I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 191 The Influence of Akita Inus! Everyone wants a cute and goofy Akita Inu!
In a heavily guarded private club on the outskirts of Tokyo, the air is filled with the rich aroma of fine cigars and aged whiskey, like the scent of power itself—invisible yet omnipresent.

This is Ryuichi Koike's "war room".

Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows is a meticulously manicured Japanese garden, tranquil and elegant.

But inside the window, the atmosphere was completely different.

Ryuichi Koike sat in the main seat, with a huge map of Tokyo spread out in front of him. The map was marked with different colored markers, showing the distribution of power and the trend of public opinion in each constituency.

His key campaign staff, along with his propaganda minister, Hattori Tadashi, were all sitting upright with solemn expressions, as if they were about to embark on a war without gunfire.

Nobuhiko Sakata, the de facto head of TV Tokyo and Ryuichi Koike's most trusted "media mouthpiece," was also prominently featured on the list.

He sat to the left of Koike Ryuichi, and his usually refined and composed face now carried a hint of solemnity.

They were discussing a major plan for Koike Ryuichi's re-election campaign, which would determine the political future of Koike Ryuichi and even the future direction of Tokyo as a whole.

"...According to the latest polls, our support in Minato Ward and Chiyoda Ward has declined slightly. Although the decline is not large, it should raise our concerns." A shrewd and capable-looking campaign advisor wearing gold-rimmed glasses pointed to two key areas on the map and analyzed the situation with a heavy tone.

"It was those builders who were behind this."

Another older campaign manager scoffed, his usually serious face now filled with disdain: "They're unhappy with our control over the real estate market and have started spreading rumors behind our backs, trying to undermine our foundations."

Ryuichi Koike listened quietly, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the map, his deep eyes remaining completely calm.

Just then, a sudden cell phone ring broke the heavy silence in the conference room.

All eyes turned to Nobuhiko Sakata.

His eyes held a hint of dissatisfaction.

A look of apology immediately appeared on Nobuhiko Sakata's face.

He glanced at the name flashing on his phone screen—[Takada Toshihide]—and his brow twitched slightly, almost imperceptibly.

He knew that unless it was extremely urgent, Takada Toshihide would never have interrupted such an important meeting at this time.

"I am very sorry, Your Excellency, and everyone."

Nobuhiko Sakata quickly stood up, bowed slightly to everyone, and said apologetically, "It's a call from the production department. There might be some emergency. I'll go out and answer it."

"Hmm." Ryuichi Koike simply smiled and nodded, indicating that he should do as he pleased.

Nobuhiko Sakata quickly walked out of the conference room and into a quiet corridor before pressing the answer button.

"Hey, Takada-kun, it's me." His voice was very low.

On the other end of the phone, Takada Toshihide's slightly excited yet forcefully suppressed voice immediately came through: "Chief! It's me, Takada! The opening day box office figures for 'Hachiko Monogatari' are... out!"

Nobuhiko Sakata's heart skipped a beat. He instinctively gripped his phone tighter, and even his usual composure as a superior wavered slightly at that moment.

"How much?" he asked in a deep voice.

On the other end of the phone, Toshihide Takada took a deep breath and then slowly uttered the number that would drive anyone crazy.

"Chief...the opening day box office...2.1 billion yen!"

"..."

Nobuhiko Sakata's body trembled violently.

He stood there dumbfounded, his shrewd eyes widening instantly, his face filled with disbelief and horror!
He even suspected that he might be experiencing auditory hallucinations due to excessive stress recently.

Two billion yen?!

Opening day box office?!
This...how is this possible? !
In his decades-long career, he had never seen a Japanese film achieve such phenomenal box office success on its opening day!

This is simply... a miracle!
"Are you...are you sure?! Takada-kun!" Sakata Nobuhiko's voice trembled uncontrollably as he instinctively pressed, "You didn't see wrong?! It really is 2.1 billion yen?!"

"Hey! Chief! It's absolutely true!" On the other end of the phone, Takada Toshihide's voice became excited, the shock from the bottom of his heart making it impossible for him to remain calm: "I personally confirmed it three times! It's exactly 2.1 billion yen! Not a penny more, not a penny less!"

Nobuhiko Sakata took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the overwhelming joy in his heart.

His weathered heart was suddenly struck as if by a depth charge, unleashing a massive storm.

