Original subtitles

Ryuo

Ryuo. That is the highest title in the shogi world.

Currently, I am trying to take the title of history's

youngest shogi player to become Ryuo, as a 16-year-old.

One more move. Just one more move and I'll become Ryuo.

The grand prize of 42 million yen, the prestige, the promotion to 8th dan...

And my name will go down in history.

But the title of Ryuo comes with a lot of pressure.

All professional players are fighting for this title...

Proof that you're the strongest: the title of Ryuo.

The pressure is so insane, I can't even hold my piece properly.

If I don't go back soon, I'll run out of time...

Um...

Here's some water.

Thank you.

And then... I became a Ryuo.

[Shitty Ryuo]Thread to fold cranes to wish for Kuzuryu Yaichi's downfall 108 [history's weakest]

It's getting longer...

How about this site?

Shogi

Sora Ginko

Kugui Machi

Tsukiyomizaka Ryo

Shakando Rina

Sainokami Ika

Everyone's doing so well...

Kannabe Ayumu

History's strongest Meijin God-like magic!!

History's strongest Meijin God-like magic!!

I'm Kuzuryu Yaichi, 16-years-old.

I became a professional shogi player in middle school.

Which means that I became a pro and didn't

continue onto high school and I'm working hard in the shogi world.

It's good that I took the title of the Ryuo with all the momentum and good luck, but...

It's been three months since then. I am currently in the middle of a slump.

I went to the research group at the shogi assembly hall again today,

but I can't seem to find a path to recovery.

I need to get myself together.

I need to become worthy of a Ryuo,

like that Meijin who's regarded as history's strongest player.

I'm back!

As if... no one's home, anyway.

What?!

Welcome home, Master!

Um...

Game 1: A Disciple Storms In

Yes!

Hey... Why are you in my room?

Yes! Um, K-Kuzur-r-ryu Ya—

She bit her tongue!

It hurts...

A-Are you okay? That sounded painful.

You are K-K-Kuzu...-sensei right?!

She gave up!

As we promised, I came to be your disciple!

Disciple?

Yes!

You?

Yes!

Promise? When did we make that?

Um... last year's Ryuo match...

Oh! That was you?

Yes! I am Hinatsuru Ai!

My father owns the inn that was the Ryuo match venue.

Hinatsuru Ai...

Do you not remember me?

I'm sorry... I don't remember at all.

So I told you that I'd make you my disciple?

Oh, no... Um, not exactly.

You said, "If I become Ryuo, I'll do anything you ask."

The promise was even worse than I thought!

And you want to be my disciple?

Yes!

I understand. I'll keep my promise.

Really?!

However, I'll have to test your skills first.

How old are you?

I'm nine. I'm in third grade!

From what she told me, she was in my room

because she thought people would find it suspicious if she stood outside.

She's thoughtful.

I'm amazed her parents gave her permission, but that doesn't matter.

I don't plan on making her my disciple in the first place.

My glory starts tomorrow.

I'm still only 16, so I don't have time to take care of other people.

I'll just fulfill my promise some other way, and I'll send her back after one match.

Let's have a good match.

Yes, let's have a good match!

Please go first.

Yes.

My glory starts tomorrow.

This is...

This position is a Double Wing Attack. It's the strategy I like to use often.

I used it when I took the title of Ryuo.

I've been underestimated.

It'd be mean to let this continue too long. I'll end it quickly.

This attack is a bit risky, but it's the end.

Here, then here.

Then there, and here.

And then this, then that...

Then this, then that...

Okay!

She went on the offense instead of defending!

Did she notice that my attack was forced?

A move that turns the table around.

In few moves, I'll be at a disadvantage.

If I'm not careful, it'll be checkmate.

How far ahead is she reading?!

She's seriously trying to defeat me.

At that moment, I got excited.

The excitement of being able to fight against a strong player.

Come at me.

I admit defeat.

I haven't had a stimulating experience like this since the Ryuo match...

Your shogi is really interesting. Every move was so intense.

Thank you very much.

No, I need to thank you. I haven't had fun like this in a while.

Do you use the Double Wing Attack often?

I wouldn't say often... Um, it's the only thing I know.

What?!

I-I started playing shogi after I saw how amazing your Ryuo match was!

I really want to be like you, so I've been copying you, sensei!

