Traveling through the Tokyo bubble era

Chapter 1039 Times Have Changed
On November 25th, Hideki Hanyu stayed at E·T Computer until the afternoon before leaving.

In addition to discussing the development of E·T computers, they also confirmed their intention to meet with Shigeru Miyamoto in person before leaving.

Although Nintendo's headquarters are in Kyoto, a new development center was jointly built in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, in order to cooperate with Sony. Shigeru Miyamoto now works there.

According to the middleman whom Tetsuya Aragaki knew, Shigeru Miyamoto was surprised that Hideki Hanyu wanted to meet him, and after some discussion, they agreed to meet the next day.

Hideki Hanyu instructed his assistant to schedule the meeting after he met with the president of Fujitsu.

After leaving E·T Computer headquarters, Hideki Hanyu did not return to Yorozuya, but went to Uesugi Office headquarters to pick up Hitomi Kuroki, and together they went to Kamiyama-cho in Shibuya Ward to visit their second daughter.

However, focused on her career, Hitomi Kuroki spent the entire journey from leaving the company to returning home explaining the current state of Uesugi's agency to Hideki Hanyu.

Hideki Hanyu heard about this, but he didn't really care.

After all, for him, the Uesugi Office he invested in back then was just a casual piece in his business empire. Knowing that it was developing smoothly, there was no need to pay special attention to it.

The entire Cloud Entertainment has invested in countless small agencies in the Japanese artist management business. With Iijima Michi in charge at the bottom and Hirohashi Asako managing at the top, if he had to worry about each small agency, he would probably be exhausted sooner or later.

Most importantly, for cloud-based entertainment with a comprehensive layout, in most cases, the ecological significance of the Japanese talent agency business outweighs its profit significance.

After all, in another timeline, even the most profitable Johnny & Associates only reported an annual profit of around 10 billion yen.

Of course, this figure is definitely inflated, and with Japan ceasing to publish tax figures, the finances of many firms have become "locked up."

However, judging solely from the apparent revenue, the annual profit of less than one hundred million US dollars seems rather meager.

Yoshimoto Kogyo, which is currently locked in a fierce battle with Uesugi Agency, appears to be the largest talent agency in Japan, but its reported profit last year was only 1.6 billion yen.

This amount of revenue really didn't interest Hideki Hanyu.

Many well-known firms have incredibly fragile financial moats, and for a giant like Cloud Entertainment, they would basically collapse at the slightest touch.

However, even just listening casually, Hideki Hanyu managed to understand the current situation of Uesugi's agency.

After being acquired by the Cloud Group, Uesugi Office gradually developed its own unique characteristics.

Initially, following the arrangements of the Yunshang Group, Uesugi Agency focused on the training and management of hosts, variety show personalities, talk shows, and comedians, and also collaborated with television stations on variety shows.

It was precisely because of this decision that Uesugi Office and Yoshimoto Kogyo, the industry leader, clashed fiercely.

However, after various overt and covert competitions, Yoshimoto Kogyo found that they were unable to shake the Uesugi Office, which was backed by the Unsho Group, and ultimately had no choice but to acquiesce to the existence of the Uesugi Office.

Nowadays, Uesugi Office's business in this area is already showing signs of surpassing Yoshimoto Kogyo.

Yoshimoto Kogyo has been able to hold out until now thanks to its deep-rooted foundation; otherwise, it would have been utterly defeated long ago.

However, Yoshimoto Kogyo's resistance is unlikely to last long given the success of Storm Advertising's rebellion, Hideki Hanyu's acquisition of Fuji Television, and the growing strength of the entire Yunshang Group.

Then, at Hideki Hanyu's suggestion, Uesugi Office established a sports division and began to enter the emerging e-sports and sports industry.

Backed by the giant of Yunshang Entertainment and with access to massive promotional resources, the esports division has made rapid progress and now firmly holds the top position in the industry.

The final business scope of Uesugi Agency was "Dream Agency," which was jointly established by Uesugi Agency and Yunshang Entertainment, based on Hideki Hanyu's idea of ​​creating male idols in the "working class" style. It was promoted by Michi Iijima.

However, the newly established Dream Agency is still in the stage of cultivating artists and the market, and its commercial operation is not yet mature, so it is not worth discussing at the moment.

In the Japanese entertainment industry, Uesugi Office, which has risen to prominence in just a few years and is now able to rival the long-established industry giant Yoshimoto Kogyo, has become a major player among Japanese talent agencies.

