Kobayashi Tetsu had anticipated a large turnout at this year's KBYCON, but he never imagined the crowd would be so massive.
Over a thousand members had confirmed their attendance via invitation, and their guests doubled that number.
He even heard about a burly man who claimed to be a dog and insisted on following members inside. Kobayashi Tetsu was deeply moved, but he had to refuse him. Add to that the media reporters, distributed invitations, and invited guests, and the crowd was expected to exceed four thousand.
The last time the SF Convention had seen such a crowd was during DAICON4.
This was enough to make Okada Toshio weep with envy.
He had to sell everything he owned to gather over four thousand people, while Kobayashi Tetsu seemed to have conjured them out of thin air.
Having money is great!
Of course, Kobayashi Tetsu didn't care what Okada Toshio thought.
Though Final Fantasy remained unfinished, Kobayashi Tetsu had specially burned several cartridges filled with key assets, creating a version to be exhibited at the convention.
The venue occupied three floors of the Mitsui Building. Iwata Satoru would manage one floor, Koji Okada and his team would handle another, and Kobayashi Tetsu would oversee the third.
As the convention's opening approached, Kobayashi Tetsu met the invited guests.
With his hair neatly combed, a long, angular face, and standard-issue glasses, it was Akira Toriyama.
Kobayashi Tetsu didn't need to introduce Toriyama to the attendees. Arale and the early parts of Dragon Ball were quintessential examples of science fiction, making Toriyama a natural fit for the SF Convention.
The reason he hadn't been invited before was simple: lack of funds.
As a manga artist, Toriyama couldn't be expected to leave his home and attend events all the time.
Kobayashi Tetsu shook hands firmly with Toriyama, exchanged greetings, and then invited him into his office, both to show him around and to introduce him to the other guests.
Upon entering the Atlas office, Toriyama looked around, a mix of surprise and curiosity on his face.
"I thought Atlas's office would be larger," he said. "I've been to Square's office before, and it's quite different from this place."
Kobayashi Tetsu smiled. "Square and Atlas have different styles. Everyone, look up and see who I've invited. This is the esteemed Akira Toriyama-sensei."
Many in the office looked up.
While Toriyama's influence hadn't yet reached its later heights, he was already a renowned manga artist.
Takahashi Kazuki couldn't resist the urge to dash forward.
He'd been busy drawing Yu-Gi-Oh! card illustrations lately. Though he wasn't short on money, drawing card art was different from drawing manga—the status was still different.
After all, this was Akira Toriyama himself.
Fortunately, Toriyama was a good-natured man and quickly hit it off with the staff. Even though he couldn't understand most of what was on the screen, he was still amazed.
Tetsuya Kobayashi seized the opportunity and offered him an autograph book.
"When I first returned from overseas, life in Japan felt so dull. Your manga helped me get through that monotonous time. If you don't mind, I'd be honored if you'd sign this."
"Hmm..."
Toriyama hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and pushing the book back. "I should be the one saying that. You know, besides drawing manga, I also enjoy playing games. Atlas's works are so unique and imaginative, they have a certain... different quality. Perhaps President Kobayashi should be the one to sign this for me."
He quickly added, "If you'd like an autograph, I could draw something special for you, and the signature would just be a bonus."
Kobayashi Tetsu couldn't help but laugh. "But you probably didn't bring an autograph book, Mr. Toriyama."
"If you don't mind, how about my shirt?" Toriyama tugged at the hem of his shirt, showing it to Kobayashi.
Kobayashi certainly didn't mind. After a moment's thought, he picked up a marker and began writing a message on the shirt.
"What you love is your life. To Akira Toriyama, from your friend Kobayashi Tetsu."
For Akira Toriyama, there was a childlike passion in his manga, making this message perfectly fitting.
Toriyama was clearly delighted. He examined the shirt from all angles and said, "I think this shirt could be a collector's item for a hundred years. When I'm old, I'll show it to my grandson and say, 'Look, this is the signature the President of Atlas gave me.'"
In that brief moment, their agreement was settled. Akira Toriyama promised to hand-draw a signed illustration of Kakarot for Kobayashi Tetsu later that evening.
When they entered the main office, other guests were already waiting—all the day's VIPs.
Before Kobayashi Tetsu could even speak, Toriyama recognized one of them.
The same square-shaped face, but with a more imposing demeanor.
"You're... Mr. Moritsugu, aren't you?"
Moritsugu Kohji, his face stern, stood up and looked at Toriyama, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. He didn't recognize the manga artist.
But Toriyama knew him well.
Moritsugu Kohji had played the male lead in Ultraman Seven.
In Dragon Ball, Chi-Chi, Kakarot's wife, was designed based on the Ultraman Seven character.
Kobayashi Tetsu walked over and introduced the two men to each other, not forgetting to introduce the others as well. As they chatted, the group shook hands. Despite being a renowned manga artist, Akira Toriyama seemed even more excited than the others.
After all, he had works and people he admired.
"This is Sasaki Takeshi, who played Kamen Rider No. 2 in Toei's Kamen Rider series."
"This is Uenishi Hiroji, the suit actor for Ultraman Seven."
"And this is—"
Kobayashi Tetsu paused, looking at the man who stood nearly two meters tall.
What a tall guy—a rare sight in Japan.
"This is Furuya Bin, the suit actor for the First Generation Ultraman."
Akira Toriyama eagerly rushed forward to shake Furuya Bin's hand and greet him.
After all, these were classic works from twenty years ago, and Toriyama deeply loved them.
Kobayashi Tetsu casually introduced the next person. "This is Nakajima Haruo."
Even with Toriyama's stature, he didn't immediately recognize the name. Kobayashi Tetsu clarified, "He's the suit actor behind the old Toho version of Godzilla—the man inside Godzilla's belly."
"Oh, oh!"
Akira Toriyama solemnly shook hands with Nakajima Haruo.
Godzilla!
This was one of Japan's most iconic creations. As the man who embodied Godzilla, Nakajima Haruo could be considered one of the earliest behind-the-scenes actors in all of Japan. He never expected Kobayashi Tetsu to recruit him for this project.
Kobayashi Tetsu crossed his arms, unfazed by the matter.
It's just a matter of money. There's no one you can't hire if you pay enough.
If Miyako Kumosora's health hadn't been so poor, he would have even tried to recruit her.
Well, she had nothing to do with sci-fi anyway, so it wouldn't have been appropriate. Plus, trying to find her might have put him in the crosshairs of the Yakuza, and Kobayashi Tetsu wasn't about to risk his neck.
Tomorrow, Kobayashi Tetsu planned to line up these stars at the SF Convention.
Kamen Rider! Godzilla!
Who cares if it's sci-fi or not!
He even rented Godzilla and Kamen Rider suits from Toei and Toho for the performance. He'd give the SF members a real show: while the actors performed on stage, Godzilla would charge into the venue and start gnawing on everything in sight.
Is that sci-fi or what? It's the ultimate sci-fi!
Just might cost the members a bit... and if they weren't careful, someone might get eaten.
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