Takuya Nakayama's hands didn't stop moving, and not a single ripple of emotion crossed his face.
Bandai's top executives weren't fools. The industry was small; Sega and Sotsu's frequent contact was bound to leak. This was the fundamental reason for Bandai's growing panic.
"The day Sega officially announces the acquisition of Sotsu, Bandai's internal psychological defenses will utterly collapse," Chuta Mitsui said, his words quickening with excitement. "That will be Makoto Yamashina's weakest, most helpless moment. I need Sega to cooperate with me and play a grand part in this drama."
"How should they cooperate?"
"At the same moment Sega announces the news, they should issue a final ultimatum to Bandai, offering an extremely low acquisition price—the lower, the better." Chuta Mitsui tapped his finger forcefully on the desk. "I will then, at that day's emergency board meeting, join forces with three other directors who have long been dissatisfied with Makoto Yamashina to launch a direct vote of no confidence against him!"
Takuya Nakayama crossed his hands under his chin, watching him with keen interest.
"A coup?"
"Yes, a coup!" Chuta Mitsui nodded emphatically. "Makoto Yamashina's greatest asset is the prestige his father left behind."
"But in the face of absolute desperation and the threat of bankruptcy, prestige is worthless! If Sega swallows Sotsu, Bandai's Gundam model business will be strangled. With the North American market's bad debts exposed, no one on the Board of Directors will support him anymore. I will force him to resign on the spot and temporarily assume the duties of President."
"And then?"
"Then, I will represent Bandai in fully accepting Sega's acquisition proposal. No more bickering, no more tug-of-war." Chuta Mitsui gave his final commitment. "The Game Division, Toy Division, and distribution network will all be dismantled and reorganized according to Sega's requirements. Bandai will be completely integrated into Sega's system."
A clean and decisive backstab.
Dismantling Bandai's last line of defense from the inside, kicking Makoto Yamashina out of the game, stripping Bandai bare, and delivering it to Sega on a silver platter.
Takuya Nakayama smiled, a wide and genuine grin.
"Mitsui-san, this plan is brilliant. It's a textbook-level internal demolition." Takuya Nakayama shifted into a more comfortable posture. "But what's in it for you? You can't be doing this just to give Sega a grand gift."
There is no betrayal without reason, only the redistribution of interests.
Chuta Mitsui sat up straight and stated his price without hesitation.
"First, the Mitsui Family's current Bandai shares will be exempt from any subsequent valuation write-downs. Upon completion of the acquisition, they are to be swapped for Sega stock at a fixed ratio based on today's market price."
This was a shrewd demand, securing a guaranteed floor for his assets.
Bandai's stock price was bound to plummet. Chuta Mitsui wanted to lock in his family's wealth now—and even ride the wave of Sega's rising stock.
"Second," Chuta Mitsui said, his eyes locked on Takuya Nakayama, "the Bandai Toy Division will inevitably be restructured after the merger. I want a position. Either General Manager of the Bandai Toy Division or Vice President of Sega Galaxy."
He wasn't just protecting his family's money; he was securing a seat of real power for himself.
It was a greedy demand, but a pragmatic one.
Takuya Nakayama rose and walked to an elegant liquor cabinet, where he poured two glasses of a vintage single malt whisky.
He returned and handed one glass to Chuta Mitsui.
"The first condition is acceptable," Takuya said, resuming his seat. "Sega can lock in the Mitsui Family's shares at a five percent premium over today's price. Consider that extra five percent a finder's fee for your work on the North American books."
Chuta Mitsui took the glass, his hand trembling slightly. He didn't drink, waiting for the rest of the sentence.
"As for the second point," Takuya Nakayama swirled his glass, the ice cubes clinking against the sides with a crisp, pleasing sound, "you can't be the Vice President of Sega Galaxy. The stakes there are too high, the waters too deep. You couldn't handle it."
Chuta Mitsui frowned, about to argue, but Takuya raised a hand to stop him.
"However, after Bandai comes on board, the toy production lines and sales channels will definitely be spun off to form a separate, wholly-owned subsidiary. It will be dedicated to the manufacturing and distribution of physical merchandise for all of Sega's IPs—including Pokémon, Sonic, and any future ones." Takuya's eyes gleamed as he threw out the real bait. "You will be the President of this subsidiary. How does that sound?"
Chuta Mitsui froze.
This was far better than he had ever imagined!
A separate subsidiary, absolute control.
And with Sega's massive, globally dominant IP resources backing him, this was a goldmine of a position!
It was a hundred times better than being a disgruntled General Manager at Bandai!
"Deal!" Chuta Mitsui raised his glass without hesitation, his eyes burning with fervor.
Clink.
Two crystal glasses clinked in mid-air, producing a crisp, clear chime.
"Get ready to work, Mitsui-san." Takuya Nakayama took a sip of the rich whiskey, a cold smile curling his lips. "The news from Sotsu will be officially finalized within a month. Your first task is to deal with the fence-sitters on Bandai's Board of Directors. When the time comes, I want to see a coup d'état with an absolutely certain outcome."
"Rest assured, Managing Director." Chuta Mitsui drained his glass in one gulp. The strong liquor burned his throat, but his heart swelled with exhilaration. "Makoto Yamashina has sat in that seat for too long. It's time he rolled out with a little dignity."
Half an hour later, Chuta Mitsui left the cigar bar.
The rain had stopped without him noticing. A night breeze blew past, the air carrying a crisp chill that cleared his mind.
He slid into the back seat of a black luxury sedan and ordered the driver to pull away.
Watching the Tokyo nightscape blur past the window, Chuta Mitsui couldn't stop the grin from spreading across his face.
Bandai was finished. That was its inevitable fate.
But for him, Chuta Mitsui, the journey was only just beginning.
He had finally boarded the Sega super-dreadnought, a vessel destined to dominate the global entertainment industry.
Next, he would return to the company and personally dig Makoto Yamashina's final grave.
The next morning, at the Sega Galaxy office building.
Takuya Nakayama hummed an unrecognizable tune, his steps light as he pushed open the heavy wooden door to Director Hattori's office.
Inside, the ventilation fan was running, and the air carried the faint aroma of high-grade sencha tea mixed with a hint of ancient agarwood incense, instantly calming anyone who entered.
Hattori, wearing reading glasses, was frowning as he flipped through several thick legal documents. Hearing the commotion, he looked up and took off his glasses, holding them in his hand.
"What brings the Managing Director to an old man's office today?" Hattori closed the files, pushed them aside, and a kind yet shrewd smile spread across his face.
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