I became Hokage in Tokyo

Chapters 496 and 497: I can't tell them apart, I really can't tell them apart!

"Inspector Uchiha! Inspector Uchiha!"

In a hazy, half-asleep state, Uchiha Senmon vaguely heard a call coming from near and far.

Uchiha... are you calling me?

But Inspector? I haven't heard that title in years. I should be called Minister...

Minister? What minister?

Uchiha Senmon's eyelids twitched a few times before he slowly opened them. Through the glass windows of the corridor, he could see people coming and going on the street below, which was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and several shops had Christmas trees decorated in front of them.

As evening approached, a few snowflakes drifted down from the sky, covering the earth in a silvery blanket.

His head felt like it was filled with a pile of paste; Uchiha Senmon was dazed and his thoughts were blocked.

Even so, he recognized it at a glance as Kasumigaseki, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Department where he had worked for more than ten years.

"Ahem, ahem, Inspector Uchiha. Section Chief Akagi is still waiting for you."

"Excuse me."

I followed an assistant to the office door, where a sign read "Criminal Investigation Department, Third Investigation Division: Chief Akagi".

"Come in."

After the assistant knocked on the door, Uchiha Senmon entered the office alone.

"Brother, you're here! Have a seat."

Looking at the square-faced man with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and an upright demeanor behind the desk, resembling the male lead in a Showa-era crime drama, Uchiha Senmon couldn't help but be taken aback.

"Akagi-senpai!"

A sense of déjà vu washed over him, and Uchiha Senmon's eyes inexplicably welled up with tears. He turned his head away to conceal his embarrassment, saying:

"Have you lost weight? And..."

"What are you talking about, Immortal Gate? From the university kendo club to now, my physique has always been this fit."

Touching his bulging biceps with his left hand, Section Chief Akagi was completely bewildered and asked in return.

"It's nothing, I just feel a little unwell."

Uchiha Senmon frowned, sat down on the sofa next to him, rubbed his nose, and asked:

"Senior, what year is it this year?"

"December 24, 1968, 5:16 PM."

Although slightly surprised, Section Chief Akagi blurted it out and thoughtfully provided the specific date.

In the 37th year of Heisei, the Uchiha Sage immediately converted the calendar to the Gregorian calendar.

It's 2025.

Something's not right. Did the Heisei era last that long?

A strange sense of unease once again surfaced in Uchiha Senmon's mind.

"Hey bro, are you alright? You seem a bit distracted today."

"I'm fine, I probably just didn't sleep well last night."

After pondering for a while without coming to a conclusion, Uchiha Senmon shook his head.

"I heard that your Uchiha clan and the Tsukimi clan officially held their engagement banquet last weekend. Congratulations."

Seeing that Uchiha Senmon's complexion wasn't bad, Section Chief Akagi didn't pay much attention and started chatting casually.

Upon hearing Akagi's words, Uchiha Senmon immediately recalled the engagement banquet and smiled slightly.

"It's a pity that my wife is useless and only gave birth to a good-for-nothing son. Otherwise, given the relationship between us brothers, it wouldn't be that guy Tsukimi who would be the father-in-law."

A hint of regret appeared on his square face as he said with a sigh:

"Tsukimi seems so refined on the surface, but as soon as A-Ming got into Tokyo University, she immediately tried to snatch him up as a potential husband. She's quick on the uptake!"

"Before the Tsukimi couple were transferred to the General Affairs Section, they worked with us in the Investigation Section for six months. The two families know each other very well."

Uchiha Senmon's expression completely relaxed, and he smiled gently:

"Aming and Inaba also met at the Tsukimi family dojo. They are childhood friends, and I really like Inaba."

"As long as both of you are satisfied."

Section Chief Akagi shrugged, cleared his throat, and finally got to the point about why he had summoned the Uchiha Sagemon:

"Immortal Sect, could you consider working overtime tonight? After all, it's Christmas Eve, and we're really short-handed."

The Third Investigation Division is mainly responsible for minor crimes such as burglary, purse snatching, and car theft. It is the safest and has the lowest workload among the three divisions of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Upon hearing that they would be working overtime, the Uchiha Senmon's expression immediately became subtle.

Overtime is impossible for me, I will never work overtime in my life!

"In recent years, you've never worked overtime and always leave on time. There's some internal dissatisfaction within the three departments."

Section Chief Akagi offered a few words of earnest advice and began to paint a rosy picture:

"With your laziness, it's hard for me to promote you. Otherwise, given our professional background and the support of the seniors from the University of Tokyo, how come you haven't even become a department head?"

