The work of the Go master

While Shireshima Kaoru was listening to music and choosing cassette tapes, Koji Hikaru was studying game cartridges on the other side.

Suddenly, a familiar magazine title caught my eye—"Between Black and White," and it was the latest issue.

I didn't expect this audio-visual store to sell even this.

The cover of this issue of "Between Black and White" is, of course, Ke Zhiguang, and it's the photo of him raising the sword of a famous general this morning.

The photos were taken this morning, and the magazine was already finished this afternoon. This efficiency is a bit hard to understand.

As expected, upon opening the magazine, I was bombarded with self-praise and various close-up shots of myself looking handsome.

Especially when he pushed open the door and stepped into the game room, his suit jacket billowed up like a trench coat, even though there was no wind.

Xuan Yuzhi's expressions were also captured in screenshots, especially his furious expression when he was stabbed twice on the first day.

And there's the shameless expression on his face after successfully forging the throwing knife from the bamboo sword.

Scrolling further down, a photo of Taketsuto hiding in a corner, secretly munching on chocolate, was also captured, accompanied by the caption: "I never eat lunch during tournaments; only hunger can keep my mind sharp."

Hmm...maybe it's an implication that Chocolate has been kicked out of lunch.

The magazine was quickly flipped to the back, and it was time for the much-anticipated jokes section—

[Xuan Yuzhi was driving along the chess path when he suddenly noticed a fork in the road ahead. The left path led to art, while the right path led to competition. After a moment's thought, he turned the steering wheel onto the competition path.]

[The bamboo swordsmith drove up as well, and without hesitation, he stepped on the gas and sped off onto the path of art.]

Hmm... I think I understand a bit. It probably means that Gen Yu Zhi Shang's moves are genuinely aimed at winning, while Zhu Dao Duan's might not be. For details, please refer to his first game against Ke Zhi Guang, a game for the title contest.

That was a classic case of sacrificing oneself for art, and in the end, he didn't win.

I have a feeling this is a sarcastic jab at these two people.

Those who choose the competitive path will be beaten the worst on the first day.

In competitive sports, being labeled as art is certainly not a compliment; it can be interpreted as mere gimmicks.

Ke Zhiguang was the third person to drive up. He pondered for a moment at the fork in the road, switched the road signs for "Art" and "Sports," and then drove onto the road for "Art."

Hmm... I seem to have become a frequent subject of jokes in the chess world lately.

This probably implies that while one appears to be creating art, one is actually seriously playing chess and competing for victory.

Of course, in this context, it seems more like he came halfway through to fool people, promising to have a game of art, but halfway through, he decisively overturned the table, successfully burying the real artist, Zhu Daoteng, in a ditch.

It's just really unethical.

One has to admire the consistently high quality of this joke column. I suggest applying for UNESCO World Heritage status in thirty years, and packaging it together with "Yes, Minister" would be even more effective.

"This... the latest issue of 'Between Black and White' is out so quickly?" Harushima Shika suddenly noticed that Keiji Hikaru was looking at the magazine.

So she joined them and they browsed the magazine together.

Although she was used as material in the joke section every day, she also kept an eye on the section.

Perhaps after being used as source material for so long, some feelings have developed over it.

"Great! I'm not in the jokes today!" she announced happily.

So... if you weren't in today's jokes, then we've won?

As a result, Ke Zhiguang turned the page and discovered that the joke actually had a sequel.

[Harujima Kashiwa was the fourth person to drive over. Unaware that the road signs had been switched, she resolutely drove her car towards the "race" side.]

[The joke is over]

The material for Harushima has appeared; it's late, but it's finally here.

This probably means that she thought she was seriously seeking victory or defeat on the chessboard, but in reality, she didn't even realize that she was creating art. After all, not everyone is qualified to make a highlight reel of someone making a ladle.

It's hard to explain whether her comeback was intentional or not; people can only attribute it to her artistic sensibilities.

"Why am I still in this picture?! What kind of awful layout is this?!"

The joke editorial department probably wanted to create this sense of surprise after turning the page, and the element of surprise is naturally the deer from Qingdao Island, which guarantees traffic.

This creative team is amazing!

As they were talking and laughing, a chilling aura swept in from the streets between the buildings, like a falcon swooping past at high speed.

Ke Zhiguang stopped laughing and joking, and his heart suddenly raced for a moment.

Large-scale psychological suggestion.

Just like when Shiori Shima asked to start the third game early in the Women's Cup, even though the news hadn't been released, many people had a feeling that Kojiro's path to the next round would be thwarted.

This is the effect of fortune attached to Go.

The same thing happened this time. The effect of psychological suggestion swept over everyone on the street. At this moment, everyone suddenly stopped and involuntarily turned their eyes to the large advertising screen in the center of the intersection.

Not only on this street, but half of Tokyo's population received a psychological suggestion, focusing their attention on screens or radios, preparing to receive some important information.

The next instant, the image on the advertising screen changed, and Ke Zhiguang's eyes also moved.

That familiar and highly infectious voice rang out—

"Dear citizens of Tokyo, good evening. I am... Tatsumi Koshikawa, the current holder of the Dragon Throne title in the Go world."

Tatsumi Koshikawa appeared on the large screen, his signature purple trench coat billowing behind him like a giant sculpture floating in the air, triggering megalophobia in those who were looking at him up close.

