Sun-san, standing at the editorial department's door with a serious face, listened to the discussion inside.
"This issue of One Piece is a bit slow. Only one companion was added in ten episodes. Now there are only three people in the pirate crew. How long will it take to get all the characters?"
"But it's very good. I'm looking forward to the plot!"
"Yes, I really like this character, Nami. She looks like a little devil! The characters created by Mirai-sensei are exceptional, with exceptional, flexible, and lively personalities. Our company's mangaka are much worse."
In the editorial office, the editors talked about One Piece as if no one else was present. It wasn't working hours yet. It would be irrelevant for any company to talk about Mirai-sensei's manga, but it was a shame that Kanto found itself in such a situation.
A real embarrassment! His own editor was talking about the enemy's manga. Sun-san was so furious outside the door that he trembled from head to toe. These editors were really excessive. They must have bought "Mirai Manga"!
Originally, "Mirai Manga" was Weekly Boutique's most dangerous enemy. Every copy sold was a threat to Kanto Manga Company's people. He hadn't expected anyone from their own company to buy this magazine. It was so exasperating!
"I'm going to fire them!"
Sun-san exclaimed furiously. Kazuki, who was standing next to him, was surprised to hear this. He quickly reached out and hugged Sun-san to prevent him from rushing in.
"Minister, don't do it! You can't be impulsive. It's not bad for editors to buy 'Mirai Manga'. Isn't there an old saying that only by knowing the enemy and knowing yourself can you win all battles?"
Kazuki tried his best to persuade him. Sun-san was very strong and almost slipped from his grasp.
"And Minister! Didn't we also buy 'Mirai Manga'?"
he shouted. Suddenly, Sun-san stopped.
"..."
The minister's face was grim, and deep down he was unwilling, but as Kazuki said, they also bought "Mirai Manga". They said they did it to investigate, but in reality, investigating didn't require everyone to buy a copy.
Japanese manga is booming. Most people who can hold a high position in a manga publishing house have a passionate heart for manga. As for One Piece, it can be said that this manga is the pinnacle of current Japanese manga, and everyone likes to collect it.
Not only that, in fact, in Sun-san's house, all of Mirai-sensei's manga are neatly placed on the bookshelf. Due to the publisher's hostility, he didn't read all of them, but he did collect them.
With a person like that, what right does he have to blame the editors of the editorial department?
"...Forget it..."
Sun-san shook his head. He walked to his office with some boredom: "After the data is counted, you can give it to me..."
"Yes."
Kazuki wiped his sweat. He watched Sun-san leave with some compassion.
He knew he was sad. This morning, the preliminary results of "Mirai Manga" manga were published. Although there are no specific figures, it has been confirmed that they helped Mirai-sensei overcome the disadvantage.
Last month, Sun-san first lowered the price, invited celebrities to collaborate, and asked Rina to launch "Luna Nueva" in advance. These three measures aimed to increase One Piece's popularity, but in the end, they achieved nothing.
Especially in the price reduction, Kanto Manga Company suffered great losses. Not only was there one, but several bosses behind it. This method of exchanging profits for victory or defeat was not well-regarded at first. Now that it hasn't worked, those bosses should be angry.
The price reduction also brought another risk. Before the competition with Mirai-sensei ended, Kanto Manga Company could not raise the price anymore, otherwise, Weekly Boutique sales would decrease.
"The minister is so pathetic..."
Kazuki felt some compassion for Sun-san, who was doing a thankless job. He shook his head and turned to enter the editorial office. The specific sales of One Piece had not yet been calculated, and he had to work quickly. However,
Kazuki no longer expected One Piece sales to be lower than Weekly Boutique's. He only hoped that the difference would not be too great.
When Sun-san returned to the office, he called Tokyo to report the situation.
"Is there no hope of winning?"
Hiroshi Kawakami's voice sounded very calm on the phone.
"The chances are slim. Detective Conan's single volume sales have attracted a large number of readers. Even if The Detective's Son manages to surpass it, the difference won't be too great."
Sun-san replied somewhat disappointed: "Unless we think of other countermeasures, like lowering The Detective's Son's selling price, giving away other items, etc....".
The confrontation between Kanto and Mirai-sensei is one step away from the publication of a single volume. Sun-san also wants to start with a price reduction, but obviously, this proposal is difficult to approve.
"No."
Hiroshi Kawakami refused. He said: "The company's shareholders seek their own interests. The last price reduction and the invitation to Ryoma have already left them very dissatisfied. This method cannot be repeated."
"..." Sun-san, disappointed, said: "Then can we only admit defeat?"
