I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 115: Minister! Nohara Hiroshi! Everything is under control!
Takada Toshihide was really anxious.

However, facing the impatience of his executive deputy director, the smile on Nobuhiko Sakata's face did not change at all. His eyes, which were always squinting, revealed an unquestionable majesty, like a sharp blade wrapped in a warm jade sheath, seemingly harmless, but actually sharp.

"Rules?" He asked with a smile, "Takada-kun, at our Tokyo TV station, the biggest rule is 'grades.'"

"Nohara-kun managed to get a 27.5% viewership rating for an afternoon variety show; a stable rating of over 21% for a mid-season short drama; and even a late-night anime that your Tokyo-style crew has left half-dead, managed to get a rating of over 10%. Tell me, which of your second-tier directors can come up with that kind of track record?"

"..." It felt like a ball of hot cotton was stuffed in Takada Shunying's throat. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word. His gloomy face instantly turned the color of liver.

He couldn't argue.

"Alright." Sakata Nobuhiko waved his hand, as if shooing away a noisy fly. "The board has unanimously approved this matter. It's settled."

After he finished speaking, he stopped looking at Takada Shunei's extremely ugly face and turned to Asumi, revealing a smile as warm as a spring breeze. "Asumi-kun, let everyone know. From today on, our production department has a new director, the youngest one, with independent production authority."

……

When Asumi's chief secretary, the intellectual beauty who usually looked down on others, personally delivered an appointment document with a bright red seal and a brand new doorplate carved from top-grade beech wood to the [Nohara Hiroshi Special Production Team], the entire office instantly fell into an eerie silence so deep that you could hear a pin drop.

On that doorplate, in vigorous and powerful calligraphy, were engraved a few words large enough to drive any TV person crazy:

【Nohara Hiroshi·Independent Production Department】.

The air seemed to freeze.

Everyone seemed to be under a spell, staring blankly at the doorplate, their faces filled with disbelief and horror.

"I... am I not dazzled?"

After an unknown amount of time, a laugh filled with self-mockery and absurdity broke the silence.

The person who spoke was Kei Tanaka.

The former second-level director was looking at the houseplate as if it were a monster. He then looked at the young man who had been drinking coffee calmly from beginning to end, and a bitter expression of both laughter and tears appeared on his face.

"I'm a second-level director, working under a third-level director, and it's fine, but that third-level director has a higher-ranking independent production department than mine... Is this... something like this even happening in the entire Japanese television industry?"

His words were like a switch, instantly igniting the entire office!

"It's not just you!" Sato Kenji also pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses. His face, which always wore a somewhat gentle smile, was now filled with shock. "Yamamoto and I are also third-level directors. I've worked at Tokyo TV for so long, but this is the first time I've seen a third-level director have the authority to work in an independent production department..."

"Independent Production Department... Oh my god..." Yamamoto Tsuyoshi nodded in shock, his eyes widening as he stared at the sign. "This... isn't this the special treatment the station grants to senior second-level directors preparing to become first-level directors? Section Chief Nohara... he just got promoted to third level!"

"This isn't just a simple exception; this is... a leap to heaven!" Sato pursed his lips and concluded, "Special treatment for monsters."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

In the corner, Hashijitaro stared blankly at the doorplate. In his eyes, which had long been filled with regret and awe, there was only the purest gaze from the depths of his soul after witnessing a true miracle...

He thought of himself, who had struggled at the TV station for seven or eight years before he barely climbed to the position of a senior level four director.

And that young man became a third-level director in less than half a year.

No, to be precise, it took him less than two months to go from a fourth-level director to a third-level director, and then to own his own independent production department.

This speed can no longer be described as "genius".

This is a monster!

It is a dimensionality reduction attack that is enough to make all contemporaries feel despair!
"What's so strange?"

Amidst this sea of ​​shocking and absurd discussions, Nancun Xing's voice seemed unusually natural.

He put his hands on his hips, his young face filled with pride, like a fervent fan defending his idol: "Look at what our section chief has accomplished!"

"27.5% for 'Super Transformation'! 21% for 'Stories of Strange Worlds'! And 'Dark House' has broken 10%!"

"Any one of these three works would be enough for an ordinary second-level director to brag about for a lifetime! Our section chief has created three legends in three different fields simultaneously! Let alone a third-level director, even if he were to be promoted directly to a first-level director right now, I think it's perfectly justified!"

The office suddenly became quiet.

Everyone looked at each other, and then a knowing smile appeared on their faces.

Yes, they are still obsessed with the rigid hierarchy, but forget that in the face of absolute strength, all rules seem so pale and powerless.

