Chapter 173: No More Factions! Nobuhiko Sakata’s Exchange—or Warning! Toshihide Takada’s Relief!
Even Nobuhiko Sakata often wondered what kind of brain that kid had. How could he create so many excellent works in such a short period?
It completely overturned his understanding!
“No wonder… this guy is called a ‘monster’.”
Sakata quietly tucked this exclamation into his heart, like pocketing a luminous pearl that could no longer be hidden in the darkness of night.
He nodded slightly.
Signaling that Hiroshi Nohara and Eiji Kurosawa could leave for now.
“We’ll take our leave, Director Sakata.” Hiroshi Nohara and Eiji Kurosawa were quite sensible, bowing and leaving.
When the office door was gently closed, shutting out the outside noise, Sakata’s unhurried figure approached the edge of his office—the floor-to-ceiling window on the top floor of the Production Bureau, overlooking half of Tokyo, where he quietly waited.
The winter afternoon sunlight, with a hint of cool gold, slanted through the large floor-to-ceiling window, bathing the interior in a solemn glow.
Toshihide Takada pushed the door open and respectfully bowed to Sakata’s back: “Director Sakata.”
“Hmm.”
Sakata responded, not in a hurry to speak. Gazing out at the bustling Tokyo cityscape, he walked slowly to his desk and sat down.
He picked up the long-cooled fragrant tea from the desk and took a shallow sip, his gaze calmly resting on Takada Toshihide’s back.
His eyes held no blame, no anger, only a deep scrutiny.
“Takada-kun, you’re here,” Sakata finally spoke.
“Yes!” Takada Toshihide’s body trembled violently. He quickly walked to the desk and bowed deeply to Sakata, his posture as humble as a junior employee just starting their career.
“Director,” his voice was slightly hoarse, yet clear: “I’ve come to report to you about the guest list for the New Year’s banquet. I’ve decided to give my personal spot to Hiroshi Nohara. Just as I applied for before, Hiroshi Nohara, as the future of our Tokyo Television Station, truly deserves to be cultivated with focus.”
Sakata didn’t respond immediately, simply looking at him calmly.
His deep eyes showed no ripples, like a bottomless lake, trying to discern the most hidden reefs and undercurrents at its depths.
Takada Toshihide felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze, a fine layer of sweat breaking out on his forehead. The tension he already felt was amplified infinitely, almost swallowing him whole.
After a long while, Sakata slowly put down his teacup, a faint smile, tinged with admiration, appearing at the corner of his mouth.
“Very good, Takada-kun,” Sakata’s voice also held a hint of a smile: “You did very well this time, understanding how to prioritize and grasp the bigger picture. It seems you finally have the demeanor of an Executive Deputy Director.”
This praise struck Takada Toshihide’s heart like a thunderclap!
Director Sakata’s praise was not common.
Takada Toshihide stood there dumbfounded, all expression frozen on his usually somber face, disbelief evident in his eyes.
He never imagined that for the sake of fulfilling his promise to Tokugawa Sato to let Hiroshi Nohara meet him, he had to give up his spot at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government banquet, and would receive such high praise from the Director!
He had expected Sakata to reprimand him for acting on his own initiative.
But now… Sakata not only didn’t reprimand him, but praised him for “understanding how to prioritize and grasp the bigger picture,” and even said he “finally had the demeanor of an Executive Deputy Director”!
This… this was simply an unexpected delight.
A surprise, a bit like making a blunder into a success!
Takada Toshihide’s heart was like an overturned spice rack, a mix of all sorts of emotions.
He felt a flicker of joy for the unexpected praise, but also a tinge of shame for his “lucky accident” motive.
Looking at Sakata’s calm face, the long-lost recognition from his superior caused ripples of complexity to spread across his heart, a heart that had been hardened like stone by factional struggles.
He hadn’t heard such praise in a long time.
So long.
“Director… you flatter me.” Takada Toshihide’s voice trembled almost imperceptibly. He lowered his head, not daring to meet Sakata’s gaze, fearing he would see through his complex thoughts.
Sakata merely smiled, a flash of understanding in his deep eyes, as if he saw through everything.
Of course, he knew Takada Toshihide’s little schemes, and perhaps his other plans behind the scenes.
But he also knew that at times, even impure motives could be used for the greater good.
“Flatter?” Sakata shook his head, his tone becoming more earnest: “No, not at all. Takada-kun, do you think Hiroshi Nohara’s spot was something I arranged at the last minute, using your spot?”
