I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 159 So what if we're drinking at the production bureau? Excited Asumi!

"Hiroshi-kun! You too! How could you join in his nonsense?!" Asumi's voice carried a hint of an elder scolding a younger person: "Weren't you always so sensible? How come you don't even know how to advise Director Kurosawa? He's getting old, what if he ruins his health by drinking too much?!"

"There's nothing I can do... Deputy Director Ming Rihai, you're wronging me."

Hiroshi Nohara rubbed his temples, which were throbbing from the alcohol.

Although his voice was tinged with drunkenness, his logic remained frighteningly clear: "I... I'm not fooling around. We're... celebrating!"

"Celebrate? Celebrate what?" Asumi asked irritably.

“Celebrate…” Hiroshi Nohara deliberately dragged out his words, slowly uttering the final answer under the increasingly tense gaze.

"—Seven Samurai, censorship approved."

"..."

Asuka stood there blankly, her face, already etched with helplessness, froze in an instant.

He looked at the young man, and a look of disbelief and horror appeared on his usually refined and composed face.

"What...what did you say?!" His voice was hoarse with extreme shock.

“I said…” Hiroshi Nohara’s lips curled into a confident smile, and his eyes, which were somewhat hazy from the effects of alcohol, shone with an absolute light that could convince anyone: “That film, which I planned and which was directed by Kurosawa, is our Kanto faction’s desperate counterattack work—Seven Samurai.”

"—It passed the final review of 'Eirin'. It will be shown without restrictions. Moreover, His Excellency Fujiwara personally approved the recommendation of this work to next year's Japan Film Festival."

"boom--!"

This news exploded in Asumi's mind!

At this moment, my brain was completely overwhelmed by a purer, more immense ecstasy!

"Okay! Hahahaha! Okay!"

After a brief silence, a burst of laughter, even more unrestrained and exhilarating than that of Eiji Kurosawa, erupted without warning from the mouth of this second-in-command of the Kanto faction!
He knows it too well!
He knew all too well what "Seven Samurai" meant to their entire Kanto faction!
That's more than just a movie!
That was their call to arms in this protracted war against the Tokyo faction!

It was they who proclaimed to the entire Japanese and the entire world the most resounding battle song of the Kanto faction's triumphant return!
Once the review is passed, it means they have obtained their ticket to enter that final battlefield filled with blood and fire!

Next, all we need to do is wait for the moment of victory to finally arrive!

He has absolute confidence in this epic masterpiece, which is personally crafted by Hiroshi Nohara and directed by Eiji Kurosawa, and is full of divine creativity!
He believes that when the film is officially released during the New Year's season, it will create more than just a box office frenzy.

It was a storm of public opinion that was enough to completely crush that old fox, Toshihide Takada, and his money-grubbing film, "The Samurai of the Cherry Blossom Tree," into dust!

Animated films, TV series, and variety shows.

Now movies have been added as well.

These ones.

But they were all made by people from the Kanto faction!

Looking back now, Asumi realized that the reason why his Kanto faction members had been suppressed and ostracized was indeed because the Tokyo faction was full of talented people.

Aside from Eiji Kurosawa, who could earn their respect.

other people.

They didn't take it seriously at all.

After all, in the cold, neon-lit world, especially in the impersonal workplace, if someone wants to integrate, they must demonstrate their strengths and talents, letting the other party know that they are not useless.

Otherwise, no one will accept you into their circle, and no one will think you can integrate into their elite circle.

Tokyoites are quite arrogant and xenophobic.

But now.

Everything is different now!
"Hahaha! Come on! Let's drink! Today, we won't leave until we're drunk!"

Asumi, like the most enthusiastic host, took out another bottle of expensive sake from the bookshelf behind him, filled his own cup, and took a big gulp.

His demeanor had completely lost any semblance of the deputy director's authority; he was clearly an excited gambler who had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel in his desperate situation!
He looked at the two "heroes," who were already drunk and staggering, yet still laughing like children. All the seriousness and authority on his face melted away at that moment.

He let out a long breath, a breath filled with immense relief that someone had carried on the legacy.

He walked to the huge desk, pressed the button on the internal phone, and, into the receiver, gave his final order in a tone that was both helpless and incredibly indulgent.

"Hello, this is me. Pass the word that I have an important guest in my office, and no one is allowed to disturb me."

He paused, looking at the two who were already fast asleep on the sofa, the past and future of the Kanto faction, and his voice softened.

"Let them...get a good night's sleep."

After hanging up the phone, he slowly walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, dusk was gradually settling, and the lights were being lit one after another, like stars falling to earth.

As Minghai watched all this, his already ambitious heart became even more taut, like a fully drawn bowstring.

He knew that this game was far from over.

What he had to do was pave the final path to the ultimate throne for these two peerless generals who had already secured half of the country for him.

He picked up another mobile phone, his own, and skillfully dialed a number he knew by heart.

"Hello? It's me, Asumi."

His voice regained its usual cold, calm quality befitting a decision-maker.

"Yes, it's time to start on that thing I mentioned to you last time."

"money is not a problem."

