Kawamoto and Takamiya arrived in Tokyo early in the morning on the Shin-U Line.
Tokyo, editorial department of Shueisha Weekly Shonen Sunday.
The editors were hunched over tables piled high with manuscripts and proofs, the sounds of telephones ringing, pages turning, and hushed discussions filling the air—a scene of bustling activity.
Kawamoto Kazuki and Nozomi Takamiya sat on the sofa in the reception room, with two cups of tea that had long since gone cold in front of them.
Takamiya placed his hands tightly on his knees, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He never imagined in his life that he could write something that brought him to such a place.
Kawamoto, standing beside him, was much calmer, simply observing the room filled with an atmosphere of creativity.
The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man with thinning hair walked in, carrying Nozomi Takamiya's thick manuscript.
He is Toyota Kameichi, the senior editor of Weekly Shonen Sunday.
" Kawamoto- kun, Takamiya -kun, I've been waiting for a long time."
Editor-in-Chief Toyota sat down and placed the manuscript on the table.
"I've read the manuscript."
Toyota's voice was calm, revealing little emotion. "First of all, our Weekly Shonen Sunday is a manga magazine. Although we do have a fiction section, it's a small part, and it usually focuses on light novels and short stories."
"Frankly, ninja-themed novels with such a grand setting, even bordering on serious literary style, are not our first choice for serialization."
Takamiya's heart sank to the bottom, and his face turned pale.
"However," Editor-in-Chief Toyota changed the subject, picking up the manuscript and gently patting the cover, "I see the potential in this story. The premise is very novel; ninjas, Chakra, Jinchuriki, Tailed Beasts, Hokage —these concepts combine to create a highly compelling worldview."
"The protagonist Naruto Uzumaki's underdog rise to power isn't exactly a novel concept, but combined with his Jinchuriki and his unwavering dream of Hokage, the tension is immense."
"The characters are vividly portrayed, and the pacing of the plot is well-handled, especially the battle between Team 7 and Zabuza and Haku, which is brilliantly written and visually evocative."
He paused, then looked at Kawamoto and Takamiya: "More importantly, I felt that this story contains exactly what today's shonen manga readers crave most: passion, friendship, hard work, growth, and the struggle against fate."
"And it's packaged in a relatively novel ninja-style shell."
"If this level can be maintained, or even improved upon, the market response may exceed expectations."
Takamiya felt his heart leap into his throat again, pounding wildly.
"Therefore, after discussion within the editorial department, we have decided to give Naruto the opportunity to be serialized in the Weekly Shonen Sunday light novel section."
"Really?"
Even though he knew in advance that it would be serialized, Takamiya's voice still changed.
Editor-in-Chief Toyota nodded, but his expression remained serious. "However, there are a few conditions. First, because you're a newcomer and it's a novel, the royalties won't be very high."
"According to our magazine's current standards, the payment for serialized novels by new authors is approximately 4,000 to 6,000 yen per page of original manuscript. Considering the length and potential of your work, I can negotiate a median of 5,000 yen per page."
"In the early stages of serialization, approximately 15-20 pages of manuscript are required per week. This means the weekly payment will be between 75,000 and 100,000 yen."
5000 yen per page!
75,000 to 100,000 per week!
Takamiya's mind went blank; this amount of money was an astronomical figure for him!
"Second."
Editor-in-Chief Toyota continued, "Serialization is not a one-time event. We will decide whether to continue the serialization and the subsequent page arrangements based on reader surveys and sales feedback after each issue is published."
"If the response is good, the payment may be increased, and the publication space may be expanded. But if the response is lukewarm, or even very bad—"
He looked at the two of them, his gaze frank. "The editorial department has the right to ask you to finish early or make significant revisions. You must be prepared for this."
Kawamoto nodded. "We understand, the market is the ultimate test."
"Very good."
Editor-in-Chief Toyota seemed quite satisfied with Kawamoto's calm attitude.
"Third, regarding the quality of subsequent manuscripts, the submission deadlines must be strictly guaranteed. There must be no breaks in updates, and all plot developments must be reviewed by the responsible editor. A dedicated editor will be in contact with you regarding specific details later."
We will do our best.
Takamiya finally found his voice again; though it was still trembling, it was full of determination.
"Then, it's a pleasure working with you."
Editor-in-Chief Toyota stood up and extended his hand. "I look forward to your continued performance. The payment for the first issue will be transferred to your designated account at the beginning of the following month after the magazine's release. The legal department will confirm the contract details with you later."
Even after leaving the Shueisha building and standing in the summer sun, Nozomi Takamiya still somewhat dazed.
He looked at the slightly curled manuscript of "NARUTO" in his hand, then looked up at the magnificent publishing building behind him, feeling as if he were dreaming.
"Brother Kawamoto --we-we really-serialized in Sunday magazine? And we even got paid?"
He was rambling incoherently.
"Um.
A glint of light flashed in Kawamoto's eyes.
The first step in literary translation has been successful.
Now, it remains to be seen whether readers are willing to pay for the story of that blond-haired boy.
"Let's go, Takamiya. Let's go back; it's time to write the next volume."
Yes! Yes!
Takamiya nodded vigorously, clutching the manuscript tightly to his chest as if he were holding the whole world.
The following day was the release date for the latest issue of Sunday Weekly.
Maeda Kenta, Kanagawa Prefecture, 13 years old, second year of junior high school.
His greatest hobby is comics, and he detests boring textbooks and novels.
The moment I looked forward to most each week was running to the convenience store to use my saved allowance to buy the latest issue of Weekly Shonen Sunday.
Today is no exception.
He eagerly tore off the plastic film, skillfully flipped to his favorite page of "Ranma 1/2" serialization, and immersed himself in the hilarious and heartwarming daily life of Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo.
After finishing the latest chapter, he smacked his lips in satisfaction, then turned the page again, still wanting more.
Ushio and Tora?
The art style is a bit dated, the monster theme is okay, but it's not very exciting.
" The F "?
Sports comics? Not interested.
H2?
Mitsuru Adachi's illustrations of girls are quite beautiful, but the story is a bit slow-paced.
He quickly flipped through the magazine, soon reaching the back section.
Um?
Novel section?
He usually skips them.
" NARUTO-Naruto-? What kind of weird name is that?"
He glanced at the synopsis under the title. "Ninja? Chakra? Jinchuriki? ---- Novel?"
He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Come on, reading comics is tiring enough, who wants to read novels with so many words!"
"Sunday, really! How did you start serializing a novel, and taking up so much space on it!"
Despite muttering to himself, perhaps because today's "Ranma 1/2" chapter was a bit short, or perhaps out of boredom, his gaze still fell on the first few lines.
[Prologue: Night of Calamity]
A blood moon hung in the sky, its ominous crimson color soaking into the night sky above Hidden Leaf Village.
"Tsk, they set the atmosphere quite convincingly at the beginning—"
Kenta glanced down casually.