novelraw Chapter 159: So What If We Drink in the Production Bureau? Excited Asumi!
Chapter 159: So What If We Drink in the Production Bureau? Excited Asumi!
"Hiroshi-kun! You too! Why are you also messing around with him?!" In Asumi's voice, carried a few parts of a senior's reproach towards a junior: "Weren't you quite sensible before? Why now, don't you know to persuade Director Kurosawa a bit? He is getting old, what if his body gets ruined from drinking?!"
"It can't be helped... Deputy Director Asumi, you are wronging me with this."
Nohara Hiroshi rubbed his temples which were somewhat swollen because of alcohol.
Although his voice carried a bit of drunkenness, his logic was still frighteningly clear: "I am... not messing around. We are... celebrating!"
"Celebrating? Celebrating what?" Asumi asked crossly.
"Celebrating..." Nohara Hiroshi deliberately prolonged his tone, under that increasingly nervous gaze, slowly spitting out the final answer.
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"——'Seven Samurai', review, passed."
"..."
Asumi stood blankly on the spot, on that face that was originally written full of helplessness, all expressions solidified in an instant. He looked at that young man, on that face that was always elegant and calm, surfaced an unbelievable shock.
"You... what did you say?!" His voice, became somewhat hoarse because of extreme shock.
"I said..." At the corner of Nohara Hiroshi's mouth, an arc of confidence hooked up, in those eyes that appeared somewhat blurry because of drunkenness, flashed a kind of, absolute light sufficient to convince anyone: "That, planned by me, directed by Director Kurosawa, our Kanto Faction's, desperate counterattack work —— 'Seven Samurai'."
"——It, passed the final review of 'Eirin'. Unrestricted public release. Moreover, Your Excellency Fujiwara, even personally decided, to recommend this work, to next year's Nippon Film Festival."
"Boom——!"
This news exploded in Asumi's mind!
His brain at this moment, was completely submerged by an even purer massive ecstasy!
"Good! Hahahaha! Good!"
After a brief death-like silence, a burst of hearty laughter even more heroic and hearty than Kurosawa Eiji's, without any warning, erupted from the mouth of this number two figure of the Kanto Faction!
He knew too clearly!
He knew too clearly what this "Seven Samurai", meant to their entire Kanto Faction!
That was not just a movie!
That was them, in this protracted war with the Tokyo Faction, blowing, the horn of counterattack!
It was them, announcing to the entire Nippon, announcing to the entire world, their Kanto Faction's, loudest battle song of the king's return!
As long as the review passed, it meant they had already gotten, the ticket to enter that final battlefield full of blood and fire!
Next, all they needed was, to wait for that moment belonging to victory, the final descent!
And he had absolute confidence in this epic masterpiece full of god-level ideas, personally handled by Nohara Hiroshi, personally directed by Kurosawa Eiji!
He believed, when this movie, officially releases in the New Year's Eve slot, what it can set off, will not only be a frenzy at the box office.
Even more, it will be a storm of public opinion, sufficient to thoroughly crush that old fox Takada Toshihide, and his "Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree" full of the stench of money!
Anime, TV dramas, variety shows.
Now movies are also added.
These.
Are all produced by people of their Kanto Faction!
Asumi thinking about it now, the reason why these Kanto Faction members of his were suppressed and marginalized before, was indeed because the Tokyo Faction was full of talents.
Apart from Kurosawa Eiji who could make them look highly upon.
The others.
Fundamentally weren't put in their eyes.
After all in the cold Nippon world, especially the icy workplace, if the other party wants to integrate, then one must display their merits, display their talents, let the other party know they are not trash.
Otherwise no one will accept you into this circle, nor will anyone think you can integrate into their elite circle.
Tokyo people are quite arrogant and xenophobic.
But now.
Everything is completely different!
"Hahaha! Come! Drink! Today, we will not go home until drunk!"
Asumi acted like the most enthusiastic host, pulling out another expensive bottle of sake from the bookcase behind him, filling a cup for himself, also tilting his head and taking a big gulp.
In that posture, where was there still half a bit of a Deputy Director's majesty, clearly it was an excited gambler who finally saw the dawn of victory in a desperate situation!
He looked at those two "meritorious subjects", who were already drunk and swaying, yet still smiling like children, all the seriousness and majesty on his face, melted away at this moment.
