A few days after the Parasite incident, Marcus was enjoying a rare moment of calm in his apartment, sketching the first storyboards for Demon Slayer's second volume. The success of the first volume was already resounding, and the pressure to deliver a worthy sequel was beginning to mount.
That's when his manager, usually a very composed man, called, visibly excited.
"Marcus! You'll never guess! Wit Studio and MAPPA have contacted our offices! They want a meeting with you!"
Slightly taken aback, Marcus set down his stylus. Wit Studio and MAPPA were two of the most prestigious and respected animation studios in the industry, known for works with stunning animation and unique atmospheres.
"Are they interested in Demon Slayer?" asked Marcus, trying to keep his cool.
"More than that!" exclaimed the manager. "They don't just want to adapt your manga. They want you to be the Creative Consulting Director on the project! They want your eye, your vision, for every step: character design, storyboarding, artistic direction... Everything!"
A few days later, Marcus found himself in a modern conference room in the heart of Tokyo, facing representatives from both studios. The atmosphere was respectful, almost reverent.
"Kane-sama," began the producer from Wit Studio. "Your work, Demon Slayer, possesses a rare soul and aesthetic. We don't want to make a simple adaptation. We want to create a masterpiece that does it justice, and for that, we need its creator."
The representative from MAPPA continued. "Your sense of rhythm, composition... we want that to be reflected on screen. You would have approval rights over key animation, color choices, the soundtrack. Total creative involvement."
Marcus listened, impressed and flattered. It was an incredible opportunity. Seeing his characters come to life with the quality of these studios was every mangaka's dream.
Yet, a thought crossed his mind. He remembered his fight against the Parasite, the responsibility weighing on his shoulders as Utopian. Earth needed him. The League needed him.
"Your offer is extremely honorable," he finally replied, choosing his words carefully. "And very tempting. But my time is... a limited resource. I have other commitments, responsibilities that demand a great deal of my attention."
He saw a flicker of disappointment in his interlocutors' eyes.
"However," he continued, "I cannot and will not abandon Demon Slayer. Here is my counter-proposal: I remain the overall Creative Director. I will approve all final character designs, key storyboards, and the general artistic direction. But I will have to delegate some of the day-to-day oversight. I will be the guardian of the work's soul, but I will need to rely on your legendary expertise for the execution details."
The producers exchanged a look, then a smile. It was a compromise, but a quality compromise.
"We understand completely, Kane-sama," said the Wit Studio producer. "An artist of your talent must have multiple projects. We accept. We will form a small, dedicated team that will work directly under your supervision."
Leaving the meeting, Marcus felt a mix of excitement and relief. He had found a balance. He could pursue his passion for creation without neglecting his duty as a protector. He didn't have to choose between Marcus Kane, the mangaka, and Utopian, the hero. He could be both. And with the support of the world's best studios, Demon Slayer was in good hands. The next battle, both on paper and on screen, was about to begin.