Chapter 166: Tokugawa Sato’s Thoughts! Deputy Director Takada’s Face Stiffens!
However, just as the Independent Production Department of Hiroshi Nohara was filled with the celebratory atmosphere of victory and joy, at another end of Tokyo Television Station, in the Executive Deputy Director’s office, the atmosphere was like a volcano.
It was about to, or rather, it had already erupted!
Toshihide Takada, at this moment, was like a thoroughly enraged lion, his face contorted as if it could drip water.
He slammed the newspaper in his hand onto the rosewood desk with great force, the loud sound making the entire office tremble!
“Garbage! This is what you people filmed for me?!” His roar was deafening, making the three core members of the film project team—Masao Iwata, Soji Ashikaga, and Kouta Asano—flinch!
The newspaper, emblazoned with the pitiful first-day box office numbers of Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree, and below them, the mercilessly venomous reviews—”An idol’s carnival, a film’s tragedy,” “The worst samurai film in history,” “Two hours of wasted life”…
Each review was like a resounding slap, fiercely smacking Takada Toshhide’s already red face!
“Ashikaga! Didn’t you boast about having the most magnificent cinematic language?! What else did I see besides those meaningless slow-motion and spinning shots?! Were you filming a movie, or a music video?!” Takada Toshhide pointed at Ashikaga Soji’s nose, his spit almost flying onto his face.
Ashikaga Soji’s face, usually bearing a hint of arrogance, was now only pale.
He instinctively took half a step back and stammered, “Depu… Deputy Director, this… this can’t be all my fault! It… it was that Shunsuke Kamiki guy! He… he just wouldn’t listen to orders! Even when we tried to talk to him properly about the scenes, he got impatient, and we had already done our utmost!”
“Exactly!” Kouta Asano chimed in, his face, always wearing a friendly smile, now also full of grievance. “And Miyuki Kitagawa! She’s really just a pretty face! She doesn’t understand what acting is at all!”
The two, as if finding a vent, vied to push all the responsibility onto the two “arrogant” lead actors.
However, Takada Toshhide clearly wasn’t buying it!
“Enough!” He slammed the table again, the loud sound making the office tremble once more! “I’m asking you! You are the directors! The chief commanders of the entire set! If the actors don’t listen, you’re helpless?!”
His voice sounded as if he were speaking through clenched teeth:
“I said before! I said it! I don’t care what method you use! I don’t care how difficult that pretty boy is to handle! I don’t care how stupid that flower vase is! All I want is one result—a classic that can completely crush that old guy and that arrogant kid!”
“But what about you?! What you filmed lacks even the most basic narrative logic! It’s simply… a pile of shit!”
Takada Toshhide’s roars echoed in the office, filled with despair and unwillingness.
He vented all his anger onto these two capable generals whom he had once placed great hope in.
Although what he said was somewhat exaggerated.
The actual film was indeed somewhat poor.
However, the degree of its poorness was nowhere near as unacceptable as Takada Toshhide described, not like dog shit.
Of course, this is if not compared to Seven Samurai.
If compared to other costume dramas or samurai films, Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree was actually filmed quite well.
But therein lies the problem.
Exactly, their Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree was now directly clashing head-on with Hiroshi Nohara and Eiji Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai!
They clashed until their heads were broken and bloody, clashing miserably!
So Ashikaga Soji and Asano Kouta were scolded to their hearts’ content but couldn’t retort a single word.
They knew that no matter how difficult the lead actors were to handle, the ultimate responsibility ultimately fell on them, the directors.
However, just as Takada Toshhide’s anger slightly subsided, something distorted appeared on Ashikaga Soji’s pale face.
He suddenly turned his head, shifting the blame to the silent Masao Iwata, who had been bowing his head the entire time like a transparent person.
