I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 410 and 411: The Demon Blade Descends

Noon, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kamigyo Ward, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

Because of the riots at the Gion Festival and the fighting at Hachiman Shrine, people in Kyoto flocked to the temples and shrines seeking solace amidst the widespread anxiety. As a result, the number of worshippers at Kyoto's major shrines and temples increased rather than decreased.

Tenmangu Shrine, which enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, the god of learning, is no exception.

"May the god Kitano protect my son so he can get into the University of Tokyo... I misspoke, I meant he should be safe and sound."

"Kyoto is not safe. Our family has decided to go to the countryside for a few days to avoid trouble. We hope for a safe journey."

People of all kinds offered prayers to Sugawara no Michizane in the worship hall.

Although Sugawara no Michizane is the foremost of the four great vengeful spirits, he is also a widely worshipped deity in Japan.

Tenmangu Shrine holds a similar status in Japan to the Confucius Temple in mainland China.

Sugawara no Michizane was a court noble during the mid-Heian period, renowned for his exceptional talent. He was once granted the rank of Junior Second Rank, Minister of the Right, a position equivalent to prime minister. Consequently, he was highly revered as the god of learning, and there are over ten thousand branch shrines throughout Japan. During examination season, countless students pray for his success.

Over time, Sugawara no Michizane's role as the god of learning in his divine office even overshadowed the ominous thunder he encountered upon becoming a god.

"Those government idiots are playing dumb again. Their announcements are just the same old thing, leaving people living and dying without understanding what's going on!"

A young office worker in a cheap black suit, after visiting the shrine, walked back while mentally criticizing the Japanese government and cursing his boss.

"And then there's this shitty company and these garbage bosses, still making people come to work at a time like this. Work, work, what kind of damn work is this?!"

Although the Japanese government has been evasive so far, the people of Kyoto are not fools, and the lessons learned from Sapporo and Asakusa are still fresh in their minds.

Next month is the traditional Ghost Festival, and various rumors, both true and false, about Taira no Masakado and the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons have already spread like wildfire.

As the saying goes, "ducks are the first to know when the river warms in spring," and many Kyoto residents have already decided to make a quick getaway to the countryside to observe the situation first.

However, this has nothing to do with the miserable young corporate slaves. The company president and senior executives can remotely command from any prefecture outside Kyoto Prefecture, or even overseas, while the grassroots employees, as cogs in the machine, have to risk their lives to stick to their posts.

"When we joined the company, they bought us a large insurance policy, with the company as the beneficiary. Was this all just for today? Damn it!"

The young office worker couldn't help but curse out loud, causing some worshippers to frown in secret.

Although the current cabinet has been touting that under their wise leadership and with Japan's unique advantages in the new era, it has finally escaped the endless economic downturn and that the Japanese economy is about to take off again.

But as someone who knows their own situation, it's really hard to find a regular job in Japan these days. I've worked hard for a year and am about to become a full-time employee. If I skip work and take leave, all my efforts will be in vain.

With such a bad record, finding another formal job will be difficult; one might only be a contract employee for life. In old age, there will be no pension, leaving one to live a life of poverty and loneliness.

The young office worker gritted his teeth in hatred, but his body obediently walked towards the company.

At the same time, he lamented in his heart that society and capital had tamed him like a slave.

But at least I still have a rebellious spirit that yearns for freedom. One day, given the right circumstances, I will surely be able to…

"Boom!"

As the saying goes, the sky above Tenmangu Shrine changed color, and a bolt of lightning struck down on the approach to the shrine.

The sight terrified everyone who was worshipping at Tenmangu Shrine, leaving them utterly terrified.

"Thunder? Could it be that Kitano Tenjin Sugawara no Michizane has manifested himself?"

"What is this?"

Everyone held their breath, staring in astonishment and disbelief at the spot where the lightning had struck.

After the blinding lightning dissipated on the path, a pair of uniquely shaped demon swords were stuck into the ground in a cross shape.

"A pair of demonic swords fell from the sky?"

"What kind of demon sword is this?! This is an extraordinary item! Descending upon the Tenmangu Shrine, it must be a divine artifact!"

The crowd looked at each other, then their expressions turned excited, and exclamations rose and fell.

Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. In the new era, people are familiar with too many news about extraordinary people and extraordinary items.

These two demonic swords descended from the sky, possessing extraordinary and mysterious qualities; they must be legendary, extraordinary artifacts.

Did Genbu Kurosaki, one of the Twelve Divine Generals, become a transcendent being after obtaining a guillotine sword unearthed from a Heian period ruin?

