I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 401 & 402: Slaying Gods

As the sun sets and night falls, Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine comes into view.

"Please have some tea, Saito-san."

In the simply decorated reception room, the shrine priest of Hachiman Shrine meticulously brewed tea using an elegant yet valuable tea set from a renowned tea master. After a while, he pushed a steaming cup of hot tea in front of Saito Kyudan.

"You're welcome, please go first."

"please."

Saito Kyudan, who had previously performed the Nasa ceremony at Hachiman Shrine, was dressed in a black wufu. After some polite refusals, he picked up the teacup, took a sip, and exclaimed in praise.

"Thank you very much, this is truly excellent tea."

Saito, a 9th-dan master of archery, possessed a refined and elegant demeanor, while the other was a pampered old priest. Together, they were 150 years old, and these elaborate rituals were deeply ingrained in their very being.

"Brother Saito, I heard something recently."

The old priest put down his teacup and asked curiously:

"You wanted to take a college student as a student, but were politely declined?"

"That is indeed the case," Saito Kyudan nodded.

"This, how is this possible? You are a master of archery." The old priest said with a face full of surprise.

Japan's archery masters can be counted on one hand; they are all national treasures.

By becoming his old friend's apprentice, he could not only learn Saito's archery skills honed over decades, but also gain access to high society through Saito's connections—the benefits were immeasurable.

It's unbelievable that someone would refuse.

"Oh, what a pity."

Saito Kyudan sighed with regret whenever he thought about it.

Uchiha Naruto, the first-place winner of the Tokyo Metropolitan Archery Federation selection tournament, was the most exceptionally talented prodigy he had ever seen in his life. No, not only in terms of talent, but even in terms of archery skills, he had surpassed his predecessors and even the contemporary archery masters.

If a young man dedicates himself to archery, he will surely become a legend and leave his mark on history.

Although Saito Kyudan didn't have much to teach Uchiha Naruto in archery, if Uchiha Naruto became his student, Saito Kyudan might also achieve lasting fame.

More importantly, Uchiha Naruto is the son of the head of the Supernatural Police Department.

Compared to the currently popular Uchiha Department Head, his reputation and status as a kyudo noshi (archery master) are incomparable.

"Young people these days are too arrogant and reckless, relying on their talent to act recklessly. But turning talent into strength requires years of accumulation, not something that can be achieved overnight."

The old priest, feeling indignant on behalf of Saito Kyudan, comforted him, relying on his seniority.

Saito Kyudan blushed, a hint of embarrassment flashing in his eyes.

The title of archery master is earned through seniority, and the aging and frail Saito 9-dan is far less skilled than he used to be.

Saito Kyudan asked himself honestly, even in his prime, he wasn't confident he could defeat Uchiha Naruto.

This incident involved Saito Kyudan trying to take advantage of Uchiha Naruto, but he failed.

"By the way, how did you find out about this?"

Saito Kyudan changed the subject.

"I saw it in the newspaper. By the way, why didn't the newspaper mention that kid's name? Instead, they called him 'Son of God.' Aren't they afraid of making a fool of themselves?"

As a member of the clergy, the old priest naturally scoffed at such a nickname.

"The child of God? Perhaps he really is..."

Recalling Uchiha Naruto's breathtaking first shot, as if blessed by the god of archery, Saito Kyudan's eyes couldn't help but be filled with amazement and admiration.

The younger generation is truly formidable!

"If he had been born in ancient times, he would have been a chosen one of heaven, like Fujiwara no Hidesato and Minamoto no Yorimasa, chosen by the god Hachiman."

"Really? You, a master archer, think so highly of him?" The old priest clicked his tongue, his tone full of doubt.

Fujiwara no Hidesato and Minamoto no Yorimasa were both unparalleled warriors who dominated their era. Both were devout followers of Hachiman Daimyojin and, according to legends and anecdotes, were favored by Hachiman Daimyojin.

Fujiwara no Hidesato was a military commander in the mid-Heian period. Legend has it that, with the protection of the deity Hachiman Daimyojin, he used his bow and arrow to repel a giant centipede that was long enough to circle a mountain seven times.

He later quelled the rebellion of Taira no Masakado, which shook the world and earned him the title of the ancestor of martial arts by later generations.

According to the Tale of the Heike, in the late Heian period, the nue frequently appeared at night in the Seiryoden Palace, where Emperor Konoe resided, making strange noises and causing disturbance. The emperor ordered Minamoto no Yorimasa to act as an exorcist. Yorimasa made a sharp arrow from the tail of a mountain bird and chanted "Namu Hachiman Daibosatsu" (Homage to Hachiman Daibosatsu), successfully shooting and killing the nue.

