The success of My Hero Academia had become a global phenomenon, attracting all sorts of attention. Sitting in the modern office of his Tokyo publisher, Marcus immediately sensed a shift in the atmosphere. His former editor, Mr. Tanaka, had been replaced by a younger man with slicked-back hair and an impeccable suit, Mr. Saito. His smile was broad, but his eyes, sharp and cold, assessed Marcus like a racehorse.
"Kane-sama! An honor to finally meet you," Saito exclaimed with an enthusiasm that rang false. He bowed slightly, a gesture too precise to be sincere. "Your work is a national treasure in the making. It represents the spirit of the hero, so close to our Japanese values!"
Marcus, wary, bowed politely in return. "You are too kind, Saito-san. I'm glad the story is being well-received."
"Received? It transcends!" Saito corrected, sitting down and crossing his legs. "But to reach its full potential, it needs the... right hands. Hands that understand the Japanese market, the Japanese soul."
He slid a thick brochure toward Marcus. It was the portfolio of a very trendy Japanese mangaka, known for his dynamic and commercial art style.
"I have a proposition that will benefit everyone," Saito continued, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "You continue to write the script. You are the genius behind the story, that doesn't change. But for the artwork... we entrust that to Yamada-sensei. His style is more... authentic. More marketable. Imagine: your magnificent script, carried by truly Japanese art! The public will adore it. And sales, of course, will skyrocket."
Marcus felt a cold anger rising within him. They wanted to steal his baby, to take the pencil from his hand. My Hero Academia wasn't just a story; it was his refuge, his soul.
"I am honored, Saito-san," he said, keeping his voice neutral. "But My Hero Academia is my work. The script and the art are inseparable. It's a part of me."
Saito's smile stiffened, turning into an expression of polite disdain.
"Kane-sama, be reasonable. You are a foreigner, a gaijin. As talented as you are, you can never fully understand the subtleties of our culture. Yamada-sensei embodies it. This is a commercial decision, you understand? For the good of the series."
He leaned forward, his gaze hardening.
"The contracts are very clear. The publishing house holds extensive rights to the intellectual property. We can make this decision. I am offering you the chance to stay on the boat, as the writer. Otherwise..."
The threat hung in the air, unspoken but clear: either he accepted, or he would be forced out of his own creation.
Marcus stood up, his imposing frame seeming to suddenly fill the entire room. He was no longer just Marcus Kane, the mangaka. He was Utopian.
"I understand perfectly, Saito-san," he said, his voice becoming a dangerous murmur. "I understand the greed and pride disguised as patriotism."
He locked eyes with the editor.
"Here is my decision. I am pulling My Hero Academia. Effective immediately. You will never have the right to touch a single one of my panels again."
Saito sneered, nervously. "You can't! The termination clauses..."
"Call your lawyers," Marcus interrupted. "Call whoever you want. But know this: you are no longer dealing with a simple artist."
He leaned forward, just slightly, but it was enough to make Saito instinctively lean back in his chair.
"You spoke of the Japanese soul. Let me speak to you about justice. And it's a language I am fluent in."
Without another word, Marcus turned and left the office, leaving a pale and furious Saito behind him. The battle for his art had just begun, and he was ready to fight with the same fury he used to protect the city. No one, not even a nationalist and greedy publisher, would steal his voice.