“Then…then if this trend continues…” Nobuhiko Sakata’s voice trembled again. He couldn’t even imagine the final number. “The final box office…wouldn’t it reach 10 billion yen?!”

"Hey! Director! You're right!" Takada Toshihide's voice was certain: "According to our distribution department's preliminary estimates, if the word-of-mouth continues to spread, the final box office is definitely likely to reach the 10 billion yen mark! It may even surpass 10 billion yen and create an unprecedented historical record!"

Nobuhiko Sakata's face flushed bright red instantly, and his ecstasy seemed to burst forth from his body.

He clenched his fist tightly, the excitement from the bottom of his heart making even this seasoned politician somewhat unable to control himself.

"Good! Good! Good!" Nobuhiko Sakata said "good" three times in a row, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Hiroshi Nohara has created another miracle!
A miracle that could change the entire history of Japanese cinema!
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his excitement, and his tone became serious: "Takada-kun, listen carefully. You must keep a close eye on things during this period! There can be no slackening in either the film's promotion or the guidance of public opinion! We absolutely cannot allow any negative news to affect the film's box office!"

He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable command: "Also, have Asuka Kai-kun keep a close eye on things! During this period, the two of them will be specifically responsible for the promotion of 'Hachiko: A Dog's Tale'! Make sure everything goes perfectly!"

"Hi, Director! Please rest assured!" Takada Toshihide replied firmly, "I will do my best and live up to your expectations!"

Nobuhiko Sakata gave a few more instructions before hanging up the phone.

He stood in the corridor and let out a long breath, a breath filled with emotion, satisfaction, and boundless anticipation for the future.

He straightened his appearance, and the composure and calmness of a superior reappeared on his face. Then, with firm steps, he walked back to the conference room.

The moment he pushed open the door, all eyes in the conference room turned to him once again.

Publicity Minister Hattori Tadashi looked at Sakata Nobuhiko's face, which was flushed red but was forcibly suppressing his excitement, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

"Sakata-kun, judging from your expression, it seems you have some incredibly good news?" Hattori Tadashi said with a light laugh, his tone carrying just the right amount of teasing.

Everyone's eyes were filled with curiosity and curiosity.

Ryuichi Koike seemed to have thought of something as well, and a glint of light flashed in his deep eyes.

"Sakata-kun," Ryuichi Koike's voice was calm yet firm, "Have the opening day box office figures for 'Hachi: A Dog's Tale' come out yet?"

Upon hearing this, Nobuhiko Sakata could no longer conceal the excitement he had been forcibly suppressing.

He nodded sharply, his shrewd eyes sparkling with a light as bright as stars.

"Hi! Governor!" Nobuhiko Sakata's voice trembled slightly, a testament to his extreme excitement: "The opening day box office for 'Hachiko Monogatari' is 2.1 billion yen!"

boom--!
This number exploded like a nuclear bomb in the conference room!

"what?!"

"2.1 billion yen?! The opening day box office?!"

"My God! This...this is simply a miracle!"

"Sakata-kun! You...you're not kidding, are you?!"

Everyone was so excited they were incoherent. They stood up one after another, their faces filled with disbelief and horror!
"Twenty-one billion yen... What... What does that even mean?!"

A minister in charge of the economy, his voice trembling slightly, his usually calm eyes now filled with shock: "This...this is practically the box office performance of a top Hollywood blockbuster! Our Japanese domestic films can actually reach this level?!"

"Yes! It's simply unbelievable!"

The shrewd and capable campaign advisor was now flushed with excitement, even waving his fist and speaking with barely suppressed elation: "At this rate, the final box office could really break 10 billion yen?! 10 billion yen! This... this is an achievement that has never been seen before in the history of Japanese cinema!"

"Over 10 billion? I think it's more than that!"

The older campaign manager was so excited he was incoherent, and his usually serious face was now streaked with tears: "I even think that this movie can do more than just break 10 billion yen! It might even surpass those Hollywood blockbusters and become the highest-grossing film in Japan this year, and even for the next few years!"

"That's right! Absolutely!"

A young secretary, his face flushed with excitement, even clenched his fist, his voice brimming with barely suppressed exhilaration: "I heard that a blockbuster was released in the US during this Golden Week holiday, something like 'Super Defense Robot'! I heard it cost over a hundred million dollars and the special effects are amazing! But I'm confident that our 'Hachiko: A Dog's Tale' will definitely be able to crush it!"

"Suppress it? It's more than just suppress it!"