This scene reminded Ke Zhiguang of the opening of "Sword Art Online," where a giant Kayaba Akihiko appeared in the sky above the starting village, like the Sword of Damocles hanging in the air, inspiring awe.

People around him were slightly unfamiliar with the name Tatsumi Koshikawa, but everyone knew the title "Dragon Throne," after all, this world was a great era of Go.

"Seriously, what an expensive way to make an entrance," Ke Zhiguang said.

Advertising in such locations costs money per second.

I never expected him to reappear in front of me in this way.

Harujima Shika also tightened his shoulders and took a step back, looking as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

"It is an honor to announce an important piece of news to you all on this weekend evening. This is a challenge to the Go world, and I hope that every Go player who receives this challenge will be excited." Tatsumi Koshikawa solemnly announced on the screen.

Harushima Shika asked in surprise, "A challenge letter?"

"It's just a promotional advertisement for the Dragon Throne Battle, right?" Ke Zhiguang quickly concluded after calming down.

Don't be fooled by his appearance, which seems like a demon king descending to wage war against the human world. But if you think about it carefully, isn't this just an advertising screen? His appearance here is only for advertising, isn't it?

Despite the complaints, the actual feeling is that the oppressive atmosphere is indeed quite frightening.

The pressure is something only a skilled player can feel; if you can't feel it, it only means you're a weak player.

"This morning, the battle for the title of Grandmaster in the Go world has come to an end. A very talented young man has won the title. However, three months later, on May 28th, the Go world will witness another, even more bloody and brutal contest, which is the Dragon Throne title that I will be guarding." Koshikawa Tatsumi grabbed the curtain behind him and waved it into the air.

And what appeared beneath that curtain was the trophy symbolizing the dragon throne.

An ancient golden trophy entwined and draped by a dragon, its dragon eyes serving as the finishing touch.

"It seems that Tatsumi Koshikawa has won the Dragon Throne title four times now, right?" Koshimitsu asked.

“Yes, if we take it again, it will be the Eternal Dragon Throne, the second Eternal Dragon Throne after Saito.” Harushima Shika nodded.

Compared to the Imperial Chess and Moonlit Night, Dragon Throne is held very frequently, basically once every two years.

“He’s still one win away from winning, which means this Dragon Throne Championship is extremely important to him,” Ke Zhiguang said thoughtfully.

As we all know, breaking someone else's winning streak is sometimes more satisfying than winning it yourself.

But... do I really have the ability to fight this man?

Incredibly, Ke Zhiguang actually sensed a hint of unease, even a touch of fear.

It wasn't the kind of fear that excites you, but pure fear that makes you subconsciously frown and clench your fists, but you just can't manage a smile.

"The way of chess is also equivalent to the way of martial arts. Since ancient times, only one person has been able to stand at the pinnacle of martial arts. Want this championship? It's simple, defeat me immediately, or rather... defeat my team!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the lights behind Tatsumi Koshikawa lit up like a stage opening, and the camera smoothly panned from a close-up to a wide shot.

It also allowed people to see the lineup standing around him.

"This Dragon Throne Battle will be held in the form of a team battle!" he announced loudly.

"Team battle? Title battles can be held in the form of team battles?" Shizuka Harushima was stunned, her first reaction was that this person was talking nonsense.

A title is given to one person, so how should this title be distributed among the entire team?

Of course, that's not the point.

The key point is the people who appeared around Tatsumi Koshikawa; these are the people he was referring to as his team.

Chapter 55 The Crime Gang

On the ornate steps covered with a bright red carpet, below Tatsumi Koshikawa's position, the figures of four chess players stood in an orderly fashion.

Starting from the top of the first step, there is Nishi Chiaki, wearing his usual navy blue striped suit for competitions, and he looks quite good in front of the camera.

“Nishi Chiaki, the current holder of the Dosaku title, is our vanguard,” said Koshikawa Tatsumi.

Nishi Chiaki smiled subtly and lightly, then straightened his posture.

Although he was very photogenic, he didn't stand out as much next to Tatsumi Koshikawa. At times like this, it's best not to compete with the boss for position.

The third step down from the top is Xuan Yuzhi, who is wearing the same gray-green kimono he was wearing this morning.

Sure enough, Nishi Chiaki's appearance at the Battle of Famous Generals was indeed a sign that he had hooked up with Gen Oku Tomosho.

“Xuan Yuzhi, the holder of the previous title of renowned general, is one of our mainstays. He can’t wait to take revenge on the guys who stole his title.”

When they reached the fifth step from the top, the person who appeared surprised both Ke Zhiguang and Qingdaolu.

It was Inoue Masakado!

"Inoue Masakado, one of the legendary Go players who holds the rank of 9-dan, has won several major titles. He is also the head of the Inoue Shrine, and Go players should be familiar with the name of this shrine. His position is second striker."

Inoue Masakado bowed slightly, a very mature gesture. In this lineup full of young people, he seemed very out of place, but it was precisely because of the addition of this older person that the lineup looked more three-dimensional and comprehensive.

On the seventh step from the top, a woman stood, her presence like a lotus flower adorning this steely, imposing group.

“Yukishiro Shizuru, the holder of the Yue Women title and a top female Go player, will serve as the vice commander in this battle. I believe she is capable of this position.”

This is a woman wearing a white dress that looks like an evening gown, with matching high heels. Her shoulder-length hair falls from her ears, and she wears glasses on her nose. She doesn't seem to talk much.

"Why is she here too?" Harushima Shika asked, puzzled.