Chapter 1141: You guys defected too quickly?!

When returning to Shanying Yuan in the evening, a cold wind blew, and fine snow hit the windbreaker, making a rustling sound.

"It's going to snow again~"

After parking the car in the garage, Ying Taro, who was wagging his tail, rushed out to greet him, his thick tail slapping on the car wheel as if there was no pain.

"Yoshi... Ying Taro came to pick me up home again!"

"Woof woof woof!"

"Good dog!"

Naoki Nagayama walked in through the small door of the garage while stroking the dog's head.

The butler, Afu, was already waiting inside the door. He bowed slightly:

"Naoki-san, welcome back~"

"Ha, thank you for your hard work~"

Naoki Nagayama said to the butler, Afu,

"It started snowing outside again, it is estimated that there will be several more snowfalls this winter... It's really cold!"

"Yes, sir. According to the weather forecast, there will be moderate to heavy snow tomorrow, and the temperature will be between 1-5℃... It is recommended to wear a scarf and bring an umbrella when going out..."

Hearing this, Naoki Nagayama couldn't help but sigh:

"Alfred... you answer like a smart robot..."

Butler Afu didn't know if this counted as a compliment, so he could only mumble, "This is the butler's duty..."

"Haha, smart butler... call you 'Little Fu classmate' in the future!"

"Please absolutely don't!"

After chatting with the butler for two sentences, Naoki Nagayama walked towards the west building where the small family lived. After pushing the door open, the feeling of warmth rushed to his face, making people feel comfortable all at once.

Ying Taro also ran inside quickly~

"I'm back~"

The words that weren't shouted in the garage were only shouted here.

"Welcome back~"

Akina, who was originally accompanying the baby in the living room, walked over after hearing the sound, welcoming her husband's return.

And Naoki Nagayama also saw Akina wearing a blue and white furisode, a purple belt, and her hair tied with a pure white hair ribbon...

Under the light, her fair skin was like exquisite porcelain, her slender neck fully displayed soft curves, bright eyes and white teeth, dignified and beautiful, like a blue long-spring flower fairy~

"Wa~~~ so beautiful!"

Obviously, it was specially worn for him to see. Naoki Nagayama naturally had to give enough emotional value, took Akina's hand and turned around,

"Why are you wearing a kimono now?"

"It's for the spring theme shoot!"

Akina laughed happily, feeling that the anticipation from the afternoon was all worth it from her husband's amazed gaze,

"I received an invitation from *Hanatsubaki* magazine before, as the character for the spring theme... This year is the blue series, so I took a blue kimono to try it out~"

"*Hanatsubaki*?"

Naoki Nagayama was a bit surprised,

"Is this the magazine from Shiseido that has no advertisements?"

"Hai!"

Akina said happily, "

"Editor-in-chief Masayoshi Nakajo called me specially, saying that because I went from an ordinary woman to becoming an idol, singer, actor, and now looking forward to becoming a fashion designer... such a varied life journey is very suitable for the theme of *Hanatsubaki* magazine..."

"Women can do anything they want to do!"

*Hanatsubaki* is a women's magazine, the theme is to express the lifestyle of new-era women. Because there is no need to consider revenue, they only invite special new-era women as guests, artists, designers, and others... In this era of the rise of female consciousness, it can be said to be the Little Red Book for Japanese women.

Being able to become the theme guest of this magazine shows that Akina Nakamori is already a representative of new-era women in Japan!

"Akina is really amazing!"

Naoki Nagayama looked at the happy smile on Akina's face, feeling that his wife was really beautiful and capable, and couldn't help but pull Akina into his arms and kiss her~

"Hmm~~"

Anyway, Mari Nonaka and the others wouldn't enter the west building at night. Akina was shy for a moment but didn't push him away, but hugged Naoki Nagayama's neck.

The young couple was naturally sweet, and the small living room, which was already warm, gradually had some romantic atmosphere~

Just when the two were being affectionate, a somewhat angry meow suddenly came from the sofa, and then Ying Taro was seen running over as if he had been wronged... there were even a few red marks on his face!

"Ying ying ying~"

The dog hid behind Naoki Nagayama's legs and complained very aggrievedly.

And Miao Taro, who walked out from beside the sofa, looked at this side fiercely...

"Ying Taro, how did you offend Miao Taro again?"

