As a result of seizing the "Ban-Ou" (King of the Board) title from the Meijin (Grandmaster), and adding it to my "Ki-Ou" (Wise King) and "Kisei" (Emperor of Shogi) titles, I have now become a bearer of three crowns. Since I successfully defended the "Ki-Ou" title against Chairman Gekko, it is likely that my status as a "Triple Crown Holder" will persist for a while; even the media and news programs have started getting used to calling me "Triple Crown Ōki."
Currently, the distribution of the eight major titles is as follows: I hold the "Kisei," "Ban-Ou," and "Ki-Ou" (three titles). The Meijin holds the "Oza" (Throne) and the "Meijin" title (two titles). As for the rest, Kuzuryu holds the "Ryu-Ou" (Dragon King), Oishi holds the "Osho" (King of Generals), and Okito holds the "Tei-Ei" (The Emperor) title.
...Oishi successfully defended the "Osho" title without incident. This will have a positive impact on the "Jo-Ou" (Queen) tournament. In the original story, the long battle for the "Osho" title drained the federation's resources, leaving insufficient funds for the "Queen" tournament. However, this time, thanks to the highly anticipated confrontation between Ten'ai and Sora, the tournament is enjoying unparalleled enthusiasm, and the schedule is also relaxed. Furthermore, the absence of any real animosity between Sora and Ten'ai is a significant factor; they have only played against each other once, during the Shoreikai exams.
Ten'ai has advanced to the fifth grade of elementary school. It seems she was separated from her close friends due to class changes, but she is doing well in her school life. She is truly an excellent student, unlike her master. Perhaps the reason she has adapted so well is that the school is for daughters of wealthy families, where girls with early mental maturity gather.
Ten'ai, still in elementary school, is steadily on track to achieve an eight-figure annual income (tens of millions of yen). If she succeeds in snatching the "Queen" title, the prize money of 5 million yen will be added to her account. The fact that the prize is higher than that of the "Kisei" title is definitive proof of the immense interest in this title.
With the arrival of April, the Sandan League (3-Dan League) kicked off. Assuming Konogi wins all his matches, the runner-up would need approximately 15 wins and 3 losses to qualify. I wish Kagamizu could qualify, but because of my presence, there are those who failed to qualify or whose promotion was delayed, so the matter is doubtful.
(Konogi, Kagamizu, Karaka, and Sakanashi... all four started with two consecutive wins. ...Isn't Sakanashi extremely strong?) (Ōki)
(In the original story, he is the man who pulled off a miracle with 14 consecutive wins after starting with 4 losses, earning a "runner-up point" to become a professional. ...This means Kagamizu's chance of qualifying is extremely slim.) (Ai)
(In the previous season, Sakanashi ranked higher. Since it is likely that Konogi will win all his matches, this means Kagamizu needs to achieve one more win than Sakanashi to surpass him, correct? The mere absence of Sora has made reading the future completely impossible.) (Ōki)
(Originally, this guy who cries at intersections after losing two matches at the start is now riding a wave of victories with two consecutive wins.) (Ai)
(Stop describing it like that.) (Ōki)
The ranking from the previous season—excluding those who became professionals—was as follows: Sakanashi in second place (14 wins, 4 losses), and Kagamizu in fourth place (13 wins, 5 losses). It seems my existence has indeed "crushed" one slot that was supposed to promote its holder, and the impact is palpable in the atmosphere.
The Sandan League is long and will last for six months. Even Ai cannot know who will be promoted half a year from now.
(What are the odds on betting on the Konogi and Sakanashi duo?) (Ai)
(Then I'll bet on a trio: Konogi, Karaka, and Kagamizu. Isn't there anyone to bet with me?) (Ōki)
The fact that Kagamizu won the "New King" tournament hasn't changed, so he has already earned one "runner-up point." This means that even if he finishes in third place, he can be promoted. Conversely, Sakanashi didn't secure third place in the previous season, so he doesn't possess any "runner-up points" yet. Consequently, even if he finishes third, he won't be able to promote as he did in the original story.