Takada Toshihide looked up, his face etched with confusion.
Sakata looked at his puzzled expression, slowly put down his teacup, and sighed: “Takada-kun, you are mistaken. Hiroshi Nohara’s spot was already decided internally. Moreover, it wasn’t arranged by me, but personally requested by Deputy Minister Fujiwara of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Publicity Department. It’s said that Fujiwara-sama’s superiors also approved of Hiroshi Nohara, which is why he was specifically nominated.”
“What?!” All the color drained from Takada Toshihide’s face, leaving it ghastly pale.
His eyes were filled with horror!
Fujiwara-sama?!
That powerful figure who controlled the publicity lifeline of the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Area?!
He actually, personally nominated Hiroshi Nohara?! This… this was simply an unprecedented honor!
And it was something even Fujiwara-sama’s superiors had approved.
This…
It was like a thunderbolt, completely shattering his thoughts!
He finally understood how insignificant and laughable his little trick was in the face of true power. He had thought he was the chess player, only to realize he was just an insignificant chess piece, manipulated at will!
Sakata ignored Takada Toshihide’s shocked expression and continued speaking: “Takada-kun, you need to look further ahead. Our Tokyo Television Station, and even the entire Tokyo Metropolitan Area, is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. The economic boom and cultural rise all herald the arrival of a new era.”
His gaze returned to Takada Toshihide, his eyes carrying a hint of warning, yet filled with expectation: “The Tokyo Metropolitan Area is the Kanto Region. The Kanto Region is the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. These two concepts are inevitably merging to become a larger, more unified entity. And our Tokyo Television Station, as the most important mouthpiece of this region, is destined to merge into a new, ‘Greater Tokyo Faction’.”
“If we continue to indulge in factional infighting and mutual undermining, and fail to achieve the leading position in publicity and culture for the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, and are surpassed by other regions or even other countries. Then, the government will certainly hold us accountable. Do you understand?”
These words struck Takada Toshihide’s heart like a heavy hammer!
His pale face was filled with shame and… fear.
He finally understood what Sakata meant by “the bigger picture.” It wasn’t just a simple factional merger, but a grand strategy concerning the future fate of Tokyo Television Station, and even the entire nation of Japan.
The fact that Hiroshi Nohara had already reached such a height…
Made Takada Toshihide feel fear!
That’s right.
Fear.
It was precisely because Takada Toshihide knew how cold, ruthless, and indifferent those gray-haired old men, those in high positions, were, that he felt fear.
If he really obstructed those old men’s plans.
Then he…
Would probably be crushed on the spot!
“Director… I… I understand.” Takada Toshihide’s voice trembled slightly. He lowered his head, no longer daring to meet Sakata’s gaze.
He was truly scared.
Sakata looked at his fearful expression, and a satisfied smile finally appeared on his face.
He knew Takada Toshihide had truly taken it to heart.
“Very good, Takada-kun.” Sakata’s voice became gentle again: “Since you understand, you need to cooperate more in your future work. Especially with this young man, Hiroshi Nohara. He is a genius of this era, a flagbearer who is very likely to lead the trend in Japan, both now and in the future. His talent, his works, are enough to change the world. To show the world Japan’s culture!”
“So from now on, there should be no more distinction between ‘Tokyo Faction’ and ‘Kanto Faction’. From now on, Tokyo Television Station will only, and can only, have one ‘Greater Tokyo Faction’. All resources, all talents, will be used for him. Let us work together to create a new era for our Tokyo Television Station!”
Takada Toshihide’s face was complex.
He looked at Sakata, then thought of Hiroshi Nohara’s excessively young face. The heart that had been tempered by countless power struggles into a solid stone now rippled with bitter waves.
“Yes… yes, Director.” Takada Toshihide’s voice was subtly hoarse.
He lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
Sakata looked at Takada Toshihide’s complex expression and just smiled, a flash of all-knowing understanding in his deep eyes.
“Takada-kun, don’t you find it unbelievable that Hiroshi Nohara, at such a young age, has achieved so much?” Sakata’s voice carried a hint of teasing remark.
Takada Toshihide suddenly looked up, his face filled with shame. He knew Sakata had seen through his thoughts again.
“Director… I… I do feel some emotion.” Takada Toshihide’s voice was tinged with bitterness. “He’s only twenty-three. The achievements he has made have surpassed the heights that we, the older generation, have strived for half our lives to reach. I… I truly feel inadequate.”
Sakata just smiled.
“Yes, he’s only twenty-three,” Sakata said with a smile. “His achievements are enough for him to coast on his past successes in this world of fame and fortune for at least twenty years.”
