“I’m home!” Ye Changfeng opened the door.
“Xiao Feng, you’re back!” Mayu said excitedly.
“Take a look at the final pages I drew based on the storyboards you gave me these past few days.
What do you think?”
Ye Changfeng carefully looked through the thirty chapters.
The artwork had clearly improved.
While the fight scenes still weren’t perfect, they were already very solid.
“Not bad!
Thirty chapters is about three volumes worth.
We can submit this now.”
“Hehe, I still don’t know how your brain works, Xiao Feng.
How did you come up with such an interesting story?” Mayu laughed and hugged his head, shaking it playfully.
“Hey!
Mayu-nee, what are you doing?!” Ye Changfeng said helplessly.
“By the way, which magazine are you planning to submit to?”
“Hmm… I think you should decide, but I’d prefer King Weekly.
It has the highest circulation right now — over ten million copies per issue!”
Ten million?
No wonder Mayu kept submitting there despite 101 rejections.
It really was the top dog in this world’s manga industry.
In this world, Japan had three major manga publishers.
King Weekly was the oldest and most powerful, with a massive loyal fanbase.
It mainly published hot-blooded, adventure-type “royal road” manga.
The second was The World Is So Big!
While its circulation was lower (a few million), it specialized in unconventional, niche, and experimental manga.
It was popular among serious fans.
Interestingly, its editor-in-chief and founder was rumored to be a girl under sixteen.
The third was Shonen Weekly, famous for sports manga and long-running series.
Its circulation was also around a few million.
It was the go-to for soccer, basketball, tennis, and other sports titles.
Its most famous work, God Fist, had been running for decades with thousands of chapters and over 100 million copies sold worldwide.
These three were the biggest.
Smaller magazines existed, but Ye Changfeng didn’t consider them.
With Dragon Ball in hand, any of the big three would fight to get it.
“Alright, let’s go with King Weekly.
Mayu-nee, contact that editor who kept rejecting you.
The tennis club has tomorrow off, so we can submit it then!”
“Yes!
I can’t wait to see the look on that fat editor’s face when he reads this!” Mayu said excitedly, practically dancing with joy.
The next day.
Ye Changfeng and Mayu arrived at the Global Tower, home of King Weekly.
The towering 100+ story building was an iconic landmark in Tokyo.
“Hello, I’m Ye Changfeng.
We have an appointment with Editor Maeda,” Ye Changfeng said at the reception desk.
“Understood.
Please wait in Submission Room 203.
Editor Maeda will be down shortly,” the receptionist smiled.
The submission area was a large room of several hundred square meters, divided into dozens of small booths by partitions.
Many rooms were filled with the sound of discussions — clearly a busy place.
“Why isn’t he here yet?!” After waiting half an hour with no sign of Maeda, Ye Changfeng was starting to lose patience.
Finally, the door opened.
A short, overweight middle-aged man walked in.
He looked like a walking meatball.
“Sorry, sorry.
I got held up by something,” Maeda said.
His tone was apologetic, but his face showed complete indifference.
“Editor Maeda, hello!
I’m Watanabe.
This is my new manga Dragon Ball.
Please take a look!” Mayu said.
Maeda Hiroshi took the manuscripts and was slightly surprised.
This girl who had been rejected 101 times was actually quite cute.
He quickly flipped through the thirty chapters.
‘This is amazing!
This manga is going to be huge!
My career might finally take off because of this!
But…’
Maeda was excited inside, but he kept a straight face.
He needed to negotiate properly.
‘Stay calm.
Still, how did she suddenly improve so much?
And the art style changed drastically.
Could it be…’
“Ahem!
It’s acceptable.
This manga has serialization potential,” Maeda said, pretending to be composed.
“However…”
“However what?” Mayu asked anxiously.
“Is this manga really drawn by you?”
“The story is mine, the storyboards are also mine, and the final artwork is by Mayu-nee.
Is there a problem?” Ye Changfeng, who had been silent, finally spoke.
“Who is this?” Maeda only now noticed the student standing beside her.
“This is my younger brother, Ye Changfeng.
He created the story, and I draw the pages,” Mayu explained.
“Chinese?” A trace of doubt flashed in Maeda’s eyes.
‘A Chinese person drawing manga?
Don’t make me laugh.’ “So you two plan to submit this as a duo?”
“That’s right.
Just like the famous Ashirogi Muto duo from your magazine,” Mayu said.
“No way!” Maeda pointed at Ye Changfeng.
“He’s Chinese.
Chinese people and manga?
That won’t work!
It will hurt the manga’s development!
If you want to serialize it, the author name must be mine!”
Ye Changfeng’s expression turned cold.
‘What the hell does nationality have to do with it?!
This bastard!’
“So you want to change the original creator to yourself, Maeda Hiroshi, right?” Ye Changfeng asked calmly.
“Correct!” Maeda thought Ye Changfeng was giving in and smirked inwardly.
‘Jackpot!’
“Is this manga interesting?” Ye Changfeng asked.
“Yes, very interesting!”
“As long as the manga is interesting, that’s all that matters.
What does nationality have to do with it?
You’re not worthy of being an editor,” Ye Changfeng said coldly.
Maeda had no comeback.
He knew the kid was right — if the manga was good, nationality shouldn’t matter.
But this was reality, not a story.
‘I’ll teach you how the world really works.’
“Without me, you won’t be able to serialize in King Weekly.
I’m now the deputy editor-in-chief.
Every serialized manga needs my approval,” Maeda said arrogantly.
‘You kids are still too naive.’
Looking at Maeda’s smug face, Ye Changfeng felt disgusted.
This guy was too greedy.
‘Whatever.
Dragon Ball will succeed anywhere.’
“You’ll regret this,” Ye Changfeng said.
He grabbed the manuscripts, took Mayu’s hand, and walked out.
“Wait!
We can still negotiate!
Don’t leave!” Maeda called out desperately.
Ignoring him completely, Ye Changfeng and Mayu headed straight to another publisher.
The World Is So Big!