Another secretary chimed in, his young face now brimming with pride: "I even think that our 'Hachiko: A Dog' will not only surpass 'Super Defense Robot', but it can even break the cultural hegemony of American films in our Japanese film market! It will be the first shot in our Japanese culture's journey to the world and its conquest of the world!"

"Yes! We Japanese can finally make movies that surpass those of Americans!"

"Hiroshi Nohara, he is simply the pride of Japan!"

"He is the one who can truly represent our Japanese culture, go global, and conquer the United States!"

The meeting room was filled with lively discussions.

Everyone was stunned by these astonishing numbers, their eyes filled with anticipation and fervor.

That heartfelt excitement, that sense of pride in the country and the nation, even overwhelmed these seasoned politicians.

After all, the Japanese really crave to surpass the United States!

However, amidst this atmosphere of fervor and excitement, Ryuichi Koike suddenly coughed lightly.

Although the sound was not loud, it was like a morning bell and evening drum, instantly suppressing the noise in the conference room.

All eyes turned to Ryuichi Koike.

His shrewd and capable secretary immediately understood.

He stood up abruptly, his young face now filled with seriousness and solemnity.

"Everyone! Please watch your language!"

The secretary's authoritative voice instantly cooled the fervent atmosphere in the conference room: "The United States is our ally! Our relationship with the United States is mutually beneficial! What we should do is learn from each other and make progress together, not attack and slander each other!"

His words were resounding and powerful, each syllable brimming with strength.

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stood there dumbfounded, all the fervor on their faces gone, leaving only a perfectly balanced mix of "fear" and "cooperation".

"Hey! We got it!"

"Yes, we misspoke!"

"The United States is our ally, and we should respect them!"

Everyone nodded, their voices filled with respect and obedience.

However, a hint of mockery and amusement flickered deep in their eyes.

They exchanged a glance, both seeing the same unspoken understanding in each other's eyes.

They knew that the secretary's words were just bureaucratic rhetoric, meant for those "unseen" ears.

They also knew that discussing opposition to the United States was absolutely forbidden in this setting.

This is the deepest-level "unspoken rule" in Japanese politics.

However, deep down, their hatred and hostility toward the United States have never changed.

They yearn to surpass the United States, to break free from American control, and to make Japan a truly independent and sovereign nation.

Hiroshi Nohara, and his "Hachiko Monogatari," showed them this possibility.

They witnessed that Japanese culture was rising and taking off in an unprecedented way.

They saw a future for neon, filled with boundless hope.

As Ryuichi Koike looked at the knowing expressions on everyone's faces, the seriousness and solemnity on his face were gradually replaced by a heartfelt sense of pleasure.

His long, slender fingers gently stroked his beard again, a hint of smugness flashing in his deep eyes.

He would be just as happy to defeat the United States.

However, his current identity is too sensitive. If this were to become known, he would definitely be forced to bow and apologize or even resign.

The United States will not allow politicians with anti-American sentiments to occupy high positions in Japan.

This is very clear.

But now, Koike Ryuichi was really happy, so he slowly raised the wine glass in his hand, the sound as steady and powerful as an ancient bell.

"Everyone, let's raise a glass together!"

Ryuichi Koike said with a smile, "To the rise of Japanese culture, to the future of Japan, and to the tremendous success achieved by TV Tokyo and Hiroshi Nohara... Cheers!"

"cheers!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices filled with fighting spirit and passion.

……

"To be honest, Your Excellency the Governor."

The shrewd and capable campaign consultant had completely lost the composure that belonged to a professional manager.

He held his wine glass, his eyes gleaming with an almost fanatical light: "I even think our previous campaign strategy was a bit too conservative! We should immediately adjust our direction and make 'loyalty' and 'family' the core concepts of this campaign! This is simply... tailor-made for your image!"

His words were immediately met with a chorus of agreement.

"Yamamoto-kun is right!" Another young key member in charge of public opinion analysis said excitedly, his cheeks flushed. "I just had my people collect preliminary feedback from people in various regions! The discussion about 'Hachiko: A Dog' is absolutely overwhelming! Everyone is talking about Hachiko's loyalty and Professor Ueno's kindness! Some people have even started to organize themselves to lay flowers at the Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station!"

He paused, then his tone became even more excited: "Most importantly, when people discuss these things, they all unconsciously mention you, Governor! They all say that you adopted Hachitsubo, and that you are a loving and responsible person! They all say that you are like Professor Ueno in the movie, warm and reliable!"