“Twenty years?” Takada Toshihide’s heart skipped a beat. He had never imagined Sakata would evaluate Hiroshi Nohara so highly!
“Yes, twenty years,” Sakata’s gaze shifted to the vast Tokyo Bay outside the window. “Even, if he wishes, he can become a symbol, a legend. He can become the most dazzling star of this era.”
“So, Takada-kun,” Sakata slowly turned his head, his calm gaze falling on Takada Toshihide’s face, his eyes carrying a warning yet filled with expectation: “You also need to look further ahead. Don’t just focus on immediate gains and losses, don’t just dwell on temporary honor or shame. You need to see the future, see the future of our Tokyo Television Station, see the future of our Japan.”
“Hiroshi Nohara is not just a genius. He is the most precious gift this era has bestowed upon our Tokyo Television Station. What we should do is not be jealous of him, not suppress him. Instead, we should embrace him, cultivate him, and help him achieve his potential. Only then can our Tokyo Television Station remain invincible in this torrent of the times.”
All of Takada Toshihide’s gloom and arrogance seemed to vanish at this moment.
He understood what Sakata meant by “the future.”
It wasn’t a simple power transition, but a grand strategy concerning the future fate of the entire Tokyo Television Station, and even the entire nation of Japan!
Sakata had already shown him the direction.
He knew Hiroshi Nohara’s era was unstoppable.
He knew his only choice was to go with the flow, cooperate with Hiroshi Nohara, and together make the pie of Tokyo Television Production Bureau bigger.
This was the wisest decision.
He slowly lowered his head and bowed deeply to Sakata.
“Director… I have learned my lesson.” Takada Toshihide was relieved.
From this moment on, his life’s trajectory would completely change.
He would no longer be the number two figure of the “Tokyo Faction” immersed in factional struggles, but would become a completely new self, striving for the future of the “Greater Tokyo Faction.”
Sakata looked at his complex expression and nodded with a smile: “Very good, Takada, you are indeed my disciple. It’s good that you understand.”
“Yes… Teacher!” Hearing the word ‘disciple’, Takada Toshihide’s thoughts instantly went back twenty to thirty years, to when he was Sakata’s disciple.
But Takada Toshihide didn’t linger. Bowing his head, he bid farewell and turned to leave the Director’s office.
As the door opened and closed.
Inside the office, Sakata was once again alone.
He sat in his seat, watching the weak winter sunlight outside the window being scattered by a sudden cold wind, and the sky gradually darkening.
However, in this approaching twilight, Sakata’s heart was ablaze with a burning fire.
“Yes, Hiroshi-kun,” Sakata murmured to himself, “you really are… too amazing. So amazing that even this old man can’t help but be a supporting player for you.”
His gaze returned to the vast Tokyo Bay outside the window, his eyes as deep as the vast starry sky.
On the sea, a huge oil tanker was slowly sailing into the distance, leaving a long, hopeful wake on the shimmering water.
…
As the heavy door quietly closed behind him, shutting out Sakata’s gaze and the coolness of the winter afternoon, Takada Toshihide’s steps were not as unhurried as before.
He walked down the empty corridor on the seventeenth floor of the Production Bureau, each step extremely slow, as if measuring the length of an era, or bidding farewell to a past that belonged to him.
He reached the end of the corridor downstairs.
The office, which he had pushed open countless times and given orders from behind its door, now appeared exceptionally quiet.
Pushing open the door, Masao Iwata, Soji Ashikaga, Kouta Asano, as well as Takashi Yasui and Ito Chōan, were sitting on sofas in twos and threes, either looking down in silence or staring blankly at the gloomy Tokyo skyline outside the window.
They were like soldiers who had just been defeated on the battlefield, still bearing traces of gunpowder, their faces etched with fatigue and bewilderment.
They had not had a pleasant New Year either.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, the five subconsciously looked up.
When their gaze fell upon Takada Toshihide’s slightly tired, yet unusually calm face, a hint of subtle confusion flickered in their eyes.
They had expected Takada Toshihide to return in a fit of rage, and as usual, vent all the responsibility and failure onto them, his subordinates.
But at this moment, he was as calm as still water.
“Everyone’s here,” Takada Toshihide said.
He walked slowly behind the desk, not sitting down immediately, but calmly scanning the five people with his deep eyes.
Then, he calmly stated:
“The Director just announced a decision to me. From today onwards, our Tokyo Television Station will no longer have the distinction between ‘Tokyo Faction’ and ‘Kanto Faction’.”