Unfortunately, for Hideki Hanyu, this Uesugi agency only achieved so much.

Moreover, like other Japanese agencies, Uesugi Office cannot escape the drawback of having too small a scope.

They always limit their vision to their own little corner of Japan, habitually stay in their comfort zone, and rarely, if ever, consider expanding outwards.

Of course, it's not just Uesugi's agency; even Cloud Entertainment, without Hideki Hanyu's direction, isn't very proactive in expanding externally.

Looking at the history of the Japanese entertainment industry in another era, there are actually very few companies like Sony and Avex Records that have made great strides overseas.

This is why, in the cultivation of the next generation of successors at Cloud Entertainment, Iijima Michi, who was originally favored by everyone, was overtaken by Kobayashi Masatake, the president of Cloud Entertainment (Asia).

Besides ability, an international perspective is the most important thing.

Hitomi Kuroki quickly noticed Hideki Hanyu's feigned seriousness, which was actually a complete lack of concern.

Her proud career held no interest for Hideki Yuzuru, and the woman's mood immediately plummeted uncontrollably.

That evening, after Hideki Yuzuru had put his second daughter to sleep, he went back to his bedroom and began to be intimate with Hitomi Kuroki.

"I can't believe it," Kuroki Hitomi suddenly asked as the boat rocked gently.

"Are you disappointed in me, Yuzuru-kun?"

Hideki Hanyu, who was enjoying himself immensely, was unaware of what had happened and approvingly remarked, "I'm very satisfied with Hitomi-chan."

Hitomi Kuroki stopped. "I had no choice but to work at Uesugi's office."

Upon hearing this, the scumbag immediately realized what had happened.

"Hitomi-chan is already amazing, don't overthink it. I've just been a bit busy lately."

Hitomi Kuroki tentatively asked, "Is it because of that Ms. Naito?"

"It's related to her, but not in the way you think. The news was just something I deliberately created to create hype. My purpose is..."

Hideki Hanyu did not hide anything and revealed his plans to intervene in the Naito family and Itochu Corporation.

Of course, he only expressed his thoughts, without revealing any specific plans or his true purpose for getting involved.

After hearing Hideki Hanyu's explanation, Hitomi Kuroki knew that her career had not disappointed Hideki Hanyu, and she also knew about the relationship between Hideki Hanyu and Haruko Naito. A weight was lifted from her heart.

"Yusuke, I think Yuma is too lonely. She'll be starting kindergarten next year, so let's have another baby for her, a little brother."

Clearly, judging from Hitomi Kuroki's actions of resuming the game with perfect coordination between her waist and horse stance, her words were merely a notification, not a consultation with Hideki Hanyu.

As for Hideki Hanyu's attitude?

Just be happy and that's all.

……

The next day.

While Hitomi Kuroki was still fast asleep, Hideki Hanyu had already gotten up, looking quite energetic.

He was very happy last night, but that good mood vanished shortly after he woke up because he met someone.

The area of ​​Kamiyama-cho is home to many of Japan's upper-class elites.

But in the past, when Hideki Hanyu came, I actually didn't encounter him many times.

However, this morning when Hideki Hanyu was jogging, he happened to run into a guy named Aso, who would later become infamous in Japan.

Hideki Hanyu and the other party had met in public, but they were not exactly acquainted.

Although he had heard from others that this guy was arrogant, willful, conceited, and a big mouth who spoke without thinking, he had never witnessed it firsthand.

But today, the other party showed Hideki Yuzuru what they were made of.

Hideki Hanyu was doing his usual morning run when Aso appeared from the opposite direction.

After recognizing the other person, Hideki Hanyu slowed down before they passed each other, intending to exchange pleasantries.

To Hideki Yuzuru's complete surprise, Aso spoke first.

Instead of greeting him, she inexplicably criticized him in a disgruntled tone.

I don't like your investment in China.

"what?"

Hideki Hanyu looked surprised, even thinking he had misheard.

After all, since his influence in Japan had grown, no one had ever spoken to him in such a condescending tone, as if he were reprimanding a subordinate.

Moreover, they were both respectable people, and given the hypocritical and polite nature of the Japanese, he never expected the other party to be so disregardful of "etiquette".

Despite Hideki Hanyu's surprise, Aso remained arrogant.

"Also, you've been too high-profile lately, I don't like that either."

Hideki Hanyu, who finally came to his senses, looked at Aso as if he were an idiot.

To be honest, Hideki Hanyu wasn't angry at the moment, but rather felt an unbelievable sense of absurdity.

