Full-time cartoonist

Hibiki Higashino graduated successfully, and his ukiyo-e work titled "Intersection" was recognized by his instructors.

“It’s a highly completed work.”

They were actually a little surprised. What they were thinking was that as long as they completed it seriously, Hibiki would be given the go-ahead.

Unexpectedly, this busy cartoonist actually took a long time to draw his graduation project.

Looking at the dark circles under his eyes, several teachers couldn't help but smile.

After the lecture, a 63-year-old professor, Mr. Chunping, came over.

In school, he always taught with a straight face, and in the art school, attendance was still strictly required.

"Tori Akino-kun, I have something to ask of you."

Hearing his title, Higashino Hibiki understood that it was related to his identity in the comics field.

"Teacher, you're welcome, please speak."

"It's actually like this," the old professor said a little embarrassedly, "My grandson likes "Slam Dunk" very much and always wants your autograph..."

Dongye Xiang agreed wholeheartedly.

Professor Chunping is very old-fashioned. He asks for autographs from his students for the sake of his most precious grandson.

After returning to the dormitory, Akimiya Akemi opened her mouth in surprise when she heard Hibiki Hibiki's description: "I really want to see the scene at that time, it's unimaginable."

"Grandpa always likes his grandson, so we can kiss him every other generation," Hibiki Higashi had an idea, "If Mr. Akimiya doesn't agree with you marrying me, then let's get married as my son."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Akimiya Akemi punched Hibiki Hibiki angrily.

"Pfft." Dongye Xiang almost spat out blood.

"I was just joking." Dong Yexiang said while rubbing his chest.

"Sorry, I just reacted subconsciously." Akimiya Akemi approached Higashino Hibiki's chest, touched her catkin, and asked carefully: "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"

"Of course it's okay." Higashikata hugged her and said reluctantly.

At this moment, the door of the living room opened, and Yoshii Sankyu walked in. He looked up and saw Akimiya Akemi leaning on Hibiki Hibiki's arms, with a blush on her face, stroking Hibiki Hibiki's chest.

At first glance, it seems that they are lovers loving each other.

"I'm sorry, I came at the wrong time." Yoshiiyama said sarcastically.

He turned around and left the living room.

Akimiya Akemi separated from Hibiki Hibiki as if she was electrocuted, her earrings turned red.

Higashino Hibiki complained, "Really, this guy hasn't come to work for several days, and he disturbs me whenever he comes in."

"Yoshii-kun seems to have something on his mind," Akimiya Akemi calmed down for a while and said to Hibiki Higashino: "He is about to graduate. I don't know if he has decided on the job he wants to do."

Dong Yexiang suddenly realized, yes, they have graduated.

Yoshii Sanhisa started drawing comics for himself when he was in the third grade of high school, but five years later, he, who is not a student, has to go his own way.

Higashino Hibiki walked out of the living room and out the door, and saw Yoshii Sanhisa leaning on the guardrail in the corridor.

The other person lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking.

"Yoshii-kun, are you free?"

Yoshii Sanjiu was startled, and he raised his head sharply, "Higashino-kun, why did you come out?"

"I want to talk to you."

Hibiki Higashikata was filled with emotion.

Yoshii Sankyu has always called himself "Higashino". Compared with the identity of "Mirai Tori Akino", he is on good terms with "Hibiki Hibiki".

Serving as an assistant was his way of helping a friend and thanking himself when his father went bankrupt.

He is indeed a very good friend.

But how to say it?

It's time to say goodbye.

"If you think about it carefully, we have known each other since we were freshmen in high school, and now we are about to graduate from college. Time flies so fast." Hibiki Higashikata sighed.

"Well," Yoshii Yamahisa smiled, "When I was a freshman in high school, after entering "Yoshihara-so", I wanted to become good friends with Higashino-kun. "

"Friendly, humble and gentle Higashino-kun is the Higashino-kun that everyone likes."

That was the original owner Higashino Hibiki, a beauty from all over the world, who was friends with many people, interacted cautiously, and carefully guessed other people's moods.

It is indeed a breath of fresh air to become friends with such people.

Yoshii Sanhisa continued: "Although your personality is different now, I still yearn for Higashino-kun who is working hard to pursue his dreams."

In the afternoon of this day, Yoshii Shanjiu revealed his true feelings, which were words he had suppressed in his heart for a long time.

