AN: Alright, so I've decided that in this story's world, the football scene will be 5 years behind the NBA instead of 10 years behind, which means the timeline prior to this chapter has been adjusted accordingly. Sorry for the sudden change, but I think this new timeline will be much more interesting—at least for me personally. I find it way more fun to talk about football legends around the year 1993 rather than 1989. I just know way more players from that era, lol.
Thursday 2 January 1999
Despite the discussion about him still burning hot across the media and business circles, Zaboru didn't care one bit. Right now? He was far removed from all that noise, staying at one of his personal homes in Europe—specifically, Milan, Italy. The property was a charming and spacious house, able to comfortably accommodate six to seven guests, and it was one of his favorites due to its location and serene atmosphere. Yes, at this moment, Zaboru was on a well-earned end-of-year holiday, taking rare time off before returning to the endless grind of work and gaming. It wasn't often that he allowed himself such a break, especially not with his entire family present.
This time, though, he made an exception.
To make the holiday season more meaningful, Zaboru had announced that all ZAGE employees would receive extended leave—from, December 25th, 1998 (Christmas Day) through to Monday, January 6th, 1999. That added up to a full 13 days off. The initiative, which Zaboru called the "ZAGE Rest Week," applied equally to all branches of the company—whether employees were based in Japan, the United States, or South Korea. The reaction among the staff was overwhelmingly positive. For many of them, it was the longest break they'd had since joining the company, and they felt deeply appreciated.
For Zaboru, this wasn't just about rest—it was about balance. He believed even in a hyper-driven industry like gaming, people needed time to breathe, reflect, and come back stronger. And so, with the company paused and the world still buzzing about his name, Zaboru chose to slip away quietly and spend this precious time with his loved ones.
And so, Zaboru decided to head to Europe starting on December 30th, 1998. He had many things he wanted to accomplish beyond simply relaxing—although the holiday itself was well underway. By that time, he had already spent two full days enjoying a much-needed break with his entire family. It was rare for him to take time off like this, and even rarer to bring the whole family together in one place.
Joining him were his father, Zanichi Renkonan, his mother, Keiko Renkonan, the heart of the family who always kept everyone grounded; his younger sister, Sanika Renkonan,; and of course, his beloved wife Ayumi and their young son Zenshin, who brought joy and laughter wherever they went. All of them had flown in together and were staying with him at the Milan residence, turning the house into a warm, lively family retreat.
The family spent their days exploring the city, enjoying fine Italian cuisine, and making memories—whether it was late-night conversations over espresso, museum visits, or simply relaxing by the fireplace. Naturally, Zaboru made sure every expense was covered, sparing no detail to ensure everyone felt truly taken care of.
But right now, it was already February 2nd, and Zaboru was starting to shift his mindset from rest back to business. However, this wasn't just any business—it was something deeply personal to him. The focus of this new venture was Inter Milan, the football club closest to his heart. Ever since in previous life Inter had been his favorite club, and now he had the resources and influence to become involved with them in a more direct way.
Back in 1997 around two years ago—ZAGE had already become the official main sponsor of Inter Milan. It was a historic partnership, one that saw the ZAGE logo proudly displayed on Inter's match-day kits starting that season. The iconic black and blue stripes now carried the futuristic ZAGE branding, a striking combination that symbolized the bridge between classic football tradition and cutting-edge digital innovation. The partnership had elevated Inter's image, especially among younger fans and the tech-savvy crowd, while also giving ZAGE massive exposure across Europe and global sports media.
But for Zaboru, that wasn't enough. Wearing the logo on the shirt was one thing—but having a real say in the club's future? That was the next level. Now, with the new year beginning and his holiday winding down, he felt it was the perfect time to pursue something bigger—something he had been thinking about for years. He was ready to make a move that could change not just his life, but the history of the club he adored.
Right now, Inter Milan was already owned by Massimo Moratti, and Zaboru knew very well that Moratti was a good president and, more importantly, a genuinely good human being. In his previous life, Zaboru had respected—and even admired—Moratti for his deep love for the club and his willingness to spend his own money for Inter's sake. Moratti wasn't driven by profit or ego; he was driven by passion. However, Zaboru also knew the harsh truth: passion alone wasn't enough to build a consistently successful football club.
