Chapter 67: Burning Ambition! Masao Iwata Arrogant Once More!
Hiroshi Nohara could tell that these marginalized Kanto Faction backbone members were burning with ambition to make a name for themselves.
Like sharp blades hidden in sheaths for years, thirsting to be unsheathed and drink blood, and Hiroshi Nohara was the one handing them the whetstone and pointing out the enemy as he held the sword.
They had also heard about Hiroshi Nohara’s talent.
And.
They were willing to serve under him!
“Section Chief Nohara, this is Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, the best line producer in our group. When he was at Kanto Stage, the morning dramas he was in charge of had ratings that were number one in their time slot for three years straight.” Kenji Sato began introducing him, pointing to a man of medium height but with eyes sharp as a hawk.
Tsuyoshi Yamamoto nodded slightly, without extra politeness, and said in a deep voice: “Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, please give me your guidance.” His voice was hoarse, as if he hadn’t spoken freely in a long time.
Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, then he nodded: “Director Yamamoto, pleased to meet you.”
“This is Kai Matsushita, the best director of photography, an artist who plays with light and shadow.” Sato pointed to another man with unruly long hair and a somewhat decadent air.
“And this is Nagisa Oshima, the best art director, most skilled at building the most textured scenes with the smallest budget.”
“This is Ryosuke Kudo, our best screenwriter. Though he’s just a third-class screenwriter, his scripts are no worse than those of first-class screenwriters…”
With every person Kenji Sato introduced, Hiroshi Nohara stepped forward, made serious eye contact, and personally reached out to thank them.
He didn’t say much in the way of politeness.
But the respect beneath that calm warmed the hearts of these veterans who had been marginalized by Tokyo Television Station for so long.
They were used to the arrogance of the young juniors from the Tokyo Faction and fed up with the stale rules of seniority.
A young person like Hiroshi Nohara, who held an S-level proposal and had works to prove himself, yet still showed respect to them, these “defeated generals,” was something they were seeing for the first time.
When the last person was introduced.
Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze swept over this team that looked a bit down-and-out but still had strong bones. He turned to the whiteboard, picked up the eraser, and decisively wiped away all the position requirements filling the board.
This action stunned everyone.
“Senior colleagues.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice rang out clearly and powerfully in the quiet office: “Positions and titles are just for convenient management. Here with me, there’s only one standard—ability.”
He paused, picked up a pen, and wrote seven large characters in the center of the whiteboard.
《World of the Strange》.
“This is our project’s name,” he said, then wrote a line of smaller text below—”Season 1, Episode 1, 《Terrifying Touch》.”
The office was silent, all eyes focused on those words, filled with curiosity and inquiry.
Hiroshi Nohara turned to the screenwriter named Ryosuke Kudo, a middle-aged man wearing thick glasses and looking somewhat dull: “Mr. Kudo, the story for the first episode is simple. An ordinary woman in the city gains the superpower to sense others’ inner thoughts by touching their belongings.”
“Hm? Superpower?” A glint flashed behind Ryosuke Kudo’s lenses.
In today’s Neon, superpowers were still quite novel.
Hearing Hiroshi Nohara start with such a big move, he instinctively pushed up his glasses, lips moving slightly, as if already envisioning scenes in his mind.
“I need you, Mr. Kudo.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice carried an unquestionable trust: “Expand this core creativity into a complete, coherent script full of suspense and twists. The characters’ dialogue, emotional progression, rhythm control—all in your hands.”
With that, Hiroshi Nohara handed him the proposal document.
Ryosuke Kudo took it and flipped through a few pages.
Then his eyes filled with shock.
This story was too brilliant!
He had been a screenwriter at Kanto Television Station for over ten years and several more at Tokyo Television Station, having seen countless scripts and initial proposal documents.
But now, Ryosuke Kudo looked up at Hiroshi Nohara, his eyes full of disbelief.
Because this story was truly too novel and unique!
“I’ll also give you suggestions for the corresponding story details. I think it’s no problem for you, Mr. Kudo, right?” Hiroshi Nohara smiled at him.
“I… I understand!” Ryosuke Kudo nodded vigorously, the previously dull eyes reigniting with the flame of creative desire: “I’ll do my utmost to make the story even more perfect!”
