I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 423 and 424: Kobe Barrier

Kobe City, Chuo Ward, Shinko-cho, Kobe Ohashi Bridge.

"Beep beep beep!"

Several local police cars sped past with their sirens blaring.

"Why are there police again? This is the third wave today."

"Didn't the community notice say that there might be a murderer roaming around here, and that we should try not to go out at night?"

Returning home from the convenience store, the housewives, carrying shopping baskets and holding small children, whispered among themselves with worried expressions:

"My high school classmate at the police station told me that there have been several disappearances in the past two months. Could it be the work of a murderer?"

"That was horrible! Last week, a house in Kitano Town had a gas leak and the whole house burned down."

Housewives are the most adept at spreading rumors, and besides, Kobe has indeed been quite turbulent in recent months.

"Do you think it could be the work of a yokai (supernatural being)? Like the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons in Kyoto a few days ago..."

A middle-aged woman walking a Shiba Inu suddenly spoke up, and the room fell silent.

"Oh dear, Lixiang, don't talk about such scary things."

"Our city of Kobe is actually quite peaceful; we're just worrying unnecessarily."

The other housewives, flustered and hurriedly chattering amongst themselves, spoke at once.

Happiness is relative. Compared to Kyoto, where a hundred demons roamed the night, what happened in Kobe recently can only be described as trivial.

Kobe and Kyoto are both part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area, one of Japan's three major urban clusters, and are not far apart. When evacuating 2.6 million citizens of Kyoto, a number of people were also arranged in Kobe.

Perhaps some of these housewives have relatives who have come from Kyoto to stay with them.

Fortunately, the government issued a notice that the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons in Kyoto had ended. Although the city was in a mess, the damage to Kyoto was not significant, and Kyoto residents who had taken refuge there have begun to return home.

A dozen meters ahead of them, a male high school student with bandages wrapped around his hands and carrying several bags looked on nervously when he heard this.

After all, at least one of the missing persons cases in Kobe City is inextricably linked to Kozo Kurogane himself.

Compared to two months ago, Kurogane Kouzo has grown half a head taller, has a rosy complexion, fuller muscles, and a more robust and sturdy physique.

My first impression of them was that they were elites from sports clubs.

More importantly, Black Iron Kousuke is now radiant, exuding a confidence that is completely different from before.

After a fierce battle with Zabuza Momochi, who was summoned by Noro-senpai, Kouzo Kurogane, who was seriously injured and fell into a coma, woke up to find himself lying at home.

Moreover, he was completely unharmed.

After crossing the Kobe Bridge, apart from the crater left by the impact of the Hōrenka, Noro's body had vanished without a trace.

Kurogane Teruzo asked Mr. Akai if he had cleaned up the mess.

Akai said that after the fierce battle, he exhausted his strength and fell into a deep sleep, doing nothing.

Kurogane Kouzo had no choice but to keep his doubts to himself.

As the first guinea pig chosen, he naturally received preferential treatment, and someone also did not want this fake Holy Grail War to fall into the official spotlight too early, so he cleaned up the scene.

Kouzo Kurogane initially considered whether to turn himself in to the Supernatural Police Department, but he was afraid of being treated as a murderer and hesitated.

Kurogane Teruzo returned to the Second Boys' High School with trepidation to continue his studies.

As expected, the disappearance of Noro-senpai, a popular figure on campus, caused quite a stir at the school.

Kurogane Kozo was also questioned by the police once.

However, because Noro-senpai attacked Kurogane Kouzou on the Kobe Bridge with murderous intent, he had cleaned up all the clues beforehand, and Zabuza Momochi used his Hidden Mist Technique to create a thick fog that obscured the view. He was too clever for his own good, and ended up leaving very few clues.

As always, the Japanese police were perfunctory in their investigation. After several days of fruitless inquiry, they hastily concluded the case as a missing person.

After Noro-senpai went missing, Arisaki-sensei also transferred schools and left half a month later.

After another heartbreak, Kouzo Kurogane channeled his grief and anger into strength, and under Mr. Kai's guidance, he began to lift weights.

In order to guard against another attack like Zabuza Momochi's, Kouzo Kurogane also needs to become stronger.

Mr. Kai began to strongly suggest that Kozo Kurogane grow a watermelon-shaped haircut like him, wear a green bodysuit, and run thirty laps around Kobe City during his morning exercise.

Kurogane Teruzo refused with a dark expression, as was his custom.