"Yes, that's the release date. December 24th, Christmas Eve. I want all the best theaters in Tokyo, no, all of Japan, to be available."

"I want that movie called 'Seven Samurai' to descend upon this world, which has been waiting for far too long, with an air of supreme dominance!"

……

In late December, Tokyo was already deep into winter.

The cold rain, mixed with the chilly autumn wind, made this already alienated steel city even colder and harder.

However, in this season that could chill anyone to the bone, the independent kingdom located on the seventeenth floor of TV Tokyo is like an inextinguishable furnace, radiating scorching heat day after day that could melt all ice and snow.

【Nohara Hiroshi·Independent Production Department】.

There was a gentle, steady knock on the door of the minister's office.

"Enter."

Hiroshi Nohara's voice rang out calmly; he didn't even look up from the mountain of drawings.

Hashimoto Ichiro, Yamamoto Takeshi, and Tanaka Kei, these three powerful section chiefs who are now so influential in the entire TV Tokyo that even a second-tier director would have to give them a wide berth, now entered one after another with solemn expressions, like three generals about to report military intelligence to their king.

They didn't speak immediately, but stood quietly in front of the desk, watching with awe and admiration the young man who was using an ordinary pencil to create one wondrous world after another on the snow-white drawing paper.

His focused posture and composed demeanor made it seem as if he were not creating something that could affect the joys and sorrows of tens of millions of people, but rather leisurely pruning a beloved bonsai in his own backyard.

"Everyone is here?"

As the last stroke was completed, Hiroshi Nohara slowly raised his head, casually placing the newly finished storyboard for the latest chapter of "Midnight Diner" on top of the already mountain of documents beside him. He leaned back in his chair, stretched his somewhat stiff neck, and his clear eyes swept over the three of them, a gentle smile appearing on his face.

That ministerial authority had already subtly seeped into everyone's hearts.

"Have a seat." He waved his hand, his voice flat. "Give me a report on how each project has been progressing over the past month."

"Hi!"

The first person to step forward was Kei Tanaka.

His already somewhat serious face was now filled with barely suppressed excitement, like a vanguard general who had achieved a decisive victory on the battlefield and was eager to claim credit with his commander!

"Minister!" His voice trembled slightly with excitement: "The second season of 'Super Transformation' is making steady progress, and the ratings—"

He took a deep breath and said:
"—41.2%!"

"Right now, all the media in Japan are using terms like 'phenomenal' and 'national masterpiece' to describe our program!"

"The advertising department is practically overwhelmed! The exclusive title sponsorship for the third season has already been sold for a staggering 800 million! And there's no market for it!"

These words were like a series of bombshells, exploding loudly in the office!
Even though Yamamoto Takeshi and Hashiichiro Hashimoto had already anticipated their captain's godlike abilities, when they heard this number, an undisguised look of shock appeared on their usually composed faces!
41.2%!

Eight hundred million!
This is no longer the production of a TV show; this is clearly the operation of a super money-printing machine that could drive the entire country crazy!
"very good."

However, Hiroshi Nohara simply nodded calmly, as if all of this was just a perfectly normal plot unfolding according to a script he had already written.

He turned his gaze to Yamamoto Takeshi, who was always as sharp and composed as a hawk.

"Section Chief Yamamoto, how about you over there?"

"Hi!"

Yamamoto Takeshi also stood up, his usually cold and hard face now filled with heartfelt respect.

"Minister, filming for the third season of 'Tales of the Unusual' officially wrapped up last week and is currently in the post-production editing stage. It is expected to officially meet the audience next month."

"As for the ratings..." He paused, his voice carrying a confident understanding of the situation: "Although there are no specific figures yet, based on our internal test screening feedback and the enthusiasm of advertisers, the average ratings for the third season will only be higher than the first two seasons, definitely not lower!"

"Because the 'urban ghost story universe' you created for us has completely and deeply penetrated people's hearts."

"Now, 'Have you seen the Wonderful World tonight?' has become the most popular social code among young people in Japan."

This report, full of life, is more convincing than any cold, hard data.

"Thank you for your hard work." Hiroshi Nohara nodded again, his gaze finally settling on Hashiichiro, who had remained ramrod straight like a loyal soldier from beginning to end.

"Section Chief Under the Bridge."

"Hi!"

Hashiro suddenly stood up, his already honest face now filled with relief and gratitude for surviving a disaster.

"Minister! The fifth season of 'Yamishibai' officially premiered last Sunday! The premiere ratings were 15.1%! This has once again broken the record for the premiere of a late-night anime!"

"Moreover, according to information from the overseas department, the overseas broadcasting rights for the first four seasons of our 'Yamishibai' have been snapped up by television stations in more than thirty countries and regions! The exclusive rights fee sold to the United States alone is... well enough for us to film another ten seasons!"

As he spoke, his voice trembled with emotion, "I... on behalf of all my colleagues in the animation classroom, thank you again! Thank you, especially for giving me, a loser who had been abandoned by the industry, a chance to prove myself again!"

Looking at the three men before him, who had completely won him over and were now his three most capable generals, Hiroshi Nohara finally smiled with satisfaction.

