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Chapter 28 – Future Plans

“Yes, Elder. If I may, I am currently overseeing the management of the assets of the head of the Ootori family. Since the spring of 1924, we began a massive investment in the American Dow Index. Through a special investment method known as leverage, we have invested a total of approximately 500 million dollars.

As of now, due to the significant rise in stock prices, the unrealized gains are projected to reach nearly 1 billion dollars by next spring. At this moment, the gains have already exceeded 800 million dollars. Furthermore, if we were to liquidate at this point, the amount would be the net sum after deducting taxes and other expenses incurred during the process. However, the interest on the loans and the repayments are more than halfway complete due to stock buy and sell transactions, and it is expected that the loans will be fully repaid by next spring.”

Tokita pauses for a moment, allowing the meaning of his words to settle in for everyone.

(50 million dollars turned into 500 million. With a tax and expense rate of 20%, the leverage is probably around 4 times? Unlike the 21st century where they could go wild dozens of times, this is more modest. Even so, since the initial amount is so large, it’s practically on the scale of a national budget. There’s no way anyone could have done this without knowing the outcome in advance.)

Although I had received reports from Tokita and my great-grandfather before, the numbers were significantly higher than the last report.
After all, since entering 1925, the American Dow Index has been on an upward trend.

I also know—thanks to my cheat-like knowledge of history—that this upward trend will continue until next spring. 

And beyond that, it will keep rising, only to eventually crash into the abyss.

And because I know this, I can not only short-sell at the right moments, but also cash out some profits at advantageous points along the way to secure liquid assets temporarily.

While I’m doing this kind of wishful calculation backed by certainty, Zenkichi raises his hand again, this time hesitantly.

“If… if all of that is true, would it be possible to allocate at least a portion of the funds to support various branches of the zaibatsu?”

It’s a request—but practically a plea.

But my Great-Grandfather doesn’t move so easily.

“Did I not say? This is the money of the heir to the Ootori family. It does not belong to the Ootori clan, nor the Ootori Zaibatsu. The only one who has the right to decide its use is the heir.”

At those words, everyone turns their eyes to the current head of the family, Kiichirou.
And immediately after, their eyes shift to me.

That’s right.
With my father gone, and with me being treated as Kiichirou’s daughter, I’m effectively the next heir in two ways. 

Naturally, this puts me higher in the succession order than even Uncle Genji.

And on top of that, this fortune wouldn’t even exist without me.
So of course, they have no choice but to look at me.

The massive sum presented here is essentially being claimed as my money.

And guiding everyone to this psychological point—this must have been the true goal all along.
I understand that much.

(Ugh… everyone’s eyes are piercing. At the very least, Great-Aunt Keiko and Uncle Genji are definitely my enemies. As for Zenkichi… he is a bit ambiguous?)

Ironically, being in this almost perfectly predictable situation makes me calm.

In fact, the course of action has already been decided in prior meetings I’ve had with Great-Grandfather and Grandfather.
The plan was originally supposed to be conducted a bit later, but it got moved up due to Great-Grandfather’s health—or to be blunt, because he may not have much time left.

During one of our discussions, Grandfather Kiichirou scratched his head and said, “If only I had a better head for making money…”

Both Great-Grandfather and Grandfather had already come to terms with entrusting not just the family’s future but also the future of the conglomerate to me.
As long as the future doesn’t diverge too far from the one I knew in my past life, I won’t lose my way.

As for my onii-san, aside from hearing that he’s supposed to protect me physically and that Great-Grandfather and Grandfather are entrusting me with the conglomerate’s future, he hasn’t been involved in this matter.

While I’m mentally steeling myself, trying to cope with the pressure of the real-world weight crushing my stomach, the previously silent Great-Uncle Torasaburou suddenly speaks.

“I don’t care either way. But why’d you buy GM stock instead of Ford, when we’ve got a joint venture with Ford? I got an angry letter from Mr. Ford himself. I came here today to hear your explanation for that.”

(Of course, it’s because it makes a ton of money. But if I said that, I’d probably get a fist flying at me. Still, I have my reasons.)

“Um, Great-Uncle Torasaburou, may I speak?”

“Oh, sorry about that. Go ahead. You must have a reason for it.”

The moment I spoke, he turned into a kindly old man.
Maybe he’s the type who’s weak against children. 

The gap is kind of funny, and honestly, a little cute.

Thinking that, I still carefully chose my words as seriously as possible.

“Ford has an excellent mass production technique. Their strict parts management is so thorough and outstanding that it’ll still be a long time before it can be matched in Japan.”

“You’ve studied well. And then?”

Torasaburou nodded deeply at my words.

