Full-time comic artist

“It’s very possible that Dragon Ball couldn’t end no matter how many times it tried, but Slam Dunk ended very smoothly. There must be a reason for that.” Kuriyama Minami’s expression was complicated with a hint of admiration. “If that’s the case, then Akino Mirai is really amazing. He’s just like Hanzawa Naoki in the manga world.”

This was the highest praise he could give.

The latest four chapters of "Hanzawa Naoki" are as follows:

The Isejima Grand Hotel is a family business, with the Asayu family controlling the reins for generations, which has led to many problems.

Executive Director Hane wants to make a name for himself through external investment, and then use that to rise to power and become president.

As a result, they lost 120 billion.

Hakusui Bank, a secondary bank on Ise Island, received a tip-off from Ise Island's financial officer, Mosasa Koshi, and terminated a 100 billion yen loan deal ahead of schedule to avoid losses.

The Tokyo Central Bank, due to factional infighting, had internal collusion with Executive Director Hane, resulting in 200 billion yen in bad loans.

It was Kyobashi branch manager Kaize who suppressed the document reporting the 120 billion yen loss to Isejima.

Fortunately, before he could move the files, Hanzawa Naoki secretly entered the file library and took them away.

Through this incident, Hanzawa Naoki also helped his friend Kondo Naosuke, who was struggling in his career and in a sorry state.

The real culprit behind all this, who uses such incidents to eliminate dissidents, is naturally Managing Director Ōwada, who values ​​factions the most.

"For our bank to become a world-class giant bank supporting the national economy, it is absolutely essential that our giant bank does not fail. This is a bottom line that we must defend at all costs. Because if it fails, not only millions or tens of millions of people will be left homeless."

"In order for the Japanese economy to survive, banks have had to make some sacrifices."

This is Owada's philosophy, and any sacrifice for it is worthwhile.

Hanzawa Screws was just a small contribution.

However, this is not the case with Hanzawa.

He believed that banks were simply lending money and earning interest.

Bankers must be discerning in their assessment of borrowers and take responsibility for their future.

The purpose of a bank is not to protect itself, but to be accountable to the workers of the country.

"It's not the people who serve the banks, but the banks that must serve the people!"

Hanzawa's philosophy made Kuriyama Minami admire Hanzawa Naoki even more.

This protagonist is tireless, rational yet incredibly passionate in his fight against injustice.

"As the account manager, I will do everything in my power to save the Isejima Grand Hotel! Even if it means kneeling on the ground and begging, I will revive Isejima!"

Hanzawa launched a charge against Owada; it was his do-or-die move, and also his declaration.

"Kowtowing..." Ōwada was surprised for a moment. "That's just a pointless, emotional performance, completely meaningless. Indeed, many people have knelt at my feet all along, but I feel nothing about it because these people are all incompetent."

The aloof and superior Owada looked down on this.

Hanzawa recalled his father, who knelt in the mud on a rainy day, earnestly pleading with Ōwada to retract his decision.

He worked so hard, and he was so unwilling to give up.

A tear rolled down Hanzawa's cheek.

This is an amazing close-up. Tori Akino's drawing skills are becoming more and more consummate. Anyone who sees the manga can feel Hanzawa's burning anger!

“Manager Owada, if I cannot save the Isejima Grand Hotel, I will kowtow and apologize for all my previous rudeness toward you.”

"However, if you were the one who instructed us to cover up the losses, then please kowtow to me and apologize!"

Chapter 391 Success Comes Naturally

"Sure, if you have the ability, give it a try."

Hanzawa Naoki and Owada began their rivalry.

He could have ridden on Owada's coattails and risen to great heights, but ultimately he broke with Owada for the sake of his personal ideals.

This is no longer just about revenge; it also represents the irreconcilable differences between Hanzawa and Owada.

This is a clash of ideologies.

“Owada is ambitious and highly capable. He has a macro perspective and coordinates the entire Japanese economy. He’s a charismatic and ruthless leader,” Kito said.

"but……"

Before he could finish speaking, Kuriyama Minami continued, "I still prefer Hanzawa Naoki's view that banks serve the people. Because..."

They both said in unison, "We are the people."

This aligns with the stance of most readers, who are ordinary people who work diligently, enjoy their daily lives peacefully, and do not want others to use their position to attack those who disagree with them, making them the victims.

Hanzawa Naoki, who is righteous, courageous, and willing to fight back, is the kind of person people should learn from.

……

The Higashino family.