Upon thinking of this, some people's hearts began to pound uncontrollably.

If I could gain the recognition of these demonic swords as my master, wouldn't I also be able to join the ranks of the Twelve Divine Generals?

The official position in the Supernatural Police Department, the annual salary of over 100 million, the ticket to high society, the great fame, and most importantly, the supernatural power, are all within easy reach!

However, this was the first time anyone had experienced such a bizarre event, and no one knew what danger the demon sword might pose. In addition, the incident happened suddenly, and no one was mentally prepared.

For a moment, everyone's expressions changed, and they all fell silent. The once bustling Tenman Palace suddenly fell into an eerie silence.

"A true man is born between heaven and earth; how can he remain subservient to others for long?"

The young office worker tugged at his tie, as if trying to untie the chain around his neck. His expression was uncertain. He gritted his teeth and said fiercely.

Even if you become a full-time employee, you'll still be treated like a beast of burden by your superiors, earning a meager salary of a few million yen a year.

If you miss this chance to defy fate, you'll be stuck at the bottom of society for the rest of your life.

Moreover, the place where the demon sword descended was closest to the young office worker, giving him the illusion that this thing was destined for him.

"My fate is in my own hands, not in the hands of heaven!"

To bolster his courage, the young office worker roared hysterically as he rushed forward, grabbing the hilt of the demon sword on the left and trying to pull it off the ground.

"What is he talking about? I don't understand classical Chinese poetry."

"Damn it, stop! This is my stuff!"

Some people regretted not being the first to rush forward, and that others had seized the opportunity.

Some people watched coldly, after all, there were two demon swords, and if this person was unharmed, they would have to risk their lives to fight for the second one.

"Crackling and popping!"

Streaks of blue-white electricity burst forth from the demon sword, instantly engulfing the young office worker's entire body.

"Bones, you can even see the bones." Someone shrank back in fright.

The young office worker, his entire body charred and ablaze, collapsed to the ground without uttering a sound.

Seeing the first person to try something new suffer such a fate naturally scared away all those with greedy hearts, and someone immediately called the police.

The Kyoto Prefectural Police and the Supernatural Police Department branch, having heard the news, quickly sealed off Tenmangu Shrine.

An hour and a half later, Uchiha Senmon descended from the helicopter cabin, supported by a rope ladder.

"You arrived so quickly. Minister Uchiha, it's truly a pleasure to have you here in person."

High-ranking officials from the Kyoto municipal government and bureaucrats from the local branch greeted them with delight.

Upon receiving the news, the Uchiha Sage immediately rushed to the outskirts of Kyoto by private jet, and then transferred to a helicopter, which is why they were able to arrive so quickly.

"I've already learned the general situation on the plane."

Surrounded by several high-ranking officials, we passed through the blockade and crossed the torii gate, where the majestic Tenmangu Shrine came into view.

During the Taichang Incident, Sugawara no Michizane was attacked by his political enemies for attempting to depose Emperor Daigo and install a new emperor. As a result, he was exiled to Dazaifu and died with resentment.

After Sugawara no Michizane's death, strange things happened frequently in Heian-kyo, natural disasters occurred one after another, and his political enemies who framed him died mysteriously one after another.

Then came the shocking "Lightning Strike at Qingliang Palace".

"At noon, dark clouds rose from Mount Atago, and a sudden gloomy rain fell. Suddenly, a loud thunderclap struck the first pillar of the Seiryo Palace, accompanied by divine fire and lightning."

While the Yamato court was discussing how to pray for rain and provide disaster relief in the Seiryoden Hall, several bolts of lightning struck in succession, causing heavy casualties among the nobles and officials. Emperor Daigo was so frightened that he fell ill and died three months later.

In Heian-kyo, it was widely believed that this was the vengeful spirit of Sugawara no Michizane, who was said to have transformed into a thunder god after his death.

In the aftermath, the imperial court was terrified and immediately exonerated Sugawara no Michizane, pardoning all his crimes, restoring him to his original position, and posthumously awarding him the title of Minister of the Left, First Rank.

Out of fear of Sugawara no Michizane, they worshipped him as the god of fire and thunder, and built Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kitano, Kyoto.

Uchiha Senmon arrived at the spot where the two demonic swords had landed, where a crowd had already gathered.

Uchiha Senmon glanced around and saw, besides the police department and officers, doctors and scientists in white coats, as well as several priests from Tenmangu Shrine, ready to be consulted.

The preparations were quite thorough.

