Chapter 61

Where is the big advantage?

No, wait... I was considering the situation five or six steps ahead just now.

Looking at it from the immediate perspective, the granddaughter does indeed have a slight advantage.

Could it be that this Horikawa Kaori can only see the changes two or three steps ahead?

Sigh, young players these days, can they not even calculate the situation five or six steps ahead?

Furukawa Masahiro's face became a bit strange, and he thought to himself, is it that hard to predict the development of the game five or six steps ahead?

Shouldn't this be a basic ability that can be mastered shortly after learning to play?

Why can't she calculate it?

Could it be that the current Shogi world has declined to this extent?

However, saying this out loud would be too hurtful, so it wasn't convenient for him to say it clearly.

But thinking that a living person like Horikawa Kaori could say such a cold judgment that contradicted the facts, the corners of his mouth still couldn't help but twitch a few times, and in the end, he could only barely agree:

"Hmm... You're right."

Furukawa Masahiro was completely unable to pay attention to Horikawa Kaori's chatter beside him at this moment; he gathered his focus and stared intently at the game on the giant screen.

In the image, Furukawa Saio's face was pale, her eyes shifting uncertainly, clearly still struggling to think of a way to break the situation.

And Xia Xia Xia Mujun opposite her appeared exceptionally calm, his eyes as deep as an ancient well, waiting for his opponent's next move without a ripple.

Seeing Furukawa Saio, after long thinking, finally pick up a piece and place it on the board cautiously.

She had originally hoped that this move would at least make Xia Xia Xia Mujun stop and think for a moment, so she could use the time he spent thinking to continue deducing the subsequent moves and relieve the time pressure.

However, the moment her fingertips left the piece, the Shogi clock had been pressed for less than a second.

Click—

Xia Xia Xia Mujun had already picked up his own piece and placed it on the board without hesitation.

The crisp sound of the Shogi clock being pressed again sounded particularly harsh in the quiet arena.

Fine beads of sweat seeped out on Furukawa Saio's forehead, and she stared at the move Xia Xia Xia Mujun had just made in disbelief.

She really couldn't understand, does this person not need to think at all?

Why can he respond instantly every time?

Could it be that the Shogi paths she had practiced hard for many years under Dragon King Grandfather were so easily seen through, and even so easily cracked?

The continuous second-responses, plus the impending defeat, made Furukawa Saio feel unprecedented pressure.

Her breathing gradually became rapid, and she even began to doubt her own strength.

Just then, on the giant screen, the match between Xia Xia Xia Mujun and Furukawa Saio was suddenly switched by the director to other contestants.

Furukawa Masahiro, witnessing this scene, was so anxious that he stood up directly from his seat:

"Why did it cut away so quickly? What is the director doing?!"

"Cut back to it for me quickly!"

Horikawa Kaori beside him was stunned on the spot, clearly not expecting that this old grandfather, who had always appeared kind and calm, would be so uncomposed at this moment.

Wasn't Furukawa Saio still at an advantage just now?

And didn't he say calmly before, "No need to be anxious, young lady; when the time comes, it will naturally appear, we just need to wait quietly"?

Why is he suddenly so anxious now?

At this time, many spectators around also cast curious glances because of Furukawa Masahiro's actions.

Horikawa Kaori hurriedly pulled Furukawa Masahiro back to his seat and persuaded him, laughing and crying:

"Old grandfather, I know you are very anxious, but don't be anxious first."

"Your granddaughter has a great advantage now."

"In my opinion, she will be able to win the match within ten moves."

"You wait here quietly, and I believe it won't be long before your granddaughter comes to see you with the first victory."

Furukawa Masahiro opened his eyes wide and looked at this "poor student" of the Shogi world again in disbelief.

His lips moved, wanting to speak but stopping, and in the end, he swallowed his words.

He thought to himself, forget it, forget it; one shouldn't use one's own standards to require a "poor student."

Moreover, Horikawa Kaori's words were not entirely wrong.

Perhaps his granddaughter was just temporarily underperforming because it was her first time participating in a tournament and the pressure was too great.

Once she adjusted her state, she would definitely be able to defeat Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

Thinking this way, he relaxed his heart a little, but before the result was revealed, he still couldn't help but stare at the big screen and worry anxiously.

Fifteen minutes later, inside the tournament arena.

Referee Kishida Mineosuke was already standing in front of Xia Xia Xia Mujun and Furukawa Saio's Shogi table at some point.

He stared at the checkmate situation that had become a foregone conclusion on the board with a grave expression, silent for a long time, and finally cast his gaze on Xia Xia Xia Mujun—this youth is very powerful!!

"Checkmate."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun's calm voice sounded.

Furukawa Saio's face turned deathly pale instantly.

Her gaze involuntarily cast toward the Shogi clock—it showed her time used was 33 minutes.

And on Xia Xia Xia Mujun's side, he had actually used only 58 seconds...

Seeing this stark gap, Furukawa Saio, who had always been praised by everyone as a genius, felt an indescribable sense of frustration welling up in her heart, and she fell into deep self-doubt.

She had originally thought that she would only be defeated by professional players.

But now... she actually lost in the first round?

And she was defeated almost in a crushing manner while having the first-move advantage...

Could it be that Grandfather and Senior Sister have been lying to her all these years?

Actually, she is very weak?

Otherwise, how could she be completely crushed by a random opponent she met in her first official tournament?

Thinking of this, Furukawa Saio was somewhat broken, and she could no longer suppress the grievance in her heart, crying out loud.

While wiping her tears, she choked out her resignation:

"Big Brother is very powerful... Saio lost."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun was silent for a moment, not saying much, just nodding slightly:

"Hmm."

Just then, the match between Xia Xia Xia Mujun and Furukawa Saio finally appeared on the giant screen again.

Furukawa Masahiro, who had been waiting anxiously, saw his granddaughter return to the screen and immediately showed a look of joy.

However, when he saw his granddaughter's choking and crying appearance, he froze in place, as if he had never expected such an ending.

He quickly cast his gaze toward the board and the Shogi clock, and when he saw the defeat where his granddaughter was almost crushed, his face was full of disbelief.

Ho... how could this be?

This granddaughter was raised by him, the former Dragon King, personally; no one knows better than him how strong her strength is!

Only ten years old, and she is already an existence that is almost invincible below the professional level.

It can be said that even without his guidance, just by her own talent, she would definitely occupy a place in the professional Shogi world in time.

And now... she actually lost in the first round?

Who on earth is this Xia Xia Xia Mujun?

Why can he defeat his granddaughter so easily?

Could he be a professional player?

Impossible!!

If there were really such a young professional player in the Shogi world, how could he not know?

Moreover, if he were really a professional player, how could the commentators not give him more screen time?

How could Horikawa Kaori, a staff member of the Shogi Association, not be aware of it?

You must know that a 16-year-old professional player is undoubtedly a genius among geniuses in any era!

Since even they don't know, it means Xia Xia Xia Mujun can't possibly be a professional player.

Since he is not a professional player, how can Xia Xia Xia Mujun defeat his "invincible below professional" granddaughter so easily?

Where on earth did this person pop out from?