Master of the Machete Style Manga

Chapter 100 How did she end up in the car?! (Bonus chapter for 300 first subscriptions)

Besides Fujimoto Itsuki's own abilities, the success of the previous playthrough of "Chainsaw Man" was also largely due to the contributions of his capable assistants.

Fujimoto Itsuki has a keen eye when it comes to finding assistants.

His two main assistants when he was creating "Fire Fist" were Yuji Kaku and Tatsuya Endo. The former later created "Hell Music", and the latter was the author of "Spy House".

When the serialization of "Chainsaw Man" began, it inspired Tatsuyuki Shin, who drew "Daredevil Party".

It was such a coincidence that Tatsuyuki Nobuyuki came to the company to discuss his new work with the editor. At this time in 2015, he probably hadn't even heard of Fujimoto Itsuki's name.

Ken Sakamoto simply walked over.

"Hello, I'm Ken Sakamoto, the author of 'Chainsaw Man.' I overheard your conversation with the editor, and I happen to be looking for an animation assistant." Ken Sakamoto didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

When Keiko Kaji saw Ken Sakamoto step forward, she quickly followed.

With a hint of surprise on her face, she asked, "Sakamoto-sensei, have you made a decision about setting up a studio?"

Ken Sakamoto nodded, his gaze fixed on Shin Ryūyuki.

He was a few years older than Ken Sakamoto, but in the creative field, age is not important. Some people succeed at a young age, while others create masterpieces in middle or even old age.

The editor who was talking to Tatsuyuki Shin clearly also knew Ken Sakamoto. He stood up with some surprise: "Oh, it's Mr. Sakamoto. Hello, hello."

He glanced at the young man who was still standing there in a daze, and nudged him gently with his elbow.

"Sakamoto-sensei, do you want Ryu-san to be your assistant?"

Upon hearing the editor's words, Ryuki Shin immediately stood up straight and then bowed deeply to Sakamoto Ken at a perfect 90-degree angle.

"Sakamoto-sensei! I've been following Chainsaw Man and I really love your work!" He hurriedly picked up the stack of manuscripts on the table and handed them to Sakamoto Ken with both hands. "My name is Tatsuyuki Shin. I've been creating manga for several years now, but... I haven't been able to make my official debut yet..."

As he finished speaking, a hint of disappointment crept into his voice.

Sakamoto Ken didn't stand on ceremony and directly accepted his drawing.

He flipped through the pages one by one. The content of the manuscript was exactly the story that Editor Uchimura had just mentioned, a story of the supernatural fighting against the supernatural. However, it was very different from the content of "The Daredevil Party" in his memory. He could only say that it had a slight sense of déjà vu.

The artist's drawing skills are indeed very solid, but the problems are equally obvious: the story's pacing is scattered, and the panel design lacks impact.

However, as an assistant, the most important thing is drawing ability; he doesn't need to discuss the plot and storyboards with his assistant.

Seeing that Sakamoto Ken was reading intently, editor Uchimura said to Tatsuyuki, "Sakamoto-sensei is currently the most popular new writer in our JUMP. He has already topped the charts on JUMP+ with less than ten chapters published so far. His collected volumes will be published soon, right? I think it will definitely be a huge success."

“Sakamoto-sensei, if you think highly of Ryu-san’s drawing skills, then this would be an excellent opportunity for him,” Uchimura said.

Ken Sakamoto put down the sketch and said, "I think Ryu-san perfectly meets my requirements."

He paused, then added, "Also... I actually think Long Sang has the potential to debut, but he still needs to refine his ideas."

Upon hearing this affirmative statement, Ryuki Shin's eyes lit up instantly.

He bowed deeply to Ken Sakamoto once again: "Sakamoto-sensei! Please let me join your studio!"

Ken Sakamoto wasn't used to bowing. He extended his right hand to Tatsuyuki, smiled, and said, "Welcome, 'Chainsaw Man' needs someone like you."

Editor Uchimura, who was standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Sakamoto-sensei, then I'll leave Ryu-san to you. Maybe being by your side can enlighten him and help him produce a work that's good enough for his debut."