“Deputy Director! This… this can’t be entirely our fault!” Ashikaga Soji’s voice trembled, yet it was filled with “righteous” accusation. “You… you mustn’t forget! Iwata is the chief director! He! He was the one who confidently assured you that he could handle Shunsuke Kamiki and Miyuki Kitagawa! He! He held the life and death power of the entire project in his hands! We… we are just two line producers, we have no say at all!”
“Exactly!” Asano Kouta quickly chimed in, his eyes looking at Iwata as if he were a scapegoat. “Back then, to please Shunsuke Kamiki, he even personally massaged his legs! To curry favor with Miyuki Kitagawa, he ran out late at night to buy her cosmetics! He… he’s simply a sycophant! He has disgraced our entire film project team!”
These blame-shifting accusations were like two resounding slaps, fiercely striking Masao Iwata’s already fragile nerves!
Masao Iwata’s body trembled violently. He instinctively raised his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. His already pale face was now completely drained of color, and sweat dripped onto the floor from his cheeks, making faint sounds.
He wanted to retort, but he couldn’t say a single word.
Because what these two were saying was the truth.
He had indeed humbled himself to the dust for this project, to return to the poker table.
But hadn’t he, Masao Iwata, done all of this according to Takada Toshhide’s arrangements?
“Enough!”
Takada Toshhide snorted coldly, his icy eyes sweeping over the three, filled with disappointment.
He knew that none of these three guys truly wanted to take responsibility.
He slowly turned around, casting his rage-filled gaze towards Kouta Yasui and Ito Chōan, who were also sitting on the sofa, heads bowed, as if trying to shrink into a ball.
“And the two of you!” His voice, like ice picks in midwinter, stabbed at them. “What kind of rotten ideas did you come up with?! ‘Praise-kill’?! ‘Class conflict’?! Did you think you could take down that kid Hiroshi Nohara with such low-class tactics?!”
Takada Toshhide pointed at the newspapers on the table praising Seven Samurai, trembling with anger!
“And now look! Hiroshi Nohara wasn’t killed by your ‘praise-kill’; instead, he turned your ‘poison’ into his own ‘tonic’! He turned that malicious public opinion into the best promotion for Seven Samurai! You two are simply… stupid pigs!”
Kouta Yasui and Ito Chōan were shamed by the scolding. They glanced at each other, seeing a tacit bitterness in each other’s eyes.
They wanted to retort, but they couldn’t say a single word.
Nor could they retort.
Their meticulously planned “praise-kill” scheme was easily defused by that monstrous young man, and even turned against them, becoming the best promotional “easter egg” for Seven Samurai.
Now, everyone was praising Hiroshi Nohara to the skies, and his “easter egg” was considered a “stroke of genius.”
The two of them, however, had become “clowns” in everyone’s eyes.
This huge contrast was like an invisible slap, fiercely striking their already stiff faces.
“I ask you! Who will take responsibility?!” Takada Toshhide’s roars echoed in the office, filled with anger.
Looking at the subordinates who were shirking responsibility and lacking accountability, the anxious heart he already possessed was now completely overwhelmed by a great sense of helplessness!
“Do I have to tell Chairman Sato that our Tokyo Television Station is harboring a bunch of useless people who only shift blame?!”
The office remained silent.
Everyone was trembling.
The crucial point was that no one dared to speak up, as they all knew Takada Toshhide quite well.
This Executive Deputy Director was also a leader who liked to make his subordinates take the blame!
‘Ring ring—’
Just at this moment of extreme tension and oppressive atmosphere, the black internal telephone on Takada Toshhide’s desk rang urgently!
Takada Toshhide subconsciously glanced at the flashing name on the phone—Sato Tokugawa!
His heart sank to the bottom!
The real storm had finally arrived!
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart, and then answered the phone.
“Hello… Chairman Sato.” His voice, while trying to maintain calmness, still carried an imperceptible tremor.
On the other end, Sato Tokugawa’s voice, like an icy cold wind from hell, instantly blew away Takada Toshhide’s last sliver of hope!
