Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

Sunday, 10 November 2001.

AKAI Headquarters, Japan.

Zaboru arrived at AKAI's main office earlier than expected that morning.

Normally, he enjoyed visiting the company. AKAI had grown far beyond its original purpose and now operated across electronics, telecommunications, fashion, sports equipment, media, and several other industries. Every visit usually introduced him to some strange new product or ambitious expansion that made him forget about the rest of the world for a few hours.

Today, he needed that distraction more than usual.

Tomorrow is Monday, 11 November.

The suspicious international gathering inside the World Trade Center would finally take place.

For several days, Zaboru had been unable to stop thinking about it.

Would something happen?

Would nothing happen?

Was the invitation merely an ordinary coincidence, or was history preparing to repeat itself under a different date?

That uncertainty remained inside his mind no matter what he did.

Even when reviewing ZEPS 4 reports, eating with his family, or discussing games, the same questions returned.

Fortunately, Hyoga had called him the previous evening with several important updates regarding AKAI's planned sneaker expansion.

The project immediately caught Zaboru's attention.

Shoes were much easier to think about than terrorism.

At least shoes rarely destroy buildings.

When Zaboru entered the meeting room, he was carrying far more food than any ordinary person reasonably needed for one meeting.

Several paper bags covered both of his arms. They contained taiyaki, gyoza, steamed buns, yakitori, takoyaki, sweet bread, and multiple other snacks he had purchased from street vendors on the way to the office.

Zaboru placed everything across the meeting table.

Hyoga stared at the growing mountain of food.

Then he looked toward his boss.

Then back toward the food again.

"Boss…"

Zaboru opened one container of gyoza. "Yes?"

Hyoga slowly sat down. "Is there anyone else joining us?"

"No."

"Then who is all of that for?"

Zaboru picked up one gyoza. "Me."

Hyoga stared at him in silence.

Zaboru ate it happily.

Hyoga sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Sometimes I genuinely wonder how you eat that much and remain healthy."

Zaboru chuckled and shrugged.

He could not exactly explain that his Enlightenment Body required an absurd amount of energy. His metabolism, muscle recovery, brain activity, and physical abilities consumed calories at a rate that would be impossible for an ordinary human body.

Someone with his height and body composition might require several thousand calories each day.

Zaboru could burn nearly three to four times that amount during particularly demanding periods.

Even when he ate enough food for several people, his body used almost everything efficiently.

Naturally, telling Hyoga the truth would only create more questions.

Zaboru casually answered, "Good metabolism. I also work out a lot."

Hyoga looked at the taiyaki, gyoza, steamed buns, and yakitori.

Zaboru smiled and offered him a steamed bun. "Want one?"

Hyoga hesitated.

Then he accepted it.

Hyoga looked at Zaboru's completely serious expression and decided not to argue.

He opened the documents in front of him.

"Anyway, boss, I have good news and bad news regarding the sneaker project."

Zaboru took another bite of gyoza. "Bad news first."

Hyoga nodded.

"We completed the cost analysis for manufacturing in Japan and the United States."

He pushed several documents across the table.

"The results are not good."

Zaboru quickly examined the reports.

Hyoga continued, "Building large manufacturing centres in either country would be extremely expensive. Labour costs are high, suitable industrial land near major transportation routes is limited, and the initial construction cost would be enormous."

He pointed toward several figures.

"We have enough money to do it, obviously. But being capable of spending money does not mean spending it is wise."

Zaboru nodded.

AKAI and ZAGE were financially powerful, but both companies were expanding aggressively across multiple industries.

ZAGE was pouring resources into ZEPS 4, game development, animation, online infrastructure, international offices, and several technology companies.

AKAI was developing the Black Berry business, telecommunications devices, sports products, vehicles, electronics, fashion, and now footwear.

Even companies with enormous wealth could become vulnerable if they treated every project as though money were unlimited.

Hyoga continued, "The land alone would consume a large part of the budget. Then we would need factories, specialist equipment, warehouses, local suppliers, logistics contracts, and thousands of workers."

He folded his arms.

"If we insist on doing everything in Japan or America, the production cost of each pair will become too high."

Zaboru swallowed his food and nodded calmly. "That makes sense."

Hyoga looked slightly surprised.

"You're not disappointed?"

"No. I expected something like this."

Hyoga narrowed his eyes.

Zaboru continued casually, "But you already found another solution, right?"

Hyoga remained silent.

Zaboru leaned back and smiled.

"Let me guess. You want to manufacture in countries with lower labour and land costs. China and Brazil would be the most obvious options because ZAGE already have subsidiaries, logistics networks, and local partners there."

Hyoga slowly closed his eyes.

Then he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I knew it."

Zaboru blinked innocently. "Knew what?"

"You already understood this from the beginning."

"That is an accusation."

"Boss, we spent weeks researching different locations."

"And you did good work."

"You could have told us where to look."

Zaboru raised both hands defensively. "I only predicted it because of what you just said."

Hyoga stared at him.

Zaboru picked up another taiyaki and avoided eye contact.

Of course, he had already known that many major sportswear companies in his previous life relied on manufacturing networks across countries with lower production costs.

China, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and several other nations offered lower labour expenses, growing industrial capacity, and easier large-scale manufacturing.

However, Zaboru did not want to simply order AKAI to copy decisions from his previous world without proper research.

Different timelines created different economies.

A country that was ideal in his previous life might have entirely different conditions here. Political relationships, infrastructure, wages, trade agreements, and regional development had all changed.

He preferred allowing Hyoga's team to investigate independently before confirming the direction.

Hyoga sighed.

