Hikaru no Go: I taught you Go, and you made the Kisei cry?

"This boy is no ordinary student; his strength has completely exceeded my expectations."

This feeling reminded Kurata Atsushi of the pressure he felt when playing against Zama Oza during his first-dan league match.

That airtight killing move, each move precise and deliberate, seemed to carry a suffocating aura, making it hard for him to breathe.

The village teacher was also stunned by the game before him, and even for a moment forgot to set up the pieces, thinking about how he would deal with it if he were in that situation.

After a long while, the village teacher gradually realized what was happening and turned around to place the chess pieces on the large chessboard.

"They're attacking! Su Ran is still attacking!"

"He wanted to slaughter Kurata's 5-dan dragon, and he wasn't content with winning by just a few points in the endgame; he wanted to win more!"

"So confident? Isn't being relentlessly aggressive bound to create openings?"

"If we had just stayed calm, we would have won..."

"why?"

Among the crowd, Akira Touya stared wide-eyed at this move, his heart trembling.

"I know why, because he showed it to me..."

"Su Ran-jun is saying, 'See? This is my strength. If you think you can do it, then come and chase me!'"

"So he will keep attacking, relentlessly baring his fangs and claws, showing no mercy..."

"The dragon that slaughtered the white pieces!"

Kurata Atsushi, his nerves taut, watched this aggressive move with immense pressure.

The young man in front of me gave off a humble and gentle feeling, but his chess skills were completely different.

Chess is about the mind.

Kurata Atsushi could sense the burning fighting spirit of the boy before him, and how he was enjoying the thrilling sublimation he experienced in the despair of the battle!

"Hidden within his body, that surging, tide-like desire for battle...?"

"I yearn for that supreme throne, just as I once did."

Kurata Atsushi took a deep breath.

"Then I'll play along to the end!"

Reaching into the Go box, Atsushi Kurata picked up a white Go stone and slammed it down!

His past flashed through his mind.

That's the feeling that led me to enter the world of Go. I shed tears and fought hard for these black and white stones!

Seventeen columns and eleven rows, sharp!

Undeterred, even when at a disadvantage, Kurata Atsushi launched a sharp counterattack. If there was no opportunity, then he would create one!

If there is any opening that allows for a decisive counterattack, Kurata Atsushi's white stones will seize the opportunity to kill Su Ran!

The pieces are placed one after another!

Tap, tap!

"The battle has begun again, and Aota, a fifth-dan player, is not to be outdone! Why did he compromise in the first place?"

"Times have changed... Back then, Cangtian 5-dan wasn't sure about Su Ran's skill level and didn't dare to make any rash moves, but things are different now!"

"Yes, Cangtian 5-dan was forced to attack! Otherwise, he would be waiting to die. Su Ran's moves were flawless and without any weaknesses!"

"Moreover, Cangtian Wudan's counterattacks were also very skillful, but... Su Ranjun ignored them."

"Do not."

It was Akira Touya who spoke. He stared intently at the Go board and shook his head: "Rather than ignoring it, it's more accurate to say that while maintaining the offensive, he cleverly neutralized it."

At this moment, everyone looked closely and realized what Akira Touya meant, and they were all taken aback.

Isumi also looked shocked, and it took him a long time to speak: "To kill again after being killed..."

The so-called "counter-attack" is a defensive strategy that everyone strives for in a game.

One move can be both offensive and defensive. After the opponent makes a killing move, you immediately place a piece to not only neutralize it but also launch a counterattack and attack the opponent!

This type of game is rare and requires a special board shape and a keen sense of the game to play!

"The battle for the top official position has begun..."

Someone said in a low voice.

Su Ran placed the black piece again, her aura imposing.

Nine columns and fourteen rows, jump!

Kurata Atsushi followed closely behind, retaliating with nine columns and fifteen rows, damn it!

Below the stage, Akira Touya, who had been completely absorbed in the game, twitched his eyelids.

"Cangtian 5-dan...didn't you see that move? Didn't you see the small knight's move in the ninth column and twelfth row?"

In a moment of daze, Akira Touya saw a move, a move that could offer a glimpse of hope even in such a disadvantageous situation.

Nine columns and twelve rows, Xiao Fei.

"Why... wait... why did I think of Xiaofei's move..."

