"I don't deny it."
Although Yushan Kazuto's voice was not loud, it revealed his strong self-confidence.
If I am not the leader, who will be?
When it comes to the strongest person, Yushan Kazuto is undoubtedly the one.
Of course, in fact, Yushan Kazuto was not interested in this, but Hinazuru Akina mentioned it, so he admitted it casually.
"Mr. Yushan has never lost a formal competition." Hinazuru Takashi also whispered. Under the influence of Hinazuru Ai, Hinazuru Takashi also developed a certain interest in shogi.
Although she doesn't know shogi, Hinazuru Ryokan is often the venue for shogi competitions, especially the Ryuou tournament finals, which are often held at Hinazuru Ryokan. Hinazuru Akina also has some knowledge of shogi.
In the past, the strongest professional players generally had a win rate of just over 70 percent, but Yushan Kazuto not only broke this record, he also raised it to a level that could never be improved again.
100% winning rate! Since participating in the official shogi competition, I have never lost a single game!
Chapter 650: Can Xiao Ai have a second bite of crab?
Even though Hinazuru Akina doesn't understand shogi, she knows what a 100% winning rate means.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Yushan, I was presumptuous." said Hinazuru Akina.
"It's okay, it's okay, Aunt Hinazuru." Yushan Kazuto said with a smile.
Although it doesn't feel good to be doubted, Yushan Heren will not be anxious as he has his own strength.
If you don't have the ability but are still being questioned, you should be very anxious.
"Mr. Yushan, there is something I would like to consult you about. I wonder if you can answer it for me." Hinazuru Akina suddenly became serious.
Yushan Kazuto looked at Hinazuru Akina and said, "Auntie Hinazuru, please speak."
"As you know, my child loves shogi very much and wants to work in shogi in the future. What do you think about the future of the shogi industry?"
"The prospects for the industry are still good. After all, there are more than 10 million shogi enthusiasts in Japan. The spending power of these people alone can support the shogi industry," said Kazuto Yuyama.
"But I heard that sponsorship for shogi seems to be shrinking, and some of the eight major title tournaments are almost unable to be held." Hinazuru Akina's voice was a little low.
"Some title tournaments have indeed encountered difficulties, but it is not the shogi industry that has encountered difficulties, or in other words, these difficulties themselves do not come from shogi," said Kazuto Hayama.
"Appreciate further details."
"Aunt Hinazuru, do you read the news in the newspaper or check the news website on your mobile phone?" asked Yushan Kazuto with a smile.
Hinazuru Akina didn't know why Hayama Kazuto asked this, but she still said, "I used to read newspapers, but now I look at my phone more."
"This is why shogi sponsorship is sluggish," said Yushan Kazuto.
"With the advent of the Internet, the market share of major traditional media has been squeezed, but the sponsors of the shogi title tournament are mostly traditional media."
Hinazuru Akina nodded thoughtfully, but Yushan Kazuto could see that she didn't seem to understand very well.
"Traditional media are already on the decline, so they naturally can't afford to spend a lot of money on various sponsorships. But it's not easy for shogi to accept sponsorship from other industries. Otherwise, if there's a Uniqlo war or a Shiseido war, the shogi world will lose face."
Japan is different from South Korea. South Korea can openly host the Samsung Cup, but Japan is not suitable for hosting the Sony Cup, Panasonic Cup, Okamoto Cup...
Of course, considering the presence of the little girl next to him, Yushan Kazuto did not say the words "Okamoto Cup".
"Is that so? It does sound inappropriate." said Hinazuru Akina.
Although the number of shogi enthusiasts is indeed decreasing and young people prefer video games rather than shogi and go, the existing stock in the Japanese shogi world is still quite impressive, and the entire market is far from being sluggish.
Even in the eyes of Kazuto Yuyama, there is still room for development, but if one wants to develop the shogi business, one has to swallow his pride.
