Full-time comic artist

"Just like Osamu Tezuka, the god of manga, or Shotaro Ishinomori."

"Their pursuit of more and their search for more possibilities are truly astounding."

He observed step by step and saw Akira Toriyama's continuous reflection and improvement on the path of manga.

The continuous progress of his works is evident.

"How come you've suddenly become so eloquent?" Akira Toriyama asked, puzzled. This didn't seem like his assistant, Higashino-kun.

Compared to before, she has grown a lot and is more like Akino Mirai.

“Now I’m looking at your work from the perspective of a manga artist,” Hibiki Higashino said, “so I understand the gap very well, and that makes me very emotional.”

However, Akira Toriyama-sensei, in the remaining two chapters, I will definitely surpass you and take first place in the main story!

"The remaining two chapters? So Dragon Ball isn't over yet." Akira Toriyama realized belatedly. "Sorry, I've been busy with other things, so I wasn't too aware of that."

Higashino Hibiki's pupils contracted sharply; this guy's words were infuriating.

Akira Toriyama took a gift bag from the side and handed it to Hibiki Higashino.

Hibiki Higashino took it, "I'll just open it and read it."

"Yeah, see for yourself."

Upon opening it, I found a framed collectible, about 34x25 cm in size, containing Akira Toriyama's new painting: the cover of the commemorative edition of the art book "Akira Toriyama's World".

This is a tank-like flying machine with legs made of pencil tips. Two people are sitting on it: an Indian boy who controls it and a cowgirl girl who controls the weapon and attacks backward.

Like Akira Toriyama's consistent style, it is full of boundless imagination, wonderful storytelling, and meticulous depiction of the story.

"Will everyone receive one, or will it be just for me?" Hibiki Higashino asked.

Akira Toriyama's work, which he clearly put a lot of effort into creating with a "you're crazy" expression, is definitely meant for collection purposes.

it is more than words.

Higashino carefully put the painting away. "Thank you so much. I will keep it safe. I'm sure I can sell it for a lot of money when I get it. 10 yen, 15 yen or something."

"Hey, how could you sell the gift your teacher gave you!" Akira Toriyama was furious.

Higashino waved his hand, "Just kidding, this is my treasure."

Akira Toriyama nodded in satisfaction. "Yes, that's more like it."

"By the way," Hibiki Higashino looked around, "where did Oda-san go?"

Before I knew it, we had parted ways.

The wild Akira Toriyama that he so desperately wanted to see appeared, but he himself disappeared.

Just as he was thinking this, Mr. Akimiya walked over, and Higashino Hibiki didn't even notice.

"I'm starting to see comics in a new light." He was wearing a kimono, his arms crossed over his chest, looking at the artworks on display with a complex expression.

"It has transcended the single form of comics and has become part of Japanese culture. It has permeated every aspect of life, which is truly amazing."

Akira Toriyama: "Thank you very much."

He became reserved again, unsure of what to say.

Then, pointing to Hibiki Higashino beside him, he said, "This is my assistant, Akino Mirai, who is currently serializing a manga. He's incredibly talented."

Higashino Hibiki was taken aback; how did he suddenly get dragged into this?

He seemed to be a middle-aged man meeting Xun Ge'er's Runtu, and he became humbled.

Higashino complimented, "Mr. Akimiya, I have long admired your name. I am a student at Musashino Art University. I came across your work in a traditional Chinese painting class. It is truly full of artistry and a gem of Japan."

“Yes,” Mr. Akimiya nodded.

Akira Toriyama continued, "When your daughter was my assistant, Akino Toriyama was there too, and she really helped a lot."

Then, Mr. Akimiya gazed at Higashino Hibiki.

Higashino Hibiki felt like he was going to the toilet; the final jolt sent shivers down his spine.

Fortunately, Mr. Akimiya quickly turned around and said to Akira Toriyama, "Akimi is a very stubborn child. Thank you for taking care of her back then."

"It's me who was taken care of by him. Akira Akimiya is very persevering. If he continues to work hard like this, he will probably become a manga artist in the future," Akira Toriyama said.

Mr. Akimiya did not refute, but walked to the other side.

……

An hour later, Hibiki Higashino met Oda, who was reluctant to part ways, at the pre-arranged location.

Just like watching a giant panda can only last for a minute, watching Akira Toriyama can only last for a maximum of an hour; we need to leave room for those who come later.

