Because the "Kin-O" (Wise King) tournament ended early, the schedule for the Shogi "Denou-sen" (Electronic Brain War) was moved up to take place at the same time as the previous year. Or rather, it seems they will utilize the halls originally reserved for the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds of the "Kin-O" to host the "Denou-sen" matches. Software has its own competitions, and since they operate on a "single-elimination" system, the conclusion is swift.
My opponent this time is "AlphaZero," the evolved and more powerful version of "AlphaGo" developed by "Teacher Google." It is a super-program that excels at Go and Chess, in addition to Shogi.
Developed with massive funding from "Teacher Google," AlphaZero is said to have played 100 million games through "Reinforcement Learning," making it a formidable opponent even for my "Ai." The first round turned into a long-drawn-out battle. Both adopted the "Static Rook" strategy and fought with a "Floating Rook" stance, resembling a slow, gradual expansion of territory within their own camps. Undoubtedly, this is not the kind of Shogi humans play. How can we surpass the hundredth move with both sides' camps still remaining nearly devoid of enemy pieces?
Throughout the match, "Ai" made no errors and continued to slowly strangle AlphaZero's King. That annoying match ended after 213 moves, partly because AlphaZero executed a series of "Commemorative Checks" (desperate checks made by the loser before resigning) at the very end. Although called "commemorative," they were terrifying; had I fled incorrectly, it would have ended in an immediate mate (Tsumi).
(When the opponent performs a "Commemorative Check," I feel some psychological relief) (Ōki)
『However, we cannot relax. The quality of "Commemorative Checks" has also risen. If you try to flee in a direction that looks strangely safe, you might open an escape route for the opponent's King.』 (Ai)
"Ai" consumed time occasionally, but ultimately used only 23 minutes. Tentatively, I won the first round, and the idea that "software is still unable to defeat humans" spread through society. However, high-ranking professionals and amateurs realized I was a "dangerous person" and "abnormal." Because, originally, it is impossible for any human to win this match.
The "Denou-sen" consists of three rounds, so if I win the next one, it ends. This means I will be free to focus on watching the "Queen" title matches. Incidentally, it seems "Ai" (the disciple) will serve as the "Game Recorder" (Kiroku-gakari) for this Queen tournament. In the original story, this was impossible because Tenai and "Ai" belonged to the same group (sister disciples), but since they do not belong to the same group here, it has become possible.
While Ōki occupied public opinion with the "Denou-sen," Kuzuryu was bowing his head in plea before Chairman Gekko.
「It has been decided to assign the role of "Game Recorder" to Miss Hinatsuru for the first and third rounds. As well as the fifth round.」 (Gekko)
「Thank you very much! ...Even the fifth round?」 (Kuzuryu)
「Yah? Ryu-O, you are well aware of Miss Yashajin's strength, aren't you? I personally do not believe Queen Sora will end it with three consecutive wins. Furthermore, if the Ryu-O handles the commentary for matches where Miss Hinatsuru is the recorder, it helps the Association greatly.」 (Gekko)
「...And the remaining two rounds, will Ōki handle the commentary?」 (Kuzuryu)
「No, Ōki's (Triple Crown) schedule is extremely packed. If we do not give him rest on the days of the Queen title matches, he might die from overwork (Karoshi). ...That disciple, no matter what I tell him, never stops staying up all night playing video games.」 (Gekko)
「Hahaha... For Ōki, games are like breathing; if you deprive him of them, he might go mad.」 (Kuzuryu)
The appointment of "Ai" as recorder happened thanks to Kuzuryu begging for it. It is a form of "Teacher's selfishness," wanting his disciple to experience the atmosphere of title matches, even if only a little. However, in the current situation, if the "Recorder" and "Commentator" come as a package deal, the Association welcomes it warmly; in fact, Chairman Gekko wished he could assign the pair (Master and Disciple) to all matches.
After administrative matters were settled, the conversation shifted to general topics. Chairman Gekko had something he wanted to say to Kuzuryu.
「I spoke about the "Meijin" previously. I believe it was around the time of the Ryu-O title matches, correct? On that day twenty years ago, when he monopolized the seven titles, he stopped speaking about what was in his heart.」 (Gekko)
「...I heard that story from my Master. It is said he stopped revealing his private life as well...」 (Kuzuryu)
「Yes. But because he "hid" his emotions, we could not sense his true intentions. In contrast, Ōki (Triple Crown) does not try to hide anything, yet I felt absolutely nothing from him during the title matches. From the second round of the "Kin-O" tournament through the fourth.」 (Gekko)
「...I felt that too. In the past, I sensed a coldness, like frost creeping into the bones, but recently I feel nothing. To "feel" that you "feel nothing" is a slightly strange expression, but that is what is happening.」 (Kuzuryu)
While the "Meijin" stopped talking about his private life, Ōki is the open type who reveals it. He posts frequently on social media and openly declares his playing of video games, which might not be considered a preferred hobby for a professional player.
His conversations are no different from any ordinary person; he is disciplined, punctual, and well-mannered, leaving a good impression on serious people. However, every professional player who has faced Ōki has felt the same thing at least once: although he plays Shogi at an astonishing level, he "feels nothing towards Shogi."
「However, the first round was different. Footage of Ōki was broadcast on "Niconico" then, and he looked... extremely entertained.」 (Gekko)
「As I expected, that was the case. ...I can understand a personality changing only while playing Shogi. There are professional players like that, and it is not rare. But for the personality to swap from one match to another, that is something I have truly never heard of.」 (Gekko)
「...Do you mean a split personality with a difference in Shogi level?」 (Kuzuryu)
「That is the conclusion we reach, isn't it? One is Ōki Haru himself, who became the "Middle School Meijin." And the other is... the strongest Shogi player in history, capable of defeating "AlphaZero," the strongest software.」 (Gekko)
Based on the pleas of software developers, unofficial matches were held between the program that participated in last year's "Denou-sen" and five "Kansai" professional players. Among them were Oishi (Gyosho) and Chairman Gekko, but the result was one win and four losses for the professionals. The sole victory was achieved by Oishi (Gyosho), and he only managed it by using "anti-computer trick strategies." The superiority of software over humans has already become a known fact among professionals and Shoreikai members.
Against the program that represented the previous year, "AlphaZero" achieved a win rate exceeding 90%. Produced with massive funding, researchers sent it out believing it to be the strongest program in history. Yet, it lost to Ōki after a one-sided battle.
Kuzuryu and Chairman Gekko realized the existence of a "duality" in Ōki's Shogi level. Both vaguely guessed which personality was the real one, but they did not reach certainty. The only thing certain was: if Ōki unleashed that power which defeated "AlphaZero," no human could stop him.
Kuzuryu understood Ōki's position precisely. However, that figure was receding from him at maximum speed. No matter how fast Kuzuryu ran to catch up, the opponent grew more distant. Although Kuzuryu himself was taking shortcuts (evolving rapidly), he never felt capable of catching up.