Chapter 159: So What If We’re Drinking At The Production Bureau? Excited Asumi!
“Hiroshi-kun! You too! Why are you going along with him in this nonsense?!” Asumi’s voice carried a scolding tone from an elder to a junior: “Weren’t you sensible before? Why aren’t you advising Director Kurosawa now? He’s old, what if he ruins his health?!”
“There’s nothing I can do about it… Deputy Director Asumi, you’re blaming me unfairly.”
Hiroshi Nohara rubbed his temples, which were slightly swollen from the alcohol.
Although his voice was somewhat slurred with drunkenness, his logic was still terrifyingly clear: “This… this isn’t nonsense. We are… celebrating!”
“Celebrating? Celebrating what?” Asumi asked irritably.
“Celebrating…” Hiroshi Nohara deliberately lengthened his tone, and under their increasingly nervous gazes, slowly uttered the final answer.
“—《Seven Samurai》, has passed the review.”
“…”
Asumi stood frozen in place, his face, already etched with helplessness, had all expression freeze in an instant.
He looked at the young man, on whose usually refined and steady face, a look of disbelief and shock appeared.
“What… what did you say?!” His voice became hoarse from extreme shock.
“I said…” A confident arc formed on Hiroshi Nohara’s lips, and in his eyes, which seemed a bit hazy with drunkenness, a light flickered that could convince anyone, an absolute light: “That work, planned by me, directed by Director Kurosawa, our Kanto Faction’s desperate counterattack—《Seven Samurai》.”
“—It has passed Eirin’s final review. Unrestricted public screening. Moreover, Fujiwara-sama personally approved it and wants to recommend this work for next year’s Neon Film Festival.”
“Boom—!”
This news exploded in Asumi’s mind!
His brain, at this moment, was completely submerged in a more pure and immense ecstasy!
“Good! Hahaha! Good!”
After a brief silence, a laugh, more heroic and hearty than Eiji Kurosawa’s, erupted unprompted from the mouth of this Number Two Person of the Kanto Faction!
He understood perfectly!
He understood perfectly what this 《Seven Samurai》 meant to their entire Kanto Faction!
It wasn’t just a movie!
It was the bugle call for their counterattack, sounding in their prolonged war against the Tokyo Faction!
It was their most resounding battle song, announcing their return as kings to all of Neon, to the entire world!
As long as it passed the review, it meant they had obtained their ticket to enter that final battlefield, filled with blood and fire!
Next, they just needed to wait for the moment of victory, its final arrival!
And he had absolute confidence in this epic masterpiece, personally crafted by Hiroshi Nohara and directed by Eiji Kurosawa, filled with divine creativity!
He believed that when this movie was officially released in the New Year slot, it would not only create a box office frenzy.
It would be a storm of public opinion, enough to crush that old fox Toshihide Takada and his 《Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree》, which reeked of copper, into dust!
Animated films, television dramas, variety shows.
Now, movies have been added.
These.
Were all produced by people from their Kanto Faction!
Asumi now thought about why his Kanto Faction members had been suppressed and ostracized before, and the reason was indeed the abundance of talent in the Tokyo Faction.
Except for Eiji Kurosawa, whom they respected.
The others.
They simply didn’t take them seriously.
After all, in the indifferent world of Neon, especially in the cold workplace, if one wanted to integrate, one had to demonstrate their strengths and talents, letting others know they weren’t useless.
Otherwise, no one would accept you into their circle, and no one would think you could integrate into their elite circle.
Tokyoites are quite arrogant and exclusive.
But now.
Everything has changed!
“Hahaha! Come! Let’s drink! Today, we won’t go home until we’re drunk!”
Asumi, like the most enthusiastic host, took out another expensive bottle of sake from the bookshelf behind him, poured himself a full glass, and took a large gulp.
In that posture, there was no trace of the Deputy Director’s authority; he was clearly an excited gambler who had finally seen the dawn of victory in a desperate situation!
