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

"It's like they're going to eat me up."

As Hikaru Shindo spoke, he took a few steps back. Judging from his expression, he clearly really thought that Masao Kato and his companion were ruthless human traffickers.

"Xiao Guang, you..."

Sai remained silent for a long time before finally speaking:

"Don't worry, those two old people aren't bad people. If I'm not mistaken, they should also be very skilled chess players!"

Is that so...?

Hikaru Shindo was skeptical, but he didn't back down any further.

"Child, are you really here to learn chess?"

Harada Ikegami had recovered from his initial shock and carefully examined Hikaru Shindo, concluding that the other man did not seem to be lying.

estimate.

That one hand that was 7/12 sharp just now, he really just stumbled upon a lucky break.

"I am Harada Ikegami. Registration fee is paid in *book! Group > 9:8,0s2:0:5/6, sent by ?呆ュ呆. From 58 Japanese yen. If someone introduces me, it can be even cheaper..."

Harada Ikegami was about to proceed with his business in a formal manner, but before he could finish speaking, he was stopped by Masao Kato, who was standing next to him.

Then.

Kato Masao said:

"Mr. Ikegami, could you give me this child?"

At this point, a hint of unspoken melancholy seemed to appear in Kato Masao's eyes:

"As you know, I'm already eighty-seven this year, and I'm afraid I'll never be able to break through the current limitations in the world of chess again..."

but.

Kato Masao changed the subject, pointing at Shindo Mitsumichi:

"However, this child is different; he seems to have an extraordinary talent for Go."

"so."

"I want to take him on as my personal disciple. In the future, my lineage might depend on this child... to carry on and bring glory to our lineage!"

After saying that, he turned a pleading look to his old friend.

Mr. Kato...

Harada Ikegami was deeply shocked.

Based on his understanding of Kato Masao, this old friend had always been very self-important.

Despite being over eighty years old, his playing style is just as strong as it was in his youth.

even.

Two years ago, during the battle for the throne, this octogenarian even forced Meijin Touya into a close contest.

to be frank.

In the minds of Harada Ikegami and most Go fans, they still regard Masao Kato as a master in his prime.

Unfortunately, it was only during today's gathering that Harada Ikegami realized this.

It turns out that even someone as aloof as Kato 8-dan had long harbored thoughts of retreating from the path of Go.

"Mr. Kato..."

Harada Ikegami wanted to say something, but the words that came out were just a silent sigh.

"So, I'll take that as a yes?"

Kato Masao winked at Ikegami Harada, then turned to Shindo Hikaru and said:

"Child, although I am not Master Ikegami, my level in the Go tradition is not much worse than his. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Upon hearing this, Hikaru Shindo hesitated.

“Xiao Guang, I can sense that this old gentleman’s chess skills are extraordinary. You’re definitely making a good choice to study under him.”

Sai's voice rang out in his mind at just the right moment.

"Sai, I actually think you're pretty amazing. Even if I just follow you, I should be able to become a master too, right?"

Hikaru Shindo reflected on his experiences this week:

“That Akira Touya, he’s Touya Meijin’s son, but he couldn’t even last a hundred moves against you.”

"Also, even a strong opponent like Su Ranjun needs to be up to the very end of the match before we can see who wins and who loses."

"I don't understand why you insist that I learn from other Go teachers. Can't you teach me yourself?"

Face this problem.

Sai fell silent again for a long time, and no matter how Hikaru called out to him, he did not respond.

"Xiaoguang, I so desperately want to guide you personally, but..."

Sai, inside Hikaru Shindo's body, silently shed tears:

"However, I am increasingly feeling that my days are numbered."

"That calling you, which you cannot comprehend, is growing stronger every day. Perhaps tomorrow, perhaps today, perhaps in the next moment, I will leave you forever..."

"Xiao Guang, how I wish I could stay by your side forever... but... time."

"I really don't have much left..."

Hikaru Shindo was naturally angry at Sai's silence.

Fortunately, after spending a week together, he gradually realized that Sai also seemed to have his own helplessness.

With a sigh, she softened her tone and said:

"Alright, Sai, I was wrong this time. Since you want me to become this old man's apprentice, I'll do as you say. Hurry up and come out, we're going to the internet cafe to play chess later!"

Sai still did not respond.

"Sai! If you come out now, I can let you play a game of chess with this old man~"

Hikaru Shindo used his ultimate move.

This trick worked!

As soon as he finished speaking, Sai floated out of his body with a "whoosh".

"Xiao Guang, you'd better keep your word!"

Alright, Sai!

You lied to me again!

I knew it! You were deliberately avoiding me, hoping I'd agree to play chess with you, weren't you?

Hikaru glared at Sai angrily, but failed to notice the tear stains still visible at the corners of Sai's eyes.

"Hikaru, since you've already promised me, let me now... play a game of Go with Mr. Kato!"

Sai was eager to get started.

He could sense that Kato Masao's Go skills were definitely enough to keep him engaged in a long and intense battle.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell the old man now."

Seeing that Sai had been calmed down, Hikaru Shindo was very happy and immediately said to Masao Kato:

“Well, grandpa, it’s no problem for me to become your apprentice, but…”

Sai looked at Hikaru Shindo expectantly, hoping he would quickly ask Hikaru to play a match against Masao Kato.

"but."

"Since you're the one asking me to become your apprentice, does that mean I don't need to pay the tuition? (The rest of the text appears to be a series of seemingly unrelated phrases and sentences, possibly from different sources.)"

Kato Masao: ...

Ikegami Harada:……

Fujiwara Sai: ...

……

Chapter 50 Kato Makes His Move! The Terrifying Pressure of an Eighth Dan Peak!

"Are you... sure you want to play chess with me?"

Under Sai's entreaties (and coercion), Hikaru Shindo eventually succumbed to the temptation of the allowance and asked Masao Kato to play a game of Go.

As a professional 8-dan Go player, Masao Kato has not played against a non-professional player for many years.

Not to mention children like Hikaru Shindo.

but.

Having decided to become the other person's teacher, Kato Masao felt it was necessary to show off his skills.

ponder for a moment.

He then agreed to Hikaru Shindo's request.

"Put three stones in."

Although he agreed to the game, Kato Masao couldn't bear to undermine his disciple's confidence, so he kindly let him win.

Upon hearing this, Hikaru Shindo was taken aback.

So it was a handicap game?

Previously, Hikaru Shindo thought this game would be a fair match with a coin toss to decide who goes first.

Hikaru Shindo couldn't help but mentally call out to Sai, "Sai, he wants three of us, I don't think... that's fair, is it?"

I originally thought Sai would refuse the suggestion to give up his son.

However, to Hikaru Shindo's surprise, Sai nodded very calmly this time, tacitly agreeing to the suggestion.