He let out a long breath, in that breath, carrying a massive gratification of having successors.
He walked before that massive desk, pressed the internal phone button, towards the microphone, using a tone full of helplessness yet incomparably doting, issuing the final order.
"Hello, it's me. Notify everyone, I have important guests in my office, no one is allowed to disturb."
He paused, looking at the past and future of the Kanto Faction, who had already fallen into a deep sleep on the sofa, a trace of gentleness carrying in his voice.
"Let them... have a good sleep."
Hanging up the phone, he slowly walked before that massive floor-to-ceiling window.
Outside the window, was the gradually sinking twilight, and those brilliant lights being lit up sequentially, like stars falling into the mortal realm.
Asumi looked at all this, that heart which was already full of ambition, at this moment, was even more taut like a fully drawn bowstring.
He knew, this game, was far from over.
What he needed to do, was to pave that final road leading to the ultimate throne, for these two peerless fierce generals who had already conquered half the territory for him.
He picked up another, personal mobile phone exclusive to him, skillfully dialing a, number he had long memorized by heart.
"Hello? It's me, Asumi."
His voice, once again recovered that icy calmness belonging to a decision-maker.
"Yes, regarding that matter I mentioned to you last time, we can launch it."
"Money is not a problem."
"Correct, just that slot. December 24th, Christmas Eve. I want the best cinema lines in all of Tokyo, no, all of Nippon, to be cleared out for me."
"I want that movie named 'Seven Samurai', to descend upon this world, that has long waited for too long, with a posture of ruling over the world!"
...
Late December in Tokyo, the chill of winter was already deep.
The icy drizzle mixed with the cold autumn wind, washing this steel city which was already full of a sense of alienation, increasingly cold and hard.
However, in this season sufficient to make anyone feel a chill in their hearts, that independent kingdom located on the seventeenth floor of TV Tokyo, acted like a never-extinguishing furnace, day after day, outward radiating scorching heat sufficient to melt all ice and snow.
[Nohara Hiroshi · Independent Production Department].
The door of the Manager's office was gently knocked, steady and rhythmic.
"Enter."
Nohara Hiroshi's voice rang out calmly, he didn't even lift his head from that mountain of manuscripts.
Hashishita Ichiro, Yamamoto Takeshi, Tanaka Kei, these three Section Chiefs with real power who now in the entire TV Tokyo, were sufficient to make any Level 2 Director yield three parts to them, at this moment acted like three generals about to report military intelligence to the king, entering in single file with solemn expressions.
They didn't speak immediately, merely standing quietly before the desk, using a gaze full of awe and worship, watching that young man who was currently using the most ordinary pencil, constructing one wonderful world after another like floating clouds and flowing water on that snow-white drawing paper.
That focused posture, that calm bearing, as if he currently wasn't engaging in creation sufficient to affect the joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness of tens of millions of people, but merely leisurely pruning a beloved bonsai in his own backyard.
"You're all here?"
When the final stroke fell, Nohara Hiroshi finally slowly lifted his head, casually placing that just completed storyboard for the newest episode of "Midnight Diner" on the top of the already mountain-like pile of documents at the side.
He leaned on the back of the chair, moving his somewhat stiff neck, those clear eyes sweeping across the three, a gentle smile surfacing on his face.
That majesty belonging to a Manager, however had long unknowingly penetrated deeply into everyone's hearts.
"Sit." He waved his hand, his voice plain: "Give a report, how have the various projects progressed in the recent month?"
"Hai!"
The first to step out was Tanaka Kei.
On that face of his which was already somewhat serious, at this moment was written full of uncontrollable excitement, like a vanguard general who had achieved a decisive victory on the battlefield, eager to claim credit from the commander!
"Manager!" His voice trembled slightly because of excitement: "'Kasou Taishou' Season 2, progressing steadily, viewership ratings——"
He took a deep breath saying:
"——41.2%!"
"Now, the entire Nippon, all media, are using words like 'phenomenal', 'national masterpiece' to describe our program!"
"The Advertising Department over there, is almost being blown up! The exclusive naming rights for the third season, have now been speculated to a sky-high price of eight hundred million! Moreover, there's a market but no supply!"