Start with a basic training plan: do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats every day, then run 10 kilometers, and then strengthen your muscles and bones and practice physical skills.

Under Mr. Kai's training, Kurogane Kouzo's physical abilities improved dramatically, almost surpassing the limits of ordinary people.

Black Iron Glow was young and impetuous, and as a martial artist, he naturally possessed a fierce spirit. It was impossible for him to follow the same routine as an ordinary person's life as before.

Recently, Heitie Hui San has been making a name for himself at school, and several coaches from various sports clubs have taken notice of his athletic abilities and offered him positions.

Following this trajectory, even if Kurogane Kouzo doesn't reveal the extraordinary soul of Mr. Kai hidden behind him, he could still be specially recruited by a prestigious university as a sports talent, become a sports star, and change his fate of working in the factory.

"I just never expected... a parade of a hundred demons, and Abe no Seimei!"

A dark look appeared in Kurogane Kozo's eyes, and he quickened his pace, crossing the Kobe Bridge and arriving at his detached house located in Kita Park, Futoshima.

After entering the entrance hall, Kurogane Kouzo quickly put all the bags he was carrying into the storage room.

He buys canned goods, energy bars, self-heating foods, and other high-energy foods that can be stored for a month, enough for his needs.

In addition, there are emergency supplies such as bandages and medicines.

Golden light flashed, and a man with thick eyebrows, a big nose, and a watermelon-shaped haircut appeared next to Kouzo Kurogane.

"Mr. Kai."

Kurogane Kouzo put down what he was holding and shouted.

"Young man, I never imagined you'd be dragged into this crisis." Mr. Kai patted Kurogane Kouzo on the shoulder, a complex expression on his face.

"Mr. Kai, what are you saying? If you hadn't saved me, I might have been beaten to death long ago."

Mr. Kai smiled broadly, gave a thumbs-up, and said:

"Fearless in the face of challenges, rising to the occasion – that's what youth is all about!"

In the months following his possession of Kurogane Kouzo, Mr. Akai's memories of his previous life were vague and unclear, and he had only a vague understanding of why his soul had been summoned to Japan.

It wasn't until after the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons that Abe no Seimei, the mastermind behind it all, finally surfaced. The specific rules of the death game she devised appeared simultaneously in the minds of all the chosen participants, including Hideo Tosu and Kozo Kurogane.

This is a frenzied feast where everyone is killed off until only one person remains!

At the beginning, Kouzo Kurogane was naturally filled with fear and unease.

However, he also knew very well that things had come to this point, and complaining would be of no use.

We can only prepare early.

Kurogane Kouzo's own residence is within the designated barrier area, so it can be considered a safe spot for now.

"If you don't fight, you can't survive; if you don't kill, you'll be killed."

Teacher Kai frowned, his thick eyebrows furrowed, and sighed, saying:

"I never imagined I'd be forced to kill even after death..."

Kurogane Kouzo looked at Kai with a mixture of admiration and worry.

After spending these two months together, Heitie Huisan knew that Mr. Kai was an upright, passionate, and honorable man, the kind of positive character that would be a protagonist in Hong Kong martial arts films.

This kind of battle royale must have made Teacher Kai extremely indignant.

He did not kill innocent people indiscriminately in order to survive.

"There are less than two days left before the death game set by Abe no Seimei begins. Mr. Kai, what should we do now?"

"Find like-minded allies to overthrow this deadly game together."

Kurogane Kouzo was taken aback by what he heard, and asked in confusion:

"But in the end, only one can survive, right? Everyone is a competitor..."

"We cannot be led by the nose by Abe no Seimei."

Teacher Akai, though seemingly rough around the edges, was actually quite meticulous. After a moment's thought, he said:

"Abe no Seimei instigated us, the dead who were brought back to life, to kill each other. He must have had ulterior motives. Our annexation would be exactly what he wanted."

Kurogane Hiroshi's expression was unpredictable.

After all, one of the rules is that if a winner is not determined before the time limit, all the selected contestants will die suddenly.

Although Kouzo Kurogane did not want to kill, he did not want to die a violent death at such a young age.

"I only know physical skills, but among the powerful figures summoned to participate in this death game, there might be a strong one who can break Abe no Seimei's scheme."

Akai, in an optimistic tone, comforted Kurogane Kousuke:

"Perhaps things aren't as bad as we thought."

Indeed, it has the very characteristics of Mr. Kai, a passionate high school teacher.

Kurogane Teruzo chuckled to himself.

