Chapter 69: The Shaken Kanto Faction!
In Nakano Ward, inside a women’s single apartment building with mottled wall plaster, where the stairwell always reeked of damp mold.
Xiao Xunhua curled up on the small tatami mat, wrapped in a thin blanket washed to faded white. Her face, which should have been as vibrant as spring flowers, was now shrouded in a cloud called “confusion.”
She stared blankly at the sky outside the window, fragmented by countless wires, feeling like a butterfly trapped in a spiderweb. No matter how she struggled, she couldn’t escape this icy cold and sticky net called “reality.”
This filled her with despair and sadness.
Her name was Xiao Xunhua, a country girl from a seaside town in Chiba Prefecture in the Kanto Region.
She had once been the pride of everyone in the town.
With her beautiful features and solid acting skills honed at art school, she passed rigorous interviews and successfully joined Kanto Television Station as a field reporter. She even landed minor roles in some late-night dramas occasionally, with a bright future ahead.
When Kanto Television Station was acquired by Tokyo Television Station, she was so excited she barely slept that night.
That was Tokyo!
The holy land for all young people chasing stardom!
She thought she finally had a chance to spread her wings under that broader sky.
But reality slapped her with the loudest blow.
The reason was—
Kanto Faction.
Just because of that label, she became a target of exclusion.
All the good roles, all the announcements with screen time, passed her by.
What she could get were always the leftovers others picked over—background extras with barely any lines.
What disgusted her even more were the undisguised hints from certain “Tokyo Faction” minor leaders at the wine table, and their greasy, desire-filled gazes, which made her shudder inside.
“Xiao Xunhua, you have potential, but… you don’t know how, or rather, you don’t know how to seize opportunities.”
“Tonight, a friend of mine is hosting a party in Ginza. All big shots in the industry. Come with me, and I’ll introduce you?”
She escaped time and again with lame excuses like “feeling unwell” or “family emergency.”
In return, she got complete shelving.
She even considered giving up, returning to that insular but warm little town, marrying an ordinary man, raising kids, and living a plain life.
It would actually be pretty good and cozy.
But just as her young heart was about to be completely drowned by despair, her mobile phone vibrated like a lifesaving rice straw, pulling her from the icy cold waters.
It was from a senior sister in the Artist Management Department, also from the Kanto Faction, who had always looked out for her.
“Xiao Xunhua, don’t sleep! Huge good news!”
The voice on the phone carried irrepressible ecstasy: “Teacher Nohara’s S-grade project is casting! Deputy Director Asumi personally ordered priority for our Kanto Faction’s own entertainers! I sent your resume up, and Director Yamamoto personally reviewed it. He wants you to interview tomorrow!”
“Nohara… Teacher?” Xiao Xunhua was somewhat confused. She seemed to recall the name but hadn’t paid much attention.
The sister on the phone immediately got annoyed and reminded her: “The genius who made 《An Shizhi》! Right now, the entire Production Bureau—no, the entire Kanto Faction—is counting on him! This is our only chance to turn things around! You must seize it!”
After hanging up, Xiao Xunhua sat there blankly, her face full of confusion.
She didn’t know what to do.
Because after many failures, after many scrutinizing gazes filled with malice and desire.
Xiao Xunhua didn’t know if she could trust him.
A long time passed.
She slowly raised her hand and clenched her fist.
A hint of determination appeared in those eyes always filled with stubbornness and unwillingness.
She decided to go take a look!
……
The same story was playing out simultaneously in countless such corners in Tokyo.
In Suginami Ward, in the back kitchen of a 24-hour ramen shop.
Fujii Tree served the last steaming bowl of tonkotsu ramen to a customer, then leaned wearily against the wall and lit a cigarette.
Smoke swirled.
He looked down at his hands, slightly swollen from long immersion in hot water, a trace of self-mockery in his eyes.
He had once been a somewhat famous stage play actor in the Kanto Region, known for his delicate yet explosive acting skills.
But in Tokyo, his prized talent was as fragile as paper against the rigid faction barriers.
He couldn’t land any decent roles.
To make ends meet, he could only take endless odd jobs at this ramen shop.
Just as he was nearly worn smooth by the daily oil fumes and fatigue, a phone call struck like thunder, unleashing massive waves in his long-still heart.
It was his benefactor teacher, Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, now the line producer for the Hiroshi Production Team.
“Teacher Yamamoto.” Fujii Tree answered the phone.
“Aki, don’t waste your talent in that damn ramen shop!” The voice on the phone carried long-lost vigor and passion: “Tomorrow, come to me. There’s a role… I think it’s perfect for you!”
……
The next morning, in the office of the 【Hiroshi Nohara Special Production Team】, it was crowded and bustling like the backstage of a small awards ceremony.
Those Kanto Faction entertainers who had been marginalized, forgotten, even humiliated, were now gathered here.
They wore decent clothes, their faces showing nervousness and expectation.
They looked at this brand-new office, at the fellow Kanto Faction seniors animatedly discussing storyboards and scripts, and a warm current called sense of belonging quietly surged in their hearts.
Everyone here was someone they knew or were familiar with.
All their own people!
In the independent room at the far end of the office, Hiroshi Nohara did not join the auditions.
He had delegated all casting authority to Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato.
“You two seniors know these people’s levels better than I do.”
Hiroshi Nohara had said calmly at the time: “I have only one requirement: attitude first, acting skills second. Fame and background are not in my considerations. And as I said, under equal conditions, prioritize our Kanto Faction people.”
These words deepened the already intense gratitude in the hearts of veterans like Tsuyoshi Yamamoto and Kenji Sato.
“Yes! Section Chief Nohara, rest assured!” They bowed their heads and replied solemnly.