From Zaboru's perspective as someone who had lived through the future, Moratti simply wasn't good at football management in a technical sense. His biggest weakness was squad construction. Time and time again, Moratti would impulsively buy strikers—more strikers, and then even more strikers—without proper balance. Midfield creativity, defensive stability, long-term planning, and youth development were often neglected. As a result, Inter Milan struggled throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s in Zaboru's previous world, constantly falling short of expectations despite heavy spending.
Zaboru didn't blame Moratti for this; if anything, he understood him. Moratti loved Inter too much, sometimes to a fault. But that was exactly why Zaboru wanted to intervene—to prevent history from repeating itself. And how did he plan to do that? The answer was simple, yet drastic: Zaboru wanted to buy Inter Milan.
But his ambition didn't stop there. Zaboru didn't just want Inter to succeed—he wanted Serie A itself to remain a dominant and prestigious league, not to fade or decline the way it had in his previous world. With knowledge from the future, Zaboru believed he could reshape not just one club, but the competitive landscape around it. He wanted to bring in truly great players—players he already knew would become world-class—while avoiding expensive mistakes that others would make. Of course, there was always the risk of butterfly effects. This was a different world, after all, and outcomes could change.
To complicate things further, in this world all players were effectively five years younger compared to Zaboru's previous life. Timelines were shifted, careers unfolded differently, and nothing was guaranteed. Still, even with those uncertainties, Zaboru was confident. With careful planning, patience, and a clear vision, he believed he could guide Inter Milan—and Serie A itself—toward a far greater future than the one he remembered.
Not only that, but in this world the Mafia's influence over football seemed far weaker, even in Italy. Organized crime never managed to sink its roots deeply into league governance, refereeing, or club ownership the way it once did in Zaboru's previous life. Scandals on the scale of Calciopoli were therefore highly unlikely to ever happen here. Because of this cleaner structure and stronger institutional oversight, Zaboru was confident that Serie A could remain a giant league for decades—competitive, respected, and driven by footballing merit rather than corruption or backroom deals.
And this wasn't the first time Zaboru had asked Moratti to sell Inter Milan to him. In fact, over the years, the topic had come up more than once—sometimes directly, sometimes wrapped in half-jokes and casual conversation. Each time, however, Moratti had always rejected Zaboru's proposal. It wasn't because of money, nor because he doubted Zaboru's capability. The real reason was far simpler and far deeper: Moratti loved Inter too much to let go.
Having only acquired the club from the Pellegrini family back in 1994, Moratti still felt like Inter was a responsibility entrusted to him rather than an asset he owned. To him, Inter Milan wasn't a business venture—it was a legacy, a family treasure, and an emotional bond tied to his father and generations of supporters. Because of that, no matter how generous or tempting Zaboru's offers were, Moratti always declined politely, with respect and sincerity, making it clear that his heart was not yet ready to part with the club he cherished.
Still, Zaboru remained persistent. He didn't push recklessly, nor did he pressure Moratti publicly. Instead, he requested another private meeting—one more honest conversation, free from headlines and speculation. After a brief exchange through their mutual contacts, the two agreed to meet once again. Not long after, Zaboru and Massimo Moratti found themselves sitting across from each other in a quiet, high‑class hotel in the heart of Milan, far removed from cameras and club offices.
"Mr. Moratti," Zaboru said warmly as he stood up, smiling as he firmly shook Moratti's hand.
"Zaboru," Moratti replied with an equally polite smile.
Zaboru continued the conversation in fluent Italian, something Moratti was already well aware of, so it didn't surprise him in the slightest. The ease with which Zaboru spoke only reinforced how serious—and respectful—he was about this discussion. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zaboru leaned slightly forward, his tone calm but resolute. He grinned softly and said, "Mr. Moratti… this time, I really—really—want to buy Inter Milan from you."
Moratti let out a long sigh, leaning back slightly as he studied Zaboru more carefully. "Zaboru… why are you so persistent?" he asked, his tone calm but weary. "Why do you want to buy Inter from me so badly? Do you even have the time to manage a club like Inter as its owner? Football isn't something you can treat like just another company."