“Very good.” Hiroshi Nohara nodded in satisfaction.
Though he already had specific dialogue and plot, those were from his previous life’s Neon settings, which had slight differences from this world’s Neon.
Especially for live-action drama filming.
It required even more care.
So having this veteran screenwriter oversee it was a great help to Hiroshi Nohara.
“Everyone else.”
Then Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze turned to Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Fujiwara Takumi, and the others, speaking deeply again: “While we wait for the script these next few days, I have one more thing that needs everyone’s cooperation.”
He pulled over his chair, sat down, and took out several stacks of fresh manuscript paper and a full box of pencils from the drawer.
“I’ll draw the entire storyline for all of 《World of the Strange》 Season 1 as manga storyboards.”
After these words, everyone was surprised.
“What?!”
“All of it as manga storyboards?!”
“You kid…”
“Is this really doable?!”
Astonishment first appeared in Tsuyoshi Yamamoto’s sharp eyes, Fujiwara Takumi instinctively straightened up, and even the ever-mildly smiling Kenji Sato had his smile freeze.
A section chief, the overall person in charge of an S-level project, personally drawing storyboards? And manga storyboards at that?
This was unheard of in the entire industry!
Directors drawing storyboards wasn’t strange, but those were filming sketches based on existing scripts.
And what Hiroshi Nohara meant was clearly to use manga form to set the visual style, cinematic language, rhythm, and atmosphere of the entire story before the script was even done!
This was beyond a director’s scope—it was almost like one person doing the work of original work author, screenwriter, director, and storyboard artist!
“This way, everyone’s work will have the most direct, unified reference.”
Hiroshi Nohara’s voice remained calm, as if stating something trivial: “Director Yamamoto handles scheduling, Mr. Fujiwara handles the camera, Mr. Oshima handles art—everyone can work from the same ‘blueprint’ to minimize communication costs and comprehension gaps.”
He looked up at this group of “veterans” shocked beyond words by his decision, a confident arc curving his lips.
“Everyone, welcome to my way of working.”
At this moment, the office had not a sound.
These middle-aged men looked at the young person before them, the gloom, loneliness, and unwillingness in their eyes fading bit by bit, replaced by an ignited excitement and fanaticism.
They realized they weren’t following some lucky guy who rose through factional struggle.
But a true, once-in-a-century genius!
A monster with absolute control and execution power!
After assigning the core tasks, Hiroshi Nohara’s gaze fell on the three young people in the office corner who hadn’t been able to get a word in from start to finish and seemed at a loss.
Hoshi Minamimura, Roji Hase, and Yō Kitagawa.
Watching these powerful seniors and Section Chief Nohara strategizing, their hearts were both excited and filled with inferiority.
Hiroshi Nohara stood up, walked to them, his serious expression turning into a gentle smile.
“You three, your next tasks are also very important,” he said to them. “All the film crew’s logistics—food, lodging, travel, budget reimbursements, venue contacts—all handled by you. It’ll be tedious and grueling, but it’s also the best place to train your coordination and communication skills.”
He reached out and patted Hoshi Minamimura and Roji Hase on the shoulders respectively.
“More importantly, follow these seniors closely, watch well, learn well. Every one of them is a living textbook.”
Finally, his gaze became especially serious, his voice deepening.
“Remember, no matter how big our team grows or how many newcomers join, you three will always be the ones who came out of Suzuki’s Classroom with me.”
These words were like a warm current, instantly hitting the softest spot in their hearts.
All the inferiority, unease, and fear of marginalization vanished in this moment.
They looked up at Hiroshi Nohara, their eyes instantly reddening.
“Yes! Section Chief!”
The three bowed in unison, voices choked but filled with unprecedented determination.
They understood—the section chief hadn’t forgotten them.
They weren’t abandoned old subordinates, but the core foundation of this new team!
However, just as this emotion and hot-bloodedness quietly spread in Suzuki’s Classroom office, an ear-piercing, unabashed burst of laughter erupted from the nearby Iwata’s Classroom, piercing through the wall, sounding especially jarring.