This cat and dog in the family, it is often the dog who goes to provoke the orange cat, and then is beaten up before coming back.

"Ying ying ying~~~"

Ying Taro couldn't say it clearly, and Naoki Nagayama could only stroke the dog's head to comfort him.

And just at this time, Akina gave a low cry:

"Hua-chan... no!"

Naoki Nagayama turned his head and saw little Xia Hua lying on the sofa armrest, also learning from Miao Taro, leaning out to look... swaying, and about to fall!

However, Miao Taro was faster than Mom and Dad. He jumped onto the sofa all at once, bit Xia Hua's clothes and dragged her back to the sofa!

When Akina and Naoki Nagayama walked over, they just saw little Xia Hua pressing on the orange cat, and also pulling to bite Miao Taro's ears~

Hurriedly holding little Xia Hua up, Akina patted the baby's little butt twice gently, and then was a bit helpless:

"Hua-chan is liking to crawl around more and more recently!"

"Children, they are all like this~" Naoki Nagayama reached out and teased the baby, and looked at the living room again, "Let's change the carpet to a bigger and thicker one... install anti-collision corners on the table and cabinets... it will be fine to play in the living room."

"That's the only way~"

"Hmm~"

Generally speaking, Naoki Nagayama would play with Xia Hua for a while, and the couple would watch television together until they went to sleep at night.

But today he was not in the mood to watch the child, his gaze always turned to Akina on the side... It was really against the rules for a great beauty to wear such a kimono in winter!

Making the young person in his twenties a bit unable to hold back~

So seeing Xia Hua a bit drowsy, Naoki Nagayama decisively threw the baby into the crib in the living room, and instructed Miao Taro to watch the baby...

"Miao Taro, Xia Hua is handed over to you first! Half an hour... no, I will come back to hold her back in an hour!"

Then he pulled Akina, whose face was blushing, and walked towards the bedroom~

After entering, he closed the door and closed Ying Taro, who was following, outside the door~

Not long after, strange sounds faintly came from the bedroom...

Ying Taro had some complaints about this, but hummed twice lightly, and lowered his head to lie on the mat at the door.

Sigh... the master is playing fun things again, and didn't take the dog!

The wind and snow the next morning were indeed heavier, but it was always spring in Shanying Yuan.

After getting up in the morning, he had breakfast accompanied by his wife, who was white and red, and Naoki Nagayama took some things from the study, got into Zhian Toda's special car, and went to the Tree Friend building to pick up people.

Because it was snowing, it took about half an hour to get to Ikebukuro...

"Naoki-san, good morning!"

Gosho Aoyama pulled the passenger door and sat in. He was notified yesterday that he would go to Musashino City in the suburbs with Naoki Nagayama today.

"Morning... sit down and fasten your seat belt, with such heavy snow, it is estimated that it will take more than an hour to get there..."

Naoki Nagayama said.

"Hai..."

After Gosho Aoyama fastened his seat belt, he saw some draft papers scattered on another seat in the back row, which seemed to be manga characters...

"Naoki-san, that side is..."

"Ah, this is a concept for an animation movie... speaking of which, it seems I haven't shown it to you." Naoki Nagayama handed the draft paper over, "This is some concept drawings for *My Neighbor Totoro*... it is a project I want to do after digging Studio Ghibli over."

Now Ghibli's *Castle in the Sky* failed miserably, Hayao Miyazaki's animation career just encountered Waterloo, and he should have no time and energy to consider the next work, but it is said that Totoro's inspiration emerged from Hayao Miyazaki's previous life experience, so it is very likely that he has hazy ideas...

So Naoki Nagayama must give the concept of *My Neighbor Totoro* to Hayao Miyazaki first, otherwise he might produce it himself!

"*My Neighbor Totoro*?"

Gosho Aoyama took the draft paper and looked at it. On it were vivid prototypes of large and small Totoro, as well as some fantasy scenes and strange behaviors.

For example, flying by stepping on a spinning top~

Naoki Nagayama has practiced sketching and painting since he recalled the animation, and now he is also decent when drawing.

"This... looks like..."

Gosho Aoyama didn't care much about this kind of soft image full of childlike innocence. He preferred sharp lines and handsome characters, but after all, it was his boss's masterpiece, so he had to hold his tone,

"Very childlike..."

"Haha, it was originally a movie for children..."

