I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 315: After Higashiyama Kaoru, There Will Be No More Geniuses

At this moment, inside the competition venue.

Under the leadership of Ma Zhengyu, Yu Shao and the other four had already arrived, but the Japanese team had not yet shown up.

As Ma Zhengyu led the Chinese team into the venue, the staff inside immediately cast their gaze toward them — though nearly all eyes were focused solely on Yu Shao.

"Everyone take your seats. The Japanese team should be here soon."

Ma Zhengyu glanced at the five behind him and spoke in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, the five of them walked toward the five Go tables set up at the center of the venue.

Yu Shao quickly arrived at his assigned table. He glanced at the nameplates — one read "Higashiyama Kaoru" and the other "Yu Shao."

He moved to the side bearing his own nameplate, pulled out the chair, and sat down.

Not long after, the venue suddenly stirred with excitement.

Led by Miyamoto Shun, Higashiyama Kaoru and his teammates finally arrived.

The moment they entered, Higashiyama Kaoru locked his gaze onto Yu Shao, staring intensely at him, fists quietly clenching tighter and tighter.

After Miyamoto Shun gave some low instructions to his team, Higashiyama Kaoru and the others finally began moving toward their respective seats.

Very soon, Higashiyama Kaoru stood across from Yu Shao.

However, he didn’t immediately sit down — instead, he continued to stare at Yu Shao intently.

Seeing this, Yu Shao frowned slightly and looked up to meet Higashiyama Kaoru’s gaze. Their eyes clashed sharply.

"If I win," Higashiyama Kaoru said, not flinching in the slightest, "I want you to apologize."

Apologize?

A hint of confusion flickered in Yu Shao’s eyes.

Seeing Yu Shao seemed not to understand, Higashiyama Kaoru grew angrier, biting down lightly on his teeth. His stare became razor-sharp as he said,

"Apologize for what you said at the opening ceremony!"

Upon hearing that, Yu Shao paused slightly and looked at Higashiyama Kaoru — he could see the other’s jaw clenched tightly, blue veins faintly bulging on his forehead.

Yu Shao gazed at the emotionally charged Higashiyama Kaoru and fell silent for a moment.

"Alright."

At last, Yu Shao's expression settled into calm. He looked at Higashiyama Kaoru and said steadily,

"If you win, I’ll apologize."

Higashiyama Kaoru was stunned.

He hadn’t expected Yu Shao to respond at all, let alone agree — and without even demanding anything in return if Yu Shao won.

After a brief moment, Higashiyama Kaoru gritted his teeth again, finally pulled out his chair, and sat down opposite Yu Shao.

Main Board: Yu Shao vs. Higashiyama Kaoru!

Vice Board: Su Yiming vs. Fujiwara Terashima!

Eighth Board: Qin Lang vs. Oda Takeshi!

Seventh Board: Le Haoqiang vs. Murakami Junichi!

Fifth Board: Gu Chuan vs. Onishi Keikawa!

All ten players were now seated.

The entire atmosphere in the competition hall turned heavy and oppressive with their presence.

As the match time approached, all non-essential personnel cleared out.

Only the referees, recorders, and the ten players remained — and today, the final outcome would be decided!

"Match time has arrived!"

A referee stood up and looked at Yu Shao and Higashiyama Kaoru seated at the center.

For some reason, he felt an overwhelming pressure just looking at them.

The referee took a deep breath before continuing,

"The main board will guess for turn order. The result will determine the order for the rest of the tables as well. Begin guessing!"

As soon as the words fell, Higashiyama Kaoru grabbed a handful of stones and squeezed them in his palm, while Yu Shao calmly took out a single black stone and placed it on the board.

Higashiyama Kaoru released his hand — six white stones fell onto the board with a rapid "da-da-da" sound.

Six stones — an even number.

Which meant Higashiyama Kaoru would play black, and Yu Shao would play white!

The five tables quickly exchanged Go bowls, and all players bowed politely to each other.

Seeing this, the referees and recorders couldn't help but hold their breath.

Under the gaze of the entire world——

The match began!

Higashiyama Kaoru stared at the board.

In his mind, he couldn’t help but recall the words Yu Shao had publicly spoken at the team tournament’s opening ceremony.

His gaze sharpened even further, and he clenched his teeth even tighter.

The next moment, Higashiyama Kaoru reached into the bowl, grabbed a stone, and played it hard onto the board!

PAK!

The sound wasn't a gentle tap — it was a sharp crack, loud and fierce!

Four Columns, Four Rows — Star Point!

"Not the upper right corner — but the upper left?!"

Just by seeing Higashiyama Kaoru's first move, the referee and recorder both froze!