As a professional, fresh graduates are automatically promoted to police inspector upon joining the Metropolitan Police Department, and are guaranteed promotion to police inspector within two years, and to police superintendent within five years.

Brother Xianmen has been with the company for twenty years, but he hasn't even managed to get a section chief position or any other official post. He's been living a life of ease.

"The guys on duty last night saw you and Mikoto strolling through the night market together, all lovey-dovey and inseparable."

Seeing that the Immortal Sect remained unmoved, Section Chief Chicheng shook his head and clicked his tongue a few times:

"While a harmonious marriage is ideal, one cannot be careless at work..."

Just then, there was a loud bang, and Uchiha Senmon's expression changed drastically. He sprang up from the sofa like a spring, startling Section Chief Akagi.

Mikoto?

Mikoto!

"Sorry, I have to leave early!"

Before he could finish speaking, Uchiha Senmon rushed out of the door in a panic.

"Feed..."

All that was left was a bewildered Section Chief Akagi, whose hand, which had been reaching out to stop him, hung stiffly in mid-air.

"boom!"

A white sedan was speeding at 90 mph on the streets of Tokyo, running red lights several times, causing several drivers behind it to curse and yell in fear.

The car drove to Yayoi-cho 2-chome in Nakano Ward, where Uchiha Senmon abandoned it on the street and stumbled as he ran wildly toward the Uchiha residence.

"We must make it!"

Upon seeing the graceful figure taking small steps outside the courtyard, Uchiha Senmon was frozen in place, as if under a spell, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Immortal Sect, you're leaving get off work so early today..."

Uchiha Senmon pulled Mikoto into a tight embrace, his arms wrapped around her body with such force that it seemed he wanted to meld her into his own.

"We're still outside, it's too embarrassing for an old married couple like this..."

"It seems like I had a very long dream..."

Feeling the dampness on her shoulder and hearing the barely audible sobs, Mikoto let the shopping basket fall to the ground, then wrapped her arms around Uchiha Senmon, her eyes as gentle as a pool of clear water, and softly comforted him:

"It must have been a nightmare. Immortal Sect, it's alright, I'm here."

Smelling the familiar fragrance from the ends of her hair, Uchiha Senmon felt as if his soul had miraculously escaped a storm and finally returned to a calm and beautiful harbor.

He and she embraced each other tightly.

On Christmas Eve, the romantic and gentle lights and snowflakes gently fell on the two of them.

Several passersby couldn't help but cast curious and admiring glances at it.

This must be a loving couple.

-

"Click click click".

After simply changing into a new outfit and putting on an apron, the aloof and dignified Uchiha Senmon meticulously assisted Mikoto in the kitchen, working with utmost seriousness.

His enemies are dozens of prawns.

Peel off the shrimp shells, carefully remove the shrimp veins, clean them thoroughly, then coat them in flour and breadcrumbs, and deep-fry them in oil.

His movements were fluid and graceful, displaying extraordinary poise; he was clearly a master in his field.

After finishing his work, Uchiha Senmon wiped his forehead with the back of his floured hand, turned his head, and found Mikoto gazing at him and smiling.

"I told you, let me do it. Look, your nose is covered in flour."

Mikoto wiped her hands and gently wiped away the pinkish-white powder from Uchiha Senmon's nose.

He was about to raise his head and grasp Mikoto's hand, but Senmon, mindful of the oil and flour on his hands, instead rubbed his cheek against her soft palm.

Amused, Mikoto rubbed her husband's handsome face a few times, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl up.

After a while, Mikoto cupped Uchiha Senmon's face in her hands, and their eyes met:

"Is everything really alright, Immortal Sect?"

"I just feel inexplicably panicked, as if I've lost something precious."

Uchiha Senmon said gently:

"But upon closer reflection, nothing actually happened. It was my mind that was in turmoil."

The happier he was, the more uneasy he became. He was afraid that these peaceful and happy days would shatter like glass. Perhaps that was why he was so anxious.

The world has been far too kind to me, showering me with too much kindness.

Although he was just a middling civil servant in the Metropolitan Police Department, it was enough to ensure a comfortable life for his family and a worry-free existence.

Senior Akagi has always taken good care of me, both in university clubs and at work.

Most importantly, there is his wife, with whom he has shared a deep and loving relationship for nearly forty years, who has always been by his side. Nothing could bring the Uchiha clan more comfort than this.

The couple were finishing up cooking together when Uchiha Senmon realized that Christmas dinner was for two.

"Wasn't a portion prepared for Ah Ming?"

"Immortal Sect, you're being incredibly tactless."

Mikoto poked Uchiha Senmon's forehead with her index finger, and said with a mix of amusement and annoyance:

"Ah Ming is a college student; he's rarely home. Besides, what day is tonight? Ah Ming has a fiancée; how could he possibly be home with his elderly parents?"

