Zaboru then took a flight from Zurich to Milan. It was a short, smooth trip, and as soon as he landed in the heart of the city, he felt the familiar magic that always lingered in Milan's air. The architecture, the energy, the elegance — it was all unmistakably Milan. Without wasting time, he made his way straight to the iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, also known as San Siro. As his car pulled up near the massive structure, Zaboru gazed up at the stadium with a sense of awe and admiration. It wasn't just a football arena; to him, it was a monument of history, emotion, and dreams.
Walking through the entrance, he could feel the deep-rooted legacy of Italian football pulsing through the walls. Every step he took inside brought back memories of legendary matches, roaring crowds, and unforgettable players. When he finally reached Inter Milan's main offices within the stadium complex, the doors opened — and standing there to greet him was none other than Massimo Moratti, the club's esteemed president. Moratti welcomed him with a warm smile and open arms, a gesture that instantly made Zaboru feel both honored and at home.
"Welcome, welcome, Mr. Renkonan!" Massimo Moratti said with a wide grin as he stepped forward, extending his hand.
Zaboru shook it firmly and replied in perfect Italian, "Good afternoon, Mr. Moratti. If you're comfortable, I can speak Italian fluently."
Moratti's eyebrows lifted in pleasant surprise. "Good! Good! That will make everything much easier. Let's head straight to the meeting room."
But Zaboru smiled and gently raised a hand. "Mr. Moratti, if it's not too much trouble... would it be possible to visit some of the iconic parts of the stadium first? I've been an Inter fan since I was a boy."
Moratti's smile grew wider, clearly delighted. "No problem at all! Let's take a walk. I think you'll enjoy this."
With that, Zaboru joined Moratti and several Inter staff members for a private tour of San Siro. They strolled through the corridors lined with memorabilia, paused in front of trophies and portraits of club legends, and stood for a while in the press room where countless headlines had been born. Zaboru's eyes sparkled with admiration at every turn.
When they reached the players' tunnel and stepped onto the pitch, Zaboru's breath caught in his throat. The vast expanse of green, the towering stands, the echoes of past cheers — it was like stepping into a dream. He walked slowly across the field, soaking in the moment, touching the grass with reverence. This wasn't just a stadium. For him, it was a cathedral of football.
After some time exploring the grounds and even taking a few photos together, they made their way to the boardroom. It was time to finalize the partnership.
ZAGE would officially become Inter Milan's partner, with its logo featured proudly on the front of the club's kit for the 1997–1998 season. As the final agreements were signed and the Inter jersey bearing the ZAGE logo was presented to him, Zaboru held it in his hands, grinning from ear to ear.
There it was — the legendary black and blue stripes with his company's name across the chest. For a lifelong fan, it wasn't just a deal. It was a personal triumph. Zaboru was visibly proud, and for a brief moment, nothing else mattered.
Then, after a while, Zaboru spent more time exploring Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. It wasn't just a formal visit — it turned into a deeper, more personal experience. While touring the training areas, he had the chance to meet several of Inter's first-team players. They greeted him warmly, shaking hands and exchanging casual conversations. To his surprise, the players invited him to join in for a light training session. Without hesitation, Zaboru accepted.
He quickly changed into training gear, excited and energized. Once on the pitch, surrounded by professionals, Zaboru felt a surge of adrenaline. The pace was intense, the passes sharp, and the footwork relentless — but Zaboru held his own. He moved with remarkable agility, passed with precision, and displayed an unexpected level of skill but still Zaboru held back because if he went full power here it would be suspicious. The Inter players, initially amused, soon grew impressed. The coaching staff and onlookers began to take note. Zaboru wasn't just keeping up — he was thriving.
As the informal match continued, laughter and cheers echoed across the training field. The players began to respect him not just as a businessman or sponsor, but as someone who truly understood and loved the game. For Zaboru, the experience was unforgettable.
Eventually, the friendly match came to an end. Sweaty and smiling, Zaboru shook hands once more with the players and thanked them sincerely. He then returned to the locker room to change, still beaming with pride.
Shortly afterward, he left the stadium, his heart full of joy. As evening approached, Zaboru walked to a nearby restaurant, where he sat down to enjoy a hearty Italian meal — a small reward for an incredible day. Over a plate of fresh pasta and a glass of red wine, he reflected on the surreal moments he had just experienced. Soon, it would be time to board another flight. His next destination: Denmark. And it wouldn't be a short trip and he went there because there are reports from Lisa Miller that certain companies that Zaboru is well aware of are in there struggling.
Meanwhile, in Billund, Denmark, at the headquarters of the LEGO company, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen — the CEO and owner — sat in his office, staring at a spreadsheet on his desk. The numbers were bleak. Revenue was dropping, profit margins were thinning, and despite the company's legacy, its relevance in the modern toy market was slipping fast. He sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair, rubbing his temples.
"It's getting worse," he muttered. The numbers didn't lie.
One of the major issues was LEGO's declining appeal among younger audiences. Kids weren't building as much as they used to — they were gaming. Video games had become the new playground, and LEGO was struggling to keep up. The situation was made worse by the meteoric rise of ZAGE toys, developed by HanDai. Their modern, IP story-driven, highly collectible toy lines were outselling LEGO in every major market. The brand that had once ruled childhood imagination was now being overshadowed.
"Damn ZAGE," Kirk said bitterly, tossing the report onto his desk. But after a pause, his bitterness shifted into resignation, then realism.
