Traveling through the Tokyo bubble era

Chapter 956 seems to be really different.
Inside the bustling banquet hall, Hideki Yuzuru, having finished entertaining everyone, sat in a corner, his gaze thoughtfully scrutinizing the crowd.

Suddenly, Hirohashi Asako walked to the side and asked softly.

"What happened to Hanyu-san in America? Why does he seem a bit off since he came back?"

"Perhaps I'm a bit tired from too many social engagements," Hideki Hanyu replied.

Hirohashi Asako was somewhat surprised. "In my memory, Yuzuru-san is always full of energy."

"I'm not a robot."

Hideki Yuzuru replied with a wry smile, but his gaze was fixed on a few people in the banquet hall as he asked, "Why are people from the academy attending today's victory celebration?"

The academy that Hideki Hanyu mentioned is not a university college, but the Japan Film Academy, the organization responsible for awarding the Japan Film Academy Award.

Asako Hirohashi explained, "Because of the Dentsu scandal, the Academy is considering terminating its partnership with Dentsu in the Academy Awards and instead partnering with Storm Advertising."

"Heh, what a bunch of opportunists who kick someone when they're down."

Hearing Hideki Hanyu's words, Asako Hirohashi nodded and said, "That's true, but it's a good thing for us, isn't it?"

Hideki Hanyu dismissed it, saying, "It's just icing on the cake."

When Cloudwise was just starting out, it was with Dentsu's help that it became a member of the Japan Film Academy's Fan Cake Appreciation Cake.

But now, even without Dentsu's support, the Cloud platform is strong enough to sit at the table and share the pie.

After all, the Crescent Cinema alone gave the Cloud Group the power to gain a significant share of the market, not to mention that it now holds multiple trump cards.

Of course, looking back, if we only consider Dentsu's help to the Cloud Group, the fact that the Cloud Group pushed Storm Advertising to defect to Dentsu can indeed be considered a betrayal, and it is enough to be called "disloyal and treacherous".

But Hideki Hanyu, who pushed this forward, does not regret it.

If Cloud Entertainment wants to reach new heights in Japan, gain greater influence, and have more say, it must become the strongest.

Anyone who stands in the way of the Cloud System's progress will only be an enemy of the Cloud System.

Asako Hirohashi said, "Actually, it's not just the academy; many other organizations sponsored by Dentsu are now in talks with Storm Advertising for collaborations, and Yoshioka-san has been dealing with this matter recently."

"Don't hesitate, accept it all. Since we are going to take Dentsu's place, we must also assume Dentsu's responsibilities."

Hideki Hanyu knew very well that Dentsu in Japan was by no means a simple advertising company.

After all, how could an advertising company possibly organize the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and then be involved in a corruption scandal that shocked the world?

It's possible that Storm Advertising will one day host the Olympic Games opening ceremony and follow the same path as Dentsu.

Therefore, whether it is an individual or a company, once it reaches a certain level, it is destined to undergo changes.

Realizing this, Hideki Yuzuru suddenly felt that since he had exerted all his strength and racked his brains to reach his current height, why should he choose to retreat because of a slight hesitation in his heart?

Since things have already changed, there's no need to feel lost or hesitant.

Once he makes up his mind, he will never regret it!
The moment the confusion in his heart was dispelled, Hideki Hanyu's eyes, which had been slightly tired and bewildered, regained their firmness.

Seeing this, Hirohashi Asako, who was standing nearby, let out a soft exclamation.

Although she didn't know what had happened to Hideki Hanyu, she could keenly sense that her friend in front of her seemed to be different from before.

"Hanyu-san?" Hirohashi Asako asked with concern.

"I'm very good."

As Hideki Hanyu spoke, he gave Asako Hirohashi a reassuring smile.

Just then, Hideki Hanyu saw an elderly figure enter the banquet hall.

It was none other than Mr. Murayama, who had retired from Dentsu.

Helping the old man in was Yumiko Murayama, whom I hadn't seen in a long time.

"An old friend has come to visit, I'll go and greet him."

After speaking to Hirohashi Asako, Hideki Habu went to greet the old man Murayama.

Although the old man has retired, his personal influence remains, and the power of his family at the top should not be underestimated.

The other party's eldest son is a member of parliament, his wife comes from the Aso family, his third daughter is married into the Fuji Group, and his youngest son is an important partner of Hideki Hanyu's influence in Tochigi Prefecture.

This is why, after Storm Advertising acquired Hakuhodo and won the advertising war, it appointed Hakuhodo's second son as president of Hakuhodo.

Although this is only nominal for now, and the main business of Hakuhodo is now led by the chairman, it is enough to show Hideki Hanyu's sincerity in winning over the old man Murayama.