“Yes, Your Excellency!” A female campaign member who appeared to be in her forties, exuding composure, couldn’t help but chime in. “I just received calls from several female friends who used to have absolutely no interest in politics! But after watching the movie, they were so moved that they cried on the phone for ages! They even said they would definitely vote for you in this election! Because they believe that someone who can be moved by the loyalty of a dog, someone willing to adopt stray dogs, must be a trustworthy and good leader!” “I even think we should immediately contact several pet stores and launch an Akita Inu model like Hachiko!” A consultant in charge of business cooperation was also excitedly rambling on, his shrewd eyes gleaming with the unique light of a businessman. “Then, we can collaborate with pet stores to launch an ‘Adopt, Don’t Shop’ charity campaign! This way, your approachable image and your sense of social responsibility will be greatly enhanced!”

"That's a good idea!"

"That's right! We can even use this momentum to push for Tokyo's animal protection bill! That would be a real achievement!"

"Yes! Then we'll collaborate with TV Tokyo to make a documentary about caring for stray animals! The effect will be unimaginable!"

The meeting room was filled with lively discussions.

These usually calm, rational, and strategic political elites seemed to be ignited by "Hachiko: A Dog's Tale," and countless creative and passionate campaign plans burst forth in their minds.

Ryuichi Koike listened quietly to their discussion, his meaningful smile growing deeper and deeper. Finally, he smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, then, you guys come up with a plan."

By associating his political image with the story of Hachiko, Ryuichi Koike has now realized that he made the right decision!
……

Meanwhile, in Nishi-Omagari Village, Omagari City, Akita Prefecture, far from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Night had already fallen, and sparse stars dotted the dark blue velvet, enveloping this tranquil countryside in peace.

Inside the Nohara family's old house, the lights were on, and a warm orange glow shone through the windows, dispelling the slight chill in the courtyard.

Inside the house, a "war" belonging to Ginnosuke Nohara is raging fiercely.

"No! Absolutely not!"

Nohara Tsuru stood with her hands on her hips, her eyebrows raised, her well-maintained face filled with unwavering determination.

She glared at the bald old man in front of her, who was clutching a bottle of liquor and had a shameless look on his face, and said in a clear and firm voice: "You've already had three drinks! And you yourself said that was the last one! A man's word is his bond!"

"Oh dear! Tsuru-chan! Don't be so stingy!"

Nohara Ginnosuke, the "old rascal" of the Nohara family, was pouting like a child who hadn't gotten his candy, shaking the bottle of sake in his hand. His usually energetic eyes were now filled with grievance and longing.

In his hand was a bottle of top-grade sake of considerable value—Juyondai.

The crystal-clear liquor swirls gently in the bottle, releasing a rich aroma of rice that is enough to make one's mouth water.

"This was specially brought back for me from Tokyo by my son, Hiroshi! It's a gift for me, his father!"

Nohara Ginnosuke shouted defiantly, his voice so loud it almost lifted the roof off: "What's wrong with me having an extra drink? It's only natural for me to drink my own son's sake! You, as his mother, can't deprive me of my right to enjoy family life!"

His fallacies and heresies were presented with such conviction that he seemed to believe he was the one in the right.

Nohara Tsuru was so angry she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She reached out and poked his forehead with her finger, saying in annoyance, "How dare you say that! Hiroshi bought you such good wine so you could savor it, not drink it like water! Look at you, it's only been a few days and you've almost finished a bottle! If Hiroshi finds out, he'll think that I, as your mother, haven't kept a close eye on you, you old drunkard!"

"How am I an old drunkard?!" Nohara Ginnosuke retorted defiantly, his neck stiff, looking like a defeated rooster. "I'm... I'm savoring life! Savoring my son's filial piety! You wouldn't understand!"

"I can't be bothered to talk to you!" Nohara Tsuru rolled her eyes at him, but her eyes couldn't hide a hint of doting smile.

She looked at her husband's unreasonable act, feeling both annoyed and amused. In the end, she sighed helplessly and snatched the bottle from his hand.

"Just a small cup! This is really the last cup!" she said, picking up a small sake cup and carefully pouring him a cup.

The clear wine shimmered under the light, like the finest nectar.

