Chapter 985

The next day at the Tree Friends building, Naoki Nagayama saw so many people in his office for the first time.

Originally, only Otomo Yoshimura and Shuichi Ido would occasionally come by his office, but this time, in addition to them, there were backup directors like Masataka Komori and Xu Mudao, and even Yukika Suzuki was there specifically to take notes...

"So, why do I have to look through these scripts again..."

Naoki Nagayama flipped through the scripts in front of him helplessly; who could understand the pain of being dragged back to work right after finishing a business trip...

"Wouldn't it be fine if you all just reviewed them~"

Otomo Yoshimura sipped his hot tea:

"After all, these are all high-cost projects, it's better for Naoki-san to look them over..."

These film scripts cost tens of millions for the smaller ones, and over a hundred million for the larger ones; as a film production company, spending so much money really required Naoki Nagayama's explicit nod.

Although Shuichi Ido was the head of the Film Division, he was also a bit worried about such a large budget.

"Hmm..."

Naoki Nagayama flipped through the scripts; actually, just looking at the genre was enough. As long as it wasn't an art-house film or some overly avant-garde sci-fi film, there generally wouldn't be any major problems.

In this era of economic prosperity where the public pursued spiritual satisfaction but the film market's output couldn't keep up, as long as it was produced by a mature film company, featured famous actors, and the plot wasn't too bizarre, it generally wouldn't lose money.

"I've looked through them, basically there's no problem..." Naoki Nagayama looked at the directors sitting there, "You've all split one, right?"

"Hai..." Masataka Komori and the others nodded.

Seeing that the others weren't getting to the point, Shuichi Ido shook his head:

"Naoki-san... you seemed to have said before that you would direct the TV series *Tokyo Love Story* yourself, right?"

"That's correct."

Regarding this most famous romance drama from his past life, Naoki Nagayama didn't intend to let anyone else direct it; he would just consider it satisfying his own wish,

"I really like the plot of this drama..."

"I see..." Shuichi Ido adjusted his tone, "Naoki-san, actually we discussed it yesterday; since you are directing *Tokyo Love Story* yourself, then... you should give some compensation to the others in the company, right?"

"??? Compensation?" Naoki Nagayama suspected he had misheard.

"That's right..." Otomo Yoshimura chimed in, "Didn't you say *Battle Royale* had to be postponed because the era's atmosphere wasn't suitable? So Tree Friends won't have a script from Naoki-san this year... and Naoki-san took *Tokyo Love Story* away as well..."

"So there's nothing left for Tree Friends Films!" Shuichi Ido picked up the thread, "So shouldn't Naoki-san provide some compensation?!"

"Hold your horses!"

Naoki Nagayama pressed his index finger to his temple, struggling to discern the logic in it,

"So, *Tokyo Love Story* is a script I wrote myself... and then I direct the script I wrote myself... and I still need to write another script for everyone at Tree Friends as compensation?!"

"Yes, yes..." The others in the office nodded in unison.

"This logic of yours... why do I feel like something is wrong?!"

"You have to fill the vacancy at least!" "Otherwise, Tree Friends Films will be missing Naoki-san's work!" "Even if it's Naoki-san, you can't just take it away like that!" "Everyone has been looking forward to it for a long time..."

Yukika Suzuki, who was taking notes on the side, watched a group of thick-skinned guys trying to collectively hoodwink Naoki Nagayama and couldn't help but cover her eyes... she really couldn't bear to watch!

Naoki Nagayama looked at the pairs of expectant eyes around him and was caught between laughter and tears for a moment,

"You guys!!! How shameless can you be!"

"Naoki-san... I heard Shuichi-san has directed scripts written by Naoki-san like *Tales of the Unusual*, *Hachiko*, *Love is Like a Raindrop*, *Blue Sea*, *Squid Game*, etc. Komori-kun has also directed *Crows Zero 2* and *Our Little Sister* written by Naoki-san, Kijima-kun directed *Love Generation* and *101st Proposal*..."

Munao Matsuo and Tomoyuki Nishimoto looked at Naoki Nagayama pitifully,

"It can't be that when it gets to us, there's nothing left... are we stepchildren?!"

"Yes, yes, as newcomers like us, we need Naoki-san's care even more!"

"Naoki-san, please have pity on us..."

"....."

Watching the two sing in harmony, even with sincerity that was about to squeeze out tears, Naoki Nagayama felt they had a talent for acting; it would be a pity if they didn't perform!

Meanwhile, Shuichi Ido, Masataka Komori, Xu Mudao, and others were drinking tea and staying silent one by one.

