“Morishita Shigeo 9-dan.”
“Isn’t this Shindo Hikaru’s future teacher?”
“I remember Waya also studied under him.”
On the street, Ao Ying played with a small piece of paper, on which was written Ninth Dan Morishita’s contact information.
Ever since witnessing the 3-3 Point combination move, Grandpa Ao became concerned about his eldest grandson taking the professional Go rank examination.
Returning to the Sakura Country was impossible; studying abroad cost a lot of money in those days, and returning to the Sakura Country to be ranked would affect his studies.
He couldn't fly back and forth for matches; even a middle-class family couldn't afford such expenses.
Therefore, Grandpa Ao changed his goal and aimed for the professional ranking tournament in the Sakura Country.
Thanks to knowing Shirakawa 7-dan, having someone in the professional circle made things convenient.
Shirakawa informed him that foreign Go players were almost certainly unable to participate in the ranking tournament.
It made sense; how could others easily agree to a foreigner coming to another country to snatch their livelihood?
But the word 'almost' gave him new hope.
Shirakawa further informed him that his teacher, Morishita Shigeo 9-dan, had extensive connections and knew many Go players at the Kansai Ki-in.
Recently, the Kansai Ki-in was researching how to bring in new blood and was considering accepting foreign Go players.
If Ao Ying was indeed qualified, Shirakawa was willing to persuade his teacher to pull some strings.
However, the key was qualification, which could not be fully demonstrated by just one 3-3 Point.
Go players of the current era were very pure: if you were good, you played.
Shirakawa told Ao Ying to prepare and then contact him; only by passing the assessment would he be recommended to the Kansai Ki-in.
“Toya Akira participated in the professional ranking tournament after completely defeating Shindo Hikaru in the team match.”
“There’s still some time; I need to thoroughly master the basic template first.”
Ao Ying put away the small piece of paper.
Go strength wasn't something that was complete just by being loaded by the system.
Subsequent integration required activities such as actual combat, observation, review, study, and enlightenment.
It was like having a vast amount of knowledge in one's head, but whether one could apply it was another matter entirely.
“Last time I played against Toya Akira and Shindo Hikaru, the speed of integrating new knowledge increased several times.”
“Playing against Grandpa Ao, the integration efficiency was average; it seems high-quality games are a shortcut.”
“The Children’s Go Tournament is being held today; Ogata Seiji can be found there.”
Ogata Seiji 9-Dan, whose Go strength was in the first tier, later defeated Toya Koyo and won the Judan title.
At the entrance of the competition venue.
“Ao Ying, why are you here?”
Shindo Hikaru strolled over, holding a promotional flyer.
“Shindo, are you also here to watch the match? Together?”
Ao Ying smiled slightly, glancing at the white-robed figure floating beside him, pretending not to see anything.
Sai: “Hikaru, this person is very strong. Quickly agree to him; maybe you can hear interesting insights again.”
Shindo Hikaru rubbed his forehead.
The two people and one ghost walked together.
Inside the venue.
Clack, clack…
The sound of stones being placed continued to echo.
Hundreds of children sat at opposite ends of Go boards, their expressions incredibly solemn.
Shindo Hikaru was stunned, his eyes filled with thought.
Ao Ying immediately understood that the young man was starting an internal struggle, and the seed of learning Go was quietly breaking through the soil.
He watched for a bit, then stopped, then watched again…
For a good half-day.
Suddenly.
“If you play there, they’ll all die.”
As in the original story, Shindo Hikaru blurted it out, disrupting the match.
The referee quickly reacted and caught the culprit.
“Sorry, sorry.”
“This is an official match; your behavior violates the rules.”
In the office, Shindo Hikaru bowed in apology, and the referee was about to lecture him.
Just then, another referee knocked on the door and entered.
“Due to a hint from a bystander, this game is void. I’ve already had those two children replay.”
“That’s the only way.”
After much persuasion, Shindo Hikaru was finally let Go.
Outside the door.