"Hehehe! Tsuru-chan, you're the best!" Nohara Ginnosuke's face instantly lit up with joy. He carefully took the wine glass as if it were a rare treasure, and his sly eyes gleamed with pride.

He brought the wine glass to his nose, took a deep breath of the rich aroma, and a look of ecstasy appeared on his face.

"Mmm—! Delicious! It's really delicious!" He smacked his lips, took a small sip, and felt a sense of satisfaction as if he possessed the whole world.

Nohara Tsuru shook her head as she looked at his smug expression, but her face was filled with a happy smile.

She knew that although this old man was sharp-tongued, he loved his family and their two sons more than anyone else.

“Alright, we’ve had our drinks, let’s get down to business.” Nohara Tsuru sat down next to her husband, her tone becoming serious: “I just heard from Sashi that Hiroshi called him again. He said we need to prepare to sell the Akita dogs during this time. As their father, you also need to go to the base and keep an eye on things, so those young people don’t mess things up.”

"Hey hey hey, I know, I know." Nohara Ginnosuke waved his hand dismissively. He was currently immersed in the deliciousness of Juyondai and couldn't hear anything else.

He curled his lip, a hint of disdain in his tone: "Sashi is the president now! He manages over eighty people! Just that Akita dog breeding base alone has more than thirty people! Does he need an old man like me to keep an eye on him? If they can't even handle this little thing, they might as well close down as soon as possible!"

He paused, then muttered under his breath, "Besides, it's just selling a few Akita dogs, what's the big deal? Akita dogs are everywhere in Akita Prefecture, what other tricks can they possibly have up their sleeves?"

Upon hearing this, Nohara Tsuru let out a long sigh.

She knew that although her husband was a master at farming, he was completely clueless when it came to business.

"What do you know!" Nohara Tsuru rolled her eyes at him, her tone tinged with exasperation: "This isn't just a simple dog sale! This is a grand scheme orchestrated by our Hiroshi!"

She paused, her tone becoming serious, and a light shone in her usually gentle eyes: "Hiroshi said that what we are selling now is not the Akita Inu itself, but... the 'bloodline' and 'grading' qualifications of the future Akita Inu!"

"Bloodline? Classification?" Upon hearing this, Nohara Ginnosuke looked bewildered. He scratched his thinning hair, his eyes filled with confusion.

“Yes, lineage and classification.” Nohara Tsuru nodded. Although she didn’t quite understand these business intricacies, Hiroshi had explained them to her very clearly over the phone.

"Hiroshi said that as long as we control the power to assess the pedigree and classify Akita dogs, then the entire Akita dog market in Japan will be controlled by the Nohara family! We can say which dog has a pure bloodline, and it will be worth a fortune! We can say which dog is a bastard, and it will be worthless!"

"At that time, what we will be selling will not just be dogs, but a standard, an authority, an... invisible force that can control the entire market!"

As Nohara Tsuru spoke, a proud smile appeared on her face.

She felt genuinely proud to have such a son with such a far-sighted vision.

However, after hearing these words, Nohara Ginnosuke just stood there blankly, looking at his wife and then at the wine glass in his hand, feeling his brain, which had long been numbed by alcohol, completely shut down.

"You... what you're saying... I... I can't understand a single word!" Nohara Ginnosuke felt as if he were listening to gibberish.

Just then, the door to the inner room was pushed open.

Nohara Sashi, the eldest son of the Nohara family, walked in with a simple and honest smile.

His dark face carried a hint of simplicity and sincerity.

"Dad, Mom, what are you talking about?" he asked with a smile.

“We were talking about your brother’s ‘big plan’,” Nohara Tsuru said with a smile. She glanced at her husband, who was still in a daze, and said with a hint of helplessness, “Your dad just doesn’t understand.”

"Hehe, Mom, please don't make things difficult for Dad." Nohara Saji chuckled憨厚ly, scratching his head with an embarrassed smile on his face: "To be honest, I... I don't quite understand what Hiroshi is saying either."

He paused, then his tone became unusually firm: "However, I understand one thing. That is, as long as it's Hiroshi's arrangement, we can't go wrong if we do it!"

"Yes! That's right! Saji is right!"

Upon hearing this, Nohara Ginnosuke slapped his thigh, as if he had found a kindred spirit. His sly, beady eyes gleamed with smugness once more: "Our Hiroshi is a genius! What he says is definitely right! We just need to listen to him, and we'll absolutely make a fortune!"

