This volume focuses entirely on the ar- of a new -rival, an old fan of Muto Ashirogi (the protagonists) who wants to follow in their footsteps. Apparently friendly and outspoken, he turns out to be rather less candid that he seems. In fact, he's taken Muto Ashirogi's calculated artistry and taken it to a whole new level, using a whole range of dubious methods to garner attention and create his stories; for him, professional pride is just a conceit that gets in the way of success. Muto Ashirogi, and his editor, are appalled by the idea, and an artistic war breaks out between him and Muto. I particularly liked the interplay of emotions here - the artists won't reveal his secret out of honour, while his inexperienced editor is crushed into compliance, under the threat of losing a promising artist (and internet sensation) to another magazine. I also loved the slick and entirely believable way that Tohru's own methods and behaviour slowly sabotage his early success, without the story getting moralistic about things. ( )