one person remains.

Standing at the top of the list, Uchiha Naruto's expression was cold and holy, like a black hole, so handsome that it was impossible to look away. He lowered his dark eyes, took a step forward with his feet clad in white tabi socks, raised his bow overhead, and drew the string like a full moon.

His posture as he draws the bow is incredibly powerful, radiating an unimaginable sense of pressure from the tips of his hair to his fingertips.

"Clang!"

Like a bolt of lightning, the arrow shot from the bow, piercing through everyone's vision, its shaft disappearing straight into the bullseye.

"boom!"

The subsequent explosion upon hitting the target was equally extraordinary, shaking the mind and spirit.

Despite his cold, icy expression, Naruto Uchiha's black bow, which trembled in his hand, remained calm and composed as he turned it halfway around, naturally forming a bow return.

"good!"

"Slap slap slap—!"

After a brief silence, deafening applause and cheers erupted.

The girls in the stands, in particular, blushed and cheered loudly.

"Yes, beautiful!"

The reporter nodded emphatically, taking photos repeatedly, his eyes filled with admiration and respect.

"This is a talent blessed by Hachiman Daimyojin."

This level of shot design is simply art.

A talent that is one in a million can only be reached after being honed and refined through countless trials.

The son of the Uchiha clan leader is indeed no ordinary rich kid.

The nickname I gave to Naruto Uchiha, "The Noble Prince of Archery," was actually a bit of an insult to him.

After all, it takes countless hours of hard work and dedication to hone such an arrow.

After Uchiha Naruto fired the arrow, his aura reached its peak. The aura of the Great Demon King swept across the area without restraint, even drawing the attention of the spectators in the stands.

"I feel a little sorry for the Uchiha's opponents."

"Under such pressure, the bowstring would be like it's soaked in water, making it very difficult to draw."

Next to Naruto Uchiha, in the second position, was a tall, burly man with long arms and a thick waist. His face was covered in sweat, and his arms were visibly stiff as he shakily drew the bowstring taut.

"Bang."

The bowstring had broken off from the top and was hanging on the ground.

"Ugh."

A sigh came from the reporter's seat.

In archery competitions, any accident such as a broken bowstring or the bow slipping to the ground is considered a miss.

"It's Matsutani, the captain of the Political Science and Law University. I didn't expect him to be here too..."

"This is the fourth shot. To have persisted this long is far better than the previous ones, and even those who withdrew from the competition."

"Now only the Uchiha and Fujiwara remain!"

All eyes passed over the second-ranked contestant who had left the stage dejectedly, and fell on the third-ranked contestant, Masaki Fujiwara.

The archery prince's handsome and bright face, outstanding temperament, and extremely serious expression, combined with his elegant archery ceremony, are quite eye-catching.

With a sharp snap, the arrow shot through the air and struck the target.

"Hit, outer ring."

"Okay, good!"

"Slap slap slap!!!"

The girls in the stands also cheered and applauded, their cheers only slightly less enthusiastic than those directed at Uchiha Naruto.

"Once King Kong came off the set, I realized this young man was quite handsome too!"

"The archery hakama uniforms are already amazing, and both older brothers are so good-looking, it's a real feast for the eyes. It's worth the ticket price even if you don't go to the Gion Festival."

"Miwako, who should we cheer for? The timid, sunny type and the strong, aloof type, it's a real dilemma."

"It's okay, both of me can have the same dignity."

The girls in the stands kept their eyes darting back and forth between Uchiha Naruto and Fujiwara Masaki, their faces agape, their eyes sparkling, chattering away.

"Yoshi!"

The reporter couldn't help but praise:

"As expected of the archery prince, one of the two jewels of the East and West, it seems a fierce battle is about to unfold..."

As he spoke, the reporter from Shikijima suddenly chuckled.

In the "One Shot, One Kill" format, there is no requirement for the number of rings; you only need to hit the target.

Naruto Uchiha's four arrows all hit the bullseye without exception, while Fujiwara Masaki's best arrow was only an inner circle shot, clearly showing the difference in their abilities.

However, judging from Fujiwara Masataka's standard archery salute and decisive strike, he has already overcome the shadow of the Great Demon King and can be described as having a promising future.

As for Uchiha Naruto, his archery skills have now reached their peak, enough to rival the older generation of strong fighters.

"Zheng".

"Snapped!"

……

Next, Naruto Uchiha and Masaki Fujiwara continued their clash.

In the eighth round of archery, Uchiha Naruto hit the bullseye with a single arrow without any doubt, and Fujiwara Masaki was ultimately unable to keep up with him and missed the target.

"Just a little bit short."

"It's over. What a pity, but it was a great match."

Even for professional archers, hitting a target at a distance of 60 meters is extremely difficult. It's surprising to see such a high level of competition in a mere local selection tournament, making the trip worthwhile for some archery enthusiasts.

"Slap slap slap!!!"

The arena resounded with thunderous applause, dedicated to the two outstanding athletes.

"Uchiha, congratulations on qualifying with the first place."

Sweating profusely, Fujiwara Masataka gripped his bow tightly, his gaze complex as he stared at Uchiha Naruto, offering his congratulations with impeccable manners.

Masataka Fujiwara came from a family of archers in Kyoto. He had already mastered the Japanese bow before starting elementary school. He had a heartfelt love for archery, and every time he drew the bow and hit the target, he felt grateful.

His grandfather praised him as the best among his generation.

