Chapter 38 : Shindou vs. the Oza

Stepping off the elevator into the lobby, Hikaru glanced about and then headed off for the game room. Isumi was here today, but unfortunately was a floor above him with the other high level pros. If it wasn't so important for him to focus on his own match today Hikaru would have stopped by upstairs to wish Isumi luck, especially given that for his first match against a High Dan . Turning down another hallway and heading for an open door, Hikaru exhaled as he felt the hair on the back of his arms begin to rise. Zama Oza awaited him.

Sitting next to the game recorder with notepad in hand, Amano watched on as the last few minutes before the start of the match continued to tick away. Despite the lack of a bet, this match shaped up to be a lot like Hikaru's previous match against Ogata. Both Ogata and Zama were top pros, titleholders, and both were currently in the middle of a title match. In fact if he wanted to draw even more comparisons, both Zama and Ogata had lost their title match game the week before.

On the flip side Hikaru's win streak was still much alive, currently holding steady at twenty-three games after his victory yesterday. It was similar to the streaks of Kurata and Akira, having gotten to twenty-five and twenty-six respectively before being defeated. Both had fallen just short of Kuwabara's record twenty-seven straight wins, but now Hikaru was making a push for it. While Hikaru still would have some work to do before attaining it, especially since the rest of his matches for the next month or so were all 2nd Preliminary matches against high Dans save for the match against Waya, Zama Oza was by far the largest obstacle before him. After all, Zama certainly didn't want to end up like Ogata, especially given that he was defending his title right now. It was strange really, when he'd written in his article that Hikaru had slain Ogata in the match he hadn't expected the name to stick around, or for it to have been so true. Ever since Hikaru Shindo, Judan Slayer, along with many other nicknames, had defeated him, Ogata had not won a single match. Amano wondered how far would Ogata Juudan fall?

Biiiiiiiiiiiiiii!

Without even a glance up at one another Hikaru and Zama reached for the Go bowls sitting on the board and removing the lids as they set them down paused before reaching for the stones. Ten, twelve, thirteen, so Zama would play as black.

"Onegaishimasu!"

Ka-Chi.

Playing the star point to the lower left now, Hikaru watched as Zama took advantage of his lack of aggression to either corner to play the knight's move in the upper right to begin enclosing the corner. That was fine of course, he could still invade the area to a degree, and establishing a presence in the lower half of the board would be more beneficial in the long run.

Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi.

Intriguing, so Zama wasn't interested in diving straight into a battle with him. If that was so then his loss to Akira must have really put him on guard. Well then, let's see how he'd respond to a pincer on his own stone.

It was a fairly close game, and no more than about fifty moves total had yet been played, but it was also clear that Zama held the advantage at the moment. Zama started chewing on his fan.

Ka-Chi.

Hikaru attached to 17-11. Certainly there was potential with such a move, and against a lower Dan he could likely take the entire right side of the board, but Amano wondered if it would work against the Oza.

Ka-Chi.

Yes, Zama had played the hane, and while that was the move that most pros would have come up with it was also going to require some effort on Hikaru's part to overcome. Unlike the central areas of the board or even the main sections of the corner the room to maneuver on the side of the board was limited and required sharp, well thought out moves to properly establish the desired position. This was actually not common at all amongst players of equal strength, often the side edges being diced and divided from the original planned shape.

Not that Hikaru was incapable of rising to this occasion, but it would be difficult. Still, if anyone could create a surprise comeback out of thin air, it was going to be Hikaru. First he'd need to extend, and force Zama to fight with him down to the lower right where Hikaru's position could support him before trying to hook back up to take the upper section. Whether he could get Zama to chase after him would be another issue; truly a fine needle to thread. Of course he could…

Biiiiiiiiiiiii!

###

"You know Shindo we didn't have to come to this place for lunch, I don't mind going out for ramen."

Shaking his head as he made his way back to the booth with lunch tray in hand, Hikaru replied, "No way, you like eating here, and today's your first Thursday match. Oh, and it's my treat."

Frowning as he took his own seat across from Hikaru, Isumi responded, "I can pay for my own food. You don't have to make a big deal about this."

Shaking his head once more, Hikaru shot back, "No, it is big. This is a big step for you and I think we should celebrate it. Besides, I made over a million-Yen for each of my Kisei League wins, and I still live at home. My money's not as tight as yours is, so just accept my treat graciously."

Chuckling to himself with his glass halfway to his mouth, Isumi answered, "Ok fine, have it your way Mr. Kisei League. I graciously accept your offer to pay for lunch."

Eyeing Isumi contemptuously as he was fairly certain he was being mocked, Hikaru took a sip from his own drink before saying, "So, how is your game going? Setting the stage to become the Oza Slayer next?"

His eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the last quip, Hikaru remained silent on it. He'd begun to think as of late that these sorts of teasing remarks were how Isumi and the others he spent time with were keeping him as one of their own, his high level of play making it difficult to match up against. Even though he really didn't like the new nickname of Judan Slayer, he did understand his friend's need to mock his progress from time to time. Plus if he took a step back it was actually rather funny. "It's… interesting. I'm behind right now but there's still plenty of game to play. I never expected Zama Oza to be a cakewalk anyway, and he's certainly not taking me lightly."

Giving Hikaru an affirming head flick, Isumi took another sip from his drink and replied, "I can only imagine. My only game against a top pro like that was against Kuwabara-sensei in my Shinshodan match, but I doubt even that was comparable, especially with the reverse komi rule."

"Yeah it's not the same," Hikaru responded, "it's harder. Zama Oza… he's a truly resilient wall to leap. Touya once told me that Zama Oza wasn't someone that could be defeated on the first try. While I don't know if that's true or not yet, I can already see what prompted Touya to say that."

Shrugging casually, Isumi took another bite of his sandwich and said, "Well if worse comes to worst you can always go glowing on him."

Cocking an eyebrow as Isumi took another bite Hikaru replied, "What?"

Swallowing Isumi answered calmly, "Go glowing on him, you know, like before?"

His brow contorting in confusion at his friend's words, Hikaru replied, "What do you think I am Isumi? A Disco ball?"

"Shindo… I'm not joking. Didn't you notice during your comeback against Ogata-sensei that your fingertips were glowing?"

Laughing heartily at Isumi's words, Hikaru shook his head.

Isumi replied, "I don't know what it was, a trick of the light, or something altogether different, but your fingertips were glowing during your comeback. Kadowaki saw it too."

His jaw slacking ever so slightly, Hikaru pulled his gaze away from his friend as he gazed down at his hands. Could it have been possible? He'd only ever seen an effect like that twice before, the two times he'd played against Koyo Toya, even if Sai had been the one making the moves both times. While Hikaru had often speculated afterward that Sai likely could have caused the same effect, he'd never seen it manifest itself in someone else before. "Isumi… if that's true then I have no idea how I did it, or how to do it again."

Shrugging again, Isumi replied as he finished off his sandwich, "Well why don't you practice."

His brow furrowing in surprise and annoyance, Hikaru shot back, "What are you joking about? It's the middle of the lunch break."

Not showing the slightest bit of worry as he took another sip of his drink before rising from his seat, Isumi answered, "Well then you shouldn't waste time. Here."

With that Isumi reached into his pocket and removed a single black stone. Before Hikaru could reply Isumi had set it down on the table and taking his tray in hand turned and gave Hikaru a friendly wave goodbye.

Watching his friend depart, Hikaru glanced down at the stone and began to chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. What a silly idea, as if something like that would work. Turning his head with a large grin to survey the rest of the establishment, Hikaru's lips suddenly went taut as his eyes slid around to gaze at the stone silently out of his peripheral vision. Staring down at it out of the corner of his eye, Hikaru just continued to watch it for a long minute as his mind began to reprocess the data.

At last he reached for the stone and taking it between his fingers Hikaru took a quick glance around to make sure no one was watching, and then slapped the stone down on the table. Glow! Nothing happened however even as he continued to stare at it in forced concentration. Glow! Again he played the stone down on the table with no result. Staring down at the stone for another minute or so, Hikaru finally shook his head and rose from his seat. This is stupid. I have to stay focused on this match or I'm never going to win. Glowing stones indeed.

###

Sweat dripped down Amano's face as he watched on in suspense and wonder. The second half of the match was shaping up to be quite the sight to see if Hikaru's early moves were any indication. He'd come back from lunch with an aggressive hane of his own and the battle had waged on from there. While he was certainly not an expert on the game to the degree that either of these two were, or for that matter anyone else in the room was, he did have a certain understanding from his many years of reporting on the game. Those years of experience were telling him that while Hikaru was certainly pushing and taking the offensive he needed to be wary as well.

Ka-Chi.

As Zama played his move, releasing the black stone from his fingers, he sat back in his seat and pondered the board. This boy, he had certainly come back from break with a fire that he had not possessed previously. Whether the lack of pressure before had merely been to lull him into thinking it would be an easy win or not Zama didn't know, but either way he wasn't the type to allow such things to affect his play. The last few moves were interesting, and had come with a fairly rapid response rate. Either he'd planned for every contingency during lunch or else his ability to read the board was at the same level as any top pro.

Lifting his eyes to observe his opponent, Zama began once more to chew on the end of his recently purchased .This boy sure had ability, Zama admitted inwardly, but as long as Zama was careful it wouldn't matter.

Ka-Chi.

So he was attacking that way. Removing the fan from his lips to take a sip from his cup of tea, Zama exhaled and studied the position. If that was the plan Hikaru was using then he could deflect it that way, even though it would let him work around and across the center eventually. However there was another option, one that would cost him a few pieces of territory, but then if it worked it wouldn't matter at all.

Ka-Chi.