"President, I don't want to continue. Mirai-sensei is too dangerous. I can't beat him if I stay here." Sun-san gritted his teeth and said: "I still think the company has taken the wrong path. Why should we compete with Mirai-sensei in the same city? If we are not in the same city, the situation will be much better...".
If Kanto and Hinotori Publishing were not in the same city, but governed separately, with such a large potential market in Japan, both companies could find a way to develop together and there would be no such confrontation.
Sun-san was unaware of what the company's superiors were thinking, which is why they acted so stubbornly.
"Sun-san, we all know what you said."
After listening to the complaint, Hiroshi Kawakami sighed slightly and said: "Mirai-sensei, the mangaka, has the favor of the central government. We were very attentive from the beginning, much more than you think."
"But that's why we want him to leave Japan. The purpose of sending Duke Anthony is this... England now needs a talented mangaka to break the stalemate, and Mirai-sensei is the ideal candidate... So we don't want to defeat him, but to get him out of Japan."
Kanto Manga Company's original purpose was not to defeat Mirai-sensei, which was very difficult. Hiroshi Kawakami knew that the central government valued Mirai-sensei.
This mangaka is very strong and very young. Even if he is defeated now, the day may come when Mirai-sensei prospers and defeats Kanto again.
So their goal is not to defeat Mirai-sensei, but to divert the problem to the West and send Mirai-sensei to England. This matter responds to England's needs. Duke Anthony and Kanto hit it off.
The current British manga market, or that of the European Union, is being disorganized by a talented young American. England needs someone to challenge his hegemony, and Mirai-sensei is, without a doubt, the best candidate.
"Duke Anthony has no offspring..."
said Hiroshi Kawakami. "Mirai-sensei has no father. If they are allowed to live together for half a year, facing England's temptations, Sun-san, do you think... Mirai-sensei could stay there forever?"
"Impossible...", Sun-san thought for a moment and said: "Mirai-sensei is Japanese. How could he stay in England?"
The differences between Eastern and Western cultures made it difficult for him to believe that Mirai-sensei would stay in England.
"Whether he stays or not depends on the benefits he gets. Duke Anthony values him greatly. Money, power, and beauty are too many temptations for young people. Furthermore, the Duke is very powerful in England. If Mirai-sensei has offspring, his descendants could become England's rulers."
Hiroshi Kawakami paused. "Faced with such temptation, I think few people would refuse... Although Mirai-sensei does not fear him, his absence from Japan for half a year will also be a great help to us, Kanto."
Precisely because of these considerations, Mirai-sensei's departure from Japan represents the greatest benefit for Kanto Manga Company, so it is willing to compete with him in Osaka.
However, judging by the current situation, Kanto still underestimated Mirai-sensei. It took a lot of effort to be at a disadvantage. This is the first time this has happened since Kanto's founding.
In fact, if it weren't for the central government's protection, Mirai-sensei would have already been killed by the capitalists.
"Fortunately, the government did not prohibit Mirai-sensei's departure...",
Hiroshi Kawakami was grateful. For their own purposes, the central government should be happy about Mirai-sensei's departure, but they would not support it, which was unfortunate.
"You still have time to fight Mirai-sensei, and there are too many variables."
Considering the current situation, Hiroshi Kawakami reassured Sun-san: "The company has already discussed your proposal. If this confrontation fails and Mirai-sensei does not leave Japan, then... we and Hinotori Publishing will not develop in the same city."
Sun-san's eyes lit up.
"Has the company prepared other relocation sites?"
If so, he can go all out, even if he cedes Osaka to Hinotori Publishing. Kanto chooses a new city as its headquarters. Without Mirai-sensei's threat, they can fully exploit their financial advantages. The leader of Japan's manga market must remain Kanto.
"No, Kanto's relocation to Osaka is a special government approval and cannot be changed...".
However, Hiroshi Kawakami's reply was a cold shower for Sun-san. Just as the latter was confused, the laughter from the microphone returned: "We are not the ones relocating, but Hinotori Publishing."
Hinotori Publishing is leaving Osaka.
"What's wrong?" Sun-san was surprised and confused: "I haven't heard of Hinotori Publishing having relocation plans."
"Not yet...".
Hiroshi Kawakami laughed: "Sun-san, your mindset is too limited. Many things are not as definitive as you think. Hinotori Publishing has no intention of relocating, simply because there is no interest."
"If there is a greater interest, and they take this opportunity to avoid us, I think, as long as they are not foolish, they will choose to relocate... and..."
His voice trailed off.
"Don't tell this matter, it's a last resort. Whether Mirai-sensei leaves or stays is still uncertain... We are originally agents in this competition, and the one who is truly fighting Mirai-sensei is Duke Anthony."
"He has a plan in Osaka, and he hasn't taken any action yet. Everything is uncertain."
- - - - - - - -
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