Chapter 811

If he could join the Shogi Association and obtain a stable income...

Then, some of the realistic obstacles in front of him might be moved away.

Asahina Akatsuki's heart trembled slightly because of this proposal, and then secret joy surged up.

If Natsume-kun joins the association...

Then wouldn't I have more legitimate reasons to meet and stay with him frequently in the name of discussing shogi and exchanging skills?

Back and forth... opportunities would naturally increase!

She seemed to have already seen a beautiful future, her cheeks heating up slightly.

Tanabe Yuto and Suzuki Takayuki, although their moods were complex, their thoughts at this moment were eerily synchronized.

They were also "looking forward" to this scene—Natsume Chikage's economy improving, obstacles cleared, and then... naturally getting together with Akatsuki.

Although their hearts would ache, it seemed... this was the fastest path to make Akatsuki happy and also let themselves "break free."

Therefore, they all defaulted to it, and even secretly hoped Natsume Chikage would agree.

Natsume Chikage looked at the eager, expectant, and encouraging gazes of the circle of people around him, feeling somewhat helpless in his heart.

As for shogi, he really couldn't say he had much interest.

But for money, his interest was real.

He thought for a while and decided to ask for the details clearly first.

"If I join the Shogi Association..."

"Salary... or rather income, how is it calculated specifically?"

Horikawa Kashi saw that he seemed interested, her eyes lit up, and she immediately explained happily with the posture of a professional staff member:

"Income is mainly awarded based on match results and performance."

"Simply put, the more you win, the more prize money you naturally get."

She changed the subject and reminded:

"However, the operating mode within the association is completely different from this 'Newcomer Shogi Tournament'."

"The Newcomer Tournament is a public audition open to everyone, and you only get prize money if you keep winning, the format is very cruel."

"And within the Shogi Association, it is more like a professional league system."

She raised her finger.

"First, as long as you have a match, regardless of win or loss, you can get a basic 'match fee'."

"This fee is linked to your rank and past match records."

"The higher the rank, the higher the base of the match fee."

"Similarly, winning more recently and having a high win rate can also increase your match fee coefficient."

"In other words, as long as your rank and record go up, even if you lose occasionally, you can have a good guaranteed income."

"Conversely..."

She paused.

"If your rank is very low, even if you luckily win one or two games, the income is... negligible."

Natsume Chikage understood the key.

"So... if I want to join the Shogi Association, I first have to take a rank exam?"

"Starting from a very low rank?"

Horikawa Kashi nodded affirmatively.

"Yes!"

"This is a necessary process."

Natsume Chikage thought of the strength he currently displayed and asked:

"Can... skip ranks?"

"For example, directly certify a relatively high rank?"

Asahina Akatsuki beside him shook her head, her soft long hair swaying with the movement.

"No."

She explained, her tone carrying a trace of regret.

"The association's rules are very strict, even if you have semi-pro strength now and the supporting documents are complete, you can only climb up from the entry-level rank."

"There is no shortcut like directly 'skipping ranks'."

Suzuki Takayuki nodded in agreement on the side, he had the most say in this.

"Yes."

"Every rank requires promotion through formal matches and enough wins, it cannot be skipped."

Natsume Chikage thought for a while and asked a more practical question:

"Then... how long does it take roughly?"

"With my current strength, how fast can I reach... for example, a rank with stable and considerable income?"

He asked tentatively:

"One month, is it possible?"

"..."

As soon as this was said, the surroundings became quiet for a moment.

The complexions of everyone present turned somewhat strange in unison.

Fukuda Shi couldn't help but twitch his mouth and complained:

"How could it be that fast!"

"What are you thinking, kid!"

He stretched out two fingers and shook them in front of Natsume Chikage.

"Even if you start from now, all the way with a crushing momentum of all wins, from no rank to the 'semi-pro' (Reward Association 3-dan) level..."

He intensified his tone.

"It takes at least two years!"

"And that's the most ideal and smooth situation! If you get stuck in the middle, or have fluctuations in state, three or four years is very normal!"

Two years?!

Natsume Chikage widened his eyes slightly.

If it were one month, he might consider it, after all, the money comes fast.

But two years...

In two months, the money he can earn from novel serialization should be quite considerable.

Two years later?

He should have long since stopped relying on prize money from shogi matches to make a living.

By then, shogi for him might really just be an occasional hobby.

There is simply... no need to invest such a long time to walk a professional path for this.

However, he also knew that these people around him were all out of kindness and concern that they were so enthusiastically suggesting.

He didn't want to spoil everyone's fun, and even less wanted to explain too much about his future plans.

Therefore, a somewhat vague but polite smile appeared on his face.

"Haha... so that's how it is."

"Thank you all for your suggestions, I will... seriously consider this matter."

He cleverly didn't give any promise.

However, everyone seemed to automatically understand his "seriously consider" as a positive signal.

Everyone showed relieved and happy smiles, as if they had already seen Natsume Chikage fighting on the professional stage.

Asahina Akatsuki was even more overjoyed.

She felt that Natsume Chikage won the match and was in a good mood, so this was a good time to get closer.

She took a deep breath, her fair cheeks flushed with shallow red, her hands were somewhat nervously behind her back, her fingers twisted together unconsciously.

She raised her moist eyes and looked at Natsume Chikage, her voice soft and carrying a trace of shyness:

"Natsume-kun... you should be free after the match, right?"

"Since you won such an important game..."

She gathered her courage and made the invitation. ===== CHAPTER 812 =====