Full-time comic artist

"A pinky promise is a promise for a hundred years, and you have to keep your word!"

After the agreement was made, a man with an afro, similar to Kazuhiko Torishima, came to visit. He was Arai-sensei, who had been drawing manga for over ten years.

Although they have never produced a blockbuster hit, their extensive experience forms the cornerstone of Jump.

With such a person handling the collaboration with "Bungei Shunju", the editorial department feels more at ease.

The mountain village seemed quite satisfied, after all, he had proven himself.

After Yamamura Morimichi left, Higashino Hibiki looked at the bustling crowd, but there was no place for him.

Akira Toriyama was surrounded by a group of people, who were spitting at him.

Kazuhiko Torishima is also communicating with Bandai staff.

Sasaki is still working.

They have absolutely no free time.

Hibiki Higashino felt ignored and alienated, so he returned to his original spot and started reading other comics.

When the time came, the staff gathered everyone in the center of the venue, and Nobuhiko Horie took to the stage.

"Welcome everyone. I, Horie Nobuhiko, will be hosting this Tezuka Award banquet."

Applause resounded throughout the spacious hall.

"Since 1971, the Tezuka Award has grown increasingly influential, and the number of people who love manga has continued to increase, which is truly an encouraging achievement!"

Higashino watched the person on the stage, beaming with pride and excitement.

Controlling the nation's number one comic magazine is indeed an extraordinary achievement.

"As the number of submitted comics increased, our requirements for the works also increased. It is truly regrettable that no work has been selected for the Tezuka Award since 1988."

"However, this time, some very good works have emerged."

The judges all gave it high praise.

Akira Toriyama, the author of Dragon Ball, said that he had entered a higher level of understanding and was being taught by a master.

Masanori Morita, the author of "Iron Fist vs. Steel Fist," believes that this work has a mature style and a wonderful plot.

......"

Higashino's head was buzzing, and he couldn't hear what Higashino was saying next.

What does he mean? Can "Hikaru no Go" be selected?

Looking around blankly, Akira Toriyama leisurely gave him a thumbs up;

Yamamura Morimichi nodded in approval;

Akemi Akemi blushed and stared at herself in disbelief, her gaze almost burning Hibiki Higashino.

Sasaki is working.

"The Tezuka Prize has unearthed another genius; this is a consensus among us."

Higashino looked at him expectantly and said, "Tell me that name and quickly hand over the one million."

"Ahem, it's almost time, let's begin."

The style of the "Tezuka Award" starts with the best work, and there are four winners in total.

Shang Hui's work is titled "ARTIST".

Koji Yamagami…

He's keeping us in suspense again...

Hibiki Higashino waited quietly, hearing his heart pounding wildly.

Chapter 28 Debut

After the outstanding works were completed, the preliminary selection process was also finished.

The most crucial moment has finally arrived.

A work that has not been selected in ten sessions...

"It's Hikaru no Go!"

"A seventeen-year-old boy."

"It's unbelievable, a genius that only appears once in a century."

The previously calm crowd began to whisper among themselves.

All the winning entries have been ruled out, leaving only "Hikaru no Go" as the sole remaining entry.

"We're about to witness history..."

Nobuhiko Horie stared at the crowd waiting intently below the stage. Time seemed to stand still at that moment, and his heart almost stopped beating.

He slowly raised the script, his gaze sweeping around the room before finally settling on Higashino Hibiki.

"The 44th Tezuka Award has finally yielded a winning entry. Its author will receive the Tezuka Cup, a certificate, 1 million yen in cash, and a commemorative shield!"

This author is none other than Mirai Toriaki, the creator of "Hikaru no Go"!

This moment, this moment has finally arrived. Under the spotlight, Higashino Hibiki's heart has never been so calm.

Amidst applause, he slowly walked onto the stage, shook hands with Nobuhiko Horie, and said, "I never imagined that a seventeen-year-old boy would create a work like 'Hikaru no Go'."