Therefore, from a certain perspective, Hideki Hanyu's closeness to the Murayama family is even greater than that of Yutaro Hatoyama.

This is also a habit and characteristic of Hideki Hanyu in managing his influence.

Using regions and interests as a bond, they cast a wide net, catch many fish, bet on all sides, maintain an ambiguous stance, and remain relatively independent. No one who wants to succeed can ignore them, and even if they don't win them over, they would never dare to offend them easily.

"I thought you wouldn't come today."

Hideki Hanyu greeted the old man from Murayama with a smile.

"I'm getting old and originally didn't plan to participate in these events, but knowing that Yuzuru-san was going to participate, I came here specifically to deliver an invitation to Yuzuru-san."

As he spoke, the old man from Murayama took out a white invitation and handed it to Hideki Yuzuru.

After taking the document and opening it, Hideki Yuzuru glanced at Yumiko Murayama, who was standing next to the old man Murayama, with some surprise.

"I never expected it. It turns out that Ms. Yumiko is getting married."

"I hope Mr. Hanyu will do me the honor of attending," Yumiko Murayama extended a very polite invitation.

Hideki Hanyu glanced at the date on the invitation; the wedding was to be held in early September.

Thinking that he probably wouldn't have any other plans at that time, he nodded and agreed, "Ms. Yumiko, you're too kind. I'll definitely be there."

Seeing that Hideki Yuzuru had agreed, the old man Murayama raised his hand, signaling his granddaughter to leave first.

After Yumiko Murayama left, the old man Murayama said to Hideki Hanyu, "Yumiko's husband is from the Matsuzaki family."

"Matsuzaki? Which Matsuzaki?"

Hideki Hanyu had no idea what the old man Murayama was talking about.

The old man from Murayama had no choice but to remind him, "It's Morinaga Seika."

Hideki Yuzuru then realized, "So it was them."

For Morinaga Confectionery, the most familiar company among Chinese consumers is probably its subsidiary, Morinaga Dairy.

After all, there was the infamous but ultimately unresolved tainted milk powder scandal.

And the former Japanese prime minister who died because of his "open-mindedness" was Morinaga Seika's "son-in-law".

As for the Matsuzaki family of Morinaga Seika, we need to go back to the founding of Morinaga Milk Industry.

The founder of Morinaga Confectionery was named Taichiro Morinaga, but at the time, there was another partner named Hansaburo Matsuzaki who started the business with him.

As Morinaga & Co. grew in size, the two founders chose to marry in order to strengthen their partnership.

Matsuzaki Hanzaburo's son, Matsuzaki Akio, married Morinaga Taichiro's granddaughter, Morinaga Mieko, and the couple had two children.

The eldest daughter's name was Matsuzaki Akie, but after marrying the "open-minded" Japanese prime minister, she changed her name to Akie. Although the Morinaga family was the founder of Morinaga Confectionery, the current ruling faction within Morinaga is the Matsuzaki family.

No wonder old man Murayama married his granddaughter into the Matsuzaki family.

Considering the future achievements of the Matsuzaki family and their influence spanning both the political and business spheres in Japan, even Hideki Hanyu couldn't help but admire the foresight of the old man Murayama.

I couldn't help but think that the other party was indeed a shrewd old fox, considering even his granddaughter's marriage so much.

At that moment, the old man from Murayama suddenly asked, "What do you think?"

Hideki Hanyu asked, "How about what?"

The old man from Murayama said, "I chose this marriage partner for Yumiko."

Hideki Hanyu raised an eyebrow and said, "I thought you would choose me."

Old man Murayama said directly, "If you're willing to marry Yumiko, I'll go and break off the engagement with the Matsuzaki family right now."

"Then forget it, I don't want to ruin someone else's happiness."

At this point, Hideki Yuzuru casually teased, "But I seem to remember that you once said you would let your granddaughter find her own happiness. How come you're starting to arrange marriages now?"

The old man Murayama said without changing his expression, "Of course I don't want Yumiko to marry into a political alliance, but unfortunately my sons are all useless, so I can only rely on the next generation to pave the way."

"Heh, those are all excuses."

Hearing Hideki Yuzuru's words, the old man Murayama said somewhat angrily, "If my son had half of your achievements, why would I need to be working so hard for their future at my age?"

Hideki Hanyu smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment."

"Let's leave this topic here; I have something else to tell you."

Seeing the old man's serious tone, Hideki Hanyu also asked earnestly, "What is it?"

The old man Murayama whispered, "The Matsuzaki family wants to see you."

Upon hearing this, Hideki Yuzuru seemed to be deep in thought. He quickly came up with a possibility and then slowly said.

