Chapter 1256: We are going to make a fortune in the stock market crash!!

After a long interval, Naoki Nagayama arrived once again at Tree Friend Capital in Ginza.

As soon as he reached the 12th floor, Genta Nakai appeared at the entrance and hurriedly pulled Naoki Nagayama toward the office.

This left Naoki Nagayama no choice but to shout to the receptionist, Zhouxiang Jinjing:

"Jinjing-chan, please prepare a cup of coffee for me..."

"Naoki-san!"

Once inside the office, Genta Nakai finally stopped. He looked haggard with dark circles under his eyes, clearly exhausted from a long period of overwork.

"How can you still be so relaxed!!! The stock market crash you predicted is less than a month away!"

"... Isn't there still a month left..."

Naoki Nagayama looked at Genta Nakai with some guilt. During this time, Genta Nakai had been busy preparing the capital pool, and he didn't even have time to attend little Xia Hua's birthday on Jurassic Island... At that time, he was still on a business trip in Hong Kong!

"Time is very tight! Naoki-san, can you please take this seriously!"

Genta Nakai complained, then lowered his voice.

"We took out a short-term loan from the bank until the end of the year, 60 billion yen (500 million USD), plus the 400 million USD we already had in Japan... it has all been wired to accounts in Hong Kong, Sydney, and London respectively.

Currently, the accounts here in Japan are custodial capital accounts, totaling about 600 million, and there is still 600 million USD in New York..."

Relying on Tree Friend Capital's current performance and principal, borrowing such a large sum from the bank was indeed difficult, but with the guarantee from Tree Friend Group, it became much easier.

After all, the several artists under Tree Friend are all geese that lay golden eggs, plus there is the IP from Naoki Nagayama's previous films... it is definitely a high-quality transaction in the banking system.

"Oh, was there any trouble when wiring the money out?"

A large outflow of capital would certainly attract the attention of regulators.

Genta Nakai nodded and then said:

"But I wired it out under the guise of opening branch offices. During this period, we have indeed opened branch offices in Hong Kong, Sydney, London, and Toronto... On the surface, there is absolutely no problem."

It is very normal for investment institutions to open branch offices in other countries and inject capital, not to mention that Tree Friend Capital's network in the financial world is not weak.

It's just that now is a time when the Japanese stock market is booming, and most investment institutions are coming to Tokyo to open offices. Tree Friend doing this might be a bit strange... but coupled with the pretext of pursuing internationalization and building a global investment presence, it fits Japan's current mindset quite well...

"That's good..."

Naoki Nagayama nodded. For the Black Monday in October, he had staked his entire net worth.

Genta Nakai continued to explain:

"The funds are in place, but the operations in each market need people to be sent to handle them... I cannot be in two places at once..."

In this day and age, there is no internet, and in some places, even international calls cannot be received, so stock exchanges in various financial centers still require manual monitoring and operation.

"So that's why you came today?"

Naoki Nagayama looked at Genta Nakai and asked,

"Are you going to tell the traders at Tree Friend Capital?"

"Hai... it's time to tell them." Genta Nakai nodded. "After all, they are senior employees of Tree Friend Capital... it can't be hidden... and we need them to go to various countries to carry out operations!"

"Hmm..."

Naoki Nagayama pondered for a moment and nodded.

"Alright..."

Just at this moment, Zhouxiang Jinjing happened to bring in the freshly brewed coffee, so Genta Nakai directly asked her to call all four traders under his command inside.

Not long after, the four traders with different styles—Michi Sakaguchi, Yukio Nakayama, Masaru Hayakawa, and Tomoaki Takeda—arrived in the office.

Among them, the most senior, group leader Michi Sakaguchi, who had the closest relationship with Genta Nakai, spoke first:

"Naoki-san, Nakai-san, calling us all in at once, has something happened?"

"Yes, sit down first."

Genta Nakai nodded, letting everyone sit, and then gave his seat to Naoki Nagayama.

"There is indeed something."