As Zama's stone hit the board Hikaru's eyes widened in surprised. A tenuki, and not just any tenuki, but an atari to his position on the upper edge. It was a brilliant play, and it forced him to find a compromising solution. If he eliminated the threat to the upper edge Zama would take away his ability to continue his offensive, but if he left that stone standing it'd likely make little difference even if his invasion was a complete success.

Closing his eyes as he inhaled, Hikaru gripped the fan in his right hand fiercely, letting the panic and surprise drain out of him. He saw clearly the path that was before Zama Oza's eyes, the moves and ploys that he had predicted in the possible battles to come. What remained was whether another path existed, one that did not appear readily, that Zama had not considered. Thought had gone into this counterattack, and currently any race would be lost. Perhaps he had pushed in too far too quickly.

Opening his eyes, Hikaru began to study the board, searching for the route to salvation. There were many to choose from, but so many led to nothing but oblivion. What would Akira do if he were playing? Was it possible, could he play it right and hold his offensive while defending the upper edge and feinting the upper left, or better still capturing it without being outflanked on the right side of the board? Yes, he could, but it'd require Zama not to see it coming until the very end. If he took his time to protect in the corner before Hikaru could attack then he could deflect the invasion off enough to avoid defeat; at least with the move order Hikaru would need to use.

Ka-Chi.

Shfffft.

It was intriguing really as the winner of this complex battle would likely win the game. If Hikaru could endure and overcome this intricate conundrum then his position would not change, but the same was true should Zama prevail. He'd have to see though, would Hikaru pay for his timid play in the beginning or would he overcome yet another opponent to keep his streak alive?

The open fan suggested however that Hikaru had found a way. Either hiding his face to keep from revealing his intentions or as an attempt to intimidate and thus cause an error from Zama, the fan meant that Hikaru saw something that he didn't want Zama to notice. Zama though had never witnessed a match by Hikaru, he would not be aware of the unusual nature of his event. Would that help him in that he might not feel as if Hikaru were trying to mock him, or would it defeat him by failing to catch the warning? He'd soon see it.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Hikaru felt his heart soar as the tension in the air seemed to lift and thicken simultaneously. He'd been able to reach the attack in the upper left, and now barring a mistake he ought to be able to survive. A gasp off to his left told him that it had come as a surprise to someone, and as Hikaru gazed over the top of his fan at his opponent he could see that it had not just surprised that one observer.

Chewing on his fan as he stared at the corner, sweat forming on his temples, Zama certainly looked as if he was in something of a panic. Not that Hikaru was surprised, with him adding another front to an already complicated battle after all. Zama could play wherever he wanted now, it would not matter. His first move of course would be to secure the corner and then Hikaru could move to invade again. Once he connected to his position in the lower left it would all be over, and from the look on his face Zama knew it.

Ka-Chi.

Yes, just as he'd planned. A few more moves ought to be enough to force a resignation, and if he decided to play through to the end it ought to be a good fifteen-point victory.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi.

So he was going to play it out to the end then. Well it would certainly be annoying but in three more moves it would be over. He'd done it, he'd overcome yet another titleholder. Four down and Akira to go.

Ka-Chi.

Snapping the fan shut to reveal an expression of utter shock, Hikaru stared down at the board. He was attacking his position there? He was making a late fifth front, a pincer with his stones on the left edge of the board. While Hikaru had never expected to hold that edge, losing his position there now would cost him big, ten points at least. It hadn't been possible until Zama's last move, one that Hikaru had foreseen in the race to connect his stones. He'd have to respond, but then that would…

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

Ka-Chi. Ka-Chi.

That was it, the extra turn had meant everything. White had been separated. Akira had been right and he had been unprepared for it. Zama Oza truly was not someone who could be defeated on the first try.

Exhaling deeply Hikaru placed his hands on his thighs and bowed his head, his eyes taking one last glance at the board. Glow. Nothing came, there was nothing left to do, no miracle move to beat the odds this time. "I resign."

A smug smile slid across the face of the Oza before he too lowered his head to thank Hikaru for the match. As Hikaru's head remained lowered, his frustration setting in at his oversight he heard from across the board. "Not bad Shindo, I can see why Ogata lost. Perhaps next time you'll be ready for me."

At those words Hikaru's head lifted to watch as his opponent rose from his seat and made his way toward the door, fan in hand. As he turned down the hallway Zama gave a light chuckle. Yes, that boy was certainly strong, creative too. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything though, giving a boy like that a compliment… his ego was likely big enough as it was. After all, there was already one annoying brat running around the top players in Akira Toya, no need to help create a second brat.

Shrugging at that, Zama gave a slight grin. Oh well, it was a nice thing to do, the papers would certainly like it, and it'd give the fans something to talk about. 'Oza acknowledges young star'. Yes, that was what people wanted to see, and in this business it never hurt to make the fans happy, especially when it cost him nothing. Yes, it's good to be the Oza.