Looking at the two men in front of him, who were filled with blind trust in Hiroshi, Nohara Tsuru wore a helpless yet happy smile.

She knew that this home, though simple, was filled with the most sincere family affection and trust.

"Alright, alright, I know you all believe Hiroshi." Nohara Tsuru sighed softly. She glanced at Nohara Ginnosuke, her tone carrying a hint of reminder: "However, as the father-in-law, you should also pay attention to your image. It's a good thing Miss Ikuna didn't come today, otherwise, seeing you in this drunken state, they might think that our Nohara family has no manners."

"Ugh! You old woman, you're so long-winded!" Nohara Ginnosuke waved his hand impatiently, curling his lip with a hint of disdain in his tone: "After a while, I'll buy a piece of land for Saji, so he and Ikuna can build their own detached house and move out! Then, the two of us old folks can live our own good lives! We won't have to worry about each other!"

As he spoke, he winked at Nohara Tsuru.

His lewd old manner made Nohara Tsuru's cheeks flush bright red instantly.

"You... what nonsense are you spouting!" Nohara Tsuru glared at him, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible coquettishness: "Sashi is still here! You... you're really disrespectful to your elders!"

Nohara Saji stood to the side, watching his parents' playful banter, a helpless, bitter smile on his face.

He knew that his father was just like that.

He quickly pulled a thick stack of newspapers from his briefcase, trying to change the subject.

"Dad, Mom, look!" Nohara Saji grinned sheepishly as he handed the newspapers to his parents, his voice brimming with pride. "These are the newspapers I bought in town today! They're all about Hiroshi, about his 'Hachiko Monogatari'!"

"oh?!"

Nohara Ginnosuke's eyes lit up instantly. He snatched the newspaper, his shifty eyes gleaming with excitement.

Looking at the eye-catching headlines, the handsome photos of Hiroshi Nohara, and the words full of praise and admiration in the newspaper, he could no longer hide his pride.

"Hahaha! I knew it! Our Hiroshi is a genius!"

Nohara Ginnosuke burst into laughter, his voice carrying throughout the entire village: "Look! Look! This is all written here, praising my son Hiroshi! 'Cultural monster,' 'Pride of Japan,' 'Conquering the world'! Hahahaha! My son, Nohara Ginnosuke's son, is awesome!"

As he spoke, he carefully folded the newspaper and put it in his pocket, looking just like a squirrel that had hoarded a full granary of grain.

"Hehehe, that's great! Tomorrow at the village entrance, I'll have something to brag about!" He grinned slyly, his smugness practically bursting from his body.

Looking at her husband's smug expression, Nohara Tsuru wore a helpless yet happy smile.

She knew that the old man was going to "bully" the village again.

However, at that moment, a sudden cell phone ring broke the warm and lively atmosphere in the room.

Nohara Saji took out his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and a look of surprise instantly appeared on his honest face.

“It’s the mayor of Omagari City, Mr. Kenji Ito,” he said softly, a hint of tension in his voice.

As soon as the words were spoken, the room, which had been filled with the warmth of family and the playful banter of an old married couple, seemed to have its air instantly sucked out, plunging into a strange silence.

Nohara Ginnosuke's face, flushed with pride and alcohol, instantly returned to normal. He even subconsciously straightened his back, and his usually shifty eyes, which had been darting around, now became serious, devoid of any frivolity.

He glanced at the mobile phone in his son's hand, his gaze as if he were looking at a hot potato that could explode at any moment.

Nohara Tsuru reacted even faster. Without the slightest hesitation, she reached out and pinched the soft flesh on the old man's waist, which was still in a daze.

"hiss--"

Nohara Ginnosuke gasped, all the effects of the alcohol vanishing in an instant. He abruptly shut his mouth, his expression like that of a naughty student caught daydreaming in class.

Nohara Tsuru then withdrew her hand with satisfaction. She gave her eldest son, Nohara Saji, an encouraging yet somewhat urging look, signaling him to answer the phone quickly.

The matriarch of the Nohara family is always so calm and reliable in crucial moments.

Nohara Hajime took a deep breath, suppressing all his surprise and nervousness. He knew that this phone call was not just a greeting from the mayor, but also an invisible "test" for him and the entire Nohara Company.

He pressed the answer button, and a perfectly measured respect and composure appeared on his honest face.

"Hello, Mayor Ito, good evening. This is Nohara Sashi." His voice was steady and powerful, without the slightest hint of panic. His composure even gave him the air of a mature company president.