"Haha, I mean maybe."

Saito Kyudan raised his teacup and chuckled.

After all, this was in the Hachiman Shrine, and in front of the shrine's deity. As a kyudo practitioner, he naturally also worshipped Hachiman Daimyojin, so saying such things was rather inappropriate.

After all, although we are no longer in the Warring States period, we are now in an extraordinary era.

The old priest, however, did not find it offensive.

The Ishimizu Hachiman Shrine was a business passed down from his ancestors. The old priest had run it as his family business for most of his life. He was not a devout believer. Even though there had been divine interventions before, the old priest still harbored some doubts deep down.

The two continued talking about trivial things when suddenly a commotion broke out outside.

"The Gion Festival is really lively today."

The old priest smiled slightly.

Saito nodded as well.

As refined gentlemen of high society, they must possess the composure to remain calm even in the face of a collapsing mountain.

But the noise outside did not subside; instead, it grew louder and louder.

"Shall we go take a look?"

The two looked at each other, and finally the old priest couldn't sit still any longer and forced a smile.

"it is good."

Saito Kyudan and the old priest walked out of the reception room together and saw several low-ranking priests of the shrine running around on the mountain, making announcements, and some of them looking down at Kyoto.

"Is it on fire? Oh no!"

"The fire doesn't look very big; they should have called the police."

From their vantage point, they could see flames rising from two or three locations in Kyoto.

Saito Kyudan and the old priest exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of worry on their faces.

"Bang bang bang!"

Just then, a commotion arose from the main hall of Hachiman Shrine, with sounds of things being ransacked and heavy objects being overturned.

Could it be that someone is taking advantage of the chaos?

But the fire could never reach Nanshan Mountain; it would be too early to try and take advantage of the situation.

Was it a thief, or some wild animal that broke in?

"You guys, come with me to investigate."

The old priest called over a few lower-ranking priests who were watching the spectacle, and Saito Kyudan also followed out of curiosity.

When the main gate of the shrine was opened, everyone was speechless.

At the entrance of the shrine, a round thing rolled over.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be the head of Emperor Ōjin.

Ishikimizu Hachimangu Shrine is the main enshrinement of Hachiman Daimyojin, and also accompanies the enshrinement of Emperor Ojin, Empress Jinko and other minor deities.

The head of the statue of Emperor Ōjin had been cut off.

Saito Kyudan couldn't help but gasp, his teeth aching.

In this extraordinary age, where the gods are watching from above, who would dare to be so disrespectful to the deities? Aren't they afraid of divine retribution and punishment?

This is Hachiman Shrine. Hachiman Daimyojin is not one of those random eight million gods, but one of the most worshipped deities in Japan!

During the shogunate era when the samurai class held power, Hachiman Daisatsu was widely revered, and countless Japanese warlords were his followers. His status in Japan was comparable to that of Guan Yu on the Chinese mainland.

"Damn it! Who is this person? I'll skin him alive!"

The old priest was furious, his whole body trembling with heartache.

He angrily led his men toward the main hall.

The more they looked, the more terrified they became. The once magnificent and luxurious main hall of Hachiman-no-miya had been smashed to pieces, and the floor, walls, and wooden pillars were covered with crisscrossing wounds from sharp weapons.

Before the throne of Hachiman Daimyojin stood a tall, imposing black figure, his hands supporting his head.

"Who is it...?"

The old priest was about to open his mouth to rebuke, but the next second, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

The dark figure ripped the 'head' off, tossed it aside haphazardly, and roared:

"This isn't my head either!"

At its feet are several clay and wooden statue heads.

Inside the Hachiman Shrine, apart from Hachiman Daibosatsu, the heads of all the other accompanying deities were cut off.

"My head?!"

The furious roar echoed throughout the main hall, sending chills down the spines of the old priest, Saito Kyudan, and the others.

The burly figure was dressed in pure black Heian period armor, which was covered with wounds from swords and axes and half-buried arrows. His whole body was shrouded in black mist, but you could still see that his neck was bare.

It turns out to be the vengeful spirit of a headless warrior, causing trouble at Hachiman Shrine!

"Hachiman Daimyojin, you promised me that you would make me the ruler of the world? Why did you break your promise and instead cause my head to be severed from my body, resulting in a gruesome death?"

The headless warrior gripped a massive, three-meter-long naginata, pointing it directly at the statue of Hachiman Daimyojin, a muffled voice emanating from its abdomen.

"This, this is Taira no Masakado!"

The old priest, trembling with fear, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and couldn't help but exclaim.