"Nanmura is right." Yamamoto Takeshi let out a long breath and nodded with emotion. "I've been acting for twenty years, and the best result I've achieved is a crime drama with a 15% viewership rating. Compared to Section Chief's performance, which often exceeds 20%, it's simply... child's play."

"We didn't deserve to lose." Tanaka Kei also shook his head. All the resentment on his face had faded, leaving only pure and sincere submission. "This era is no longer ours. It belongs... to monsters like him."

These words caused all the veterans of the Kwantung faction present to fall into a long silence.

It is a kind of powerlessness and awe that comes from the bone marrow after witnessing true genius.

Age? Qualifications?
In the face of absolute strength...it's really not enough!

……

The huge shock wave brought by Nohara Hiroshi's promotion quickly swept the entire Tokyo TV station in an unmatched manner.

The tea room, the place with the most internal information of the TV station and also the place with the most mixed people, is now filled with sour discussions.

"Have you heard? That Nohara Hiroshi has been promoted to a third-level director! And... he even has his own independent production department!"

A third-level director who looked to be in his early forties, with a shiny Mediterranean hair, was holding a coffee cup, his voice full of uncontrollable jealousy.

"I've heard about it, how could I not have heard about it? The whole production department is going crazy over it now." A skinny-faced companion beside him curled his lips in a choking, sour voice. "Fuck me, I've been working at the station for fifteen years, almost losing my hair, and just barely got to this position. How could he, a young man in his early twenties, get this? Just because he got lucky, just had some shit luck, and got a few half-decent shows?"

"Not bad?" Director Mediterranean gave a wry laugh, his voice filled with despair. "Dude, don't kid yourself. Is that what they call 'not bad'? That's called 'mythology'! 27.5% of afternoon variety shows! 21% of mid-season dramas! 10% of late-night cartoons! Combined, for everything we've filmed in our lifetimes, how could it possibly top the ratings of just one of their shows?"

“…” The thin director’s face instantly turned purple. He opened his mouth but couldn’t refute a single word.

"Alas!" The Mediterranean director sighed deeply, his tone filled with the helplessness of someone who had come to terms with reality. "Forget it, I won't compete anymore. I can't. Being born in the same era as that freak is just the misfortune of us mortals. I just hope he doesn't get the urge to come and film our morning drama, which is what we're best at. Otherwise, we won't even have a last bite of food left."

These words are full of black humor, but they also reveal a cruel reality.

In the face of Nohara Hiroshi's absolute talent that is enough to subvert the rules of the times, everyone's struggles seem so insignificant and full of comedy.

They don't even have the right to be jealous.

All that is left is to look up and pray.

Pray to the god not to cast his destructive gaze on his own piece of land, which has long been barren.

……

The HR department acted with astonishing speed. Almost at the same time as the appointment document was issued, a middle-aged man with a warm smile on his face, who looked like Maitreya Buddha, appeared in front of the door of this office that had long been the focus of the entire TV station, accompanied by two subordinates.

"Oh my, Minister Nohara! Congratulations! Congratulations!"

The person who came was the deputy director of the personnel department, a veteran named Watanabe. He was usually arrogant and only nodded politely even when facing those second-level directors.

But at this moment, his chubby face blossomed with an almost flattering enthusiasm, as if Nohara Hiroshi was not a newly promoted third-level director, but his long-lost relative.

no way.

Who made Nohara Hiroshi so popular with the emperor now?

Even Director Sakata thinks highly of Hiroshi Nohara, and he has heard Director Sakata praising Hiroshi Nohara outside and in front of many leaders countless times.

Moreover, Nohara Hiroshi is also Deputy Director Asumi's confidant.

And Nohara Hiroshi is still so young.

If……

If we wait another twenty or thirty years.

When you are old enough to retire.

Nohara Hiroshi, this young man who is so famous now and can easily rest on his laurels for another twenty or thirty years, what kind of achievements will he have made by then?

What kind of positions will there be?

It’s chilling to think about it, and we must be afraid and respectful!

As the saying goes, it is better to bully the old than to bully the young. Now, Nohara Hiroshi's talent and future are already bright and smooth.

So who dares to offend him?
"Deputy Minister Watanabe, you are too polite." Nohara Hiroshi stood up with a smile and shook hands with him neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"You're welcome! You're welcome!" Deputy Director Watanabe waved his hands repeatedly. His narrowed eyes quickly scanned the spacious, yet now somewhat crowded office due to the expansion of staff. Then, with a tone full of concern, he said, "Director Nohara, you are now the only independent production department in our station! This office space seems a bit... unfair to you."