"That's not the kind of game I should be thinking of... and it's completely out of my style."

"It's just like... THESAI!"

At this moment, Su Ran also unleashed a skillful move, deploying ten columns and sixteen rows without yielding an inch.

尖！

Finally, Kurata Atsushi looked at the move, gave a simple, honest smile, and put the piece into the game box.

"I lost."

Everyone watched this scene in silence. They all understood that Cang Tian, ​​a fifth-dan player, had indeed lost, but it wasn't because he was too weak, but rather...

Su Ranjun is too strong!

Then, after a brief silence, the entire venue erupted!

"A mere insei... actually beat Kurata, a fifth-dan player..."

"Cang Tian, ​​a fifth-dan player, suffered a crushing defeat... Do the math, how many points did he lose? His dragon was completely wiped out. That guy showed no mercy to his seniors!"

"Cang Tian, ​​a 5-dan player, underestimated his opponent. His opening moves were too soft. He thought it was a tutorial game, but he didn't expect..."

"Even so, as you can see, Cangtian, a fifth-dan player, used every trick in the book from the middle game to the endgame!"

Ignoring the murmurs of the crowd, Kurata Atsushi stood up and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "What a wonderful game! It reminds me of all the games I've played over the past few years. Truly brilliant..."

Su Ran stood up from the ground and shook her head slightly, saying, "It's just that Senior Kurata showed mercy."

"No no no."

Upon hearing this, Kurata Atsushi shook his head: "Although I wasn't too cautious at the beginning, there weren't any major mishaps. Your ability to sneak in through the cracks is a skill."

"You are really amazing."

Kurata Atsushi looked at the chessboard, then looked up at Su Ran: "I look forward to seeing you in the professional arena next year. I will do my best and won't lose so badly."

"Of course, please give me your guidance."

Su Ran nodded slightly.

After hearing Kurata Atsushi's words, the students looked at each other in silence.

See you on the professional stage next year...

"Is Senior Kurata already certain that Su Ran will definitely win a spot as a professional Go player...?"

"There are only three in total. Su Ranjun and Touya Akira will take up two of them. What about the amateur experts from outside? What are we going to do?"

"Yes, do you know Kadowaki? I heard he's going to take the professional exam this year!"

"Ah, you know him, the one from many years ago who won the titles of Student Celebrity, Student Honinbo, and Student Top Ten, right?"

"Yes, it's being reported online that he's going to take the professional exam, and not just him, but many amateur players as well..."

"In professional exams, you have no friends or classmates; everyone will become your enemy, showing no mercy."

At that moment, Kurata Atsushi suddenly realized something, slapped his forehead, and said to his teacher, Honmura, "Teacher, I've already lost this time, do I still need to explain the game? Besides... I'm very tired, can I go back and rest?"

The village teacher was still immersed in the exciting game he had just played, and subconsciously nodded.

Thanks!

Kurata Atsushi immediately dragged his fat body out and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

To publicly humiliate oneself is one thing, but if the opponent were a top player, it wouldn't be so bad. But it's just a junior student...

Kurata Atsushi naturally seized the opportunity to run away, and by the time Motomura-sensei realized what was happening, Kurata Atsushi had already disappeared.

The students looked at each other in bewilderment.

Mashiba was ashen-faced. From the moment Kuroko gained the upper hand, he didn't utter a single word. He only knew that he probably had no chance of passing this year's academy entrance exam.

"Damn it..."

"Touya Akira too, Su Ran too, how come there are so many freaks?"

"Even Kurata-senpai is no match for him!"

"Is this guy the reincarnation of Honinbo Shusaku?"

Meanwhile, Su Ran tidied up the chess pieces, closed the chess box, and came down.

Akira Touya stood up, seemingly having been waiting for Su Ran. He looked at Su Ran and said, "It was truly a wonderful game of Go."

He paused, then continued, "I'm looking forward to... looking forward to our match."

"Even just thinking about that time makes my body tremble..."

Akira Touya couldn't help but clutch his heart, feeling its pounding—a throbbing mix of fear, tension, and excitement.

Su Ran looked calmly at Akira Touya, who did not avoid Su Ran's gaze and bravely met his eyes.

After a long while, Su Ran turned and left.