[New book — please add to your library and send flowers!]
---
After thinking for a while, James had a flash of inspiration:
Why bother creating long, drawn-out series like typical mainstream manga? Why not start with short stories?
Two days later, James found the frustrated editor Duranda at the newspaper office and slammed down a stack of manuscripts onto his desk!
At first, Duranda didn't take him seriously — just a kid. But as his eyes swept over the pages, they were glued to the artwork like a magnet.
He couldn't look away!
James smiled. This was the exact reaction he expected!
Earth's manga... its charm is something a backwater editor like you can't possibly resist.
Before he became an internet addict, he had been a manga addict for years!
Duranda read the entire stack in one go. When he looked up, his eyes sparkled like stars and galaxies.
My god... is this child the angel sent to save our newspaper?!
"You got more of these?" Duranda asked excitedly.
"Oh, I did have more," James replied casually, "but my family burned them. No worries though, I can draw more — about 300 to 400 short stories, maybe more. So no need to worry." He smiled confidently.
Duranda turned a little red, feeling embarrassed that this kid had seen through his desperation so easily. Maybe I really don't have what it takes to be a boss… But these short manga stories were perfect for their weekly publication!
"What's your name, by the way? I forgot to ask," Duranda said, now seriously considering this kid as their savior.
James replied, "Let me introduce myself properly then. I'm Waffle James, a resident of Lock Street. Two days ago, I saw your notice in the paper, remembered some of my old work, and thought I'd give it a shot. Well? Satisfied?"
He neatly stacked the pages and slid them into his backpack.
"Mr. James! Wait, what are you doing?! I want your manuscript! I want it! We can discuss any conditions! Please, just put the drawings back!" Duranda begged, visibly flustered. He truly cared about the paper — but James sighed to himself. This guy really isn't cut out to be a boss…
"Alright then," James said. "Let's talk business. If my manga revives this paper, do I become the owner? Or is there some sales goal that counts as 'saving' the paper?"
Duranda replied, "That's easy! We've already filed this with the Navy Branch. If we sell more than 1,000 copies per day, then the deal is complete. Under the Navy's supervision, you'll officially become the owner of the paper!"
James narrowed his eyes. "Okay… but what if you later say that the increased sales weren't just because of my manga? That there were other columns too? How do we prove it?"
"Haha," Duranda chuckled. "Right now, all our columns are the same old ones we've always had. If the sales go up, it can only be because of the new addition — your manga."
"Hmm..." James paused, clearly weighing the pros and cons. Duranda stood nervously beside him, sweating bullets. If this kid walked out, the paper was doomed.
After a long pause, James finally said, "Alright. Let's try working together for a while. You're a weekly paper — how much space can you give me each week? And what's the pay?"
"You agree?! Great!" Duranda beamed. "As for space — don't worry! The more artwork you give, the more space we'll provide! The more the better! And for payment, based on the current batch — we'll pay 500 Berries per page. Sound fair?"
James glanced at his stack — around 20 pages. Enough to fill two spreads. That meant 10,000 Berries for just two days of work! That covered his living expenses nicely.
But his real goal wasn't just becoming the paper's owner. What he wanted was control of their printing and distribution systems — once he had that, he could publish full volumes of manga, which would sell far better than newspaper chapters.
"Well then, here's to our cooperation!" James said, extending his hand. Duranda shook it eagerly and carefully took the manuscript back, placing it on his desk and weighting it down with his glasses case.
Then, Duranda led James to the finance office and paid him the 10,000 Berries in cash on the spot. Impressed by the speed, James accepted the money happily and went home.
As a breeze blew through the window, James's drawings fluttered slightly on the desk.
On the first page was a round, chubby, adorable creature with a big mouth, munching on his beloved dorayaki. The title had just four strange characters:
Doraemon.
---
The time from receiving the manuscript to publishing wasn't long. The next day, James visited the Lucky Star Weekly's print factory — and was stunned.
It wasn't the roaring machinery he imagined. Instead, the entire factory was filled with strange-looking creatures. According to Duranda, they were called "Printing Worms", apparently related to Den Den Mushi (Transponder Snails).
Their printing method? Brutally simple. First, the printing worm would eat the original manuscript, then stick out its huge tongue and slap it down on blank newspaper paper with a "PIAGI" sound. When it retracted its tongue, the print was done.
With loud "thwack-thwack-thwack" sounds echoing across the room, the worms worked continuously. Amusingly, after printing a certain number of pages, they would grab a bottle and drink some ink, as if they were hydrating. It was adorable.
After just one hour, 1,000 copies were printed.
Duranda then summoned Luke, the sales manager — though calling him "manager" was generous. He was the only staff member and handled delivering newspapers around Water 7. The sales volume didn't require a second person.
"Luke, I'm counting on you," Duranda said seriously. "Make sure the vendors display our paper up front so people will notice. This is our one shot!"
"Don't worry! I've got good relationships with those vendors. Let me see the paper…"
Luke picked up a fresh copy — and his eyes went wide.
On the front page was an enormous image of a cute, big-headed creature holding some snack that looked like a rice cracker. It was about to eat it.
Luke flipped the page, looked back at the front again — that was it?! One big drawing on the entire front page? Just one adorable creature?
10 Energy Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Five-Star Ratings = 1 Extra Chapter