Chapter 441 Dragons and Snakes Land
Two days passed in a flash.
The hotel where the Phoenix Cup World Championship is being held is already densely packed with parked vehicles. Even outside the hotel, there are crowds of people coming and going in a constant stream.
Several long black cars stopped in the open-air parking lot outside the hotel. Then the doors opened and a group of men in formal suits with blond hair and blue eyes got out of the cars and walked into the hotel.
"The French chess players have arrived!"
This scene was immediately noticed by many people. Someone in the crowd shouted, and a group of media immediately carried cameras, pointed the lenses at the group of people walking out of the car door, and kept pressing the shutter.
Such scenes kept happening outside the parking lot.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Russia...
"Is this your first time covering the World Championship?"
A reporter asked his cameraman partner with a smile while holding up a SLR camera to take pictures.
"right."
The cameraman was a young man. His face flushed slightly as he nodded excitedly, saying, "It's hard to believe that all those names I've only seen in books are now gathered here!"
"Hahaha, how about calling it the World Championship?"
The reporter, a middle-aged man in his forties, chuckled and gazed at the backs of the Spanish competitors not far away. He sighed, "Alvaro, 10th Dan, known as the 'Spanish Bull,' also made a name for himself at the World Championships five years ago. I wonder how he'll fare this year."
At this moment, several more cars drove into the parking lot, and then the doors opened, and a group of professional chess players of different ages got out of the cars.
"Japanese team!"
When the media waiting in the parking lot saw the professional chess players getting off the car, their eyes suddenly lit up, and the Japanese chess players immediately became the focus of the audience.
Although there are many strong players in various countries, Japan and South Korea have always attracted the most attention in previous years.
Especially in this World Championship, Yasu Hiroishi participated again after a two-year break, and Japan's Araki Nobuyuki made a comeback after ten years. These two things can be said to have caused heated discussions across the entire network.
Although almost every Japanese chess player participating in the competition is a well-known heavyweight chess player, almost all media people, without exception, focused their cameras on a man in his forties in the crowd.
The man walked towards the competition venue in silence. Although he was standing in the crowd, he seemed out of tune with the others and seemed a little aloof.
He was thin, but his eyes were like an eagle, very sharp, aggressive and oppressive, making people dare not look him in the eye.
"Arakino-sensei!"
The young cameraman's face flushed red as he said to his partner, "Although I know that Mr. Arakino has made a comeback, it's still a little unbelievable to actually see him!"
"yes."
The reporter watched Arakino walk towards the competition venue, and memories of his youth flooded back to him. He said, "I'm so happy to see Mr. Arakino appear on the field in my lifetime..."
He couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "The scene of the battle between Mr. Arakino and Mr. Yasuhiro Ishii seems to be still vivid in my mind."
"So Uncle Li, you're saying this is the return of my youth, right?"
The young cameraman was a little curious and asked with a smile, "But I was still young at that time. Although I know a little about the story of the rivalry between Mr. Arakino and Mr. Yasuhiroishi, I don't know much."
"For people of our age, Mr. Arakino and Mr. Yasuhiro were like Su Yiming and Yu Shao now."
The reporter smiled and said with some nostalgia, "Mr. Arakino is the player with the highest win rate against Mr. Yasuhiroishi."
"But, the dramatic thing is that although Mr. Arakino has the highest win rate against Mr. Yasuhiroishi, Mr. Arakino has never defeated Mr. Yasuhiroishi once in a game."
The reporter sighed and said, "This is also the regret of all chess fans of our generation."
The young man smiled and said, "Maybe this year I can get what I want."
"How can it be that simple?"
The reporter rolled his eyes. Although he had experienced the period when Arakino and Yasuhiro Ishii were competing for supremacy, even he was not optimistic about Arakino.
"How long has it been since Arakino-sensei last competed? While he hasn't retired from the Go world, he's transitioned to a more behind-the-scenes role, and his skills are undoubtedly downgraded. Meanwhile, Yasuhiroishi-sensei has remained active in the competition arena."
"Besides, to play in a match, you have to reach the finals. So, do you hope that no Chinese player will reach the finals?"
Hearing this, the young man immediately shook his head like a rattle and said quickly: "No, no, no, forget it, don't get what you want."
"You kid."
