The discussion continued as Carlos Busujima grinned and nodded enthusiastically. "It's going great, boss. Our offices, the official ZAGE arcades, and the manufacturing facilities have made a huge impact in Brazil. They've opened up countless opportunities for employnt and brought attention from local authorities. In fact, the governnt is supportive of our efforts. The presence of ZAGE is not just helping the entertainnt sector—it's boosting the economy in aningful ways. We've also started expanding our reach beyond Brazil into neighboring countries like Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. The response there has been very promising so far. While the reach in other countries is still limited, we've already started laying the groundwork, and we plan to focus more on expanding in those areas soon."
Zaboru smiled. "Congratulations. You've done excellent work."
Carlos laughed. "This wouldn't have been possible without ZAGE's support, hehehe."
Then Carlos's tone shifted slightly. "Now, as for the gas… I'll start with the bad news. Unfortunately, there's a growing and increasingly troubleso issue with counterfeit ZAGE gas across Latin Arica. These illegal vendors are tireless, constantly churning out bootleg copies at an alarming rate. They're using cheap materials and distributing them through underground channels that are difficult to trace. It's incredibly frustrating because even the players themselves often don't realize they've purchased a fake version of the ga. Many of them think they're getting a bargain, unaware of the damage it causes.
Normally, our official gas are priced between 30 to 40 dollars in Brazil, which, considering the average inco in the region, isn't a small amount. But these counterfeit versions are being sold on the streets for as little as 5 dollars or even less. In so places, they're bundled in bulk or sold with makeshift packaging to lure in unsuspecting custors. Because DVD-based distribution is inherently easy to duplicate and doesn't require advanced equipnt, piracy has beco rampant. It's now so common that pirated discs can be found everywhere—from open-air markets and kiosks to shady retailers and even neighborhood convenience stores.
What's even more concerning is that this counterfeit issue doesn't just impact sales—it affects the brand's image, player experience, and even gaplay quality, since pirated versions often have bugs, poor audio, or broken chanics. Custors end up blaming ZAGE for a flawed experience, unaware that they were playing a fake. We're doing our best to educate the public and raise awareness, but it's a tough battle, boss. This piracy wave is one of the biggest hurdles we face in this region."
Zaboru nodded slowly and sighed, his thoughts montarily drifting. He didn't yet have a clear or foolproof solution to the piracy issue, but in contrast to his previous life—filled with relentless hardship and endless roadblocks—this world still felt far more forgiving and manageable. Even with its setbacks and imperfections, there was hope and opportunity here, and that gave him a asure of comfort and resolve.
"I see, Carlos. Let's do our best to prevent it," Zaboru said thoughtfully. "But don't overdo it. These things take ti. Eventually, players will start to recognize when they've bought counterfeit versions. And if they genuinely love the ga—if they're the kind of people who value their experience—they'll feel bad about it. I believe many of them will make it right and buy the original in the future, once they understand the difference."
He let out a quiet chuckle and continued, "People aren't perfect, but I believe in second chances. If our gas can leave a lasting impact, the truth will find its way to them."
Carlos looked surprised for a mont but then smiled, realizing once again how differently Zaboru viewed the world. "I see. Well, if that's how you think, then that's fair. Now, moving on to the good news—which is a refreshing contrast to the piracy issue. While our ga sales are decent, the arcade scene here is absolutely thriving, boss. And there's one standout title leading the charge: Fatal Fury. Since ZAGE released it, the ga has exploded in popularity. It's not just doing well—it's dominating. People across Latin Arica have taken to it in a way we didn't expect.
Compared to our other fighting gas like Tekken or even Street Fighter II, Fatal Fury seems to resonate deeply with Latin Arican players. There's sothing about the characters, the pacing, or maybe even the art style that connects with them more than the others. The local community around the ga is growing at an incredible rate. Even though it's only been a short ti since launch, we're already seeing player groups forming, discussion boards buzzing, and dedicated fans showing up consistently to play.
What's even more impressive is the scale of the grassroots events being organized. Several cities have started hosting regular Fatal Fury tournants. These aren't just small gatherings—they're full-on city-scale competitions, pulling in hundreds of spectators and players. There's genuine excitent in the air. The community is passionate, competitive, and incredibly supportive. Honestly, boss, it's one of the most impressive organic responses I've seen to any ZAGE arcade title so far."