“Toshihide Takada! Explain yourself! The opening day box office for Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree was only thirty-five million yen?! Tell me, what’s going on?! Didn’t you claim this film was a ‘classic that would crush everything’?! Didn’t you claim that with Shunsuke Kamiki’s tens of millions of fans, the theaters would be packed?!”
“How did it become such garbage now? You’ve made me lose face in front of all my friends!”
Sato Tokugawa’s roars, even through the phone, were clearly audible to everyone in the office!
His voice was filled with immense anger from being deceived.
“I… Chairman… please listen to my explanation…” Takada Toshhide’s voice carried a hint of obvious panic.
“Explanation?!” Sato Tokugawa’s voice became even colder. “I’ll give you a chance to explain! Now! Immediately! Right away! Take your three useless directors and get yourselves to Kirin Group Headquarters! I want to ask them myself! Did I feed my five hundred million yen investment to the dogs?!”
“Chairman… you…” Takada Toshhide tried to argue, but Sato Tokugawa interrupted him mercilessly!
“Enough talk! Within an hour, I want to see all of you in my office! Otherwise… Toshihide Takada, I will absolutely be at odds with you until one of us dies! I will absolutely let you know my anger after making me throw away five hundred million yen!”
“Beep—beep—”
The phone was hung up roughly.
Takada Toshhide stood there blankly, the phone in his hand like a scorching hot brand, burning his palm.
He slowly put down the phone.
He knew he was truly finished this time.
He thought he controlled capital, controlled public opinion, controlled everything.
He thought he could easily trample underfoot that arrogant kid and that old guy whose hero days were long past.
But he never expected that the “capital” he prided himself on would become his biggest death knell!
He also never expected that the “public opinion war” he meticulously planned would be so easily turned against him by that kid, becoming his own biggest joke!
Five hundred million yen!
That was no small sum!
The three hundred million yen investment in the film was production funding he secured from Tokyo Television’s Investment Bureau, and the five hundred million from Sato Tokugawa was for promotion, spent to boost Shunsuke Kamiki and attack Hiroshi Nohara!
Now, it was a complete loss!
He knew he had to concede some profits to satisfy this real estate mogul who operated in both the underworld and legitimate business.
Even though it would put him at a direct disadvantage in the war against the Kanto Faction, there was no other choice.
He slowly turned around, his icy eyes sweeping over the five subordinates who stood there blankly, their faces etched with fear.
“Did you all hear that?” His voice was ice-cold. “Go! Iwata, Ashikaga, Asano, the three of you, get going! To Kirin Group Headquarters!”
Although Takada Toshhide was somewhat uneasy, he knew that with the status of the Executive Deputy Director of Tokyo Television, he could still appease Sato Tokugawa.
Moreover, the other party definitely had no intention of truly falling out with him.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be just a phone call asking for a meeting.
“I wonder what that greedy guy, Sato Tokugawa, really wants?” Takada Toshhide clenched his fist, his anger growing, especially when he looked at the three directors he had once held great expectations for, who had now filmed such garbage.
He was even more furious!
However, thinking of this, Takada Toshhide also felt somewhat relieved, and couldn’t help but let out a sigh. “As expected, in front of that monstrous young man, I failed again?”
…
Kirin Group Headquarters, top-floor private club “Golden Pavilion.”
The rich aroma of premium cigars and aged whiskey still permeated the air, and every inch of carpet, every painting, silently spoke of the arrogance and luxury of wealth.
However, in this tea room, symbolizing absolute power, Shunsuke Kamiki, the idol whose handsome appearance captivated countless young girls, was now kneeling.
Tears and snot streamed down his meticulously styled handsome face as he sobbed pitifully.
“Chairman Tokugawa! You… you must bring justice for me!”
His voice was filled with grievance and unwillingness, like a Persian cat abandoned by its owner, wailing at the top of his lungs. “I… I worked so hard! I looked so cool in the film! So perfect! Was… was my performance not good enough?!”
