Chapter 263

【Akita Sana: Weixi, I just heard the commentators say that when Natsume-kun registered, he filled in the number of games played, but it only said a dozen or so. Is he playing a prank or is it real? Or did the staff write it wrong?】

Kondo Weixi, who was originally listening to the lecture, received the message, took out her phone to look at it, then was silent for a long time, and shook her head repeatedly.

【Kondo Weixi: If nothing goes wrong, it should be true.】

【Akita Sana: (⊙_⊙) How do you know?】

【Kondo Weixi: When I went over before, his dad personally said that Natsume-kun doesn't like playing shogi; he probably only played a few games.】

【Akita Sana: Σ(⊙▽⊙" Huh? Then isn't Natsume-kun not playing a prank, but really ran to the competition after only playing a dozen or so games? Is he… serious?】

【Kondo Weixi: …I don't know if he's serious, but he's definitely playing a prank. Don't you think about his current financial situation? This is a 20,000 yen registration fee, and he actually gambled it in a place like the competition arena; I'm really impressed.】

【Kondo Weixi: He said he was lucky in the first round and met a little girl, earning back 10,000 yen. However, this is the second round, and many players without strength must have been eliminated. So he will likely encounter some formidable players this time.

In this case, if he wants to win, you can only pray that his luck is explosive and the opponent is still a greenhorn who hasn't played much shogi, otherwise…】

【Akita Sana: ｜дo?)!! That seems to make sense.】

【Kondo Weixi: As long as you know. Also—don't always pay attention to him in class; study hard. Otherwise, if your grades drop, your parents will lecture you again.】

【Akita Sana: (○` 3′○) Oh…】

She replied like that, but she still secretly glanced at the live broadcast under the table during class.

Akechi Sogo was a professional shogi player of the 4th dan, and his strength was very formidable.

And this time.

He was also in the second session of the A competition zone, preparing for the match.

He had just finished using the restroom and was preparing to go draw lots for the match.

At this moment.

Akechi Sogo happened to run into Furukawa Masahiro, who wanted to go to the restroom.

The moment he saw this person.

His face was immediately shocked.

"You… you are Senior Furukawa, right?"

Furukawa Masahiro was stunned and said with surprise:

"You know me?"

Hearing this, Akechi Sogo hurriedly bowed and said very respectfully:

"Of course!"

"You are the Long Wang who was once famous in the shogi world!"

"In Japan at that time, you could be described as an invincible existence!"

"And I—grew up watching you play shogi when I was a child."

"It can even be said that my dream of becoming a professional shogi player started because of you."

"So how could I not recognize you?"

Hearing this, Furukawa Masahiro smiled comfortably.

He thought to himself that he had finally been recognized.

If he wasn't recognized again, he would worry if he was so old that the younger generation had long forgotten him.

Fortunately, some professional players still knew him.

But now it seems that only professional players remember him?

That's right.

Professional players watch many old players' games to figure out their playing style and study how to break the game.

And back then, I don't know how many professional players studied his games every day.

As for this thirty-something young man, it's reasonable that he grew up watching his matches and recognizes him.

"Get up, I'm old and have long been left behind by the times; all that Long Wang stuff is in the past, don't mention it again."

Although the words were humble.

Furukawa Masahiro's smile never faded.

Akechi Sogo shook his head frantically:

"Senior Furukawa, please don't say that; your strength is unquestionable."

"Even now, your games are very exciting, and many professional players still study your past games."

Furukawa Masahiro stroked his white beard, his smile even wider:

"What is your name?"

Akechi Sogo's face was happy, and he hurriedly said:

"My name is Akechi Sogo."

Furukawa Masahiro understood and smiled:

"Oh, it's you."

"I occasionally watch your games; you play well, and you have a promising future."

Akechi Sogo was overjoyed:

"I am very happy to be told that by Senior Furukawa."

"Senior, are you here this time just to watch the match, or is there someone you know competing in it?"

Furukawa Masahiro didn't hide it either, smiling and pointing to Natsume Chikage, who was queuing by the competition arena:

"Do you see that Natsume Chikage in the school uniform in the arena?"

"That is the young man I have my eye on."

"Don't underestimate this young man; although he is sixteen, he already possesses professional strength."

"If you were to face him, I'm afraid you would have to fight a bitter battle to win."

Akechi Sogo was extremely surprised:

"This Natsume-kun is only sixteen, and he's this formidable?"

"Could it be that he… is your apprentice?"

Furukawa Masahiro shook his head and smiled:

"Not yet. I do have the intention to take him as an apprentice, but I don't know… what his willingness is."

Akechi Sogo was very shocked.

What?

Lord Long Wang is actually willing to take an apprentice personally?

You have to know that among these professional players, who hasn't studied under a famous master.

But to become the apprentice of the "Long Wang"—Furukawa Masahiro, who was known as invincible in the old era—there has never been any news of that from ancient times to the present.

And now, this old Long Wang is actually willing to take the initiative to propose that he wants Natsume Chikage to become his apprentice?

Just how terrifying is Natsume Chikage's talent for the old Long Wang to be willing to lower his status?

Thinking of this.

Akechi Sogo also became extremely vigilant toward Natsume Chikage.

Currently, he is in the same competition zone and the same session as Natsume Chikage.

If they were to face each other, I'm afraid it would really be a bitter battle as the old Long Wang said.

In the situation where he doesn't know the other party's background.

This boy might be harder to deal with than the professional players of the same level he knows.

I hope I won't be randomly matched with him later.

He doesn't want to be a professional player who inexplicably becomes a stepping stone for a sixteen-year-old high school student.

Center of the arena.

Not far behind Natsume Chikage, who was queuing.

Fukuda Tsukasa looked at him, very expectant.

Last time, Natsume Chikage's luck was explosive, and he met that little loli Furukawa Caixu, otherwise he would never have made it to the second round.

And this second round is full of powerhouses; it's like a meat grinder!

He is also very afraid of encountering particularly strong opponents.

So if he can be randomly matched with a "big fish" like Natsume Chikage, that would be great; he can basically be sure that he will win steadily this time.