Full-time comic artist

"Why did my mother have to be eaten by a giant on that day?"

Allen's accusations eventually became an outstanding achievement.

Compared to the two and a half points of insight in Mustard See, it's nothing; it's just stagnation and lacks innovative thinking.

The gap between me and my seniors is huge.

“Ah, hello,” Higashino Hibiki said with a forced smile, extending his hand.

Hajime Isayama quickly bowed and shook hands with Hibiki Higashino.

"Ah, it hurts."

He felt as if his hand was being clamped in a vise, and it hurt terribly.

"Feel sorry."

Higashino Hibiki unconsciously exerted more force; it was his resentment at work.

“Isayama-kun,” he released his hand and patted Isayama Hajime on the shoulder, “you need to watch your diet. You’re a bit thin. You need to be strong to finish the weekly serialization.”

"Thank you for your guidance, teacher. I understand." Hajime Isayama nodded vigorously.

He did not explain that he was a naturally thin person and that he had always been like this without any other choice.

A surge of emotion welled up within him; from Akino Tori's words, Hajime Isayama sensed his approval and hope for him.

"Oh?" Hattori Tetsuya was somewhat surprised. He carefully examined Isayama Hajime but couldn't see any talent in the young man.

After all, Hajime Isayama was thin and weak, lacked energy, suffered repeated setbacks, and lacked confidence.

The element of "arrogance" that Hattori Tetsuya possessed before the manga's serialization was completely absent in Hajime Isayama.

Without energy and spirit, there's no way to talk about "good luck"; it's difficult for heaven to favor a timid and hesitant person.

“Tori Akino-sensei,” Hattori Tetsu invited Higashino Hibiki, “If Isayama-kun agrees, would you like to watch Isayama-kun’s short manga together?”

Before Hibiki Higashino could speak, Hajime Isayama nodded vigorously, "Of course!"

"OK then."

Because they needed to photocopy short comics, Hattori Tetsuya brought Isayama Hajime and Hibiki Higashino to the floor where the Weekly Shonen Jump editorial department was located.

Hajime Isayama stared intently at the legendary editorial department, his eyes unblinking.

Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto...

The editorial department of Weekly Shonen Jump is filled with traces of these top-tier manga.

"This is Go Okano's 'Hell Teacher Nube'..."

Hajime Isayama stopped in the corridor, looking at Meisuke Nue's image on the wall, and murmured involuntarily, "Oh no, I feel like crying..."

This is probably the feeling of a former reader who has embarked on the same path as someone they admire.

……

They entered the editorial office.

"Hey, when will the original manuscript be finished?"

"Hello, this is the editorial department of Weekly Shonen Jump."

Every editor is extremely busy.

Hajime Isayama was so moved he almost cried, “This… is the editorial department of Jump…”

He has loved doodling since he was a child. When he read Ryoji Minagawa's "ARSM" in middle school, he had the idea of ​​becoming a manga artist. Now that he has taken a crucial step, he is overwhelmed with emotion.

Hibiki Higashino patted him on the shoulder, "Don't forget this feeling. Be like these editors, cherish the manga you are responsible for, and cherish your own work."

Hajime Isayama finally burst into tears, “...Yes, Akino-sensei.”

He rubbed his eyes with his sleeve, letting the tears soak into his clothes, trying not to let his vulnerability be discovered.

Hibiki Higashino turned around and walked to the side.

Not long after, Hattori Tetsu returned with two copies of the Attack on Titan manuscript. He handed one to Higashino Hibiki, saying, "All done."

Hibiki Higashino led Hajime Isayama to the rest area. "Isayama-kun, please have a seat."

"Thank you." Hajime Isayama nodded.

Hibiki Higashino looked at "Attack on Titan 0.1" with some surprise.

He hadn't expected that Hajime Isayama's drawing skills would be so poor at this stage.

On a five-point scale, he can only give 1 point.

The image is simple and messy.

The type that barely has basic skills.

It's still a long way from the highest level of the beginner's True City.

The character portrayal is also very mediocre.

The characters are stiff and poorly developed.

No wonder Hattori Tetsuya from the last century denied Attack on Titan.