As he cried, he pointed with his trembling hands at Miyuki Kitagawa, who was also kneeling nearby, and the three directors, who were so terrified their faces had turned ashen.
“It’s all them! All these useless people! They don’t know how to film! They ruined my acting, my charm! I… I was so perfect! It was them! They harmed me!”
Miyuki Kitagawa trembled violently with fear. She instinctively wanted to speak in her defense, but was stared down by Shunsuke Kamiki’s venomous gaze.
She could only bury her small head deeper into her chest, trembling.
The three directors, Ashikaga Soji, Asano Kouta, and Iwata Masao, exchanged glances, their faces etched with anger and unwillingness, yet unable to utter a word.
They wanted to retort, to push all the responsibility onto these two “arrogant” idols.
But looking at Shunsuke Kamiki’s “tear-streaked” appearance, and at Sato Tokugawa’s calm, unruffled eyes, they knew that speaking now would be tantamount to seeking their own demise.
Who didn’t know that this Shunsuke Kamiki was Sato Tokugawa’s favorite?
Sato Tokugawa, the absolute emperor of Kirin Real Estate, was currently sitting cross-legged in the main seat.
He remained silent, calmly observing the farce before him, a playful glint flashing in his narrowed eyes.
“Shunsuke, Shunsuke, you are truly… so adorable.”
He slowly reached out, and like comforting a pet throwing a tantrum, gently patted Shunsuke Kamiki’s fluffy little head.
“A mere five hundred million yen, it’s fine to lose it. Consider it… consider it Mr. Tokugawa’s failed investment.”
These words, full of “Versailles” swagger, were like the most potent reassurance, instantly allowing Shunsuke Kamiki’s anxious heart to settle back into his chest.
He suddenly raised his head, and a fawning smile, sweeter than cherry blossoms, bloomed on his tear-streaked face.
“Chairman Tokugawa! You… you are too kind! Shunsuke… Shunsuke knew that you are the one who loves Shunsuke the most in this world!”
Miyuki Kitagawa also felt as if she had received a great pardon. She looked up, her eyes red and swollen from crying, filled with the relief of having survived a disaster.
“But… but what happens when Toshihide Takada arrives?” Shunsuke Kamiki was still a little uneasy. “He just asked these three directors to come up and apologize first, saying he had a meeting to attend. Isn’t that clearly him trying to abandon these three guys?”
As he spoke, he cast a disgusted glance at the three directors.
He thought they were some good directors.
Turns out they filmed like this!
Not even a shadow of Seven Samurai!
Truly garbage!
“Heh heh.” Sato Tokugawa chuckled, a glint flashing in his narrowed eyes.
“Toshihide Takada? Oh, him… he’s not here to mete out punishment.” Sato Tokugawa’s voice was full of amusement. “He’s here to… beg me.”
He paused, turning his gaze to the magnificent Tokyo night view outside the window.
“Don’t worry, Shunsuke. The losses this time, I will naturally make Tokyo Television spit it all back, with interest.”
“And…” A cunning smile curved his lips. “Next, I have several large real estate projects opening in the Kanto region. At that time, the advertising and promotion will naturally depend on Tokyo Television. For that astronomical advertising fee, they will have to beg me not to withdraw our investment.”
“So, Shunsuke, you just need to obediently contribute your fame and your traffic. Then, Mr. Tokugawa will give you double the fame and fortune!”
“Minor setbacks, I can easily earn back ten or a hundred times the amount by starting a property development!”
“Chairman Tokugawa! You are amazing!” Shunsuke Kamiki’s eyes lit up instantly!
He flattered again, like a bird finding shelter, full of praise and admiration. “Shunsuke… Shunsuke knew that Chairman Tokugawa, you are the most, most, most amazing person in this world!”