A dead silence fell over the room at this announcement.
“No more Tokyo Faction and Kanto Faction!?”
“Is that so!?”
“As expected…”
The five faces were filled with shock, they instinctively looked at each other, their eyes filled with incredulous horror.
Factional struggles were deeply ingrained in them, even part of their survival code.
And now, Takada Toshihide was personally announcing the erasure of factional traces that had existed for years?!
However, the shock did not last long.
They thought for a moment.
Then, a thoughtful understanding appeared on their faces, and a deep, unspoken, “as expected” helplessness buried in their bones.
“What? Aren’t you surprised?” Takada Toshihide looked at their unusually calm reactions with some confusion.
Takashi Yasui gave a wry smile, stubbing out his already extinguished cigarette in the ashtray, his voice laced with self-mockery: “Surprised? Of course we’re not surprised… From the emergence of Super Change Change Change, to the box office myth of Seven Samurai, and then Director Kurosawa admitting he was just that kid’s ‘assistant’… we should have been mentally prepared long ago.”
“Yes,” Ito Chōan also sighed, his eyes filled with complexity. “The talent and vision shown by that young man, Hiroshi Nohara, have long surpassed all our imaginations. Whether it’s animated films, television dramas, variety shows, or movies, he can do them with ease, and every work sparks immense social reaction. He… he truly is a monster.”
“We lost,” Soji Ashikaga’s voice held a hint of unwillingness, yet was filled with helplessness. “We lost completely and convincingly. Facing a monster like him, we… we simply don’t have the will to fight anymore. At least, not at the moment.”
Kouta Asano nodded along, his face etched with fatigue: “He is like lightning cutting through darkness, instantly illuminating our path forward, and also making us old guys see our own narrow-mindedness and foolishness, which have long been eliminated by the times.”
Masao Iwata remained silent, his head bowed, his pale face a mask of complexity.
He remembered Hiroshi Nohara’s composed and confident demeanor on the set of Super Change Change Change.
He more vividly remembered his own work, Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree, which Takada had called “dogshit.”
In contrast, the deep-seated inferiority and helplessness within him surged like a tide, completely overwhelming him.
Masao Iwata had also resigned himself to his fate.
He… was indeed no match for Hiroshi Nohara.
Takada Toshihide looked at the five people’s candid admission and bone-deep helplessness, and all the gloom in his heart vanished at this moment.
He slowly sat down behind the desk and let out a long sigh, as if expelling all the stubbornness and unwillingness from the first half of his life.
“It seems you’ve all come to terms with it. That’s good. It’s much better than being blinded by pointless factional struggles and wasting half your life in a tragic outcome.”
He paused, his tone tinged with self-mockery: “But speaking of which, you guys are really spineless. Giving up so quickly? You didn’t look like this on the set of Super Change Change Change.”
There was a hint of teasing in his words.
Takashi Yasui gave a wry smile, picking up the coffee cup from the table and taking a sip. The bitterness, however, was far less than what he felt in his heart at that moment.
“Deputy Director Takada, please don’t tease us.” Takashi Yasui shook his head helplessly. “Back then, we thought he was just a lucky bumpkin, a speculator who could get by with one or two ideas. But now, he has slapped us ‘insiders’ in the face with one work after another. If we don’t admit defeat, what else can we do? Are we supposed to be crushed so thoroughly by him, like you were, before we give up?”
This statement also carried a hint of sarcasm.
But it was also the honest truth.
Toshihide Takada’s mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
He wanted to retort, but couldn’t utter a single word. Because Yasui Takashi was right; he was indeed the one who had been most crushed by Hiroshi Nohara.
Just then, Soji Ashikaga pulled out a neatly folded fax from his pocket, his face a mask of complex emotions.
“Deputy Director Takada, esteemed directors,” Soji Ashikaga’s voice was a little hoarse, yet filled with helplessness. “This is a fax from our senior, Kenta Tanaka, from Film Report. It’s a review of Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree.”
Toshihide Takada’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly. He knew this fax would be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Soji Ashikaga handed the fax to Toshihide Takada.
Toshihide Takada took the fax, his gaze falling upon the powerful words written on it.
“Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree: A tragedy ruthlessly consumed by the torrent of the times. It is not without merit; placed last year, it might have secured a box office of one billion yen with its excellent production and idol appeal. With full capital investment, it could even have vied for 1.5 billion.”