"Chief Uchiha, I didn't allow them to make any rash moves before your arrival. The scene remains as it was," the Kyoto Prefectural Police Chief said with a hint of obsequiousness.

Uchiha Senmon nodded slightly, then looked at the pair of demon swords stuck in the ground.

The two demon swords have unique designs, with a sharp spike resembling a thunder branch or wolf fang on the blade and back of the blade, respectively. Visible electric currents are wrapped around the blades, which occasionally emit crackling sounds.

"The power of thunder..."

Uchiha Senmon glanced at the charred corpse on the ground without making a sound, and shook his head.

The skin was already charred; there was no way to save it.

Immediately, Uchiha Senmon stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

These demonic swords are undoubtedly capable of wielding lightning.

Just when the Tokyo cabinet was racking its brains about how to deal with the immortal being summoned by the Taizan Fujun Festival, it happened to send down two lightning-style demon swords to Tenmangu Shrine, which was like a pillow coming when you're about to doze off.

Moreover, it was a demonic sword that descended from the Tenmangu Shrine of the Thunder God Sugawara no Michizane.

This is clearly not just a coincidence, but rather someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

What exactly is their purpose?

Could it be that they intend to use someone else to do their dirty work, and instead use the Supernatural Police Department to fight against Abe no Seimei?

The Uchiha Senmon summoned several priests from the Tenmangu Shrine and inquired in detail whether they had noticed any unusual signs recently, especially on the two nights when Taira no Masakado attacked the Hachiman Shrine.

The priests all shook their heads, indicating they didn't know and couldn't get a clear answer from them.

The Uchiha Sage Sect could only temporarily set aside their worries.

"Minister Uchiha, should we make our move now and pull out those two cursed swords?"

A mid-level officer from the Kyoto Prefecture branch of the Supernatural Police Department said respectfully:

"We have prepared the work robots. Their grippers are made of insulating materials, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Uchiha Senmon silently closed his eyes, and the others immediately shut their mouths, not daring to even breathe loudly.

In Uchiha Senmon's perception, both demonic swords contained lightning power that secretly alarmed him, forming a magnetic field. If they exploded, there would be no survivors except him.

Although the robots prepared by the local branch looked quite sophisticated, such precision equipment is most vulnerable to electromagnetic anomalies. The powerful electric current surging across the blades upon contact could melt the robot.

"No need, I'll handle it."

Uchiha Senmon took off his black uniform from the Supernatural Police Department, handed it to a member, and waved it behind him.

"You should all step back. When you draw these two demonic swords, something might happen. It's best to be careful."

Uchiha Senmon stood a dozen meters away, extending his right hand toward the two demonic swords stuck in the ground.

Gray vines and tendrils emerged from the palm of his hand.

Although these two mysteriously wielded lightning-style demon swords may conceal some kind of trap, the power of lightning is indispensable if one wants to conquer Abe no Seimei's Mount Tai Festival.

If they could acquire these two demon swords, the chances of the Twelve Divine Generals defeating Abe no Seimei, who was launching the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons and the Mount Tai Festival, would rise from almost nothing to one in ten.

This risk is worth taking.

The vines and branches grew continuously between Uchiha Senmon's palms, becoming increasingly tough and sturdy with the infusion of chakra.

The Uchiha Senmon were not only the number one transcendent on Earth, but also famous for their Wood Release techniques. Wood is not a good conductor of electricity, so it should have some restraining power against the two demon swords.

Even if something unexpected happens along the way, the Uchiha Sage Sect is quite confident that they can suppress it.

"Then let's get started."

Uchiha Senmon was concentrating intently, preparing to manipulate Wood Release, and pulled out one of the demon swords. His gaze dipped slightly downward as he looked at the charred remains lying to the side, and he sighed.

In pursuit of the extraordinary, they take risks and disregard their own lives.

Forget it, let's drag out the bodies of ordinary citizens first. Otherwise, if something unexpected happens and they turn to dust, leaving no complete corpse, and their ashes can't even be collected by their families, that would be too tragic.

With a flick of his wrist, Uchiha Senmon sent out a branch that wrapped around the charred corpse's waist.

Just then, arcs of electricity flickered across the body of the deceased, whose entire body had been reduced to charcoal.

"Bilibili".

Uchiha Senmon was startled and immediately withdrew the branch from his arm, becoming fully alert.

The charred corpse floated into the air, its ash falling in a flurry, and countless blue and white arcs of electricity intertwined and enveloped it.

A pair of blue eyes slowly opened, their light shimmering like the rising and falling of thunder.

"I am Sugawara no Michizane, the Great God of Tenman."

(End of this chapter)