Full-time comic artist

With this in mind, he began drawing the original manuscript. Only newcomers submitting their work need to use the original manuscript; experienced cartoonists only need to use storyboards.

Soma Ichiro has indeed come out of the mire.

The very next day, he emerged from his confusion.

Hibiki Higashino admired his magnanimity, saying, "Soma-sensei, you are truly remarkable."

"What else can I do if I don't think that way?" Soma retorted.

"All I can do is draw comics."

"Doing my best is what I should do most."

Hibiki Higashino gave a thumbs up, "Soma-sensei, what you said is so true! I've learned so much!"

Soma Ichiro blushed and said, "Tori Akino-sensei, you're really teasing me."

Hibiki Higashino said, "I'm telling the truth. There are very few people who think like you, teacher."

Soma Ichiro lowered his head and scratched his head, having no choice but to accept Hibiki Higashino's praise.

Higashino saw his palms and fingertips covered in ink, indicating that he had been working for a long time.

Soma Ichiro is a strong person and doesn't need Hibiki Higashino or Sasaki's comfort.

……

Hibiki Higashino started reading Ichiro Soma's new work, a hero-themed story about the universe and galaxy, but the content was a bit thin and lacked background.

Compared to "LEVEL E", Higashino is even more impressed by Yoshihiro Togashi's talent. He drew an alien fool prince, but only on Earth, and indirectly led the audience into his universe worldview.

In just a few words, the background information was presented.

Yoshihiro Togashi is truly a genius.

No matter how hard an ordinary person tries, they can never achieve what he has.

Hibiki Higashino was engrossed in reading it, comparing it to "LEVEL E," when just then, the door to Ichiro Soma's studio opened, and a small figure appeared.

The visitor walked to the living room work desk. Higashino Hibiki put down his storyboard and looked over. It was a little boy with a schoolbag on his back, and he looked very excited.

"Uncle, I've come to read manga! I want to read the latest chapter of Slam Dunk!"

"Xiao Wu, there are guests here."

The child then noticed Higashino Hibiki, and lowered his head in embarrassment, saying, "Uncle, I'm sorry."

Hibiki Higashino asked with a smile, "You're Satoru, Soma-sensei's nephew? Hello, I'm Soma-sensei's colleague, my name is Hibiki Higashino."

Xiao Wu politely said, "Hello, Uncle Dongye."

Hibiki Higashino asked with a smile, "Do you really like watching 'Slam Dunk'?"

"Of course!" Xiao Wu became interested when he realized that this unfamiliar Uncle Higashino was talking to him about manga: "My favorite manga is 'Slam Dunk'! Do you read it often, Uncle?"

Soma Ichiro watched this scene with a smile, finding it quite amusing.

This might become a dark chapter in my nephew's history.

Hibiki Higashino chuckled and said, "Of course I'm watching."

He stretched his arms across his chest as if playing an accordion, and announced in a theatrical tone, "No one knows Slam Dunk better than me!"

"Wow! That's so exaggerated!" Xiao Wu's mouth dropped open.

"That's how it is," Soma Ichiro reminded him.

"Uncle said so too... It's very suspicious, isn't it? How could Uncle Higashino know that he knows the most about 'Slam Dunk'?" Xiao Wu still didn't believe it.

Hibiki Higashino asked, "So, in Slam Dunk, which character is your favorite?"

"Of course it's the male lead, Sakuragi Hanamichi!" Xiao Wu said excitedly. "Sakuragi is the most talented basketball player, and he's also incredibly hardworking."

"Shohoku's losses to Ryonan and Hainan, and Sakuragi Hanamichi's frustration and tears, deeply moved me!"

"He started playing basketball because of Haruko Akagi, but unknowingly fell in love with the sport. Beneath his carefree exterior lies a heart that burns with everything to win."

"Especially against Sannoh recently, Sakuragi defeated Kawata Mikio, who is 210 cm tall and weighs 130 kg, and maintained Shohoku's two-point lead over Sannoh in the first half."

"Not long ago, Sakuragi Hanamichi was a rookie, but now, in front of the nation's number one team, Sannoh, Sakuragi has become the team's main attacker."

"He's really amazing! Sakuragi is no longer just playing basketball with his physical abilities; his skills have surpassed those of the big guy, Mikio."

Soma Satoru spoke, his voice trembling with excitement:

"Tori Akino-sensei's Sannoh battle drawing is so good!"

Hibiki Higashino said, "Even if you say that, I won't be happy."

"Huh?"

Hibiki Higashino asked again, "Is it just because of these things that you like Slam Dunk so much?"

"Of course not!"

……

Higashino Hibiki unwrapped the gift he had brought, took out the sweets made by Akemi Akemi, and placed them on the coffee table, letting Satoru Soma eat and talk at the same time.

