I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 85 Warning! Don’t trust people from Osaka!

Kenji Sato became alert.

His face, which always wore a somewhat gentle smile, became like the surface of a lake blown by a cold wind the moment he heard these words, and all the ripples solidified into a cold alertness.

"Nohara-kun, have you answered all those pagers and phone calls?" Kenji Sato's voice unconsciously lowered a few degrees.

"Not yet, there are too many. I plan to deal with them slowly during my rest in the next two days." Nohara Hiroshi shrugged. He really didn't take this seriously.

In his opinion, it is nothing more than some interview invitations from the media or some advertisers who want to cooperate.

However, Kenji Sato's expression turned awkward.

"Don't go back!"

He blurted out the words almost subconsciously, then realized his mistake and quickly cleared his throat. He spoke in a serious and earnest voice, as someone who had experienced it before:

"Nohara-kun, you're different now. You're no longer the manga artist who only cares about creativity. You're now the most sought-after talent in the entire Kanto faction, no, in the entire Tokyo TV station!"

"What you have in your hands is an idea that can turn stone into gold, and capital that can shake up the entire industry! At a time like this, nine out of ten people who come knocking on your door are jackals!"

"Jackal?" Nohara Hiroshi raised his eyebrows and became interested.

"That's right! It's the jackal!"

At this time, Yamamoto Tsuyoshi also suddenly raised his head, his face full of contempt and disdain.

"I'm telling you, Section Chief Nohara," Yamamoto said in a hoarse voice, carrying the vicissitudes of life. "I've seen these guys' tricks many times. Those people at Kansai TV or Osaka TV love to use money to pave the way. They'll offer you a contract you can't refuse, then once you're there, they'll drain your creativity and kick you out. You can never trust people from Osaka!"

"Those guys over in Nagoya like to play dirty. They send some pretty girls over to 'make friends' with you, try to get you to talk, and then once you've shared your core ideas, they'll turn around and start their own project. You'll have nowhere to cry then!"

"Some are even more despicable. They'll invite you out for drinks under the guise of cooperation, get you drunk, and then maybe steal something from your bag."

Yamamoto Takeshi's words were like a sharp knife, revealing the dirtiest and most shameless side of this industry to everyone.

The old people from the Kanto faction do know about it.

At this time, those young people were also stunned, some of them were surprised.

"So, Nohara-kun," Sato Kenji's tone became extremely serious. "If you encounter such unidentified contacts in the future, you must not handle them on your own. You can ask me first, or ask Director Yamamoto, and we can help you check. The water in this circle is too deep, and if you are not careful, you will get into trouble."

"I understand." Nohara Hiroshi looked at the two seniors in front of him who were genuinely worried about him, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.

Of course he also knew that the other party was exaggerating.

but……

The film and television industry is an industry that can make quick money and gathers so many handsome men and beautiful women. It would definitely be impossible if there were no dark forces.

With his background at TV Tokyo, he may not have been exposed to much.

But once there is no backing.

Behind that...

It's a mixed feeling.

In the corner, Kurosawa Eiji, who had been drinking tea quietly, also saw all of this.

He looked at the young man, whose face remained calm even after hearing these dirty things, and a knowing smile flashed in his eyes.

Of course he knew these tricks; he had encountered dirtier ones in his youth.

But he didn't speak.

Because he could see that this young man named Hiroshi Nohara had a more stable heart than anyone imagined.

but……

"People in Osaka really can't be trusted!" Kurosawa Eiji thought about the dirty things he had encountered at the Osaka TV station before, and now he can't forget it!

But he also made a decision secretly.

I have to call that guy Ming Ri Hai later and give him a good beating.

Such a piece of unpolished jade that is enough to suppress the fortune of the entire Guandong School must not be damaged because of the shortsightedness and greed of some people.

It must be reused! And more importantly... it must be protected!

……

The ratings storm created by "Wonderful Stories of the World" has not diminished at all after the passing of a weekend.

On the contrary, after a brief silence on Monday, it swept across Neon again on Tuesday night with a more violent attitude.

Tuesday, July 2nd.

