Ito Suke!

Fifty-five years old this year, still in his prime. Though he appeared slightly overweight with a kind-looking face and often wore a smiling expression, he harbored immense ambition and wielded ruthless methods.

As one of Komera's eight major directors, he possessed a considerable portion of shares, granting him significant decision-making power over most company matters.

Logically speaking, as a shareholder, Ito Suke shouldn't need to directly interface with someone like Seiichi Nakamura, a mere studio director.

Even if Nakamura currently headed the most prominent and powerful uncrowned king among the Big Three.

Board directors typically took matters directly to Uekoe Kagemasa.

But!

Ito Suke had specifically arranged this meeting with Seiichi Nakamura.

Moreover!

The root cause of this situation traced back to last year's Higashitsu Gaming Festival.

During the previous Higashitsu Gaming Festival, Golden Wind defeated Komera's heavily funded "Torii" with their game "Sekiro."

Repeated mistakes and losses had caused the board to seriously question Uekoe Kagemasa's capabilities and judgment.

And regarding this!

Uekoe Kagemasa naturally had very clear self-awareness—

Either cut losses to survive, or step down directly.

So, to protect his position and ensure a smooth retirement, with no other options left, Uekoe Kagemasa hardened his heart and employed a "sacrifice pawns to save the king" strategy, pushing out Koizumi, then director of one of the peak studios, and Moriya, the executive director of the Gaming Affairs Department.

Meanwhile, he himself executed a tactical retreat, accurately assessing Komera's talent shortage and lack of capable replacements, using resignation threats to pressure the board into keeping him to steer the company, thus preserving his president position.

Admittedly!

This way, Uekoe Kagemasa kept his president title.

But the board members weren't fools. While they didn't openly criticize Uekoe Kagemasa's actions, they all felt dissatisfaction, even disgust.

Thus, after this incident, the seven major shareholders on the board began moving actively, each cultivating their preferred successors, waiting for the right moment to oust Uekoe Kagemasa and take control of Komera.

And Nakamurai was the successor Ito Suke secretly supported.

Yes.

Although "Night Owl" turned the tide, with Nakamurai using his own abilities to replicate Sekiro's success and pull Komera from the shadow of "Torii's" failure...

Komera had countless studios under its banner. Without Ito's assistance, Nakamurai couldn't have risen so quickly from among the studios to join the Big Three, let alone surpass the other two studios in such short time, positioning himself as the potential "leader of the Big Three."

As for why only seven of the eight total directors secretly supported presidential successors...

That was naturally because Uekoe Kagemasa had no one left under him.

The "sacrifice pawns to save the king" move might be effective, but it was essentially draining the pond to catch fish—a short-sighted approach. If anyone still willingly worked diligently and loyally for him under these circumstances, it would only prove that person had issues, practically begging for swift dismissal and exile.

Those who gain favor may not necessarily receive much help...

But those who lose favor inevitably find themselves isolated—this is an eternal truth.

"...Hmm."

After hearing Seiichi Nakamura's detailed report, Ito slowly nodded, pondering for a moment, his mind racing rapidly.

Actually, he was reluctant to let Nakamurai take this risk.

After all, he wasn't the only one cultivating successors currently.

Although currently, the board faction supporting Seiichi Nakamura included three people including himself, making them the interest group with relatively higher chances...

But don't forget, besides them, four other directors had split into two groups, each supporting their own candidates.

Specifically, Chief Financial Officer Sawajiri supported by Kojima and Uehara, and the new executive director of Gaming Affairs Department Inoue supported by Yoshida and Aoki.

Yes.

As Uekoe Kagemasa's tenure grew shorter, Komera's internal factions became increasingly complex.

The various board directors, seeking future benefits and greater influence within the group, each supported their own chosen successors.

Currently, Komera's next presidency essentially rested on three candidates:

Sawajiri, Inoue, and now Nakamurai who came seeking help.

A 2-2-3 divided landscape.

Ito's faction currently held certain advantages, so he was unwilling to make mistakes at this critical juncture.

After all, no one could guarantee whether "Night Owl Island" would succeed.

But then another thought occurred!

Wait...

Who said "Night Owl Island's" failure necessarily had to be a bad thing?

Ito recalled Uekoe Kagemasa's "sacrifice pawns to save the king" move during the Sekiro incident.

Why couldn't he use this as an opportunity, pushing Uekoe Kagemasa out as the scapegoat to quickly elevate Nakamurai?

After all, game release decisions weren't made by Seiichi Nakamura—ultimately, the decision whether "Night Owl Island" exhibited or not rested in Uekoe Kagemasa's hands.

What?

You say Uekoe Kagemasa had already voluntarily withdrawn "Night Owl Island" from exhibition arrangements, proactively avoiding Golden Wind to prevent another crushing defeat?

A sharp glint flashed in Ito's eyes.

You must understand.

Often, decisions made from the president position couldn't be finalized by one person alone.

You cowardly seek stability, withdrawing "Night Owl Island" just like that?

Have you consulted the board?

With the Higashitsu Gaming Festival approaching, we have five games exhibiting—let me ask you—

"...This time, which game is our flagship title? President Uekoe?"

During Komera's work arrangement meeting for the upcoming Higashitsu Gaming Festival!

Just as the meeting approached its conclusion!