It wasn't until the National High School Archery Championship in Reiwa 5 that I realized there are always people better than me, and there's always something beyond my understanding.

After Fujiwara's defeat, he regarded Uchiha Naruto as his greatest rival and practiced archery diligently. Although he was defeated again two years later, he did not lose his competitive spirit.

"When the East vs. West war begins, I will show you my progress, Uchiha."

Fujiwara Masaki extended his left hand to Uchiha Naruto.

Having witnessed Uchiha Naruto's unfathomable strength, Fujiwara Masaki was not confident of winning the East-West confrontation less than six months later, so he did not speak lightly of victory or defeat.

Is this what youth and passion are all about?

Naruto Uchiha's opinion of Masaki Fujiwara changed slightly.

Such sincere people should be respected.

Naruto Uchiha shook hands with Masaki Fujiwara and smiled slightly.

"I hope so, worker..."

When I called him Kudo yesterday, his expression seemed a little strange, so I must have called him by the wrong name.

"Prince of Kyudo."

Uchiha Naruto changed his mind after a moment's thought.

Although I can't remember his real name, his nickname "Archery Prince" is so catchy that it's unforgettable.

Fujiwara Masaki was completely confused. Although he quite liked the title "Prince of Archery," he wondered why the Uchiha clan would address him directly.

Is this a custom of the student clubs at Tokyo University?

"Well, see you at Ise Grand Shrine. Kyudo Takashi..."

Fujiwara Masaki imitated the cat's and tiger's opening of his mouth.

Before he could finish speaking, a hand patted him on the shoulder.

"Call him Uchiha."

Uchiha Naruto, radiating a dangerous aura from behind, spoke with a forced smile, his eyes flashing with malice.

"Uchiha..."

"A wise man submits to circumstances," Fujiwara Masaki said weakly.

After Fujiwara Masataka left, Uchiha Naruto turned around and smirked.

The archery tournament at Hachiman Shrine was merely a fun activity before the main event.

The Gion Festival that follows...

"what?"

As Uchiha Naruto was plotting his plan, he suddenly shivered.

With my power as a Kage-level expert and my immortal body, it's impossible for me to catch a cold.

Could it be that someone is talking about me behind my back?

-

At the same time, dozens of reporters in the press area stood up.

"Next is the awards ceremony. We must seize this opportunity to interview Uchiha Naruto."

"We can just mention Uchiha Naruto's archery skills briefly; it's his father, Uchiha Captain, who's the real bombshell!"

The reporters were eager and ready to try their hand at it.

The University of Tokyo, the top player in the Tokyo Metropolitan Archery Federation, overwhelming dominance, top-tier looks, and most importantly, a father who is the head of the supernatural police department—with so many elements combined, it's impossible for this not to cause a sensation.

Suddenly, a splash of cold water was thrown over me.

"Don't get your hopes up. The Supernatural Police Department won't allow you to publish any specific news about the minister's son."

A sports reporter gestured with his chin toward the reporter from Shikijima, and said dejectedly:

"Shikijima, your newspaper has been summoned by the Paranormal Police Department, hasn't it?"

"That is indeed the case."

The reporter nodded.

"Huh, what happened?"

The reporters were greatly disappointed and hung their heads in dejection.

The Supernatural Police Department has now swelled into a behemoth, intimidating Japan. Even the capital behind their newspaper dares not face the iron fist of the Supernatural Police Department.

This would be like entering a treasure mountain and leaving empty-handed. Everyone was frustrated that they couldn't write about such a great story.

"How about this, we don't report on the relationship between Uchiha Naruto and Uchiha Minister."

An experienced, mature, and composed reporter with black-rimmed glasses suggested:

"Don't even mention the Uchiha surname. Just focus on his performance in the archery tournament."

The group exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with confusion.

It sounds like it's feasible.

Although it's a pity we can't report on the father-son relationship between Uchiha Naruto and Uchiha Minister Uchiha, having Uchiha Naruto's face on the magazine cover is enough to boost sales.

"Even if we remove the surname and only use the given name, it's not safe. Otherwise, let's give the Uchiha Department Head's son a resounding name."

"A nobleman of archery?"

"This has been used before, maybe it's registered with the Supernatural Police Department."

The reporters chattered amongst themselves, their imaginations running wild, their inner child burning brightly.

"The best archer in Kanto?"

"The Hand of God!"

"If the days were like the heavens."

"Since it displays its divine power at the Hachiman Shrine, how about calling it the Hachiman Arrow?"

These Japanese journalists really haven't learned their lesson.

One ridiculously over-the-top nickname after another has emerged, leaving people dizzy and overwhelmed.

"How about we call him 'Son of God'?"

After a long pause, the reporter from Shikijima made a startling remark.

The reporters, who were arguing heatedly, simultaneously fell silent, and then their eyes lit up in unison.

"Wonderful, wonderful!"

"Shikijima, are you some kind of genius?"

The title "Son of God" not only refers to Naruto Uchiha's extraordinary archery skills, which seem to be bestowed by the god of archery, but also raises the intriguing question of who Naruto Uchiha's son was.

This level of flattery is so skillful, it's like a gazelle hanging its horns – flawless!

We deeply respect and admire Chief Uchiha; how could the Supernatural Police Department possibly resort to such drastic measures?

The reporters were full of admiration.

"It's decided."

Shikijima reporter raised his voice and made the final decision:

"Let's call him the Son of God!"

Wishing everyone a happy Mid-Autumn Festival and good health to your families.

(End of this chapter)