Chapter 36: The Loli Appears!
"Click." "Click." "Click."
The sound of pieces snapping into place echoed like war drums in the silent room.
On the 7-tatami shogi board, the battle between Yukima Azuma and Yamato Kajin was unfolding with razor-sharp intensity.
Yamato's earlier words had not been empty bravado. He and the Meijin had genuinely studied Yukima Azuma's furi-bisha (Ranging Rook) style in detail. Not just his typical patterns—but his habits, his favorite formations, even his tempo. Every fragment had been analyzed.
Yukima Azuma's opening had been a Double Ranging Rook strategy—a rare move even among furi-bisha specialists. It was a bold decision, especially in a promotion match.
Today, he came with a storm-like offensive, pushing tempo over balance. His strategy was aggressive—aiming to break through with a rapid attack before Yamato could settle into a solid formation.
But...
"What a pity," Yamato Kajin said as he slid his Gin (Silver General) to 4h. "This line—we studied it. And we found something."
With that Silver placement, he neutralized the threat on the right flank and simultaneously applied pressure to Yukima's central Hisha (Rook).
"This exact joseki—Double Ranging Rook versus Static Silver—we analyzed this line with Meijin. And do you know what conclusion we reached?"
He gently tapped the piece. "Static Rook wins."