He paused, then took a floor plan from his subordinate and enthusiastically explained it like a professional real estate agent:

"Look, on this entire floor, besides your place, the only one left is Iwata's classroom. I've just informed the higher-ups, and Iwata's classroom will be moving to the seventh floor next week. Then, this entire half-floor will be yours! You can open it up to create a large open office area, or separate it into several separate editing rooms and meeting rooms. It's all up to you!"

These words made everyone present gasp subconsciously.

Iwata classroom...was just "exiled" like that?

You know, that is one of the core classrooms of the Tokyo School!

But now, because of the rise of one person, he was ruthlessly kicked out.

"and this."

Deputy Director Watanabe handed over another document, his smile growing even brighter. "According to the station's regulations, the Independent Production Department has the authority to establish subordinate departments. In addition, you can apply to the Finance Department for independent operating funds each month, up to a maximum of 10 million yen. This money is at your disposal, without the need for any other approval!"

"Of course, your department's funding will remain the same. This is a special independent operating fund, and it's entirely up to you to decide!"

Ten million yen!

Every month!
In the office, there was another burst of suppressed exclamations.

This is no longer a simple decentralization of power, it is simply... giving him a gold mine that he can mine at will!

"Of course." Deputy Director Watanabe seemed to have remembered something and added, his tone full of mischief, "According to regulations, the independent production department must also produce an A-level project with a viewership rating of no less than 15% every year. But..."

He looked at Nohara Hiroshi, his narrowed eyes gleaming with undisguised admiration: "For you, Minister Nohara, who always creates ratings legends, this small request is as easy as eating and drinking water! Hahahaha!"

"Thank you, Vice Minister Watanabe." Nohara Hiroshi just smiled calmly, "I will report the department's restructuring plan and staff expansion plan as soon as possible."

"Very well! I'll be waiting anytime!" Vice Minister Watanabe left satisfied after a pleasant time of flattery.

As soon as he left, the whole office was like being thrown into a depth charge, and it instantly boiled over!

"Bumi! Can we set up a classroom now?"

"Oh my god! Am I dreaming?!"

Everyone was so excited that their faces flushed red, as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

Although they had understood it before.

but now.

Personal experience.

That’s another matter!
"Okay, be quiet."

Nohara Hiroshi's voice was like a basin of warm water, instantly extinguishing the powder keg that was about to explode.

He walked to the whiteboard, picked up a pen, and wrote a few powerful big words on the brand new board.

【Nohara Hiroshi·Independent Production Department】

Then, he turned around, his eyes sweeping over the group of subordinates who had already been completely impressed by him, and began to make arrangements in a calm voice:

"From today on, I announce that three core departments will be officially established under the Independent Production Department."

"First, the Variety Show Department. Director Kei Tanaka will be in charge of all production matters for the 'Super Mutant Mutant Mutant' project."

"Second, the TV Drama Department. Director Yamamoto Takeshi serves as the head of the department. He is in charge of the "Wonderful Stories of the World" project."

"third……"

He paused, his eyes falling on the man who had kept his head down the entire time, his body as tense as a fully drawn bowstring.

"Animation Classroom. Director: Hashiichi Ichirō. In charge of the 'Anshijiri' project."

"..."

The entire office instantly fell into an eerie silence, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone was stunned and turned to look at the young man standing in front of the whiteboard. Complex expressions were written all over their faces.

They thought of countless possibilities, but they never thought that Nohara Hiroshi would make such a nearly crazy decision!

Let a traitor be the head of an independent classroom?!

"Section...Section Chief...I..."

Hashijitaro suddenly raised his head, his eyes also full of horror.

At this moment, he didn't know what to think in his heart. His mind was blank, and there was only a kind of panic that was completely overwhelmed by the huge and unbearable favor.

Hashijitaro subconsciously opened his mouth to refuse, his voice hoarse and full of humility: "I... I am not worthy..."

However, he hadn't finished speaking yet.

'Snapped! Snapped! Snapped! ’

A burst of crisp, well-intentioned applause came from behind him without warning.

He turned his head stiffly and saw Nancun Xing, Chang Gu Lu Zou, and Beichuan Yao, the three young men who once hated him to the core, now taking the lead and applauding him.

There was still some awkwardness on their faces.

But the coldness and contempt in those eyes were long gone. Instead, there was a complex recognition that was unique to witnessing the prodigal son's return.

Immediately, thunderous applause merged into a torrent that was powerful enough to melt steel!

"Section Chief Hashimoto! Congratulations!"

"Congratulations!"

Those well-intentioned congratulations were like a pair of gentle hands, gently lifting up Hashiji Ichiro's heart, which had already been broken.

