Akai Hideyoshi nodded with a smile, gesturing for them to make themselves comfortable. "I'm currently studying an endgame puzzle and got a bit carried away, please don't mind me. There are cushions over there, please help yourself."
His attitude was gentle yet distant; he clearly didn't pay much mind to this 'ordinary high school student brought by his sister,' and his attention quickly returned to the ever-changing Shogi board.
Kanjuro thanked him and quietly sat down at a moderate distance from Akai Hideyoshi, his eyes fixed on the board as if he were truly captivated by the black and white game. Sera Masumi sat beside him uneasily, her heart pounding, not knowing what Kanjuro was planning to do.
While Kanjuro seemed to be watching the game, the corner of his eye was always locked on Akai Hideyoshi. He observed the slight furrow of the other's brow during thought, the clean and decisive hand gestures when placing a piece, and that focused, sharp spirit that faintly resembled Akai Tsutomu and Shuichi Akai when immersed in the Way of Shogi.
As expected of the Akai bloodline... even though he chose a path different from his father and brother, the sharpness beneath this calm still cannot be entirely hidden, Kanjuro coldly evaluated in his heart.
Akai Hideyoshi's Shogi skills were clearly superb; even when practicing alone, every move was carefully considered, balanced in offense and defense, and far-reaching in strategy. He was completely immersed in his own world, his eyes occasionally flashing with light when he thought of a brilliant move, or falling into long silences when facing a predicament.
Kanjuro did not speak to disturb him, just quietly observed. He had no great interest in Shogi itself, but he enjoyed observing his 'prey' while they were in a state of focus, as it allowed him to better understand their thinking patterns and personality traits.
Time passed quietly amidst the crisp sounds of pieces hitting the board. The dojo was very still, with only the clacking of pieces and the occasional whispers of other students.
Sera Masumi was restless. Watching Hideyoshi-niisan so defenselessly immersed in the game, and then looking at Kanjuro beside her '410' like a crouching leopard, a strong sense of guilt and fear almost consumed her.
Finally, Akai Hideyoshi seemed to have solved a key point. He let out a long sigh of relief, a smile of realization appearing on his face. Only then did he notice Kanjuro was still there and seemed to have been watching quietly, prompting him to take a closer look at the boy.
"Does Kanjuro-kun also understand Shogi?" Akai Hideyoshi asked casually, with a hint of a senior testing a junior.
Kanjuro looked up and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, his smile still gentle and harmless: "I only know a little, I wouldn't say I understand it. But watching Hideyoshi-senpai play, I feel like every move contains deep meaning; I was quite entranced. Your style is steady yet hides sharp opportunities; it's truly impressive."
His compliment was perfectly placed, neither appearing fawning nor failing to acknowledge Akai Hideyoshi's skill.
Hearing this, Akai Hideyoshi's smile became a bit more sincere. Few people could see the 'hidden opportunities' in his strategy while he was practicing alone. This high school student named Kanjuro seemed to have quite good observational skills.
"If you're interested, you're welcome to come by often," Akai Hideyoshi said politely, though he didn't really take it to heart. He just considered him an ordinary and polite junior brought by his sister.
"Thank you very much, Senpai. I'll definitely come to disturb you again if I have the chance," Kanjuro accepted with a smile.
Hearing Kanjuro's humble reply, Akai Hideyoshi just smiled gently and didn't think much more of it. He was about to refocus on his board when he saw Kanjuro still sitting there quietly, his eyes clear as he looked at the board, appearing truly interested.
Akai Hideyoshi felt a slight stir in his heart. He had been studying this complex endgame puzzle for several days, and although he had just made a breakthrough, he felt there was still a final layer he hadn't pierced. Seeing that this junior had decent observational skills, perhaps... a change of perspective?
"Kanjuro-kun," Akai Hideyoshi spoke up, with the interest of a player meeting a potential fellow enthusiast, "since you're interested in Shogi, why don't we play a game? It just so happens I need to relax my mind as well."
Sera Masumi's heart skipped a beat as she looked at Kanjuro nervously. She knew well how high Hideyoshi-niisan's skills were; he had few rivals in the amateur world and could even compete with some professionals. Although Kanjuro was powerful like a monster, in the field of Shogi... Kanjuro's face showed a perfect amount of surprise and joy, as if he were overwhelmed by the favor: "Is that really okay? It would be my honor to play against Hideyoshi-senpai. Please give me your guidance."
His posture remained very humble, perfectly playing the role of a junior seeking to learn.
The board was reset. Akai Hideyoshi took the first move as the senior, and Kanjuro took the second move.
The game began.
Akai Hideyoshi didn't use his full strength at first, playing calmly as if it were a teaching game, wanting to see the junior's foundation. Kanjuro's responses also seemed standard, even occasionally making a few moves that appeared mediocre or slightly clumsy.
