Just before the third round of the "Queen" tournament began, Kuzuryu faced Oishi (Gyosho) in the "White Group" of the "Ei-O" league. Since I received a souvenir from "Fukui" from Kuzuryu, it implies that matters have been settled peacefully. With this, the danger of Sora-san dying has passed. Had she died now, Tenai would have suffered from endless nightmares.
Both Kuzuryu and Oishi (Gyosho) achieved four consecutive wins in the White Group, and the winner of this match will face the leader of the "Red Group" in the decisive match to determine the challenger for the title. In the original story, Oishi (Gyosho) was described as being emaciated and exhausted, but here he appears in excellent condition, perhaps because he succeeded in defending his "Gyosho" title.
Incidentally, I was asked to commentate on this match, so I will appear on a live broadcast on "Niconico" alongside Kanojiwa-san. The "me and Kanojiwa-san" duo occurs frequently and is considered familiar.
『I wonder if the combination of "My Master, dead from enthusiasm" and "Kanojiwa-san, burning with enthusiasm" will be popular?』 (Ai)
(I don't know. Last time, many comments said our banter was entertaining, though I don't recall us conversing in that manner.) (Ōki)
「Master Ōki, you have a personal relationship with both players today, don't you?」 (Kanojiwa)
「As for Kuzuryu, we have been close since our Shoreikai days. As for Oishi (Gyosho), I started talking to him seriously about a year ago.」 (Ōki)
「Do you have any funny old stories about Master Kuzuryu?」 (Kanojiwa)
「His boasting and arrogance on LINE right after becoming the fourth junior high school pro in history was unbelievable. Would you like to see it later? I have screenshots.」 (Ōki)
Kanojiwa-san possesses high communication skills, so the conversation never stops. I feel she simply bombards me with questions, but I am grateful the talk continues without me having to exert effort.
As for the match, Kuzuryu started as the first player (Sente) and the game developed into a "Mutual Central Rook" (Ai-Nakabisha), a formation rarely seen among professionals. It doesn't seem likely to turn into a "piece exchange battle." Since both plan to breakthrough the center, the position has become perfectly identical (Mirror Position). These two are insane.
『...Both Kuzuryu and Oishi (Gyosho) have raised their levels significantly. In the original story, Kuzuryu showcased the "Cheerful Third File Rook" (Gokigen Sankinbisha) strategy, but since Tenai is not his disciple here, that path has disappeared.』 (Ai)
(Kuzuryu has grown by leaps and bounds. Now, it seems the match will inevitably result in Sennichite (Repetition), so what should be done?) (Ōki)
『Given my Master's personality, it is better to announce it clearly. No matter how hard they try, the side that initiates the attack first in this position will be at a disadvantage.』 (Ai)
「Since it is imminent, I will say it: It is Sennichite. The side that makes the first move will lose. Kuzuryu (First Player) is forced to choose whether to accept the draw or not, but he has no choice but to accept.」 (Ōki)
「It is Sennichite in a rare position, isn't it? ...Why do I feel that cases of Sennichite increase whenever I commentate with you, Master Ōki?」 (Kanojiwa)
「Perhaps simply because I commentate on many matches between very strong players?」 (Ōki)
Ultimately, in the "perfectly identical" position of "Mutual Central Rook"—the position most prone to repetition—it ended peacefully in Sennichite. It seems neither accounted for the opponent playing "Central Rook." They are geniuses, yet their blind spots are similar too.
Roles were swapped, and Oishi (Gyosho) became the first player (Sente). Kuzuryu, now the second player, immediately initiated a Bishop exchange and chose a "Direct Opposing Rook" (Direct Mukai-bisha) formation. In response, Oishi (Gyosho) unusually chose "Static Rook." He is a natural "Ranging Rook" player, but he is not weak at "Static Rook." In fact, thanks to his deep research into counter-strategies (Static vs. Ranging Rook), he might be stronger than Kuzuryu, whose research remains shallow in this area.
「Oh! Oishi (Gyosho) is playing "Static Rook"! Isn't this very rare?!」 (Kanojiwa)
「He caught us off guard with a formation that surprised Kuzuryu. Despite the scarcity of his official records with this style, Oishi (Gyosho) is capable of playing "Static Rook" as well.」 (Ōki)
Since Oishi (Gyosho) stuck to "Ranging Rook" even in his title defense matches, the surprise is significant. In the original story, it was mentioned that his win rate increased when he stopped using "Ranging Rook," so Kuzuryu, facing a new, unfamiliar strategy that suddenly deviated from his expectations, finds himself in a relatively disadvantageous position.
