Chapter 36: So, You're the One They Call Takeshi Iwata!

"Violent Man" to be screened at Venice! Who exactly is Takeshi Iwata?

"The only film to be exhibited, a harbinger of the collapse of Japanese cinema! ...Who is this 'Violent Man'?"

"A single 'Violent Man,' and a newcomer is set to rise! ...Let us join together to find Takeshi Iwata!"

Who is Takeshi Iwata?
Who is that "Violent Man"?
The media had already swung into action!

What kind of country is Japan?
A country that is super obsessed with foreign cultures!
A country that spends every waking moment dreaming of leaving Asia and joining Europe!
Therefore, when a film manages to enter a European film festival—especially a top-tier international A-list festival, one known as the progenitor of all film festivals—that in itself is a massive piece of news!

And now, add these few conditions to the mix:
First, Japanese cinema this year has been truly lackluster, with not a single film entering the Venice Film Festival.
Second, this is a brand-new film shot by an unknown newcomer, and nobody had ever heard the name Takeshi Iwata before.
Third, the Japanese film market this year lacks vitality and is in desperate need of a new sensation.

Once these three conditions were met, this big news directly evolved.
Explosive news!
So, what kind of explosive consequences would this generate?

Inside the Toho Building, Shimaya was at work as usual today.
Just as he ordered a cup of coffee, his assistant rushed in.
"What’s going on? Why are you so flustered?"
"Shimaya-san, the general business department is going crazy. They've received so many calls."
"Oh?" A smile appeared on Shimaya's face upon hearing this.
"They are all related to the film 'Violent Man'."

To be honest, it was slightly beyond Shimaya's expectations, but he immediately responded in a composed tone: "Tell them to arrange the schedule, but keep one thing in mind: the Venice Film Festival lasts about 12 days, and the main cast members must not be rude."
"Hai!" The assistant understood. In other words, tell those guys looking for interviews that they have to wait until the festival closes at the very least.

However, there was still a major issue here.
"Shimaya-san, about that... I heard from Yamauchi that regarding the budget..."
"Hmph! A man without vision! How can he be so stingy at a time like this!"
Shimaya’s intensity startled the assistant, who bowed and left to handle the matter.
After all, Shimaya had received the news earlier than the media clamoring for interviews, so he had a plan in place long ago.
The key to this plan was the budget. Do not underestimate the cost of attending a film festival; it requires significant funds.
Of course, the festival organizers provide a certain subsidy, but this is Venice—hotels and everything else there are not cheap.
As a world-famous tourist destination, it is no joke.
Some big stars spend a million dollars attending a festival; while this might be a publicity stunt, the money is spent nonetheless.
Therefore, as the distributor of "Violent Man," Toho had to come up with a budget.
And the figure for this budget...
"Takeshi Iwata, don't you dare disappoint me."

...

Compared to the media, two people were much more familiar with Takeshi Iwata.
"Boss! Did that little punk really make a name for himself?"
"Yes, so what do you suggest we do?"
"Should we just...?"
"Baka!"
As Moriyama spoke, he made a throat-slitting gesture; the meaning was very clear, and Suo immediately snapped at him.
His own subordinate was truly hopeless. In the current situation, how could they easily get rid of that kid?
"Then what should we do? Just watch that kid develop and grow stronger, and then come back to take revenge on us?"
"You idiot, his reputation is currently rising rapidly. If we do something like that now, how much do you think we’d have to pay? Do you think a few fingers would be enough?"
"This..."
"Don't forget what the policy of our Yamamoto-gumi is now. We must be kind, we must build a good image, and we cannot go around fighting and killing like we used to."

Moriyama stopped talking, but he grumbled internally.
Then why did you have me take men to ambush that kid, Takeshi Iwata?
However, Suo's words were not wrong. Before the Yama-Ichi War, Hiroshi Yamamoto had been emphasizing the need to follow a peaceful path—as long as everyone made good money, that was enough.
Now that he held the power, he was naturally pushing this philosophy hard.
But was it not strange that both Suo and Moriyama were acting this way?
Just then, a subordinate brought over a mobile phone.
"Hai! ...Hai! ...I understand."
Suo spoke into the phone with extreme politeness.
Moriyama didn't even dare to breathe; he understood that the person on the other end of the line was definitely not an ordinary person.
But what shocked him even more was that after ending the call, Suo’s expression changed, and he said gloomily: "From now on, nobody is allowed to touch him!"
Moriyama was completely stunned.

...

