"— — Mistake, did they really come looking for you?"
On the other end of the phone, upon learning about what happened between Akira and the editorial department, Oda's tone was somewhat surprised.
"Yeah."
Akira said with a wry smile, "I don't know whether to say your prediction was accurate, or that you have a crow's mouth?"
"Of course it's the former!"
Oda said as a matter of course, then added with admiration, "However, I didn't expect you to reject it on the spot. That's impressive."
Putting himself in that situation, he felt he would have been quite conflicted, right?
"Well — — — —"
Akira was noncommittal about this, because he knew his situation was special, so it couldn't be judged by conventional standards.
But chatting to this point, he was also a bit curious: "Speaking of which, hasn't Mr. Asada talked to you about this?"
"Not really, or rather, the trouble on my end is the exact opposite."
Oda sighed, "Originally, according to the plan, I intended to finish 'One Piece' in five years."
"But in the process of creation, all kinds of fresh and interesting ideas kept popping up, so much so that 'One Piece' has been drawn until now, and the plot progress hasn't even reached one-third of the original plan."
"If it goes on like this, I estimate it will take another five years to finish 'One Piece', right?"
"Five years?"
Hearing these all-too-familiar words, Akira couldn't help but twitch.
Only he knew that after five years, it would be another five years, and even after more than twenty years, 'One Piece' still hadn't been finished.
Besides, the trouble is that ideas keep popping up during the creative process — — — — what is this guy talking about?!
Any creator should understand how outrageous this statement is.
Oda didn't seem to realize this, and after the small talk, he quickly returned to the main topic and asked, "Anyway, I'll leave the signed album to you!"
"Okay, okay, I got it."
Akira nodded with amusement.
In fact, the reason Oda called this time was mainly for the album.
It must be said that Oda is really a loyal fan. 『Tsukirin』's first album 'Marigold' had only just started promotion, and he had already received the news and even specifically called to ask for a signed album.
Hanging up the phone and returning to reality, the assistants were actually discussing this matter as well.
Emmmm
Hayato said with a conflicted face, "It is indeed difficult to handle."
"But if it were me, I might choose to extend the serialization? After all, it's unknown whether I can draw another work that can be serialized next time."
"?"
Shota was a bit surprised to hear this: "You actually have moments of self-awareness?"
"What are you saying!"
Hayato said dissatisfiedly, "When have I ever lacked self-awareness?"
"You're quite lacking in it right now — — — —"
Looking at the two of them bickering as usual, Daisuke shook his head helplessly and did not join the topic.
However, he had his own worries in his heart.
Regarding whether Akira decided to extend the serialization, it might not have much impact on young people like Hayato and Shota, but it was troublesome for a full-time assistant like him.
Once the manga ended, his job would naturally end, and he would have to look for a new job again.
Of course, he had been in the industry for so many years, so he wasn't worried about finding a job, and besides his time as an assistant here, he also did other part-time jobs.
He was just reluctant to give up his current job and Akira, a backer with unlimited future potential.
If he could work under Akira steadily for a long time, his future prospects would definitely be much brighter than running around under various Manga Artists.
So, of course, he hoped that 'Fate/stay night' could be serialized for as long as possible.
But unfortunately, this was just his personal wish.
At least from the current point of view, Akira himself did not intend to extend the serialization, and his attitude seemed very firm.
This was of course bad news for him, but what he wanted to know more now was whether Akira had other plans after Fsn ended, such as continuing to create new works.
With Akira's ability, he believed that the other party's new work would definitely be able to be serialized, and such a future would be good for him too.
But the problem was, he didn't know if the other party had any intention of continuing to create after Fsn ended.
Although given Akira's age, energy, and ability, it was very likely that he would continue to create for a long time in the future, but this was not absolute.
After all, even without mentioning the achievements he had made in other fields, he believed that the value created by Fsn alone was enough for Akira to achieve financial freedom.
So he really wanted to confirm this with the other party, but there was still a considerable amount of time before the plot of Fsn ended, and it seemed too early to discuss this issue now.
Maybe the other party hadn't even considered this matter carefully yet.
So, he could only suppress these worries in his heart for the time being and focus on his current work.
Because the editorial department hadn't sent any response yet, Akira hadn't explained his various thoughts about the fate series to the assistants.
Although no matter what result the editorial department finally gave, he would definitely not give up on the construction and development of the fate series, or rather the entire Type-Moon Series IP.
But the situation would be different depending on whether the two sides could successfully cooperate or completely break down.
And his personality was that he didn't like to publicize things before they were finalized. It was like that when he submitted to Shonen Jump, and it was certainly the same now.
