Headhunting and response

 Chapter 38

Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, Marunouchi.

This economic center of Japan is also known by another name.

Iwasaki Village.

The government bestowed a tract of grassy land upon the then-head of the Iwasaki conglomerate, which was subsequently developed into an expansive business district modeled after London’s City. This district flourished in tandem with Japan’s economic growth. Due to the concentration of the Iwasaki conglomerate's headquarters in this area, it came to be known as "Iwasaki Village." Specifically, the three main Iwasaki enterprises—Teito Iwasaki Bank, Iwasaki Trading, and Iwasaki Heavy Industries—were all located in Marunouchi.

Even today, Iwasaki Real Estate owns many office buildings throughout Marunouchi, and Ichijou Susumu was waiting for someone at the construction site of one of the area's redevelopment projects.

"You're Ichijo Susumu-san, right? Sorry to keep you waiting."

"No, I just got here myself. I wanted to ask, why here?"

The meeting place was 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The building, once praised as the largest in the East, was currently undergoing reconstruction. Ichijou's appointment was with a beautiful blonde who attracted the attention of onlookers.

"I was in America until recently. This hair still stands out, doesn't it?"

Apart from the blonde hair, he looked Japanese, but his mannerisms felt somewhat foreign to Ichijou, as if he were an actor from a movie or drama.

"Standing here and talking isn't very productive. Shall we head to our destination?"

They got into a black chauffeured car, which started moving. Their conversation inside the car was lively.

Rather than friendly banter, it was a conversation with hidden blades beneath the surface.

"Ichijou Susumu-san , Born in Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture. Graduated with excellent grades from a private university in Tokyo with a degree in business administration, then joined Far Eastern Bank. Currently an executive officer in the former Far-Eastern Bank division of Keika-in Bank. You live in Tokyo with your wife and daughter, both from your hometown. And, one of the close aides of Young Lady Keika-in Runa."

The man began talking about Ichijou as if it were casual conversation, but the content made Ichijou feel like his career was being laid bare. He took it in stride; such discussions were mild compared to the bad debt disposal he had dealt with.

"It seems you've done your homework on me, Mr. Daito Keiichiro. Born into the Iwasaki family, adopted by the Daito family, currently head of sales for the North American division of Iwasaki Trading, and next month, soon be appointed as executive officer at Karafuto Heavy Industries Tomakomai Factory."

"Oh? You have sharp ears too, Ichijou-san."

"Well, I'm a banker, after all. I have good ears."

"Oh! Then, are you familiar with my company?"

"Well, roughly."

Ichijou recalled the details he knew about the company. Karafuto Heavy Industries, a subsidiary of Iwasaki Heavy Industries, originally belonged to the Northern Japanese government before its collapse and Japan's annexation. Keeping the weapons manufacturing plants in Karafuto was deemed too risky, yet the company needed to sell its products to survive. Consequently, the factories were relocated to Hokkaido to facilitate Eastern bloc weapons manufacturing and maintenance. Tomakomai was selected for its expansive land, port city capabilities, and rail connection to Muroran for transporting iron. The high-quality iron produced in Japan, combined with the diligent craftsmanship of Japanese workers, earned significant trust in the Third World. This brought substantial profits to the parent company, Iwasaki Heavy Industries, though it conflicted with the government's policy of standardizing weapons to Western specifications.

"I never expected a headhunting offer from such a company."

"Haha. If you know that much, this will be quick. How about coming to our company? We can offer you a position as a financial executive."

The car had no destination. They drove around the city to avoid being overheard by third parties.

"There are plenty of people like me. Why me?"

"The reason is simple. You were the one who acted on the front lines during the series of rescue mergers, right? I told you I investigated you. While Mr. Tachibana acted as a fixer, that merger required not only financial knowledge but also an understanding of the field's reality. I want talented people. You meet both criteria."

Daito's words were sincere. But that wasn't all. Knowing the bait was a trap, Ichijou still bit.

"So you said 'I want you.' In other words, you're trying to secure me as your asset to wield power in the subsidiary of the heavy industries you came from. And you already have enough clout to promise the position of financial executive at Karafuto Heavy Industries."

"...You understand well. No, you are truly a smart man."