However, after a dozen moves, Akai Hideyoshi gradually sensed something was wrong.
Kanjuro's style seemed loose, but every move was like a nail that appeared irrelevant yet was buried deep. They didn't show aggression immediately, but they subtly restricted his layout space, making his originally smooth offensive start to become sluggish. It was like an invisible net was quietly tightening.
Akai Hideyoshi's brow furrowed slightly, and the speed of his moves slowed down significantly. He began to truly scrutinize the opponent before him. This high school student... was no ordinary person!
He put away his arrogance and began to deal with the situation with all his might. The chess game immediately became fierce, and the aura of clashing weapons and galloping horses permeated the small board. Akai Hideyoshi was indeed a master; his style was sharp and his calculations profound, forcing Kanjuro into seemingly desperate corners several times.
However, Kanjuro remained calm, even sporting that faint, gentle smile on his lips. No matter how perilous the situation, he could always find that seemingly singular, yet perfectly precise, 'move' to skillfully resolve the crisis, even turning the tables to create trouble for Akai Hideyoshi.
His playing style was bizarre and unpredictable, sometimes heavy as a mountain, sometimes light as the wind, and sometimes strange as a Demon. It was as if he were not a player, but a deity overlooking the board, having already seen through all variations and the final outcome.
Sera Masumi watched from the side, completely dumbfounded. Although her own skill was not high, she could still read the situation. Brother Hideyoshi went from composure at the start, to solemnity later, and now to sweating slightly and hesitating over his move... he was clearly in a bitter fight! Whereas Kanjuro, from beginning to end, seemed completely at ease!
How is this possible?! Brother Hideyoshi is a genius even professional players praise!
Akai Hideyoshi felt his breathing becoming increasingly rapid. He felt like he wasn't playing against a person, but against an unfathomable abyss. All his calculations, all his brilliant moves, seemed to be anticipated by the opponent, or even exploited by him to become traps burying himself.
An unprecedented sense of powerlessness and pressure enveloped him. His proud chess skills, the foundation upon which he built his confidence and his world, were being crushed inch by inch by the opponent in an almost cruel manner.
Finally, under Kanjuro's exquisite and masterful 'Checkmate' move, Akai Hideyoshi's general was trapped, with no chance of recovery.
The hand holding the chess piece froze mid-air, unable to fall for a long time. His face was pale, his pupils dilated, as if his soul had been completely drawn out.
"...I... I lost..." Akai Hideyoshi's voice was dry and hoarse, filled with disbelief and the bewilderment of shattered faith. He had never lost so completely, so unequivocally, as if all his previous efforts and talent were a joke in front of the other party.
Sera Masumi covered her mouth, looking at Brother Hideyoshi's crestfallen appearance with pity, but simultaneously, a more fervent and twisted admiration for Kanjuro ignited in her heart like a wildfire! Even Brother Hideyoshi couldn't last a single game against Daddy Kanjuro! He truly was omnipotent!
Kanjuro slowly gathered the pieces, his expression still that of detached ease, as if he had just completed a trivial task. He looked at the severely struck Akai Hideyoshi and said in a calm tone:
"Senior Hideyoshi, I yield. Your skill is superb, and I have learned a great deal."
The more humble he was, the greater the blow to Akai Hideyoshi.
Akai Hideyoshi suddenly looked up, staring intently at Kanjuro. His eyes, usually gentle and clear, were now bloodshot and filled with an almost frantic desire to investigate.
"Who... who exactly are you?!" he stammered, "Your chess... is simply not human! How... how did you do it?!"
Kanjuro did not answer directly, merely smiling slightly, a smile that, in Akai Hideyoshi's eyes, was profound and unfathomable, like a deity looking down upon mortals.
The immense sense of defeat and the feeling of insignificance when facing the unknown completely shattered Akai Hideyoshi's psychological defenses. The calm world he had built, centered around the Way of Chess, collapsed in this single game.
Driven by extreme shock and a complex emotion of being attracted to absolute power (even if manifested on a chessboard), Akai Hideyoshi blurted out, almost pleadingly:
"Kanjuro... no, Mr. Kanjuro! Please... please let me follow you! I want... I want to learn from you! I want to know... what lies at the end of the Way of Chess! Can we... can we be friends?!"
He abandoned all reserve and seniority, grasping at the mysterious and powerful presence before him like a dying man in the desert seeing an oasis. He even forgot that the other party was his sister's classmate, forgot his Akai Family identity, leaving only the desire and submission for a higher level of 'power' (chess skill).
Sera Masumi watched Brother Hideyoshi in shock. She never expected that a crushing defeat in a game of chess would cause the proud Brother Hideyoshi to change so drastically, even actively seeking to get close to Kanjuro!
Kanjuro looked at Akai Hideyoshi's eagerness to cling to strength after his faith had collapsed, a hint of expected satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
Friends? He scoffed internally... He didn't need friends, only subordinates and useful pieces.
