Full-time cartoonist

Ichiro Soma's new work is still unable to be serialized, and he has even lost the contract fee from "Weekly Shōnen Jump" and was issued a "notification of out-of-competition status" by Jump.

What does this mean? Naturally it goes without saying.

Shueisha no longer recognizes his ability as a cartoonist.

Higashino Hibiki visited Soma Ichiro the next day.

He was at his work desk, drawing comics. His expression was very tired, and there was stubble around his mouth.

Compared with the New Year party, it was much more embarrassing.

"Tori Akino-sensei."

There was disappointment in Soma Ichiro's eyes, but he still managed to smile, "Have you heard about my matter?"

Hibiki nodded and put down the snacks he brought, "I heard about it from Editor Sasaki."

Soma Ichiro showed a serious expression. He put down the brush and said regretfully: "Sasaki said it very tactfully, but in the final analysis, he meant 'jump doesn't need you anymore.' After that, he terminated the contract with me." "

Higashino Hibiki opened his mouth, and Sasaki told him this matter, just hoping that as a colleague, he could comfort Soma.

"No, Tori Akino-sensei, thank you for coming to comfort me, but no need." Soma Ichiro raised his head, and Hibiki saw what he had drawn, which was the original manuscript.

"It's not Jump's fault, it's me who didn't have any good works for the next seven years."

"I feel relieved. I can start over as a new member by self-recommendation."

"As long as comics are interesting, interesting comics can be serialized."

With this idea in mind, he drew the original manuscript. Only newbies need to use original manuscripts, while experienced cartoonists only need to use storyboards.

Soma Ichiro has indeed come out.

The very next day, he came out of his confusion.

Hibiki admired his open-mindedness, "Teacher Soma, you are really amazing."

"If you don't think so, what can you do?" Souma asked.

"All I can do is draw comics."

"Strive to do the best you can, that's what I should do most."

Higashino Hibiki gave a thumbs up, "Teacher Soma, what you said is really good. I learned it, I learned it!"

Soma Ichiro's expression became shy, "Tori Akino-sensei, you are really making fun of me."

Higashino Hibiki said: "What I said is true. There are too few people who think like you, teacher."

Soma Ichiro lowered his head and scratched his head, and could only accept Higashino Hibiki's compliment.

Hibiki saw that his palms and fingertips were covered in ink. It looked like he had been working for a long time.

Souma Ichiro is a strong man and does not need the comfort of Hibiki Hibiki and Sasaki.

…

Hibiya Hibiki read Soma Ichiro's new work. It is a hero-themed work about the universe and the galaxy. The content is a bit thin and there is no foreshadowing.

Compared with "LEVEL E", Higashino Hibiki was even more impressed by Togashi Yoshihiro's talent. He drew the alien fool prince, but only on the earth, and led the audience into his world view of the universe.

In a few words, the background is stated.

Such Yoshihiro Togashi is truly a genius.

No matter how hard ordinary people try, they cannot achieve his achievements.

Hibiya Hibiki watched with enthusiasm, comparing it with "LEVEL E". At this moment, the door of Soma Ichiro's studio opened, and a small shadow appeared.

The visitor walked to the work table in the living room. Hibiki put down the storyboard and looked over. He saw a child carrying a schoolbag and looking very excited.

"Uncle, I'm here to read comics! I want to read the latest episode of "Slam Dunk"!"

"Xiaowu, there are guests here."

Only then did the child notice Higashino Hibiki, and he lowered his head in embarrassment, "Uncle, I'm sorry."

Hibiki Higashino asked with a smile: "You are Mr. Souma's nephew, Satoru. Hello, I am Mr. Soma's colleague. My name is Hibiki Higashino."

Xiaowu said politely: "Uncle Dongye, good afternoon."

Higashino Hibiki asked with a smile: "Do you like watching "Slam Dunk" very much?"

"Of course!" Xiao Wu found out that this strange uncle Dong Ye was chatting with him about comics, and he became interested: "My favorite comic is "Slam Dunk"! Uncle, do you read it often?"

Souma Ichiro looked at this scene with a smile, he found it very interesting.

Maybe it will become a dark history for my nephew.

Higashino Hibiki said cheerfully: "Of course I'm watching."

He stretched his hands in front of his chest as if he were playing an accordion, and announced in a eloquent tone, "No one knows Slam Dunk better than me!"

"Hey! What an exaggeration!" Xiao Wu opened his mouth wide.