Naoki Nagayama understood; clearly, this group of guys had been holding back for a month during the New Year just to come and sell their misery to force his hand now!

It seemed the directors at Tree Friends had been fed too well in the past... could they not produce good works without his scripts now?!

"Ahem..."

Strategically coughing twice, Naoki Nagayama's brain accelerated; he knew that if he agreed this time, there would be a second time after the first.

Ceding five cities today, ten cities tomorrow, and then getting one night of peace. And when they look again next time, this group of guys will come over again!

He didn't want to become a tool!

"Shuichi-san, Komori-kun... everyone~"

After a short period of thought, Naoki Nagayama already had a solution,

"As for scripts, always relying on me isn't a solution... after all, there are five directors now, and there might be ten next year... we should thoroughly solve this problem from the perspective of a system!"

"A system?" Otomo Yoshimura became interested; rising to this height, it concerned the company.

"That's right... I plan to establish a Script Creation Center..." Naoki Nagayama said, "Led by me, with all the directors and the screenwriting team participating together... specifically to create high-quality scripts."

"Whoever has a good idea can bring it up, and everyone can help enrich it... and I will make the final decision... We'll hold a meeting once a month! All directors, members of the screenwriting team, and even employees identified by me and Otomo-san can participate..."

"........ Is there any difference between this and Naoki-san writing the script directly?"

Of course there is, this way I only need to come up with an idea! And even if the movie fails in the future, I can shift the blame for the script onto all the colleagues in the Creation Center!

This is the experience possessed by managers who have worked in state-owned enterprises!

When in doubt, shift the blame to the collective!

"We can try it out first... let's start the first brainstorming session right now!"

Naoki Nagayama cleared his throat and let Yukika Suzuki take notes,

"Shuichi-san, Otomo-san, in the new year, I've noticed a change in the social atmosphere. It became much easier for everyone to make money starting at the end of last year, and since the New Year, people have started to be extravagant in their consumption and spending.

People value the enjoyment brought by money, and money worship is becoming more and more popular...

More and more people hope to make quick money and get rich overnight...

I think this phenomenon can serve as the origin of a movie. If we make such a movie, perhaps it can bring some enlightenment to everyone..."

After finishing, seeing that everyone had started to think, Naoki Nagayama continued to inspire:

"Shuichi-san... we seemed to have discussed a movie plot called *The Tiger of Ginza* before... do you remember?"

"Ah, that one! *The Tiger of Ginza*, a young man borrows money to make a fortune in the stock market, then wantonly enjoys a life of debauchery, only to end up in prison and find it was all for nothing..."

Shuichi Ido recalled it instantly and looked at Naoki Nagayama expectantly,

"Has Naoki-san written it out?!"

"......." Naoki Nagayama rolled his eyes, "Of course not... I just thought of this point, and it happens to be a creative idea for our first brainstorming session."

"Now, everyone can think about what kind of plot can be added to such a movie to enrich it, to manifest money worship to the fullest... and then when everything dissipates in the end, it leaves a deep impression..."

Hearing Naoki Nagayama's words, the others in the office started to think...

Suddenly getting rich, debauchery, flowers blooming, fire pouring on oil... what exactly should it look like?

Shuichi Ido subconsciously raised his head, first associating it with Naoki Nagayama's experience, and spoke first:

"As for the way of making money, I think Naoki-san's experience is quite good. As for the stock market... buying the bottom of large corporate mergers? Or combining it with this *Plaza Accord* to seize foreign exchange opportunities?"

He opened a gap, and then everyone realized that it seemed the prototype of *The Tiger of Ginza* fit Naoki Nagayama perfectly!!!

"Yes, yes..." Masataka Komori continued, "To make a fortune, establish an investment company, specifically find people to pull in investments, manipulate the market... make big money!"

"Be promoted by financial news as a typical financial upstart... The Tiger of Ginza! This title is very domineering!"

Otomo Yoshimura picked up the thread: "After making money, naturally it's buying nice cars, going to discos, visiting nightclubs... enjoying a life of debauchery..."

"After that, if it's showing off wealth..." Xu Mudao glanced at Naoki Nagayama; he had followed him to film at the Red Fish Garden, "Buying a private garden?! Buying a company building?"

"Spending, spending, spending everywhere... buying, buying, buying!"

Several people started talking about the plot of making money and showing off wealth, getting more and more excited, and Yukika Suzuki, who was responsible for recording, had her pen tip rubbing on the paper with a *swish swish swish*...