After meeting with Hibiki Higashino, Oda rambled on and on.

Starting with Arale's colored artwork, the conversation turned to Dragon Ball Z, and the speaker kept rambling on and on as if they were borrowed.

“At the exhibition, I saw someone of similar age who was also a big fan of Toriyama-sensei. We chatted for a long time, so I accidentally got separated from you, teacher.”

Higashino Hibiki didn't say anything; his ears were tired of listening, and he didn't want to move his mouth at all.

"By the way, teacher, what are you carrying in your hand?"

Higashino handed him the collectibles.

"I opened it and looked at it." He took out the drawing, his expression a mix of emotions, and finally exclaimed excitedly, "What a wonderful piece! It must be Akira Toriyama's new work! How did you get it, Akira?!"

"Oh! I remember now, they're also selling them on-site, but only a small number of people are eligible, maybe one in several hundred. They're very rare pieces."

“There are two paintings,” he said with a smug grin. “One is yours, teacher, and the other…?”

Hibiki Higashino felt a chill run down his spine. Oda talks way too much nonsense. If he were in a manga, he'd be killed off by the author sooner or later.

He had to explain, "This was a gift from Akira Toriyama. The other one wasn't for you either, but for Ms. Akira Akimiya. We were assistants together in Akira Toriyama's studio at the time."

Oda lowered his head in frustration; he really wanted it.

It's like the little black guy wants the egg laid by the pigeon.

"Wait, you saw Akira Toriyama?" He realized what he was doing, and looked at his elegant clothes. "I went through so much trouble just to see Akira Toriyama, and I still missed it. What bad luck!"

"Who told you to run around like that? If you had been there, I could have gotten you a collectible like this too," Higashino Hibiki said helplessly.

Like a husky, it's gone the moment you let go.

Oda, upon hearing this, thought, "May I be struck by lightning."

He lowered his head, disheartened, and said no more.

Higashino Hibiki, his ears finally at peace, smiled.

Monthly tickets? Recommendation tickets?

Chapter 92 Breaking News (First)

on Monday.

Hibiki Higashino was looking at the newspaper.

The Yomiuri Shimbun, Japan's largest newspaper with a daily circulation of over 1000 million copies, dedicated an entire page, a considerable amount of space, to the "Akira Toriyama Art Exhibition."

According to reports, the number of visitors on Sunday exceeded 8.

It was so terrifying that it baffled Higashino Hibiki.

Once again, we witnessed Akira Toriyama's influence beyond imagination.

The newspaper invited many art critics and painters.

"The one that best represents the current state of Japanese manga."

"His works have influenced the daily lives of contemporary Japanese people."

"The unique feature of this exhibition is its comprehensive presentation of Akira Toriyama's works, allowing us to observe the growth and changes of the characters he created."

It looks incredibly impressive.

Akira Toriyama is a painter who broke down the barriers between comics and art.

“He can be replaced.” Higashino muttered to himself as he was pleased with Toriyama Akira.

……

"Ah, Tomon, I'm no longer serializing it, so I don't need you to send me Jump magazine." Akira Toriyama looked at the editor in front of him who was smiling happily, feeling somewhat troubled.

He's the kind of person who doesn't know how to respond when others are kind to him.

"Toriyama-sensei is still a contracted manga artist with Jump," Takeda said.

“That’s true.” Akira Toriyama nodded.

Even after Dragon Ball ends, he will still receive his annual contract bonus from Jump.

After all, I've worked for this magazine for many years, and I can't let go of it emotionally.

"This is the penultimate episode of Dragon Ball, right?"

"Ah."

"Let me take a look."

He picked up the magazine with mixed feelings, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

The cover features Kenshin Himura; he had thought it would be Fujiwara no Sai.

"Hikaru no Go has been doing quite well lately, hasn't it?" he said, somewhat surprised. "It hasn't had a color cover in a long time, has it?"

"Well..." Takeda didn't know how to respond.

Akira Toriyama flipped to the third manga chapter and became curious about Hibiki Higashino's claim that he could get first place.

What kind of "Hikaru no Go" will this drawing be?

……

Hikaru Shindo vs. Akira Toya.

The clash of their hands brought Akira Toriyama back to his match at Kaio Junior High.

Akira Touya followed Fujiwara no Sai's trail, paying a heavy price, and was finally able to fight Hikaru.