The reporter smiled and said with a puzzled look: "I don't know why Mr. Arakino wants to make a comeback. It's good to retire after achieving success."
Just as the Japanese chess players were about to enter the hotel, several cars drove into the parking lot and stopped. Then, Yu Shao and his group got out of the cars, immediately attracting the attention of all the media again.
"The Chinese contestants have arrived!"
Upon seeing this, a group of Japanese chess players stopped in unison and looked at Yu Shao and the others, especially a young black-haired man and a beautiful girl, who stared at Yu Shao closely.
"It's really Arakino-sensei."
As soon as Yu Shao got out of the car, Zheng Qin beside him noticed Araki Ye and whispered to Yu Shao.
"where?"
Yu Shao asked curiously.
"there."
Zheng Qin pointed his muzzle in the direction of Arakino.
Yu Shao looked in the direction Zheng Qin indicated and immediately saw Arakino in the crowd, and then he found that Arakino was also looking at him.
Yu Shao was a little stunned and hesitated for a moment. He nodded to Arakino from a distance. When he was about to look away, he saw an acquaintance in the crowd.
Dongshanxun looked at Yu Shao, then at Su Yiming, and his expression became extremely serious.
"Master Honinbo Shin'ei, Master Kimura Go, Master Sato Kengo, Master Ishida Noriyuki, Master Fujiwara Moto..."
Off to the side, Zheng Qin, looking at a group of Japanese Go players not far away, spoke with great familiarity, finally sighing somewhat dejectedly, "There are so many immortals!"
Yu Shao also followed Zheng Qin's gaze and looked at the chess players.
The one on the far left is a middle-aged man wearing a neat suit, with a handsome face and bright eyes.
Honinbo Shinkazu is currently the player with the highest average winning rate in the Japanese Go world!
Next to Honinbo Nobuaki stood a slightly plump man in his forties with thick black hair and narrow eyes.
Kimura Go, Toyama Fumio's teacher, is the one who pushed Yasu Hiroiseki into desperate situations countless times. He is known as the "uncrowned champion" and currently holds the tenth dan title!
Next to Kimurago was a middle-aged man with a stern expression, tall stature, and strong physique, who had a sense of majesty without even being angry.
Shi Tianjixiong has the highest winning rate against Chinese players in world competitions. He is known as the "Chinese bitter opponent" and has made countless Chinese players bleed on the chessboard.
…
Behind each of these names lies a Go legend, and their Go skills are endorsed by more than five famous games!
"You said it as if it had anything to do with you."
Hearing this, Le Haoqiang couldn't help but complain: "Those whose names you don't know are related to you."
"What do you mean? I also know Dongshan Xun's name. Does that mean Dongshan Xun has nothing to do with me?" Zheng Qin suddenly became anxious.
"Do you think you are a match for Touyama Xun?"
Le Haoqiang said slowly: "Are you sure?"
Zheng Qin opened his eyes wide, but couldn't say anything.
Indeed, although Toyama Xun does not have a title, in the China-Japan-Korea team competition, the chess played by Toyama Xun may not be as good as that played by any other title holder.
He asked himself, if he were to fight against Dongshan Xun, his chances of winning would not be very high.
"Let's go."
At this moment, Zhuang Weisheng looked at the Japanese team not far ahead and said, "Since we meet at the door, let's go up and say hello."
After saying that, Zhuang Weisheng walked towards the Japanese team, and the others immediately followed behind him.
Soon, the group followed Zhuang Weisheng and stopped in front of the Japanese team.
"It's been a long time, Mr. Arakino."
Zhuang Weisheng looked at Araki with a slightly complicated expression, and said with a smile: "I didn't expect to meet him at the competition venue. I thought there was no chance."
After hearing Zhuang Weisheng's words, Araki was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I never thought that I would meet you at the competition venue one day."
Yu Shao and Su Yiming were a little surprised when they heard this.
Zhuang Weisheng just spoke in Chinese, and Araki Ye also replied in Chinese, and his Chinese was very fluent, and not even a trace of accent could be heard.
Zheng Qin, who was standing by, seemed to notice the surprise of Yu Shao and Su Yiming, and explained to them in a low voice: "Mr. Arakino's Go teacher when he was a child was a Go player who lived in Japan, so Mr. Arakino's Chinese is very good."
"So, why?"
