Full-time comic artist

Higashino waved his hand, "How could that be? It was just a coincidence."

Torishima Kazuhiko was speechless. "Do you think I'm an idiot?"

He then glared at Sasaki, knowing that the editor would definitely find out about this.

But this seemingly honest person in front of me had actually kept it from me.

"The Jump editorial department is indeed full of hidden talents, and the future looks promising, Sasaki-kun."

Sasaki pretended not to hear the sarcasm and bowed slightly, "Yes."

Higashino Hibiki was caught in a dilemma, but Sasaki shook his head slightly, telling Higashino Hibiki not to worry about it.

The important matters had been settled. After arriving in the living room, Sasaki took out the document for the annual contract fee, which Higashino saw: 5500 million yen.

Torishima Kazuhiko suddenly grabbed Sasaki's hand and said to Hibiki Higashino, "There's something wrong with this document. You can sign it next time."

"Is there a problem?" Oda asked cautiously.

He was completely stunned when he saw the 5500 million yen.

That's a huge sum of money; it's almost enough for him to live a carefree life for the rest of his days.

He had never seen so much money before, and seeing that it was about to fall into Higashino Hibiki's hands and then be withdrawn, he became somewhat anxious.

“The annual contract fee figure needs to be changed.” Torishima Kazuhiko glanced at the chubby boy in front of him. Higashino Hibiki said he would become a figure in the same league as Toriyama Akira. Although he didn’t quite believe it, he decided to keep an eye on him.

"We can't lower the numbers just because Hikaru no Go's performance is getting worse!" Oda said, defending Hibiki Higashino.

"Why do you interpret this as lowering the number?" Torishima Kazuhiko smiled as he tore up the contract. "For Jump, for Torishino-kun, this number is too small."

He turned to Sasaki and said, "When we get back, raise the annual contract fee to 8000 million yen."

“8000 million yen?” Sasaki was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered. “Yes, I understand.”

Higashino Hibiki understood that this was what Torishima Kazuhiko expected of him.

Although I feel pressured and unsure if I have the ability to replicate the achievements of Master Takehiko Inoue.

However, Hibiki Higashino nodded firmly.

"8000 million yen!" Oda exclaimed in surprise, completely unlike the calm demeanor of the banker's child standing to the side.

Yoshii Yamahisa remained expressionless, taking it all in stride.

After finishing his work, Torishima Kazuhiko thanked Hibana Higashino for his contributions to Jump and left with Sasaki.

The black luxury car parked at the entrance started and disappeared from Higashino Hibiki's sight. He turned around and saw Akemi Akemi with a probing look in her eyes.

Hibiki Higashino smiled slightly, "I'll tell you tonight."

“Tonight…” Akemi Akemi spat and turned back.

"Even this can't win you over?" Higashino Hibiki said helplessly.

It's probably because this body is too young; it's only nineteen years old now.

Perhaps in a few days, after the coming-of-age ceremony, the difficulty of the strategy will decrease.

He dreamed about it and smiled.

Back at the studio, several hours had been wasted, so I had to quickly start drawing comics to make up for it.

Fortunately, he had enough drafts saved up during the Lunar New Year holiday, so he didn't have to worry about it affecting the serialization.

In the Hikaru no Go manga, the battle between Hikaru Shindo and Akira Touya is drawing ever closer, and the story is also coming to an end.

Monthly tickets? Recommendation tickets?

Chapter 118 New Year's Party

The battle between the two luminaries is drawing ever closer.

The two of them will be able to play against each other in the "Big Hand" tournament two weeks later.

Akira Toya fought harder and harder in the Honinbo title match, defeating a 7-dan professional player and advancing to the round-robin stage.

As Hikaru looked at Akira Touya's Honinbo strategy game record, his fighting spirit grew stronger and stronger.

"Touya, let's fight!"

Their fates were already intertwined; without making a decision, a new future would not begin.

"The Sai you wanted to play against, though he's no longer here."

"But in my Go game, Sai is still there, though I don't know if you can sense it."

"I've become very strong now, I won't lose to you!"

The scene of playing Go with Akira Toya flashed through his mind.

"I will continue to play against you from now on!"

The chess piece was placed on the chessboard, and Xiaoguang looked forward with determination and anticipation.

The fateful showdown is finally about to begin.