“My company has no business dealings with Morinaga & Co., so why do they suddenly want to meet me?”

At this point, Hideki Yuzuru looked at the old man Murayama with a playful expression, "So, is it the Matsuzaki family that wants to see me, or is it someone else who wants to see me?"

Upon hearing this, the old man Murayama looked at Hideki Hanyu with admiration and said, "You guessed my purpose so quickly, you truly are worthy of being called Hanyu-san!"

"What's there to guess? The two major factions in the upper echelons of Japan are currently fighting each other, and they have lost public support due to two bribery scandals. It is imperative to put forward a new person."

As a time traveler and one of the behind-the-scenes "financial backers" of the upper echelons of Japan, how could Hideki Hanyu not be aware of the future direction of the upper echelons of Japan?

As the de facto successor following the deal between the two factions, the father of the third son is already the recognized candidate for the next prime minister.

However, under these circumstances, the Matsuzaki family, the in-laws of the future prime minister, suddenly wanting to meet with this "detached" bigwig, is something that Hideki Hanyu should ponder deeply.

Could it be that the other party is unwilling to be merely a "puppet successor" pushed out by two factions, and wants to possess its own power, which is why it seeks Hideki Hanyu's support?

Or could it be that the sudden death of the other person in another timeline on the eve of reaching the "phase" was also related to this ambition?
A rather conspiracy theory idea popped into Hideki Hanyu's mind.

But he quickly dismissed the idea.

There's no point in thinking about these things now.

He looked at the old man Murayama, but did not agree immediately. He simply said, "No rush. Let's meet again at Miss Yumiko's wedding."

"Ok."

The old man from Murayama readily agreed.

It wasn't that he didn't want to persuade him anymore, but rather that Hideki Hanyu was no longer someone he could force.

Even for the sake of his descendants' future, he had to carefully maintain his relationship with Hideki Hanyu.

Just as he said, Hideki Hanyu's current strength and status allow him to disregard many of the upper echelons of Japanese society's rules.

For example, arranged marriages...

Hideki Hanyu would indeed have been wary of the reaction from the Japanese domestic forces when making his choice of marriage.

Now, whether he gets married or not, or who he chooses to marry, is no longer a topic of discussion.

In a way, Hideki Hanyu's current marriage is a result of his own self-imposed limitations.

Knowing that these Japanese companies would only be a hindrance in the future, he no longer wanted to pursue any kind of alliance.

At this stage, marrying an ordinary girl with no background is actually the easiest thing for him to worry about, and it also puts other Japanese forces at ease.

Unfortunately, Hideki Hanyu no longer has any intention of getting married.

With so many beautiful women at his disposal, why would he want to trap himself in the prison of marriage?

As for descendants and the inheritance of the business.

Anyway, he doesn't lack children, and if any of his children perform well in the future, he wouldn't mind letting them manage his business.

But if they're all useless, they'll just be given some family fund shares to live off and wait to die; they shouldn't even think about any power or anything like that.

In any case, Hideki Hanyu had no real concern about whether anyone would inherit his business, and he didn't care at all even if all his businesses fell apart after he passed away.

Moreover, judging from his current physical condition, his children might not even live as long as he does.

As for the next generation?
He doesn't care about his own children, let alone his children's children.

Do you really think that he transmigrated through a lifetime and climbed the social ladder just to take care of his grandchildren?
Do not make jokes.

As the old saying goes, Hideki Hanyu may be moved by a person or a thing, but deep down he doesn't love anyone. Everything he does for others is just to make himself comfortable and happy.

Moreover, now that his mind and values ​​are constantly being subtly influenced by his identity and environment in this world, especially after the changes of the past week, he is no longer the same person he was when he first transmigrated.

After he has fully figured it out, he may still care about certain memories, but he has completely realized that he will no longer let the memories of another time and space bind him.

……

Old man Murayama was frail and old. After finishing his business with Hideki Yuzuru, he took his leave.

Not long after, the celebration party held for the Storm advertisement also came to an end.

Since it's a rare opportunity for friends to get together, it's only natural that they'd move on to another place to continue their chat.

The first follow-up event was held at a lively izakaya (Japanese pub).

Everyone chatted and laughed heartily, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, and soon it was midnight.

Then came the second round of drinks. Yukio Tanaka suggested going to a hot spring resort. This time, the ladies all said goodbye, leaving only a group of men to go.

And then, naturally, there will be unspeakable content.

In the hot spring pool, watching Hideki Hanyu, who was unrestrained and completely different from his usual half-hearted approach, Yukio Tanaka couldn't help but discuss it with the others.

"Hanyu-san seems really different?"

(End of this chapter)