These words, like a series of heavy bombs, exploded with a boom in the office!
Even Yamamoto Takeshi and Hashishita Ichiro who had long had expectations of their Manager's god-like abilities, upon hearing this number, on those two steady faces, involuntarily surfaced an, undisguised shock!
41.2%!
Eight hundred million!
This is already not producing a program anymore, this is clearly starting a super money-printing machine, sufficient to make the entire country go crazy for it!
"Very good."
However, Nohara Hiroshi merely nodded calmly, that reaction, as if all this, was nothing but a most normal plot progressing step by step according to his already written script.
He cast his gaze towards that Yamamoto Takeshi, who was always sharp and steady like a falcon.
"Section Chief Yamamoto, what about your side?"
"Hai!"
Yamamoto Takeshi also stood up, on that face of his that was always cold and hard like chiseled with a knife and axe, at this moment was also written full of heartfelt admiration.
"Manager, the filming of 'Tales of the Unusual' Season 3, has already officially wrapped up last week, currently entered the post-production editing stage. Expected next month, it can officially meet the audience."
"As for viewership ratings..." He paused, in that voice, carrying a confidence of seeing through the essence: "Although there aren't specific numbers yet, but based on our internal test screening feedback, and the enthusiasm level of the advertisers, the average viewership rating of the third season, will only be higher than the previous two seasons, absolutely will not be lower!"
"Because, that 'Urban Legend Universe' you constructed for us, has already thoroughly, penetrated deeply into people's hearts."
"Now, 'Have you watched tonight's unusual world', has already become the most popular social code among our Nippon young people."
This report full of the breath of life, was more convincing than any cold data.
"Thanks for your hard work." Nohara Hiroshi nodded again, his gaze finally resting on Hashishita Ichiro, who from beginning to end stood with his body ramrod straight like the most loyal soldier.
"Section Chief Hashishita."
"Hai!"
Hashishita Ichiro violently stood up, on that originally honest and simple face, at this moment written full of rejoicing of surviving a disaster and gratitude.
"Manager! 'Yamishibai' Season 5, also already officially started broadcasting last Sunday! Premiere viewership rating, 15.1%! Once again breaking the premiere record for late-night anime!"
"Moreover, according to news from the Overseas Department, the overseas broadcasting rights for the first four seasons of our 'Yamishibai', have already been snapped up by TV stations in over thirty countries and regions! Among them, just the exclusive copyright fee sold to the US, is already... already enough for us to shoot another ten seasons!"
As he spoke, in that voice, carrying a few parts of touched choking: "I... I on behalf of all colleagues in the Animation Section, thank you again! Thank you, especially for giving me, a failure who had long been abandoned by the industry, an opportunity to prove myself again!"
Nohara Hiroshi looked at these three before him, who had been thoroughly won over by him, and now had already become his three most capable generals under his command, finally revealing a satisfied smile on his face.
He knew, the first chess piece he placed, was already stable.
"Everyone is very good." He waved his hand, that posture, like a king inspecting his invincible legion, elegant, yet full of absolute majesty.
"What you have done, is even better than my expectations. But..."
His tone changed, in those clear eyes, flashing a spine-chilling sharpness: "I hope you remember, this little bit of achievement we have obtained now, is far from enough."
"Our journey, is the sea of stars."
This declaration full of chuunibyou flavor, yet incomparably fitting for his current identity, acted like a scalding electric current, instantly striking the softest places in the hearts of the three Section Chiefs!
They looked at this man before them, who although young, but had long possessed an imposing manner like a king sufficient to overlook the entire era. Those three hearts which had long been thoroughly conquered by him, at this moment, ignited a raging fire sufficient to start a prairie fire!
"Hai!"
The three bowed in unison, in that voice, carrying a decisiveness of a scholar dying for a soulmate: "We, will definitely follow your footsteps!"
Nohara Hiroshi nodded in satisfaction, gesturing that they could leave.
When the office door was closed again, that clamor belonging to victory, was also isolated outside, only then did he slowly pick up that black personal phone on the desk.
On the other end of the phone, very quickly transmitted Koyama Misae's energetic voice, warm like a little sun.
"Hello? Hiroshi-kun? Are you done with work?"
