Chapter 58: Clash of Alliance
Zhao flipped through the drafts. The sister standing in the empty room, facing the younger sister's photo, trying to sing her favorite song. Off-key on the first line, voice cracking on the second, third... she stopped, laughed, tears flowing.
Then she continued singing, uglier voice, but more serious attitude.
Last panel, sister put down the photo, facing the rising sun outside the window, whispering: "Look, I'm still alive. Living clumsily, but I am living."
"This concept is good." Zhao looked up. "But I must remind you, Shonen World is preparing a Newcomer Award, prize 15 million, anime promise. If we don't speed up Thorn Bird's commercialization, we might be drowned by their newcomers."
White Night was silent for a few seconds, then said seriously, "Chief, I went to the ranch to find Teacher Alex not to learn commercialization, but to learn how to draw truly good works. If I change direction to avoid being drowned, I lose from the start."
"Then what do you think is a truly good work?"
"A work that moves hearts." White Night didn't hesitate. "Like Teacher said, ten years later, no one remembers which work had the hottest marketing, but they remember which was best to read. I want to draw a work people remember in ten years."
Zhao looked at her. This seventeen-year-old girl had a determination beyond her age. He suddenly understood why Alex was willing to teach her—because she had the purest thing: piety towards creation.
"Okay." Zhao nodded. "Draw as you think. But Chapter 12 must be finished by month-end. We need to release before Shonen World's Newcomer Award results, speak with works."
"Yes!"
After White Night left, Zhao texted Lee: "Cooperation matter, no problem on my side. When to start?"
Reply came minutes later: "Next Monday. We will do an FMA Northern Arc Mid-Term Review Special, can leave four pages for Thorn Bird warmup. But one condition—no mention of 'Master-Apprentice' in the special, only 'Excellent New Generation Author'."
Zhao smiled. Lee was smart, giving space for cooperation while maintaining FMA's independent status. This sense of proportion was the foundation for long-term cooperation.
"Agreed." He replied.
Wednesday, light snow on the ranch.
Alex was drawing Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 27 in the studio. This chapter was Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye's secret operation—investigating the military high command's Philosopher's Stone research network based on Edward's intel.
He drew slowly. Roy was complex—cynical on surface, firm justice inside. Hawkeye opposite—cold professional surface, soft inside. Their interaction needed tension and tacit understanding, hard to grasp.
Drawing Roy reading files late at night, Hawkeye silently handing coffee, he stopped to think, sketching a few alternative panels.
Finally chose the most restrained version: Hawkeye put coffee on desk edge, said nothing, turned to leave. Roy watched her back, sipped coffee, whispered: "Thanks."
No eye contact, no dialogue, but everything understood.
This is high-level emotional handling—using minimal ink to convey richest connotation.
Phone buzzed. Sue's message: "Shonen World raised Newcomer Award to 15 million, Kane is anxious. Chief says next Monday FMA Special will launch with Thorn Bird warmup, formal response."
Alex read, replied: "Understood. Chapter 27 done by weekend."
"Also," Sue sent another, "A TV station wants an exclusive interview, high offer. Chief says up to you, suggests showing face to stabilize reader expectation."
"No." Alex replied crisply.
"Then... at least say a few words? Audio recording?"
Alex thought, said: "Wait until Northern Arc finishes. Can say a few creative thoughts then."
"Okay, noted."
Putting down phone, he continued drawing. Snow fell heavier outside, ranch white. Quiet, suitable for creation.
But silence broken soon. 2:00 PM, Sarah shouted downstairs: "Alex guests has arrived!"
Alex went down, saw a strange middle-aged woman in decent office wear sitting in living room, a reserved boy about fifteen or sixteen standing beside her.
"This is Teacher Zhang from City High," Sarah introduced. "This is her son kai, says he's your loyal reader, wants to see you."
The boy looked up, eyes bright, but something else in them—not fan excitement, but complex emotion.
"Hello Mr. Walker," he bowed. "I'm Kai. I... have something to say to you."
Alex looked at him, nodded. "Go ahead."
"I finished FMA Chapter 26." Kai's voice trembled. "Those test subjects... my uncle was a soldier, heavily injured on mission three years ago, now in hospital on life support. Doctor says severe brain damage, not really alive. But grandma won't give up, says as long as there's breath, he's alive."
He paused, controlling emotions. "Family sold house to treat uncle, now in debt. Mom says give up, grandma says no. I... don't know what to do. But reading your chapter, Edward said 'Those we can't save, at least let them suffer no more'... I thought all night."
He looked up, eyes red. "Do you think I should support mom or grandma?"
Living room quiet, only sound of falling snow. Sarah turned away wiping eyes. Teacher Zhang held son's hand, silent.
Alex silent for long time, then said: "I can't decide for you. But I want to tell you, FMA wants to say—whatever choice, think clearly about the cost, then bear it yourself. Grandma chooses not to give up, cost is family economic pressure and mental torture. Mom chooses to give up, cost is lifetime guilt. No right or wrong, only choice."
He paused. "But one thing, Edward is right—those we can't save shouldn't continue suffering. If your uncle really has consciousness, would he want family living so tired for him?"
Kai stared at him, tears finally falling. He wiped them hard, bowed: "Thank you. I... I know now."
After mother and son left, Sarah sighed. "Poor kid."
"Yeah." Alex responded, turning upstairs.
Back in studio, looking at half-finished Chapter 27, pen felt heavier.
His work truly influencing real lives. Those discussions on life/death, ethics, choice, not paper talk, but real dilemmas many face.
This made him more determined—draw better, more seriously, more responsibly.
Because readers aren't just reading stories, they are looking for answers, strength, courage to move forward in stories.
He gripped pen, continued drawing.
This time, every stroke harder, more determined.
Friday, Fullmetal Alchemist Chapter 27 released.
Plot advanced fast, but emotion heavy. Roy and Hawkeye investigation blocked, military darkness deeper, Edward and Alphonse northern situation more dangerous.
Most shocking was a dialogue. Roy said to Hawkeye after obstruction: "Sometimes I feel we are pushing a stone that will never move."
Hawkeye looked at him, calmly: "Still have to push. Because if not pushed, stone won't move itself. Push, at least make it loosen."
Roy smiled: "You are always so direct."
"Because it's fact." Hawkeye turned to leave, stopped at door, back to him: "And, you are not pushing alone."
Short dialogue, huge info. That belief held in desperate situation, that mutual support, moved countless readers.
Data out at noon: 83.2%, new high again.
On this day, Shonen World's Newcomer Award shortlist announced, but public response flat. Hottest forum post still discussing Roy-Hawkeye dialogue in FMA Chapter 27.
"Hawkeye's last sentence... I cried."
"Not pushing alone... this is true comrade."
"Every character in FMA growing, facing own dilemma, but not giving up."
"This is manga. Others are just commodities."
Gap widening. Not just data, but work dimension gap.
When a work is good to a certain degree, it establishes its own evaluation system, making other works pale.
And Fullmetal Alchemist clearly reached this realm.
Saturday evening, Ranch.
Alex received Kai's message: "Mr. Walker, talked to family. We decided... let uncle go peacefully. Doctor says will use meds for no pain. Thank you. Your manga gave me courage to face it."
He looked for a long time, replied: "Take care."
(To be Continued)
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