"Thank you." Higashino nodded. "Of course I couldn't do it alone; I've received help from many people."

Hibiki Higashino looked at Kazuhiko Torishima, Akira Toriyama, Hisashi Sasaki, and Akemi Akimiya.

Some of them smiled, some looked at him with admiration, and some remained expressionless.

Some of them blushed, and the admiring gazes made Higashino Hibiki feel extremely comfortable.

"In my comic drawing, I have felt the dedication and focus of Jump editors, the selfless guidance of senior teachers, and the harmony and gentleness."

Hibiki Higashino continued to express his feelings.

Indeed, there were no major setbacks, and everyone I met along the way was a kind person.

Apart from……

Yamamura Morimichi stared at Higashino Hibiki in disbelief, muttering to himself, "He drew 'Hikaru no Go'? How is that possible? How could he possibly draw 'Hikaru no Go'? Unbelievable!"

He really liked this comic; it suited his literary tastes.

But it was drawn by someone who looked down on it.

Hearing Higashino's follow-up words, he felt an unspeakable shame for the first time.

"Oh my god, what have I done?!"

He turned to leave.

Arai-sensei was listening intently; after all, it was extremely rare for a high school student to be selected for the Tezuka Award—it was unheard of, something he could never even dream of.

Noticing Yamamura Morimichi's behavior, he asked curiously, "Is something wrong?"

The villager replied, "I'll go find a bramble branch and practice at home."

"Huh?" Arai was confused, having no idea what it meant.

"I'm sure I'll be able to start serializing Torikino soon, and I'll keep my promise."

"That's not necessarily true. Many newcomers who were selected have faded into obscurity. After all, it's just a newcomer award. Some can't adapt to weekly serialization, and some are just a flash in the pan."

Yamamura Morimichi turned around and gave Higashino Hibiki a deep look. "Tori Akino is different."

……

"High school students, they really are high school students!"

"What was the youngest Tezuka Prize winner before that?"

"I don't remember, but I was over 25 years old."

"That's terrifying! He'll definitely have a bright future ahead of him."

Hibiki Higashino accepted the Astro Boy-shaped trophy and the 100 million yen prize money, showed them to the audience, and concluded by saying:

“I’ve been learning to draw since I was a child. I tried my best to restrain myself when everyone else was playing video games. Now I’m finally reaping the rewards.”

After Hibiki Higashino received the award and stepped down from the stage, he was surrounded by a large crowd.

There are employees from animation production companies, DVD distributors, and toy companies.

They enthusiastically handed Higashino Hibiki his business card, because they saw potential in this high school student.

It's completely different from the initial neglect.

"He's only seventeen, and he has a great chance of creating a hit comic. Getting involved now is like investing in his future." That's what many people think.

It doesn't take much effort anyway.

Higashino Hibiki chatted with them with a smile, while Akemi Akemi stood outside the crowd, watching him with a smile.

Akira Toriyama stood beside her and remarked, "Isn't that amazing?"

“Very impressive.” Akemi Akemi nodded.

"He said he would start serialization right away, and I didn't really believe it. I didn't expect him to participate in the Tezuka Award so soon." Akira Toriyama shook his head. "Young people these days are really proactive."

He only started drawing comics because he was broke, which is very different from someone with clear goals who works hard all the time.

“Sometimes you really can’t tell he’s a high school student,” Akira Toriyama murmured. “Most students either stick to their studies, date, or play video games.”

Akemi Akemi couldn't help but agree, "Sometimes I also think of him as someone my age."

……

That night, after declining Akira Toriyama's suggestion of a second gathering, Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akemi were driven back to Yoshiwara-so in a luxury car from Shueisha.

After thanking the driver, I watched the vehicle drive away.

Hibiki Higashino, carrying a bunch of things, turned to Akemi Akimiya and said, "Could you come with me for a walk around the neighborhood?"

“Of course.” Akemi Akemi looked at Higashino Hibiki’s trophy with envy and nodded.