Shinji: Where's my old crooked-neck tree? Bring it here!

The knight spoke in the gentlest of voices.

"He's a very immature guy. Why don't you give him a hand?"

Red A spoke as if he were talking about someone else's affairs, recounting his own instructions.

"Okay, I understand. I'll try my best. I won't let him become such an awkward person like you. I'll make him learn to cherish himself. So..."

Rin was still stammering as she recited her lines, and trying to use props to make herself cry.

However, Red A's attention was no longer on the girl secretly wiping her eyes with ginger; the person he was really looking at was the boy sitting in the Director's chair.

If Shirou Emiya had such a friend by his side all along, the hero named Emiya probably wouldn't have been born.

I really envy that kid.

Red A chuckled again, this time a smile of relief and letting go of everything.

[Shinji Matou, what was the purpose of this story you filmed?]

While the UBW route appears to be Rin's route, it actually tells the story of a boy named [Shirou Emiya].

[This story probably wasn't written for me, was it?]

Red A wasn't surprised that Shinji guessed his real name, since Masters can peek into a Servant's past through dreams.

Although Red A didn't think that snobbish Master would spend money to tell him such a story, he couldn't help but think so.

[So, am I the immature one after all?]

Regardless of Shinji's true motives for making this series, at least in this world, the boy named [Shirou Emiya] and the knight are now different beings.

"Tohsaka, I have the answer."

The knight finally used that familiar title once again.

[This should be the last time, right?]

With this thought in mind, Red A revealed a youthful smile.

"I'll keep working hard in the future. Goodbye then."

In the golden light of dawn, the vanished knight's smiling face, just like that of the young boy.

"Quick, quick, film this scene!"

Shinji quickly signaled the photographer to face the light and use a wide-angle lens to capture the disappearing figure of Red A.

The lighting conditions during the Golden Hour make any shooting scene look incredibly beautiful, showcasing details and creating depth.

Using close-up or telephoto lenses would mask the advantages of the golden hour, so Shinji specifically chose a wide-angle lens that best showcases the charm of this time of day.

"Cut!"

After the Red A disappeared, Shinji waited a few more seconds before raising a megaphone to announce the end of filming.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Shinji clapped his hands twice, as happy as a child.

"Archer, you put on a truly magnificent performance in the last moments of your life. We will all remember you forever!"

Shinji clasped his hands together and bowed in the direction where Red A had disappeared.

Smack

Red A appeared behind Shinji and punched him in the head.

"I'm not dead yet! What are you doing!"

"What? You haven't become a Buddha yet?!"

Shinji's eyes widened, and he exclaimed in an exaggerated tone.

Red A crossed his arms and gave a haughty snort.

"How could I possibly leave before seeing how things end up?"

"That's good." Shinji patted his chest in relief. "Gilgamesh isn't as good at commanding as you. What will I do if I need to use the tools after you leave?"

"... Shinji Matou."

"Ah?"

"You really are a jerk."

Red A commented as follows.

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Besides..."

"Ah?"

Thanks, friend.

"You're welcome."

Shinji smiled nonchalantly.

Although he didn't know what Red A was thanking him for, Shinji could sense that he had become more approachable.

This made Shinji feel that the UBW shoot was worthwhile.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

It was another day of rising sun, and sunlight streamed obliquely into the Tsuburaya Productions conference room through the glass windows.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference room was tense and silent.

Dozens of senior and middle-level executives from Tsuburaya Productions, along with younger members of the Tsuburaya family who do not hold positions within the company, and other relevant personnel, sat around the conference table.

Even Takano Koichi, who was in poor health and had long since retired, attended the meeting.

It's fair to say that almost everyone who has any connection to Tsuburaya Productions and is still alive is here today.

However, these senior executives of Tsuburaya Productions were all solemn and dared not speak.

Even Takano Koichi, who is usually always laughing and joking on set, was sitting in his seat with his eyes closed, as still as a statue.

There was only one reason why everyone fell silent: the teenager sitting in the middle of the conference table.

Shinji sat upright in his seat, his face so dark it sent shivers down the spines of those around him.

Even Ophelia found it unbelievable; she had never imagined that her boss could be so terrifying when angry.

[This feels like... did the boss use Magecraft?]

Ophelia, standing behind Shinji, was secretly speculating.

She felt it was a bit of a waste; such sophisticated Magecraft shouldn't be used on ordinary people.

Sitting to Shinji's right was Kazuo Tsuburaya, whose complexion wasn't much better than Shinji's, but with a hint of worry in his expression.

Just two days ago, when he thought everything was over and that Tsuburaya Productions' acquisition by TYO was a done deal, Shinji took the initiative to find him and showed him a document.

The document is very simple and clear: TYO transferred all of its shares in Tsuburaya Productions to Shinji Matou.