At nine o'clock in the evening, the second episode of "Wonderful Stories of the World" "The Legend of Macchio" was broadcast on time.

The next morning, when the latest ratings report flew into the offices of various departments of Tokyo TV like snowflakes, everyone was completely shocked by the glaring numbers on it.

20.51%!

Compared to the first episode, it increased by 0.21%!

"This is fake, right?! It's going up again?!"

The head of Tokyo TV's advertising department, a middle-aged man with a Mediterranean hairstyle, looked at the report in his hand with such surprise that he almost had a heart attack. "This...this isn't just a dark horse, this is simply...a ratings perpetual motion machine! Quick! Contact Nohara's classroom immediately! Tell them to increase the price of advertising space for the next episode by another 10%! No! 15%!"

At the same time, the atmosphere in the Finance Department's office was jubilant.

"Hahaha! We got it! We really got it this time!"

The finance manager looked at the input-output ratio report. His brow, always furrowed by budgetary concerns, now smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum. "The advertising revenue from the first episode and subsequent copyright pre-sales alone have already paid back the entire production cost of the project! Every single one of the remaining thirty-eight episodes is pure profit! Pure profit! Nohara Hiroshi is truly amazing!"

And in that Iwata classroom, which was as depressing as an ice cellar.

The ratings report for the second episode of the third season of "Anzhiju" was ruthlessly slammed on Masao Iwata's desk like a death sentence.

3.55%.

Compared with the 6.1% in the first episode, it was cut in half.

"How could...how could this happen..." Masao Iwata stared at the number blankly. His face, which always had a bit of arrogance, now looked dead.

He couldn't understand why the audience didn't buy it when it was the same style of painting and the same story pattern?

He had no idea how clumsy and ridiculous his so-called "same" would appear in the sharp eyes of the audience.

……

Wednesday, July 3rd.

The third episode of "Wonderful Stories of the World" "Shogoku" has a viewership rating of 20.57%!

"Dark House" Season 2.01 Episode , Ratings: %.

“It’s fallen below 3%…it’s about to fall below 2%…”

In the office of Production Bureau Director Nobuhiko Sakata, Asumi looked at the report in his hand with a warm smile on his face, but his tone was just the right amount of regretful: "Director Sakata, it seems that Deputy Director Takada Shunei is under a lot of pressure."

Nobuhiko Sakata held the teacup, without even raising his eyelids, and just said "hmm" lightly.

Now, he is too lazy to care about the project that is doomed to fail.

All his attention was focused on the young man named Hiroshi Nohara.

Because even he is the production director.

I have already received calls from production directors, deputy directors, and even directors of other TV stations.

Consultation, learning or communication matters.

He already had a sense of crisis.

So when he thought about how he had listened to Takada Toshihide's words and almost let an excellent director be buried, he couldn't help but feel secretly angry.

……

Thursday, July 4th.

The fourth episode of "Wonderful Stories of the World" "The Cabinet" has a viewership rating of 20.66%!

"Dark House" Season 1.58 Episode , Ratings: %.

"That old fox Takada seems to have behaved a lot more honestly recently."

In Asumi's office, Kurosawa Eiji stroked his beard and said with a smile that looked like he was looking forward to the show:

"I heard that he was singled out for criticism by the station director at the board meeting yesterday. He was accused of being a poor judge of people and nearly ruining the station's reputation because of an incompetent subordinate."

Asumi just smiled and said nothing.

He knew this was just the beginning.

……

Friday, July 5th.

The fifth episode of "World Wonders" "Elves in the Dark" has a viewership rating of 21.02%!

"Dark House" Season 1.25 Episode , Ratings: %.

“Break…break through 21%?!”

"This isn't a myth anymore, this is... this is witchcraft, right?!"

The entire Tokyo TV production department was completely speechless when they saw this number.

They looked at the young man who still went to and from get off work on time every day, and spent most of his time sitting leisurely in the office drinking coffee and reading comics. Their eyes looked as if they were looking at a demon from another dimension wearing human skin.

