The Ryuo’s Work Is Never Done!

At the age of sixteen, Yaichi Kuzuryu has become the youngest person to ever claim the esteemed champion’s title of “Ryuo,” the strongest in the Shogi world. But just when he’s made it to the top, he falls into a devastating slump, losing eleven games in a row. Burdened by expectations and shaken by defeat, Yaichi questions whether it’s time to abandon the “safe” playstyle that brought him this far—when nine-year-old Ai Hinatsuru walks through the door to his home?! She’s here to collect on a promise he barely remembers making, a promise to take her on as his apprentice, and she’s not leaving until he commits. Training a gifted young prodigy is hard enough, but living under the same roof with her proves to be a career-defining challenge. Still, as Ai’s unyielding enthusiasm reignites his passion for the game, Yaichi begins to wonder if this unlikely partnership is exactly what he needs to shake off his losing streak—as long as his new apprentice doesn’t turn his life upside down first!

Earning the top title of “Ryuo” was nothing compared to the struggles of being someone’s teaching master! With a gifted apprentice now looking to him for guidance, Yaichi Kuzuryu wonders if he’s been stifling her growth by not exposing her to the pain of loss. Enter Competitor: Ai Yashajin! A second child prodigy who’s come dressed in black and prepared to cut down the competition! Sparks fly as Yaichi finds himself caught between two extraordinary students whose rivalry pushes them to greater heights—and pushes him to realize that the most meaningful exchanges aren’t always played out on a Shogi board.

Standing at the top of the Shogi world doesn’t numb the sting of defeat. After losing another three games in a row, Yaichi Kuzuryu fears that he’s falling behind in his personal and professional life. Feeling like his habits are being used against him, he seeks out a player of the “enemy” style to be his mentor and challenge his fundamentals. Meanwhile, Keika Kiyotaki finds herself with questions of her own. While the Ryuo may admire her, the sudden rise of his rookie apprentice in Ai Hinatsuru forces Keika to doubt whether she can ever truly realize her dream of being a professional Shogi player. The gap in results between years of hard work and the natural talent of a genius scares even Ai, who begins to fear that even the best players can lose their way in search of the next victory. As new paths threaten to lead them astray, each player must decide what price they’d pay to improve and if the change they seek is really for the better.