Tokyo, Japan.
The air seemed to be on fire.
When Dragon Jump magazine officially announced that it would change from a monthly magazine to a semi-weekly magazine, publishing two issues per week in response to the overwhelming enthusiasm of readers, the entire Tokyo comics industry sensed the arrival of a real storm.
The success of the first issue of "Dragon JUMP" Weekly is just a warm-up. Everyone - friendly companies, competitors, and even partners who are holding back and watching - will turn their attention to the second issue that will follow.
The quality of this emerging magazine will be finally tested in this issue.
In the early morning, the atmosphere inside Dragon Jump magazine was solemn, and the air was filled with a heavy feeling mixed with tension and anticipation.
The huge lead printing machine made a low roar, and the smell of fresh ink filled the printing plant.
This time, the first print is no longer a tentative quantity.
The first batch of three million magazines were bundled and packed continuously under the highly efficient printing assembly line operation, and were carried by large transport trucks ready to go to newsstands, convenience stores and bookstores of all sizes across Japan.
President Keiko Kobayashi was wearing a neatly tailored Chanel suit and standing upright in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the office.
She held a cup of half-cold coffee in her hand, her eyes looking through the glass, overlooking the bustling loading scene downstairs.
In her office, the phone has been ringing since early morning. The heads of departments responsible for sales, printing, and public relations are rushing in and out, reporting on the latest distribution status.
"President Kobayashi, all 1,000 sales points in the core area of Tokyo have been delivered!"
"President Kobayashi, reporting from the Kansai region, we've completed distribution to key cities like Osaka and Kyoto!"
"President Kobayashi, the logistics department reports that the transport truck to Hokkaido has been dispatched on time..."
Every report was like a stone thrown into the lake, causing ripples in Keiko Kobayashi's heart.
But she remained completely calm, nodding slightly or responding with a simple command: "Stay tuned."
In the market, readers' enthusiasm was like a long-suppressed volcano, erupting the moment the second issue of "Dragon JUMP" was released.
The first day's sales data poured into the magazine through the telephone lines like a stream of boiling iron.
"President Kobayashi! The largest newsstand in front of Shibuya Station sold out all 2,000 copies within the first hour of opening! The owner is scrambling to stock up!"
"All the manga stores in Akihabara are in a state of emergency! The staff say it looks like they've been robbed by a mob!"
"The general agent in Nagoya called for support. The first batch of quotas has already been sold out, and consumers are still waiting in line!"
"Sapporo! Sapporo is also out of stock!"
Near noon, the head of the sales department practically rushed into the president's office, his face a mixture of disbelief, ecstasy, and a hint of fatigue. "President Kobayashi! Three million copies... three million copies sold out before three o'clock this afternoon, except for the most remote areas! Reports of nationwide out-of-stocks are pouring in like snowflakes!"
The noisy office suddenly became quiet, and all eyes were focused on Keiko Kobayashi.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the microphone, their knuckles turning white from the strain, but her voice was clear and steady as a rock: "Notify the printing factory to suspend all other publishing tasks. All machines must operate at full capacity and print more copies immediately. The target for the first batch is... two million copies!"
The huge printing machine made another shocking roar, even more rapid than the last time, as if it also felt the hunger of the market.
The ink consumption increased dramatically, and the paper flew over the rollers like snowflakes, and the binding wire flew up and down.
The entire printing factory was brightly lit, and the workers were sweating profusely, but they were all in high spirits.
Newly printed magazines flooded into the market again at the fastest speed like a floodgate.
This time, the name of "Dragon Jump" truly ignited the whole of Japan.
The two million extra copies of the magazine were sold out before the last sales window closed at around ten o'clock in the evening.
Some newsstand owners in popular locations even put up notices saying "Dragon Jump sold out, please come early tomorrow."
Within one day, sales of the second issue of "Dragon Jump" exceeded five million copies!
This number, like a nuclear bomb, exploded in the peaceful Japanese comics world.
When this news came out, the whole of Japan was shocked!
…
At the Lin residence, Lin Tongchun was processing documents in his study when the housekeeper knocked on the door, his voice distorted with excitement. "Master! The second issue of Miss Huizi's 'Dragon Jump' went on sale today, and they sold five million copies in one day!"
Lin Tongchun's hand holding the pen paused for a moment, and a drop of thick ink fell on the exquisite Japanese paper letter, quickly spreading a small ink mark.
He didn't look up, but remained silent for a few seconds. Then he slowly put down his pen and leaned back against the wide chair. A gleam flashed in his deep eyes, and a subtle, yet extremely complex smile curved his lips.
"One day... five million copies... Hehehe, the young are to be feared, the young are to be feared!
It seems that Huizi, following Lin Huowang, is already capable of achieving great things."
He picked up the jade Pixiu ornament on the table and rubbed it vigorously.
…
In the deep mansion of the Tokugawa family, cherry blossoms are like snow at night.
The head of the Tokugawa family listened to the report from his retainer, and the teacup in his hand rested at his lips for a long time without taking a sip.
His eyes looked calmly at the falling cherry blossoms in the courtyard, as if penetrating the beautiful scenery before him.
Five million copies? In just two days?
An extremely cold aura emanated from him. It was not anger, but a deep chill that came from sensing the drastic change in the chessboard pattern.
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