She looked up at Naoki Nagayama, whose expression was a bit strange, and felt that everyone seemed to be describing Naoki-san... but one thing was still missing...

"Dating a big star..."

Yukika Suzuki said in a low voice...

"???"

Everyone's gaze focused on the young girl, making Yukika Suzuki shrink her neck...

Then everyone's thinking suddenly opened up.

"Oh oh, that's right... can have scandals with popular stars!" "One isn't enough, let's have a few more!" "One a month!" "Dinner with a magazine cover girl!"

"Do you think we should add a plot of being fickle and abandoning one's wife of humble beginnings?"

"Hmm, hmm, sounds pretty good..."

"And when celebrating the birthday of a scandal partner, show love with an airship over the city!"

"Oh oh oh, this can work! This can work!"

"......"

Naoki Nagayama had only started it, and then he felt that this group of guys couldn't stop... and all kinds of behaviors, no matter how he looked at it, were all hinting at him!!!

What? In their eyes, was he the representative of sudden wealth, followed by debauchery and crazy enjoyment, and the new era of money worship?!

"!!! Alright, you guys! You're completely talking about me!!!"

"....." Everyone looked at each other and laughed one after another, "Hahaha, Naoki-san is just too fitting!" "Yes, who would have thought the real-life movie protagonist..." "Naoki-san is like someone who walked out of a movie!"

"...... Then where do I show off my wealth every day?!" Naoki Nagayama interrupted everyone's teasing unhappily.

"You bought a sports car after making money... and then it was a Toyota Century..."

Otomo Yoshimura knew about Naoki Nagayama's first pot of gold, and had been envious of the Toyota Century for a long time,

"And buying luxury mansions everywhere!"

"Hey, hey, hey, I don't enjoy myself everywhere, do I? Debauchery and all that!" Naoki Nagayama refused to admit it.

"You own the original disco in Tokyo... the first disco, the most famous one!" Shuichi Ido didn't hesitate to add insult to injury, "The first KTV is also yours!!!"

"But I don't hook up with female stars and magazine cover girls everywhere; I only have Akina, I'm very devoted!" Naoki Nagayama insisted.

"Fickle Naoki..."

Yukika Suzuki's courage grew, and she actually dared to add insult to injury to her own president!

"...... You guys......"

Naoki Nagayama didn't know what to say for a moment, looking at everyone's expression of 'how else can you quibble', and finally turned his head and released a harsh remark...

"So annoying!!!"

"Hahahaha~"

For a time, the office was filled with a joyful atmosphere~

Thus, the first brainstorming session of the Tree Friends Script Creation Center achieved a perfect result... a rough script called *The Tiger of Ginza* had already taken shape.

The rest could be completed by the script team... and then it could be initiated for filming!

Even with just a rough plot, everyone knew that this movie would definitely be a big hit once filmed!

And all the directors agreed that if Naoki Nagayama were to play the protagonist, it would definitely be a huge success... but it was vetoed by Naoki Nagayama!

"I am not the guy in the plot!" Naoki Nagayama said with disdain, "Caught for money laundering in the end... ending up with nothing!"

He, Naoki Nagayama, was going to create a century-old family!

"Then Naoki-san... after the script is completed, who should direct it?!" At the end, Otomo Yoshimura pointed out this most critical question.

In an instant, Shuichi Ido, Masataka Komori, and Xu Mudao became wary of each other, and Munao Matsuo and Tomoyuki Nishimoto also knew they couldn't snatch the main director role and could only compete for the assistant director role...

"Shuichi-san... isn't currently filming a movie..." Masataka Komori attacked first, "And Kijima-kun is the protagonist... he shouldn't have time anymore!"

Xu Mudao said, "I'll have time after I finish filming... Shuichi-san still has to edit and arrange the release... he definitely won't have time..."

Drive away the biggest threat first!

"......" Shuichi Ido's expression stiffened.

The intimate comrades who had just happily added to the plot had suddenly become competitors...

"Hehehehe~" Naoki Nagayama looked at everyone's expressions left and right and laughed, "You were teasing me so happily just now... why aren't you laughing now?!"

"......."

"The filming of this movie..." Naoki Nagayama's words stirred the hearts of all the directors, "will be handed over to the director who lets the Script Creation Center create another script..."

"From now on, this will be an unspoken rule... if you want to get a script from the Script Creation Center, you must put one in first..."

"......"

Everyone's minds started to move...

No one expected that the Tree Friends Creation Center, which would dominate the entertainment industry in the future, possess the most IPs, have the biggest imagination in the film industry, and be the holy land for screenwriters... actually started from a brainstorming session of a few people.