"Oh my! Mr. Saji! Good evening, good evening!" On the other end of the phone, Kenji Ito's warm and friendly voice immediately came through, as if the mayor were calling a businessman in a subordinate region, but a kind elder greeting a junior: "I'm so sorry to bother you so late!"

"Mayor, you're too kind." Nohara Sakashi said respectfully, "Please feel free to give any instructions you may have."

“It’s not an instruction, it’s not an instruction at all!” Kenji Ito laughed loudly on the other end of the phone, his voice carrying a hint of the shrewdness and bitterness unique to politicians: “Sashi-kun, the reason I’m calling you this time is actually… it’s a personal matter I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

"Help?" Nohara Sashi's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. He knew the real issue was about to be addressed.

“Yes, I’ll help.” Kenji Ito sighed deeply, his voice filled with helplessness and a headache: “Sashi-kun, your brother Hiroshi-kun’s ‘Hachiko Monogatari’ is really… incredibly popular right now! It’s a complete frenzy!”

He paused, his tone becoming even more bitter: "My old friends in Tokyo are all going crazy, calling me every day! They all say that Akita dogs are so cute and loyal! They all want to have one! They even insist that I, the mayor of Omagari City, get them some of the purest and best-looking Akita dogs!"

"Tell me, how could I, as the mayor, refuse? But I don't have any Akita dogs! I can't just go out on the street and grab a few, can I? So, Saji-kun, that's why I'm shamelessly calling you. Could you... do me this favor?"

Kenji Ito's words were sincere and impeccable.

He cleverly disguised his "selfish motives" as a "helpless" "debt of gratitude," thus saving face while subtly shifting the pressure onto Nohara Sashi.

Nohara Sashi listened quietly, his honest face remaining completely expressionless.

But the words his younger brother, Hiroshi Nohara, had said to him on the phone instantly flashed through his mind—

"Brother, our Akita dogs are going for the high-end market. Ordinary people can buy them, but in limited quantities to create a sense of scarcity. However, for those important figures, like the mayor or the head of the farmers' association, we'll not only sell them, but we'll also give them away! What we're giving away isn't just dogs, it's favors, relationships, and the foundation for our Nohara family's future in Omagari City, Akita Prefecture, and even the whole of Japan!"

With this in mind, Nohara Sashi made a decision in an instant.

He knew that this was not just "helping out," but an opportunity.

An excellent opportunity to deeply bind Nohara Corporation with the highest authority in Omagari City!
“Mayor, you’re joking.” Nohara Saki’s voice rang out again, and his composure and confidence made Ito Kenji on the other end of the phone feel a hint of surprise: “This is not helping, this is clearly showing our Nohara family’s respect!”

He paused, then his tone became even more sincere: "Mayor, rest assured. I happen to have a batch of Akita Inu dogs of excellent quality and purebred. How about this, I'll reserve twenty for you, no, twenty-five! What do you think? These twenty-five Akita Inu dogs are a New Year's gift from me, Nohara Sakai, on behalf of the Nohara Family Company!"

"What?! Giving...giving it to me?!"

Kenji Ito's voice instantly rose eight octaves, his tone filled with unbelievable ecstasy!
He originally thought that Nohara Sashi would at most agree to sell him a few, and might even take this opportunity to talk to him about terms and ask for some policy support or something.

But to his utter surprise, Nohara Sashi was actually... was actually so "savvy"!
Not only did they agree to give away twenty-five head of cattle, but they were also giving them away for free!
This...this is like a pie falling from the sky!

You have to understand, his friends in Tokyo are much higher in status and rank than him.

They can be considered friends.

They're all just bragging.

If he could acquire twenty-five Akita dogs of the highest bloodline, it would be a huge boost to his political career!

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Nohara Saji's voice remained calm and composed, as if what he had just given away was not a "scarce resource" worth more than 20 million yen, but just a few worthless cabbages: "You are the mayor of our Omagari City. You are always busy with the development of our Omagari City and work hard every day. It is our honor to share your burden as business people."

"Oh my! Mr. Saji! You...you're really too kind!"

Kenji Ito smiled excitedly, even standing up from his seat. His face, which always wore an official smile, was now filled with sincere gratitude. "Sashi-kun! You've really done me a huge favor this time! I, Kenji Ito, will remember this kindness!"

(End of this chapter)