Chapter 33

The light melody floated through the music lounge, the leaping notes painting a pure and beautiful picture in the hearts of the listeners.

This was a classic piano piece, "Dream of Snow."

Yang Linfei and Nakamura Daiwa, among others, felt as if they were in a dream, their gazes following the pen tip as it swiftly moved across the paper.

Mai Xiaoyu sat quietly, a pen and a sheet of paper... silently creating a miracle.

The pen stopped, the drawing was complete.

"Naruto," Volume 2, Chapter 8, Page 1.

"Can it be verified now?" Mai Xiaoyu showed the still-drying drawing and asked calmly.

No one answered.

Nakamura Daiwa, suppressing the thousands of galloping grass mud horses in his heart, took the drawing and compared it with the previous "Naruto" rough draft.

Since Mai Xiaoyu had spontaneously decided to use a regular pen and paper instead of specialized comic tools and original paper, the image was somewhat distorted. However, it didn't matter; the style, the artistic approach, and the story's coherence on the paper were already sufficient proof that Mai Xiaoyu was the original creator of "Naruto"!

"I am very sorry, please forgive our previous disrespect." The translator conveyed Nakamura Daiwa's apology.

"It's fine, strict verification is a professional attitude. Can we now discuss the signing matters?"

Of course, no problem!

Shueisha sent Nakamura Daiwa to China specifically to sign "Naruto." Before coming, the chief editor gave a strict order: as long as Mai Xiaoyu was confirmed as the original creator, they were to secure "Naruto" at any cost!

Shueisha would not skimp on the treatment. Even as a Chinese person, Mai Xiaoyu would enjoy the same treatment as Japanese manga artists.

In terms of稿费 (manuscript fees), Shueisha offered a high price of 6000 yen per page, equivalent to 750 RMB per page at an exchange rate of 1:8. In the current Chinese comic industry, no comic artist could receive such a high fee.

However, Mai Xiaoyu rejected it without hesitation: "I don't want to beat around the bush, this price is too low."

It's already not low!

In Japan, the highest manuscript fee for new manga artists, 6000 yen per page, is only given to the first prize winner of the Tezuka Award, a competition for young story manga artists hosted by Shueisha.

"15000, no negotiation." Mai Xiaoyu didn't want to haggle and directly stated his bottom line.

"Impossible, that's the treatment for top-tier manga artists!"

"I believe you will agree."

Choosing to enter "Naruto" in the "Manga Love" newcomer competition was a well-thought-out decision by Mai Xiaoyu.

The ninja culture in "Naruto" is a national treasure of Japan, unique in the world.

The Japanese have a strong sense of national pride and dignity. How could they sit idly by and let their national treasure be extensively written about by foreigners?

If "Naruto" were to succeed and be widely distributed overseas through a Chinese publisher, and if fans in Europe and America were to discuss this comic...

"Hey Mike, have you read a very good ninja comic recently?"

"Oh, you mean 'Naruto'?"

"Yes, about ninjas."

"Of course! I just found out that ninjas in China are also so powerful!"

"No, no, kung fu is from China, but ninjas are from Japan."

"Are you sure? Then why is it published by a Chinese publisher?"

If such a situation were to arise, who would be the most embarrassed?

"Mr. Mai, you can't do this." The translator was anxious. "Your country has also suffered similar harm. Your country's Dragon Boat Festival was successfully registered as a cultural heritage by another country. How could you do such a cruel thing?"

"I don't want to do it, but you need to show your sincerity. Also, your company and Kodansha are competitors, right?"

Publicly, "Naruto" was disqualified from the "Manga Love" newcomer competition, one of whose organizers was Kodansha, on the grounds that Mai Xiaoyu was an impostor.

Now it has been proven that Mai Xiaoyu is the original creator. If Shueisha were to serialize this comic in their "Shonen Jump," what impact would it have on Shueisha and Kodansha... hehe.

In fact, this was also a key consideration for Shueisha.

"But that can't justify 15000 yen per page; the price is too high."

Now it's my turn!

Yang Linfei seized the opportunity and spoke up.

He said that the Soaring Publisher was very optimistic about "Naruto" and believed that this comic would generate substantial profits in the future. Shueisha could not accept Mai Xiaoyu's offer, but he could.

As he spoke, Yang Linfei pretended to take out a contract. Since Nakamura and his assistant couldn't read it, and the only translator who could understand was busy translating for Nakamura, there was no time to scrutinize it.

The Japanese were furious.

What are you doing? We are currently negotiating with Mr. Mai and have not interrupted the negotiations over the manuscript fees!

Mai Xiaoyu spoke again: "Don't rush, this is just the first condition. I have a second condition."

One million five hundred thousand!

The one million five hundred thousand that Mai Xiaoyu couldn't forget!

Not yen, but RMB!

As compensation for the unfair treatment he suffered in the competition.

"This is ridiculous! We deeply regret the unfair treatment you received in the 'Manga Love' newcomer competition, but it has nothing to do with us. Why should we bear your losses?" Nakamura Daiwa firmly rejected.

"Because you are all Japanese."

"This logic is even more ridiculous! The manuscript fee can be negotiated, but this is absolutely impossible."

"What if I add this?"

Mai Xiaoyu took out his phone and pressed the play button. The voice of "Manga Love" chief editor Li Gang came from the phone.

It was the recording of Li Gang's attempt to seduce him on the night when Liu Tao cooked for him for the first time.

The translator, limited in his skills, could not provide simultaneous translation and could only try to translate each sentence as quickly as possible for Nakamura, but some parts were missed, making Nakamura frown.

What is this? What's the point of this thing?

Huh?

Nakamura was stunned; he heard the voice of his compatriot.

He recognized the voice; it was from a senior executive of Kodansha overseas!

Shame!

Disgrace to the Yamato race!

But why do I feel a bit happy?

What a good thing!

The recording ended, and Nakamura instinctively reached for the phone, but Mai Xiaoyu easily dodged, a slight smile on his lips: "My compensation."

"This is not something Editor Nakamura can decide; he needs to consult with the headquarters." The translator conveyed Nakamura's message.

"Please do, but only today. My time is valuable."

The Japanese were very efficient, perhaps because this matter was very important. In any case, Nakamura returned after twenty minutes, a faint excitement hidden beneath his calm expression.

"The president said that no matter what the cost, the recording and 'Naruto' must be obtained today. When you negotiate with him, don't agree immediately; try to lower the price as much as possible."

This was Nakamura's exact words in Japanese.

The translator's eyes darted, and the Chinese he spoke was: "Mr. Mai, we believe that the recording in your possession has limited value and does not match your asking price. To show our sincerity, we will make the maximum concession: 9000 yen per page, plus 500,000 RMB, in exchange for the recording."

However, when Mai Xiaoyu spoke, everyone present was stunned.

He used Japanese, fluent Japanese: "Don't test my patience or insult my intelligence, or you will regret it."

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