June 24 1995
At Zagashira Mansion, Zukechi—the owner of the ZUSUGA company, which created the game console ZU-Gen 1—was fidgeting nervously. "Wh... what should I do? What should I do?! It's all Zaboru and ZAGE's fault! They monopolize the video game market! That's why ZUSUGA's games can't sell!"
Zukechi had been blaming Zaboru for the ZU-Gen 1's poor sales ever since its release a few months back. None of the games had sold more than a few thousand copies, each turning into a flop. Instead of taking responsibility, Zukechi found excuses everywhere. He accused ZAGE of monopolizing the video game industry. He pointed at Sonaya's Titan Drive, arguing it was similar to ZAGE's system yet still sold well, calling it fraud. He even blamed his own employees, refusing to admit his own failures. But last month everything changed when his older brother— the one he feared the most— came to visit: Zanki Zagashira, the powerful figure behind the successes of Mitsubishi and Toshiba.
Zanki said, "If you don't stop wasting Father's money and fix this mess, I will ruin your life, little brother. Remember that." The threat weighed heavily on Zukechi's heart, making him deeply afraid. Now, in June, he prepared for yet another family dinner, hoping that his father's presence might shield him. "Only Father can save me… Zanki will definitely listen to him," he muttered nervously. With a stern nod, Zukechi readied himself to join the gathering. As usual, there would be four family members at the table, and with Zanki's arrival, there would be five in total.
Zenzou Zagashira, the venerable patriarch and head of the Zagashira family; Zanki Zagashira, the ambitious second son; Zana Zagashira, the first daughter and third-born the Famous Actres; Zenkichi Zagashira, the fourth son the owner of Plenty of Red District in Kabukicho; and finally Zukechi Zagashira, the youngest child of the family.
The dinner then began, and Zenzou spoke firmly: "Zukechi… I heard that your project isn't going well. There are only a couple of months left of the chance I gave you…"
Then Zukechi fidgeted nervously and blurted out, "It's all ZAGE and Sonaya's fault, Father! Especially ZAGE—they're monopolizing the video game industry! And whatever's left is being taken away by Sonaya! They don't leave me a single player willing to buy my games!"
Zenkichi frowned, his voice sharp and cutting: "You better shut your goddamn mouth. I love playing games, and compared to ZAGE and Sonaya, yours are nothing but worthless trash. Of course nobody would buy them, dumbass."
Zukechi frowned. "W... what!? What would a gigolo like you understand about games? You're clearly lying and just want to make me look bad!" Zenkichi was about to retaliate when their father's voice cut through sharply: "Silence." Both of them immediately fell quiet.
Zenzou looked at Zukechi and sighed. "Maybe I've spoiled you too much, son. You have failed me again and again. Of all my children, you carry the same eyes as your mother… and that is why I've always gone easy on you."
Zukechi's face turned pale. "No… Dad, please! Dad, I'll do anything, just give me one more chance…"
Zenzou shouted, "I ALREADY GAVE YOU ENOUGH CHANCES! You screwed everything! You even took another 10 billion yen from my account — and where is that money now!? You definitely screwed it big time!"
Zenzou then continued, "Shut down your company! And I will stop giving you allowance as well!"
Zukechi's face grew even paler. "B-but Dad!"
Zenzou roared, "Silence! Or would you prefer to be exiled like your oldest brother!?"
Zukechi's eyes widened, and he quickly shut his mouth. Anything but being exiled! He couldn't survive on his own!
Zanki silence as usual "Dad Rather than throwing that company ZUSUGA away instead let me took care of it.."
Zenzou's brows rose. "What do you mean, Zanki? ZUSUGA is in shambles—you think you can fix it?"
Zanki gave a low chuckle. "Nothing new, really—just incompetent management. And I personally believe the video game industry has become a good cash grab these days."
Zukechi wanted to speak, but Zanki's glare silenced him instantly. Zenzou then turned his attention to Zanki and asked, "And how do you plan to approach the video game market? Even I, who never play games, know that ZAGE are pioneers in the industry. How could you possibly fight them? And let's not forget Sonaya—they're the second biggest competitor after ZAGE, and we all know what the Kurata family is capable of. They've always been a thorn in our side."
Zanki grinned, leaning back with a confident air. "True, ZAGE is really on fire right now… but that's all because of one person. Zaboru himself is the core of their strength, the face everyone praises. And my plan? Simple, but effective — destroy Zaboru's reputation. Once that image of him crumbles, nobody will want to buy his games, no matter how good they are. The kid is still young, still naive, convinced he's untouchable because he acts like the others, trying to play the role of a 'cool' genius. But that's not genius — that's stupidity. And stupidity can be exploited."
Zenkichi's eyes widened. He was a gamer, and although he was already in his mid-30s, he loved video games. He actually thought that Zaboru was cool, but he was really afraid of Zanki. thats why he prefer to shut up
Meanwhile, Zana sipped her wine and muttered, "Disgusting as always, Zanki." Zanki grinned and looked at her. "Oh, Zana, but you know my ways will work, don't you?" Zana remained silent, offering only a cold stare. Zanki chuckled and continued, his voice dripping with malice. "A guy like Zaboru will always rush to help a woman in need. So imagine if I hire a bitch to stumble into him—he'll definitely help her. And what if we arrange more than one bitches? Then we take photos, spread them, and create a scandal! Hahaha! And that's just one of my plans."
But then Zenkichi leaned forward and said cautiously, "So, Zanki-nii… you arranged things that way so the Hamazou family would end up clashing with Zaboru?" Zanki's brow rose, his tone sharp. "Hamazou? The Yakuza? What connection do they possibly have with Zaboru?" Zenkichi blinked in surprise. "You really didn't know? It's been rumored for years now that Zaboru's girlfriend is none other than Hamazou's princess…"
Zanki's eyes widened. Ever since they were kids, his father always said, Don't mess with Hamazou! But Zanki knew better — Hamazou had already lost their teeth.
"No matter, Hamazou aren't what they used to be." Zenzou frowned. "Zanki… don't mess with Hamazou." Zanki scoffed. "Your thinking is outdated, Dad! What can the Yakuza do these days? Nothing! Don't worry about it."
Zenzou glared at Zanki. "You don't know what they're capable of, son. They aren't just using brute force — the Hamazou family is known for their strategy, especially that Rashomon Akechi. He is really fearsome. If you touch him, there will be chaos."
Zanki scoffed. "We'll see, Dad. Nothing's gonna happen except that ZUSUGA will lead in the video game industry — mark my words."
With that, dinner continued. Zukechi was out of the game; he would live in the mansion with his dad, while Zanki would try to ruin Zaboru's reputation despite his father's warning. And so, Zanki would awaken a sleeping dragon: Rashomon and Ashura.
To be continue
AN : This needs a little bit of drama don't you think? LoL don't worry it wont drag that long