In the ranking match that followed Master Kiyotaki's declaration that he would retire if demoted to Class C, Kuzuryu secured victory in the ninth round in just 67 moves, striking terror into his opponent. I overheard that very opponent speaking with Master Kiyotaki later; he described Kuzuryu by saying: 「That thing isn't human anymore. It's an alien or a robot... He has reached Aoki's level.」 Wait, he hasn't reached "Ai's" level yet.
(Wait, he hasn't reached it yet, right? Is the protagonist's rate of evolution not a bit excessive?) (Ōki)
『We can still handle him with ease, you know? The gap between us remains excessively large.』 (Ai)
I considered competing with Kuzuryu to take down the enemy King in a few moves, but I opted for a "Ranging Rook" strategy to create a game record for Tenai. I then moved the King to the left. The "Left King" position is essentially a mirror image of the "Right King" found in Static Rook strategies, and it is formidable.
『There is no need to switch roles with today's opponent. However, isn't using an "Opposing Rook" with a "Left King" to aim for an edge assault... a bit too eccentric?』 (Ai)
(You use the "Left King" sometimes too, don't you? Very well, let the edge assault commence.) (Ōki)
『Defending the edge is no longer possible. I suspect he will ignore it and attack elsewhere, but we will be able to counter him there as well.』 (Ai)
Today's match ended in a crushing, perfect victory against a Class C1 player with a 40% win rate. I felt in complete control from the opening. This brings my ranking league record to nine wins and zero losses, placing me third.
...Since I just promoted from Class C2, I won't be in the "promotion zone" unless I achieve a perfect record. The plan was for "Ai" to step in if the situation became dangerous today, but unusually, I secured the win with my own strength. Since all my moves were instantaneous without long deliberation, it was only natural that the match ended quickly.
Afterward, I headed to the professional players' room, found Tenai, and took her to the mansion. There, as usual, she used her smartphone to play Shogi against a "7-Dan" level AI on nine boards simultaneously. Suddenly, her speed shifted visibly.
『Ah, she has started to "see" the moves clearly. Her thinking time has shrunk significantly.』 (Ai)
(Oh, did she clear the hurdle before the semi-finals? What comes next is most important, but congratulations to her tentatively.) (Ōki)
『It seemed long, but perhaps it was actually short? At the very least, she was overwhelmingly faster than you, Master.』 (Ai)
(Whatever is said, she possesses decent innate talent. Furthermore, it would be a problem if she were slower than me.) (Ōki)
「I... see it? ... I understand what's happening?」 (Tenai)
「You mean the best move? Anyway, you brilliantly cleared the second hurdle and completed the match against the 7-Dan level on 9 boards. Congratulations.」 (Ōki)
She is reading the board's details and configurations automatically and subconsciously, without deliberate intent. Upon reaching this state, and after experiencing a massive number of games, the "optimal move" surfaces the moment one glances at the board and perceives its shape. Lacking naming sense, I call this "Pseudo-Sense" to make it sound impressive, but in short, it is a state where optimal moves are generated instantly as a product of immense accumulated experience.
However, this does not necessarily mean Tenai has become stronger. True, her mistakes will decrease drastically, and she will be able to play instantly without thinking, but the source of her strength remains rooted solely in her experience and past matches. This does not represent a rise in her "fundamental power."
Tenai's face suddenly brightened with joy. I believe this style will be effective against Shakado-san, but what about facing "Ai"? While "Ai" is currently weaker than Tenai, the power gap isn't wide enough to guarantee an absolute win. Given "Ai's" style which relies on counter-attacks, if Tenai falls into a trap, the scenario could turn catastrophic.
Well, she was bound to reach this stage eventually; it just happened sooner than I initially anticipated. This development is not the type of "awakening" that occurs during a clash with a powerful rival, but rather the fruit of diligent, sincere effort in accumulating a massive number of games.