"That's it." Soma Ichiro reminded.

"Uncle said the same thing...isn't it suspicious? How could Uncle Dongye know that he knows "Slam Dunk" best?" Xiao Wu still didn't believe it.

Hibiki Higashino asked: "What is your favorite character in "Slam Dunk"?"

"Of course it's the male protagonist Sakuragi Hanamichi!" Xiao Wu said excitedly: "Sakuragi is the most talented basketball player, and he also works very hard."

"Shobei lost to Lingnan and Hainan. Sakuragi Hanamichi's unwillingness and tears moved me very much!"

"He started playing basketball because of Haruko Akagi, but unknowingly he fell in love with basketball. Under his carefree appearance, he had a heart that burned everything to win."

"Especially against the recent Sanno, Sakuragi defeated Mikio Kawada, who is 210 centimeters tall and weighs 130kg. For Shohoku, he maintained a two-point advantage over Sanno in the first half."

"Not long ago, Sakuragi Hanamichi was a novice, but now, facing the No. 1 Sanno in the country, Sakuragi has become the team's main attacker."

"He is really amazing! Now Sakuragi is not only playing with physical fitness, his skills surpass the big Mikio."

Souma Satoru said, trembling with excitement:

“Tori Akino-sensei’s painting of the Mountain King’s battle is so good!”

Higashino Hibiki said: "Even if you say that, I won't be happy."

"Eh?"

Hibiki Higashino asked again: "Just because of these, do you like "Slam Dunk" very much?"

"Of course not!"

…

Hibiki opened the gift he brought, took out the snacks made by Akimiya Akemi, put them on the coffee table, and asked Sōma Satoru to eat and talk at the same time.

"It's so delicious!" The child's eyes lit up, just like Ultraman's salty egg eyes, "Uncle Higashino, where did you buy the snacks?"

Hibiki Higashino deserves a smile, "My wife made this. It's the only one in the world and you can't buy it."

"What a shame." Sōma Satoru took another bite.

After he was full, he took a glass of water for himself, held the cup with both hands, slowly drank water to quench his thirst, and then continued with satisfaction:

"If it's just about the plot, Chiba Tetsuya's "Asuka no Jo" is also a classic. Yabuki Jo's passionate and sincere heart in boxing is not inferior to anyone."

Although he was just a primary school student, Sōma Satoru's words were quite logical. He continued unhurriedly: ""Slam Dunk" and "Asuka no Joe" are both sports-themed comics, and they also express inspiration and perseverance. .However, between these two comics, I prefer Tori Akino-sensei’s drawing work.”

"Since the beginning of "Soul of Chess", it has had a real flavor. In "Slam Dunk", it has reached a higher level. Delicacy, complex characters, blank background, etc., have reached a milestone. "

"The painting method of "Aki no Joe" is outdated. On "Slam Dunk", I can learn more techniques."

As the nephew of a cartoonist, Sōma Satoru reads comics from a very unconventional perspective.

At a young age, he learned to draw comics in single volumes.

There is a strong purpose.

Higashino Hibiki rubbed his head, "You're such a brat, you want to draw comics too?"

"Of course!" Soma Satoru said loudly: "My dream is to become a cartoonist! Draw classic works that will not lag behind the times decades later."

"That's really awesome." Higashino Hibiki gave him a thumbs up, "I draw comics, but I heard that all cartoonists are rich."

"Eh!" Sōma Satoru looked at Higashi Hibiki in disbelief, and twitched his lips, "There is such a situation. But..."

He turned to look at his uncle. Souma Ichiro had not worked for 7 years. He was more of an otaku than a rich man.

This uncle Dongye must be like this too.

"Alas." He sighed and looked at Higashi Hibiki with pity.

"You little guy, what are you thinking about..." Hibiki Higashikata felt offended.

He also wanted to use Sōma Satoru to understand what elementary school students think of "Slam Dunk."

Sōma Satoru raised his hand, "Can you wait a moment? I'm really looking forward to the new plot of "Slam Dunk"!"

…

The previous plot of "Slam Dunk" is:

Shohoku's wonderful performance in the first half made Sanno become more serious.

Hisaru Mitsui has a magical touch, Takenori Akagi has the same outstanding center strength in the national competition, and the extraordinary performance of layman Sakuragi Hanamichi makes Sanno suffer a lot.

Two points behind Xiangbei.

In the second half, Sanwang finally showed its "invincible" character, and each player showed his edge.