"It's so delicious!" The child's eyes lit up, like Ultraman's salted egg eyes. "Uncle Dongye, where did you buy these snacks?"

Higashino chuckled, “This was made by my wife; it’s one of a kind in the world, and you can’t buy it.”

"What a pity." Soma Satoru took another bite.

After he finished eating, he poured himself a glass of water, held the glass with both hands, and slowly drank to quench his thirst. Only then did he continue with a satisfied expression:

"If we're just talking about the plot, Tetsuya Chiba's 'Ashita no Joe' is also a classic. Joe Yabuki's passionate and sincere heart for boxing is second to none."

Despite being a primary school student, Soma Satoru spoke with remarkable clarity and logic. He continued calmly, "Both 'Slam Dunk' and 'Ashita no Joe' are sports-themed manga, and they both express inspiration and perseverance. However, between these two manga, I prefer the artwork of Tori Akino-sensei."

"Starting with 'Hikaru no Go,' it has always had a sense of realism. 'Slam Dunk' took it to a whole new level. The details, the complex characters, the use of white space in the background—all of these aspects represent a milestone."

"The drawing style of 'Ashita no Joe' is outdated. I can learn more techniques from 'Slam Dunk'."

As the nephew of a manga artist, Soma Satoru's perspective on manga is quite unconventional.

He was already learning to draw comics in single-volume books at a very young age.

It has a strong sense of purpose.

Higashino Hibiki ruffled his hair. "You're such a little devil! You want to draw manga too?"

“Of course!” Soma Satoru exclaimed. “My dream is to become a manga artist! To create classic works that will not be outdated decades from now.”

"That's really impressive." Hibiki Higashino gave him a thumbs up. "I draw comics, but I've only heard that comic artists are all rich."

"Eh!" Soma Satoru looked at Higashino Hibiki in disbelief, a twitch at the corner of his mouth. "There are such cases. But..."

He turned to look at his uncle, Soma Ichiro, who hadn't worked for seven years and was more of a shut-in than a wealthy man.

This Uncle Higashino must feel the same way.

"Sigh." He sighed, looking at Higashino Hibiki with pity.

"What are you thinking, you little rascal..." Higashino Hibiki felt offended.

He also wanted to learn about elementary school students' opinions on "Slam Dunk" through Soma Satoru.

Soma Satoru raised his hand, "Can you wait a minute? I'm really looking forward to the new Slam Dunk storyline!"

……

The storyline preceding Slam Dunk is:

Shohoku's excellent performance in the first half made Sannoh even more serious.

Mitsui Hisashi's godlike touch, Akagi Takenori's equally outstanding center skills in the national tournament, and Sakuragi Hanamichi's extraordinary performance as a complete novice all caused Sannoh a lot of trouble.

They are two points behind Xiangbei.

In the second half, Sannoh finally showed their "undefeated" nature, with each player displaying their brilliance.

Sannoh's signature full-court press defense tactic finally came into play.

First, keep a close eye on the opponent's serving player, forcing them to serve in only one direction. Then, immediately double-team the ball handler to apply pressure and force them into a corner of the court.

If the opponent can't handle the return pass, then intercept it immediately.

If you pass it to someone else or pass it long, it will also be blocked by Sannoh.

With such a fast-paced and virtually invincible tactic, Coach Domoto was prepared to finish off Shohoku in one fell swoop within three minutes of the second half.

Sannoh's style of play will steal away the opponent's attacking opportunities. No matter how hard they struggle, they can't break free from the inescapable net and can only let the opponent score.

Without a calm mindset and sound judgment, one loses confidence and ultimately even the will to attack.

This is what makes Shanwang Heavy Industry so formidable.

Before Coach Anzai called a timeout, Shohoku had fallen behind by 14 points in the blink of an eye after two and a half minutes of relentless offense.

The players from Shohoku were completely stunned.

They were completely helpless.

Everyone in the stadium—spectators, coaches—believed that Shohoku was doomed to lose.

Even Coach Anzai couldn't cook without ingredients; without specific training, it was impossible to overcome Sannoh's full-court press tactics.

Shohoku is in dire straits, having reached a low point in their Sannoh match.

All readers are eagerly anticipating the new chapter of the manga. How will Coach Anzai arrange things to help Shohoku, whose strength is vastly inferior, find a chance to win in a difficult situation?

……

Soma Satoru was being a bit impolite, saying he wanted to go read comics while talking to his elders.

"Kusa," Soma Ichiro snapped, displeased.

"It's alright." Higashino Hibiki waved his hand. "Soma-sensei, you know I'm only happy, not angry."

So Ichiro Soma handed the latest issue of Jump to his nephew.

"Yay!" Soma Satoru cheered!

……

The first episode of "Slam Dunk" begins with the tactic being calmly and deliberately explained amidst a tense atmosphere.