Naoki Nagayama put down his coffee cup, leaned against the desk, and looked at the four key members.

"Does everyone remember that a few months ago, we held a brainstorming session, right?"

Hearing about the brainstorming session, Michi Sakaguchi and the others immediately recalled it.

Two months ago, for some reason, Genta Nakai suddenly asked them to discuss "how to make money before a stock market crash," and then asked them to create contingency plans.

At the time, they all thought the boss had a sudden impulse and was just testing them... but now, Naoki Nagayama was bringing it up again...

"Minna-san... what I want to say is, your proposals are about to be put to use!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there were constant gasps in the office. Even though these few were senior traders who had faced the ever-changing stock market without changing their expressions, hearing about the "stock market crash contingency plan" still made their heads spin.

"Naoki-san... you mean..."

"Yes, based on the analysis during this period, I predict that there will be a major stock market crash between now and the end of the year. It may even affect the entire financial circle..."

Naoki Nagayama explained to everyone, allowing them to calm down slightly.

"Since the beginning of the year, researchers in the United States have been warning about the systemic risks in the stock market, but in the game of passing the parcel, no one can give up until the very last moment..."

"However, the recent stagnation of the US stock market, along with various signs and a bit of intuition, has made me feel the risk..."

"..."

Naoki Nagayama's words left the traders feeling as if they were in a dream... although everyone knew that the owner of Tree Friend Capital was Naoki Nagayama, and Naoki Nagayama also had amazing trading skills...

But, this was talking about a stock market crash!

The person in front of them said he predicted a stock market crash, and then actually wanted to make money during the crash?!

"Due to time constraints, Tree Friend Capital cannot use overly complex trading methods."

Naoki Nagayama continued,

"So we will use the simplest method: shorting index futures..."

"After discussing with Genta Nakai, we have completed the allocation of funds. We have prepared to short futures in Hong Kong, Sydney, London, New York, and Toronto... As for Japan itself, there is no futures trading for the time being, so we will not participate for now..."

The Tokyo Stock Exchange and Osaka Stock Exchange do not yet have index futures trading; it won't be until a year later that TOPIX futures and Nikkei 225 index futures trading will be available.

As Naoki Nagayama spoke, the four traders became increasingly terrified. Yukio Nakayama even kept looking at Genta Nakai, as if hoping Genta Nakai would make Naoki Nagayama calm down.

You know, the futures market is much riskier than the stock market!

However, he discovered that Genta Nakai at this moment also seemed to be caught in excitement, breathing rapidly, with bloodshot eyes!

"We have already opened accounts at various stock exchanges and injected 100-200 million USD in capital into each."

Naoki Nagayama's mouth didn't seem to stop.

"Because of the margin system, each exchange can control a capital pool of about 1 billion..."

"I need the four of you to go to Hong Kong, Sydney, London, and Toronto respectively to handle the trading... Nakai-san will go to New York..."

"!!!" "We go?" "Trading 1 billion?" "Really?" "You're kidding, right!" "..."

The four gold-medal traders all widened their eyes. As senior traders, it wasn't that they hadn't operated accounts with large funds, but this time it was 1 billion USD!!

"Yes, I need the four of you to go on business trips to these places until the end of the year!"

Actually, just over a month would be enough. The stock market crash is on October 19th, and it will stabilize by the end of the month...

Knowing that Naoki Nagayama and Genta Nakai were playing for real, everyone returned to their senses amidst excitement and agitation, and then began to select with management where they would go and how to carry out operations.

The global stock market is too complex and vast. Naoki Nagayama is not very clear about the specific stock data for "Black Monday," but he has a rough idea, which is that global stock indices fell by about 20% or more in those few days. To ensure the success of shorting index futures, he instructed the traders according to this standard...

"After you arrive at the local stock centers, short index futures based on the expected 20% drop. The time frame is one month. As for specific operations, you are all veterans..."

"20%?" Masaru Hayakawa was a bit uneasy. "Isn't that too big?!"

"If it's not big, how can it be called a stock market crash!"

