Chapter 982

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of testing:

"Today, in this sixth round, the opponents are no longer ordinary people. How is it, are you nervous inside?"

Natsume Chikage's expression was calm, and he smiled slightly:

"It's okay."

Gu Chuan Chang Hong observed his expression carefully, only to see his eyes clear and his breathing steady, neither having the restlessness of being overly excited nor the tension of stage fright.

This calmness, which far exceeded his age, made the old man nod secretly in his heart.

In shogi duels that require extreme calmness and calculation, any extra emotion could become a fatal flaw.

Fu Tian Si was also sitting on the side; at this moment, the look in his eyes when he looked at Natsume Chikage was completely different from when they first met.

Originally thinking he was just a newcomer who was lucky or had studied his own shogi path, now it seemed that the other party was a genius who truly possessed quasi-professional standards.

Although he still didn't think Natsume Chikage could go further, being able to break into the sixth round was already enough to win a point of respect from him.

He rubbed the stubble on his chin and opened his mouth with a hint of curiosity:

"Boy, today's match, do you think... you can win?"

Natsume Chikage nodded almost without hesitation, his tone flat but certain:

"I can."

Fu Tian Si heard this, first stunned for a moment, then shook his head and laughed.

It's a good thing for young people to have confidence, but this confidence when facing those battle-hardened genius professional shogi players, I'm afraid...

However, he didn't say anything to strike him down in the end, just snorted, expressing his attitude:

"Well... although I personally don't think highly of it, I'll still wish you good luck in battle."

Horikawa Jia Zhi on the side immediately glared at Fu Tian Si with dissatisfaction, but the other party had said a blessing after all, so it was hard for her to flare up.

She turned to Natsume Chikage, clenched her hands into fists and placed them on her chest, cheering earnestly:

"Natsume-kun, don't listen to him! Do your best, Jia Zhi-san is super optimistic about you! You can definitely do it!"

Although she said so, the worry deep in her eyes was hard to completely hide.

It's the sixth round... the remaining contestants are all professional shogi players with famous names in the Japanese shogi world.

They are experienced, battle-hardened, and their psychological quality and tactical systems are far from comparable to the previous opponents.

Although Natsume-kun is gifted, he is after all participating in such a large-scale tournament for the first time... being able to come here is already very good.

After that... it's hanging by a thread.

Natsume Chikage could feel her concern and smiled gently at her:

"Thank you, Jia Zhi-san."

He turned his gaze to Gu Chuan Chang Hong, noticing the somewhat abrupt sunglasses, and was a bit curious:

"Mr. Gu Chuan, why did you think of wearing sunglasses today?"

"Ah? This..." Gu Chuan Chang Hong's old face felt slightly hot, fortunately, it was covered by the sunglasses.

He couldn't say that he was afraid of sitting too close to the contestant seats and being recognized by acquaintances as the "Old Long Wang," right?

Especially after losing three times in a row to this Natsume boy in front of him, if he was recognized by others and called out on the spot, that old face would be lost...

At least, he had to wait for Natsume boy to break into the top four and prove that his "three consecutive losses" were lost to a true genius; only then would it look better to say it out.

He quickly laughed it off and found an excuse:

"Haha, I'm old, my eyes are a bit sensitive to light, wearing them to block it."

Natsume Chikage nodded understandingly:

"So that's how it is, then please take more rest."

He looked around and noticed that Suzuki Longzhi, Chaobina Xiaoyue, and Tianbian Youren were not present today.

It was understandable; as students, after being eliminated from the match, it was naturally difficult for them to ask for leave to come and watch the match again.

While a few people were chatting, there was movement again at the entrance of the contestant passage.

Professional 6-dan shogi player Shi Tian Hewu, leading his apprentice Fu Tian Kangyu, walked in one after the other.

The appearance of Shi Tian Hewu also caused a discussion and attention from the spectators.

As one of the favorites to win the tournament, his steady shogi style and profound strength were widely known.

It was just that the sound wave caused was slightly inferior to when Natsume Chikage entered just now.

Fu Tian Kangyu, who was walking behind his master, looked at the gazes cast around, straightened his little chest, his face carrying pride that shared the honor.

Look, how amazing my master is!

Can other contestants do it?!

Both of their gazes soon fell on Natsume Chikage in the contestant seats.

Shi Tian Hewu had always appreciated Natsume Chikage; young, steady, talent visible to the naked eye, and appearance and temperament were also impeccable, simply an ideal candidate for a disciple.

Although the invitation was politely declined last time, he didn't give up completely.

In his view, Natsume Chikage today would face a professional-level high wall, and the possibility of defeat was great.

At that time, perhaps it would be a good time to extend an olive branch again.

A kind smile appeared on his face, and he took the initiative to take his apprentice and walk over, sitting in the empty seats near Natsume Chikage.

"Morning, Natsume-kun."

"My match ended late in the last round, and I didn't have time to congratulate you in person. Congratulations on successfully advancing to the sixth round; this achievement is very remarkable."

He paused, his tone sincere:

"I hope you can also perform excellently today and go further."

Natsume Chikage politely leaned forward to respond:

"Thank you, Mr. Shi Tian."

Fu Tian Kangyu on the side, since knowing that Natsume Chikage possessed quasi-professional strength, the original inexplicable hostility and contempt had dissipated more than half.

In his simple cognition, the strong are worthy of respect.

He crossed his arms and curled his lips, but still opened his mouth to say:

"Since you have quasi-professional strength... then my master's words last time were indeed correct, you have good talent."

He put down his arms, although his expression was still a bit awkward, his tone was much more serious:

"So, I apologize for my impolite words before."

After speaking, he lowered his head slightly.

This action made Natsume Chikage feel slightly surprised.

This kid with a fiery temper and eyes higher than the top would actually take the initiative to apologize?

Natsume Chikage was not a child anymore, so naturally, he wouldn't haggle with a child.

Since the other party apologized sincerely, he naturally accepted it.

"I accept your apology. Let the past be the past."

Shi Tian Hewu saw this, his heart also relaxed, and the smile on his face became even brighter.

It is always a good thing for an apprentice to grow.

However, Fu Tian Kangyu's next sentence made the few people present stunned.

Only to see him raise his head, his eyes shining as he looked at Natsume Chikage, and he issued an invitation directly:

"Since you accepted my apology, then the previous unpleasantness is considered turned over! How about it, now you can agree to my master and become his disciple, that is, my senior fellow apprentice, right?"

Horikawa Jia Zhi heard this, and her eyes suddenly lit up!

This is a great thing!

"Natsume-kun, you can consider it, this is a disciple of a professional player!"

Fu Tian Si was full of surprise, not expecting Shi Tian 6-dan to value Natsume Chikage so much that he actually mentioned taking an apprentice again.

For any young person aspiring to shogi, this is a dream opportunity.

"Boy, you can indeed try."

And Old Man Gu Chuan Chang Hong, his eyes behind the sunglasses almost stared round.

He almost couldn't help but take off his sunglasses!

Are you kidding me!!!

He, the dignified "Old Long Wang," didn't have the nerve to say he wanted to be Natsume boy's master, you, a professional 6-dan, how dare you!

"No! Absolutely not!!"

Gu Chuan Caixu was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, jumping up from the chair, tightly hugging Natsume Chikage's arm, her little face puffed into a bun, and she loudly opposed:

"Da——mie!!! Caixu disagrees!!" ===== CHAPTER 983 =====