Monday 1 May 1997.

Zaboru smiled and embraced Ayumi gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Ayumi, I'm off," he said with a soft voice. Ayumi smiled warmly, her hand resting on her pregnant belly, and replied, "Safe travels, Zabo." Her expression carried a mix of pride and concern. As she watched him prepare to leave, Zaboru's mother and Sanika stood nearby, both of them committed to looking after Ayumi while Zaboru was away.

Currently, they were all in Zurich, Switzerland. To ensure his family had a comfortable place to stay during his business ventures, Zaboru had purchased a cozy apartment in a quiet, upscale part of the city. The apartment offered a peaceful retreat, complete with a scenic view of the lake and nearby mountains — a perfect place for Ayumi to rest and prepare for the baby's arrival.

Zaboru had similar setups in other countries as well. Throughout the years, he had acquired multiple temporary lodgings scattered across key cities around the world. These served as his personal hubs — safe, convenient, and fully furnished — ready to be occupied whenever his work required him to travel. Whether it was Seoul, New York, Milan, or Zurich, Zaboru made sure he had a place not just to sleep, but to recharge and strategize. It was a lifestyle shaped by ambition and necessity, and he embraced it fully.

Zaboru stepped outside and saw Risa Miller already waiting for him by the car. She smiled brightly and said playfully, "Okay, Dad — let's go to FIFA HQ. It's not far from here."

Zaboru chuckled, adjusting his jacket. "I guess I really am going to be a dad, huh? Not bad at all."

Risa laughed. "Are you nervous?"

They began walking casually toward the car. Zaboru felt comfortable around Risa — she had an older-sibling vibe, almost like a big sister, even though she often jokingly called him "Dad." He suspected she saw him as a little brother, which he didn't mind at all. It made things feel more relaxed.

"Well, I'm pretty much prepared," he said honestly. "But I still hope everything goes smoothly. Being a dad isn't going to be easy."

Risa chuckled and gave him a reassuring glance. "You'll be fine. You've got this."

The two got into Risa's car and drove off toward FIFA Headquarters. The meeting was urgent — Zaboru was scheduled to meet directly with the FIFA president to discuss licensing rights for football, a key component in ZAGE's upcoming sports game strategy.

Before long, Zaboru and Risa Miller arrived at the offices, where FIFA Chairman João Havelange greeted them personally. Zaboru smiled and extended his hand. "Mr. Havelange, it's a pleasure to meet you."

João shook his hand firmly and responded, "The honor is mine as well, Mr. Renkonan."

Zaboru smiled and added, "Please, just call me Zaboru — I'm more comfortable that way."

João returned the smile. "Of course. Feel free to call me whatever you like, Zaboru."

Zaboru nodded in appreciation, and the formalities gave way to a more relaxed atmosphere as they moved into the meeting room.

After a brief round of introductions, João Havelange wasted no time and got straight to the point. "So, you want the rights to use the FIFA license and trademark properly for your football game, correct?" he asked, his tone businesslike. "It's true that we hold the rights for national teams — the team names, official emblems, and player likenesses — but when it comes to club teams from elite leagues across Europe, we don't hold those rights. You'll need to negotiate with the individual leagues or their respective governing bodies."

Zaboru nodded, already well aware of this distinction. "Yes, I understand, Mr. Havelange. We've done our homework. Now, do you agree to the terms we've proposed?"

Zaboru and ZAGE were offering a substantial sum — one million dollars per year, locked in for a ten-year agreement. In return, FIFA would grant ZAGE the exclusive rights to use their brand name, as well as the inclusion of all national teams and players under their jurisdiction in ZAGE's football titles. It was a strategic move, one that would lend enormous legitimacy to ZAGE's upcoming sports simulation game.

After a series of detailed discussions and reviews of the proposed terms, João Havelange ultimately agreed. With the handshake that followed, the deal was sealed: ZAGE had officially secured the FIFA license. It was a major milestone — one that would open the door to unprecedented opportunities in the gaming industry.

Then Zaboru and Risa Miller returned to their car. As they settled into their seats, Zaboru glanced at her with a confident smile. "Say, Risa, next up — can you handle negotiations with the Spanish, English, German, and Italian leagues? Tell them we want full rights to use their teams. And while you're at it, try to work something out with UEFA for the Champions League as well."

Risa raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Damn, boss, you're giving me a heavy task! But if there's enough money in the mix, consider it done."

Zaboru chuckled and nodded. "You know me. I know what you're capable of, Risa. Even now, Flocks runs smoothly without you because you've trained your crew to operate like a well-oiled machine. That gives you more freedom to focus on these high-level negotiations, right? And don't worry — money isn't a problem."

Risa grinned, clearly aware that Zaboru wasn't bluffing. He never cut corners when it came to investing in his goals. "Alright, then," she replied with a smirk. "Consider it done. Give me a couple of months, and I'll bring you back something good."

With that settled, the two returned to their temporary residence in Zurich. After a long day of high-stakes meetings and critical plans, Zaboru retreated to his room. As he lay down, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Then, without hesitation, he activated his Emulator Mind.

"32-bit is here, which means sports games and WWE titles are an absolute must," Zaboru said with a confident smile. With FIFA, NBA, and WWF rights already secured under ZAGE, he was steadily building the foundation for a global sports game empire. The next crucial step was acquiring rights from UEFA and the top four football leagues in Europe — La Liga, Premier League, Bundesliga, and Serie A. Only then could ZAGE develop a comprehensive and authentic sports simulation that would truly shake the industry.

But for now, Zaboru had another destination in mind. He was preparing to fly to Milan, Italy — not just for business, but for something deeply personal. ZAGE had just become an official sponsor of Inter Milan for the 1997–1998 season, and Zaboru wanted to be there in person to commemorate the occasion. It wasn't just a corporate move; it was the beginning of something much more meaningful.

This sponsorship marked the first step in a deeper involvement with the club. Zaboru planned to inject fresh capital into Inter, supporting the team financially while hoping his contribution would elevate their overall performance. Inter Milan wasn't just another football club to him — it was his favorite team, the one he'd followed since childhood in his previous life.

He hoped the gesture would not only help strengthen Inter's future but also lay the groundwork for a genuine friendship with the club's president, Massimo Moratti. Zaboru admired Moratti's passion and vision for the club. More than just logos on jerseys or commercials, Zaboru envisioned ZAGE becoming a true supporter of Inter's legacy — both on and off the pitch.

To be continue

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