However, Akai Hideyoshi's proactive approach saved him a lot of effort.
"Friends?" Kanjuro softly repeated, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, merely standing up and looking down at Akai Hideyoshi, who was still kneeling by the board,
"You can follow me. But if you follow me, you must abide by my rules."
His tone was flat, yet carried an invisible pressure,
"As for what you can learn and see... that depends on your fortune and... your value."
He neither accepted nor refused, merely leaving an entrance filled with temptation and uncertainty.
Akai Hideyoshi grabbed onto this like a lifeline and quickly nodded: "I understand! I will definitely abide by the rules!"
Kanjuro said no more and turned to walk out. Sera Masumi gave a complicated look to Brother Hideyoshi, who seemed reborn with fervent eyes fixed on Kanjuro's retreating back, and quickly followed.
The first step of the hunt was smoother than expected. This piece, Akai Hideyoshi, had already begun moving towards the position on the board he desired. Kanjuro knew that it wouldn't take long before he could extract everything he wanted from this second son of the Akai Family—whether it was about the Akai Family, the FBI, or... Miyano Elena.
The shock of the Go match had not yet subsided. Shuichi Akai was eager to build a closer relationship with Kanjuro, the "God of Go." He suppressed his inner excitement and, with unprecedented enthusiasm, invited him, "Mr. Kanjuro, it's getting late. How about I treat you to a simple meal? I know a great place nearby."
Kanjuro looked at the complex light in Shuichi Akai's eyes—a mixture of worship, a thirst for knowledge, and a hint of unease. He knew the fish had taken the bait, and this was the perfect time to deepen their "connection." He nodded slightly, his tone still calm: "That sounds good. I'll trouble you then, Senior Hideyoshi."
Sera Masumi naturally followed closely behind. Watching her brother adopt an almost subservient attitude toward Kanjuro left her with complicated, indescribable feelings—a mix of fear and reverence for Kanjuro's power, and a touch of pity for Hideyoshi's situation.
The three left the quiet Dojo and stepped onto the slightly bustling streets in the early evening. Shuichi Akai was leading the way toward the Japanese Restaurant he frequented. Just as they turned a street corner, they nearly collided head-on with a figure rushing past.
"Ah, sorry!" a crisp, capable female voice rang out.
Kanjuro looked up and saw a young woman with shoulder-length hair, wearing a professional skirt suit, who appeared sharp and efficient, apologizing hastily. She raised her head, revealing a pretty and familiar face—it was the Traffic Police Officer from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Miyamoto Yumi.
Miyamoto Yumi had initially apologized out of habit. When her gaze swept over Shuichi Akai and Sera Masumi, a knowing smile appeared (she seemed to recognize both Hideyoshi and Masumi). But when her eyes landed on Kanjuro, standing in the center with his extraordinary demeanor, her smile froze instantly, and her brow furrowed almost involuntarily.
She stared at Kanjuro's face, a clear look of confusion and thought flashing in her eyes. She muttered softly to herself, "Huh? This person... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before? He looks so familiar..."
A strong sense of déjà vu struck her. She was certain she had seen this excessively handsome face somewhere before—somewhere very serious, perhaps even terrifying! Was it in an internal emergency bulletin? Or perhaps in a photograph from a strictly sealed file? Her memory was hazy, but a subconscious alarm was faintly sounding.
However, Miyamoto Yumi was a traffic officer, not a frontline detective, and her access to core secrets was limited. Furthermore, Kanjuro's public image data was strictly controlled. For a moment, she absolutely could not connect this young man who looked merely exceptionally handsome (?), with the rumored "Demon" whom even the high brass of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department dared not mention in hushed tones.
That struggle between 'familiarity' and 'inability to recall' made her glance at Kanjuro a few extra times, but she didn't take any immediate action.
Seeing this, Shuichi Akai quickly smoothed things over: "Miss Yumi, it's nothing, nothing, we weren't paying attention. This is Kanjuro, he's a classmate of Masumi's and a very skilled Go player." He tried to normalize Kanjuro's identity.
"Oh, really? Masumi's classmate..." Miyamoto Yumi's doubts lessened slightly upon hearing this. Perhaps he just looked like some celebrity or model? She shook her head, pushing away that strange feeling, and regained her cheerful smile: "Are you guys going to eat? Then I won't keep you. I still have patrol duties! Hideyoshi, talk to you later!"
She waved goodbye to Shuichi Akai, then curiously glanced at Kanjuro one last time before turning and walking away quickly. However, that inexplicable feeling of familiarity remained there, like a tiny hook.
Kanjuro remained calm throughout the entire exchange. As Miyamoto Yumi walked away, he even offered a flawless, gentle, and polite smile, perfectly playing the role of an "ordinary High School Student."
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.