Full-time comic artist

However, with the end of Dragon Ball, Slam Dunk has risen to prominence and become the object of dislike by some netizens.

"Stop hyping up 'Slam Dunk'. The fighting power is trash, too weak."

"Are you out of your mind? What fighting power do you talk about in sports comics?"

"It's all because you guys keep praising them that others are disgusted. You deserve it!"

In 1997, netizens were not as aggressive as they would become later; they were just engaging in endless arguments.

A new building was quickly constructed.

"I think Jump's new work, One Piece, is really interesting! It's bound to become a huge hit!"

"That's right, I think so too. Slam Dunk is nothing compared to One Piece."

"Hey! How can a mere 'One Piece' compare to 'Slam Dunk'? The main character is like an idiot."

"Sakuragi Hanamichi isn't smart either!"

With several people impersonating others, the discussion in this thread became increasingly heated, and before long, it had over a thousand comments.

However, Slam Dunk is on the defensive against One Piece, mainly because they have different reader bases.

As time went by, the debate here did not stop, but intensified, even escalating to attacks on Tori Akino's future.

"What's there to discuss about authors who like middle-aged women?"

"Yeah, he still likes Naoko Takeuchi, right? I heard she's just a college student."

One news outlet discussed the impact of the internet and included screenshots specifically highlighting the negative aspects.

Higashino Hibiki's fans couldn't take it anymore and wanted to fight back immediately, but they found that the post had already been deleted.

The only option was to open up a new battlefield.

……

Higashino Hibiki is unaware of this matter yet, and even if he did, he would be used to it. He used to frequent online forums and witnessed the dark side of human nature. As the center of attention, it is perfectly normal for him to be scorned and insulted.

Even Liu Cixin gets criticized, so what's this compared to that?

December 24th arrived, Christmas Day, which in later generations has become a holiday for couples.

On this very day, Hibiki Higashino, as was his habit, accompanied Akemi Akemi out for a day out.

Akemi Akemi had a clear goal and went straight to a bookstore in Shibuya.

Hibiki Higashino had wanted to try out a couples' hotel, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case.

"Any events?" The line outside the bookstore was long, and many people had looks of surprise on their faces.

"You'll find out soon enough," Akemi Akimiya said mysteriously.

On the cold winter street, Higashino Hibiki was shivering. Akemi Akemi saw this, shook her head, took off her scarf, and wrapped it around Higashino Hibiki's neck.

"Honestly, they don't even dress warmly enough before going out."

Hibiki Higashino wanted to refuse, since he couldn't pull off a pink scarf, but Akemi Akemi insisted, so he could only thank her.

Ten minutes passed, and it was Higashino Hibiki's and Akemi Akemi's turn.

"The Declaration of Social Restoration of Prince Togashi and Princess Naoko in '98?" Hibiki Higashino's expression grew increasingly strange as he suppressed a laugh. "What is this?!"

The cover features Sailor Moon, and the content is a book co-authored by Yoshihiro Togashi and Naoko Takeuchi, mainly telling readers that they are in love.

Just thinking about the shy Yoshihiro Togashi makes Hibiki Higashino want to laugh. He must be so embarrassed to have done something like that.

Especially at the end of the book, there were even two people's lip prints.

Huh~

Higashino got goosebumps.

Are you two middle-aged people really playing this game?

"Tori Akino-sensei is so pitiful..."

He seemed to hear something.

"Yes, he must be very frustrated right now, liking Naoko Takeuchi but not being able to have her."

He broke up with his girlfriend.

Two little girls were talking, their expressions a mixture of pity and excitement. They stomped their feet from time to time, and the ornaments on their heads jingled.

“Pfft,” Akemi Akimiya couldn’t help but laugh. She looked at Higashino Hibiki with amusement and said, “Poor Akino-sensei.”

Higashino Hibiki's face darkened, and he tugged at Akemi Akemi's sleeve.

"Come on, come inside with me!"

They walked towards the love hotel next door.

Then we had a great time.

……

On one forum, the debate between One Piece and Slam Dunk was particularly heated.

Just then, someone posted Takeuchi Togashi's declaration of love.

For a time, the One Piece side gained the upper hand.

"Pfft, pfft, pfft, poor thing, Torikino Mirai."

……

Higashino Hibiki's head was buzzing, and he felt like many people were saying, "Poor Akino, Tori no Akino."

He was truly an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.

Even at school, many people looked at him with pity and disdain.

"It's all Oda's fault!" Hibiki Higashino gritted his teeth.

The controversy surrounding this incident grew increasingly heated, with fans offering their blessings to Takeuchi Togashi.

Comments such as "Poor Mr. Toriakino" kept appearing.

For no apparent reason, Hibiki Higashino became the tragic second male lead.

Just then, the first volume of One Piece was released.

Despite his confidence, Oda still came to the scene to see for himself.

He felt relieved when he saw that readers were snapping up the items.

"How pitiful, Mr. Torino Akino."

A reader passed by him, his tone filled with emotion.

"What happened?" Oda was completely baffled.

He secluded himself to draw comics, oblivious to everything else around him.

"What happened to Mr. Toriakino?" he asked in alarm.

Just then, Higashino Hibiki called him, and he instantly relaxed.

"This is all your doing!" Higashino Hibiki angrily rebuked.

After some explanation, Oda was left speechless, both amused and exasperated.

My impulsive decision caused a great deal of turmoil, and the aftershocks will continue for a long time to come.

"I will take responsibility for this," Oda said, patting his chest.

……

The responsibility he was referring to was during a television program.

It was less about promoting his work and more about him refuting rumors.

Opening the manga volume of "Slam Dunk," Oda confidently stated, "I drew Sailor Moon, and it has nothing to do with Akino-sensei."

His rash action moved Higashino Hibiki, who was watching on television, so much so that he covered his eyes.

The host was puzzled, "Oda-sensei, what are you doing?"

"Because it has caused trouble for Mr. Toriakino, I hope to spread the word that Mr. Toriakino has no interest in Mr. Takeuchi," Oda stated frankly.

Naoko Takeuchi, watching TV, clenched her fists. "That guy is so tactless!"

The host roughly understood.

"So you're a student of Teacher Tori Akino."

“Yes,” Oda nodded, “I participated in the creation of both Hikaru no Go and Slam Dunk. Tori Akino-sensei taught me a lot, and I admire him very much.”

……

Question marks started appearing on the forum.

Only today did I realize that they were all clowns.

At this moment, someone jumped out.

"You are not readers of One Piece at all; you are just using One Piece to belittle Slam Dunk!"

He posted a lot of pictures.

"Look, Luffy and his crew are in the background of Slam Dunk!"

In an instant, many people scattered like birds and beasts, no longer daring to show their faces.

A small number of people also apologized.

Those who continued to argue were all silenced.

"As expected of Mr. Tori Akino, his students are also outstanding."

"A bunch of manga artists have emerged from Nobuhiro Watsuki's studio. I was wondering why Akino Tori's assistant didn't become a manga artist. Turns out, he's just very low-key."

"There is definitely trace of Tori Akino's influence in One Piece. Oda is particularly good at writing about touching moments between men, and he must have learned that from Tori Akino."

……

Oda's words were earth-shattering.