"People around me, Asahina-san's dream is to become a supervisor, Nishimura-kun went to Hokkaido to study agriculture, Kitamoto-kun studied at the Law Department of Tokyo University, not to mention Higashino-kun, he became a cartoonist."

"Only I continue the path my father found for me and pursue further studies in the field of fine arts."

"I don't hate art, but I can't say I like it. If I were to really look for an industry that I like, there wouldn't be one."

"So I have no dreams."

"Higashino-kun once asked me, "Is there anything you want to do?" My answer was - "No."

"Then I decided to be an assistant while looking for goals."

"To this day, the answer is still the same. I have not found my dream."

"I was thinking that it would be my dream to fulfill Higashino-kun's dream."

"But sure enough, this sentence is to comfort myself."

He lowered his head in shame.

Hibiki looked at him, blamed himself and apologized, "I'm sorry, Yoshii-kun."

"Soul of Chess", "Slam Dunk", and "5 Centimeters Per Second" are all thanks to his presence.

Like me, I was drawing long-form serials and short comics at the same time. It was really hard for my assistants, and for a while, I didn't have any holidays for several weeks.

"Actually, there's nothing wrong with not having dreams. It's enough to live your own life and take care of your family."

"Thank you so much for your service over so long."

"But it's time to say goodbye, Yoshii-kun."

He has also graduated from college and can no longer continue to be an assistant.

Because Yoshii Sanhisa has no intention of developing in the field of comics.

Therefore, you should look for a job with a bright future.

"Yes." Yoshii Sanjiu nodded and sighed, "Yes, it's time to say goodbye, and it's time for me to get out of my comfort zone."

…

After graduation, Yoshii Yamahisa was about to move towards his own future, so Higashino Hibiki Studio held a farewell party for him.

After hearing the news, Eiichiro Oda actually put down his work and returned to the studio for the first time.

"Want to come to my place?" he asked very excitedly.

Only after he started serializing himself did he understand how difficult it is to be a cartoonist. It was a particularly happy thing to have a senior assistant to share the work.

And in terms of drawing skills and familiarity with comics work, Yoshii Sanhisa is a step above him.

"I'll give you double your salary."

Higashikata looked at him with dead fish eyes, "Son of a banker, what's the shortfall in your salary?"

It’s not impossible to double your salary.

This guy Oda is really whimsical.

Sure enough, Yoshii Sanjiu decisively refused.

"That's too much. That guy Kishimoto didn't even agree to be my assistant. Now I'm still Jump's second most popular cartoonist."

"One Piece" is indeed ahead of "Hunter" now, and Oda's talents have been fully unleashed.

But it won't be long before Oda understands the horror of "Yu-Gi-Oh!"

Except for Oda, everyone present has a cold personality.

Fortunately, with him here, it was finally a little more lively.

Midway, Higashino answered the phone, and Takahashi Kazuki said he was ready to visit.

Dongye Xiang made an appointment with him.

…

"Tanaka-san, I hope to see your work soon."

"Teacher Akimiya, thank you for your teaching over the years."

"As for Oda-kun, I have nothing more to say."

Two hours later, after cleaning up the living room, Hibiki Higashino watched Yoshii Sankyu leave, feeling a little sad in his heart.

After standing for a while, he returned to the dormitory and was greeted by Oda.

"What do you mean you have nothing to say to me?" Oda was puzzled.

Higashino Hibiki was speechless, "Didn't you say something to me?"

"You two must have said goodbye in private." Oda's eyes widened.

This is true.

So Higashino patted Oda on the shoulder, sighed, and expressed sympathy for him.

"I..." Oda was speechless.

The doorbell of the dormitory rang.

"I'll come, I'll come." Oda stretched out his hands and ran out happily.

"Are you Mr. Akira Toriyama?" he asked expectantly.

"Of course not." He was disappointed again.

This guy is really "innocent".

…

Dong Yexiang walked to the gate.

"Yahagi editor, Takahashi-sensei."

One is the editor of Jump, and the other is Takahashi Kazuki.

This Yahagi editor, Hibiki Higashino, had seen it in the "Dream Eater" animation. At that time, he was already the deputy editor of Jump.

"Dream Eaters" is a comic work by Takeshi Obata and Oba Tashiri, which tells the story of two protagonists pursuing their path as cartoonists.

The editors in comics all have prototypes in reality.

Kazuhiko Torishima and Nao Sasaki both appear.

However, Hibiki Higashino is not sure whether this Yahagi editor is the deputy editor in the manga, or he may have the same surname.