Naoki Nagayama said with a smile,

"Just like a dream made on a summer night~"

Gosho Aoyama flipped through these prototype drafts that had a completely different art style from *Slam Dunk*, and only then did he understand:

"So Naoki-san wants to find Hayao Miyazaki to produce it! From *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind* to *Castle in the Sky*, his art style is like this!"

"There is part of the reason..."

Naoki Nagayama leaned on the car seat, looking sideways at the snowflakes outside the car window,

"More is to let some excellent works appear early..."

Waiting for Hayao Miyazaki, Gosho Aoyama, Yoshihiro Togashi, and the others to grow naturally and create the original animation works, it is estimated that it will wait until after the millennium... By that time, he will be middle-aged!!!

The vehicle drove in the wind and snow for more than an hour, and finally arrived at Musashino City, further out of Setagaya.

It is already very simple here. In this era, it is a bit better than the countryside, and it can be considered a town~

"Naoki-san..."

Zhian Toda, who was driving all the way, said,

"Studio Ghibli is here!"

Naoki Nagayama looked up and saw that Studio Ghibli is located in a two-story rental building with a bit of historical sense in Kichijoji, with a circle of Boston ivy climbing outside... It looks inconspicuous.

After parking the car, Naoki Nagayama and Gosho Aoyama came to the front door and knocked.

And at this time, he saw a person wearing a beret walk out to open the door.

"Good morning..."

Naoki Nagayama recognized the person,

"Isao Takahata-san, I am Naoki Nagayama who made an appointment to visit... this is Gosho Aoyama!"

"Uh..."

Isao Takahata was a bit surprised that Naoki Nagayama recognized him at a glance, but still bowed immediately,

"Hai, nice to meet you, I am Isao Takahata..."

"Nice to meet you..." Gosho Aoyama also greeted.

When Isao Takahata brought Naoki Nagayama and Gosho Aoyama to the office, besides Hayao Miyazaki, there was also a middle-aged gentleman in a suit and leather shoes.

"This is Hayao Miyazaki... this is the president of Tokuma Shoten, Yasuyoshi Tokuma!"

Isao Takahata started to introduce as the introducer for both sides,

"This is Naoki Nagayama, Gosho Aoyama..."

"Nice to meet you~" X4

After this complicated meeting ceremony ended, Naoki Nagayama asked curiously:

"Wasn't it agreed to visit Miyazaki-san and Takahata-san today? Why did President Tokuma come over?"

Yasuyoshi Tokuma was speechless. You are going to dig my people, don't you allow me to come and take a look?

Because Ghibli's debut work didn't reach expectations, Studio Ghibli had to accept Tree Friend's investment, which would make Tokuma Shoten lose controlling rights and many shares.

Tokuma Shoten is a very good publishing company, and its history is also very long, but like most companies, the profit is actually not high, at most 700-800 million a year, and it can't even reach ten digits.

Compared with the current Tree Friend Group, it can only be considered a younger brother~

"Tree Friend wants to acquire this studio with unlimited potential, I, as the original shareholder, naturally want to come and take a look..."

Yasuyoshi Tokuma said. Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata are the founding veterans, senior wage earners.

Now he is going to send the studio to others with his bare hands, which makes him very unhappy. Don't know if he was holding his breath in his heart, he just wanted to come and see Tree Friend's people~

"What acquisition... we are investing! Helping Ghibli develop!"

Naoki Nagayama sat down, as casual as if he were in his own home,

"And... isn't Ghibli unable to pay wages and about to go bankrupt?"

He said this on purpose, because manga artists are mostly idealistic, and Hayao Miyazaki is stubborn, if he doesn't beat down some of their arrogance, the cooperation later will be hard to handle~

"..."

Once these words came out, the other few people at the scene were silent~

This Naoki Nagayama speaks, really... hitting the nail on the head!

*Castle in the Sky* because it was a bit heavy and literary, the box office didn't reach the expected effect, coupled with some other expenditures, causing Studio Ghibli to be at a critical moment of survival now.

And Tokuma Shoten couldn't keep losing blood to support it... could only choose to "sell".

Especially Hayao Miyazaki, the original author and director of *Castle in the Sky*, bears major responsibility for this!

So he didn't say a word at this time~

"Mr. Nagayama..." Isao Takahata smoothed things over, "The studio has indeed encountered some difficulties now, but we believe that we will definitely be able to overcome the difficulties in the future!"