Their attitude was extremely serious.
……
Then Hiroshi Nohara immersed himself in his own world.
He needed to finish the manuscript as quickly as possible.
《World of the Strange Season 1》 had a total of 39 episodes. To ensure production success, stabilize ratings, and make a big splash.
He couldn’t slack off!
The pen tip glided across the paper, making a soft rustling like silkworms tirelessly munching mulberry leaves.
He drew fast yet steadily.
The fluid lines, precise compositions, and storyboards full of visual impact seemed not created by him, but already existing in his mind—he just needed to “copy” them out.
Of course, that was exactly the case.
The elites of Neon Tokyo Television Station in his previous life had truly put immense effort into 《World of the Strange》.
Now it made things convenient for Hiroshi Nohara, the plagiarist.
“Ding-ling-ling—”
Just as he was drawing the key frame where the female protagonist first touches the murder weapon, her inner world impacted by that icy malice, the desk phone rang abruptly.
“Hello, this is the Hiroshi Production Team.”
Hiroshi Nohara frowned, somewhat displeased, and picked up the receiver.
He didn’t like interruptions.
“Is that Nohara-kun? This is Eiji Kurosawa.” A slightly hoarse but still vigorous elderly voice came from the phone.
“Hm!?” Hiroshi Nohara’s pen-holding hand froze.
Eiji Kurosawa?
The legend of Kanto Television Station, the first-class director who made 《Samurai》?
Why would he… call him?
Countless thoughts flashed through Hiroshi Nohara’s mind, but his voice remained calmly polite: “Director Kurosawa, hello. Junior Hiroshi Nohara here. What can I do for you?”
“No need for ‘instructions.'”
Eiji Kurosawa on the phone let out a light chuckle with a touch of self-mockery: “This old guy has no right to instruct you young people anymore.”
He paused, his voice turning solemn: “I heard Deputy Director Asumi handed you that S-grade project?”
“Yes, the station did make that arrangement.” Hiroshi Nohara replied.
“Very good, very good.”
Eiji Kurosawa’s voice carried heartfelt approval: “I watched your 《An Shizhi》 and read your proposal. Honestly, this old guy was shocked—not by the ghosts and monsters, but by the ideas in your brain.”
“I’ve filmed samurais my whole life, preached loyalty my whole life. But in the end, this era doesn’t want to hear my outdated stories anymore.”
His voice carried the desolation of a hero in twilight, making Hiroshi Nohara sigh inwardly.
“So…” Eiji Kurosawa took a deep breath, speaking in an almost pleading tone: “Nohara-kun, I… I want to come to your place, to see. See how you young people work. See how those so-called ‘urban legends’ capture hearts.”
“This outdated old man wants… to learn from you.”
If said by anyone else, it might just be politeness.
But from industry titan Eiji Kurosawa, the weight was enough to make any young director tremble in awe.
Of course, it left Hiroshi Nohara somewhat stunned too.
A veteran senior coming to learn from him—this news would shock everyone!
He pursed his lips slightly.
Hiroshi Nohara still replied: “Director Kurosawa, you’re too kind.” His voice was gentle yet firm: “If you come, it would be an honor for our entire production team. You’re coming to guide the work. I’m the one who needs to learn from you.”
“Hahaha, you kid sure know how to talk.” Kurosawa on the phone laughed heartily: “Good! It’s settled! I’ll come by after work this afternoon!”
Hiroshi Nohara replied respectfully: “We welcome your arrival, Senior Kurosawa.”
……
Hiroshi Nohara didn’t deliberately avoid anyone during this call.
So when he hung up, the outer office had fallen into dead silence.
Everyone stood frozen, staring at him like he was a superman who had just crushed an atomic bomb barehanded.
Director Kurosawa… coming here… to learn?
This news had more impact than any ratings myth!
Because Eiji Kurosawa was the spiritual pillar of all “Kanto Faction” television professionals, their flag that stood unyielding despite wind and rain!
And now, this flag was coming personally to their small production team, to a “section chief” younger than all of them…
To seek guidance?
Everyone’s gaze toward Hiroshi Nohara changed.
It was no longer just admiration and trust.
It was… near-worshipful fanaticism!
Even Kenji Sato, the third-class director sent to “coordinate,” was utterly shocked.
Looking at the young man still calmly sitting there, as if he’d just taken an ordinary greeting call, the last of his senior’s dignity shattered completely.
He seemed to think of something, handed the auditions to someone else, and immediately grabbed the 《Terrifying Touch》 storyboard draft from the desk—which he’d pored over countless times—like holding a rare treasure, and hurried out of the office.
He was going to see Deputy Director Asumi.
He had to tell him that their Kanto Faction had perhaps truly unearthed a genius capable of changing the entire era.
……
In Deputy Director Asumi’s office, sunlight streamed in perfectly.
He listened to Kenji Sato’s excited, somewhat incoherent report, then personally examined the storyboard draft from start to finish.
After a long time, he exhaled deeply, the breath carrying irrepressible emotion and gratification.
“Who would have thought even Director Kurosawa was convinced by him.”
Asumi looked at Kenji Sato, his usually refined and steady face breaking into an unprecedented brilliant smile: “This Hiroshi Nohara—his talent has exceeded my imagination. But what’s most terrifying is his unshakable composure.”
“That old guy Suzuki has rendered an immortal service to our Kanto Faction this time.”
Asumi stood and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.
Overlooking the ceaselessly flowing city below, flames of desire burned for the first time in his usually deep, well-like eyes.
Asumi knew that with Hiroshi Nohara as his sharpest sword, the deadlock he’d endured for years in this television station.
Could finally be broken!