Zaboru chuckled softly, completely unbothered by the question. "That's exactly why, Mr. Moratti," he replied. "I don't want to replace you. I want you to remain Inter Milan's president. I respect what you've built here, and I know how deeply you love this club. All I'm asking for is 51% of the shares and the rights to have transfer Market right and choosing who the manager is. Don't worry—I won't interfere recklessly. I only want what's best for Inter, and I know you're a good president."
Moratti sighed again, this time with a faint smile forming on his face. "You know that sounds completely delusional, right?" he said with a quiet laugh. "At this point, it almost makes those rumors about you becoming a bad businessman sound believable."
He chuckled and shook his head, and Zaboru laughed along with him, the tension between them easing as the conversation settled into something more honest and open. Moratti then leaned back in his chair, folding his arms as his expression shifted from amusement to seriousness.
"So," Moratti said slowly, "if I let you have fifty‑one percent of Inter, do you truly believe you can turn Inter into the ultimate team in Europe? And how exactly do you plan to assure me of that?"
Zaboru's grin widened, his confidence unmistakable. He looked Moratti straight in the eye. "Then let's make this interesting, Mr. Moratti," he said calmly. "Let's make it a bet."
Moratti raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious.
"You sell fifty‑one percent of Inter to me right now," Zaboru continued, his voice steady, "and we wait ten years. If, by then, Inter has not won the Champions League more than once, I will sell that fifty‑one percent back to you—at half the price."
He let out a quiet chuckle, not mocking, but certain. "That's my guarantee."
Massimo Moratti looked genuinely surprised. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as a thoughtful smile spread across his face. "Interesting…" he said, clearly impressed by Zaboru's boldness. "You really do seem confident. To be honest, I'm quite tired of you always asking to buy Inter every time we meet, Zaboru," he added with a small chuckle. "But this time… this time feels different."
Moratti's expression softened further, a genuine spark of excitement now clearly visible in his eyes. It wasn't the excitement of a businessman chasing profit, but of a lifelong supporter daring to imagine a different future. "You truly love Inter—of that I have no doubt," he said slowly. "And what you're proposing goes far beyond money or ego."
He gestured lightly with his hand as he continued, his voice more animated. "Proper transfer market management. Long-term squad balance instead of impulsive spending. Building a team with structure, chemistry, and purpose. And most importantly," he emphasized, "choosing the right manager—not the biggest name, not the most fashionable option, but the one who truly understands football and can build something lasting. These are exactly the areas where this club has always struggled and I'm struggle too."
Moratti paused, his gaze drifting for a moment as if he were picturing the future himself. "If your gamble pays off," he said quietly, almost to himself, "Inter wouldn't just compete anymore. We could finally become a true powerhouse in Europe—respected, feared, and consistent. Not just on paper, not just in headlines, but where it truly matters… on the pitch."
He nodded slowly, as if convincing himself. "Alright. Let's take a gamble. I will sell fifty-one percent of Inter Milan to you for seventy million euros. Do you agree?"
Zaboru quickly did the calculation in his head. Seventy million euros… roughly seventy-three million dollars, he thought calmly. Before he could respond, Moratti waved a hand dismissively and chuckled. "This isn't really about the money," Moratti said. "It's about respect, trust, and love for the club. I don't mind if you pay in installments."
Zaboru's grin widened. He nodded slowly, fully aware of just how generous the terms were. To him, this was undeniably a steal—not because Moratti was naive, but because Zaboru knew something few others did. If his vision played out the way he believed it would, Inter Milan would grow into a dominant European force, generating immense sporting success and long-term financial value. The return would dwarf the initial investment.
Without hesitation, Zaboru agreed. Both sides decided to proceed with formal paperwork and official offers within the month. Zaboru had already informed Sayuri, ZAGE's head of finance, well in advance. She wasn't surprised in the slightest—she had known for years that Zaboru wanted to buy Inter Milan. After reviewing the numbers, she gave him the green light immediately. ZAGE's finances were not just healthy; they were exceptionally strong.
And so, at last, Zaboru fulfilled a long-held dream—becoming the majority owner of Inter Milan. If everything proceeded smoothly, the deal was expected to be finalized by February or March. For Zaboru, this wasn't just a business acquisition. It was the beginning of rewriting football history.
To be continue
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