Full-time comic artist

Oda stared wide-eyed at "Slam Dunk".

"Did Teacher Tori Akino only unleash his true skills after I left?"

The previous "Slam Dunk" series also featured exciting visuals that allowed readers to clearly experience the game as the author intended to depict.

It felt like watching a movie in my mind, very smooth, dribbling, passing, dunking, like a well-connected animated film, full of dynamism.

Important shots may even be arranged from different positions, such as frontal, 45°, and overhead views.

That's already quite good; in sports comics, it could be called the strongest.

But what Oda sees now is an even higher level.

Akira Toriyama, who was no less skilled than the animator of "Dragon Ball," became a master of camera work.

Learn from Akira Toriyama, understand Akira Toriyama, and stand shoulder to shoulder with Akira Toriyama.

"The immersive experience of 'Slam Dunk' is even greater. The characters' expressions, thoughts, and the actions they are about to take are all shown through the details of the manga, which is amazing."

It's been almost a year since the official serialization started, and Eiichiro Oda has achieved great success, making him arguably the strongest newcomer in recent years.

One Piece has snatched the top spot from Slam Dunk several times in its competition with Slam Dunk, achieving what its predecessors had not, and it's no wonder it's become arrogant.

Even before he started serializing his work, he believed he would create a hit and become a super popular comic artist.

So he got arrogant.

But now, after being repeatedly lectured by his former teachers, Oda has had to become humble.

"I still have a long way to go."

……

Akira Toriyama hasn't watched Jump in a long time.

He hasn't been very interested in works in Jump since he started drawing "COWA!".

The kids around him were saying that One Piece was interesting, talking about the One Piece, the Gum-Gum Fruit, and so on, but he didn't understand any of it.

He didn't want to know either.

But when the child was reading Jump, he glanced at the Jump cover, which showed a scene of Mitsui making a three-pointer in a stadium under the lights.

His sweat glistened under the light.

He leaped into the air, head held high, eyes slightly narrowed, savoring the moment.

Akira Toriyama also became interested.

After the child finished reading, threw the jump on the sofa and ran out to play, he picked up the jump and started reading it with great interest.

After a while, he smiled with satisfaction.

"After nearly five years of drawing comics, Tori Akino, you have finally developed your own style in paneling. Congratulations."

……

Slam Dunk seems to have become addictive; once you pick it up, you can't put it down.

Moreover, the recent plot has been particularly exciting. Faced with Rukawa's blatant provocation of "I will defeat you," Sendoh finally smiled and got into the zone.

First, when Rukawa was defending, Sendoh faked a move and broke through from the right side. When Rukawa retreated to defend, Sendoh stopped abruptly and made a three-pointer.

Just like before, Rukawa Kaede's actions were the same.

He got his revenge perfectly.

The game then became a back-and-forth battle, with Ryonan only leading by one point due to mistakes that cost them points.

Due to Fukuda's offensive fouls, Ryonan frequently missed offensive opportunities.

However, with the two-meter-tall Uozumi as the center of their defense, Shohoku had no chance to score.

And so, the two sides remained deadlocked.

Sakuragi Hanamichi was performing poorly at this point, lacking focus and frequently missing shots from his teammates. He was also repeatedly outmaneuvered by Ikegami Ryoji. If it weren't for Akagi Okinori covering for him, Ryonan would definitely have had the opportunity.

Three minutes later, neither team had scored.

This is where the ace's abilities are tested, and the first to respond is Xian Dao.

He made the shot.

Then, even with Akagi and Rukawa surrounding him, Sendoh calmly jumped up, switched the basketball between his hands, and broke through Akagi's armpit to make a layup.

Just like the winning goal before the end of that friendly match.

Rukawa Kaede quickly responded in kind, hitting a three-pointer.

Both of their aces performed exceptionally well, locked in a fierce battle of wills, neither willing to admit defeat.