Chess, which claims to be a hobby of elegant people, naturally cannot lose face. Otherwise, if something like the Uniqlo Cup were really held, the prize money would be a dimensionality reduction blow to all current competitions.
"So, Mr. Yushan, you are optimistic about the shogi industry, right?"
"I can only say that I have confidence. If it is promising, it should be the sponsor's business." Yushan Heren smiled.
"So what do you think of female chess players?" Hinazuru Akina finally got to the point.
"Female chess players play far fewer games than male chess players, earn less per game, and receive far less title rewards than male chess players. Do you have confidence in the future of female chess players?"
"Female chess players?" Yushan Heren blinked. He really had never thought much about female chess players.
"First of all, I want to correct a misconception of yours, Aunt Hinazuru. The path of a professional chess player is for women to take. It is wrong to say that professional chess players are male chess players."
Hinazuru Akina blinked. Although professional chess players are basically men, there is no prohibition on female chess players joining. It’s just that no female chess player has the ability to do so.
It was not until Kong Ginko that the curse that women could not become professional chess players was broken. Kong Ginko successfully became a professional chess player and shone brightly among professional chess players.
"As for the future of female chess players, I think it is still ideal. Whether they are professional chess players or female chess players, the average income level exceeds the national average income level." Yushan Heren said.
The lowest-paid professional shogi player only earns over one million yen a year, but this is assuming that he or she rarely attends competitions or has retired.
Generally speaking, the income of a mid-level professional chess player is around 20 million yen, which is higher than that of graduates from Japan's famous University of Tokyo, while the annual income of top professional chess players is as high as hundreds of millions of yen.
On average, a professional chess player earns more than 10 million yen, nearly 20 million yen, a year, which is basically the same as the income of a mid-level professional chess player.
Although there are fewer female chess players, women's income in Japan is already lower than men's, so in comparison, the income is proportionally magnified.
"You are right." Hinazuru Akina nodded.
When Hinazuru Ai heard this, her eyes lit up.
"But my family's income is not at the average level in Japan. Xiao Ai's future as a female chess player may not be as bright as inheriting the Hinazuru Ryokan, right?" Hinazuru Akina said, changing the subject.
Hinazuru Ryokan is a top Japanese-style hotel in Wakura Onsen.
Although the hotel does not have many rooms, the income is not low. Even the money-making ability of the top female chess players cannot compare to that of the Hinazuru Hotel.
"That's true." Yushanheren said.
Hinazuru Ai suddenly felt a little lost, and the aho hair on her head drooped down.
Shirosaki Hana also felt a little strange and looked at Yushan Kazuto with an incredible expression.
"But if you become a professional chess player, it will be different. Aunt Hinazuru, you should have heard of Sora Ginko, right?" Yushan Kazuto smiled.
"Of course I've heard of it. It's a source of pride for women. She's the only female professional chess player in all these years."
"Kong Yinzi's income is among the top among professional chess players. As an unprecedented female professional chess player, Kong Yinzi's income even exceeds that of many title holders." Yushan Herendao.
"But she is the first one to try it." said Hinazuru Akina.
"But it's impossible for one person to eat all the crabs in the ocean, right?" Yushan Heren asked back.
Hinazuru Akina blinked and said, "In all these years, there has only been one Sora Ginko. Mr. Yushan, are you sure that Xiao Ai will be able to eat the second bite of crab?"
Chapter 661: Ask Mr. Yushan to accept Xiao Ai as his disciple
"Shogi has been developed for so many years, and there is only one person, Sora Ginko. Although I know Xiao Ai has talent, it doesn't mean she can become a professional shogi player, right?"
"She can do it." Yushan Kazuto smiled.
"I respect Mr. Yushan's achievements in shogi, but I can't just listen to one side of the story. Mr. Yushan, you said that Xiao Ai can become a professional shogi player, so may I ask... why?
"The reason." Yushan Heren paused.