"We need to pivot. Fast," he thought. "We need to rethink everything — product lines, branding, partnerships. If we keep going like this, we won't survive the next decade."
Just as he was about to make a note to call the board, his assistant stepped in, looking tense.
"Boss… we have a visitor."
Kirk glanced up, his mind still racing. "Who?"
The assistant hesitated, fidgeting slightly. "It's… Zaboru Renkonan."
Kirk blinked. "What?"
It took a second for the name to settle in. Zaboru — the man behind ZAGE. The man whose company had become LEGO's biggest competitor in less than a decade. The idea that he was here, in person, was baffling.
"What's he doing here? He's not here to… acquire us, is he?" Kirk muttered, half-joking but fully concerned. "If that's his plan, the answer is no."
Still, Zaboru wasn't someone you simply brushed off. He wasn't just a businessman — he was a force. An unpredictable one. If he came all the way to Billund, it wasn't for nothing and certainly he is a big shot.
"Alright," Kirk said, standing quickly and straightening his blazer. "Bring him in."
Zaboru then arrived at Kirk's office, stepping in with a calm but confident demeanor. As he entered, he extended his hand with a smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kristiansen," he said politely.
Kirk stood to greet him, mirroring the gesture with a friendly handshake. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Renkonan."
Zaboru chuckled lightly. "Please, call me Zaboru."
Kirk smiled and nodded. "Then you can call me Kirk as well."
With the formalities out of the way, the two men walked together down the corridor to the meeting room. The air between them was professional, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity — both men knew this meeting could mark the beginning of something important. The meeting room itself was modest but elegant, filled with LEGO models from various eras — a quiet testament to the company's history.
As they took their seats, Kirk leaned back slightly and asked with a hint of cautious amusement, "So, what brings the infamous ZAGE founder all the way to meet us in person?"
Zaboru smiled, unfazed. "It's simple, really. I've come to offer a proposal. I understand LEGO is more than a company to you — it's your family's legacy. That's why I'm not here to fully acquire it. That's not my interest."
Kirk tilted his head slightly, intrigued.
"I'd like to buy a 20% minority share in LEGO for ten million dollars," Zaboru continued. "And that money, I imagine, can help you kick-start a fresh wave of innovation. But there's more — I'd also like to license ZAGE's intellectual property to LEGO. You'd have full creative freedom to turn ZAGE's universe into physical toys, building sets, and whatever else fits your vision."
He leaned in just a bit, eyes gleaming with conviction. "ZAGE has a rich world — compelling characters, massive lore, and a dedicated global fanbase. And LEGO has the power to bring that world to life in a way no other brand can."
Zaboru knew that the price for the 20% stake was still quite expensive, but at this moment, earning LEGO's trust was far more important to him. Deep down, he was certain that LEGO would become something truly massive in the future. Despite the cultural differences between their companies and visions, he believed in LEGO's potential. He also remembered the video games based on LEGO in his previous life — games that had their own charm, creativity, and lasting appeal. Those memories reinforced his conviction. This wasn't just a business deal; it was a long-term investment in a legacy he respected.
Kirk raised an eyebrow. The offer was bold — and undeniably tempting. His eyes widened as reality sank in. This wasn't just about money. Right now, LEGO desperately needed that infusion of fresh capital, and the idea of licensing the ZAGE IP for LEGO-style block toys wasn't just viable — it could be revolutionary. But despite how enticing it was, something in the back of his mind bothered him.
He looked across the table and asked, "Interesting… but why come to us? You've got a big toy company that you already have, right? HanDai?"
Zaboru chuckled softly, nodding. "Yes, we do. HanDai is good — no question. But this project, this vision… it deserves something different. I want to show respect to LEGO for what it represents. HanDai is currently overwhelmed with expanding our existing toy lines, and frankly, they don't have the additional resources or creative direction to handle a fully separate product line like block-based construction sets."
He paused, allowing the statement to land, then added with a half-grin, "And there's one more thing. I want the rights to develop video games based on LEGO. That's part of the deal."
Kirk frowned slightly, surprised by the addition. "That's an interesting take, Zaboru. Video games are definitely part of the future… maybe even more than toys. But I'll be honest, I need to talk to my family about this. Twenty percent may not be a controlling share, but it's still a piece of our legacy."
He leaned back thoughtfully. "Still, I'm open to the video game clause. It's not something we mind, as long as the core values of LEGO are preserved."
Zaboru nodded, clearly understanding and respecting the caution. The two continued to talk for another hour, their conversation drifting from strategy to creativity to the deeper philosophies behind their companies. Despite their different backgrounds and styles, a mutual respect began to form.
Eventually, Zaboru stood up, shook Kirk's hand firmly, and offered a parting nod. With the tone of the meeting set and both parties having shared their thoughts, he quietly exited the LEGO offices — a small but confident smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Outside the LEGO offices, Zaboru grinned to himself and muttered, "Well, time to find some nearby food." His stomach was starting to protest — it had been a long and intense day. He felt he deserved a good meal before heading back to Zurich.
With his thoughts already shifting to the next steps in his itinerary, he walked down the street in search of a restaurant. After this brief stop in Denmark, he had important matters awaiting him in both Korea and China. But before tackling Asia, he planned to return to Japan first to recalibrate and take care of some unfinished matters at home.
For now, though, food came first.
To be continue
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