Only Sakuragi Hanamichi was out of form, and his results were terrible.

……

"I really enjoyed watching the latest 'Slam Dunk' series."

"Yes, I read it in one go. It was so satisfying, like putting on new underwear for the New Year."

"Shouldn't it be iced cola in the summer?"

"Of course, new underwear is more comfortable!"

On a summer evening, the sun finally retracted its power, and the heat was no longer unbearable.

Friends met up for a stroll and started talking about the recent anime series "Slam Dunk".

The Slam Dunk anime has also reached the preliminary rounds of the high school league.

It's Shohoku vs. Miura Dai.

Therefore, the topic of "Slam Dunk" is extremely popular.

Like the sun over Tokyo in August.

"There's a fireworks display at the nearby shrine; let's go together."

"Yes, it was agreed upon."

They passed by a nearby park where a basketball court had been built.

In the Slam Dunk manga, Fukuda, who had a lot of pent-up desire to play basketball outside of the school basketball club, unleashed it all in the stadium games, dominating the field.

The reality is different now. Thanks to the influence of this comic book, many communities have installed basketball hoops in their empty sports fields.

Watching several high school students playing basketball and sweating profusely, one of them said, "If they were future readers, would they think 'Slam Dunk' is a lie?"

"What do you mean?"

"The manga says there are no basketball courts on the streets of Japan, but look, isn't this a basketball court? In a few years, there will definitely be more and more basketball courts. New readers who witness the current situation will definitely question the content of Mr. Tori Akino."

"Haha, what you said is actually quite possible."

"Because the work's influence is so astonishing, people may think that there are situations that contradict reality."

They chatted and laughed as they strolled along the riverbed to the vicinity of the shrine.

The vendors' stalls were all set up, red lanterns were hung in the sky, and there were many pedestrians, making it look particularly lively.

"He's shooting! He's shooting!"

This is a new project with small basketball hoops, about two meters away. If you successfully shoot a basket, you can win a prize.

There was a beautiful woman next to the person who was trying to shoot a basketball.

They exclaimed, "What beautiful people!"

Her hair was tied up in a bun, adorned with a swaying tassel hairpin. She wore a cherry blossom-colored kimono, and her delicate face wore an expectant expression as she intently watched the person shooting the basket.

Chapter 206: We know everything, um.

"Keep it up, Xiang!"

Akemi Akimiya clenched her fist to encourage Hibiki Higashino.

The clothes she wore today were the same style as those worn by Akira Toriyama at the fireworks festival in his hometown in August 1993, exuding a bright and captivating beauty.

"Watch me," Hibiki Higashino said confidently.

He learned a lot of techniques while drawing "Slam Dunk".

Holding the ball with his left hand and opening his right hand, Higashino aimed at the basket and pushed it with a little force with his right hand.

"boom!"

Goal!

"Yay!" Akemi Akemi cheered.

The beads in her hairpin made a crisp sound.

"Tch," the shop owner said, clearly annoyed.

The prize is a panda plush toy, about 20 centimeters tall, which is just the right size to hold without much effort.

The two walked side by side in front of the fireworks display booth, less than 10 centimeters apart.

“Tori Akino-sensei…” Someone’s eyes lit up when they saw Hibiki Higashino and wanted to go forward, but were held back by their companion.

"What's wrong?" he asked, puzzled.

The companion pointed at Akemi Akemi with a meaningful look: "It's not time to bother Ms. Tori Akino."

……

Akemi Akemi bought a shaved ice and happily ate it, occasionally taking a spoonful and offering it to Higashino Hibiki.

She didn't notice the surprised looks from many people around her.

It's August now, but there are still quite a few students at the fireworks display near Musashino Art University.

This has become a tradition in Musashino, where many students make plans to meet, and many Tokyo love stories have blossomed under the fireworks.

"That must be Ms. Akimiya, she looks so beautiful today."

"The person next to her is, Teacher Tori Akino."