"You're overestimating me. I'm just an ordinary person."

"No, no. Don't be modest."

Their conversation continued with apparent politeness, but neither of them was smiling with their eyes. They were not only probing each other but also engaging in a game of showing their hands and assessing where they matched and diverged.

Ichijou thought about whether to accept this man's offer or not. It didn't take him long to decide.

'The answer is already decided anyway'

He had already decided to refuse. That could be done anytime. But the fact that such an offer came meant there was a reason. To find out, Ichijou continued the game. Daito, as if reading Ichijo's mind, took out a document and handed it to him. Ichijou checked its contents.

"From our position, we have always kept an eye on Karafuto Bank. Some voices have even suggested absorbing Karafuto Bank into Teito Iwasaki Bank after handling it like Keika-in Bank. Ichijou-san, your experience is quite valuable."

"I see. Considering the fact that I'm hearing this from you and not someone from Teito Iwasaki Bank, I can't be too pleased."

The Iwasaki conglomerate is known as "Organization Iwasaki" for its organizational and bureaucratic nature. Daito's headhunting approach was clearly the opposite of "Organization Iwasaki." That's why Ichijou needed to probe his true intentions. In response, Daito was at least sincere on this occasion.

"Ichijou-san, as you know, even within the conglomerate, we are not united. This also presents an opportunity. A true elite with talent leading the conglomerate is not just a dream."

Daito's words were true. "Organization Iwasaki" boasts an ironclad unity outwardly, but internally, it is a den of factional struggles between family, bureaucrats, and home-grown factions. The current three-head system of heavy industries, banking, and trading, destabilized by the annexation of Karafuto and the bubble burst's bad debt handling, could collapse at any time. Given the situation, it was not impossible for a member of the Iwasaki family to rise to the top. The problem was whether one could reach that position.

"I want to do the same thing within Iwasaki as Miss Runa did to move you, Ichijou-san!"

Ichijou's smile remained unchanged, and Daito continued. His words were ambitious but not false.

"Keika-in Bank will eventually become Keika Financial Holdings, encompassing multiple city banks, having Ministry of Finance bureaucrats, and even holding insurance and securities, forming a major financial conglomerate. Perhaps for you, who only has Miss Runa as a backer, the current executive officer position might be the peak of your career. So, it wouldn't be so bad to come here and bloom one more time?"

"And what would be your take, Mr. Daito, when that happens?"

Daito was momentarily taken aback by Ichijou's question before laughing out loud. It was so on point that he couldn't help but laugh. After a moment, he returned to a serious expression, devoid of any hint of a joke.

"Only at The pinnacle of Iwasaki."

Not just heavy industries, banking, or trading, but the entire Iwasaki conglomerate. That position was his dream and ambition. Upon hearing that, Ichijou said in the kindest smile he had ever shown,

"I refuse."

"I see. That's unfortunate, but I will always keep the seat I mentioned earlier open for you. Contact me anytime if you change your mind."

The car stopped, and the door opened, letting only Ichijou out. As Daito glanced back before leaving, he left with one final remark.

"Please give my regards to Tachibana-san and Young Miss Keika-in."

Later, when Ichijou reported this to Tachibana, he could only smile wryly.

"He's not a bad person, just an America enthusiast. But he's risen to such heights...?"

Ichijou knew Daito was from the Iwasaki family, but according to Tachibana, he was the third son of the Iwasaki family's direct line in the heavy industries sector. His family status within the Iwasaki conglomerate was higher than that of the Keika-in family, who was welcomed into the Iwasaki Chemical line of the Iwasaki family. Hearing that the Keika-in family welcomed the headhunting of Daito, Ichijou couldn't help but have mixed feelings.

"Miss Runa will have to marry someone eventually. I'll continue to assist, but I'll be treated as an outsider in her new home. Ichijou-san, why did you refuse?"

Ichijo smiled and replied to Tachibana's question. His response made Tachibana laugh.

"One troublesome person is enough, don't you think?"

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Glossary 

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East Asia's Largest Building

The Marunouchi Building. It was under reconstruction during this period.

Daito Keiichiro

Inspired by "HEY! Elite Salaryman Kagami" (Daito Giken), I was fascinated by the character