Flying over the bubble era

Chapters 1562 and 1563. Fear Arises
What was Shinichi Iwahashi thinking when he was preparing for his collaboration with Tetsuya Komuro? And what was Shinichi Iwahashi thinking when Tetsuya Komuro revealed his ambitions?
After the tea party ended, Kenichiro Nozaki received Shinichi Iwahashi's "explanation," but he didn't feel relieved. On the contrary, the more he thought about the conversation, the heavier his heart felt.

He unusually refrained from joking with Shinichi Iwahashi, and at such a moment, it was even more inconvenient to travel with Mayumi Watanabe. When his heart was filled with doubts about Shinichi Iwahashi, Mayumi Watanabe, Iwahashi's staunch ally, could not be the one to whom he confided his thoughts.

Is Shinichi Iwahashi's move to infiltrate Tetsuya Komuro's copyright management company a quick response to the current situation, or was it a premeditated scheme from the very beginning?
When the second thought flashed through his mind, Kenichiro Nozaki felt a chill run down his spine.

Shinichi Iwahashi's manly demeanor has always been deeply ingrained in people's minds, so much so that people often forget that when he was still an unknown nobody, he was able to stir up the industry and remain behind the scenes.

The collaboration with Shinichi Iwahashi was going too smoothly, and their relationship had always been close, which made Kenichiro Nozaki break out in a cold sweat when he caught a glimpse of the cold light of the dragon-slaying sword in the man's hand.

Working closely with Shinichi Iwahashi will naturally bring rich rewards. Conversely, touching his sensitive spots will inevitably bring the most terrible blows.

Kenichiro Nozaki couldn't wait to see his father and tell him everything about the tea party.

Nozaki Toshio listened silently, but then smiled.

He calmly commented, "I originally thought that the executive director of BURNING, Baba, could stir up some trouble... but now it seems that he's just putting on a show in Iwahashi's palm."

“That Iwahashi is really scary, Father,” Nozaki Kenichiro said earnestly.

Kenichiro Nozaki used such an exaggerated adjective, but neither father nor son felt that there was anything wrong with the description.

Kenichiro Nozaki told his father about his speculations on the way there, but Toshio Nozaki remained calm and said, "This is exactly the effect that Iwahashi-kun wanted."

"Are you saying that Iwahashi deliberately wanted me to be afraid of his methods?"

Nozaki Toshio suddenly asked, "Isn't Miss Watanabe also here?"

Kenichiro Nozaki was surprised for the first time: "Mayumi-san?"... When the show ended, Kenichiro Nozaki still regarded Mayumi Watanabe as his partner who sang in harmony with Shinichi Iwahashi.

“Now, she is also someone Iwahashi-kun has to answer to.” Nozaki Toshio looked at his son and said slowly, “This time, Iwahashi-kun must make everyone feel this fear.”

For Shinichi Iwahashi, authority is the most important thing right now. Without it, nothing else can proceed smoothly.

It's natural for followers to believe that the benefits of following him are plentiful. But to get followers to work for you, you must demonstrate authority and let everyone see the methods you use.

Simply sharing profits is not enough to become a hegemon; one must demonstrate formidable methods when necessary.

The more ruthless he was in dealing with Tetsuya Komuro, the more people would submit to him.

From this perspective, Tetsuya Komuro's involvement with the BURNING group gave Shinichi Iwahashi a golden opportunity that he could only dream of.

"If this succeeds, Suoh-san of BRUNING will probably never again be able to maintain his position as the industry leader." Nozaki Toshio made this judgment casually.

Seeing the doubt on Nozaki Kenichiro's face after he said this, he pointed out, "Suoh-san's poaching this time was completely under Iwahashi-kun's control. After this, Iwahashi-kun will definitely not show any mercy."

Tetsuya Komuro suddenly sided with BURNING, and Ikuo Suo poached his most valuable cash cow by reaching into GENZO.

This is a clear and undeniable fact that is right in front of the industry.

Ikuo Suo caught Shinichi Iwahashi off guard and, through this incident, reaffirmed his prestige as the industry leader.

The greater the popularity of Namie Amuro, the more dazzling Ikuo Suo's victory becomes.

However, no one anticipated that Shinichi Iwahashi had already set his sights on Tetsuya Komuro, this rootless drifter, for his most vital asset. This meant that BURNING's attempt to sow discord would ultimately be a classic case of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. The more smug Suo Ikuo was now, the more humiliated he would be afterward.

When poaching talent, it's best to achieve a decisive victory. If the attempt backfires, it will severely damage credibility. For a loosely structured pyramid organization, this would be a fundamental blow that shakes its very foundation.

By removing the very foundation upon which Tetsuya Komuro stands, Shinichi Iwahashi will establish unprecedented prestige through this incident. This prestige will be enough to turn the industry's criticism towards BURNING.

When a former industry leader reveals its decline, other forces will initially remain inactive.

When an undisputed powerhouse launches a fierce attack on the former overlord, the observing forces will naturally make their own choices.

Every change in the industry landscape brings unexpected benefits.

To become a hegemon, one must be unshakeable. Once shaken, one loses the qualification to become a hegemon.

Shinichi Iwahashi and Ikuo Suo have always had a tense relationship, but he has always maintained restraint. Now it seems that this is the moment he has been waiting for.

To undermine Suoh Ikuo's prestige, gain a solid pretext, and then launch a fierce attack.

Ken-On had no ambition to become the dominant force, but Toshio Nozaki had been in the industry for many years and was very knowledgeable. Even so, the young man's actions still made him uneasy from time to time.

After hearing his father's analysis, Kenichiro Nozaki couldn't help but think: that Iwahashi-kun is someone we absolutely cannot be his enemy.

Akina Nakamori is Shinichi Iwahashi's wife and Ken-On's lucky charm.

He felt somewhat reassured and asked, "Then what should we do, Father?"

“Iwahashi-kun has already made his plans. We don’t need to do anything. We just need to cooperate with him and support him to the best of our ability.”

“That means you voted in favor…” Nozaki Kenichiro said with a hint of jokingness. “No wonder Mayumi always votes in favor.”

"Watanabe Productions was just as strong back then."

Nozaki Toshio expressed his appreciation, "...but the Watanabe family has truly preserved the flame."

"By the way," Nozaki Toshio asked, "what has Iwahashi-kun been busy with lately?"

"It's said that he's always doing behind-the-scenes work, but doesn't really act as a producer himself. He's always communicating with the men in black, and he also keeps a young girl by his side all the time."

"Girl?"

“Haven’t you heard about this, Father?” Kenichiro Nozaki laughed. “Iwahashi-kun let that girl live in his house, and Akina-chan even produced a family record for her, making it look like a proper home record.”

"Is that so?" Nozaki Toshio smiled as well. "I hope to see that girl soon."

"See her? That's not difficult at all."

"Do not."

Nozaki Toshio shook his head. "Not when I see that girl now."