Nippon TV Press Conference and Gift preparation

[Tokyo, Japan]

July 15, 1991.

[Tora and Nippon TV collaboration press conference]

Various media outlets were present as they interviewed President Taro Ikeda and Akimitsu Ishizawa.

"We've heard that the collaboration between Tora and Nippon TV is in preparation for an anime that can rival KiShin and TV Asahi's Pokémon," questioned an NHK reporter.

President Taro Ikeda anticipated this question and nodded as he responded, "It's quite evident." He paused and glanced at the questioning reporter. "Indeed, we are preparing an anime to compete with Pokémon, given their current popularity."

A TBS reporter inquired, "Have Tora and Nippon TV already conceived an anime capable of challenging the immensely popular Pokémon world, especially among the youth?"

Upon hearing this, President Taro Ikeda and CEO Akimitsu Ishizawa exchanged glances, both feeling uncertain about whether their anime could truly rival Pokémon.

Nippon TV had previously suffered financial losses while attempting to produce a Pokémon-like anime, and not only did they experience financial setbacks, but they also faced criticism, primarily from young audiences, who labeled them as mere copycats. This had negatively impacted Nippon TV's reputation.

President Taro Ikeda looked at the TBS reporter and stated, "It's not entirely within my control whether our anime can compete with Pokémon, but we will give our utmost to counter the Pokémon franchise."

An NHK female reporter pressed further, "Is it true that Tora and Nippon TV have been preparing to emulate the Pokémon concept in an attempt to provide an alternative to Pokémon and capture the attention of existing Pokémon fans?"

President Taro Ikeda chose to deflect that question and instead addressed queries from other reporters.

Sitting alongside CEO Akimitsu Ishizawa and the other executives, they faced the group of reporters with their hands resting on the long table and sensed that TBS and NHK reporters were singling them out.

Every question posed to them was contentious and seemed designed to cast a shadow over Tora and Nippon TV.

While it wasn't unusual for reporters to ask probing questions, the constant barrage of contentious queries from both TBS and NHK reporters left Tora and Nippon TV feeling uneasy.

---

[Suzuki™ Entertainment]

Seki couldn't help but smile as he observed the awkward positions of President Taro Ikeda and Nippon TV's CEO, Akimitsu Ishizawa, along with their executives on television.

Shiko, seated on the sofa, also couldn't contain his amusement at the comical expressions of the Tora and Nippon TV team. He laughed, "Hehe, Seki, you've played quite a cunning trick. It's a rather ruthless one, I must say..."

Seki maintained his smile and replied, "There's nothing wrong with almost figuratively taking down our adversaries while they're still in their infancy, right?"

Shiko chuckled and responded, "Well, it won't exactly finish them off."

Seki nodded and said, "That's why I said 'almost'."

Shiko continued to laugh and commented, "It's not even 'almost.' It's a clever maneuver to put our enemies in an awkward situation, but it won't necessarily destroy them. However, I must admit it's quite effective."

Seki chuckled and looked at Shiko, asking, "Do you have a better plan, then?"

Shiko smiled and replied, "No, I don't, but to thoroughly embarrass them, let's highlight their reactions in the news segments of TBS and NHK."

Seki smiled and nodded.

---

[Tokyo, Japan]

[Haneda Airport]

Shuichi descended the airplane passenger staircase, and upon reaching the airport, he spotted his parents, his father Shito Suzuki, and his mother, Yuka Suzuki.

Shito and Yuka embraced their son as he returned. Shito exclaimed, "How have you been in the States?"

Shuichi smiled and replied, "I've been doing well over there."

Yuka playfully teased as she noticed her son's smile, "Are you getting used to the American lifestyle already?"

Shuichi couldn't help but smile wryly at his mother's words and replied, "No way... They love fast foods like hamburgers and pizza, and other greasy foods. If I lived like them, I'd probably become overweight in no time."

Upon hearing their son's response, Shito and Yuka shared a laugh.

Shito then nodded with a sense of relief and said, "That's right. You are our only child, so you should maintain discipline and a strong mindset, even in a country as affluent and peaceful, yet full of temptations as the one you've been living in." He paused and locked eyes with his son. "Only then can you have the opportunity to rightfully inherit your grandfather's legacy, which should belong to us."

Shuichi nodded solemnly upon hearing his father's words. He was aware of his father's ambition to take control of the Suzuki Group away from his older brother, the first son of Samaza Suzuki, Shiro Suzuki.

However, Shuichi concealed a secret from his parents. He had been living a relaxed and somewhat complacent lifestyle in the USA, even having one-night stands on several occasions. This was a secret he vowed never to reveal to his parents, as he knew it would trigger his father's wrath, which not even his mother could prevent.

Observing that the conversation between father and son was drifting toward the topic of claiming the Suzuki Group, Yuka interjected, "Before you two get too absorbed in your ambitious plans, Shuichi, you should start thinking about a thoughtful gift for your grandfather."

At her words, both Shuichi and Shito recalled that Shuichi had returned from the USA to celebrate Sazama Suzuki's birthday.

Shito placed his hand on Shuichi's shoulder and said, "I've previously shared with you your grandpa's preferences, so you should already know what he'd like, right?"

Shuichi nodded, recalling that he attended his grandfather's birthday every year. He was well aware that his grandfather had a penchant for items like katanas, exquisite calligraphy, ancient Japanese armor collections, and, on occasion, an affinity for fine beers, especially those from Europe. Thus, he had purchased a selection of European beers, including Duvel, Westmalle Tripel, Schneider Weisse Tap 7, and more. He had managed to acquire these diverse beers, which he didn't find too costly. He had also arranged to procure some calligraphy from China through his father's connections.

However, what Shuichi didn't know was that his grandfather, Sazama Suzuki, had developed a new appreciation for something quite unexpected – video games.

---

[Location: Toshima Ward, Tokyo, Japan]

[Ikebukuro District]

With KiShin's remarkable growth and Shin's rapidly increasing wealth, he made the decision to construct a house in the Ikebukuro District. Despite being a self-made billionaire in U.S. dollars, the house he built had a small and unassuming appearance.

Covering approximately 120 sqm, it offered just enough space for a bedroom, a few guest rooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a workout room. The property also featured a swimming pool, which happened to be Luigi, their Golden Retriever's, favorite spot. As for the Norwegian Forest Cat, Shin had affectionately named her Zelda.

At this moment, Shin was engaged in a discussion with Mira about what gift to present to his grandfather.

"Shin, he's the founder of a major conglomerate in Japan, so I believe a grand and luxurious car would be the most suitable gift for him!" Mira suggested with excitement.

Shin chuckled and replied, "That old man hardly knows me. Why should I bother to give him such a gift?"

Mira nodded, understanding his perspective. They hadn't even informed Shin's family about their wedding, and it was a fact that Shin's grandfather had shown little interest in Shin.

With a mischievous grin, Shin added, "I'll just gift that old man a video game, 'Dragon Quest,' and he'll probably be among the first to play it since it hasn't been released yet."

Mira couldn't help but chuckle and laugh at Shin's idea. "You're so mischievous... How could an old man get into playing video games?"

Shin chuckled with a grin and said, "That's precisely why I'm giving him an unreleased video game like 'Dragon Quest'... I'm pretty sure he won't have the opportunity to play it in his lifetime."

Mira laughed as she playfully pinched Shin, laughing, "Hahaha..."