“Yes. However, there is one point where they are inferior to GM. That is the reason we are buying GM stock, and also the reason why GM will continue to grow in the future.”

“What is it? I can’t even guess.”

This time he crossed his arms and started thinking hard.
Since he’s a Ford-trained engineer, that’s understandable.

“Ford, because of its founder’s philosophy of building as many cars as possible as cheaply as possible, only produces one type of car. Even the color is just one. However, America will soon enter an even greater economic boom, and more and more people will want to buy things they personally desire.”

“…So you’re saying that wealthier people will want cars with different colors or slightly different appearances?”

“Yes. Consumers will place more importance on the fact that something is different, even if it’s slightly more expensive, rather than just being cheap.”

Once I said that, Torasaburou-san fell into thought for a while.
Then, he let out a big breath, raised both hands slightly to his eye level, signaling his surrender.

“Hoo… I get it. The reasoning makes sense. Honestly, these young punks are such extravagant people. Here we are, not even able to make a proper Ford part yet… Alright! I’m done here. You can do whatever you want. I’ll fully recognize Reiko. And from now on, I won’t complain about anything Reiko does. Complaining about the one who has the answer doesn’t make sense anyway.”

“Torasaburou!”

“Uncle Torasaburou!”

Auntie Keiko and Uncle Genji shouted in voices close to screams.
It was because things had turned in my favor.

The only one who remained relatively calm knowing that I am the “Dreaming Miko” was Uncle Zenkichi. 

And that Uncle Zenkichi raised his hand again.

“I’ve been entrusted with the management of the zaibatsu, but with my skills, I can’t even maintain the current state. If something like the earthquake disaster happens again, the zaibatsu will definitely collapse. So, if you can do something about that, I’ll step down from the position of leader. Can you do it?”

At the end of his words, he gazed strongly at my grandfather, great-grandfather, and then at me.

There was an intensity in his demeanor that made it clear he hadn’t led the conglomerate for the past year and a half for nothing, even though he often appeared to be weak in this setting.

As someone who lacked experience, it was all I could do to not be overwhelmed by that “pressure.”

So, to encourage myself, I forced a smile.

(Yes, victory is assured. As long as I don’t lose the bet with history, that is.)

Seeing my smile, my great-grandfather and grandfather briefly showed expressions that seemed to entertain them.

Then, my great-grandfather spoke again.

“I will explain that now. Tokita, please go ahead.”

“Yes. I apologize for the imposition, but allow me to explain the outline of the future operational policy for the Ootori Zaibatsu. I will send the detailed materials later, so for now, I kindly ask for your patience with my explanation.”

With that, Tokita began his explanation.

The Tokita I knew was a butler, but in reality, he had been discovered by my great-grandfather as a child and had assisted my grandfather and the late Uncle Ryujiro, guiding the actual operations of the conglomerate.
He had stepped back as a butler when my great-grandfather fully retired but had returned to the frontlines due to my rise.

A seasoned businessman of 30 years, this Japanese super butler was rumored to be tough in tough situations as well.

Though the character may seem like an over-the-top “super” type, it follows the game setting to some extent.
However, the over-specification needed to truly recreate this is something that can’t easily be described with words like “incredible.”

From this super butler, the future outline was explained.

Here are the main points:

• Securing operating funds through American stock investments (currently in progress)
• Post-Great War reconstruction (handling bad debts through capital injection and consolidation of unprofitable sectors)
• Large-scale business expansion in anticipation of future growth in the Japanese economy (to overcome competition with large conglomerates)
• Long-term ten-year plan for establishing mass production and production management systems (to gain superiority over other conglomerates)
• Aiming to create high-precision machinery in-house within the Ootori group (initially targeting the domestic market monopoly)

To achieve this, further deepening the relationship with Ford, which is engaged in knockdown production, will be key to introducing mass production technology.

Additionally, the Ootori group will actively seek guidance from experts in production management.

The creation of machinery will involve training engineers and improving production environments for the so-called “mother machine” production.

These two points have been ongoing but will be further expanded.
Stock profits will be heavily invested in these areas. 

The goal is to transform the production system, which has strong traditional Japanese craftsmanship, into a more modern production system, aiming to acquire overwhelming competitive power at least within Japan.

If there is additional financial flexibility, we will actively pursue acquisitions and joint ventures for business expansion.

On the other hand, regarding the initiatives Ootori will undertake, we will promote them through institutions like RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research) to spread influence within other conglomerates.

However, if there is hostility towards Ootori, this will not apply.

That concludes the outline, but I wonder what kind of reactions everyone will show.

I observed my surroundings, trying not to be too obvious.