Naoki Nagayama laughed,

"Minna-san, we are going to make history! We are going to make a fortune in the stock market crash!!"

"..." The few didn't speak...

"Also, for this trading, your commission will be based on the profits!"

"!!!"

Hearing this promise, the heat in the office went up another notch. The four traders' faces began to flush, and their eyes became sharp, as if four wolves were grinding their teeth and sucking blood!

After Naoki Nagayama told them to go home immediately and prepare to rush to their chosen countries, the office gradually quieted down.

"Nakai-san... as for New York, I'll leave it to you!"

"Hai!"

Genta Nakai nodded seriously,

"Naoki-san, how much can we earn this time?"

"Hmm..."

Naoki Nagayama calculated. Currently, they can control a total principal of about 1.5 billion USD. If they short index futures, the global capital pool will be about 15 billion...

"Why not flip it 10 times..."

It's still the 80s. Even if he knew there would be a stock market crash, he didn't know the specific data. Coupled with insurance factors, Naoki Nagayama set a target of 10 times... If it were after the internet era, he would dare to think about 100 times!

Genta Nakai himself was also very excited:

"If that's the case, I really will be a billionaire. This time it's in USD!"

It turned out his billionaire status was in yen, which was too different from USD. After this time, he might catch up to Naoki Nagayama's level from two years ago~

It was already afternoon when he left Tree Friend Capital.

Before getting off work, Naoki Nagayama rushed to the Tree Friend building...

October is very busy. Besides paying attention to "Black Monday," he also needs to prepare for the Tokyo International Film Festival!

The current Tokyo International Film Festival Executive Committee, although it has the experience of the first two times, still needs him to determine some decisive matters.

"Naoki-san... Shuichi-san asked me to take you directly to the conference room..."

"Alright..."

The receptionist, Xing Jiahua, took Naoki Nagayama directly to the Tokyo Film Industry Association conference room.

Before even walking in, he heard fierce arguments coming from inside... When Naoki Nagayama pushed the door open, he happened to see Nobuo Asai slamming the table with Shuichi Ido.

"Chairman Ido, you are treating us differently; this is bullying!"

"??"

While Naoki Nagayama was still confused, Shuichi Ido had already seen his arrival:

"Naoki-san, you're finally here!"

"Ha, what's wrong?"

Naoki Nagayama looked at Nobuo Asai with a smile.

Currently, the Liberal Democratic Party is being implicated in a bribery case, and the Takeshita faction is also about to be dragged in, so he now looks at Nobuo Asai as if looking at a grasshopper in late autumn... let's see how much longer he can jump!

"I heard the arguing from outside~"

Shuichi Ido calmed his emotions slightly and explained to Naoki Nagayama:

"We were just discussing the opening performance at the Tokyo International Film Festival... Nobuo Asai recommended Johnny's boy band..."

"Johnny's?"

Naoki Nagayama felt he hadn't paid attention to this agency for a long time, so he nodded.

"Is there a problem with the boy band?"

Naoki Nagayama had disdain for Kitagawa Johnny, who liked young boys, but this kind of thing should be considered an unspoken rule in the industry and couldn't be brought to the table.

Besides, the boy band members were victims, and he didn't have much opinion about them. Naoki Nagayama himself even had a friendship with the Shonentai~

"In the performance proposal put forward by Johnny's, there is one person... Masahiko Kondo!"

Shuichi Ido stated the main reason, which was still related to Naoki Nagayama.

"I want to remove this person... but Nobuo Asai doesn't agree..."

"Uh..."

Naoki Nagayama hadn't paid attention to this name for a long time; he even thought this guy had retired.

For this guy who hurt Akina in his previous life, he had absolutely no good feelings... but he didn't suppress him with all his might, just let everyone know his attitude.

When everyone knew that Naoki Nagayama of Tree Friend didn't like this person, and even *Music Station*, one of the three major music shows, firmly refused to let him appear, directly reducing his exposure by one-third compared to his peers, the entertainment industry itself made a choice.

