"Any news?" Takuya Nakayama casually set the proposal on the corner of his desk and looked up, a knowing smile on his face.
Director Hattori walked to the desk and gently placed the still-warm fax on its surface, tapping it with his finger.
"Matsushima relayed the message. Just as we expected, the old shareholders at Sotsu couldn't sit still any longer." Director Hattori pulled out a chair and sat down, his tone carrying the smile of a seasoned strategist. "Takeshi Honda from Daiwa Securities just called me. Sotsu is proactively proposing further, more in-depth discussions with Sega."
"Oh? How many are coming?" Takuya Nakayama raised an eyebrow.
"The five core founding shareholders. Every single one of them."
Hearing this, Takuya Nakayama burst into a hearty laugh.
"It seems that Pokémon's financial report really hit them hard. It was like dropping a nuclear bomb right into their boardroom."
Director Hattori joined in with a few hearty laughs and picked up the teapot on the desk to pour himself a cup of water. "Couldn't have put it better."
"Those old bones have been rolling in the mud of the copyright world for half their lives. They know better than anyone which money is easy to make and which is hard. Bandai is completely at a loss right now, and they've been watching the whole thing unfold from the sidelines."
The old man took a sip of water and continued, "Sega is not only holding the trump card of Sunrise, but is also actively dangling a tsunami-level piece of meat like Pokémon. With the stick on one side and a mountain of gold on the other, as long as they aren't completely senile, there's no reason for them not to take the bait."
Takuya Nakayama picked up the fax on the table and scanned it. It was densely packed with several tentative meeting times that Sotsu had cautiously proposed.
"The time is fine. Where's the location?" Takuya asked casually, putting the fax down.
"They're all old-school Japanese businessmen who care deeply about face and atmosphere. If we just call them into a meeting room in our high-end office building, the atmosphere will be too dry and formal, which would only raise their guard." A flash of shrewdness crossed Director Hattori's eyes as he had already made plans. "I've already had Honda arrange it. There's a century-old hot spring inn in Atami with excellent privacy—they only accept regular guests, so the paparazzi will never get in. We'll soak in the baths, drink some top-grade Junmai Daiginjo, and eat authentic kaiseki cuisine. In that steamy, relaxed, and slightly tipsy atmosphere at the dinner table, it's much easier to bring up harsh words and difficult terms."
After listening, Takuya Nakayama couldn't help but give a thumbs-up in genuine admiration. "Uncle Hattori, you're a real old pro. You've arranged this perfectly. It's like a gentle rain that soaks things in without a sound."
He stood up and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the stream of cars below, weaving like ants.
"Since all five core shareholders are willing to show up together, it means they've already reached a consensus internally on the general business framework—and even on the acquisition itself. This meeting will focus solely on the acquisition method, the equity swap ratio, and the payment structure."
Director Hattori pulled a brown leather notebook from his pocket and flipped to a page.
"You've hit the nail on the head, Managing Director. Sotsu is even willing to set aside the specific acquisition price for now. What they're most desperate to confirm is the management structure and personnel arrangements after Sega acquires them. Plainly put, these old bones are afraid we'll discard them once we've used them."
"It's only natural. I'd be afraid too if I were in their shoes." Takuya Nakayama turned around, his smile fading as his expression turned grave and serious. "These people are Sotsu's true core assets. We're paying a premium for Sotsu not to buy an empty shell of a company, but for the Production Committee connections they hold across the entire Japanese animation industry. We're buying the decades of experience they've accumulated dealing with major TV stations, sponsors, and GG Merchants!"
He walked back to the table, planting both hands firmly on its surface and fixing Director Hattori with a piercing gaze.
"If we drive them away and Sega is left with an empty shell, that's like buying a jeweled casket and throwing away the jewel! It would be worthless! I need you to make this crystal clear to them: When Sega acquires Sotsu, we all become one family. When we eat from the same pot, we must get along. Sega provides the funding, the IP resources, and the global distribution channels. They provide the talent, the experience, and the operational expertise. Together, we'll expand this business to its fullest potential! Eliminating internal strife and letting everyone focus on their strengths is the foundation for us all to make a fortune!"
Takuya paused, his voice suddenly dropping an octave, carrying an unquestionable air of authority.
"I, Takuya Nakayama, will absolutely not pull a Sony with their foolish Columbia Pictures acquisition!"
Director Hattori's eyebrows shot up at those words, a glint of interest flashing in his eyes.
In the late eighties, Sony had thrown billions of US dollars around, flamboyantly purchasing Hollywood's Columbia Pictures. The result? They suffered from a severe case of cultural incompatibility in management, being treated as a bottomless ATM by the American executives. The company bled money year after year, until Sony's top brass finally lost their patience and purged the entire US management team.
To this day, the incident remained a recurring joke in the Japanese business world.
"Sony was just a nouveau riche playing the fool, paying to be tormented," Takuya Nakayama snorted, a sneer curling his lips. "What Sega needs is an elite team ready to hit the ground running. Once Sotsu is integrated, Sega will not interfere. They will maintain their independent brand operations, and the entire original team will be retained. Not only will there be no layoffs, but salaries will be increased across the board! As long as they can successfully roll out Sega Galaxy's massive IP library across the animation, tokusatsu, and merchandising markets—"
Takuya Nakayama straightened his posture and made a grand gesture with his hand. "They'll definitely get their share of the profit-sharing! I want them to know that working with Sega will be far more lucrative than their old days as mere middlemen!"
"With your firm assurance, Managing Director, I am now one hundred percent confident we'll secure this hot spring gathering," Director Hattori replied, closing his notebook with confidence before leaving the Executive Office.
Night fell.
In Atami, a century-old luxury hot spring inn, hidden halfway up a mountainside and accepting only regular guests, bore no sign.
A fine spring rain tapped against the courtyard's bluestone pavers, creating a soft, rustling sound.
The shishi-odoshi bamboo water fountain filled to the brim, then tilted, striking a round stone with a resonant clack that echoed through the tranquil night.
Inside a spacious, top-tier private room, the underfloor heating was set to a comfortable warmth, and the brand-new tatami mats emitted a faint, soothing scent of rush grass.
On a low red sandalwood table sat a kaiseki meal, each dish as exquisite as a work of art.
The Ise lobster sashimi was crystal clear, top-grade Wagyu beef sizzled on a small charcoal stove, and the rich aroma of premium junmai daiginjo sake permeated the air.
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