He looked at the two “meritorious individuals” who were already swaying drunkenly but still smiling like children, and all seriousness and authority on his face melted away at that moment.
He let out a long sigh, which carried a sense of great gratification that there were successors.
He walked to the large desk and pressed the internal telephone button, speaking into the receiver with a tone of helplessness yet immense indulgence, issuing the final order.
“Hello, it’s me. Notify everyone that I have important guests in my office and no one is allowed to disturb us.”
He paused, looking at the two individuals from the Kanto Faction, past and future, who had already fallen into a deep sleep on the sofa, his voice tinged with gentleness.
“Let them… have a good sleep.”
After hanging up the phone, he slowly walked to the large floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window, the twilight was gradually descending, and the brilliant lights, one by one, were being lit up, like stars falling into the mortal world.
Asumi looked at all this, his ambitious heart, at this moment, was taut like a drawn bowstring.
He knew that this game was far from over.
What he had to do was to pave the final road to the ultimate throne for these two peerless generals who had already secured half his empire for him.
He picked up another personal mobile phone, skillfully dialed a number that was already deeply ingrained in his memory.
“Hello? It’s me, Asumi.”
His voice, once again, regained the cold composure of a decision-maker.
“Yes, regarding what I mentioned to you last time, it can be activated.”
“Money is not an issue.”
“Yes, that time slot. December 24th, Christmas Eve. I want the best cinema chains in all of Tokyo, no, in all of Neon, to be cleared for us.”
“I want that movie, called 《Seven Samurai》, to descend upon this world that has waited for so long, with the demeanor of a ruler!”
…
By the end of December, winter had deepened in Tokyo.
Cold raindrops mixed with the biting autumn wind, washing over this steel city, already filled with alienation, making it even colder and harder.
However, in this season that could chill anyone to the bone, the independent kingdom on the seventeenth floor of Tokyo Television Station was like an unquenchable furnace, day after day, emitting a scorching heat capable of melting all ice and snow.
【Hiroshi Nohara · Independent Production Department】.
The door to the department head’s office was gently knocked, with a steady and rhythmic sound.
“Enter.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice sounded calm; he didn’t even look up from the mountain of storyboard drafts.
Ichiro Hashishita, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, and Kei Tanaka, three section chiefs who now held enough influence at Tokyo Television Station to make any second-class director show deference, entered like three generals about to report battle plans to their king, their expressions solemn.
They didn’t speak immediately, but stood quietly before the desk, gazing with awe and worship at the young man who, with a very ordinary pencil, was fluidly constructing wondrous worlds on the snow-white drawing paper.
His focused posture and composed demeanor suggested that he was not creating something that would affect the joys and sorrows of millions, but was merely leisurely trimming a beloved bonsai in his own backyard.
“You’re all here?”
When the last stroke was finished, Hiroshi Nohara slowly looked up, casually placing the latest storyboard draft for 《Late-night Diner》, which he had just completed, on top of the already mountainous pile of documents.
He leaned back in his chair, stretching his stiff neck. His clear eyes swept over the three men, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
The dignity of a department head had, unknowingly, deeply imprinted itself on everyone’s hearts.
“Sit down.” He waved his hand, his voice plain: “Report, how have all the projects progressed over the past month?”
“Yes!”
Kei Tanaka was the first to step forward.
His already somewhat stern face was filled with irrepressible excitement, like a vanguard general who had achieved a decisive victory on the battlefield and was eager to claim credit from his commander!
“Department Head!” His voice trembled with excitement: “《Super Change Change Change》 season two is progressing steadily, and the ratings—”
He took a deep breath and said:
“—41.2%!”
“Now, all media in Neon are using terms like ‘phenomenal’ and ‘national masterpiece’ to describe our program!”
“The advertising department is practically swamped! The exclusive naming rights for the third season have already been bid up to an astronomical price of eight hundred million! And there’s demand but no supply!”
