Why Did Eiichiro Oda Refuse Other Manga Magazines?

David Senra says Eiichiro Oda refused other manga magazines because he wanted to publish in Weekly Shonen Jump, where his hero Akira Toriyama had worked, and to succeed where his idol had made history.

One Piece was rejected three times. Oda still refused to take it to a competing magazine. Asked why he had not tried other major manga magazines, he answered that he wanted Weekly Shonen Jump because Akira Toriyama had worked there. The goal was to succeed in the same place where his idol had made history.

Three rejections were not a reason to shop the series around. The magazine tied to Akira Toriyama stayed the only destination Eiichiro Oda would accept.