As the news continued to ferment, it had escalated from everyone asking who Takeshi Iwata was to actively hunting for him!
But, in the Nakayama household, there was a great deal of conflict.
August was nearing its end, and summer vacation was about to conclude, but just at this moment, Shinobu learned that she didn't have to rush back to school.
As the lead actress, she naturally had to go to Venice with her "Uncle."
Moreover, her uncle had called and explicitly stated that this was a government-funded trip.
Shinobu was overjoyed—not only was she happy about not having to go to school, but she was excited about traveling abroad, and of course, she looked forward to hanging out with her uncle.
However, her older sister, Miho Nakayama, held a very strange stance.
"You silly girl, stop grinning like an idiot. You must remember to keep a certain distance from that Takeshi Iwata!"
"Huh? What do you mean by 'keep a certain distance'?"
"You can't be that dense, can you? At the very least, a girl must be reserved. You understand that, right?"
"So, you mean I shouldn't go with my uncle?"
"Of course you have to go! You haven't officially debuted yet, and the movie you're in—a movie where you're the lead—is going to an international A-list film festival. Even if it doesn't win an award, it's already a massive topic of conversation. How can you not go!"
"Oh, then..."
"Like I said, you should keep your distance from that guy. For example, when you two are walking, there should be a person's width between you. If there are interviews or photo ops at the festival, stand with someone in between. And also..."
"Oh, in that case, it's fine if I share a room with my uncle, since we can just put a person in between us."
"What?! You actually thought about... Ugh! You're going to be the death of me!"
Shinobu giggled; talking about sharing a room was, of course, just to annoy her sister.
But Miho Nakayama was acting like someone possessed, harping on and on about the relationship between her sister and Takeshi Iwata.
In truth, Shinobu knew exactly why.
"Sister, I know you're doing this for my own good, but my uncle is really not a bad person. Me saying this is already me being considerate of your feelings, you understand that, right?"

Reversing the roles?
Miho was beyond furious. Who was she doing this for as an older sister? Look at how this brat was acting!
"His background determines everything! You should try not to film any more movies with him in the future!"
She was treating Takeshi Iwata like a mere tool... well, by the standards of the eighties, she was treating Takeshi Iwata as a "stepping stone."
Could Shinobu agree to that?
"Sister, if you're going to be like this, I'm not going to talk to you anymore."
"You..."
Miho Nakayama looked at her pouting sister and felt a bit shaken. After all, her intentions were for her sister's sake—it was sisterly love.
But she still couldn't let her sister... Wait! I've got it!
"Fine, it seems this is the only way."
"What?"
"I'm coming with you to Venice!"
"Huh? You're going too? Are you that rich?"
"Hehe... I'll pay for myself! Besides... perhaps I can apply for funding from the agency. This is a trip that can increase my profile, after all."
Thinking about it this way, Miho Nakayama actually felt this was a brilliant move.
She quickly contacted her agency.
Shinobu was left feeling quite helpless.

...

"She really said that?"
"Yes."
"Then this..."
"Uncle, do you think my sister is being unreasonable?"
"That's putting it mildly!"
"Haha..."
Although Miho Nakayama kept emphasizing the need to keep a distance from Takeshi Iwata, they were about to fly to Italy, so they had to talk on the phone.
Shinobu told Takeshi Iwata about her sister's plan to tag along to Venice. So, was there any good way to handle it?
"Do you really not want her to come with you?"
"She will definitely turn this Venice trip into 'Miho Nakayama's Film Festival Tour'."
Takeshi Iwata burst into laughter upon hearing this.
As for a solution... he had one!

...

At Narita Airport, although foreigners always call it Tokyo International Airport, it is actually located in Chiba Prefecture.
That day, everything at the airport was normal, but for some, the significance was entirely different.
"How much budget did Toho give you?"
"Oh, why are you asking that?"
"You wouldn't be that stingy, would you?"
"I think it was 10 million yen."
"Sugoi!"
Miho Nakayama packed her luggage with record speed. She was really going to Venice this time; she was her sister's guardian, it was only natural.
As for the luggage... a 12-day festival, one outfit per day—that's not excessive, right?
She had to give herself credit for being so thorough.
It’s just that she, the older sister, didn't know that Shinobu had already anticipated it.
Their group was small: Shinobu, Takeshi Iwata, one staff member, and the great beauty herself—overall very low-key.
But just as they finished the procedures and were waiting to board the plane:
"So you're the one called Takeshi Iwata?"
No one knew who had shouted that, but it attracted a swarm of reporters.
That’s not right—how did they know? Did they get a "tip-off"?
Not necessarily; after all, flying from Tokyo to Europe almost certainly meant departing from Narita, so perhaps they had been lying in wait there for a long time.
Regardless of the reason, it was a critical moment, and a large group of people was rushing over.
What to do?
"Sister," Shinobu said with a look of fear.
"This time, I have to rely on you!" Takeshi Iwata said, looking as if he were pleading.
Miho Nakayama was bewildered. What was going on?
Oh, I see—I, Miho Nakayama, have to block the reporters!
"Right! You guys hurry up and get on the plane; you can't delay the schedule!"
Miho acted with such righteousness... wait, was there something wrong here?
But the reporters' microphones were already thrust in her face.
"Miho-san, why are you here?"
"Where is Takeshi Iwata?"
"Yes, we just heard someone calling his name."
Seeing this, a great beauty is indeed a great beauty.
"Actually, the lead actress of this film is my younger sister, and as her older sister..."
The reporters were satisfied!
The great beauty was satisfied!
And Shinobu and Takeshi Iwata?
They were laughing with great satisfaction inside the cabin...

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