These words, like a series of bombshells, exploded in the office!
Even Yamamoto Tsuyoshi and Ichiro Hashishita, who already expected their department head’s almost divine abilities, subconsciously showed undisguised shock when they heard this number!
41.2%!
Eight hundred million!
This was no longer about producing a program; it was clearly about operating a super money-printing machine that could drive the entire nation crazy!
“Very good.”
However, Hiroshi Nohara merely nodded calmly, as if all of this was just a normal progression of events in the script he had already written.
He turned his gaze to Yamamoto Tsuyoshi, who was always sharp and steady like a falcon.
“Section Chief Yamamoto, what about your side?”
“Yes!”
Yamamoto Tsuyoshi also stood up, and his face, always hard and chiseled like a knife, was now filled with genuine admiration.
“Department Head, the filming of 《World of the Strange》 season three officially wrapped up last week and is currently in post-production editing. It is expected to be officially released to the audience next month.”
“As for the ratings…” he paused, his voice carrying a confidence that understood the essence: “Although there are no specific numbers yet, based on our internal preview feedback and the enthusiasm of the advertisers, the average ratings for the third season will only be higher than the previous two seasons, never lower!”
“Because the ‘Urban Legends Universe’ you constructed for us has thoroughly captured the hearts of the people.”
“Now, ‘Did you watch the World of the Strange tonight?’ has become the most popular social code among Japanese youth.”
This report, full of life, was more convincing than any cold data.
“Thank you for your hard work.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded again, his gaze finally falling on Ichiro Hashishita, who had stood ramrod straight throughout, like the most loyal soldier.
“Section Chief Hashishita.”
“Yes!”
Ichiro Hashishita suddenly stood up, his already honest face now filled with relief and gratitude, as if he had narrowly escaped a disaster.
“Department Head! 《An Shizhi》 season five also officially premiered last Sunday! The premiere ratings were 15.1%! Once again, breaking the premiere record for late-night anime!”
“Moreover, according to news from the overseas department, the overseas broadcasting rights for our 《An Shizhi》, seasons one through four, have been purchased by TV stations in over thirty countries and regions! The copyright fee alone, sold to the United States, is… is enough for us to produce ten more seasons!”
As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion: “I… on behalf of all colleagues in the Animation Classroom, thank you again! Thank you, especially for giving me, a loser previously abandoned by the industry, an opportunity to prove myself again!”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at the three men before him, who had been completely won over by him and had now become his most capable generals. Finally, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
He knew that the first step he had laid was stable.
“You all did very well.” He waved his hand, his posture like a king reviewing his invincible army, elegant and filled with absolute authority.
“What you have done is better than I expected. But…”
He changed his tone, and a chilling glint flashed in his clear eyes: “I hope you remember that the achievements we have made so far are still far from enough.”
“Our journey is to the stars and the sea.”
This declaration, filled with chuunibyo spirit yet perfectly fitting his current status, struck the softest part of the three section chiefs’ hearts like a hot current!
They looked at the man before them, who, though young, already possessed the kingly aura to overlook the entire era. At this moment, their three hearts, thoroughly conquered by him, ignited into a raging fire that could spread across the plains!
“Yes!”
The three bowed in unison, their voices filled with the resolve of a warrior willing to die for a true benefactor: “We will surely follow your footsteps!”
Hiroshi Nohara nodded with satisfaction, signaling them to leave.
When the office door was closed again, and the clamor of victory was shut out, he slowly picked up the black personal phone on his desk.
On the other end of the line, Misae Koyama’s energetic, warm voice, like a little sun, quickly came through.
“Hello? Hiroshi-kun? Are you done with your work?”
“Mhm.” Hiroshi Nohara’s voice instantly shed all its authority, leaving only pure tenderness for his beloved: “I just finished a meeting. How about you? My beautiful company president, was your work smooth today?”
