How long can a game of Shogi last?
With the world as the board, all living beings as pieces.
This time could be infinite.
But what about a game happening right before these people's eyes?
Originally just a private game between two people, but when interested parties elevated it to a contest between two countries, this game was destined not to be simple.
A pinnacle game of humanity would not be a possibility, but inevitably be born on this board!
People in China paid close attention to this matter, while the people of Japan were nervously paying attention nationwide.
They were all hoping, hoping that their Ryuo, Yaichi, could become the victor, could make the corner of his mouth curl up.
Raise the sharp sword in his hand, like the hero they often heard of, and slay the 'Evil Dragon', Kaito.
However...
First retraction.
Second retraction.
Third retraction...
...
Now, it was the last retraction!
Each retraction was destined to become a highly difficult endgame puzzle on the record.
And with each attack launched, Yaichi's sword seemed to grow sharper, more radiant, but it had long since passed its peak and was bound to decline. This hero's sword was about to break.
Slap...
Kaito picked up a piece and moved it forward.
"Check."
Kaito announced check in Chinese, but everyone present knew what this meant.
Now, Yaichi, who carried all their hopes, was about to face the outcome of being 'killed'.
The commentators ultimately favored Yaichi. Even though they respected Kaito, seeing this move still made them feel regretful, angry, and helpless.
They also wanted to find a solution from a god's perspective.
But no one present could solve it.
This move had completely destroyed all hope.
Even 'honorable defeat' was useless.
At this moment, Japan's proud Shogi lost to Kaito, a Chinese Go player from China!
Being defeated in one's own area of expertise was after all a serious matter.
"Ha..."
"Ha..."
Yaichi's eyes had lost their sparkle, and at the same time, red blood flowed from his nose and the corners of his mouth.
After taking deep breaths continuously, his hands firmly pressing on the corners of the board for a very long time, he finally lowered his head, and his glasses also fell off.
"I... lost."
Cough, cough, cough!!!
The moment he admitted defeat, Yaichi coughed up more blood.
This wasn't exaggeration; Yaichi had reached his limit. The extreme operation of his brain was causing his body to collapse.
In fact, even Baal said that Yaichi's strength in this game could beat AlphaGo.
Although only in this game, it also shows how great Yaichi's potential as the protagonist is.
A protagonist is a protagonist, truly worthy of being called a [Shogi Alien].
"Yaichi, this was a very brilliant game."
"I dare not say there will never be another like it, but this game will be the strongest ever, unprecedented."
"You achieved this very well. Good work."
"After you recover, come find me again. I will tell you how I became so strong."
"I only hope... that you can stand before me again, raise your 'sword' again, and defeat me."
"Because I... haven't tasted the feeling of defeat for far too long."
'Hahahaha!!!'
Kaito wanted to slap himself.
'What was this? Felt like I was lonely at the top seeking defeat?'
'Nurturing an enemy to let him defeat me?'
'Baal, you sure know how to do it!'
'Push my name to the top of the world, right!'
'Then let countless people forever look up and only see me, seeing me as a Mount Tai they can never cross in their lifetime, right!'
'Forget it, Mount Tai is nothing.'
'Always talking about Mount Tai pressing down and such, but looking at it now, Mount Tai isn't that big a deal.'
'From now on, call it Mount Everest.'
'That mountain is truly difficult to cross.'
"Whew... Take him down, let him rest well, give him nutrient fluids, etc., and have professional doctors thoroughly examine his body."
Bang...
After Yaichi heard what Kaito said, a glimmer of spirit returned to his hollow eyes. He nodded lightly, then subsequently fell unconscious.
Kaito was helpless on his side. He sighed and then called the staff nearby to hurry and take him for treatment.
Soon, Yaichi was taken away. At the same time, all the journalists rushed up, frantically taking pictures of Kaito.
Kaito's previous words to Yaichi had already been broadcast through the surveillance and microphones. Now, they wanted to know even more who Kaito was and what his true thoughts were on this game.
"Alright, I don't like complexity. If you want to ask about this game..."
"Then I can only tell you this."
"This was a contest between a mortal and a deity. It's just that the mortal's sharp blade broke."
After speaking, Kaito got up and left. Akina also had her people carefully and quickly move the board back to the Hinatsuru Residence.
Ignoring the journalists' persistent questioning, Kaito walked leisurely on the path. Thanks to the assistance of Akina's people, he was not obstructed on his way back.
But...
Kaito suddenly stopped and turned to look at a girl with ice-blue hair holding a parasol.
From the gaze emanating from the girl's ice-blue eyes, Kaito knew she hated him, but also feared him.
As Kaito had said before, he was a deity, and Yaichi was merely a mortal.
When this strongest mortal failed in his battle against the deity, what could she do?
"You are also a Shogi player, aren't you?"
Kaito deliberately looked at her with a puzzled and interested smile.
People around were initially confused why Kaito suddenly stopped, but when they saw Kaito actually asking a girl, the sound of taking photos clicked again.
However, after Kaito raised his right hand, signaling them to stop, the journalists present also very strangely obeyed.
At the same time, some of them guessed the girl's identity and began to speculate on Kaito's intention.
Because his suddenly stopping to ask this girl must have some deeper meaning!