Wait a second! So wait. You only started playing shogi three months ago?

Oh, yes.

My grandpa loves shogi, so I read the books he had at home.

I borrowed my friend's tablet at school and played on shogi apps.

I can't believe it!

Despite being in a slump, I'm a Ryuo. I hold the highest title.

To think, a girl who just started three months ago managed to corner me in a match.

Um, Sensei.

Yeah?

M-My test... to become your disciple...

Oh, right.

I didn't really understand what happened, so let's play another match.

Yes!

Then we continued playing late into the night.

We were so absorbed that we forgot to eat.

You made all this?

Yes! I'm sorry that it's a simple meal.

It tastes really good! You're amazing.

You solved them all? The 100 shogi problems?

Yes. My grandpa had this book in his library.

100 Shogi Problems

By all, do you mean... um... this one!

You solved this, too?

Yes. 4-6 Ryu, 5-4 Gyoku, 5-5 Ryu,

6-3 Gyoku, 5-3 Ryu, 7-4 Gyoku, 7-3 Ryu, 8-5 Gyoku...

You remember all of the moves?!

Yes. I can't look at the book in class or while doing chores,

so I had to think in my head, even though it was difficult.

611-move Tsumeshogi... Even professionals have a hard time solving it.

And for her to solve it in her head...

This girl is insane.

Master, do you want seconds?

Talent. She definitely has the talent.

But for me to make her my disciple...

First of all, who knows what Sis would do to me

if I took a girl in grade school as my disciple.

Yes! Who is it?

Me.

What?

It's me.

What's up, Sis? What can I do for you?!

VS. We were supposed to have a one-on-one match today, remember?

You're absolutely right!

Hurry up and open the door. It's hot outside.

No, um... I'm a little busy right now!

Master, can you pass me the towel?

Hey, don't!

Did I just hear a girl's voice?

N-N-N-No, you didn't! No such thing!

Master, is there someone outside?

No! There's no one outside!

There's no one! There's really no one!

Yaichi! Open the door!

Master... you have a... female guest?

Whoa, she's scary!

Who is it?

Can you look me in the eye and talk to me?

No way! You're butt naked right now!

Naked? There's a naked girl in there right now?!

Wait...

Look at me!

This is checkmate.

The Ryuo's Work Is Never Done!

So?

I've been telling you! This is an unfortunate accident!

And?

This girl suddenly came here!

Wakura Hot Springs

On her own! From Ishikawa! By herself!

Osaka

And?

And? Are you listening to me?

Yaichi, bring over that board and flip it over.

What?

Hurry up!

Yes, ma'am.

Like this?

This cavity is called the "Pool of Blood."

When a player gets executed for misconduct during the match,

this keeps their blood from getting on the floor.

Oh.

So don't worry. You can die right here.

Th-That's a joke... right?

There's a knife in the kitchen, right?

Please tell me you're joking!

Please stop!

What is this anteater-looking creature?

Who are you calling an anteater?!

You don't know me? Even though you play shogi.

I don't know you!

This person here is Sora Ginko, a female shogi player who has two titles.

I learned shogi with Sis, meaning she's pretty much my sibling!

Sis?

My glory starts tomorrow.

We are both disciplines of Kiyotaki Kosuke, 9th dan.

She's 14, so she's younger than me,

but she became his disciple first. So that's why she's my senior disciple.

She's also an idol in the shogi industry, known as "The Snow White of of Naniwa,"

Shogi World

and she holds the titles of the Queen and the Empress' Seat...

Queen...

Yeah. The Queen, so you need to respect her.

I understand!

You're a SM person!

What's so funny?

I-I'm sorry— wai— stop!

Ow! Stop hitting me!

I knew it! There's no mistake.

You're mistaken, you idiot!

Please, just stop hitting Master!

Whatever, brat.

Indomitable

Could you just shut your mouth?

Stupid.

Huh? Did you say something, brat?

I'm not a brat! I have a proper name, and it's Hinatsuru Ai!

Jeez.

We're going.

Where to?

Our master's house.

My glory starts tomorrow.

I see. So this is Ai-chan.

Actually, I received a call from the Shogi Association

about a girl from the Hinatsuru Inn who ran away home.

Ran away?

Her parents know that ever since your Ryuo match,

Ai-chan has been hooked on shogi.

So they thought, maybe...