21% of the second-highest tier? Even in the prime tier, this level... is enough to dominate!
Because they subconsciously looked at the 8 o'clock prime time program called "Yesterday's Sakura".

First-class director, S-class era love project.

The ratings were only 22.32%!

The difference is only about 1%.

At least they had heard the laughter that originally came from the first-level director's classroom from time to time, but it had stopped at this time.

The employees who stayed in the production bureau building had no smiles on their faces when they went out.

A stinky face.

After all, there is no way around it. The ratings of anyone's own prime-time program will be approached by the ratings of a mere second-best-time program.

That's simply an insult and a slap in the face!

……

July 6th, Saturday.

"Wonderful Stories of the World" Episode 21.11 "New House", Ratings: %!

"Dark House" Season 1.08 Episode , Ratings: %.

Almost no one cares about the life or death of Anzhiju anymore.

It is like a clumsy clown. In front of the brilliant king, all its struggles seem so insignificant and full of comedy.

Iwata classroom has become a taboo word.

Everyone would subconsciously quicken their pace when passing by that office, as if something ominous was sealed inside.

……

Sunday, July 7th.

When the final ratings report of the seventh episode of "Wonderful Stories of the World" "The Gift" was freshly released.

21.17%!

On the other hand, the ratings of the third season of "Dark House" fell weakly below the 1% mark that symbolizes the lifeline, like a punctured balloon.

0.8%.

This number, like the loudest slap in the face, slapped everyone in the Tokyo faction hard.

It also completely announced the end of a farce.

……

It was a sunny Monday morning.

When Hiroshi Nohara drove his black Toyota Crown Majestic smoothly into the underground parking lot of the TV station.

He keenly noticed that the atmosphere today seemed a little different.

From the parking lot to the elevator, and then to the floor where the production department was located, everyone who saw him along the way, no matter which department or faction, without exception, took the initiative to stop from a distance and gave him a standard 90-degree bow.

Everyone calls him "Teacher Nohara".

The posture was humble and respectful, as if welcoming a king who was inspecting his territory.

There was no more jealousy or scrutiny in their eyes, only a pure submission to the strong that came from the heart after witnessing the absolute crushing strength.

This is also a characteristic of the Japanese admiring the strong.

As long as you are strong.

Then you deserve respect!

Regardless of age!

"Good morning, Nohara...Sensei."

A third-level director of the Tokyo School who once had some complaints about him hesitated for a moment when he passed by him, and finally squeezed out this title in an almost dry voice that he had never thought he would say from his mouth.

"Hello." Nohara Hiroshi just smiled at him calmly and nodded as a return gesture.

A gift from the strong.

No one expected that in this steel forest called Tokyo TV, the strict factional rules that had been in operation for decades would be torn open by him in the most brutal and unreasonable way.

No one dares to ignore him!
Hiroshi Nohara opened the door of his classroom. In the office, the group of veterans from the Kanto faction had already arrived.

They looked at the young people who came in, and their faces were filled with a kind of pride that came from the heart.

"Section Chief, good morning!"

The uniform greetings echoed throughout the office.

People's hearts are with you!

"Dangdangdang——"

In this frenzied atmosphere that was enough to melt steel, there was a gentle knock on the office door.

Deputy Director Ming Rihai's chief secretary, an intellectual beauty who usually looked down on others and only nodded politely to the heads of various departments, was now standing at the door in person, with a just right, humble smile on her face, a mixture of awe and curiosity.

"Teacher Nohara." Her voice was as gentle as the spring breeze in April. "Deputy Director Asumi asks you to visit his office when you are free."

This title and this gesture made the group of veterans from the Kanto faction in the office look even more proud.

In the past, the secretary of Deputy Director Ming Rihai was very arrogant.

When have you ever been so humble?

Now that they are so humble towards their Section Chief Nohara, doesn't that mean that their Section Chief Nohara has proven his strength!?

"Okay, thank you for your help." Nohara Hiroshi nodded with a smile. He certainly understood the changes.

Power is like levels in a game.

When you are still in the Novice Village, everyone you see is a high-ranking red-named NPC.