“Wow…Wow—!”

He could no longer hold on, and the 35-year-old man let out a suppressed and painful cry like a child.

In that cry, there was regret, gratitude, and endless relief as if one had survived a disaster.

He bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle in the direction of Nohara Hiroshi.

"Thank you... Minister Nohara!"

The crowd burst into cheers again.

Watching this dramatic scene, in the corner, Kenji Sato, who had been silent all this time, had a bitter look on his face, which made him feel both amused and helpless.

He walked over to Yamamoto Takeshi, holding his coffee cup, nudged him with his elbow, and said self-deprecatingly, "Look, even Hashimoto's a class monitor now. I'm a third-level director, but I've become a liaison with nothing to do. It's really... comparing myself to others is really frustrating."

Having said that, his eyes hidden behind the gold-rimmed glasses flickered with a complex light that could not be suppressed, filled with regret and unwillingness.

Yamamoto Tsuyoshi just looked at him calmly without saying anything.

There was a little more scrutiny in his eyes.

To be honest, Yamamoto Tsuyoshi always felt that this old friend who acted as a liaison seemed to have someone behind him.

But he has no evidence.

Moreover, he also felt that this old friend did not seem to have done anything to let down the Kanto faction, nor did he go against Nohara Hiroshi's arrangements. Instead, he worked wholeheartedly.

He calmly withdrew his gaze, with some guesses in his mind.

It seems that this old friend of mine, after all, in those dark days... accepted the rations from certain people.

Nohara Hiroshi ignored this undercurrent.

He looked at the three section chiefs whom he had just entrusted with important tasks, and his voice rang out again, full of unquestionable power.

"Alright, Section Chiefs."

"From now on, your first task is to expand your team. Find the personnel yourself. As long as they are from Kanto and capable, I want them. If you can't recruit them, tell me and I will personally ask Deputy Director Ming Rihai for them."

"Within a week, I need to see three fully staffed production classrooms that can operate independently."

"By then, we'll have to keep up with 'Anzhiju Season 4'! 'World of Wonderful Stories Season 2'! 'Super Transformation' and subsequent production!'"

"The meeting is dismissed!"

With one command, the entire silent office suddenly came alive.

Everyone, like clockwork parts, operated with unprecedented efficiency and precision.

A department expansion that seemed almost miraculous to the outside world has officially begun.

Time passes quietly in this busy life full of passion and hope.

And the young man who was admired, envied, or resented by countless people was like a real chess master behind the scenes, delegating all the specific matters to his subordinates who had long been loyal to him.

He himself returned to the tranquility that belonged only to him.

He began to have more time to conceive of even more shocking stories following "Wonderful Stories of the World".

There is more time to polish every detail of "Super Change" that is enough to trigger a nationwide carnival.

He even had more time to pick up the paintbrush that he had put aside for a long time, and continue to depict the grand world of "Yu Yu Hakusho" full of passion and friendship on the snow-white drawing paper.

Of course, he also did not forget the most important personal project which he named "Big Brother's Happiness Transformation Plan".

He used that huge sum of money, which was enough for no one to refuse, to pave the way for his elder brother's "Nohara Agriculture Co., Ltd."

Take advantage of the opportunity when everyone in neon is turning their attention to the city.

Relying on local connections in my hometown.

From the most advanced automated agricultural machinery to the finest organic fertilizers, to hiring the most professional agricultural consultants in Neon...

It can be said that in a short period of time, a method that was almost like cheating was used to quickly transform the small country farm, which was originally just a prototype, into a modern agricultural corporation that would attract the attention of the entire Akita Prefecture Agricultural Cooperative!
It is even possible to allow Nohara Sashi, the elder brother, to work in the agricultural cooperative and serve as an elected leader.

After all, when the economic bubble is punctured and the economic crisis comes.

The Agricultural Cooperative is a big piece of fat meat!

Even in the context of real estate and industry-wide decline.

The Agricultural Cooperatives, which have a large number of farmers and guide a large number of agricultural practitioners, also have important manipulation capabilities in elections!
He himself, like a most skilled hunter, patiently waited for the appearance of the key person who could change his elder brother's life.

Ikuna Sakurada.

He knew that the kind and beautiful girl would soon appear in his brother's life because of changes in life.

There is no first marriage to regret.

Only with my eldest brother.

Beautiful romance!

By then, a romantic comedy directed by him, full of rural flavor, in which the overbearing president falls in love with me, will officially begin.

all is well.

Everything is under control.

For Hiroshi Nohara, this summer is destined to be a golden season full of harvest and hope.

(End of this chapter)