(But, why has "Ai" become stronger than she was in the original story?) (Ōki)
『Think about it simply. In the original story, Kuzuryu had two disciples to care for simultaneously, correct? Now, he focuses all his attention on just one, so it is only natural she becomes stronger than the original version. Furthermore, a perfect rival—you, Master—is running two steps ahead at full speed. I believe both "Ai" and Kuzuryu are now living lives far more immersed in Shogi than they were in the original story.』 (Ai)
(... Ah. Simply put, this means the time he dedicates to facing and training "Ai" has doubled. True, he tended to neglect Tenai slightly in the original story, but he did train her as well, so this is a convincing and logical reason for "Ai's" current growth.) (Ōki)
『Additionally, the fact that Kuzuryu himself has become stronger than in the original story has a significant impact. His rating has surpassed the "Meijin" himself.』 (Ai)
Tenai, having now cleared the "Second Hurdle," will gradually increase in strength with every study session and Shogi match she undertakes from here on. The reason is the direct accumulation of experience. In the past, quite a few professional players relied on "rules of experience," so this path of growth is presumably not incorrect.
The next step, if she wishes to catch up to me, is to enter the phase of "granting an independent identity to the unconscious," allowing her to use the Shogi board within her mind to automatically accumulate experience points on its own. However, this method might be exclusive to me, or Tenai might choose an entirely different path to strength, so it depends on what happens then.
『From what I see, she doesn't seem to rely entirely on the "Optimal Move" derived from automatic experience. This implies she may choose her own path.』 (Ai)
(No, I think the percentage of Tenai's reliance on her acquired strength is very high. Tentatively, I will watch her match against Shakado-san, and after that... I will make her play a "serious Shogi" match against me, not merely a teaching game.) (Ōki)
『Do you have a way to make her aim for the win with total seriousness?』 (Ai)
(If I tell her "I will grant any request if you beat me," Tenai will certainly get fired up. I will also prepare a special game record for that confrontation.) (Ōki)
『I wonder what the intended benefit of Master's "grant any request" offer is...?』 (Ai)
(Silence, and just start preparing. After that, she will have only two choices: follow my footsteps, or carve her own path.) (Ōki)
Amidst my preoccupation with nurturing Tenai, the first round of the "Pan-O" (King of the Board) tournament against the "Meijin" took place. In that match, (Ai) continued to attack while playing White (the second move) and succeeded in securing a safe victory. From start to finish, I suspect this match saw the smallest point margin of all games "Ai" has played, didn't it? Well, "Ai" adopted an unconventional strategy called the "Twisting Rook," so I feel he didn't utilize his full capacity.
The "Meijin's" rating is in a slight but continuous decline. Due to the age factor, he can no longer hide the deterioration of his skill. As for Ayumu, he will promote to Class B1 this year and is likely to reach Class A next year. Within that timeframe, the title of "Meijin" may well be wrested from him.
This year, Kuzuryu will ascend to Class C1. I will move up to Class B2, while Ayumu advances to Class B1, so it seems we won't be facing each other in the ranking league anytime soon. Furthermore, Ayumu's younger sister—that child with the archaic manner of speech—is supposed to join the "Shoreikai" (Apprentice Association) this summer. Before that happens, she is expected to come to the Kansai region with Ayumu, so I am considering having Tenai face her.
『In the "Pan-O" tournament, if we beat the "Meijin" and things continue this way, his achievement of a hundred titles will be blocked... However, is achieving his hundredth title in the "Meijin" tournament a certainty?』 (Ai)
(Isn't it certain? ... Ah, wait. It seems the "Homecoming Event"—caused by Sora-san threatening to cut off her arm in the original story—has also disappeared. But, around that time, it is possible that a decisive battle between Tenai and Sora-san for promotion to 3-dan will occur; could that serve as a "substitute event" leading to the homecoming?) (Ōki)
『The homecoming itself might occur, but the original scenario is likely impossible. The blame lies with you, Master; because you spoke to Konogi and strengthened him even slightly, you threatened the path of the original story, and you know this well.』 (Ai)
(Honestly, I am sorry. I won't "reflect" to correct the mistake, but I will settle for "regretting" it.) (Ōki)
While searching for remnants of the original story's events that still persist, I will apply myself to devising a plan to enhance Tenai's strength. However, the first step is to observe her match against Shakado-san.
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