After Mikoto's explanation, the Uchiha Senmon suddenly realized the truth.

For couples deeply in love, there's no reason to go home on Christmas Eve.

"Hehehe, this time next year, we might all be grandparents."

Mikoto proudly curled her nose and analyzed with an air of authority:

"Inaba is a very well-behaved and quiet child. If she were a girl, she would definitely be just as cute. If she were a boy, that would be good too; the boys of the Uchiha clan are never bad-looking."

"We need to consider Amin and Inaba's marriage in advance. The birth rate is low now, unlike when we were young. It is also common for college students to get married."

"Speaking of which, that wild girl Nami got married at the beginning of the year. I almost thought that A-Ming got married and that Nami would never get married."

Listening to Mikoto's words, Uchiha Senmon's eyes softened as much as the morning sun in spring.

Soon, the Christmas dinner for Senmon and Mikoto was ready.

Although the Uchiha clan usually eats Japanese food, they are inevitably influenced by the festive atmosphere on Christmas Eve.

Dinner was a Western-style meal that was a fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine.

Deep-fried tempura, Neapolitan pasta, pan-seared veal steak, raw vegetable salad...

Although there was no turkey or cake, it was still quite a feast, and they even opened a bottle of expensive red wine.

"Immortal Sect, have you seen any honey? I want to make a sauce."

Mikoto rummaged through the kitchen cabinets for a while, then turned to ask Uchiha Senmon.

"Or I'll go to the supermarket to buy it," said Uchiha Senmon, standing up.

"It's too much trouble to go back and forth, let's forget about it."

Mikoto frowned and thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up:

"I remember now, Mom sent some wild honey from Arakawa-dake last month. It's at the far left of the warehouse. Could you please go get it?"

Without a word, Uchiha Senmon set off and went to the warehouse in the backyard of a detached house.

The warehouse stores things that are not currently needed at home. Although there are many odds and ends, it is cleaned regularly and arranged in an orderly manner.

Uchiha Senmon immediately spotted the jar containing wild honey and picked it up with one hand.

Just as Uchiha Senmon was about to turn and leave, his eyes glanced at him unintentionally.

On the other wall hung a white fan as tall as a person, with three mysterious patterns formed by black magatama on its symmetrical design.

"This is... a local specialty from my hometown, right?"

The Uchiha Immortal Sect member, somewhat curious, stepped forward and examined the Flame Fan closely.

"Was it sent with honey? What's the use of such a large round fan? The craftsmanship is indeed extremely exquisite..."

The Uchiha clan's ancestors were craftsmen who wove round fans, but since their great-uncle passed away, no one has made a living from this craft anymore.

After a moment, he tentatively reached out and touched the fan handle.

When his fingertips were only half an inch away from the Flame Fan, Uchiha Senmon suddenly stopped, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

On a whim, a premonition arose in his mind, the meaning of which was unclear—whether it was auspicious or inauspicious.

When he picks up this flaming fan, the Uchiha Sage will no longer be a mortal, and all the happiness he currently possesses will vanish into thin air.

But a strong sense of mission compels the Uchiha Sage to take up this fan handle.

This conflicting feeling left the Uchiha Sage Sect feeling like they had a fishbone stuck in their throat.

"It's just a broken fan, what, could it possibly contain a tsukumogami?"

After a moment, Uchiha Senmon finally made up his mind and reached out to take the Flame Fan off the wall.

The moment he touched the Flame Fan, Uchiha Senmon reacted as if he had been bitten on the finger by a venomous snake, reflexively pulling his arm back.

"Clang!"

The earthen jar he was holding crashed heavily to the ground, shattering into pieces, and spilled clear, yellow wild honey all over the ground.

"Ahhhhh!"

He knelt on the ground, his face contorted in pain, clutching his head with both hands and hissing.

Investigation Section 4, Demons and Evil Spirits, Extraordinary Beings, Akatsuki...

The Twelve Divine Generals, the Mount Tai Lord Festival, the Sharingan, Izanagi Uchiha Madara...

Bizarre and absurd memories surged in like a tide.

"Stop feeding me this stuff! It's all fake, completely fake!"

The immortals, who were crawling on the ground, had bulging veins on their faces, bloodshot eyes, and tears streaming down their faces without them even realizing it.

"Is this world and its peaceful happiness real or just an illusion?!"

Hearing the commotion, Mikoto rushed over and, facing her deepest source of support, Uchiha Senmon cried out all her inner struggles and confusion:

"I can't tell the difference, I really can't!!!"

(End of this chapter)