“However, it was born at the wrong time, unfortunate enough to compete with Seven Samurai. In the face of Seven Samurai’s grand narrative and soul-stirring depth, all its flashiness and superficiality withered like dead leaves. No one was its equal, nor could anyone contend with it.”
“Director Ashikaga, do not be disheartened by this. Even if a prime Akira Kurosawa were to appear, facing the timeless scope of Seven Samurai, he would bow his head in submission and admit defeat.”
“Please persevere and create even better works.”
When Toshihide Takada finished reading the fax, silence fell upon the room once more.
All five faces were etched with a complex mixture of emotions.
They looked at the fax, their eyes holding unwillingness, helplessness, relief, and a bone-deep awe for Hiroshi Nohara’s unfathomable talent.
“It seems that old fellow Kenta Tanaka spoke some truth.”
Toshihide Takada slowly put down the fax, a faint weariness appearing on his face.
He leaned back in his chair, exhaled a long breath, and said with a hint of self-deprecation, “But then again, that fellow Tokugawa Sato’s choice of male and female leads was truly… utter garbage.”
Hearing this, Director Ashikaga and Kouta Asano nodded in agreement, their faces displaying wry smiles of helplessness.
They knew all too well that the “idols” Shunsuke Kamiki and Miyuki Kitagawa, propped up by capital, had nothing beyond their looks and their arrogant demeanor.
“Sigh…” Director Ashikaga sighed deeply. He recalled Shunsuke Kamiki’s imperious attitude on set, and Miyuki Kitagawa’s limited acting skills, her repertoire consisting solely of glaring. All his unwillingness and anger turned into a sigh of resignation.
“Indeed,” Kouta Asano also shook his head, his face a picture of fatigue. “They simply don’t understand what a movie is, what art is. They only know how to use their traffic and their fame to trample on everyone else’s efforts.”
Toshihide Takada looked at the fatigue and helplessness on the four men’s faces, and all the anger in his heart vanished at that moment.
He knew they were innocent; they were also victims.
He turned his gaze to Masao Iwata, who had kept his head down the entire time, like a transparent person.
“Iwata,” Toshihide Takada’s voice was softer than ever. “You’ve worked hard.”
Masao Iwata paused slightly and subconsciously looked up. He had never expected Toshihide Takada to speak to him with such gentleness.
“This… this isn’t entirely my fault!” Masao Iwata’s voice trembled, yet was filled with grievance. “It’s… it’s that fellow Shunsuke Kamiki! He… he doesn’t listen to commands at all! He…”
“I know,” Toshihide Takada waved his hand, interrupting his defense, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “This movie was actually quite well made. Although it doesn’t compare to Seven Samurai, it’s still above average among the films released concurrently. You did very well, Iwata.”
Masao Iwata stood frozen, all expression on his face instantly solidifying.
He didn’t understand why Toshihide Takada was saying these things to him.
“Deputy Director Takada, you… what is this?” Director Ashikaga couldn’t help but ask, his face filled with confusion.
Toshihide Takada simply smiled. He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and calmly gazed out at the vast Tokyo Bay.
“I understand,” Toshihide Takada’s voice was filled with relief, yet also with strength. “I understand the Director’s intentions. I understand… the path that we, Tokyo Television Station, and indeed the entire country, must take in the future.”
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the five men, a hint of warning in his eyes, yet also full of anticipation.
“Iwata, you have talent. Especially in animation production, your vision and creativity are top-notch. If it weren’t for that monster Hiroshi Nohara, I had originally intended to promote you to Second-Class Director.”
As he said this, Masao Iwata’s face immediately turned bright red.
He looked at Toshihide Takada, his eyes wide with disbelief and shock, and a deep, bone-chilling sense of emotion.
He had never imagined Toshihide Takada would affirm him so strongly.
He had never thought that his talent, ignored by everyone else, would be so valued by Toshihide Takada.
“Indeed,” Yasui Takashi also sighed. He looked at Masao Iwata, a bitter smile appearing on his face. “Iwata really has a knack for animation production. If it weren’t for that monster Hiroshi Nohara, that An Shizhi project would have likely been a success thanks to Iwata already.”
“That’s right,” Ito Chōan also nodded. He looked at Masao Iwata, his eyes filled with complexity. “Didn’t the four of us also get crushed by that monster Hiroshi Nohara? Iwata, you don’t need to feel ashamed; you were just born at the wrong time.”
Director Ashikaga and Kouta Asano also nodded, their faces etched with helplessness.
They knew that Masao Iwata was indeed a hidden gem, overshadowed by Hiroshi Nohara’s talent.