"Sakamoto-sensei, so... what kind of artwork will I be responsible for from now on? And what are the specific divisions of labor with the other assistants...?" Tatsuyuki asked somewhat nervously.

Ken Sakamoto shook his head slightly and said, "I don't have an assistant yet."

"Huh?" Ryuyuki was slightly taken aback.

Keiko Kaji explained from the side, "All of Sakamoto-sensei's works so far have been completed independently, and he has been able to maintain an update speed of two chapters per week."

"One person, two chapters a week?!" Ryuyuki was completely shocked. He pointed to the manuscript in his hand, "I've been drawing these three chapters for almost three months..." Sakamoto Ken waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, it just takes a little more time each day, so I still need an assistant to help."

He then turned to Keiko Kaji beside him and said, "I'll go rent a place and get the studio equipment ready in a bit, and I'll contact you when everything is settled."

"Okay! But, Sakamoto-sensei, how many assistants do you plan to recruit in total?"

Sakamoto Ken thought for a moment, and two other names came to mind.

Since we're going to set up a studio, let's do it all at once.

Although he had the complete story of Chainsaw Man in his mind, there was always a limit to how efficient it would be to draw all the details himself.

After all, drawing comics is not only a mental activity but also a physical one. It takes time to draw each line well, and maintaining a high-intensity work schedule every day would likely take a toll on your body.

"Actually, I have two more candidates, but I don't know if they have time right now. I'd like to trouble the editor to help me contact them."

“Of course, go ahead!” Keiko Kaji picked up her small notebook, ready to take notes.

Ken Sakamoto recalled information from last week's run and said, "Yuji Kaku, who was serializing 'Mafia King' in Jump Square last year, his manga must have been canceled, right? I wonder if he has any free time now."

As Keiko Kaji wrote down the name, she thought to herself, "Tomoharu Kaku... I vaguely remember the name, I should be able to find his contact information."

Ken Sakamoto continued, "And then there's Tatsuya Endo. His own work must be from many years ago, but he must have submitted it to JUMP. He's probably working as an assistant to another writer right now."

Upon hearing these two names, Keiko Kaji asked in confusion, "Sakamoto-sensei, did you already do your research beforehand?"

Ken Sakamoto simply smiled and replied, "I've just seen their published works before, and I felt their style was a good fit."

“Okay!” Keiko Kaji said, “I will contact them for Sakamoto-sensei as soon as possible!”

Kaku Tomoharu and Endo Tatsuya's assistants, Sakamoto Ken, are still unsure and need to have editor Kaji contact them to see if they can join the team, but Tatsuyuki Nobuyuki is definitely going to join.

After that, Ken Sakamoto did not stay in the editorial department for long.

After leaving the Shueisha building, he glanced at the map on his phone and boarded the tram at the location he had planned to rent.

The trams in the city center were a bit crowded, so Ken Sakamoto found a spot near the door and took out his phone to browse rental websites.

As he looked up at the station information, Ken Sakamoto's gaze inadvertently swept across the other side of the carriage.

In that instant, his gaze suddenly froze.

On the other side of the carriage, the figure of a young girl looked very familiar to him.

She was wearing a white baseball cap with the brim pulled low, obscuring most of her face from his angle.

If it were anyone else, even a close friend of hers, they probably wouldn't be able to recognize her.

But Ken Sakamoto knew them far better than most; he could recognize them at a glance, even from the slightest movement.

This small figure is Haruna.

But how come she's in the carriage too?!

Ken Sakamoto quickly looked away, pretending not to have noticed that Haruna Mikazuki was also in the car, but only keeping an eye on the situation out of the corner of his eye.

It was obvious that Haruna had been secretly watching him through the gaps, using the other passengers as cover.

Haruna has a car, and she can have her housekeeper drive her around. She would never squeeze onto the train to go anywhere.

Now that this guy is on the tram, and his gaze keeps glancing in his direction, the only explanation is...

This guy is stalking me!
(End of this chapter)