Chapter 49 – The Fiancée and the Weekly Shōnen Headquarters

Not long after Jingū Yō got into Okuda's car and left, a breathtakingly beautiful girl with a small black leather bag slung over her shoulder walked along the road. Her looks were of an otherworldly beauty—so much so that even in Japan, the land where one of Asia's "Four Great Dark Arts," the art of makeup, is wielded to its fullest potential, her lightly applied cosmetics still outshone those girls who spent hours perfecting theirs.

A beautiful girl walking down the street always draws second glances. This young woman, still in the flower of youth, possessed a natural charm so striking it made most men on the street turn their heads—and left them unable to forget her for a long time.

She arrived at the doorstep of Jingū Yō's home. Her eyes, somewhat vacant, rested on the nameplate by the door that read "Jingū." After a long hesitation—one that seemed to come after a fierce internal struggle—she finally raised her slender, delicate fingers and pressed the doorbell.

— — —

The headquarters of Weekly Shōnen JUMP was an ultramodern building, completely different from its older, slightly rundown branch offices. Wide, bright, and with a cutting-edge abstract architectural design, it radiated a sense of ambition and forward-thinking. After parking the car, Okuda led Jingū Yō to the main entrance.

Standing tall outside were two massive murals, each depicting a legendary manga series—Dragon Ball and Yu Yu Hakusho. These two titles had been at the heart of JUMP's golden age, when the magazine's weekly circulation had peaked. Displaying their art so prominently at the entrance made it clear: Weekly Shōnen JUMP aspired to reclaim its former glory.

"One day, maybe all the posters out here will be from my own works."

With a confident smirk, Jingū Yō straightened his back and strode into the lobby with pride.

The entire first floor was walled with transparent glass, giving the illusion that there were no barriers—everything that went on inside was laid bare. Just like the lobby at the branch office, the headquarters bustled with people, only in even greater numbers. Inside the transparent guest rooms, JUMP editors continued to meet and evaluate aspiring "mangaka."

"Over here, Jingū-sensei!"

Okuda waved to him from the reception desk, where he was already waiting.

Hearing his name called out, the other people in the lobby turned with surprise to look at Jingū Yō. To be addressed as "sensei"—especially within the sacred halls of Weekly Shōnen JUMP—was a clear sign that he was a professional mangaka. Not just a newcomer, but someone currently serialized or once serialized—someone of rank.

But mangaka weren't celebrities. Even someone like Yoshihiro Togashi could walk down the street without being recognized. Most people here didn't know who Jingū Yō was—though a few, those more perceptive or familiar with the magazine's recent developments, perked up at the name "Jingū", wondering if this was the new author of Naruto.

Being suddenly thrust into the spotlight made Jingū Yō nervous. Before his reincarnation, he'd never faced this kind of public attention. But he quickly drew in a deep breath, curved his lips into a calm smile, and walked confidently toward Okuda. In this life, he was standing at the top of society. That innate aura of nobility might still be faint, but with time, it would only grow stronger.

"You even need an appointment just to get into headquarters, Editor Okuda?"

Jingū Yō chuckled as he spoke. Their relationship had grown close enough to permit casual jabs like this.

"Well, company policy is company policy. All this bureaucracy—who knows if it's a blessing or a curse."

Okuda chuckled back.

Unlike the branch office, the front desk here wasn't manned by just one receptionist—there were several. Before Jingū Yō even arrived, they had already learned of his identity from Okuda. Now, their eyes sparkled as they looked at him. They understood well: a mangaka serialized in Weekly Shōnen JUMP—even if not one of the elites—was still rich. And this one happened to be young and handsome to boot. Who could blame them for harboring a few thoughts?

Such was the manga world—those who made it big became truly wealthy, while those who didn't struggled just to get by.

"Editor Okuda, Jingū-sensei—today's interview is on the third floor. Please follow me."

One of the receptionists, a sweet-looking young woman, bowed politely and gestured toward the elevator with a soft smile.

"Thanks for your help."

Jingū Yō flashed her a bright smile—completely different from the moody, gloomy image most people had of mangaka. Despite being a hardcore otaku at heart, he exuded charm and sunshine on the outside.

That easy smile made the young woman, still fresh from college, blush with embarrassment. She turned away shyly and silently led them forward.

Okuda gave Jingū Yō a sly thumbs-up from behind, then leaned in and whispered, "You're still young, but man, you've got a smooth touch with the ladies already. Impressive!"

The balding man in his thirties gave him a knowing grin—one only men understood.

"I may be a teenager, but I'm no virgin."

Jingū Yō replied with a perfectly serious expression, though his gaze drifted—entirely not seriously—to the legs of the girl leading them.

"...Eh?"

Okuda froze in place for a second. When he noticed Jingū Yō already several steps ahead, he rushed to catch up, muttering under his breath, "Times sure have changed... with all this information overload... Back in my day, I just hid some smut magazines and jacked off in secret..."

The interview was being held on the third floor. Once the receptionist brought them to the door, she hesitated for a moment—then left with visible reluctance. She kicked herself internally: Why did I get so flustered? I should've said something to him...!

This time, Okuda didn't even bother knocking—he just pushed the door open and walked in, with Jingū Yō right behind him.

Inside, two men who had been chatting froze in surprise. Upon recognizing Okuda and Jingū Yō, they quickly stood. One of them, a younger man, even rushed over, pulling out a chair for him.

"Are you Jingū-sensei? It's an honor! I'm Endō, the assistant for today's interview. I'm a huge fan of Naruto—your work is incredible... Could I maybe get your autograph?"

As he spoke, the man who was clearly a Jingū Yō fan took a pen and some paper from his pocket, his eyes sparkling.