Chapter 56

Satoru Fukuda and his companions in the circle also spent more than ten hours every day studying Shogi, regardless of the heat or cold.

However, even with equal effort, the chasm between them and professional players was still like a natural moat, unreachable, and they didn't even have the qualification to touch the corner of the other's clothes.

This world is sometimes just that cruel.

The barrier of lacking talent is not something that can be crossed just by hard work.

Therefore, Satoru Fukuda didn't want to encounter professional players too early from the bottom of his heart.

He clearly recognized his own strength positioning, and the goal of this trip was very clear—to abuse rookies for fun, and earn some extra money by the way, that's all.

At least before advancing to the fourth round, he prayed not to run into those monsters.

Looking around the venue, besides those professional players, he also identified many familiar training association members.

Currently, it seemed that only those with considerable strength could remain calm, while most other contestants were overly nervous, looking like "weak chickens".

However, it's one thing for capable people to be calm, but why could Xia Xia Xia Mujun and Saio Furukawa, these two obvious newcomer rookies, also be so calm?

Satoru Fukuda couldn't figure it out and could only attribute it to "the ignorant are fearless".

Just at this moment, a small commotion suddenly broke out in the competition venue.

The reason was none other than Aogo Akechi and Hiroya Hino—these two players, both professional 4-dans, had dramatically become opponents in the first round in a completely random draw.

Aogo Akechi and Hiroya Hino looked at each other, both reading deep helplessness and bitterness in each other's eyes.

This luck was simply so bad it made people speechless.

For players at their level, encountering an opponent of equal strength too early meant that one of them was destined to stop at the first round.

This was only the first round!

If they won, it would be fine, but once they lost, they would probably become the talk of the circle for a long time, being repeatedly mentioned for the embarrassment of this "one-round trip".

For a time, there was much discussion inside and outside the venue.

The two commentators at the TV commentary table were also paying attention to this focal duel.

The male commentator Masazo Inoue was a middle-aged uncle about forty years old, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a neat oily hairstyle.

The female commentator Maiko Nanjo was a beautiful woman around thirty, wearing a capable professional suit.

Masazo Inoue pushed his glasses and said to Maiko Nanjo in a heavy tone:

"It's really unexpected that professional 4-dan Aogo Akechi actually drew Hiroya Hino, who is also a professional 4-dan, in the first round."

Maiko Nanjo nodded solemnly and added:

"This is indeed a development that no one could have predicted."

"You know, in the first session of A-competition area, there are only five professional players registered."

"In the first round when the competition just started, these two professional players who are both famous in the Shogi world collided in advance; I think for the two of them, this is the situation they least want to see."

Masazo Inoue agreed:

"Indeed."

"Especially since this competition uses a cumulative prize system, the more wins, the more generous the return."

"Encountering a strong enemy in the first round means that one of them is destined to stop here and leave sadly."

While expressing regret, Maiko Nanjo also sighed with emotion:

"In contrast, the other three professional players in the A-competition area drew opponents who were not professional players of the same level, but only training association members."

"In this case, will it be a one-sided crushing, or will the training association members stage a cold-upset drama of the weak defeating the strong—all of this is full of suspense and thought-provoking!"

Masazo Inoue smiled:

"That's right, even I am full of curiosity about the subsequent development."

"This must be one of the unique charms of this competition."

"Precisely because the opponents are completely random, it tests both strength and the favor of luck!"

"However—as the competition progresses, the component of luck will gradually decrease."

"Those who can stay until the end will inevitably be the true strong ones!"

Maiko Nanjo said solemnly:

"That is exactly so. This competition has gathered masters from all over the place."

"Luck will eventually run out, only one's own absolute strength is the eternal truth!"

Just as the host, director, and the audience inside and outside the venue had their eyes almost entirely attracted by the "civil war" between the professional players, almost no one noticed Xia Xia Xia Mujun who was preparing to draw.

He pressed the button of the transparent drum draw machine calmly under the guidance of the staff.

The small balls inside rolled rapidly, and then, with a "click", a small ball fell out.

The number on the ball was clearly displayed—"77".

The staff picked up the small ball to confirm, and then pointed to one side of the competition field: "Please go to table number 77."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun nodded slightly and turned to Saio Furukawa behind him:

"Then I'll go first, do your best in the competition."

Saio Furukawa looked up, her smile bright:

"Mm!"

Watching Xia Xia Xia Mujun leave, Satoru Fukuda, who was behind Saio Furukawa, rubbed the stubble on his chin and glanced at the direction of table 77 with great interest, thinking to himself: If only he could have drawn that position, facing Xia Xia Xia Mujun in the first round would simply be a sure victory!

Of course, besides Xia Xia Xia Mujun, this little girl Saio Furukawa in front of him was also an "ideal opponent" in his mind.

These two "big water fish", as long as he could randomly match with either one, he would have picked up a victory in this first round for free.

Soon, it was Saio Furukawa's turn to draw.

The staff looked at this little girl whose height had just passed the edge of the table and couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on his face.

A child this small coming to participate in the competition looked like an "experience baby" who was here to experience the atmosphere, and it was highly likely to be a one-round trip.

However, he didn't say much, thinking that perhaps her family was wealthy and didn't care about the two-thousand-yen registration fee at all.

"Please press the button in front of you." The staff guided according to the process.

Saio Furukawa stared at the small balls jumping and rolling in the transparent draw box, nodded seriously, then stood on tiptoe, reached out her little hand, and pressed the button hard.

Pat—

A small ball quickly fell out of the machine.

When the staff, Saio Furukawa, and Satoru Fukuda behind her saw the number on the ball, all three were stunned.

"77...?" Saio Furukawa blinked her big eyes, feeling a bit dazed.

Satoru Fukuda slapped his forehead on the spot, his face full of annoyance and heartache.

He wished time could turn back; he should have changed his queue position with this little girl just now!

That way, he might have been able to draw that newcomer Xia Xia Xia Mujun!

Now it was good, not only did he not run into Xia Xia Xia Mujun, but even this "little water fish" right in front of him had slipped away.

Instead, it benefited that kid Xia Xia Xia Mujun!

What kind of thing is this?

In Satoru Fukuda's view, Saio Furukawa was mostly from a wealthy family and was brought to see the world.

As for strength?

A ten-year-old girl, how strong could she be?

At most, she was at the level of an amateur enthusiast.

He could win against such an opponent with his eyes closed.

Satoru Fukuda shook his head and sighed repeatedly, only feeling that the boy's luck was too good.

"Table number 77, can you find it?" The staff still had a bit more patience for the little girl.

Saio Furukawa nodded vigorously: "Mm, I can find it."

For her, it would be hard not to find it.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun sitting there was like having his own spotlight, particularly conspicuous in the crowd.

Her gaze easily passed through the crowd, locked onto the slender figure sitting by table 77, and then she took a step and walked over slowly.

Only in her heart, she couldn't help but feel a small regret.

She quite liked this handsome and gentle big brother.

But now, she had to personally eliminate him in the first round of the competition...