But once you hold a magic weapon and your level soars, you will find that those big figures who were once out of your reach will also take the initiative to send you invitations to form a team.

He gave a brief instruction, asking everyone to organize this week's audience feedback report, and then, with the secretary's respectful attitude almost as if leading the way, he walked slowly towards the office that symbolized the center of power.

As I opened the door, a gust of cigar smoke hit me in the face.

Asumi, Kenji Sato, and Takeshi Yamamoto had been waiting here for a long time, and each of them had an irrepressible smile on his face.

"Nohara-kun! You really are... I don't know what words to use to describe you!" As soon as Asumi saw him come in, he immediately stood up from behind the desk that symbolized power, walked up to him quickly, and patted his shoulder heavily. His laughter was hearty and full of appreciation from the heart.

"Yes, Deputy Director." Yamamoto Takeshi's face, always as sharp as a hawk, was now filled with sincere admiration. "A 21.17% audience rating... I never dreamed of such an outrageous figure!"

Then came Kenji Sato, who was again praised with all his might.

It made Nohara Hiroshi laugh and cry.

I don't know what happened to them.

However, Nohara Hiroshi looked into the room and asked in confusion, "Where's Director Kurosawa? Didn't he come?"

"Don't mention it." Asumi waved his hands from his chair, a look of uncertainty on his face. "That old guy, after watching the finished film of episode seven yesterday, locked himself in his office early this morning and refused to see anyone. He said... he was inspired by your unconventional story, and inspiration flooded him, so he decided to shut himself up and write a brand new script."

"Oh? That's really good." Nohara Hiroshi became interested.

"Good thing? I think it's going to give us a problem!"

Asumi rubbed his brow, his tone hinting at a headache, yet his excitement couldn't be concealed. "He told me he wanted to make a samurai film that defied stereotypes. It's about a country vagrant who isn't a samurai at all, but who, to make ends meet, accidentally passes himself off as one. In the end, while protecting the villagers, he becomes a true samurai."

"A ronin pretending to be a samurai?" Nohara Hiroshi stroked his chin. This setting made him feel strangely familiar. He subconsciously murmured softly, "This character setting... 'Seven Samurai'... Kikuchiyo?"

His voice was so soft, almost inaudible.

But Ming Hai's ears were as sharp as radars. He turned his head suddenly, and his eyes, which were always as deep as an ancient well, suddenly burst out with a scorching light that was almost greedy!
"What?! Seven Samurai?!" Asumi rushed to Nohara Hiroshi and grabbed his arms tightly with both hands. His eyes were like Columbus who discovered the New World: "You kid...you...you don't even have an idea for a movie?!"

Kenji Sato and Takeshi Yamamoto also held their breath instantly, staring at Hiroshi Nohara with their eyes fixed, their expressions as if they were waiting for the gods to give an oracle.

"Ahem..." Looking at Asumi's face which was slightly flushed with excitement, Nohara Hiroshi just smiled noncommittally, neither admitting nor denying.

That calmness and mystery made Ming Hai anxious, but he could do nothing about it.

"Alright, alright! I surrender! I surrender!"

Ming Hai suddenly let go of his hand and raised his hands in an exaggerated surrender gesture. He was only forty-five years old, in the prime of his life, and even when joking, he had no airs of a deputy director. "You monster! My heart can't stand you scaring me like that! We'll talk about the movie later! Let's talk about business first!"

Moreover, now, Asumi directly regards the young man Hiroshi Nohara as a strong man of the same level as himself.

We also heard from everyone that Hiroshi Nohara was willing to join the Kanto faction.

He was even the leader who helped the Kanto faction.

So Asumi Hai also let down his guard.

Seems very easy-going.

Of course, the reason why Asumi called Nohara Hiroshi over at this time was, firstly, to bring the two sides closer together, so as to avoid being lured away by other enemy stations as Sato had warned.

The second thing is that Asumi is indeed in trouble.

He looked at Nohara Hiroshi, took a deep breath, and even had a hint of pleading in his tone: "Hiroshi-kun, regarding that variety show project for 'Super Change' that we discussed before... could you please write a brief plan for it?"

(End of this chapter)