In the Pure Land, upon a vast shogi board that had become one with heaven and earth.
Naruto Uzumaki knew he understood nothing about traditional shogi.
He was no stickler for convention. He knew specialized tasks were best left to specialists.
Thus, without hesitation, he handed the role of "player" to Shikamaru Nara, who was far away in Konoha, following the board in real time through a special method of shared perception, and was renowned as Konoha's foremost strategist.
Naruto himself stepped forward and planted his feet firmly at the very center of his side of the board, in the Jade General's position-the supreme commander and final line of defense.
Across the board, the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, likewise sat in his side's King General position.
He held an ancient Black Staff, with nine Truth-Seeking Orbs slowly revolving behind him. His presence blended seamlessly with the entire Pure Land board, as though he were the ruler of this realm.
"Shogi, too, has its limits."
The Sage of Six Paths spoke slowly, his voice calm yet resounding throughout the board's space.
"Exhaust every possible line of play, and you can derive countless game records.
Commit them all to memory, and you can become all but invincible.
For me, a thousand years have been more than enough to study every variation.
Shogi is dead. It holds nothing new."
He raised his Black Staff and gently touched it to the board's markings, sending out a ripple. "Thus, the final form of this 'Six Paths Life-and-Death Shogi' uses the entire Pure Land as its board, and those under our respective commands as its pieces.
The rules are simplified. There is only one condition for victory.
When either side's King General or Jade General falls, or is surrounded by the opposing side's pieces,