Tokyo: Starting with the Gear-Conscious Male Gods!

Chapter 32 I ask you, what the hell does this mean!

After that question, the two quickly turned to the last page of the contract.

Even after reading down to the very last word, Shirakawa Yuta found no problems whatsoever. There were no issues with the payment per page, the publication method, the serialization requirements, or the discontinuation mechanism.

Even the copyright issue, which he cared about most, was clearly stated in the "Author Benefits" section, stipulating a 50/50 split between the two parties.

This plunged him into deep self-doubt. Had he really misunderstood the other person?

Yuta Shirakawa began to reflect on the other person's various actions. Putting aside preconceived notions, and without prejudice, those unusual behaviors all had a suitable explanation.

Nodding is simply a way for subordinates to greet their superiors in the presence of outsiders. Almost turning against someone just now was simply because she wanted to go on a date with her boyfriend as soon as possible. As for her suddenly focused eyes and unconsciously trembling fingers, these can be understood as normal physiological reactions. Even her previous anxious mood can be understood as wanting to complete her KPIs quickly.

But, is there really absolutely no problem?

Yuta Shirakawa's fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, his thoughts drifting off somewhere.

Kudo Sakae, standing to the side, revealed a cold smile and mockery when Shirakawa Yuta couldn't see it. Young people are indeed easy to fool; a simple change of topic was enough to divert the other party's attention.

Now that I've reviewed the contract again, there's no reason to refuse this time.

The thought of getting a promotion and a raise soon filled Kudo Sakae with barely suppressed elation.

He picked up the ballpoint pen that was placed aside, handed it to Shirakawa Yuta, and urged him:

"Yuta, I've already looked at it again. Since there are no problems, let's sign it quickly. After you sign it, you can go home earlier, since it's getting late."

Yuta Shirakawa racked his brains for a while, but couldn't find any problems, so he could only nod helplessly.

He removed the cap from the ballpoint pen, bent down, and rested his arm on the table.

Just as he was about to sign, he suddenly remembered that evening, also in this building, in the reception room not far from this office, his conversation with Imai Chinatsu, and his heart skipped a beat.

He realized the problem with the contract was copyright!

Copyright!

Some editors will use high compensation or special clauses to trick authors out of their copyrights!

Imai Chinatsu's words came clearly to mind at this moment, and even the resentment and disgust in her tone at that time were vividly recalled.

Yuta Shirakawa suddenly remembered that when he was looking at the contract, apart from the initial copyright revenue sharing, he didn't seem to have seen any other descriptions of copyright.

Seeing Shirakawa Yuta suddenly stop, Kudo Sakae's smile froze, and she couldn't help but urge, "Yuta, hurry up and sign it, you can leave after you sign it."

Yuta Shirakawa completely ignored the other party's thoughts, instead frantically recalling in his mind where the copyright issues were written in the two contracts he had seen before.

The contract should include the definition of the contract, the obligations of both parties, the authorization period, the payment method, the commitments and guarantees, the confidentiality clause, and then the penalties for breach of contract!

He was certain that he hadn't seen that clause!

It seems to be page 26?

The events of that time were now flashing through Shirakawa Yuta's mind. It seemed that the other person had asked him a question, which made him a little distracted, and he didn't see that place at the time.

So what was written on that page?

Yuta Shirakawa suddenly threw his pen aside and began flipping through the contract rapidly with his fingers.

The movement was so fast that Kudo Sakae, who had been keeping a close eye on Shirakawa Yuta, didn't even have time to react.

It wasn't until Shirakawa Yuta turned to page twenty-six of the contract that she rushed forward, trying to snatch it back.

But Shirakawa Yuta wasn't going to give her that chance. He reached out and pushed forward, blocking her directly.

His eyes quickly scanned the various clauses on page 26 until his pupils suddenly contracted when he saw a certain place!

A shocking clause appeared before him: "If the quality of the manuscript provided by Party B does not meet Party A's publication standards, Party A has the right to request Party B to supplement or modify it. If Party B refuses to modify it or if the modification fails to achieve the desired effect after three attempts, Party A has the right to modify it on its own and take over the subsequent content production. The copyright will be redistributed by Party A, and the specific publication standards will depend on Party A."

Cold sweat broke out instantly, and my back was soaked with sweat.

He finally understood what tricks the other party had used to trick him, and he finally understood why the other party was in such a hurry.

The specific release standards will be determined by Party A, and the copyright will also be redistributed by Party A!

This means that the other party is both the rule-maker and the rule-judge.

If he signs this contract, then it is very likely, no, it is certain, that the copyright will all end up in the other party's hands. He doesn't believe that the capitalist who should be left on the street lamp has any mercy!

Once he gains recognition, the other party can reject his manuscripts three times in a row and then take over the project directly.

Even if the quality of the later versions doesn't match the original "Rurouni Kenshin," it certainly won't be too bad. He has never underestimated the intelligence of other people in this world, especially since this is the most authoritative place in the entire country for manga production.

A surge of rage welled up within him, and his last shred of reason was swallowed up by fear.

He shoved Kudo Sakae, who was still struggling to take the contract back, onto the sofa and slammed the contract onto the table with a loud thud.

He angrily demanded, "What the hell does this clause mean! I'm asking you, what the hell does this mean?!"

Kudo Sakae explained, her face pale, "This is just to ensure you update properly in the future. I can assure you that as long as the quality of your future submissions is similar to the first chapter, it will definitely meet the standard."

"Just because it's similar to the first episode doesn't mean it meets the standard? Hah, you're kidding me!"

"Tell this to a three-year-old and see if he believes you, see if he believes you!"

The loud noise coming from inside alerted the secretary at the door that something was wrong. She naturally knew about the trickery in the contract, since she was the one who printed it out.

He hurriedly stood up, but then suddenly remembered the other person's tall figure and felt inexplicably guilty.

If the other party goes berserk and starts fighting with them, she won't be able to stop them.

After thinking it over carefully, she still didn't dare to go in. Ignoring the curious gazes of the crowd, she hurriedly ran upstairs.

She knew about the secret dealings between the team leader and Vice-Commander Fujiwara. The team leader had also discussed this contract with the other party, and she herself was sent by Vice-Commander Fujiwara to supervise the other party.

If I don't look for him now, when will I?