The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

Of course, for that, he would have to pay the price of komi.

"Please."

Watanabe Yoshitaka extended his hand.

This was an invitation for him to attack to his heart's content.

"Tap!"

Hasegawa Izumi picked up a stone with two fingers, unhurriedly. Then, his gaze fixed on a spot. The sound of the stone landing on the board rang out crisply, as if a flash of golden light had appeared before them.

Everyone looked closely.

The stone had landed on the Tengen (Center Point)!

16 Heaven and Earth Unite!

For those who didn't understand Go, the first move landing anywhere on the board wouldn't be surprising. But for those who knew a little about Go, playing the first move on the Tengen (Center Point) was hardly a good choice.

Go emphasizes "Making Liberties" (做气). Generally, players first aim for Star Points (星位) to facilitate attacks and defenses, and to make eyes. Playing on the Tengen (Center Point) makes it easy to get "Tightening Liberties" (紧气), making the strategic space of the game somewhat difficult.

Furthermore, playing the first move on the Tengen (Center Point) is considered disrespectful to the opponent, so it's best not to play the first move there.

Of course, it's not that no upperclassman has ever played this move, but the purpose behind it varies from person to person.

At least now, the spectators had only two thoughts in their minds.

Either this guy was a complete noob, playing randomly, and this match was just for show.

Or, he was still looking down on them, believing he could win no matter what he played, so it didn't matter.

Spectators don't speak, and although the other members of the Go Club didn't say anything, the strange expressions on their faces were very obvious.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with Izumi's move?"

Takanashi Rikka whispered to Fujiwara Chika.

"That's because..."

Fujiwara Chika also explained softly.

"I believe Izumi-chan must have his own reasons."

She still maintained her trust.

"Hasegawa-kun, was that a mistake? Or perhaps..."

Watanabe Yoshitaka hesitated for a moment before speaking.

He was beginning to suspect that the other party might be deliberately creating hype and had no intention of playing seriously.

"This is the Heaven and Earth Unite (Tiandi Datong) style."

Hasegawa Izumi slightly raised his eyes, looked at his opponent, and uttered the words.

Is this also a Joseki (Standard Move Sequence)? I've never heard of it. Is this guy trying to fool me!

Watanabe Yoshitaka thought to himself, his expression unreadable.

"Please continue."

He reminded the other party.

It was perfectly understandable that the other party couldn't comprehend it.

Let alone someone who had just passed the professional exam, even a 9-dan (Professional Rank) master might not understand its profoundness.

After all, such a technique transcended the mundane, so it was normal not to have heard of it.

He only sought victory in this Go match and naturally had no need to explain further.

"Fine."

Watanabe Yoshitaka stopped dwelling on it. His eyes sharpened, and he focused his energy on the game.

Whether the other party was pretending to be a master or was truly a novice, he had to win this match for the honor of the Go Club.

After some thought, he chose to occupy a corner.

But at the same time as he placed his stone...

"Tap."

Hasegawa Izumi unhesitatingly placed another stone.

With this move, Watanabe Yoshitaka still couldn't understand what he was playing.

But inexplicably, he felt a tangible pressure.

No, don't be afraid! Maybe it's just a psychological tactic. I just need to play my own game. Hasegawa wasted his initiative, my chances of winning are already very high! Right now, the advantage is mine!

A drop of cold sweat trickled down Watanabe Yoshitaka's forehead.

As the game continued, the opponent still seemed to play without any thought, placing stones rapidly.

The more this happened, the more sweat beaded on his forehead.

Even those involved in the game were perplexed, let alone those outside it.

What in the world was going on? What kind of game were they playing?

Watching the bizarre scene unfold, no one dared to speak.

It could be said that, aside from Hasegawa Izumi, no one present could understand the current chess game.

"How's it going, Fujiwara-san!"

Takanashi Rikka tugged at Fujiwara's sleeve and asked anxiously.

"I-I don't understand, Takanashi-san... Maybe their skill level is just too high? But I don't feel like anyone has an advantage yet."

Swirls appeared in Fujiwara Chika's eyes, and her voice took on a robotic tone as she spoke.

She had clearly overloaded her brain.

"Tap."

"Tap."

"Tap."

At this moment, Watanabe Yoshitaka's attention was completely focused on the chessboard, contemplating how to achieve victory. Only the sound of falling stones, crisp and clear, echoed in his ears, stirring his soul.

"I'm at a disadvantage? When did that happen?"

Suddenly, as he surveyed the entire board, his pupils contracted.

Theoretically, his setup should have given him an advantage, especially since his opponent had started with Tengen!

He swallowed, reaching his right hand towards the stone container, only to find he couldn't grasp a stone.

How could this be?

Watanabe Yoshitaka turned his head and realized he had reached for the wrong place, his expression turning awkward.

Picking up a stone, he prepared to place it, but hesitated mid-motion.

"This move won't do! I need to change my approach!"

And so it went, until the time-out began.

"10... 9..."

"I'll have to rely on instinct!"

With time running out, Watanabe Yoshitaka sighed inwardly and placed the stone in a corner, aiming to surround.

Another 'tap,' and a golden light flashed on the board, making him think he was hallucinating.

Looking at the board again, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

This move had a completely different impact than before; his disadvantage was now glaringly obvious.

"This guy... he's not playing a simultaneous game, is he?"

He looked up.

His opponent, standing close by, showed almost no change in expression, appearing calm and composed, like an immortal seated high in the clouds, with everything under control, looking down upon the game.

It was then that he felt an overwhelming pressure, comparable to that of his 9-dan master.

"I'm going to lose!"

He clearly recognized this fact.

Similarly, the others who understood the rules also noticed the gradually clarifying situation of the game.

"Is the Club President going to lose?"

The club members felt a pang of disappointment.

"Izumi-chan is going to win!"

Fujiwara Chika's face lit up with joy.

Everyone's expressions varied.

Afterward, Watanabe Yoshitaka still didn't give up, struggling for a few more moves.

"It's over."

Hasegawa Izumi murmured, raising a stone and then placing it with a resounding thud.

"Heaven!"

"Earth!"

"Great!"

"Unity!"

In that instant, from Watanabe Yoshitaka's perspective, the person before him exuded a mysterious aura, a golden stream of energy flowing between his arm and the stone, like a divine dragon's claw, as he placed the final stone!

"Tap!"

A dazzling light bloomed once more, so brilliant it made him unable to open his eyes.

One moment open, the next closed, and the game had reached its end.

White, utterly defeated!

"I lost."

After the game concluded, Watanabe Yoshitaka conceded with refreshing honesty, his hands resting on his knees, his head bowed slightly.

"Mm."

Hasegawa Izumi nodded gently, not showing the slightest hint of pride.

For him, such a victory was only natural.

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Asahi Shizuku began to applaud, adding, "That was a truly brilliant match."

The outcome of this duel had truly exceeded her expectations.

This victory also proved one thing.

Hasegawa was serious; he wasn't joking!

Therefore, this was news worth recording, and the next challenge would also be meaningful.

That was why she had become so enthusiastic now.

17, please bring out the next victim...!