The basic etiquette in Go is that the first move should be placed in the upper right corner —

to leave the upper left corner closer to the opponent's right hand, making their first move more comfortable.

Though playing in the upper left or right made no difference tactically, it revealed something beyond the board.

Seeing Higashiyama Kaoru place his first move in the upper left, Yu Shao couldn't help but glance up at him.

Higashiyama Kaoru was still staring at him fiercely, eyes sharp and full of challenge.

Yu Shao said nothing.

He simply looked back at the board, calmly picked up a stone, and placed his second move.

Da!

Sixteen Columns, Sixteen Rows — Star Point!

---

Inside the Korea Team’s discussion room.

"The first move in the upper left?"

An Hongshi glanced at Honinbo Shinwa with a half-smile.

"Things are getting more and more interesting. That move might be even rarer than Tengen!"

"Young people always have trouble controlling their emotions,"

Honinbo Shinwa replied with an indifferent smile, casually mimicking Higashiyama Kaoru's move — Star Point at the upper left.

"But that’s what being young is all about."

An Hongshi looked again at the screen. After seeing Yu Shao’s move, he calmly mirrored it — White Star Point at the lower right.

Following the television feed, both men silently replayed the opening four moves.

Black: Star–Small Point.

White: Two-Star Formation.

"Placing the first move at the upper left doesn't impact the board itself,"

An Hongshi said without looking away from the screen,

"but it shows an attitude. Higashiyama Kaoru’s attitude is clear — he absolutely must win this match."

"That's what makes it so interesting,"

Honinbo Shinwa said as he puffed on his cigarette,

"Higashiyama Kaoru is a genius, but he’s always been gentle and humble. We all liked him. I never imagined he'd show such fire."

"A gentle person — once they get angry — is terrifying."

"Who do you think will win?" An Hongshi asked.

"Higashiyama Kaoru," Honinbo Shinwa answered without hesitation.

An Hongshi was a little surprised.

"That certain?"

"You don’t really know Higashiyama Kaoru," Honinbo Shinwa said amid swirling smoke.

"When he was still a beginner, he played a game against me. I won — but I broke out in a cold sweat doing it."

"Most people lose their heads when they get angry. But Higashiyama Kaoru won't. He can use his anger — channel it to play even better."

"After Higashiyama Kaoru, there will be no more geniuses."

"People say that's an exaggeration," Honinbo Shinwa said as he flicked ash into the tray.

"But after playing him, most people’s first thought really is that — including mine."

At that moment, on the television screen, Higashiyama Kaoru finally made his move.

Six Columns, Sixteen Rows — High Knight’s Move!

"High Knight’s Jump from Small Point?"

Honinbo Shinwa frowned slightly.

Small Point openings are already relatively solid and defensive, sacrificing outward influence for firm corner control.

The safest move following a Small Point is to make a no-worry corner enclosure.

The man who had once shattered the theory of the "no-worry corner" now sat opposite him —

it was An Hongshi who had taught the world that even the safest moves have weaknesses.

Thus, even a simple one-space jump enclosure was rare nowadays —

and now Higashiyama Kaoru had chosen a two-space high jump, which was even riskier.

Though it wasn’t a bad move, it was definitely surprising — a little odd, even.

Honinbo Shinwa looked away, calmly replaying the move with a black stone.

"How about we make a bet?"

Suddenly, An Hongshi smiled.

"A bet?" Honinbo Shinwa looked over. "On what?"

"Who will win. Since you believe in Higashiyama Kaoru, I'll bet on Yu Shao."

An Hongshi said, "Loser treats the winner to dinner."

Honinbo Shinwa thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. Deal."

At that moment, on the television screen, Yu Shao placed another stone.

Three Columns, Three Rows — 3-3 Invasion!

---

At the board.

"He's gone straight for 3-3."

Higashiyama Kaoru’s face remained unreadable as he calculated his next move.

Blocking left or right were both feasible — but the resulting board positions would diverge greatly depending on the choice.

Opposite him, Yu Shao calmly watched the board, waiting for the next move.

He hadn’t expected Higashiyama Kaoru to use the high knight's jump to defend the corner.

It was a very unusual choice in modern Go —

but if successfully linked to the sides and center, it could become even more powerful than a no-worry corner.

Finally, Higashiyama Kaoru made up his mind. He grabbed a stone and placed it swiftly.

Da!

Three Columns, Four Rows — Block!

Yu Shao withdrew his thoughts, quickly picked up a stone, and responded.

Four Columns, Three Rows — Extend!

Higashiyama Kaoru’s eyes sharpened like blades.

He thrust his hand into the bowl again — the stones inside clattered loudly.

"Here we go!"

The next instant, he pulled out a stone and placed it without hesitation.

Six Columns, Three Rows — Small Knight’s Move!