Hibiki Higashino looked at Koji Yoshida and finally spoke.

"Yoshida-kun, do you not trust Bakuman?"

"No! No! I just wanted to... warm up a bit."

“No.” Higashino Hibiki shook his head. “An editor who is truly loyal to manga should be as steady as a mountain, like Go-chan.”

The village head nodded silently.

In his view, "Hanzawa Naoki" was destined to be a success.

Just follow the current pace and development; if you really try to exert external force, there is a chance of something unexpected happening.

Instead of waiting for foreseeable success, we artificially force growth, which may ultimately lead to the opposite of what we intended.

These words left Koji Yoshida speechless, his mouth agape.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Mr. Toriakino."

He was actually more worried that Tori Akino's future focus would be replaced by "Hanzawa Naoki".

A person's energy is limited. Some companies in Japan do not allow employees to have side jobs because side jobs can affect their main job.

Weekly Shonen Jump also prohibits its contracted manga artists from drawing manga on other platforms or from engaging in work that requires significant effort.

Tori Akino Mirai avoided this rule by serializing her work under the same magazine publisher; otherwise, she would have had to pay a penalty for breach of contract.

"Hanzawa Naoki" was clearly a better performer, while "Bakuman" was mediocre. Koji Yoshida thought that without using any tricks, Akino Tori's future focus would always be on "Hanzawa Naoki".

"I was being stubborn," Yoshida said, bowing his head.

“Yoshida-kun…” Akemi Akemi shook her head. Even her partner wasn’t in a hurry, but the editor had taken it upon himself to act. “You have to trust Hibiki.”

"Hmm." Yoshida nodded listlessly.

She then comforted Higashino Hibiki, saying, "Anyway, it's a good thing, Hibiki, don't be angry anymore."

“I’m not angry, it’s just…” Higashino hesitated for a long time before saying softly, “I’m just a little disappointed.”

"Ah!" Yoshida looked up in surprise.

Those words hurt him even more.

……

Koji Yoshida returned to the editorial department in a daze, standing blankly at his workstation for a long time, forgetting to sit down.

Sasaki saw this and frowned slightly.

He gestured to Kohei Onishi, who was worried about Yoshida's condition, to focus on his work, walked over to Yoshida's side, and tapped on the table.

"Come with me to the conference room."

In the conference room, Sasaki asked him, "What happened?"

Koji Yoshida told him everything truthfully; he needed someone to comfort him.

"It really happened after all," Sasaki murmured.

"Yoshida, you are a very intelligent person. You were able to study at a prestigious university and quickly rose to the position of team leader after starting work. Under your guidance, Hoshino Katsura became familiar with shonen manga, and 'D.Gray-man' became a mainstay of Jump."

"But……"

"Smart people always calculate and play tricks. They get caught up in gains and losses and lose their composure. How many problems have you caused with Tori Akino? Do you remember? Tori Akino has always been tolerant of you, but it's no wonder that he gave you a wake-up call after you went too far."

Koji Yoshida suddenly realized that he had been too clever for his own good and had caused a lot of trouble.

As for Omori's situation, since the beginning of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" when everyone thought that Akino Tori was going to retire, and now, he has caused trouble again and again.

Yoshida broke out in a cold sweat.

"Repent," Sasaki said, arms crossed.

“Editor-in-Chief,” Yoshida said earnestly, “I understand everything now. I know where the boundaries of an editor’s role lie.”

He lost his composure because he idolized Akino Mirai too much.

Doing too much leads to more mistakes, especially when it involves tasks outside the scope of one's job and interfering without understanding the situation, which only results in repeated errors.

This became a problem for Mr. Toriaki.

“Yes,” Sasaki nodded, “Actually, senior manga artists like Tori Akino are usually handled by new editors.”

Editors familiar with the work are responsible for mentoring new cartoonists, helping them mature step by step.

Some authors have several or even over a decade of serialization experience, requiring minimal editorial intervention. Their maturity and stability make them the best role models for new editors.

Tori Akino-kun was the same way; he was the most independent manga artist.

But he pleaded with me, hoping to continue collaborating with you, Yoshida, on manga. That's how your unbreakable editor-manga artist partnership came about.

After he finished speaking, Koji Yoshida's eyes welled up with tears.

He had no idea that Tori Akino had also made an effort.

Yoshida's last trace of resentment vanished.

"I will ask Mr. Toriakino for forgiveness."

……

Hibiki Higashino forgave Koji Yoshida, and regretted his words the day he spoke.