Masao Iwata’s eyes immediately welled up.
He looked at Toshihide Takada, Yasui Takashi, Ito Chōan, Director Ashikaga, and Kouta Asano. The understanding and affirmation from his colleagues flowed through his heart like a warm current, instantly soothing the self-doubt and helplessness that had long eroded it.
He knew he was understood.
He was recognized.
“So, Iwata,” Toshihide Takada’s voice rang out again. “From today onwards, you will return to the animation classroom to continue your animation production. I will give you the greatest authority and support. I only hope you remember that your talent should not be buried. Your dreams should not be abandoned.”
“Y-yes, Deputy Director!” Masao Iwata’s voice trembled as he bowed deeply to Toshihide Takada, his posture as humble as a newborn child.
“Very good,” Toshihide Takada nodded with satisfaction. He scanned the five men again, his tone becoming earnest. “You all need to look further ahead. The talent and vision that young Hiroshi Nohara has displayed are enough to change the world. What we should do is not be jealous of him, not suppress him. Instead, we should learn from him, embrace him, and help him succeed.”
“I even believe that if the opportunity arises in the future, we will collaborate with Hiroshi Nohara. You can ask him anything you don’t understand. He will help you.”
This statement shocked all five of them.
They had never imagined Toshihide Takada would encourage them to learn from their former “enemy.”
“Deputy Director Takada, you… you mean this?” Yasui Takashi’s voice trembled as he looked at Toshihide Takada, his eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.
“Are the Tokyo Faction and the Kanto Faction truly going to end here?” Ito Chōan couldn’t help but ask.
Although it was true, everything felt unreal right now!
“Yes, it’s really going to end,” Toshihide Takada sighed deeply. He walked to the window and calmly gazed out at the vast Tokyo Bay.
“Factional disputes are a product of history,” Toshihide Takada’s voice was tinged with a sense of desolation, yet also contained a thoroughly cleansed relief. “Before acquiring Kanto Television Station, we at Tokyo Television Station had no so-called ‘Tokyo Faction.’ It was only in recent years, with the intensification of competition, that this factional strife gradually formed.”
He paused, his tone becoming solemn. “The Director has seen through all of this. He wishes for us at Tokyo Television Station to put aside all internal strife, all prejudice, all selfishness. He wants us to embrace a new era with a brand new stance, as a unified ‘Greater Tokyo Faction’.”
“He wants us to devote all our energy to the creation of works, to the cultivation of talent, and to the future of Tokyo Television Station. He wants us to jointly usher in a new era that belongs to Tokyo Television Station!”
These words struck each person present like a bolt of lightning!
They finally understood what Nobuhiko Sakata meant by “the bigger picture.”
It wasn’t a simple merging of factions, but a grand plan concerning the future destiny of the entire Tokyo Television Station, and indeed, the entire country!
They finally understood that Toshihide Takada’s drastic change was not due to being completely conquered by Hiroshi Nohara’s talent, but by being completely shaken by Nobuhiko Sakata’s far-sighted vision and his unquestionable authority!
They looked at Toshihide Takada’s calm face, and the heart that had been filled with weariness and helplessness now stirred with complex ripples.
They knew an era had ended.
And a brand new era, an era belonging to Hiroshi Nohara, was about to descend with a resounding crash!
The five men exchanged glances.
In each other’s eyes, they saw a sigh.
They slowly stood up and bowed deeply to Toshihide Takada.
“We understand, Deputy Director Takada.”
Their voices were hoarse, yet filled with strength.
“Very good, in the future… please all work hard!” Toshihide Takada looked at their frank admission and relief, and a faint smile finally appeared on his face.
If Hiroshi Nohara truly possessed unparalleled talent and made the cake for Tokyo Television Station larger and larger.
Then, would they not also be able to enjoy the sweetness of the cake?
“That’s just how it is,” Toshihide Takada leaned back in his chair, unable to help a helpless feeling. “But why did that unpolished gem fall into Asumi’s hands? It’s truly… so unfair!”
But as he spoke, Toshihide Takada himself couldn’t help but let out a helpless smile, exhaling a long breath, his mindset now mostly adjusted.
PS: I had the air conditioner on yesterday and feel dizzy today. There will likely be another update. Two updates today, and I’ll go to bed early to make up for it with more updates tomorrow! Thank you!
PS: I had the air conditioning on yesterday and my head is dizzy today. There will likely be another update. Two updates today. I’m going to bed early and will add more tomorrow! Thank you all for your support!
