Chapter 5: A Brilliant Work

Sakamoto Ken maintained his smile and stood up, giving a polite nod to Editor Kaji.

The editor wore a cream-colored short-sleeved shirt, the sleeves casually rolled up to her elbows, paired with khaki wide-leg pants and light brown canvas shoes. Her entire outfit had a simple, MUJI-like style.

She had long hair, fair skin, and a slender build. A small watch with a thin strap was on her wrist, giving her a rather artistic air.

“Hello, are you Sakamoto Ken-sensei?” Kaji asked with a slight smile.

Sakamoto Ken nodded and replied, “I’ll be in your care, Editor-san.”

Kaji Keiko met with several authors every day. She didn’t waste time with pleasantries and got straight to the point. “Right, let me introduce myself first. My name is Kaji Keiko. I’ve finished reading your web submission. Personally, I think you draw very well.”

Kaji Keiko placed a stack of printed manuscript pages on the table. It was the first two chapters Sakamoto Ken had sent with his web submission, marked up with circles and dots.

“I have great confidence in Chainsaw Man,” Sakamoto Ken said.

“I’d like to ask, is this your debut work? Have you ever published anything elsewhere before?” Kaji Keiko asked.

“You could call it my debut work. This is my first attempt at getting published,” Sakamoto Ken replied.

Kaji Keiko was clearly surprised. She raised an eyebrow and said, “This level of paneling makes me feel like I’m looking at the work of a seasoned author with many years of experience.”

“You flatter me, Editor Kaji.”

Of course, he thought. Before creating Chainsaw Man, Fujimoto-sensei already had seven years of creative experience, and he was an exceptionally talented artist to begin with.

“Although in terms of artwork, the brushstrokes are a bit rough, the panel design has a great sense of visual storytelling, and the impact of the fight scenes is very strong. If I were to evaluate it…” Kaji held up two fingers and said, “Only one word: brilliant!”

After saying that, her expression became a little hesitant. “But to be honest, the editorial department often receives manga with such unique styles. Usually, the first two chapters are brilliant, but after the gimmick is used up, they quickly fall into clichés.”

“Editor-san, are you wanting to discuss the subsequent plot with me?” Sakamoto Ken immediately understood her meaning.

She was worried he would have a weak ending.

Sakamoto Ken himself had seen many such works. The first chapter was hailed as a masterpiece, the second became mediocre, and then it got worse and worse, eventually getting canceled.

But this time, the editor’s worries were unnecessary.

Sakamoto Ken smiled and reached into his backpack, pulling out a thick stack of manuscript paper.

“Editor-san, actually, in the time since I submitted, I’ve completed two more chapters.”

He pushed the original manuscript pages in front of Kaji Keiko.

Kaji’s eyes widened noticeably. She stared at the stack of manuscript paper and said in surprise, “So fast? It’s only been a week, right?”

“Actually, I already have detailed concepts for the next several volumes. The actual drawing process is quite fast,” Sakamoto Ken said.

Kaji Keiko carefully picked up the original manuscript pages and flipped through them, page by page.

“So good… this is so good…” Kaji Keiko praised as she read. “The characters’ personalities are all coming through. I like Makima. Is she the female lead?”

“Ah, that… in short, she’s the object of Denji’s affection.” Sakamoto Ken coughed lightly, deciding it was best not to reveal the future plot to the editor just yet. The shock might be too great, and getting rejected would be bad.

“I get it, I get it. Sakamoto-sensei is drawing a harem manga, right? Is Makima-san part of the harem too?”

“If you put it that way, actually… I guess… she is?”

“Power, who appears at the end of chapter four, is also very cute, but isn’t her character design a bit redundant with Makima’s?” Kaji Keiko raised a question.

“How is it redundant?” Sakamoto Ken asked.

Kaji Keiko thought for a moment, then gestured with her hands in front of her chest and said, “They’re both big-chested, and you even gave her a close-up.”

“Ha, I can actually reveal this to you, Kaji-san. Power’s boobs are fake.”

“Fake?”

“They’re pads.”

“Hahaha, so that’s how it is.” Kaji Keiko covered her mouth and chuckled. “That’s quite interesting. Although her chest isn’t full, the character herself has become fuller.”

After reading the entire manuscript, Kaji Keiko discussed the future direction of the plot with Sakamoto Ken.

She said with great satisfaction, “In that case, let’s sign the contract. I’m very optimistic about Chainsaw Man.”

“Is it for online serialization on JUMP+?” Sakamoto Ken asked.

Kaji Keiko nodded and said, “Newcomers generally have to start with online serialization. However, given the quality of Sakamoto-sensei’s manga, if the response to the first few chapters online is good, I will apply for a magazine slot for you as soon as possible.”

She picked up a notebook, flipped through it, and said, “Next week, a series in Shonen JUMP is getting canceled. There are no new works from established authors scheduled recently, so they will first schedule two weeks of one-shots to fill the gap, and then replace it with a new series. I will fight to get that spot for you.”

“Then thank you, Editor Kaji.”

Sakamoto Ken was already satisfied with this arrangement. After all, he was a complete newcomer. Even if he presented a work that was a huge hit in his past life, no editor could guarantee it would be a hit just by looking at the beginning. In the end, he had to prove his strength with results.

Next was the contract signing. A staff member brought two copies of the contract, and Sakamoto Ken signed and stamped them on the spot.

“Alright, then here’s to a pleasant partnership.” Kaji Keiko smiled slightly and bowed to Sakamoto Ken.

“I’ll be in your care, Editor-san.”

“I will send you an email with the details of the upcoming publication process. Online publication is more flexible, and you have a four-chapter buffer, so there’s plenty of time.”

Kaji Keiko asked again, “By the way, Sensei, do you need help finding assistants?”

“No need.” Sakamoto Ken shook his head and said, “I can do it alone. I completed these chapters all by myself.”

“Sakamoto-sensei, you completed two chapters in one week, working alone?!”

Kaji Keiko was slightly startled. It wasn’t that there were no manga authors who worked alone, but their updates were usually much slower and couldn’t keep up with the pace of serialization. They could only publish on sites like Pixiv first, and only after accumulating enough chapters and popularity would they talk to a publisher about a contract.

Sakamoto Ken didn’t explain further, just smiled and nodded slightly.

In reality, this speed didn’t break the theoretical limits of human capability; it just omitted all the time spent on conceptualization.

Plot conception, paneling conception, character design conception… these were the major time-consuming parts.

With the serialization contract for 12,000 yen per page in hand, Sakamoto Ken walked out of the meeting room.

The payment for online serialization on the JUMP+ platform was relatively low, but Sakamoto Ken was already satisfied.

And he believed that in just a few weeks, Chainsaw Man would be able to get into Shonen JUMP magazine, and then the payment per page would double.

Moreover, compared to the future income from volume sales, copyright royalties, and so on, the serialization fee was just pocket change.

Very good. This playthrough is all about making money. A perfect start!

A smile couldn’t help but creep onto Sakamoto Ken’s lips. He was already thinking about where to buy a mansion with a nice view once the manga became a big hit.

Suddenly, his steps halted.

Inside the Shueisha building, many posters were hung on the walls on both sides, all for works launched by the company. Among them, there was an area specifically for new works.

A poster instantly caught his attention.

On the poster was a remarkably cool-looking girl with long pinkish-red hair, a JK uniform, black pantyhose, and… a huge sniper rifle slung over her shoulder.

In the blank space was the flowery title: Miss Sniper, and Pantyhose!.

(End of Chapter)