Really sorry for the slow update…I kid of thought that it was boring and originally didn't want to continue. Any way, I think I can promise upto a chap 17.

here's the story anyway…

CHAPTER 13

By id62000

"…….I have lost….Thank you….very much."

"That's it." Ikazuchi Rhyes started clearing the board, "You're good though - to last that long."

Ashiwara bowed and helped him clear up the board.

"Two and a half mokus – that's nearly the same as between Ikazuchi Sensei and Touya Sensei right now."

Ryes glanced at him sharply, "You don't really think so do you?"

"Huh?" Ashiwara looked surprised.

Ryes looked at Akira who had been watching the game.

"Do you think the difference in the strength between your father and my father is the same as the difference in our strength?"

Akira considered it for a moment then replied, "I'm not quite sure how to explain it but consider this. In a children's tournament player A was defeated by player B by two mokus. In another situation – in the room of profound darkness, Sensei D defeated sensei C by two mokus. Is the difference in strength the same?"

Ashiwara looked thoughtful, "I see it now. A has to work hard to tie with B but C has to slog and in the end may never even defeat D. Especially if D happened to be Touya sensei." Ashiwara grinned.

Akira nodded smiling.

"You remind me of my mathematics Professor at Persia collage Akira san." Ikazuchi san shot laughingly from the sofa where he was playing a mock game with Ogata san and with Touya san watching on and commenting in-between.

Akira just smiled his famous embarrassed smile.

'How un-cute.' thought Ryes scowling mentally.

Ikazuchi san leaned back sighing, "You are strong Ogata kun. However, you are still a handful of mokus too short to steal this game. Do you want to continue?"

"It's pointless." Ogata separated the stones and placed them back into the Go ke, "I resign."

"And you rose as a challenger for the Honninbo title?" Ikazuchi san asked relaxing against the sofa, "Kouyo san may have retired – only heaven knows why though, but I'm still running my race. I think I'll give this Honninbo title a shot. What do you say Kouyo san?"

"Even strong players fall at the very glimpse of Kuwabara san's Go. But if it were only that, that title would have long ago been claimed by Kurata kun or Ogata kun. Kuwabara san plays mind games as well as all kinds of mental tricks to confuse his opponents. That along with his strong Go would just about defeat any sane man."

"Oh? Then I really must give it a shot. Japan truly does have a bright Go future doesn't she?"

"We do have strong youngsters rising up. From what I understand even the Insei level has risen in the past couple of years."

"Yet Akira san managed to pass undefeated." Ikazuchi san sent a fond glance at the boy, "You're stronger than my son but…how long can you hold your forts against him?"

"As long as he has his eternal rival pushing him." Ogata answered for Akira.

"Ah! Rivalry? At his age? That could be what's lacking in you Junior, ne?"

Rhyes bowed coldly. The last thing he wanted was to be subtracted from Touya and presented with the remainder.

"I have quiet a few worthy opponents on the net father. Each have their own unique skill with which they challenge me. I am what I am because of them and of course-my daily games with you father."

"Go is becoming popular on the net nowadays", Ikazuchi san said thoughtfully, "– a couple of years back net Go was hardly known even at browsing centers. But now many in America, Korea and even some in France play on the net."

"Have you ever played on the net Sensei?" Ashiwara asked.

"I'm too old for all that modern things now – but Junior plays very often. Does Akira san play too?"

"He does know how to, but I've caught him at it only twice." Ogata answered for the clueless looking boy, "In fact, Touya sensei has played more number of games on the net than his heir."

"Oh? Kouyo san plays on the net? Then that day…" Ikazuchi san trailed off.

"Then I really played you?" Rhyes asked in surprise, "I thought so but…he was strong…still…well!"

"It's surprising. I can't imagine you and a computer in the same room Kouyo san." Ikazuchi san laughed, "I better learn too – would you teach me sometime Junior?"

Rhyes bowed, "My pleasure."

"Oh! Last year, Junior do you remember? There was this huge frenzy about the identity of a phantom player on the net. What was his name again?"

"Sai."

The reaction in the room was immediate.

Ogata san shot a look at Touya san. Akira jerked his head up from the kufus he was glancing through. Ashiwara sent a side long glance at Akira. Only Touya Kouyo remained calm as if it were a comment on the weather.

Rhyes looked around in surprise, "Do any of you know who he really is?" Ikazuchi san transferred his eyes to Touya san while Rhyes transferred his to Akira.

"No one found out who he was in the end, even though both the Touyas have played against Sai." Ogata informed them.

"Oh! Then that game Akira vs. Sai was…" Rhyes trailed off remembering the huge margin by which the former had lost.

"Then Touya Kouya vs. Sai was for real!" continued Rhyes as soon as he found his voice. No one else could have played that high level game –and Touya Kouya had lost by a half moku.

"Who is that person? Stronger than a pro? Could he be a pro too?" Ikazuchi san mused and glanced at Ogata san, "Do you know anything about him Ogata kun? He was registered as a japanese after all."

"Like I said - no one knows his real identity and I have no interest in hooded opponents unlike Touya Sensei." Ogata sensei sent a sidelong look at his sensei who remained emotionless.

"Who is Sai?" Rhyes muttered.

"Oh! The door. Please excuse me." Akira rose and exited.

"Are we imposing on you Kouya san? Are you expecting some guests?" Ikazuchi san asked.

Touya san glanced at the study room clock. 5:50.

He shook his head, "It must be someone Morshiba san sent with the kufus."

Ikazuchi san and Rhyes, got up just as Ogata san and Ashiwara rose to leave as well.

"We'll use the back door. Do you want me to give you a ride Ashiwara kun?" Ogata san asked in a monotone.

"No, it's alright. I'm going to Seike san's house." Ashiwara replied.

All five bowed to each other.

"Do you want me to give you the address of Ichiryu Sensei?" Touya san asked.

"Junior's already been there a couple of times. He will take us there with no problem." Ikazuchi san nodded pointingly at his son, "We'll be back before nine or so."

"Good night" Ogata nodded as he disappeared with Ashiwara.