However, he didn't feel any anxiety about this matter.
He was no longer the penniless person he was when he first arrived.
Besides the manga field, he also had some achievements in music and light novel fields, and even because the creation cycle of manga was longer, his achievements in the manga field seemed less prominent.
It could even be said that even if he put down his pen right now, his future life could still be very comfortable.
Of course, it would be too irresponsible to do so, and he would definitely not choose to do that unless it was a last resort.
But in any case, this was his greatest confidence.
So under these circumstances, he could still pick up the latest issue of 'Weekly Shonen Jump' No. 5/6 on the table and read it with relish.
This week, Fsn ushered in the plot of episode 25.
The story continued from the previous episode where Archer appeared, saved Shirou, and confronted Caster.
But what Archer didn't expect was that he originally thought Caster and the Assassin at the door were in an alliance, just like Tohsaka Rin and Emiya Shirou, but Caster stated without hesitation that Assassin was a Servant she had summoned illegally and belonged to her.
Not only that, Caster said contemptuously that it was easy to defeat them, and the reason she did so was just considering things after the war.
In response, Archer's retort instantly ignited Caster's anger —
"You said it's easy to defeat us? Just because you are a witch who only knows how to run away?"
"— — Yes. Here, I am the strongest. Not to mention Berserker and Saber, with your level, you can't even scratch me."
"Also, I can forgive you the first time, but there won't be a second time. Anyone who calls me a 'witch' will pay the corresponding price!"
"Interesting. You said 'can't even scratch you'? Then let's try one blow and see."
Facing Caster's murderous intent, Archer remained unmoved, and even showed a confident smile instead.
So as soon as the words fell, the battle broke out instantly.
Shirou was watching the battle from the sidelines, but his attention was attracted again by the twin swords in Archer's hands. When he turned around, he found that his own position had also been included in Caster's attack range. "Oh no!"
"— — Idiot!"
Shirou dodged in a hurry, but it was too late. However, at the critical moment, Archer rushed over instantly, grabbed him, helped him dodge the incoming attack, and then carried him on his shoulder, constantly dodging Caster's pursuit.
After Shirou realized what happened, he felt extremely ashamed. He strongly resisted the fact that he had been saved by the other party and even started arguing with Archer: "——! Put me down, idiot! What are you thinking?!"
"Heaven knows! Shut up. Just hearing you say that makes my own stupidity give me a headache, idiot!"
"Idiot?! You know you're an idiot, yet you still have the nerve to call others an idiot? You idiot!"
This argument, which was like a quarrel between elementary school students, didn't last long. Suddenly, Archer decided to fulfill Shirou's request and kicked him flying.
"Asshole——!"
Shirou rolled on the ground in pain a few times before scrambling up in a sorry state, only to find that Archer had been trapped in place by Caster's magecraft and was unable to move.
Caster sneered and issued a declaration of victory. It seemed the outcome was decided, and she prepared to deal the final blow to Archer.
However, at that moment, Archer suddenly shouted a warning. The dual blades he had thrown at some point traced a beautiful arc in the air and attacked Caster.
Caster hurriedly dodged. Meanwhile, Archer seized the opportunity to break free from the restraints, projected a bow and arrow, and took a shooting stance: "I am the bone of my sword——"
Having realized what was happening, Caster immediately chanted to attack, but in the end, Archer's offensive was completed a step earlier.
"——Kaladbolg!"
In an instant, the speeding arrow disrupted the air, turning into a silver meteor that seemed to distort space, easily piercing through Caster's defense!
"As expected of Mochizuki-sensei, it's drawn so well!"
After finishing the latest chapter of this week's "Fate/staynight", Masashi Kishimoto couldn't help but exclaim.
This chapter's combat scene, whether it was the display of Caster's magecraft or Archer's final bow and arrow, was incredibly stylish and cool.
Combined with Akira's unique art style and his consistently superb drawing skills, it was a feast for the eyes.
Every time he saw Akira's artwork, he felt that he really needed to work even harder.
"I've actually always wanted to ask, is this level of artistic detail really something that can be achieved in a week?"
The assistant beside him, Murata Izumi, couldn't help but remark.
He was also a rookie Manga Artist who debuted last year with a one-shot manga in Shonen Jump. He was a newcomer discovered by Yahagi Kosuke, and after Masashi Kishimoto's work was greenlit for serialization, he was introduced to work as his assistant.
It was precisely because of this time spent as an assistant that he realized just how exaggerated it was to be able to draw such manga.