“Oh, you’re teasing me again!” Misae’s voice came from the other end of the line, filled with charming and naive scolding, but her tone hid an uncontainable pride and confidence of a career woman.
“Let me tell you, Hiroshi-kun! You are simply a god!” Her voice trembled slightly with excitement: “The latest volume of 《Yu Yu Hakusho》 single-issue manga was released yesterday, and in less than twenty-four hours, the first-day sales have already… have already surpassed two million copies! Mr. Tadokoro called me just now, he was so excited he almost cried! He said, at this rate, the total sales of this work will definitely break the twenty million mark! This… this is a legendary sales figure that will be recorded in the entire history of Japanese manga!”
“And! And that 《Doraemon》!”
She chattered like a little squirrel presenting treasures, reporting her achievements that would make anyone go wild: “Now, it has become the ‘bible’ for all elementary school students! Every day, there are a group of children lining up at the entrance of our Future Manga Company, holding up signs, begging us to update quickly! Even the Ministry of Education has sent people to contact us, saying… they want to list 《Doraemon》 as a recommended reading for ‘Excellent Extracurricular Reading for Youth’!”
“As for the 《Late-night Diner》 you recently drew…”
She paused, her voice carrying a hint of respect, so deep that she herself hadn’t noticed it: “Hiroshi-kun, I really don’t know how to describe it. It… it’s like a warm current, in this cold era filled with utilitarianism and competition, it has silently warmed everyone’s hearts.”
“Now, ‘cat food’ has become the most popular food among Tokyo’s urban white-collar workers!”
“Hiroshi-kun…” Her voice involuntarily softened, her tone filled with the purest worship for her lover’s god-like talent: “You truly changed this world.”
“Silly girl.” Hiroshi Nohara chuckled, and his heart, already filled with satisfaction, was at this moment completely filled with a great warm current called “happiness.”
He knew that the seeds he had sown had already begun to take root and sprout at a speed far beyond his imagination.
The vast cultural empire he was building, capable of withstanding any future storm, had already begun to take shape.
“Alright, my Madam President.” He smiled, steering the conversation back on track: “What do you want to eat tonight? I’ll get off work early today, and we can go to that French teppanyaki restaurant in Ginza that you’ve been talking about, how about it?”
“Okay! Okay!” An instant burst of girlish enthusiasm came from the other end of the phone.
After hanging up, the smile on Hiroshi Nohara’s face became even gentler.
He glanced at the sky outside the window, which had already been dyed golden by the autumn sunlight, and then dialed another number, one filled with a rustic flavor.
The phone rang for a long time before being answered.
On the other end, his elder brother Hiroshi Nohara’s voice, filled with simple and honest and plain and sincere qualities, came through, accompanied by bursts of energetic and robust dog barks in the background.
“Hello? Hiroshi? What’s wrong? Did something happen in Tokyo?”
“Nothing, big brother.” Hiroshi Nohara shook his head with a smile: “I just wanted to ask if everything at home is going smoothly?”
“Smoothly! How could it not be smooth!” As soon as this was mentioned, Hiroshi Nohara’s voice instantly became full of confidence!
“You have no idea, Hiroshi! Your proposal is simply divine! Our ‘Nohara Agricultural Corporation’ is now the star enterprise of our entire Omagari City! The Mayor visits us every day, more frequently than he visits his own home! He says he wants us to be the ‘Modern Agriculture Demonstration Base’ for our entire Akita Prefecture!”
“We’ve already bought all the land we could around here! It’s over 170 acres! The organic vegetables we grow don’t even need us to find buyers; the highest-class restaurants in Tokyo send people to snatch them up in refrigerated trucks every day!”
“And about the Akita Dog breeding base you mentioned!” His voice became even more excited: “We have now built three standardized breeding areas according to your requirements, and we have raised nearly eight hundred purebred Akita dogs in total! Each one has a glossy coat and is as spirited as a little tiger!”