……
In stark contrast to the tense and orderly atmosphere in Suzuki’s Classroom, Iwata’s Classroom was currently immersed in a hypocritical revelry.
“Hahahaha! Hashishita-kun, you’re truly the great hero of Iwata’s Classroom!”
Masao Iwata was beaming, one arm enthusiastically around Ichiro Hashishita’s shoulders, the other pointing at him as he loudly announced to the room full of subordinates: “Starting today, Hashishita-kun is our classroom’s deputy section chief! In charge specifically of our highly anticipated ace project—《An Shizhi》 Season 3 production!”
“Oh oh oh!”
“Congratulations, Deputy Section Chief Hashishita!”
“As expected of Senior Hashishita, abandoning the dark for the light—boundless future!”
The pack of sycophants under Masao Iwata immediately erupted in thunderous applause and flattery.
They surrounded Ichiro Hashishita, showering him with praise like it was free.
Ichiro Hashishita’s face was flushed red.
Half from excitement, half from embarrassment.
His personality was honest by nature—when had he ever enjoyed such star treatment?
In Suzuki’s Classroom, though he was a senior.
Everyone’s attention was on Hiroshi Nohara.
He was like a planet orbiting the sun, never shining on his own.
But now, in Iwata’s Classroom, he had become the center, the hero!
This immense satisfaction made him a bit lightheaded.
The slight guilt from his betrayal was washed away clean in this wave of praise.
“No no… this is just what I should do.” Ichiro Hashishita waved his hands in a daze, feeling amid the crowd’s surrounding that his life had reached its peak.
“Deputy Section Chief Hashishita, no need for modesty!” A quick-witted subordinate immediately handed him a cup of hot tea: “I hear you brought over all the secrets to 《An Shizhi》’s success? Give us a peek!”
“Yeah yeah! We’re dying of curiosity—how did that Hiroshi Nohara come up with such a brilliant idea?”
Driven by massive vanity, Ichiro Hashishita puffed out his chest, proudly pulling from his briefcase several notebooks he had organized for a long time and treasured.
“Hmph, that kid has lots of ideas, but I’ve followed him so long, I’ve figured out all his tricks!” he said loudly, slapping the notebooks on the table: “The key points to 《An Shizhi》’s success are all in here! As long as we follow this, Season 3 will absolutely achieve glory again!”
The crowd immediately gathered, eagerly flipping through the notebooks.
“Hiss— so that’s it! Every episode’s story comes from a widely circulated urban legend!”
“This storyboard handling deliberately imitates the pull sensation of ‘kamishibai,’ that’s why it’s so distinctive!”
“And this music! Using dissonance to create terror… My god, the one who thought of this is a genius!”
Gasps of amazement rose one after another.
However, as he listened, Ichiro Hashishita’s face gradually darkened.
Because though everyone was looking at his notebooks, their exclamations were all about “Hiroshi Nohara’s ingenious ideas,” “Nohara-kun’s talent,” “how that young person’s brain is structured differently from ours.”
Not one praised him, Ichiro Hashishita.
He was like a jester presenting treasure, laboriously offering it up, only for everyone to praise how masterful the original owner was.
A surge of humiliation and unwillingness welled up, turning Ichiro Hashishita’s face liver-red.
“Cough!” He coughed heavily, interrupting the discussion, neck stiff as he said: “Hiroshi Nohara is impressive, but… but I’ve already learned all the essence! I’ve completely mastered his whole approach!”
He completely failed to notice that as he flushed and defended himself, Masao Iwata and a few core subordinates exchanged gleeful looks through the crowd.
Like seasoned old hunters watching a self-smart prey step into their carefully laid trap.
A flicker of barely perceptible contempt flashed in Masao Iwata’s eyes, quickly replaced by a sincere, talent-seeking expression.
He signaled with his eyes, and the sycophants around immediately got it.
“Exactly! We believe in Deputy Section Chief Hashishita’s ability!”
“Deputy Section Chief Hashishita organizing all this is merit enough!”
“Right! No matter how great Hiroshi Nohara is, hasn’t he gone off to shoot some live-action drama now? 《An Shizhi》’s future depends on our Deputy Section Chief Hashishita!”
This new round of flattery restored some of Ichiro Hashishita’s confidence.