Two weeks later at the Go academy, Hikaru learned that Isumi had won all his professional Go matches and become a professional player.

Just as they were having a good time, Xiao Liang stepped out of the elevator.

Their eyes met.

Xiao Guang is determined and hopeful.

Filled with intense fighting spirit, Xiao Liang quickened his pace and passed by Xiao Guang with a menacing air.

Those eyes clearly said, "Let's start the war!"

The comic ends here.

Odagiri was practically dying because Jump was taking a one-year hiatus due to the New Year.

"I'm going to die if I can't see 'Hikaru no Go'!" he thought.

……

Shueisha New Year Party.

Hiroshi Motomiya, dressed in a black suit, stood at the main entrance.

He saw a person walking towards him, full of youthful vigor and fighting spirit.

His eyes burned with fire. There was a lion in his eyes.

"Tori Akino-kun," Motomiya Hiroshi exclaimed in surprise, "What's wrong with you?"

Higashino Hibiki realized what was happening and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I got so engrossed in drawing the manga that I got a little emotional."

"This is a very good condition."

Hiroshi Motomiya looked at the young man with satisfaction. They had met and become acquainted through the magazine "Weekly Young Jump".

He admires his values ​​and works very hard.

Serious, positive, and pure – this is simply the future of the comic book world.

"I have high hopes for you." Hiroshi Motomiya patted Hibiki Higashino on the shoulder.

"Thank you, I am truly humbled." Higashino bowed deeply.

"You, hahaha." Hiroshi Motomiya pointed at Hibiki Higashino and burst into laughter.

He was waiting for others at the door, so Higashino Hibiki went in first.

This is Hibiki Higashino's third time attending Shueisha's New Year's party, and he gains something every year.

……

During a conversation with some authors that year, Hibiki Higashino suddenly realized that he had gained nothing more.

We talked about our painting experiences and everyday anecdotes. We were happy, but it was a futile kind of happiness.

Does this mean that Hibiki Higashino has grown to the point where he is on par with other manga artists?

Just then, he saw Yoshihiro Togashi walk in, still with his long, flowing hair, but looking radiant and happy.

"Tsk," Higashino Hibiki heard the displeased sound from Umezawa Haruto beside him.

Indeed, everyone racks their brains for weekly magazines, while Togashi, who publishes monthly magazines, can enjoy life. It's so enviable.

"Oh! Tori Akino-kun," Yoshihiro Togashi said with a smile as he walked over to Hibiki Higashino, giving him a playful punch on the chest with unexpected enthusiasm.

"Mr. Togashi," Hibiki Higashino nodded in greeting.

He was a little curious. Togashi was a rather introverted person and didn't talk much. Were they really that close?

Speaking of this, Hibiki Higashino discovered that he is quite popular among middle-aged and older manga artists.

Whether it's Hiroshi Motomiya, Akira Toriyama, Hirohiko Araki, or Yoshihiro Togashi in front of him, they all have a good impression of him.

He touched his face, wondering if he was the type of man who was popular with men.

"You drew really well, very powerfully," he said, looking at you with an air of superiority. "Comics shouldn't yield to readers and editorial departments; the story is the most important thing."

"Thank you," Hibiki Higashino said, narrowing his eyes slightly. He didn't ask about the sequel to Level E; he'd see how it goes later.

Hibiki Higashino really likes this kind of niche comic.

Moreover, this is a niche manga by Togashi, and the recent ranking of "Little Zheng" is sixth, which is very popular among readers.

Togashi asked, "How long are you planning to continue drawing 'Hikaru no Go'? After the climax of the game between Hikaru Shindo and Akira Touya, are you going to draw a three-way battle between China, Japan, and Korea?"

The village chief listened intently.

“I’m going to finish ‘Hikaru no Go’,” Hibiki Higashino replied.

"It's over!" Before Yoshihiro Togashi could react, Morimichi Yamamura shouted.

Hibiki Higashino and Yoshihiro Togashi looked over.

Hibiki Higashino said gratefully, "Mr. Yamamura, thank you for your newspaper review. It has greatly helped the resurgence of 'Hikaru no Go'."

Togashi remained silent.

"Why did you want to end it?" Yamamura didn't respond to Higashino Hibiki's thanks, but asked directly with a complicated expression.