However, Kouzo Kurogane himself couldn't come up with a better solution, so following Mr. Kai's instructions was a good idea.

"Since we're looking for allies, shouldn't we inform the Supernatural Police Department about the impending death game in Kobe?"

Neither Kurogane nor Akai knew the exact number or list of people attending this death banquet.

Although the start date is fast approaching, the Japanese government has not made any major moves in Kobe, raising suspicions that it is being kept in the dark.

Although Kozo Kurogane is somewhat cynical due to his past experiences, he is still just a high school student. When he has nowhere else to turn, he still wants to believe in the Japanese government and the Supernatural Police Department.

Although the official announcement of the Twelve Gods' victory over Abe no Seimei is questionable, the Supernatural Police Department remains a powerful force.

"Hmm, I think so..."

Ah Kai touched his big nose, pondered for a moment, and was about to speak.

"Ding-dong."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Kurogane Kouzo was startled, his pupils suddenly shrinking to the size of pinholes!

Although his situation at school has improved significantly, Kozo Kurogane has no close friends, so who would come knocking on his door at this time?

Could it be that...

"Ding-dong."

Kurogane Kouzo and Kai exchanged a glance. Kai nodded at him, and with a flash of golden light, his figure disappeared.

He took a three-section staff from the top of the shoe cabinet and tucked it under his arm. Black Iron Hui carefully peered through the peephole behind the door.

Standing outside the door were three or four burly men in black suits, their waists bulging, exuding the classic aura of "cops".

Kurogane Hiroshi instinctively pulled his head back, his face slightly pale, gritting his teeth and remaining silent.

Could it be that my killing of Senior Noro has come to light?

Should they slip out the back door, or launch a sudden attack and fight their way out?

Kurogane Kouzo's mind was in complete turmoil, and he was somewhat at a loss.

"Ding-dong."

A few seconds later, the ringtone sounded again, unhurried and gentle, without any hint of urgency or anxiety.

Kurogane Kouzo's spirits lifted, and his eyes regained their clarity.

Playing dead isn't an option either.

Whether he can survive this death game and live to September is unknown. Even if it is revealed that Noro's death is related to him, so what?

Now, would Black Iron Shinji be afraid of being arrested and imprisoned?

Kurogane Kouzo took a few deep breaths, composed himself, opened the door, and asked frankly:

"May I ask what brings you here?"

The men in black suits displayed a politeness completely different from their sharp and capable demeanor, pulled out their identification, and said:

"You must be Kurogane. We're from the Osaka branch of the Supernatural Police Department."

A supernatural police department?!

Kurogane Teruzo's expression changed, as if suddenly enlightened, and he immediately understood their purpose.

The Japanese government is not a useless figurehead; the Supernatural Police Department responded faster than expected.

"You all step back. Let me talk to Kurogane."

Outside on the street, a black sedan door was opened, and a man who appeared frail and had a pale face got out.

"The Hero of the Bird's Nest." Kurogane Kouzo's gaze sharpened.

The Twelve Divine Generals are all prominent figures in Japan, and even elementary school students recognize them.

"Minister Tori".

The local branch members all bowed their heads in respect to the hero of Tosu.

Upon confirming that Abe no Seimei was about to set up a protective barrier in Kobe, the Japanese government and the Paranormal Police Department immediately mobilized a massive amount of manpower and resources to search for clues in Kobe.

The frequent disappearances that have occurred in Kobe City over the past few months have naturally come under the scrutiny of the Paranormal Police Department.

Every missing person was reinstated in the investigation.

The disappearance of the judo captain of the Second Boys' High School led to the investigation of Kouzo Kurogane.

Digging deeper, they immediately discovered many unexpected delights.

He defeated three tall guys from the judo club in one fell swoop; he became a star in club activities; a series of earth-shattering changes, it was as if he had been reborn.

Without a doubt, something unimaginable must have happened to Kouzo Kurogane, which is highly suspicious.

"Hey, Black Iron, would you mind if I came in and had a seat?"

The moment he saw Black Iron Hideo, the curse mark on the back of Tori no Hideo's right hand began to heat up, making him certain that he had finally found the real deal.

"please."

The Supernatural Police Department is a state law enforcement agency, and Kozo Kurogane naturally doesn't want to confront Hideo Tosu head-on.

After settling into the guest room, Tosu Hideo got straight to the point:

"Kurogiri-kun, may I witness your Heroic Spirit?"

(End of this chapter)