novelraw Chapter 14: Factional Struggle
Chapter 14: Factional Struggle
Meanwhile, in another spacious and bright office in the TV Tokyo building, Iwata Masao was hanging up the phone with a face full of smiles.
"I knew it, how could it not pass!?"
He excitedly slapped the table, causing the expensive solid wood desk to emit a muffled thud. The several lackeys behind him immediately crowded around, and flattering sounds of congratulations endlessly entered his ears.
"Congratulations, Section Chief! 'Onibo Samurai' will definitely achieve massive success!"
"That's right, how could a project personally looked after by Deputy Bureau Chief Takada not pass!"
Iwata Masao leaned back complacently in his genuine leather executive chair, enjoying the extolment of his subordinates.
It was as if he could already see the scene where the viewership ratings exploded after "Onibo Samurai" aired, leading to his promotion to Level 2 Director and being able to summon wind and rain within the station.
After thinking for a moment, he signaled for all these lackeys to leave.
Then, he picked up the phone and skillfully dialed a number.
"Hello? Deputy Bureau Chief Takada, it's me, Masao." His voice instantly became humble and respectful, carrying just the right amount of gratitude. "I just received the notice. The audit for 'Onibo Samurai' has passed! Thank you so much for your promotion and care! Tonight, I'll arrange something over in Ginza. We definitely have to sit down and have a good time together!"From the other end of the phone came the steady voice of a middle-aged man. It was precisely the Executive Deputy Bureau Chief of TV Tokyo's Production Bureau, Takada Toshihide.
"Mm, it's good that it passed. This is what you deserve," Takada Toshihide's voice betrayed no emotion. "However, there is another matter I need to tell you about."
"Please instruct me!" Iwata Masao immediately sat up straight.
"That 'Yamishibai' of Suzuki Kiyoto's... also passed."
"What?" Iwata Masao's smile froze on his face. He almost thought he had misheard. "That piece of garbage... also passed? Is that woman Takeshita Ai blind?"
"Watch your wording." Takada Toshihide's voice grew a few degrees colder. "However, I was also very surprised. How about it, do you have confidence? Don't end up being outdone by an obscure little production when the time comes."
"Hahaha, how is that possible!"
Iwata Masao laughed exaggeratedly as if he had heard the world's biggest joke. "Deputy Bureau Chief, you don't know this, but I've already investigated it thoroughly! That animation of Suzuki's group can't even be called an animation! It's just a few pieces of scrap paper, flipping back and forth like a slideshow. I heard the coloring is blurry and it's incredibly crude! For that kind of thing to even pass the audit, I feel it's a disgrace to the television station! How can it compare to my 'Onibo Samurai' with an investment of two million dollars per episode? Is it even worthy?"
Iwata Masao's tone was filled with disdain and contempt.
In his view, the fact that 'Yamishibai' could pass the audit was a miracle in itself. Perhaps Takeshita Ai wanted to sell that old stubborn man Suzuki a favor. But in terms of true market competitiveness, that thing wasn't even fit to carry shoes for 'Onibo Samurai'.
However, Takada Toshihide on the other end of the phone did not laugh.
He remained silent for a moment before saying in a grave tone, "Masao, do not let your guard down. This matter might not be that simple."
Iwata Masao's laughter came to an abrupt halt. He put away his frivolous expression and listened seriously.
"I know this person Takeshita Ai. Her judgment is shrewd, and she never easily does things without meaning," Takada Toshihide said slowly. "I just checked. She and another Deputy Bureau Chief, Asumi, were university classmates."
"Deputy Bureau Chief Asumi?" Iwata Masao's brow furrowed.
Asumi was another powerful figure in the television station who had never been in the same faction as Takada Toshihide. The two often engaged in open and secret struggles over many projects.
"Moreover, Suzuki Kiyoto, as well as that Asumi, are both senior staff members who were promoted from Kanto TV back when the station acquired it," Takada Toshihide's voice grew increasingly profound. "I suspect they might be trying to join forces to touch the cake that is the late-night horror project slot."
Takada Toshihide's words were like a bolt of lightning splitting apart the fog in Iwata Masao's mind.
He pursed his lips, feeling that he understood.
This was no longer a simple project competition; behind this lay the wrestling of factions among the television station's upper echelons. The approval of "Yamishibai" was very likely a chess piece used by the Asumi faction to check and balance Deputy Bureau Chief Takada!
"Your goal is to be promoted to Level 2 Director, and then to secure that S-tier live-action horror project in the latter half of the year," Takada Toshihide's voice carried a hint of warning. "That is the top priority. You cannot be tripped up by an inconspicuous stone at this critical juncture, do you understand?"
"Yes! I understand, Deputy Bureau Chief!" A layer of cold sweat seeped out onto Iwata Masao's back.
Hanging up the phone, the smug look on Iwata Masao's face was completely gone, replaced by a dark gloominess.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Takada Toshihide put down the phone, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.
Asumi and Suzuki Kiyoto...
He narrowed his eyes, a glint of ruthlessness flashing within them.
Because if he remembered correctly, before coming to serve as Deputy Bureau Chief of the Production Bureau at the TV Tokyo headquarters, Asumi had been the Deputy Bureau Chief of the Production Bureau at the acquired Kanto TV.
Suzuki Kiyoto was also a Level 3 Director at Kanto TV, and moreover, he was highly appreciated by Deputy Bureau Chief Asumi.
He was also single-handedly promoted to the TV Tokyo Production Bureau by Asumi.
"So, having been quiet all these years, they finally couldn't hold back anymore?" Takada Toshihide's eyes narrowed slightly. Then, he picked up the other internal phone on his desk and dialed directly to Yamamoto of the Broadcasting Department.
"Yamamoto? It's Takada."
"Deputy Bureau Chief Takada, hello!"
"The Audit Department just passed an animation called 'Yamishibai', you know about this, right?"
"Yes, I just received the notice."
"Very good." The corners of Takada Toshihide's lips curled into a cold sneer. "If I remember correctly, the station will be abandoning a late-night/early morning horror slot next Monday, correct? Clear out a spot for me and schedule Suzuki Kiyoto's program project in it!"
Yamamoto on the other end of the line was stunned for a moment. "Next Monday? But Deputy Bureau Chief, that's so rushed..."
"It is precisely because it's rushed that we can test the true quality of a program." Takada Toshihide's tone left no room for interference. "Just schedule it for Monday morning at 12:20 AM."
"But..." Yamamoto's tone even trembled a bit.
But then, before he could say anything else, Takada Toshihide directly cut off his words: "There are no buts. Remember this, Yamamoto. Last time, it was me who put in a good word for you in front of the Bureau Chief. If it weren't for me, do you think you would still be the Chief of the Broadcasting Department right now?!"
"...Yes, Deputy Bureau Chief Takada. I have always remembered your kindness; I understand." Yamamoto slowly assented.
At this time, Takada Toshihide didn't say anything else. He let out a light "hmm" from his nose and hung up the phone.
Then, he leaned back in his genuine leather executive chair, a mocking smile appearing on his face.
He wanted to make Suzuki Kiyoto and his "Yamishibai" debut at the worst possible time and in the most wretched state, and then use viewership ratings that were low enough to hit the dust to completely nail them to the pillar of shame!
And to tell everyone:
TV Tokyo belonged to them—the people of TV Tokyo's headquarters, their own station!
It had little to do with those defeated subordinates from Kanto TV who had been taken in after the acquisition!