Zaboru smiled, not the least bit surprised. In his previous life, he rembered how deeply loved KOF (King of Fighters) gas were by Latin Arican communities. It was a cultural phenonon there, sothing that resonated across generations. In this new world, he had chosen to rena it as Fatal Fury, and to witness the sa level of passion erging again—even after reincarnation—felt both nostalgic and strangely comforting. There was a quiet satisfaction in seeing sothing familiar flourish again, almost as if history was gently repeating itself in a more favorable tiline.
"I see," Zaboru said thoughtfully, eyes scanning the table. "In a couple of weeks, we'll be hosting a global fighting ga tournant—the ZAGE World Tournant. It's going to be our biggest event yet, a celebration of competitive gaming and international talent. Naturally, players from all around the world will be invited, so we'll need everyone's cooperation to make this happen smoothly. Logistics, promotion, security—we'll need it all."
He glanced around, and the others nodded with enthusiasm, understanding the weight of what was coming but also energized by the scale and excitent of the challenge.
Yuna suddenly spoke up, her tone thoughtful. "Boss, right now it looks like we're getting close to covering the entire globe. Flocks has gradually expanded across Europe, and Red Falcon is expected to cover most of Asia and Southeast Asia in the near future. B.E.A.K. will eventually cover all of Latin Arica, Erald Wings is strong in North Arica, and Sora has grown into a dependable official distributor. But what I wanted to ask is—do you have any plans to expand into Africa or the Middle East?"
Zaboru paused, clearly having given so thought to that as well. Although the idea of global coverage was exciting, he had concerns rooted in experience. In his previous life, Africa had always been a challenging region to penetrate due to a combination of limited infrastructure, fragnted markets, and vast rural landscapes. Many areas lacked reliable internet and transportation networks, making large-scale ga distribution and arcade operations difficult. anwhile, the Middle East had its own set of complexities. While there were economically advanced countries with potential, there were also cultural and regulatory barriers that needed to be navigated with respect and care. The region's conservative nature and sensitivity to certain thes required thoughtful planning and careful localization.
However, Zaboru wasn't discouraged. In this new world, things could play out differently, and he was willing to take that chance. "Well, we've definitely planned to look into those regions," he said finally, turning to Yuna. "But not imdiately—not just yet. For now, let's stay focused on what we've already built, Yuna-san. Once we strengthen our existing networks and operations, we'll begin conducting deeper research into territories that ZAGE and its subsidiaries haven't yet reached. Africa, the Middle East, and beyond—we'll prepare, adapt, and move forward when the ti is right. Our vision is to truly be global, and to get there, we need to expand wisely."
Yuna nodded with a sly grin and said, "Next thing, boss—next year, I want a salary rise."
Zaboru's eyes widened in surprise. "Huh?"
Yuna crossed her arms, looking half-serious and half-playful. "My workload has gotten really heavy lately, especially with maintaining and coordinating all of ZAGE's subsidiaries around the world. It's a lot to manage, and I think a pay bump is well deserved. I'm asking now because if I go through the proper channel, Sayuri-san will definitely shut it down before I finish the sentence."
Zaboru burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Fine, fine, Yuna-san. You got it."
He admired her boldness. Yuna had always been direct, never afraid to speak her mind. So might find it brash, but Zaboru appreciated it. Her honesty was refreshing in a world full of careful diplomacy. The others chuckled at the exchange. Risa smiled and chid in, "Yuna's clearly sothing else. She's incredibly efficient, and honestly, she's been a huge help to all of us."
Park gave a firm nod. "Agreed. Whenever sothing goes off track, she's the one who gets it back in order. Fast."
Carlos leaned back, grinning. "Honestly, she deserves that raise. No question."
Zaboru laughed again, energized by the good mood in the room. "Hahaha, is that so? Well then, since all of you are here and it's nearly lunchti, let's take a break. My treat today—let's head over to the ZAGE Tavern. Eat as much as you want. Don't hold back!"
Everyone's eyes lit up. The ZAGE Tavern was known for its insanely delicious als. While the regular offerings were quite affordable and still tasted amazing, the premium dishes were on a whole other level—rich, flavorful, and worth every coin. And if Zaboru was the one footing the bill, who were they to hold back?
With growing excitent and growling stomachs, they followed Zaboru toward the entrance of the ZAGE Tower, heading straight for the ZAGE Tavern located just beside it, ready to feast without restraint.
Tobe continue
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