Ai-chan, why didn't you tell your parents?

Even if I did, they'd object...

But there's a lot of good teachers in Ishikawa Prefecture, too.

No! I want to be Kuzuryu-sensei's disciple!

No one else will do!

Why?

Ow, ow, ow!

Why this?

Because he was cool!

You're weird.

Hey, Ginko. You...

During the Ryuo match, for the first time, I saw shogi... A shogi player...

A challenger who was so serious and fought until he was in pieces...

The way he was sitting, moving his pieces, and even struggling on the floor...

Everything about it was cool!

That's why I wanted to play shogi! I wanted to be like Master...

It's the first time I thought, "I want to be like this person!" I couldn't help myself!

Both of you were like this at first, too.

That's right. Both Ginko and I just really wanted to learn shogi, so we came to Master.

Master was really cool when he was playing.

He gripped his hand tight, so he wouldn't make any unnecessary moves.

I even admired the wrinkles on his knees...

Yaichi, you should make Ai-chan your disciple.

What?!

Master!

I'll contact her parents.

But, wait...

I understand. I'll submit her application to a training group entrance exam as my disciple.

Master!

But only over spring break.

I guess it's disciple (temp) for now.

Disciple (Temp)

I finally have a grand-disciple.

Keika! We're celebrating tonight! Make us some sekihan!

We're having okonomiyaki for dinner.

I see, okonomiyaki...

You must be Ai-chan.

I'm Kiyotaki Keika. I'm this old man's daughter.

Yes! Nice to meet you. I'm Hinatsuru Ai!

I'm also learning, so I can become a professional female player.

Let's work hard together.

Yes!

But with this, Ginko-chan and I are aunties now.

Aunties?

The relationship within the clan is the same as a family.

Master and disciple are the same as parent and child, and disciples are like siblings.

Sis and Keiko-san are now your aunts.

Auntie?

Who are you calling "auntie"?!

What is it, Auntie?

Is this ever going to get better?

Shogi Association

First, we're going to join the shogi training group that's held here.

Kansai Shogi Association

Then, if you do well in the ranks, you can become a professional player.

Yes! In order for me to become like Master, I need to become a professional player first!

Keychains

Wow! They're selling fans here!

Yeah. They print the signatures or favorite quotes of famous players on them.

Is Master going to play in this room?

Today is a match for the imperial title. It'll be broadcast on the internet as well.

Upper Tier Room

Imperial Match

Imperial Match

Kuzuryu Yaichi Kannabe Ayumu

What kind of person is your opponent?

Kannabe Ayumu, 6th dan. He's from my study group—

That's just a disguise!

My true name is something else!

Knight

A shogi player who's actually a knight!

Shogi Player

The Silver Chevalier! God Cauldron, Ayumu.

Master! He's wearing a cape!

Wearing a cape to an official shogi match...

Little girl! You must be something, if you've noticed how wonderful my cape is.

I don't mind letting you join us, the Legion of Gate East!

Gate East?

You mean the shogi players from the Kanto region.

Kansai Shogi Association

Shogi Association Kanto

The shogi league is split between the Kanto and Kansai regions.

Little girl! If you're training as well,

I shall let you receive the blessings of the eastern wind!

I-I am the disciple of Ryuo Kuzuryu! I will not give in to the likes of you!

The life of the Dragon King will come to an end today!

What are you?!

They're perfectly synced.

Hope you enjoy your short-lived relationship with your master.

Hey, Ayumu.

I'm going to take her to the dojo, so I'll see you later...

Fine. I'll be waiting!

Autograph!

Can you sign this?

Please!

Let's play together!

There're too many people. I can't get close!

Of course! He's history's youngest Ryuo!

Ryuo?

Yeah! Someone really, really strong!

Master! You're really popular!

I'm going to the match now, but will you be okay by yourself?

Yes.

All right. Let's do our best, okay?

Yes! Best of luck, Master!

Shogi players are very unique.

Personality, age, birthplace... They all vary.

But the one similarity is that none of us can live without shogi.

I see that you didn't run away, Dragon King!

Of course I didn't. It's a match.

And now, a new talent is about to enter the shogi world.

The story of Ryuo Kuzuryu Yaichi

and his disciple, Hinatsuru Ai, begins like this.

Shogi Association

Let's have a good match!

The Ryuo's Work Is Never Done!