"Hmm." Nohara Hiroshi's voice, in an instant shed all majesty, leaving only the purest gentleness towards his lover: "I just finished a meeting here. What about you? My beautiful President, was work today smooth?"
"Aiya, you're making fun of me again!" From the other end of the phone, transmitted Misae's coquettish reproach, but in that tone, hid a completely unsuppressible, pride and confidence belonging to a career woman.
"Let me tell you oh, Hiroshi-kun! You are simply a god!" Her voice trembled slightly because of excitement: "The newest tankoubon volume of 'YuYu Hakusho', just released yesterday, in less than twenty-four hours, the first day sales, have already... have already broken through two million copies! Mr. Tadokoro called me just now, so excited he was about to cry! He said, following this momentum, the total sales of this work of ours, will absolutely steadily break through the twenty million copies mark! This... this is a legendary level of sales sufficient to be recorded in the entire history of Nippon manga ah!"
"And! And that 'Doraemon'!"
She acted like a squirrel offering a treasure, chattering away, reporting her battle results sufficient to make anyone go crazy: "Now, it has already become the 'Bible' for all elementary school students! At the entrance of our Future Comic Club, every day there is a group of little kids, lining up, holding signs, begging us to update faster! Even the Ministry of Education over there, sent people over to contact us, saying... wanting to list 'Doraemon', as the recommended reading list for 'Outstanding Extracurricular Reading for Youth'!"
"As for that 'Midnight Diner' you newly drew..."
She paused, in that voice, carrying a trace of heartfelt admiration that even she herself hadn't noticed: "Hiroshi-kun, I really don't know how to describe it. It... it's like a warm current, in this cold era full of utilitarianism and competition, silently, warming everyone's hearts."
"Now, Cat Rice, has already become the most popular food among our Tokyo urban white-collar workers!"
"Hiroshi-kun..." Her voice, unconsciously, softened a lot, that tone, full of the purest worship towards her lover's god-like talent: "You, have truly changed this world."
"Fool." Nohara Hiroshi chuckled lightly, that heart which was already full of satisfaction, at this moment, was even more thoroughly filled by a massive warm current named "happiness".
He knew, the seeds he sowed, had already started, at a speed exceeding all his imagination, crazily taking root, sprouting.
That massive cultural empire he constructed, sufficient to resist any future storm, had already, taken initial shape.
"Alright, my Madam President." He smiled pulling the topic back on track: "What do you want to eat tonight? I get off work early today, let's go eat that newly opened French teppanyaki in Ginza you've been talking about, how about it?"
"Okay! Okay!" From the other end of the phone, instantly transmitted cheers full of a young girl's vitality.
Hanging up the phone, the smile on Nohara Hiroshi's face became increasingly gentle.
He glanced at that sky outside the window, which had long been dyed golden by the autumn sunlight, following which, dialed another number full of rural flavor again.
The phone rang for a long time, before being picked up.
That end, transmitted eldest brother Nohara Semashi's voice full of honesty and simplicity, in the background, mixed with bursts of energetic dog barks full of vitality.
"Hello? Hiroshi ah? What's wrong? Did something happen in Tokyo over there?"
"Nothing, Eldest Brother." Nohara Hiroshi smiled and shook his head: "Just wanted to ask you, are things at home, all going smoothly?"
"Smoothly! How could it not go smoothly!" Mentioning this, Nohara Semashi's voice, instantly became full of confidence!
"You don't even know ah, Hiroshi! That proposal of yours, is simply divine! That 'Nohara Agricultural Corporation' of ours, is now the star enterprise of our entire Omagari City! The Mayor runs here every day, more diligently than returning to his own home! Saying he wants us, to be the 'Modernized Agricultural Demonstration Base' for their entire Akita Prefecture!"
"We right now, have already bought all the land around that can be bought! A full over one hundred and seventy mu! The organic vegetables produced, don't even need us to go out and find sales channels ourselves, those highest tier grand hotels in Tokyo, send people driving cold chain trucks every day, lining up at our door to snatch them!"
"And that Akita Inu breeding base you mentioned!" His voice became increasingly excited: "We right now, have already built three standardized breeding areas according to your requirements, raised a total of almost over eight hundred purebred Akita Inus! Every single one with shiny coats, as energetic as little tigers!"
(End of Chapter)