Both consumed time in the opening, and since it is a replay match, there is no room to use time slowly. Kuzuryu chose to initiate the battle while his King was still nearly in its original position (I-Gyoku), and Oishi responded in kind. Is it a "hyper-speed" battle with both holding a Bishop in hand? It will be a match where the difference in fundamental strength appears clearly, but... doesn't this mean Kuzuryu might lose?
(Wait, this puts me in a bind. If Kuzuryu were to lose here, it would have been better for me to continue advancing in the "Ei-O" tournament.) (Ōki)
『Please calm down. Currently, the situation looks unfavorable because Oishi (Gyosho) is counter-attacking, but the formation itself remains balanced. And when Kuzuryu's next attack begins, he will continue attacking until the end.』 (Ai)
(...And will he reach a "Mate Threat" (Tsumero) or "Brinkmate" (Hisshi) position from here?) (Ōki)
『The current Kuzuryu is capable of that. Ah, Oishi (Gyosho) rushed into the endgame phase (Yose). It seems he misread slightly due to the unfamiliar position.』 (Ai)
「At first glance, Kuzuryu, who is being attacked, seems in a bad position, but the scales remain balanced. With Kuzuryu's next attack, I believe he will go as far as possible, won't he?」 (Ōki)
「Oh, that is true. The software evaluation still hovers around zero. ...Master Ōki, aren't you often told that your sense differs from that of humans?」 (Kanojiwa)
「I am told that often, so what?」 (Ōki)
「No, no problem. How about we pose a "Predict the Next Move" question now?」 (Kanojiwa)
My job is limited to executing time-filling segments and responding to comments and Kanojiwa-san's questions. It isn't hard work, but it isn't relaxing either. During the follower Q&A segment, questions pour in about my relationships with women and my relationship with Tenai, but I answer them with diplomatic, generic responses.
「There is a comment saying: "The duo is very fun! I always cheer for you two!". Since you don't have a girlfriend, what about me?」 (Kanojiwa)
「Eh, a woman with zero life skills? That is a bit difficult...」 (Ōki)
「Areh? It was a light joke, but was I just rejected seriously? And wait, how did you know I have no life skills? ...Aaaah! This is a live broadcast!」 (Kanojiwa)
「It is fine. A large number of fans already know you are bad at cooking. If you have a complaint, direct it to Yamatana-san. ...Miss Kanojiwa, you had better sew that person's mouth shut.」 (Ōki)
Kanojiwa-san screaming in the middle is standard, so I have gotten used to it. ...The hidden problem is that this person constantly invites me to study groups, which scares me. If I go innocently, I might end up dumped in Yamatana-san's room next door at night, which I absolutely refuse. That person is "bisexual," and it seems he targets me as well.
The moment Oishi (Gyosho)'s attack paused, Kuzuryu launched a precise and powerful assault, forcefully gnawing through Oishi's defenses and closing in on his King. ...Since his "awakening" in the "Ryu-O" tournament, he hasn't lost to anyone but me. Kuzuryu will grow further in the "Ei-O" tournament as well, and the future looks exciting.
『If "Ai" (the disciple) is advancing while riding a jet plane, then Kuzuryu is riding a spaceship capable of "Warping." These two are completely outside the norm and standards.』 (Ai)
(The person outside the norm, or rather from another dimension, is you, "Ai" (the AI), riding a bicycle at Mach 1 million without stopping or running out of fuel. As for Tenai, she has just reached the stage of riding a bicycle at Mach 10.) (Ōki)
『In the original story, Tenai perceived the talent gap between her and "Ai" as ten times, but in reality, the difference was 3 to 4 times. It is joyous that this gap has now vanished.』 (Ai)
Kuzuryu continued playing until the end, imposing a "Brinkmate" (Hisshi) position on Oishi (Gyosho). Oishi made a few "checks" to save face and form a "decent ending picture," then declared his resignation. The battle of titleholders ended with Kuzuryu's victory, qualifying him for the decisive match to determine the challenger for the "Ei-O" title.
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