But because of this, he firmly remembered the Yahagi editor.

"Eh? Tori Akino-sensei actually knows me," Yahagi was surprised. He lowered his head, "I'm sorry to bother you today."

In the jump editorial office, he heard that Takahashi Kazuki was coming to visit Hibiki Hibiki, so he asked Takahashi Kazuki to follow him.

"It's okay," Dongye Xiang stretched out his hand and invited them to come in.

Takahashi Kazuki notified Hibiki Higashino in advance, but he didn’t expect to bring an editor with him.

"I just said it at the door. I still have a lot of work." Takahashi Kazuki handed over a package. "This is the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" card produced by Konami. Thank you for taking care of me for so long. I have benefited from it." A lot. "

"Eh? "Yu-Gi-Oh" card! "Higashino Hibiki looked surprised, "Thank you, Mr. Takahashi, I've wanted to buy this for a long time. "

"That would be great if you like this gift."

"Of course, whether it's entertainment or collection, it's the best gift I've received this year."

Takahashi Kazuki said goodbye with satisfaction.

As for Yahagi, he had something to ask Hibiki Higashino.

After changing the door at the entrance, Higashino invited him into the living room.

Oda followed Yahagi and sat down on the sofa.

Higashino Hibiki brought coffee and placed it in front of him and Yahagi.

"Teacher, where is mine?"

"I don't have a third hand. You can make coffee yourself." Hibiki looked at Oda and shook his head, then turned to Yahagi and said:

"Mr. Yahagi, please speak."

Oda left angrily.

"That's right," Yahagi cleared his throat, "There is a young man who has some talent. I would like to ask you to let him study here for a while."

Yahagi handed over a manuscript. The name of this short comic is "True Friends".

"This is a work he created in 1997," Yahagi said. "Please take a look and make a decision."

Higashino Hibiki took it, took out the manuscript and took a look.

I understand in my heart.

This Mr. Yahagi is very likely to be the future deputy editor-in-chief.

After all, this "True Friends" is the work of Masashi Kishimoto.

The protagonist is Uzumaki Naruto, he is a mischievous troublemaker, and the elders decided to let him find a true friend, which triggered the story.

Compared with the "Robot" that Higashino Hibiki saw back then, this "True Friends" has made great progress and already has the style of "Naruto".

It is a mature skill.

Masashi Kishimoto has really made great progress.

And this year is already 1999.

"It's very interesting," Hibiki Higashino said after reading it, "There is a possibility of serialization."

"That's true," Yahagi said: "Kishimoto-kun is working hard towards serialization. I also decided to recommend "Naruto" to the editorial department to enter the serialization meeting."

He thinks highly of Kishimoto.

"There's just one thing. Kishimoto-kun's understanding of serial works is still very superficial, and the plot settings are also a bit whimsical."

"I want him to adapt to the rhythm of serialization in advance and understand how cartoonists work. So, please, Tori Akino-sensei."

Yahagi lowered his head.

"Mr. Yahagi, you are too polite," Higashino Hibiki helped him up, "This is nothing."

Yoshii Sanhisa has left, and he also lacks an assistant. Kishimoto Masashi will not stay long, but it is just right as a turnaround.

After Yahagi left, Hibiki was still thinking.

Adapting to the rhythm of a cartoonist? It seems that Yahagi is very confident.

This editor is very capable.

Masashi Kishimoto? Higashikata Higashikata has long wanted to meet him.

After all, he is a loyal reader of "Naruto".

When he was a child, Hibiki Higashino watched Naruto on TV.

From Zabuza and Haku, to the Konoha Collapse Plan.

It's a pity that the subsequent plot will not be broadcast on TV.

Hibiki Higashino was in high school when he learned about the follow-up plot of "Naruto".

At that time, his love for Naruto became less, and he always felt that the plot of "Shippuden" was not as good as when Team 7 was doing missions.

While Hibiki Higashino was thinking wildly, Oda came out with coffee. Seeing that Yahagi had left, he asked in surprise: "Tori Akino-sensei, what is Editor Yahagi here for?"

Higashino Hibiki replied casually: "The author responsible for him, Kishimoto Masashi, is here."

Then he recounted the previous conversation one by one.

Oda was stunned.

"Damn it Kishimoto! Why don't you come to me?"

Hibiki Higashino took Oda's coffee and took a sip, "Maybe it's because Kishimoto-kun trusts me more."