The key issue is that he can't bring himself to engage with the other person, not because he's afraid, but because he feels that if he were to compete with an idiot, he would feel like he's an idiot himself.

However, given the current situation, suppressing his anger is not his style.

So Hideki Hanyu immediately frowned and said...

I don't like it when you talk to me like that.

As he spoke, he pointed to his head and asked with a suspicious look.

"I think you should see a psychiatrist, or maybe you forgot to take your medication this morning?"

However, Aso's thought process was completely beyond Hideki Hanyu's expectations.

Instead of getting angry at being spoken to like that by Hideki Hanyu, the other party continued to lecture Hideki Hanyu with that arrogant and conceited attitude.

"The Aso family has stood strong in Japan for a century. You should feel honored that I'm willing to teach you." *Pfft—*

Aso's words made Hideki Hanyu unable to hold back his laughter.

Then he looked him up and down, his eyes filled with disdain and sarcasm.

"The Aso family? Standing strong for a century?"

"How dare you look down on the Aso family!"

Aso, who had always been arrogant, finally showed his anger.

After all, he has been proud of his family since birth, and it is precisely because of his family's wealth and political legacy that he considers himself a superior person in Japan.

The reason he made those condescending accusations against Hideki Hanyu this morning was not only due to other reasons, but also because of the sense of superiority that his family gave him.

In Aso's view, a nouveau riche like Hideki Hanyu, who lacks any real background, should take the initiative to lower his posture when facing someone from the Aso family.

"What is there about the Aso family that I should look down on?"

Hideki Hanyu first feigned a puzzled expression, then seemed to remember something and exclaimed in realization.

"Could it be that your ancestors bought the surname with money?"

Or is it a way to make money by selling Japanese women for prostitution?

Or is it a glorious history of inhumanity, making money like animals?

"You bastard!"

Aso's expression instantly turned furious after his family's secrets were exposed.

"hehe!"

Hideki Hanyu approached Aso with a cold smile and spoke in an icy tone.

"Compared to your family, I wouldn't dare call myself a bastard; at least the money I earn is clean."

I don't care why you're acting crazy today, but you better understand that I'm not one of those ordinary people you can manipulate.

At this point, Hideki Yuzuru raised his right hand and slapped Aso's livid face twice, then, taking advantage of his height, he mocked him from a truly condescending position.

"Lord Aso, times have changed."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hideki Hanyu walked past Aso, no longer bothering with this inexplicable guy.

……

My morning run was interrupted, and my good mood vanished.

Hideki Hanyu, who originally planned to go directly to Bunkyo Ward to wait for the arrival of the Fujitsu president, made a last-minute decision to go to the headquarters of Cloud Entertainment.

Along the way, he made multiple phone calls, summoning all the media companies under the Cloud Group, as well as the heads of the public relations department, to hold an emergency meeting at headquarters.

He didn't even spare Gang Haoyi, who had been arranged by him to take a leave of absence to hand over his work.

And so, by the time he arrived at Cloud Entertainment, everyone who had received the notification was already gathered in the conference room.

However, the first person to arrive for Hideki Hanyu was Asako Hirohashi outside the conference room.

After all, he had caused such a commotion, Hirohashi Asako's first reaction was that something serious had happened.

"Hanyu-san, what happened?"

Hideki Hanyu didn't hide anything and told Asako Hirohashi everything about Aso's inexplicable provocation during their morning run.

In conclusion, he stated unequivocally.

"I don't care whether Aso made a stupid mistake, was instructed by someone else, or had some other reason. Since he dared to provoke me, he should be prepared to pay the price."

"What are you planning to do?" Hirohashi Asako asked.

Hideki Yuzuru sneered, "Aren't some people afraid of the media power we control? Well, this time I'll prove to them that their fear is justified!"

After saying that, Hideki Hanyu strode into the conference room.

Hirohashi Asako followed closely behind.

The meeting that followed was short, lasting only an hour.

The content of this one-hour meeting was not complicated. It was that Hideki Yuzuru issued a new task to the Cloud Group and all the media he controlled.

The report will provide comprehensive coverage of Aso and delve into the news.

Family documentaries, personal news, and even business operations—no detail is overlooked, from life experiences to words and actions.

Of course, on the surface it's called "news".

But in reality, it involves targeted digging up dirt on people, then massively exposing it, and manipulating negative public opinion.

