The content related to "Dragon Ball" was divided into several sections: the original manuscript exhibition area, the merchandise sales area, and the IP game demo area.
Regardless of the section, its popularity was undoubtedly the highest, and it was the most crowded.
Especially in the merchandise sales area and the IP game demo area; even though the venue had only been open for less than half an hour and other exhibition areas were still empty, these spots were already completely packed.
To avoid being recognized, Rin had also put on a mask.
Looking at the crowded scene before her, she expressed some surprise: "Are there really this many people here already?"
Hearing this, Akira couldn't help but exclaim: "I can only say, as expected of 'Dragon Ball'."
As the greatest manga in the history of Shonen Jump, "Dragon Ball" was undoubtedly the highest mountain in Shonen Jump's history, both now and in the future before he transmigrated.
By comparison, the number of people in the "Dragon Ball" original manuscript exhibition area was relatively smaller, or rather, the flow of people was faster.
This happened to be the part Akira was most interested in, so they started their tour from there.
The Shonen Jump officials really understood the fans.
The original drawings exhibited for "Dragon Ball" featured iconic scenes selected from every arc, from the first meeting of Goku and Bulma in the Boyhood arc to the appearance of the Super Saiyan in the Majin Buu arc.
However, because "Dragon Ball" had too many iconic scenes, and limited by space and venue constraints, it felt like too few original drawings were on display, leaving one wanting more after finishing.
Additionally, although he had seen ultra-high-definition digital versions in his past life, when actually comparing them, the level of detail still couldn't compare to the original drawings in reality.
While touring, it was naturally inevitable to talk about the manga itself.
Rin asked with some curiosity: "Speaking of which, which arc of 'Dragon Ball' does Mochizuki-kun like the most?"
To this, he answered with a smile without hesitation: "My favorites are the Dragon Ball Hunt arc and the King Piccolo arc."
"? Me too!"
Rin's eyes widened slightly in pleasant surprise, and then she added with some astonishment: "However, I thought Mochizuki-kun would prefer the later arcs, like the Namek arc or the Majin Buu arc."
"I certainly like those arcs as well."
Akira smiled: "But if we're talking about 'favorites,' for me, it can only be the first two."
The Dragon Ball Hunt arc and the King Piccolo arc—the series of stories during Goku's boyhood before Raditz arrived—were also the starting point of his love for "Dragon Ball."
The meeting of Goku and Bulma, traveling together to find the Dragon Balls, becoming a student of Master Roshi, participating in the World Martial Arts Tournament, fighting the Red Ribbon Army, defeating King Piccolo——
Adventure, training, fighting, opposing evil, saving the world——
In his view, the early content of "Dragon Ball" was truly too rich and colorful.
Moreover, all these elements were perfectly fused together by Toriyama Akira, not appearing complex or bloated, but instead presenting a real and incredibly wonderful complete world.
After that, starting from the Saiyan arc, the adventure elements in "Dragon Ball" began to decrease, the story structure became simpler, and it became more focused on fighting.
Even by comparison, the art style of the first two arcs looked somewhat different from the later ones.
Of course, he wasn't saying the later content was bad, because he enjoyed reading it very much too.
It was just that he really liked the adventures of young Goku, as well as the training and fighting content that was organically combined with the adventure; the entire story atmosphere left a deep impression on him.
Furthermore, as part of his childhood memories, the first two arcs also held an irreplaceable, special status.
"I understand."
Rin nodded in deep agreement.
Besides that, she felt that Goku as a child was especially cute, even cuter than Gohan, Goten, and Trunks in the later arcs.
This was also one of the reasons why she liked the first two arcs.
In short, their compatibility in these kinds of hobbies was also something that made her feel happy.
The same was true for Akira.
That said, after touring the "Dragon Ball" original manuscripts, Akira couldn't help but feel a sudden urge to buy some related merchandise.
For example, he had just seen the Dragon Ball crystal glass sphere set, which was indeed quite tempting.
Oh no, he was really being swayed this time.
However, on second thought, this wasn't exclusive merchandise for the Jump Festa event, so there didn't seem to be a need to buy it here.
After all, carrying it around after buying it would be quite troublesome.
Hmm.
Better to just keep browsing.
Just as he made his decision, suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind. He turned around to look, and it was an unexpected, familiar figure——
Eiichiro Oda.
The moment he saw the other person, Akira was slightly surprised, but quickly returned to normal.
As a serialized author for Shonen Jump and also a die-hard fan of "Dragon Ball," it was perfectly normal for Eiichiro Oda to appear here.
It was just unexpected that they would happen to run into each other.
So he smiled and greeted him: "It's Oda-kun, I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence to run into you."
When calling out the other person's name, Akira deliberately lowered his voice.
Although the other person basically hadn't shown his face in public and the likelihood of being recognized by fans wasn't high, it was best to be careful.
After all, this was Shonen Jump's home turf, and as one of their current pillars, if he were recognized by fans, the situation would be much more troublesome than if Rin were recognized.
"Me too, I didn't expect it to be such a coincidence!"
Eiichiro Oda also felt somewhat pleasantly surprised and taken aback.
At the same time, he curiously took a look at Rin, who was beside Akira.
Could this be Mochizuki-kun's girlfriend?
Although she was wearing a mask, one could still tell that she was a quite beautiful woman.
Eiichiro Oda felt a little envious.
Because he was still single up to this point.
It wasn't that he didn't want to date; it was just that serializing manga was too busy. He didn't have any free time to go out every week, and he couldn't even interact with unfamiliar women, let alone date.
That said, what made him somewhat curious was that he always felt Mochizuki-kun's female companion looked slightly familiar.
It must be an illusion, right?
However, since she was Mochizuki-kun's companion, it would be too impolite to keep staring at her.
So Eiichiro Oda didn't dwell on the issue too much, quickly withdrew his gaze, focused his attention back on Akira, and smiled: "However, I didn't expect Mochizuki-kun to like 'Dragon Ball' as well."
"Is that so? I, on the other hand, think that in this place, the ones who don't like 'Dragon Ball' are the minority, right?"
Akira responded, and after observing left and right for a moment, he smiled and suggested: "How about we find a quieter place to chat?"
"Sure."
Eiichiro Oda expressed his agreement.
Hisashi had previously given him a backstage pass, so the three of them went directly through a nearby staff passage to leave the event venue and enter the backstage area.
There was no place quieter than here.
Only then was Akira able to safely introduce both parties: "This is the author of 'One Piece,' Eiichiro Oda, and this is my friend——"
While Akira was making the introduction, Rin also took off the mask from her face to show respect to the other person.
However, precisely because of that, before Akira could finish the introduction, the moment he saw Rin's face clearly, Eiichiro Oda immediately exclaimed: "Wait, is it Miss Rin from 'Tsukirin'?!"