"Fine. Perhaps you only predicted it."

"I did."

Zaboru laughed.

Hyoga opened another folder.

"AKAI has already begun searching for suitable industrial land in China with assistance from Red Falcon. Their regional network has made negotiations much easier."

He pointed toward several possible locations on a map.

"We are prioritising areas near ports, rail connections, rubber suppliers, textile producers, and existing electronics factories. The footwear project will require completely different materials from our usual products, but several regions already possess experienced manufacturing workforces."

Zaboru studied the locations.

China's friendly relationship with Japan in this world made the expansion much simpler than it might have been otherwise. Government cooperation was strong, trade moved smoothly, and Japanese companies could establish local operations without the same historical tension that existed in Zaboru's previous life.

"What about Brazil?" Zaboru asked.

"B.E.A.K is handling that investigation."

B.E.A.K served as one of ZAGE's major subsidiaries and regional partners in Brazil. It already managed entertainment, technology, sports, and distribution projects throughout South America.

Hyoga continued, "Brazil has strong rubber production, a large domestic market, and enormous football culture. Establishing a factory there could serve both manufacturing and regional marketing."

Zaboru nodded immediately.

"That is important."

AKAI did not want to create sneakers only for Japan and the United States.

The company intended to compete globally.

Brazil offered access to South America, while China could supply the broader Asian market. Additional factories could eventually be established in other regions once demand became clearer.

"Are the wages fair?" Zaboru asked.

Hyoga looked toward him.

"I know we want lower labour costs," Zaboru continued, "but I don't want AKAI building sweatshops."

His tone became more serious.

"Lower cost does not mean treating people like disposable machines."

Hyoga nodded immediately. "I agree."

"We need clear labour standards. Safe buildings, reasonable hours, medical support, proper breaks, and salaries above the regional minimum where possible."

"That will increase production costs."

"I know."

"Still lower than Japan or America."

"Exactly."

Zaboru placed the taiyaki down.

"We can save money without becoming evil."

Hyoga smiled faintly. "I will make sure the contracts include strict requirements."

"And regular inspections."

"Internal and independent?"

"Both."

Zaboru did not want AKAI managers hiding poor conditions to protect performance reports. External inspectors, local worker representatives, and anonymous complaint systems would make abuse harder to conceal.

He remembered too many scandals from his previous life involving global brands distancing themselves from exploitation by blaming contractors.

AKAI's name would appear on the shoes.

Therefore, AKAI would remain responsible for how they were made.

Hyoga wrote several notes.

"We should also avoid relying on only one country," Zaboru added. "If manufacturing becomes too concentrated, any political issue, natural disaster, labour conflict, or shipping problem could damage the entire supply chain."

Hyoga nodded. "China and Brazil first, then perhaps another Asian location later."

"Indonesia could be worth examining eventually."

"I'll add it to the long-term list."

Zaboru picked up the taiyaki again, satisfied.

Hyoga examined the next section of his notes.

Zaboru grinned.

Hyoga closed the sneaker folder and opened another report.

"There is also an update regarding AKAI's software expansion."

Zaboru immediately leaned forward.

"The internal software division is already operating," Hyoga said. "They are developing productivity tools, communication applications, media software, device management systems, and several business programmes."

"And the operating system?"

"That remains in preparation."

Hyoga's expression became more cautious.

"Creating an independent operating system is much more difficult than building ordinary applications. We need kernel engineers, security specialists, interface designers, driver support, development tools, application compatibility, hardware partnerships, and a long-term update structure."

Zaboru nodded.

He already understood the scale.

An operating system could not succeed through technical quality alone.

It required developers.

Hardware manufacturers.

Applications.

Business adoption.

Consumer trust.

Microsoft dominated computers because Windows had become an ecosystem. Apple maintained control through its own combination of hardware and software.

AKAI would need something equally strong.

Fortunately, Zaboru had no intention of approaching the market politely.

He smiled faintly.

Microsoft and Apple had chosen to cooperate with people willing to interfere with Ayumi's life and use her history against him.

Hyoga sighed look at Zaboru expression.

Zaboru laughed innocently. "I am only thinking about software."

"That does not reassure me."

"Keep the operating-system research moving."

"We will."

"Don't rush the public release. I want it stable."

"Understood."

"And make sure it is easy to use."

Hyoga nodded.

Zaboru continued, "Engineers sometimes design systems for other engineers. Ordinary people do not care how impressive the architecture is if they cannot find their files."

"That is already part of the design requirements."

"Good."

He leaned back and picked up another steamed bun.

"Anyway, keep going, Hyoga-san. AKAI is doing great work."

Hyoga smiled tiredly. "Thank you, boss."

Zaboru studied the sneaker concepts one final time.

The factories were not built yet.

The operating system was still years away from becoming a complete product.

Many of AKAI's expansions remained expensive, complicated, and uncertain.

But the direction was becoming clearer.

Zaboru felt genuinely excited.

For several minutes, the thoughts of tomorrow disappeared from his mind.

There were only shoe designs, factories, software plans, and a table covered with food.

Then his Black Berry vibrated.

A secure update had arrived from his intelligence personnel in America.

Zaboru's smile weakened slightly.

He did not open the message immediately.

Hyoga noticed the change in his expression but did not ask.

Zaboru looked once more at the sneaker designs and exhaled slowly.

Tomorrow was approaching whether he wanted it to or not.

For now, however, he closed the phone and reached for another gyoza.

"One problem at a time," he murmured.

Hyoga looked confused. "What?"

Zaboru smiled again.

"Nothing. Let's continue."

To be continued.

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