He knew that his first move had been successful.

"Everyone did very well." He waved his hand, his posture like that of a king inspecting his invincible army, elegant yet full of absolute majesty.

“You did an even better job than I expected. But…”

He abruptly changed the subject, a chilling glint flashing in his clear eyes: "I hope you remember that what we have achieved so far is far from enough."

Our journey is to the stars and the sea.

This declaration, brimming with youthful exuberance yet perfectly fitting his current identity, struck the softest spot in the hearts of the three section chiefs like a scalding electric current!
Looking at the man before them, young yet possessing the kingly aura to look down upon the entire era, their three hearts, already completely conquered by him, ignited a raging fire that could start a prairie fire!
"Hi!"

The three bowed in unison, their voices carrying the resolute determination of those who would die for a friend: "We will surely follow in your footsteps!"

Hiroshi Nohara nodded in satisfaction, indicating that they could leave.

Only when the office door was closed again, shutting out the clamor of victory, did he slowly pick up the black personal phone on the table.

Soon, Misae Koyama's energetic and warm voice, like a little sun, came from the other end of the phone.

"Hey? Hiroshi-kun? Are you done with your work?"

"Hmm." Hiroshi Nohara's voice instantly lost all its authority, leaving only the purest tenderness for his lover: "I just finished a meeting here. How about you? My beautiful president, how was your work today?"

"Oh dear, you're making fun of me again!" Misae's voice, full of coquettish reproach, came from the other end of the phone, but her tone also contained an undeniable pride and confidence befitting a career woman.

"Let me tell you, Hiroshi-kun! You're simply a god!" Her voice trembled slightly with excitement: "The latest volume of Yu Yu Hakusho was just released yesterday, and in less than 24 hours, its first-day sales have already... have already surpassed two million copies! Mr. Tadokoro just called me, he was so excited he almost cried! He said that at this rate, the total sales of our work will definitely and easily surpass the twenty million copy mark! This... this is a legendary sales figure that will be recorded in the entire history of Japanese manga!"

"And there's also Doraemon!"

Like a squirrel proudly displaying its treasure, she chattered excitedly, reporting her incredible achievement that would drive anyone crazy: "Now, it's become the 'bible' for all elementary school students! Every day, a group of kids line up outside our Future Comics Club, holding up signs, begging us to update it quickly! Even the Ministry of Education has sent people to contact us, saying... they want to include 'Doraemon' on the recommended list of 'Outstanding Extracurricular Reading for Teenagers'!"

"As for your latest drawing, 'Midnight Diner'..."

She paused, and her voice carried a deep, heartfelt admiration that she herself was unaware of: "Hiroshi-kun, I really don't know how to describe it. It...it's like a warm current, silently warming everyone's hearts in this cold, utilitarian, and competitive era."

"Cat food has now become the most popular food among white-collar workers in Tokyo!"

“Hiroshi-kun…” Her voice softened unconsciously, filled with the purest adoration for her lover’s godlike talent: “You have truly changed the world.”

"Fool." Hiroshi Nohara chuckled softly, his already contented heart now completely filled with a huge, warm current called "happiness."

He knew that the seeds he had sown had already begun to take root and sprout at a speed beyond his wildest imagination.

The vast cultural empire he has built, capable of withstanding any future storm, is already beginning to take shape.

"Alright, my dear president." He smiled and steered the conversation back on track: "What do you want to eat tonight? I'm leaving get off work early today, how about we go to that French teppanyaki place you've been talking about, the one that just opened in Ginza?"

"Okay! Okay!" A burst of energetic cheers came from the other end of the phone.

After hanging up the phone, Hiroshi Nohara's smile grew even gentler.

He glanced out the window at the sky, which had already been dyed golden by the autumn sun, and then dialed another number, one that sounded very rustic.

The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.

On the other end, came the honest and simple voice of the eldest brother, Nohara Sashi, accompanied by bursts of energetic and vigorous barking from dogs.

"Hey? Hiroshi? What's wrong? Has something happened in Tokyo?"

"It's nothing, brother." Hiroshi Nohara smiled and shook his head. "I just wanted to ask if things are going well at home."

"Smooth sailing! How could it not be smooth sailing!" Nohara Saji's voice instantly filled with confidence as soon as he mentioned this!
"You have no idea, Hiroshi! Your business plan is simply divine! Our 'Nohara Agriculture Co., Ltd.' is now a star company in the entire Omagari City! The mayor comes to our place every day, more often than he goes to his own home! He says he wants us to be their 'modern agricultural demonstration base' for the entire Akita Prefecture!"

"We've now bought up all the land we could in the area! It's a full 170 acres! We don't even need to find a market for our organic vegetables. The most upscale hotels in Tokyo are sending people in refrigerated trucks to come and buy them every day!"

"And that Akita Inu breeding base you mentioned!" His voice grew even more excited: "We've now built three standardized breeding areas according to your requirements, and we're raising nearly 800 purebred Akita Inus! Each one has a glossy coat and looks as energetic as a little tiger!"

(End of this chapter)