“Phew… that was terrifying.”
Shindo Hikaru let out a long sigh.
“Oh, right, Ao Ying, should we play another game?”
“After I went back that day, I studied new joseki and made some small gains.”
Shindo Hikaru said he had made small gains, but his face was triumphant.
Ao Ying rubbed his chin.
At this stage, Sai was strong, but there was a gap until his complete form; he might not be able to defeat Go players like Oza Zama, Morishita Shigeo, or Kurata Atsushi.
His thoughts raced, and Ao Ying shook his head, “The current you are not my opponent. Wait until you become an Insei, then challenge me.”
During the Insei era, Sai, after being tempered by online play, was more than 5.5 points stronger than he was now.
In a contest between masters, even one point was meticulously fought over; several points could be called a world of difference.
At Ao Ying’s frankness, Shindo Hikaru bared his fangs and claws, “Don’t look down on me! How will you know if you don’t try?”
“Heh heh… then I’ll defeat you again. But I’m waiting for someone, so stay with me for a bit. Compared to you, I’d rather play against him.”
Having said that, Ao Ying walked back and forth, guarding the office door.
Upon hearing the person Ao Ying wanted to play against, Sai immediately became interested.
“Hikaru, Hikaru…”
“Ah, annoying guy, I get it.”
Shindo Hikaru scratched his head with both hands, looking annoyed.
One minute, two minutes…
Ao Ying was very patient, treating it as a stroll, his expression natural.
Shindo Hikaru walked behind him.
“Hey, who are you waiting for?”
“How strong is he?”
“Can he make Toya cry?”
In Shindo Hikaru’s mind, Toya Akira had become the benchmark for measuring Go strength.
“You’ll see him soon. Don’t let it slip; we just happened to meet here.”
Annoyed beyond measure, Ao Ying said grumpily.
Shindo Hikaru gave a sly smile, still doing as he pleased.
A few minutes later.
A young man wearing glasses walked out from around the corner.
He’s here!
Ao Ying’s lips curved upward, and he quickly walked forward, saying rapidly, “What a coincidence, Ogata-sensei, I’m your fan! I’m very strong; do you have time to give me a game?”
As he spoke, he didn’t forget to offer a clear yet foolish little gaze.
Shindo Hikaru watched, his mouth twitching, “Sai, is Ao Ying really that shameless?”
“Heh heh…”
Sai covered his mouth with his fan, chuckling quietly.
A fan?
Ogata was stunned. He had always had genuine fans, but this was the first time someone knew his schedule and blocked his way.
As for the claim of being very strong, he just took it as self-praise and didn’t take it to heart.
“Since you’re my fan, tell me what brilliant achievements I have?”
Looking at the little boy in front of him, Ogata decided to tease him.
Ao Ying blinked.
Good gracious!
What he knew hadn’t happened yet.
For example, winning the right to challenge for the Honinbo title, only to be ambushed and buried by old man Sangyuan.
“Ogata-sensei, your speed of changing girlfriends is like changing clothes. That… isn’t that impressive?”
Suddenly, a weak childish voice sounded.
Ogata pushed up his glasses, a glint flashing in his eyes, “You got one right. I only have ten minutes free. We’ll play as far as we can.”
“Thank you, Ogata-sensei.”
Ao Ying bowed, a joyful expression squeezed onto his face.
“Follow me.”
Ogata turned the doorknob.
“Ogata 9-dan.”
Two referees greeted him.
Then they saw Ao Ying and Shindo Hikaru, “It’s you two again?”
Ogata glanced at them in surprise, “I’m borrowing a Go board.”
“Ogata 9-dan, what are you doing?”
“Giving some benefits to a fan.”
“Uh…”
The two referees were confused and made way.
Ao Ying sat opposite Ogata and voluntarily picked up the black stone stones.
“Please guide me.”
“Please guide me.”
Ogata was not impolite.
“What?!”
“You’re going to play a game?”
The two referees were dumbfounded.