"Haha, I also think you have great potential, that's why I came to invest!"

Seeing Yasuyoshi Tokuma still wanted to say something, Naoki Nagayama waved his hand,

"I came here today not to talk about the details of some investments, those are naturally handled by the legal department and you..."

He looked at the person who was sitting in the main seat but hadn't spoken, the person wearing black-rimmed glasses who looked a bit stubborn:

"Miyazaki-san, Takahata-san, I want to talk about your first work after coming to Tree Friend..."

"..."

Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata looked at each other, very surprised in their hearts,

"Nagayama-san already has a plan? Isn't Tree Friend's animation business just starting..."

"Ah... currently there is only a manga and animation of *Slam Dunk*." Naoki Nagayama patted Gosho Aoyama on the shoulder next to him, "It is responsible by Gosho-kun next to me."

"Animation?" Hayao Miyazaki asked suspiciously, "Is it already being adapted into animation?"

"No... it has already been adapted!" Gosho Aoyama corrected, "Currently five episodes have been made, and it has been discussed with Tokyo Television, and it will be officially aired in March!"

"Actually already can be aired?! And it's Tokyo Television?"

Hayao Miyazaki was even more surprised. He originally thought Tree Friend's animation had just started.

"Yes... replacing *Captain Tsubasa*..." Naoki Nagayama also added, "It just happened that *Captain Tsubasa* ended."

"..."

It actually replaced the national sports animation... This shows that Tokyo Television attaches great importance to the quality of *Slam Dunk*!

Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma all thought of this point, and their old concepts about Tree Friend animation were refreshed again~

"Miyazaki-san... the first project for you to come to Tree Friend is called *My Neighbor Totoro*!"

Naoki Nagayama handed the draft paper to him,

"This is part of the prototype drawing, it is an animation movie for children..."

Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata took the draft paper and looked at it, and were immediately attracted by this kind of fantasy creature, and Hayao Miyazaki felt very familiar... seemed to have seen it somewhere.

"Nagayama-san... these prototypes..." Isao Takahata

"It was drawn by me..." Naoki Nagayama said. "I don't know when it appeared in my mind, so I just drew it down..."

"Nagayama-san... can also draw manga?"

Hayao Miyazaki looked at the famous person in front of him, feeling very surprised.

He knew Naoki Nagayama was a writer, a musician, and even a director, but he had never heard of him having any anime works!

Gosho Aoyama helped his boss establish his reputation:

"Of course Naoki-san can draw manga! The character prototypes for 'Slam Dunk' were also drawn by him!"

"Boom—?!" The other few people all looked over~

"Haha, I just made a start; the rest were perfected by Goshō-kun and the others." Naoki Nagayama hurriedly said, "After all, I am not a professional manga artist..."

Then he looked at Hayao Miyazaki again:

"So for this 'My Neighbor Totoro', it also needs Miyazaki-san and Isao Takahata-san to perfect it together!"

"....."

Hayao Miyazaki looked at Naoki Nagayama and then at the sketches in his hand, finally nodding his head.

"Hai! I will do my best!"

"Actually, from the first moment I saw the prototype of Totoro, I felt it had an indescribable sense of familiarity... I also felt that I must produce this 'My Neighbor Totoro'!"

"Haha, perhaps this is fate!"

Naoki Nagayama said with a smile, secretly adding a sentence in his heart:

"This is your original destiny!"

"Next, let's talk specifically about the story arc of this movie!"

Naoki Nagayama said this and began chatting about the movie with Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, as if they were already employees under the Shuyou banner.

Yasuyoshi Tokuma on the side was feeling a bit sulky, but he had no choice; the shareholders of Tokuma Shoten were already somewhat dissatisfied... Shuyou's capital injection was a done deal.

It was just that seeing the few of them chatting so happily upon their first meeting...

"Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, these two guys, have they defected too quickly?!"

This made him, the former boss, feel quite angry watching it!

And the way you are all lovey-dovey now makes me, the former boss, feel very awkward standing here!

"Ahem... Miyazaki, Ap—... the company still has matters, so I will leave first!"

At this moment, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, who were already immersed in creation, only nodded upon hearing this:

"Hai, please take care on your way..."

They didn't even see him out!

(End of chapter)