While I was entertaining inappropriate thoughts like betting on the promotees, I was facing Shiraishi (9-Dan), one of the Class A players, in the final tournament for the "Oza" (Throne). Last year, I lost intentionally and quickly to allow the Meijin to achieve his 99th title, but this year I will compete seriously to snatch the title. When was the last time the Meijin wasn't a multi-crown holder?
(This person is also a victim of the Meijin, isn't he?) (Ai)
(Correct. And from now on, he will become a victim of Ai. ...If my life becomes filled with title matches, I might oppose the idea of playing until the third win. The schedules will be so packed that sleeping during matches might become a regular occurrence.) (Ōki)
(...May I comment that you have already slept several times?) (Ai)
(I only want to sleep during the opponent's thinking time. Can you train me to wake up immediately upon hearing the clack sound of a piece being placed?) (Ōki)
Mr. Shiraishi specializes in the "Bishop Exchange" strategy, but he has entered the veteran stage in terms of age. It has been 21 years since he turned professional, and in the Shogi world where the definition of "youth" is expanding, he is no longer young. However, halfway through the match, I felt I wouldn't be able to win, so I handed the helm over to Ai. The position might be even, but maintaining equality even at the peak of the middle game means I would have to switch at some point.
(If you hadn't played quickly without thinking, you might have thought carefully before placing the Pawn on 8-3, right?) (Ai)
(Perhaps. But with rapid play, I couldn't see anything else. ...Was it really a bad move?) (Ōki)
(Not bad enough to be called a blunder, but it isn't a good move. Do you want me to finish it quickly from here?) (Ai)
(Go ahead, do as you please. The "Electronic Shogi" battle is approaching, and it's fine to crush him completely.) (Ōki)
Due to my busyness lately, I can only play video games late at night. As a result, I've started dozing off frequently during matches. It seems a fan is tracking my login times for all the games I play, trying to deduce my sleeping hours and life rhythm, but I can log in even while I sleep, did you know that? In the end, they concluded that "Ōki is not human," but I am completely human.
In the match, both of us adopted the "Reclining Silver" formation, and after initiating the attack, I handed control to Ai. The feeling of security when handing the helm to Ai in an even position is indescribable. This allows me to enjoy Shogi to some extent, and I have made this point my compromise.
After switching, the moves became noticeably strange, as Ai charged along the shortest path toward checkmate. To the audience, this might look like "computer-assisted play." If I win against the software this year as well, these suspicions will vanish, but if I lose, the matter will be serious.
...Soon, according to the original story, bringing smartphones and electronic devices into playing halls will be banned. But I heard from Chairman Gekko that there are no plans to raise this topic at this year's professional players' meeting, which means the belief that software has not yet surpassed professionals is still strongly prevalent.
In the end, Ai won without allowing the opponent any significant attack. To prevent a Class A player from even "saving face" at the end—that is truly demonic behavior, Ai. That is why they call you a demonic robot and an emotionless killing machine.
(I won just as you requested; isn't that a harsh description? This is tyranny.) (Ai)
(Then try not to cause the creation of such nicknames.) (Ōki)
(Will you accept losing then?) (Ai)
(No, that is out of the question. Hmm, playing with excessive slack against a Class A player might lead to my defeat, so it is complicated.) (Ōki)
It seems I will qualify in the "Oza" tournament. The "Ryu-Ou" remains, but Ayumu is advancing strongly this year, so I will leave it to him. ...In the original story, I don't know when Kuzuryu's second defense battle will be, but I suspect his opponent will be Ayumu.
Honestly, if I obtain 4 crowns (adding the "Oza"), my schedule will become insanely packed. And if I add "Ryu-Ou" to make it 5 crowns, I will die from exhaustion. Since I cannot give up video games, people will watch me sleeping at events. Refusing work isn't an option, and that is bad.
...Ideally, shouldn't we leave Kuzuryu alone until he obtains the "Eternal Ryu-Ou" title? If "Ryu-Ou Kuzuryu" turns into merely "Kuzuryu 9-Dan," all the burdens will shift to me.