Amidst this ambiguous and flattering atmosphere, the door to the tea room was gently knocked.
“Chairman, Deputy Director Takada has arrived.” The female manager, serving as the manager, asked, “Please give your instructions.”
“Let them in,” Sato Tokugawa said calmly.
Soon, with the sound of footsteps, the tea room door slid open silently.
Takada Toshhide entered, impeccably dressed in a suit, his face showing a perfectly appropriate degree of respect and… fatigue.
He glanced at the three directors, Masao Iwata, Ashikaga Soji, and Asano Kouta, kneeling with their heads bowed, his expression twitching slightly, and sighed inwardly, knowing they had been waiting for the main party.
So Takada also said, “Chairman Sato, I apologize for being late.”
“I understand, Executive Director Takada is very busy,” Sato Tokugawa said faintly, giving Shunsuke Kamiki beside him a look.
“Deputy Director Takada! You’re finally here!” Shunsuke Kamiki immediately understood, and then said with a hint of grievance from being bullied, “Look at them! Look at what they filmed?! It was them! They ruined my movie! They caused Chairman Tokugawa to lose so much money!”
As he spoke, he pointed at the three directors kneeling with their heads bowed.
“Shunsuke Kamiki! What nonsense are you talking about!” Ashikaga Soji suddenly raised his head, his pale face filled with anger and unwillingness. “It was you! You refused to listen to orders! You kept using Chairman Sato to pressure us! It was you! You made the entire film crew chaotic! It was you! You ruined this movie!”
“Exactly!” Asano Kouta quickly chimed in. “What else can you do besides posing and showing off! You can’t even do the most basic kendo posture! You are not a qualified actor at all!”
“Both of you shut up!” Although Managing Director Takada was usually cowardly, he exploded at this moment. He pointed at Shunsuke Kamiki and Miyuki Kitagawa, his voice trembling as he roared, “You two! You two are the culprits! What else can you do besides acting like divas, crying, and glaring?! You’ve disgraced our entire film project team!”
Previously, without the support of Executive Deputy Director Takada, they chose to lower their heads and say nothing.
Now that Executive Deputy Director Takada has arrived, they still choose to lower their heads and take the scolding.
Isn’t Executive Deputy Director Takada’s arrival in vain then!?
For a time, the tea room descended into chaos.
The five people bickered, blaming and shifting responsibility to each other, their unsightly behavior was truly sickening.
“Enough!”
Toshihide Takada finally couldn’t hold back. He slammed the table with a loud bang that made the entire tea room tremble!
“You! All of you shut up!” His voice, like an ice pick in midwinter, pierced each person: “Look at yourselves now! What kind of behavior is this?! In front of Chairman Sato, you have no etiquette whatsoever!”
However, as soon as his voice fell, Tokugawa Sato’s voice, icy cold and devoid of any warmth, slowly echoed, “Deputy Director Takada is right.”
Tokugawa Sato slowly stood up. His calm eyes swept over the five young people, already trembling with fear, and the corners of his mouth curled into an icy arc: “All of you, get out immediately. This is no place for impolite people like you to be.”
“I would rather have a good chat with Deputy Director Takada!”
They dared not say another word and could only leave the oppressive tea room with their heads down, like five stray dogs.
Including Shunsuke Kamiki.
He wanted to stay and act cute, but was forced to retreat by a sharp look from Tokugawa Sato.
The door to the tea room closed silently once more.
Inside, only Tokugawa Sato and Toshihide Takada remained.
The atmosphere instantly shifted from the previous tension to a calm belonging to superiors, filled with “tacit understanding.”
“Deputy Director Takada, please sit,” Tokugawa Sato gestured to the seat beside him, his face once again blooming into that “pleasant” smile.
“Thank you, Chairman,” Toshihide Takada sat down respectfully, knowing that the real negotiation was just beginning.
“Deputy Director Takada, the New Year is approaching,” Tokugawa Sato picked up his teacup and took a sip, his posture resembling an elder enjoying a holiday.