At this moment, Hattori Tetsu looked up at Higashino Hibiki with a puzzled expression. What was it about this poorly drawn kid that Tori Akino Mirai valued?

Could he be an unorthodox comic artist?

"Ahem," Hibiki Higashino cleared his throat as Hajime Isayama sounded uneasy. "This story is quite interesting. Humans inside the walls fighting against Titans is really novel."

Hajime Isayama's eyes lit up, and he stammered, "I've thought about this for a long time. There are games, tokusatsu... and my hometown is blocked by tall, continuous mountains. When I was a child, I felt that it was an obstacle preventing me from exploring new worlds. These are all sources of my inspiration."

He spoke incoherently, gesturing wildly, but Higashino Hibiki understood everything he said.

“I see, it comes from life experiences, hmm,” Higashino nodded in approval. He continued, “Your storyboarding talent is also quite good; you can clearly see the exhilarating fight scenes.”

"Thank you! I learned everything by watching 'Slam Dunk'!"

With Hibiki Higashino's constant praise, Hajime Isayama's confidence grew stronger and stronger!

Hattori Tetsu glanced at the original manuscript and seemed to have discovered some merits in Attack on Titan in Tori Akino Mirai's narration.

The protagonist's eyes in the manga are particularly good, full of chilling murderous intent, which is rare in Jump.

Hibiki Higashino stood up. "I should take my leave now. You may continue."

Hajime Isayama quickly stood up and bowed to Hibiki Higashino's retreating figure, saying, "Take care, Mr. Akino."

Higashino Hibiki turned around, pointed at Isayama Hajime with both fingers, and tilted his head back, "I believe in you, good luck!"

Hajime Isayama shouted excitedly, "Yes!"

The noise disturbed everyone in the editorial department, and they looked over curiously.

What's going on?

"Is Mr. Toriakino still here?"

"What did Bird Akino just say? Does he think highly of that young man?"

Ignoring the commotion, Higashino left after finishing his business.

The editors all rushed into the lounge and looked at Hajime Isayama.

"The person that Tori Akino-sensei favored last time... was Eiichiro Oda, right?"

"The time before last was Kazuki Takahashi."

"Then this..."

They stared at each other, then, realizing what was happening, asked, "Who are you?"

"I'm Hajime Isayama, here to submit my work." Hajime Isayama straightened his chest.

"Where's the comic? Let me see it."

"Let me submit your monthly bonus for you."

"Wait!" Seeing a group of red-eyed colleagues, Hattori Tetsuya stood up and shielded Isayama Hajime behind him. "He's the new guy I'm in charge of!"

"Editor Hattori...you approve of me!"

"That's right! You're very talented; it would be a shame if you didn't draw comics! Let's work hard together!"

They clenched their fists.

"Tch!" The editors parted on bad terms.

Hibiki Higashino walked out of the Shueisha gate and looked back at the second floor. "The manga industry is nearing its end."

……

Two weeks later, Hibiki Higashino learned that Attack on Titan had won the monthly prize.

Artwork: 1 point; Plot: 3 points; Storyboard: 4 points.

Hajime Isayama's strengths and weaknesses are both very obvious.

Oda commented that Hajime Isayama is a rough diamond waiting to be polished.

Jump is brimming with talent these days, with second-tier titles like "Gintama" and "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!" becoming hugely popular works.

If it weren't for Akino Tori's future appreciation, Hattori Tetsuya would have found it difficult to calmly wait for Isayama Hajime to shine.

After all, there are many better options.

……

"Tori Akino-sensei, I've moved to Tokyo."

At the Shueisha New Year's party, Hajime Isayama met Hibiki Higashino and spoke to him reservedly.

“Hmm,” Higashino Hibiki patted him on the shoulder, “You still have a lot to learn. Tokyo is the most suitable place for you. You can come and see me when you have time.”

"Ah, thank you!"

Satoru Soma stood in the corner, watching with envy as Hajime Isayama, Asato Akino, and Mirai bowed repeatedly.

"Who is that guy?!" Yashiro Naruto nudged Soma Satoru with his elbow and asked through gritted teeth, "Shamelessly talking to Tori Akino-sensei."

Soma Satoru pursed his lips. "I heard he's a newcomer admired by Tori Akino-sensei, the author of 'Attack on Titan'."