The weeks following the release of "A Million Dreams" had been a whirlwind. The song's view count on HeroTube continued its relentless climb, a steady, unstoppable ascent. Minato felt a constant hum of excitement, a giddy disbelief at the scale of its success. He'd check the numbers daily, watching them tick upwards, each new milestone a fresh wave of exhilaration.
Now, at home, the Namikaze family was celebrating. Minato, his mother Akane, and his father Kenji were gathered in the living room. On the large screen, the HeroTube video displayed the astonishing number: over 10 million views.
"Ten million!" Minato cheered, bouncing slightly on the sofa. "Can you believe it?"
Akane smiled, a proud glint in her eyes. "It's incredible, Minato. Absolutely incredible."
Kenji clapped him on the shoulder. "My son, the rockstar! This calls for more cake!"
As they were enjoying their small celebration, a crisp, authoritative ring echoed from the front door. Kenji, slightly surprised, rose to answer it.
He opened the door to find a man standing on their porch. He was neatly dressed in a sharp suit, carrying a sleek briefcase. The man offered a polite, professional smile.
"Good day," the man began, "My name is Masato Tanaka. I'm a manager from SoniKraft Music Company."
Kenji's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise. "Sonikraft?"
"Yes, sir," Masato Tanaka continued, his voice smooth and composed. "We're here because we're very interested in your son. Specifically, the song he recently uploaded to HeroTube."
Kenji's expression softened into one of understanding. "Ah, I see." He stepped aside, gesturing inwards. "Please, come in. Minato, Akane, could you both come to the drawing room?"
Masato Tanaka stepped into the hallway, his gaze taking in the warm, inviting home. He followed Kenji into the living room, where Minato and Akane now stood, looking at him with curious anticipation. The air in the room was suddenly charged with a different kind of excitement.
Masato Tanaka sat down, his briefcase resting on his lap. He began to speak, his voice clear and persuasive. "Mr. and Mrs. Namikaze, and young Minato-kun. As I mentioned, I'm from Sonikraft Music Company. We are one of the leading music labels in the country, with state-of-the-art recording facilities and a strong marketing network."
He looked directly at Minato. "We've been incredibly impressed with both 'Blue Bird' and especially 'A Million Dreams.' Your talent, Minato-kun, is truly exceptional. For a ten-year-old to compose and perform with such maturity and emotional depth is something we rarely see."
He then outlined their proposal. "Sonicraft would like to offer Minato-kun a contract to sign with our company as a future talent. We believe he has the potential to become a global phenomenon. We can provide professional training, access to top producers, extensive marketing campaigns, and ensure his music reaches a much wider audience."
Masato Tanaka emphasized the benefits. "We are dedicated to nurturing artists. We understand Minato-kun's age, and any agreement would prioritize his well-being and education. We would work to develop his unique sound and help him build a long-lasting career in music. Our goal is to empower artists, not just sign them."
He finished his pitch with a reassuring smile. "There's no need for an immediate answer, of course. This is a big decision. Please take your time, discuss it as a family, and feel free to consult with legal counsel. My visiting card has my contact information. Call me when you have an answer."
With that, Masato Tanaka rose, offered a polite bow, and, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, took his leave, leaving the Namikaze family alone in their living room, a tangible offer from the music industry now hanging in the air.
As soon as the door closed, Minato turned to his parents, his expression serious. "I want to be a hero," he stated simply, cutting to the chase. "That's my goal. I don't know if music is the right path."
Akane knelt down, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "Minato, I understand that. And we support your dream of becoming a hero. But there are still eight years until you can apply to U.A. University. Why don't you try this until then? See where it goes."
Kenji nodded in agreement. "She's right, son. This is a huge opportunity. It doesn't mean you give up on your hero dream. You can do both for now. Music is a wonderful way to express yourself, and frankly, a Quirk can make you a hero, but your music can inspire millions. That's a different kind of heroism."
Minato thought about it. He remembered the positive impact "A Million Dreams" had already had. He also knew he could manage his Chakra training alongside other activities.
"But what if they try to control what I sing?" Minato asked, a hint of concern in his voice. "I want to sing my own songs, the ones I write."
"That's a fair point," Kenji said, looking at Akane.
They talked back and forth for a while, weighing the pros and cons. Minato's desire for creative control was paramount. His parents understood that forcing him into a path he didn't want would be detrimental.
Finally, they reached a consensus. "Okay," Akane said, looking at Minato. "We will consider signing with Sonikraft, but only if they agree to one non-negotiable condition."
"What's that?" Minato asked.
"You must have complete creative freedom over the songs you sing and compose," Kenji stated firmly. "No one dictates your music. If they agree to that, then we can move forward and see where this extraordinary journey takes you."
Hearing his father's condition, Minato nodded, his bright smile returning. He agreed. Creative freedom was important to him.
The next day, Kenji Namikaze called Masato Tanaka and arranged a meeting. The atmosphere was professional yet cordial when they met again. Kenji clearly laid out their non-negotiable condition: Minato must have complete creative control over his music. He would sing and compose what he wanted, without interference from the label.
The negotiations took some time. There were discussions about schedules, Minato's schooling, and how his burgeoning hero aspirations would fit into a music career. SoniKraft, eager to secure such unique talent, eventually agreed to the terms regarding creative freedom, understanding its importance to the young artist. After a week of back-and-forth, the contract was signed.
The following day, Masato Tanaka invited the Namikaze family for a comprehensive tour of the Sonicraft Music Company headquarters. The building was a modern marvel, bustling with activity.
"Welcome to Sonicraft," Masato Tanaka said, leading them through the sleek lobby. "This is where the magic happens."
He first took them to the A&R (Artists and Repertoire) Department. "This is the heart of our talent acquisition," Masato explained, gesturing to rows of desks where people were listening to music, talking on phones, and typing furiously. "Our team here scouts for new artists, develops their potential, and matches them with producers and songwriters. It's where we first heard Minato-kun's amazing work."
Next, they moved to the Recording Studios. The sight of multiple soundproofed rooms, filled with intricate mixing boards, microphones, and various instruments, made Minato's eyes light up. "These are our state-of-the-art facilities," Masato said, opening the door to one of the larger studios. "Here, artists record their vocals and instruments. We have the latest equipment to ensure the highest quality sound." He pointed out different types of microphones and sound dampeners. "Each room is designed to capture the unique nuances of an artist's performance."
They then visited the Mixing and Mastering Suites. These rooms were darker, dominated by large computer screens displaying complex audio waveforms and intricate control panels. "After recording, the raw tracks come here," Masato explained. "Our engineers balance all the different sounds, add effects, and optimize the audio for various platforms. Mastering is the final polish, ensuring the song sounds perfect everywhere, from headphones to arena speakers."
Following that, they were shown the Marketing and Promotions Department. This was a vibrant, open-plan space with people collaborating around large monitors. "Once a song is ready, it comes here," Masato said. "This team creates strategies to get the music heard by millions. They handle everything from social media campaigns and music video production to radio promotion and concert planning." He gestured to a large whiteboard covered in ideas and timelines.
Finally, they ended their tour in the Artist Lounge, a comfortable, stylish area with plush sofas and refreshments. "This is a space for our artists to relax, collaborate, and find inspiration," Masato offered. "We believe a comfortable environment fosters creativity."
Minato, Kenji, and Akane were impressed. The sheer scale and professionalism of Sonicraft were undeniable. The tour solidified the fact that Minato was now part of a vast, intricate machinery designed to elevate musical talent to a global stage.