His subordinates got busy, while Hideki Hanyu, who had made the arrangements, leisurely went to a teahouse in Bunkyo Ward to meet with the president of Fujitsu, whom he had arranged to meet.

After a thorough discussion, Hideki Hanyu and the president of Fujitsu reached a tacit understanding on certain matters, and the meeting ended amicably.

After bidding farewell to the president of Fujitsu, Hideki Hanyu then met with Shigeru Miyamoto, who had come to visit.

Without beating around the bush, Hideki Hanyu stated his position directly.

"The reason I invited you to meet with Miyamoto-san is that I want to invite you to join Elf Entertainment."

The personal invitation from the bigwig Hideki Hanyu made Shigeru Miyamoto feel incredibly flattered.

However, he still tactfully stated, "President Yuzuru, I have no plans to leave Nintendo for the time being."

Hideki Hanyu didn't believe Miyamoto Shigeru's words at all.

If the other party didn't want to leave Nintendo, why would they be involved with Ken Kutaragi of Sony Interactive Entertainment, and why would they accept today's invitation to meet?

But such words are clearly not suitable for being stated explicitly.

Therefore, Hideki Hanyu simply smiled faintly.

"If Miyamoto-san is considering leaving Nintendo, Elf Entertainment is definitely the best choice."

Elf Entertainment is eager to recruit talent and can offer Mr. Miyamoto conditions that Nintendo and Sony cannot provide. We also hope that Mr. Miyamoto will give Elf Entertainment a chance.

Upon hearing this, Miyamoto Shigeru tentatively inquired.

"Everyone in the industry knows about Elf Entertainment's three major studios. If I join Elf Entertainment, could I independently manage one of the studios?"

Hideki Hanyu answered without hesitation, "If Miyamoto-san is willing, Elf Entertainment can establish a new studio around Miyamoto-san, with the same status as the three major studios."

Upon hearing this, a fleeting look of satisfaction crossed Miyamoto Shigeru's face, but he immediately followed up with another question.

"Would Elf Entertainment be willing to entrust me with the production and development of their existing sequels?"

Hideki Hanyu countered, "Which of Elf Entertainment's games are you interested in, Miyamoto-san?"

Seeing that Hideki Hanyu didn't refuse, Shigeru Miyamoto went all out and asked, "What if I want the Mario series?"

Upon hearing this, Hideki Yuzuru thought to himself, "Isn't this exactly what I wanted?"

He immediately replied, "No problem. As long as Miyamoto-san is willing to join Elf Entertainment, in addition to Mario, I can also entrust you with the Zelda series."

Upon hearing Hideki Hanyu's words, Shigeru Miyamoto was completely dumbfounded.

He was just making things up, but Hideki Hanyu not only agreed immediately, but even offered a "buy one get one free" deal.

Everyone in the industry knows that the Mario series is Elf Entertainment's most profitable product, in addition to the equally successful Zelda series.

Miyamoto Shigeru felt that this was no longer a matter of whether the sincerity was sufficient or not, but rather that a pie had fallen from the sky and landed directly on his head.

Surprised, Shigeru Miyamoto even felt a sense of unreality.

He immediately said, looking slightly flustered.

"President Yuzuru, thank you very much for your trust in me, but your invitation is a major decision in my life. Please give me some time to consider it."

"Of course, if you've made up your mind, you can have your friend contact President Iwata directly."

After finishing his statement, Hideki Yuzuru solemnly added, "Please rest assured, Miyamoto-san, Elf Entertainment will definitely fulfill any promises I make."

Shigeru Miyamoto stated, "I have faith in Chairman Hanyu."

Shigeru Miyamoto's trust was exactly the effect Hideki Hanyu wanted, and it was also the reason why he personally met with Shigeru Miyamoto.

If it were Iwata Satoru, he would inevitably have to negotiate with Miyamoto Shigeru for certain conditions, and wouldn't be able to make certain decisions as directly as he did.

Given his limited time and the lack of incentive to waste time poaching Shigeru Miyamoto, he opted to go all in on the main requirements at once, leaving the decision to Miyamoto.

As for other details about joining the company, such as compensation and profit sharing, there's no need for Hideki Hanyu to discuss those personally.

After Miyamoto Shigeru, who was interested, took his leave, Hideki Hanyu immediately called Iwata Satoshi to inform him of the poaching attempt.

However, when he finished the call and was about to leave the teahouse, Ishihara Chie reported to him.

"Mr. Yuzuru, when you just called, Mr. Murayama contacted you and said he was on his way."

(End of this chapter)