章 431: The Four Heavenly Kings Arc
Of course, there might be some exaggeration in the claims.
However, back in 1981, when Captain Tsubasa began serialization, a survey by the Japan Football Association reported about 110,000 elementary school players. By the time the series ended in 1988, that number had skyrocketed to 240,000. This phenomenon became known in Japanese football circles as the "football explosion."
In 1998, Japan entered the World Cup for the first time. The majority of their players at the time were in the age group that coincided with Captain Tsubasa's serialization period. It's hard to dismiss that as a mere coincidence.
While the Japanese basketball team didn't rise to new heights thanks to Slam Dunk, the Japanese men's football team truly began to dominate Asia because of Tsubasa Ozora.
In Ren's previous life, Captain Tsubasa was part of the "Big Three" sports manga, alongside Slam Dunk and Touch. Its popularity endured over decades, and its influence was monumental.
This manga didn't just entertain—it sparked a football revolution in Japan, taking the sport from obscurity to mainstream prominence. Even world-class Japanese players of the time were inspired by it, bringing a "yellow whirlwind" to European football.
It was no ordinary manga; it was football's beacon of hope.
In this world, where Chinese football remains weak, there's a dire need for such a manga to ignite the fire of hope in young hearts—the children who symbolize infinite possibilities.
Although Ren hadn't drawn Captain Tsubasa directly, its iconic characters and moves were etched in his memory.
One of the most memorable was the overhead kick. Back in elementary school, Ren would often mimic the move while playing soccer, only to fall flat on his back every time.
Yet, despite the scrapes and bruises, it never dampened his enthusiasm.
Writing a soccer manga was straightforward—matches drove the plot. With well-defined characters and unique moves, the narrative practically wrote itself.
What's more, Captain Tsubasa perfectly aligned with the requirements of the Football Association's request—a story about school soccer.
The plot could follow the protagonist's journey from sixth grade to the professional leagues.
Jada's Challenge
"What do you think? The pay's not great, but I think it's worth doing," Jada said, watching Ren's prolonged silence.
"But… do you think you can handle it?"
After all, sports manga—especially football—were niche in China. Almost all sports manga, regardless of quality, had struggled to find success.
Though Ren's Hikaru no Go had temporarily sparked interest in the genre, most artists soon abandoned it due to its limited profitability.
"A man doesn't admit defeat so easily!" Ren replied, exuding confidence as he cast a bold glance at his wife. "Watch and learn!"
Ren wasn't just any man—he had a system to rely on!
Plus, school football in this world was still in its infancy, so he had free rein to imagine and create tournaments as he pleased.
Silver Soul Reaches the Four Heavenly Kings Arc
While Ren worked hard to adapt Captain Tsubasa into a Chinese version, his Silver Soul manga had progressed to the Four Heavenly Kings Arc.
Most of Silver Soul's episodes were standalone, with self-contained storylines. While the shorter arcs had their gems, its longer arcs often became instant classics. The Four Heavenly Kings Arc was one of them.
This arc left readers wide-eyed with surprise.
Who would've thought that the old lady who ran the bar had once been a stunning beauty?
Not only that—she turned out to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Kabukicho!
Readers were amazed by the hidden depths of Otose's character. Despite having no significant backing or resources, she used her vast network of connections to establish her position in Kabukicho.
She was the very definition of a "social butterfly."
A Heartwarming Core
At the heart of this arc was Otose's late husband, Terada Tatsugoro. Though he had died in battle during the war against the Amanto (aliens), his love for Kabukicho lived on, embodied by those he left behind. His legacy continued to protect the district.
In the arc, Jirocho's daughter, Tsubaki Hirako, not only outsmarted the protagonists but also fooled readers. It wasn't until much later that her true intentions were revealed—everything she did was to bring her father back into her life.
The father-daughter reunion in the flower fields was deeply moving.
Critical Acclaim
"Wow. I thought the Yoshiwara Arc was incredible, but the Four Heavenly Kings Arc is just as amazing," Daniel murmured as he closed his manga volume.
While the Red Spider and Yoshiwara arcs were undoubtedly intense, Daniel felt the Four Heavenly Kings Arc stood out for its intricate plotting.
The arc retained Silver Soul's signature humor but added a layer of solemnity that made the emotional moments hit even harder.
Jirocho's betrayal, when he injured Otose and teamed up with Saigo to dismantle the Yorozuya (Odd Jobs), led to the reveal of the true mastermind—Peacock Princess Kada.
Just as Kabukicho was on the verge of collapse, Otose and Katsuhiro suddenly reappeared, rallying everyone to fight back against the Amanto.
Gintoki and Jirocho joined forces, fighting side by side to crush Kada's elite troops.
Daniel thought, "If there's a world championship for street brawls, Gintoki would win hands down!"
The finale, where Jirocho renounced his titles and responsibilities to be with his daughter, was particularly touching.
Ren's Rejected Submission
A week later, Ren submitted his concept for the football manga.
He felt relieved after turning it in. He was confident that his version of Captain Tsubasa could shine as brightly in this world as it had in his previous one.
But just as he was basking in his sense of accomplishment, Jada entered the room.
"Ren, your submission was rejected."
"What?!"
Ren was stunned. He couldn't believe it.
His manga was perfectly in line with the FA's requirements. There weren't even any inappropriate scenes—how could it have been turned down?
"Did someone else undercut me again?" he muttered, recalling past frustrations.
"This is the reason they gave," Jada said, handing him a document.
Ren took it, confused but determined to understand.
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