Seeing the timing ripe, Masao Iwata spoke unhurriedly, his voice carrying a magical allure: “Hashishita-kun, since you’ve mastered the essence, why don’t you tell us. What was the most critical point that made the first two seasons so successful?”
This question hit Ichiro Hashishita right where he wanted.
Eager to prove himself, he immediately answered: “‘Urban legends’! The core is urban legends! Audiences have a natural sense of immersion with these familiar, locally circulating horror stories! That’s the foundation of 《An Shizhi》’s success!”
“Well said!” Masao Iwata slapped his thigh, full of approval: “Then in your view, how should we do our Season 3?”
“Of course, strictly follow the style of Seasons 1 and 2!” Ichiro Hashishita said without thinking: “We don’t need any innovation—just keep mining those classic urban legends, present them in the original style and techniques, and it’ll definitely succeed! That’s the safest and most correct path!”
These words naturally aligned perfectly with Masao Iwata’s thinking.
What he wanted wasn’t surpassing, but copying.
He needed the success of 《An Shizhi》 Season 3 to prove that he, Masao Iwata, knew better than Hiroshi Nohara how to operate a mature IP, to solidify his status in the production bureau.
As for innovation?
That was the risk for hot-headed rookies like Hiroshi Nohara.
“Good! Excellent!”
Masao Iwata suddenly stood, raising his arm, announcing in a highly provocative tone: “Starting now, 《An Shizhi》 Season 3 production officially begins! Everyone follows Deputy Section Chief Hashishita’s command! We have only one goal—”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
“Launch on time in the July summer slot! Use ratings to tell everyone who the true ace of Tokyo Television Station is!”
“Oh!!!”
The entire Iwata’s Classroom erupted in deafening cheers again.
Amid the fanaticism atmosphere, Masao Iwata’s lips curved into an icy cold smile.
His gaze pierced through the wall, as if seeing the figure of the young person next door buried in hard work.
S-level proposal…
Just thinking of this smooth path that should have promoted him to second-class director becoming Hiroshi Nohara’s stairway to heaven made jealousy and anger burn uncontrollably in his heart.
But so what?
Masao Iwata thought with a cold laugh.
Your concepts are impressive, Hiroshi Nohara, but can a guy who does animation handle live-action drama?
Budget management, actor communication, on-site scheduling, post-production… the waters run deep!
If an animated film fails, the loss is just production cost.
If an S-level live-action drama fails, the astronomical sum sunk would doom any producer forever!
Moreover, the sub-golden slot war was never just internal play at Tokyo Television Station.
It was said Osaka Television Station and Kansai Television Station had invested heavily this year, ready for a big summer slot battle.
They prepared exquisitely produced programs for both prime time and sub-golden slots.
That was the true slaughterhouse!
A newbie like Hiroshi Nohara thinking he could carve a path in this bloody sea by relying on the Kanto Faction?
Pure pipe dream!
Masao Iwata’s mind recalled Director Toshihide Takada’s meaningful instruction to him.
“Iwata-kun, don’t rush. The station manager’s intent is clear—this is a ‘open scheme.’ Let that Kanto Faction kid charge ahead. If he succeeds, it’s the station leadership’s wisdom; if he fails, it’s a chance to strike the whole Kanto Faction, make them understand who calls the shots at Tokyo Television Station. What you need to do now is hold steady on 《An Shizhi》’s fan base, then… just sit back and watch the show.”
Watch the show.
Right, he just needed to set up his stool, brew hot tea, and quietly watch that arrogant kid step toward the abyss, ultimately smashed to pieces by reality’s giant waves.
By then, the Kanto Faction backing him would completely lose power.
To survive in the television station, they’d have to lower their proud heads and join the Tokyo Faction camp.
Thinking of this, Masao Iwata’s smile grew more smug and cruel.
Especially since such an important project and IP like 《An Shizhi》 was now in his hands.
Even if his own 《Oni-bō Samurai》 had failed before.
So what?
Wasn’t he now, wearing the wedding dress sewn by his enemy, ready to embrace an even better life!?
Masao Iwata’s laughter grew more arrogant, as if back to his once arrogant self.
