Shiratori's life is so boring, his favourite hobby is to watch paint dry.

When we last left Bakuman, Mashiro was tentatively allowing Takagi to write for Shiratori’s manga if it got serialised after its showing in Treasure. Inside, however, he is torn, as Takagi wouldn’t be able to write a second series for Ashirogi if he was writing for Shiratori. When Takagi asks if it’s alright, Mashiro replies that it is, as long as he doesn’t make it better than PCP. Takagi says to Hattori that it would be fine to put it into Treasure with him as the author, but does muse that he isn’t as good with fantasy, like ‘Rabuta And Peace’ (Shiratori’s manga). He then states that it’ll at least help him to write fantasy better for Ashirogi Muto. Hattori says that it’s settled, and then wants to revise the name with Shiratori, saying if he wants it in for October’s Treasure, it would need 45 pages done within 20 days, so they should go for the November edition. Shiratori reassures Hattori that he can do it in 20 days, and Hattori is surprised at his newfound spirit. Mashiro agrees, saying that Aoki will be a judge in Treasure in October, and she would be the best judge for a fantasy manga. Hattori agrees that that is a good idea, and he gets started by going over Shiratori’s name, but then stops and asks whether Mashiro wants him to see PCP first. Mashiro says that PCP can wait, as Hattori is early anyway. So, they go over Rabuta And Peace, whilst Mashiro says to himself that with Hattori and Takagi, the story will be good, especially since Shiratori is good too.

Shiratori’s meeting finishes, and he leaves, saying that he will complete the pages in the 20 day deadline. Hattori then starts the PCP meeting, and afterwards leaves. Takagi then asks Mashiro if he thinks Rabuta And Peace will do well, and Mashiro says it’ll get selected for Treasure, especially because Takagi is writing it, as it wouldn’t look good if it didn’t do well with his name on it. Takagi then realises this and comes up with a new pen-name of Takaaki Kido, taking into concern Ashirogi’s reputation. They then leave to go home, and Takagi asks if Mashiro has told Miho they’re not getting an anime. Mashiro says that there’s no point, and asks if Takagi has told Kaya, who replies that Kaya is still certain they’ll get an anime. Takagi then says they’ll have to do better with their next manga, and then they split up to go home. At Shiratori’s house, he is sitting, staring at a painting, when his sister comes in and starts a seemingly deep conversation about art. She then somehow links it to how their mother hasn’t told anyone that Shiratori is a mangaka’s assistant, and how she was planning on sending him to study art in Paris. However, Shiratori is upset that his sister insulted his job, and says that being a mangaka is nothing to be ashamed of, before walking off.

October 14th, and Shiratori tells his fellow assistants that his one-shot may be published with Takagi as the author. Moriya obviously overreacts. Orihara is amazed, and notes how there aren’t many days left until the deadline, to which Shiratori answers that he has been working non-stop with little sleep. October 30th, and Ashirogi and their assistants finish the chapter a day early, so Mashiro gives them some time for themselves, to which Shiratori says he will continue finishing his pages for the day after. Mashiro notes how it is amazing he did 45 pages in 20 days, and says he prays it does well. The next day, Shiratori gives it to Hattori, who loves it, and says he will enter it. However, when Hattori enters it he is refused, as Takagi worked on it and there was already enough fuss the last time Ashirogi entered something for Treasure. He is told that he should have just shown the name, since it was by Takagi, and eventually, it is decided that it will be run in either Jump or Next!. Hattori is elated, and asks for the results ASAP, but is told it may eventually be tossed in the end if no-one agrees. 5 days later, Shiratori gets a call and is told by Hattori that he will get a colour spread in Jump, and is asked to do the colour spread ASAP. Everyone congratulates him, except for a distraught Moriya, but Mashiro has his inner thoughts still.

Back at Shiratori’s house, he tells his dog Peace that his manga about them both will be published in Jump. His mother overhears him, and asks what Jump is, so Shiratori starts to explain. However, he is cut off when his mother tells him she has arranged for him to study in Paris, and how he should quit his job. Shiratori tries to tell her how it won’t be an assistant job anymore, but she ignores him, telling him that manga is ridiculous. Shiratori tries to object, but she again ignores him. She then tells him to work for his father or go to Paris, as those are his only choices. Shiratori goes over them, and adds a third – leave home. At Takagi’s home, Kaya discusses Rabuta And Peace with him, and if it will be weird since Mashiro is his partner. Takagi says that Mashiro encouraged him, but Kaya points out that that’s what he’s like, and he couldn’t say no. Takagi is surprised, and Kaya tells him to leave it at the one-shot, even if it does well. Takagi reassures her that Hattori won’t need him to write it unless it does amazingly well, and Kaya asks what then. Takagi then says he’ll ask Mashiro about it, but Kaya says that Mashiro won’t say no. Takagi argues that Mashiro knows he can talk openly to him. Back at the studio, Mashiro solemnly thinks that it is good for Takagi as a writer.

That was a lot to fit into one chapter, like always. Basically everything was needed, but was lengthened out too much, so it felt slightly sluggish, but hey, it’s getting pretty damn interesting now. First, we have the main plot point of Mashiro not really wanting Takagi to write a manga with Shiratori, as he wants to do another manga that is more suited to an anime. On the other side, he wants Shiratori to do well. Then there’s the underlying plot point where Shiratori’s family do not want him to be a mangaka, and how his mother has arranged for him to study in Paris. This is where some readers would have probably cheered, as it would be an easy way out of a desperate situation for Mashiro, but no, Shiratori wants to move out instead. So now Takagi and Mashiro seem to be getting further apart from each other, and their dreams of an anime seem to be going up in flames. Drama. We don’t know what happens next though, so we need to read on. Onto the next chapter. Plus, don’t forget about the new Bakuman anime. Will be good, probably.