"If you had five or six assistants or more, it wouldn't be impossible, but——"
The lead assistant, Yamashita Ryuichi, stroked his chin and pondered.
If one only considered the work for Fsn, it might barely be achievable, but considering that Akira also drew other one-shot manga and even wrote a light novel during the Fsn serialization period, he really found it hard to imagine how the other party managed it.
At this moment, Murata looked curiously at Masashi Kishimoto and asked, "Speaking of which, Kishimoto-sensei, you met Mochizuki-sensei at the New Years Party, right? Did you ask him about this?"
"No, we were mostly talking about manga itself at the time."
Masashi Kishimoto shook his head a bit awkwardly: "Besides, we were busy greeting other senseis at the time, so we didn't talk for too long."
In reality, he was also a bit curious about this matter and had originally planned to ask the other party for details at the New Years Party, but in the end, he was a little too excited when they met and forgot about it.
However, they had exchanged phone numbers at the New Years Party, so it wouldn't be hard to ask now.
But Masashi Kishimoto hesitated for a moment and didn't do so.
At the New Years Party, he had confidently boasted to Akira, claiming that the latest chapter of naruto" would not disappoint him.
He had enough confidence in this chapter, but now after finishing the latest chapter of "Fate/staynight", a hint of anxiety arose in his heart.
Because this chapter of Fsn was also a combat scene, and it was equally brilliant; in fact, the other party's drawing skill was even a cut above his.
——But, naruto" wasn't bad either!
Masashi Kishimoto cheered himself on in his heart, and at the same time, a competitive spirit suddenly arose within him.
As for which is better, "Fate/staynight" or naruto" this week, let the shōsei rankings decide!
"The effect is definitely better after the changes, right?"
Although Akira already knew the content he drew by heart, now that he was reading it in the weekly magazine again, he still nodded with satisfaction.
The fight scene in this chapter was interpreted well in the UBW anime, so he adapted a lot of the Storyboarding, but there was one small change.
That was, after Archer saved Shirou, the anime had the two of them stand on the roof without moving while chatting for a while, and Caster cooperated very well by not attacking, which seemed a bit abrupt in the rhythm of the entire battle.
Logically speaking, this part should have been the two of them dodging and bickering amidst Caster's bombardment.
However, he could roughly understand the production team's idea.
Although the UBW anime had a very sufficient production budget, if nothing went wrong, this was likely the production team's little trick to save money.
After all, if they had done it the way he said, the burning budget would have gone to the next level.
But for the manga he drew, there were no such concerns.
As for naruto", he had also read it, but didn't pay too much attention to it.
Masashi Kishimoto indeed hadn't been bragging; the content of this chapter was indeed good, but he had already known about it.
This week's latest chapter of naruto" was the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza, titled "The Sharingan Revived".
It had to be said that Kakashi really acted cool in this chapter. This was also the first true highlight moment for Kakashi after the previous plot of Team 7 grabbing the bells.
Although there was no data to support it, he felt that this segment was very likely the starting point for Kakashi's popularity to soar.
Other than that, he didn't have many other thoughts.
Especially in terms of drawing skills, for him, having been accustomed to the super-high level of drawing skills of Masashi Kishimoto in the middle and later stages, the current Masashi Kishimoto was still a bit too immature.
What surprised him even more was that not long after he finished reading this week's Shonen Jump, Hisashi suddenly called.
And on this unusual day, the only thing he thought of at first was one thing—
"Mr. Sasaki, has the editorial department made a decision?"
"No, not yet."
Hisashi was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized what Akira was talking about, and shook his head with a smile: "Regarding your proposal, the editorial department will hold a special meeting next week to make a decision after discussion."
"But don't worry, the current situation is relatively optimistic."
Optimistic?
Akira was noncommittal about this, then asked with some confusion: "Since that's the case, Mr. Sasaki, what is the reason for your call this time?"
"It's like this,"
Hisashi explained: "People from Super Fantasy Bunko found me and indicated they want to find you. It's said to be regarding the promotional matters for Kara no Kyoukai that they want to discuss with you."
"Super Fantasy Bunko?"
Akira was a bit surprised upon hearing this.
Come to think of it, although they had a collaboration, and although the publishing and promotion of Kara no Kyoukai were handled by them, up until now, he seemed to have never been in contact with their staff.
After all, such miscellaneous matters were generally handled by Hisashi for him.
One could only say that Shonen Jump editors were still too authoritative, practically a trinity of editor, agent, and nanny.
In short, upon learning that someone from Super Fantasy Bunko wanted to meet with him, he became slightly interested and nodded with a smile: "I have no problem with that; please arrange a time."