Ito Suke, as one of the board directors, suddenly launched an attack, posing what seemed like an innocent question to Uekoe Kagemasa.

The arrangements look fine.

Five games—two larger, two smaller, including both new titles and sequels.

Especially Nishikawa and Takasugi exhibiting this time—as two of the Big Three, one focusing on sports games, the other on racing—the quality of their current works was quite good, with both innovation and tradition, plus timely release without overly formidable market competitors, so expected reception and impact should be decent.

But!

What about our flagship?

Ito's soul-searching question simultaneously alerted the other directors.

Everyone turned questioning gazes toward Uekoe Kagemasa.

Yes!

Although the two Big Three companies produced quite good quality games this time...

From scale perspective, both games floating around $150 million couldn't shoulder flagship responsibilities.

Moreover, considering current market trends, shooting and action games ruled supreme.

Currently, we don't have a single action or shooting game, unable to even produce a flagship title—isn't this somewhat unacceptable?

Remember, this is a gaming exhibition hosted in our own backyard! As the flagship enterprise of the host country, we can't even produce an exhibition flagship?

"Ah, this..."

Hearing this, Uekoe Kagemasa's heart sank!

What he feared had arrived!

He knew perfectly well that exhibiting without a flagship was highly inappropriate!

But he had no choice!

"Night Owl Island" now conflicted with "Call of Duty" again—both shooting game types—facing Golden Wind's honor-driven offensive, what could he possibly do?!

Nothing but wave the white flag, forcibly moving "Night Owl Island" after "Call of Duty" to avoid getting completely crushed again!

But now, the board had brought this up for separate questioning!

For a moment, Uekoe Kagemasa found himself speechless.

After all, previously the board never bothered with such detailed arrangements!

Now every board member had their preferred candidates in mind—they practically wished for his early demise so their people could steer the company!

When the wall crumbles, everyone pushes; when the drum breaks, everyone beats.

Seeing Uekoe Kagemasa falter, female director Uehara on the other side also spoke, seemingly casual but hiding sharp edges:

"Does President Uekoe have some concerns?"

These words!

Made the entire meeting room's atmosphere freeze instantly!

Immediately, Uekoe Kagemasa's expression turned extremely unpleasant!

Did he have concerns?

Obviously!

If he had no concerns, why would he withdraw "Night Owl Island"—with its $300 million production cost—at such a critical moment!

And Uehara clearly asked knowingly!

The atmosphere instantly solidified—all seven directors stared at Uekoe Kagemasa.

Dead silence.

In this dead silence, Uekoe Kagemasa felt for the first time the aura of impending doom.

When did he become the target of public criticism, a dangerously tilting edifice?

Was it from "Silent Hill 2's" disappearance?

Or from "Torii's" complete defeat?

Or even earlier, when "Silent Hill" got crushed by "Escape"?

Greed makes the snake try to swallow an elephant.

Perhaps today's situation was determined back when he decided to kick out Golden Wind and monopolize PT's created profits.

The mighty Komera!

The vast corporation!

Asia's leader!

The Eastern hegemon!

Yet now, he, the helmsman, had been forced into a dead end by a Chinese game company that started with just 500,000 yuan!

If only he had known today!

Why did he act as he did back then?

Only at this moment!

Did Uekoe Kagemasa seem to truly regret that momentary misjudgment from years ago!

But times had changed.

Repeated mistakes born from greed couldn't be erased by simple regret.

Once upon a time, he not only had the opportunity to retire gloriously, but even possibly collaborate with Golden Wind to create horror gaming legends unique to Asia—but he didn't cherish it.

Now.

Just as Gu Sheng previously said.

Even if he willingly abandoned fame and fortune, wanting to safely endure until retirement was more difficult than climbing to heaven.

This was the immense pressure from the board of directors.

This was the united coercion of seven directors wanting his downfall.

Now he had no one left around him willing to take bullets or sacrifice for him.

He was like a small boat abandoned by Komera's giant ship—whether he could safely reach shore remained unknown.

Remaining silent for nearly three full minutes!

Finally!

Uekoe Kagemasa took a deep breath!

Responding slowly with exhaustion and powerlessness:

"No... particular concerns, I simply believe 'Night Owl Island' isn't fully prepared yet. But if Directors Ito and Uehara wish it to participate in this exhibition, then I..."

However!

Before he could finish!

Ito frowned, silently cursing Uekoe Kagemasa for daring to struggle while dying, interrupting:

"President Uekoe, you're the company's helmsman—such matters naturally require your decision."

"We don't understand internal company details well, but surely you do? Do you need to follow opinions from outsiders like us?"

Pushing you to the absolute limit.

Damn it.

Ito cursed inwardly.

At death's door and still trying to drag me down—you're really quite slippery.

These words!

Made Uekoe Kagemasa's entire body stiffen!

His mouth opened but words failed him!

Finally, his Adam's apple bobbed, his entire person seeming to age several years, speaking with visible difficulty, his voice almost inaudible with despair:

"That's not... that's not it..."

"I believe 'Night Owl Island' has tremendous potential, so I specially request the board's permission to withdraw the cancellation of 'Night Owl Island's' exhibition,"

"Allowing 'Night Owl Island' to participate in this Higashitsu Gaming Festival exhibition, serving as our flagship title for this exhibition..."

"With maximum resource allocation."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com