Osaka's streets were less bustling than Tokyo's, possessing a certain profoundness.
Takuya Nakayama drove his RX7 through the commercial district, the engine's roar echoing between the high-rise buildings.
The scenery outside the window gradually shifted from a bustling shopping street to an industrial park, where Konami's twelve-story modern office building shimmered in the sunlight.
It stood in stark contrast to Square's somewhat outdated building.
This company was clearly on the rise.
The building's glass curtain wall was spotless, the flowerbeds at the entrance were neatly trimmed, and even the security guards' uniforms were impeccably pressed.
Takuya parked his car in the visitor parking spot and adjusted his tie.
Today's negotiation target was not a struggling company like Square, but a sharp-nosed business beast.
The lobby's decor was simple yet grand, with classic Konami game posters from over the years hanging on the walls.
The front desk lady's smile was standard and professional; her uniform was wrinkle-free, and the folders on her desk were neatly arranged by color.
"Mr. Nakayama, President Kozuki is already waiting for you in the reception room."
The reception room's arrangement revealed the host's taste and strength.
The genuine leather sofa emitted a faint scent of cowhide, the tea set on the coffee table was top-grade Arita porcelain, and while the calligraphies and paintings on the wall were not masterpieces, they were beautifully mounted and clearly expensive.
Less than three minutes after Takuya sat down, the door opened.
Kozuki Kagemasa strode into the room, of medium build, wearing a well-tailored suit and brightly polished leather shoes.
Most striking were his eyes—shining with shrewdness through gold-rimmed glasses, as if he could see through all business secrets.
"Executive Director Nakayama, I've heard much about you."
Kozuki Kagemasa's handshake was just right, showing politeness while also hinting at his own stance.
His smile was gentle, but that gentleness carried the unique distance of a businessman.
"President Kozuki, thank you for taking the time to meet me during your busy schedule."
Takuya responded to this business-like politeness while observing the other party's reaction.
After they both sat down, Kozuki Kagemasa personally poured tea for Takuya, his movements skilled and elegant.
"I hear Sega has been making frequent moves recently; it seems you're planning to make a big splash in the home console market."
This remark seemed casual but was actually a probe into the true purpose of Takuya's visit.
Takuya took a small sip from his teacup; the tea leaves were indeed of good quality.
"President Kozuki is indeed well-informed. Indeed, Sega is preparing a new generation 16-bit console, and I am here today hoping Konami can become our partner."
He got straight to the point, without any unnecessary preamble.
Kozuki Kagemasa's eyes brightened slightly, but his expression remained that of a restrained businessman.
"Oh? What are Sega's conditions?"
He went straight to the core, truly a seasoned veteran of the business world.
Takuya put down his teacup and repeated Sega's third-party policy, which he had previously explained to Square.
After Takuya finished speaking, the reception room fell into a brief silence.
Kozuki Kagemasa picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then thought quietly for a while.
Takuya did not disturb his thoughts, patiently sipping his tea.
"Executive Director Nakayama, these conditions are indeed very attractive."
Kozuki Kagemasa looked up, meeting Takuya's eyes.
"But I have a few questions. As a challenger, does Sega truly have the strength to support these policies?"
This question went straight to the heart of the matter.
Takuya was well-prepared; his expression remained confident and composed.
"President Kozuki's concerns are very reasonable. But please consider one question—why does Sega dare to propose such conditions?"
"Because we are confident in gaining market share through content advantages, not by maintaining profits through monopoly."
Kozuki Kagemasa picked up his teacup again, but did not drink from it, merely holding it in his hand.
"With such preferential treatment for third parties, where are Sega's own profit points? How long can this policy be maintained?"
The old fox's true nature was fully revealed; every question hit a vital point.
Takuya stood up and walked to the window, sunlight casting dappled shadows on him through the blinds.
"President Kozuki, how long do you think Nintendo's monopoly can last? Especially when it is so harsh on third parties."
He turned around and posed a rhetorical question to Kozuki Kagemasa.
"The market is always changing. Control only makes the pie smaller, and what we want to do is make the entire market bigger."
"When the market is large enough, even a smaller share can bring considerable returns."
Kozuki Kagemasa put down his teacup, a thoughtful glint flashing in his eyes.
There was indeed truth in these words; Nintendo's overbearing policies had already caused dissatisfaction throughout the industry.
"For Konami, which is well-informed, I need not hide anything," Takuya sat back down, his voice becoming more serious, "There are not only two choices, Nintendo and Sega, in the market."
This statement caused a subtle change in Kozuki Kagemasa's expression.
"I hear Hudson and NEC have been in contact for a long time, very closely and frequently."
Takuya did not directly pressure him, but instead pointed out the complexity of the market.
"At that time, there will be a situation where multiple console manufacturers compete together. The promotion of sales of new consoles by third parties will certainly not be insignificant, so the sincerity of new console manufacturers becomes very important, which is why we at Sega have offered such favorable policies."
As Kozuki Kagemasa listened to Takuya's straightforward explanation, his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest, a subtle movement that revealed the turmoil within him.
He was, of course, aware of the collaboration between Hudson and NEC; although Hudson itself was limited in scale, NEC indeed possessed good technical strength.
If a three-way standoff truly formed, choosing a side would indeed need to be put on the agenda.
Although there was no news of Hudson and NEC starting to contact third-party manufacturers, the conditions currently proposed by Sega were undoubtedly the most friendly to third parties.
"Executive Director Nakayama, your analysis is very sound."
Kozuki Kagemasa rephrased his words; a businessman's caution prevented him from committing easily.
"However, for such a major decision, I need to discuss it fully with the board of directors."
This answer was within Takuya's expectations.
A businessman like Kozuki Kagemasa would not make a decision at the first meeting.
"Of course, that's understandable."
Takuya stood up, "I just hope Konami can seriously consider this opportunity."
"Opportunity always favors the prepared, and those who dare to seize it."
Kozuki Kagemasa also stood up, and they shook hands again.
"Executive Director Nakayama, thank you for your candor. I will seriously consider Sega's proposal and maintain communication."
The polite words revealed the businessman's shrewdness, neither promising anything nor closing the door.
As he walked out of the Konami building, Takuya looked back at the shimmering building.
He knew he had planted a seed in Kozuki Kagemasa's mind; a profit-driven businessman like Kozuki Kagemasa was destined to enter the market at the right time, because he knew that Konami was one of the earliest well-known third-party developers to create games for the MD.
However, when this seed would sprout would depend on changes in the market landscape and the actual performance of Sega's new console.
But at least, Konami had heard Sega's voice.
The battle for dominance had just begun, and every third-party manufacturer was a carefully sought-after piece.
Square's desperation made them easy to persuade, but Konami's favorable current situation allowed them to hold out for a better offer.
This was the reality of the business world—everyone was calculating for their own interests.
But it was precisely this calculation that made him believe Sega's generous conditions would ultimately work.
After all, in business, profit is the best persuader.