“Yes, time flies,” Toshihide Takada also smiled, with a hint of well-placed flattery: “Another year has passed in the blink of an eye. I hope Kirin Real Estate can reach new heights next year and make a fortune!”
“Hahahaha! I wish you the same!” Tokugawa Sato was delighted by the words. He put down his teacup and finally steered the conversation to the main topic.
“Speaking of which, Deputy Director Takada, next year our Kirin Real Estate has several large real estate projects to launch in the Kanto Region. At that time, we will be counting on Tokyo Television to assist us greatly with promotion.”
“You are too kind, Chairman,” Toshihide Takada immediately understood and showed a sincere smile: “This is an honor for our Tokyo Television! Please rest assured, with just a word from you, all of Tokyo Television’s promotional resources, whether it be our programs, affiliated stations, or even newspapers, can be at your service!”
He paused, his tone becoming more confident: “We guarantee that Kirin Real Estate’s brand image will be deeply ingrained in people’s hearts! Everyone will know that Kirin Real Estate is synonymous with quality!”
“Hahahaha! Good! Well said, ‘synonymous with quality’!” Tokugawa Sato laughed heartily, his posture like an artist admiring his own masterpiece.
“But…” he changed the subject, a cunning glint flashing in his narrowed eyes: “Deputy Director Takada, please give me a discount on the price. After all, we are old friends, aren’t we?”
“Chairman, please rest assured!” Toshihide Takada immediately patted his chest and promised: “We will absolutely give you the most, most preferential ‘old friend’ price! We guarantee your satisfaction!”
“Very good,” Tokugawa Sato nodded with satisfaction.
This cooperation, filled with an exchange of interests, was successfully reached amidst their knowing smiles.
“By the way, Deputy Director Takada,” Tokugawa Sato seemed to suddenly remember something. He put down his teacup, and a trace of imperceptible probing flashed in his calm eyes.
“I heard that your Tokyo Television recently made a movie called Seven Samurai?”
Toshihide Takada’s heart sank!
He forced a smile, displaying a “modest” expression: “Yes, Chairman. That movie was directed by Director Eiji Kurosawa.”
“Hmm,” Tokugawa Sato nodded, a hint of admiration in his calm eyes: “I saw it. It was indeed well-made. Especially the script, its intent was profound and its scope was grand. It seems your Tokyo Television directors are indeed talented.”
These words were like an invisible knife, piercing Toshihide Takada’s heart. He knew Tokugawa Sato was mocking him for the failure of Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree.
His smile froze on his face, and he could only say dryly, “Chairman, you flatter me. It’s all Director Kurosawa’s credit.”
“No, no, no,” Tokugawa Sato shook his head instead, a playful glint flickering in his calm eyes.
“I heard that the actual planner, as well as the scriptwriter and many of the scene designers for that movie, was a young man named Hiroshi Nohara?”
Toshihide Takada’s expression instantly stiffened.
He hadn’t expected Tokugawa Sato to know this detail.
He suppressed his jealousy and unwillingness, saying dryly, “Yes, Chairman. Hiroshi Nohara is indeed one of the… co-directors of this movie.”
“Oh?” The corners of Tokugawa Sato’s mouth curved into a curious arc: “A young man who has achieved such success at such a young age, I am rather curious about him.”
He looked at Toshihide Takada, his calm eyes holding an undeniable command.
“Deputy Director Takada, how about this. Another day, please arrange for me to meet this young man. After all, someone who can make even a stubborn old man like Eiji Kurosawa bow down, I am quite keen to see for myself what makes him so extraordinary.”
“I believe that as Executive Deputy Director Mr. Takada, you can accomplish this, can’t you? And Deputy Director Takada, you wouldn’t want my advertising investment in Tokyo Television to decrease next year, would you?”
“This…” Toshihide Takada’s face completely froze.
