Saturday, October 4, 1991
With the second batch of ZEPS selling smoothly across Tokyo for 2 days, Zaboru now turned his attention to securing a long-term manufacturing deal. He had already arranged a meeting with Tetsuo, the owner of Saiko Machine, and per Tetsuo's request, the negotiations would take place over the weekend—ensuring a quiet and uninterrupted discussion.
Unlike previous business meetings where he had the support of his growing team, today, Zaboru was going alone. He needed to handle this deal personally, as it would shape the future of ZAGE's production capabilities.
Upon arriving at Saiko Machine, he found Tetsuo already waiting for him, accompanied by another man. Tetsuo greeted him with a wide smile.
"Good morning, Zaboru. Glad you could make it. This here is Kudou, my nephew. He's a lawyer," Tetsuo introduced, motioning to the man beside him. Kudou appeared to be in his early thirties, well-dressed in a business suit, with a sharp yet friendly gaze.
Zaboru raised an eyebrow. "A lawyer?"
Tetsuo chuckled. "I figured you wouldn't bring one yourself, so I brought Kudou along to assist you. If you're interested, you can even hire him as ZAGE's official legal advisor. And don't worry, kid—I'm not looking to exploit you. If I did, I wouldn't be able to show my face to your father."
Zaboru was surprised. He had expected a straightforward negotiation, but the fact that Tetsuo had gone out of his way to provide him with legal assistance showed just how much he respected their partnership. Turning to Kudou, he extended a hand.
"Good morning, Kudou-san. I'm Zaboru."
Kudou shook his hand firmly and smiled. "Hello, Zaboru-san. My uncle has told me a lot about you. I look forward to working with you today and helping ensure the best possible deal for both parties."
With introductions complete, the three of them moved inside Saiko Machine's office to begin negotiations.
Seated in the conference room, Tetsuo wasted no time getting to the point. "Before we go over the contract details, I want to ask you something, Zaboru. What's your long-term vision for ZAGE?"
Zaboru answered without hesitation. "My goal remains the same, Tetsuo-san. I want to reignite the passion for video games, push the industry to greater heights, and establish ZAGE as a leading force in gaming."
Tetsuo grinned. "Dream big, son. That's the way to do it. And with ambitions that high, you're going to need a strong manufacturing partner, aren't you?"
Zaboru nodded. "Yes, without a doubt."
Tetsuo slid a contract across the table. "That's where we come in. Saiko Machine is prepared to become ZAGE's official manufacturer. We'll offer you lower production costs compared to before, allowing you to maximize profits and scale up production. However, there's a condition—we can't take small orders. You'll need to commit to larger production batches to keep our operations running efficiently."
Zaboru leaned forward, carefully reviewing the document while Kudou examined it as well. Kudou quickly caught a few clauses that could be problematic in the long run, including ambiguous wording regarding production limits and exclusivity rights.
"Zaboru-san," Kudou said, tapping a section of the document, "this part needs revision. As it stands, if Saiko Machine experiences production delays, ZAGE could be forced to wait without any clear penalties or alternatives. We should adjust this to include a failsafe agreement in case of unforeseen circumstances."
Zaboru nodded in agreement. Kudou continued making adjustments, ensuring that the contract remained fair and beneficial to both parties. After a couple of hours of discussions and revisions, they finalized the contract terms:
Exclusive Manufacturing Partnership: Saiko Machine would become the official manufacturer for ZAGE, producing all future gaming hardware at a reduced cost.Bulk Order Requirement: ZAGE must place a minimum order per production cycle to maintain efficiency.Production Timeline Assurance: Saiko Machine agreed to adhere to strict deadlines, with penalties in case of significant delays.Expansion Clause: If demand increased, both parties would discuss expanding manufacturing capacity.Intellectual Property Protection: ZAGE retains full rights to its technology and designs, ensuring no risk of replication or leaks.
With everything in place, Zaboru signed the contract and shook Tetsuo's hand.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you, Tetsuo-san. I look forward to a long and successful partnership."
Tetsuo grinned. "Likewise, kid. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and now you've got a strong foundation to build on."
As the meeting wrapped up, Tetsuo turned to his nephew. "Kudou, you should work for ZAGE officially. This kid's going places, and I know you've been looking for the right client."
Zaboru smirked. "I won't say no to a good lawyer, but we should do things properly. Kudou-san, I'd like to formally interview you on Monday before making it official."
Kudou chuckled. "That's fair, Zaboru-san. I look forward to it."
Tetsuo slapped Kudou on the back. "This guy's got a strong sense of justice. He only takes clients he believes in, even when it puts him at a disadvantage. He's been without work for over two months now because he refuses to take shady cases!"
Kudou sighed. "Uncle, you don't need to bring that up…"
Zaboru held back a laugh. More like Phoenix Wright than just a lawyer, he thought to himself.
"Anyway," Zaboru said, standing up, "thank you both. I'll be heading back to the office."
As he left Saiko Machine, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Not only had he secured a reliable manufacturer for ZAGE's future, but he had also gained a potential legal ally in Kudou. Step by step, he was building something greater than he had ever imagined.