At this moment, Zhuang Weisheng looked at Araki and asked, "Why did you, Mr. Araki, suddenly choose to come back to compete after ten years?"
Regarding Arakino's sudden comeback to participate in the World Championship, not only netizens, but even he, an old friend of Arakino, was actually confused.
Of course, he must be happy about Araki's comeback.
Hearing this question, Arakino was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "I just keep seeing you and Yasuhiro Ishi active in the chess world, and suddenly I want to compete and play chess. Why, you don't welcome me?"
"Of course not."
Zhuang Weisheng didn't think too much about it. He smiled faintly and said, "To be honest, I have been waiting for the opportunity to play against you again on the court. Mr. Arakino, your previous retirement from the chess world was a loss to the entire chess world."
"Don't stand here and chat, let's go to the hotel first."
At this moment, Honinbo Shin'ei suddenly interrupted their conversation and said, "The opening ceremony is about to begin."
Zhuang Weisheng smiled, nodded, took a step forward, and walked side by side with Arakino, chatting as they headed towards the hotel gate. Seeing this, everyone immediately followed and prepared to walk into the hotel together.
Yu Shao was about to leave when he noticed that two people from the Japanese team were staring at him. He stopped and looked at them.
When the others saw this, they were all a little stunned, including Zhuang Weisheng and Araki, and they all stopped immediately.
"The day before yesterday, the person who played chess at the Phoenix Chess Hall was you, right?"
The young man looked at Yu Shao and asked in English.
Although the young man was asking a question, his tone was extremely firm, as if he had already determined that the person who played chess in the Phoenix Chess Hall the day before yesterday was Yu Shao.
When Yu Shao heard this, he was slightly startled. He looked at the young man again and suddenly felt that the young man looked familiar.
When the others heard this, they were confused.
The day before yesterday?
Phoenix Chess Hall?
Yu Shao looked at the girl next to the young man again and said hesitantly, "You are the one from the day before yesterday..."
"Yes, it's me."
Seeing that Yu Shao recognized him, the young man nodded, looked at Yu Shao, and said, "That game of chess touched me deeply. I have been repeatedly analyzing it over and over again for the past two days."
After saying that, the young man took a deep breath, stretched out his hand towards Yu Shao, and said, "Let me introduce myself again. My name is Sato Takeru, and my current title is Go Saint."
Takeru Sato?
Yu Shao was not unfamiliar with the name Sato Takeru. Even on the list of "immortals as numerous as hemp" that Zheng Qin mentioned just now, Sato Takeru's name was on it.
However, compared with veteran players such as Honinbo Shin'ei and Araki, who have been famous for a long time, Sato Takeru, who only won the title of Go Saint from former Go Saint Fujiwara Motoshi last year and only successfully defended the title for one year, is not as famous.
However, being able to hold the title for two years in the Japanese Go world, which is full of top players, is already a testament to one's Go skills!
First of all, former Go master Fujiwara Haramoto is the Japanese player with the highest winning rate above the seventh dan level for five years.
Secondly, in addition to chess skills, luck may also be involved in getting the title, but to hold the title for two consecutive years, defeat the challenger, and successfully defend the title again, it can only be strength!
Although Yu Shao guessed that the person who played chess with him the day before yesterday was definitely not an ordinary professional chess player, he did not expect that it was Sato Takeru.
Yu Shao thought for a moment, then extended his hand, shook hands with Sato Takeru, and said, "Yu Shao."
Sato Takeru stared at Yu Shao and said, "I hope to have the opportunity to fight you again on the field."
Yu Shao looked at the fighting spirit burning in Sato Takeru's eyes, was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and replied: "Me too."
Everyone around watched this scene quietly without saying a word. Although they didn't know what happened between the two in Phoenix Chess Hall the day before yesterday, they could guess roughly what happened through their conversation.
They played a game of chess in the chess hall, and the final result was...
Sato Takeru lost!
This is definitely not good news for all Japanese chess players.
In the crowd, Toyama Xun couldn't help but take a deep breath, while Kimura Go, who was standing next to him, narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Yu Shao, the younger chess player who had turned the chess world upside down in just one year.
He was also the culprit behind the setback for his most proud student, Toyama Xun, this year.
Arakino, on the other hand, just watched the scene quietly, with no emotion visible on his face.
(End of this chapter)
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