Throughout Japanese history, countless military commanders have been forced to commit seppuku and beheaded by their second, or had their heads displayed after their deaths in battle. However, this headless vengeful spirit keeps saying that Hachiman Daimyojin wants it to become the ruler of the world. The only one who can do that is Taira no Masakado, who has declared himself the new emperor.

Legend has it that when Taira no Masakado raised his army, a mysterious priestess suddenly appeared before him and told him that Hachiman Daimyojin had issued a divine decree, choosing him to succeed to the throne. She then disappeared without a trace.

Taira no Masakado was overjoyed, which strengthened his resolve to raise an army to overthrow the imperial court.

However, after that, Taira no Masakado obviously did not receive the protection of Hachiman Daimyojin, but was instead defeated by Fujiwara no Hidesato and killed with a single arrow.

Hachiman Daimyojin did something really unfair, betting on both sides and helping whoever wins.

No wonder Taira no Masakado was filled with resentment and even came to the Hachiman Shrine to haunt it.

"How will you repay what you owe me?"

Taira no Masakado reached up to grab his head, but found nothing, which only fueled his rage.

It picked up its naginata and stabbed, forcefully pulling the statue of Hachiman Daimyojin from its throne to the ground. Then, with a backhand slash, it severed Hachiman Daimyojin's head!

"Now you're just like me! Hahahaha!"

The terrifying, maniacal laughter jolted the stunned crowd awake. The old priest was the first to react, and he rushed out the door to escape.

Taira no Masakado is one of the four great vengeful spirits of Japan. Although I am a priest of Hachiman Daimyojin, I have no magical power at all. How could I possibly exorcise such a monster?

Seeing the old priest take the lead, the others also scrambled out of the main hall.

"roar!"

A strange and unpleasant hissing sound was heard, and a monster with an ape's head, a raccoon's body, tiger's claws, and a snake's tail landed in front of the group, blocking their path with menacing eyes.

鵺！

The old priest's expression changed drastically.

"boom!"

Taira no Masakado smashed through the main hall's gate, sending dust and rubble flying.

The headless warrior stood like a city wall at the entrance, exuding a suffocating murderous aura.

With the Nue in front and Taira no Masakado behind, these demons and evil spirits who have a grudge against Hachiman Daimyojin have joined forces to attack Hachiman Shrine. This time, there is no escape.

Just when the old priest and Saito Kyudan thought they were doomed, a low shout rang out:

"come over!"

The nue leaped up from in front of everyone and landed next to Taira no Masakado. Taira no Masakado mounted the nue's back and flew into the air.

"Is Taira no Masakado leaving?"

The old priest was overjoyed.

Whether he is reasonable and knows the principle of grievances having their source and debts having their debtors, and thus spares his life, or whether he treats ordinary people as ants and disdains them, he is content as long as he can save his life.

A massive black blade of energy swept through the air, cleaving a worship hall in two and simultaneously creating a huge trench more than ten meters long in the ground.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Riding on the back of the Nue, Taira no Masakado brandished his naginata and laughed arrogantly:

"The first thing I did after being awakened by that woman was to destroy the Hachiman Shrine. Just what I wanted, so satisfying, so satisfying!"

Taira no Masakado held his large naginata high, and an ominous and eerie black aura gathered in the sky, forming a black cloud. He exuded an incomparably powerful aura, so strong that even the priests on the ground were unable to breathe.

The next strike will be earth-shattering, leveling the Hachiman Palace to the ground, leaving not even a trace of bones among the mortals below!

"Help! Hachiman Daimyojin!"

"Quack, no!"

Just as Taira no Masakado's momentum reached its peak, a streak of purple light flashed across the northeastern horizon.

A giant purple arrow, trailing a long streak of light that pierced the night sky, arrived chasing the stars and the moon.

"boom!"

Bright and dazzling purple light, like divine punishment, swept and spread across the sky above Hachiman Shrine, like a small purple sun rising.

"Hachiman Daimyojin has appeared! This is a divine arrow shot by Hachiman Daimyojin!"

The old priest cried and laughed, shouting and yelling, and then he was the first to kneel down and kowtow repeatedly towards the northeast.

He had never been so devout as he was at this moment.

The other priests were also so excited that they all prostrated themselves in worship.

Hachiman Daimyojin performed a miracle to save His servant.

Their beliefs were indeed correct!

"A divine arrow, a divine shot, ahhh..."

Saito Kyudan, kneeling on the ground, was in tears.

Having honed my mortal archery skills for sixty years, I am finally fortunate enough to witness the divine arrows today. Even if I were to die, I would have no regrets!

(End of this chapter)