After all, with generations of newcomers coming up, how could they not defeat a male idol who had obvious shortcomings and was already past his prime!

Could it be that this guy wants to make a comeback?!

"Nobuo Asai believes that Kondo is the earliest top male idol, and performing with the new boy band can reflect the history of Japanese idol culture..."

Shuichi Ido said unhurriedly about Nobuo Asai's actions.

"So he thinks that I, as the chairman, am engaging in differential treatment and bullying~"

"Isn't it?!"

Nobuo Asai's momentum was slightly smaller when Naoki Nagayama came in, but now he became arrogant again.

"The Tokyo Film Association should treat all practitioners in the entertainment industry equally!"

Naoki Nagayama looked directly at Nobuo Asai:

"So... this Masahiko Kondo has a friendship with Asai-san?"

"I... of course I know him! We are all stars in the entertainment industry... I have met him a few times before!"

In fact, Nobuo Asai had no friendship with Kondo; on the contrary, he had a friendship with Johnny Kitagawa of Johnny's. Proposing that Johnny's boy band perform the opening was also because of Johnny Kitagawa's request.

But strongly opposing Shuichi Ido's removal of Kondo was to strike at Shuichi Ido's authority in the association and prepare for seizing power in the future.

"Oh~"

Naoki Nagayama, having heard the ins and outs, acted as if he understood, and then said to the members of the Executive Committee:

"Since the committee has different opinions, let's vote by show of hands..."

"I support the Johnny's boy band performance, but I do not support Masahiko Kondo appearing in the opening performance!"

Naoki Nagayama raised his hand first, then looked calmly at the members of the Executive Committee.

"Who agrees?"

Shuichi Ido followed closely, then Ikuo Suo...

Then there were representatives from several TV stations and film studios... everyone didn't want to offend Naoki Nagayama for such a small matter!

Next were the representatives of various agencies. Even the representative of Johnny's itself raised his hand after thinking about it!

Kondo was just a washed-up male idol, and now he only had the title of a senior because of Mary Kitagawa's favor... how could he compare with other popular boy band members!

Even if Mary Kitagawa scolded him later, he had something to say!

You know, the opening ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival is one of the top hot spots in the world! Showing your face on it is comparable to participating in the year-end Red and White Song Battle, and you can even break out of Japan and have a certain degree of popularity overseas!

As Naoki Nagayama's gaze swept over, the members of the Executive Committee at the conference table all raised their hands.

When it came to Atsuko Toyama, the representative of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, she hesitated for a moment and then raised her hand!

The Takeshita faction wanted to control the Film Association and needed her support, but she didn't want to offend Naoki Nagayama over such a personal grudge!

Most of the other neutral factions had the same idea. Offend Naoki Nagayama of the entertainment industry for someone who had nothing to do with them?

Isn't this like an old man eating arsenic—seeking his own death!

In the end, only Nobuo Asai was left, looking at the members of the Executive Committee in shock... then his face turned blue and white...

He was the only one who didn't raise his hand!!

He really didn't expect that some people who had been very chatty with him before had all turned against him?!

"Alright, the affirmative votes are an absolute majority, so Masahiko Kondo is removed from the performance."

Naoki Nagayama nodded and signaled to Shuichi Ido.

"Shuichi-san, let's move on to the next agenda... time is tight, it's almost time to get off work!"

"Haha, alright!"

Shuichi Ido was extremely happy. For more than a month, Nobuo Asai had been picking faults and provoking him in association affairs... Naoki Nagayama's move this time could be said to have severely dampened Nobuo Asai's arrogance!

"The previous agenda is concluded. The opening ceremony performance will be an opening dance by the Johnny's boy band, with Masahiko Kondo removed from participation."

Shuichi Ido continued the process, not even looking at Nobuo Asai, who had an ugly expression and was breathing heavily...

"Next agenda, the opening film of the Tokyo International Film Festival..."

?? The scumbag actually wants to make a comeback?! I've been disgusted all day today! ===== CHAPTER 1257 =====