Logically, Kazuo Tsuburaya should be happy that TYO's conspiracy failed, but he is not happy at all at this moment.

Because Shinji had absolutely no intention of transferring his shares back to Tsuburaya Productions.

[This is like driving away a wolf, only to be met with a tiger.]

Kazuo Tsuburaya thought to himself, adjusting his glasses.

Sudden.

Snap!

With a loud thud, Shinji slammed a document onto the conference table.

Everyone present was startled; even Takano Koichi had his eyes closed, opened them.

[Here we go.]

Looking at Shinji's almost explosive expression, everyone had the same thought.

Chapter 99 Shinji: Where's my old crooked tree? Bring it here!

The Tsuburaya Productions executives instinctively shrank back, suddenly realizing that this young man, who was probably not even half their age, was terrifying when he got angry.

Shinji didn't speak directly; instead, he moved his fingers and gave Ophelia a wink.

Ophelia took out a piece of paper and calmly walked to the table to read aloud to those present, "As the current largest shareholder of Tsuburaya Productions and the de facto owner of the company, I, Shinji Matou, will be making the following personnel changes."

The moment those words were spoken, the entire conference room fell silent.

Senior managers exchanged uneasy glances, while middle managers lowered their heads, trying to minimize their presence.

Shinji's announcement of personnel changes at this time is definitely not good news for them.

They understand the principle of "a new emperor, a new court."

Besides, Tsuburaya Productions is a mess right now. The other party must have their own purpose in buying Tsuburaya, and it's definitely not to let everyone continue as usual.

After all, what decent person would take on a failed project?

The managers at Tsuburaya Productions did consider rebelling, but they couldn't think of any way to do so.

Based on Kazuo Tsuburaya's announcement yesterday Shinji Matou has acquired 98% of Tsuburaya Productions' shares, giving him absolute control over this unlisted company.

Unless they send someone to stab Shinji to death, there's really nothing they can do.

Because Shinji held their most crucial weakness—money.

Ophelia didn't care what these people were thinking; she simply read out Shinji's orders in a calm voice.

"Masahiro Tsuburaya committed the heinous crime of molesting female employees and will be permanently banned from working at Tsuburaya Productions."

Shinji did not impose a harsher punishment on Masahiro Tsuburaya because his case was still under trial, and Shinji could not preemptively punish him on behalf of the court.

However, once the court proceedings are over, Shinji will fine this guy so badly that he won't have a single yen for the rest of his life!

"Hidemitsu Tsuburaya, who acted unilaterally and caused significant losses to the company, is hereby dismissed from all positions and is barred from joining the company in the future."

Upon hearing the verdict, Hidemitsu Tsuburaya slumped into his chair like a dead dog, completely motionless.

Regardless of his motives, his decision objectively caused irreparable damage to Tsuburaya Productions.

Hidemitsu Tsuburaya was not surprised by his fate, but he knew that his ambition to surpass his grandfather would never be realized.

"Kazuo Tsuburaya has shirked responsibility, causing irreparable damage to the company. He is hereby resigned from his position as a director and will serve as an advisor."

Kazuo Tsuburaya's lips twitched twice, his inner emotions a complex mix of feelings.

Although he was removed from power, he could at least still work for the company.

Little did Kazuo Tsuburaya know that he was allowed to stay at the company simply because Shinji needed a mascot to appease the long-time employees, so he made an exception for him.

Otherwise, given all the copyright disputes he's caused, it would be a miracle if Shinji didn't send him to be a driver for his late grandfather and father.

Back when that bastard from Thailand tried to extort overseas copyrights for Showa Ultraman' Showa era, it was Kazuo Tsuburaya who hurriedly sent them an apology letter, which resulted in them using that letter to distribute Ultraman copyrights all over the world.

In this Parallel world, Kazuo Tsuburaya's performance was slightly better, because the person who stepped into the TYO pit had changed from him to his cousin.

So it's no joke to say that Tsuburaya Productions is a child when it comes to business; they don't even have the most basic sense of caution!

Ophelia continued reading the list of personnel changes.

"The company's executive director, Tsuneuyuki Morishima, sold company internal information, causing significant losses to the company. He is hereby dismissed from all positions and will be prosecuted for industrial espionage."

Upon hearing this, the gray-haired Tsuneuyuki Morishima trembled, his face filled with unbearable fear.

He never imagined that he would become the first member of the Tsuburaya family to be named, and that he would be arrested by the police.

He just wanted to become the company president! What crime did he commit!?

"Foolish little brother!"

Tsuneuyuki Morishima inwardly groaned, filled with utter hatred for his younger brother. If it hadn't been for the suggestion from his brother, how could he have possibly cooperated with TYO?!

Most of the other high-ranking executives at Tsuburaya Tsuneuyuki Morishima with incredibly malicious eyes.

Traitors are far more hateful than outsiders.