The Sanwang team's special skill, the full-court press defensive tactic finally appeared.

First, target the opponent's server, forcing the opponent to serve in only one direction, and then immediately double-team the ball-handler to put real pressure on him and force him into a corner of the court.

If the opponent cannot resist the return pass, intercept it immediately.

Passing the ball to other people or making a long pass will also be stopped by the Mountain King.

With such a fast-paced and invincible tactic, coach Domoto prepared to defeat Shohoku in one go within three minutes of the second half.

The Mountain King's style of play will take away the opponent's offensive opportunities. No matter how hard he struggles, he can't break out of the dragnet and can only allow his opponent to score goals.

Without the normalcy of playing, calm judgment, and then loss of self-confidence, eventually even the will to attack is gone.

This is the terrible thing about Sanno Heavy Industries.

Before coach Anzai called a timeout, under two and a half minutes of violent attack, Shohoku fell behind by 14 points in the blink of an eye.

The players in Xiangbei were already stunned.

There was nothing they could do.

Everyone in the stadium, spectators and coaches, all believed that Xiangbei would definitely lose.

Even coach Anxi is not able to make a meal without rice. Without special training, it is impossible to overcome the Sanwang's full-court pressing tactics without special training.

Xiangbei was in danger and reached the trough of the Mountain King War.

All readers are looking forward to the new issue of comics. How will Coach Anxi arrange it? Let Xiangbei, whose strength is greatly different, find a chance to win in the cracks.

…

Sōma Satoru was a little rude. While talking to his elders, he said he wanted to read comics.

"Xiaowu." Soma Ichiro shouted dissatisfied.

"It's okay." Higashino Hibiki waved his hand, "Teacher Soma, you also know that I will only be happy and not angry."

So Soma Ichiro handed the latest issue of Jump to his nephew.

"Okay!" Soma Satoru cheered!

…

From the beginning of "Slam Dunk", the tactics were explained in a tense atmosphere.

"Mitsui and Rukawa Kaede moved forward as much as possible, Akagi made a long pass as soon as there was an opening, and dribbled the ball to Miyagi, the commando captain."

This puts all the burden on Miyagi.

The national competition began. Due to Miyagi Ryota's height, he did not perform well and was far inferior to other players.

At the most dangerous moment, coach Anzai handed over the focus of breaking through Sanno's defense to Miyagi.

"Eh?" Souma Satoru seemed to understand. He couldn't play basketball, and there was only a girls' basketball team in his elementary school.

"Is this a tactic? It's so simple."

However, there seems to be a turning point.

Miyagi Ryota's opponent is the No. 1 player in the country, Eiji Sawabita, who is good at singles, mid-range shots, breakthroughs, layups, and slam dunks.

Everyone is not optimistic about Miyagi Ryota.

At this moment, Miyagi comes on stage.

In his palm, there are the words "First Defender" written by Ayako.

The lightning-fast Miyagi Ryota, entrusted with the important task by coach Anzai and inspired by Ayako, passed the ball to Sanno's backcourt!

Finally, there was a chance to attack and break through the mountain king's defense line.

…

"Phew," said the exciting words, which made Sōma Satoru feel dizzy. He seemed to have entered the court and became the basketball, feeling the blood in the intricate battle.

“Tori Akino-sensei’s drawings are really great!”

"Of course!" Dong Yexiang nodded.

"Such a story requires three powerful senior assistants, more than ten hours of hard work every day, and a manuscript that can be completed in three days!"

"As for the storyboard, it requires three days of careful carving and polishing. A line and an action take a long, long time to think about."

The more Hibiki talked, the more excited he became. These were all his blood and tears.

Weekly comics are really not drawn by humans. Even the God of Death would have a headache after reading "Slam Dunk".

There is no need to write it down in a notebook, you just need to wait slowly until Tori Akino suddenly dies in the future.

Soma Ichiro was shocked, "It's really hard work. I can't even imagine such a heavy workload."

There are some cartoonists, such as Akira Toriyama, whose "Dragon Ball" can be drawn by one person, but "Slam Dunk" is absolutely impossible!

"Tori Akino-sensei, he works really hard." Sōma Satoru nodded and admired Tori Akino Mirai even more. He asked curiously: "But Uncle Higashino, how do you know so much?"

Higashino Hibiki smiled, "Of course I will know. No one knows Tori Akino Mirai better than me. Well, maybe there is one."