"I am very familiar with Sora Ginko. Xiao Ai and your husband, Uncle Hinazuru, can prove this to me."
Hinazuru Akina looked at Hinazuru Ai and Hinazuru Takashi, and they both nodded quickly.
"In terms of talent, Xiao Ai is undoubtedly superior to Kong Yinzi. Whether it's calculation ability or sensitivity to shogi, she surpasses Kong Yinzi."
It’s not that Yushan Kazuto was intentionally belittling Sora Ginko and praising Hinazuru Ai. What she said was just an established fact.
"The biggest reason why Sora Ginko was able to become a professional shogi player was her passion for shogi and her unremitting efforts, and these qualities are all possessed by Xiao Ai."
"When I said Xiao Ai could become a professional chess player, it was not without reason. There are objective evidences for this."
Hinazuru Akina fell into deep thought. She didn't expect that Hayama Kazuto was so handsome.
In fact, she also understood that although Hinazuru Ai could complete the tasks she assigned perfectly, she actually did not have much enthusiasm for the work.
Only when playing shogi can Hinazuru Akina see Hinazuru's passion for love. Her dedication to shogi and her desire for victory are like a burning fire.
Hinazuru Akina didn't dare to get close. If she got too close, she was worried that she would be engulfed by the flames of Hinazuru's love.
Before you know it, you will identify with and approve of Hinazuru's love.
She is a rational person. In her eyes, Hinazuru Ai's best choice is to inherit the Hinazuru Inn, so she doesn't want to be impressed by Hinazuru Ai and deliberately keeps her distance.
But after hearing what Yushan Kazuto said, it seems that Hinazuru Ai's future in becoming a professional chess player is not much worse than inheriting the Hinazuru Ryokan.
Moreover, professional chess players have a higher social status in Japan, and most importantly, this is what Hinazuru Ai pursues.
When Hayama Kazuto said in person that Hinazuru Ai was just as good as, and even better than, Sora Ginko, Hinazuru Akina admitted that she was a little shaken.
However, Hinazuru Akina is not someone who gives up easily. The Hinazuru Ryokan has been passed down for so many years. If Hinazuru Ai does not inherit the Ryokan, all these years of hard work will be wasted.
She glanced at Hinazuru Ai, whose eyes were shining with expectation, but Hinazuru Akina still gritted her teeth and made up her mind.
"But Mr. Hayama, even if you become the top player in the shogi world, you can only be equal to the successor of Hinazuru Ryokan at best."
Hinazuru Ryokan is a top-notch Japanese hot spring hotel with an operating profit of 150 million yen last year. Although Kazuto Hayama is not sure about the actual income of Hinazuru Ryokan, it is clear that it must be over 100 million yen.
The current income record in the shogi world is only over 100 million yen. Even if Hinazuru Ai becomes the top in shogi, she cannot surpass the income of Hinazuru Ryokan.
In response, Yushan Kazuto had to admit frankly: "If we only consider income, it is true."
Hinazuru Akina breathed a sigh of relief, but when she saw that Yushan Kazuto seemed to be still unsatisfied and wanted to continue speaking, she became nervous again.
"But considering social status, becoming a professional chess player is much higher than inheriting the Hinazuru Ryokan," Hayama Kazuto continued.
Hinazuru Akina felt a little uncomfortable after listening to this, but she had to admit that Yushan Kazuto was right.
Being a proprietress at the Hinazuru Inn, and also a proprietress who is looking for a son-in-law, although her income is not low, in fact, her social status is far inferior to that of a professional chess player.
"Moreover, after Xiao Ai becomes a professional shogi player, she can actually give back to the Hinazuru Ryokan. Isn't Saitama, where Hanyu Sanye lives, now a check-in destination for many shogi enthusiasts?" Hanyu Sanye said.
"But that's Hanyu Sanye." Hinazuru Akina was not familiar with shogi, but she knew the name Hanyu Sanye.
He has been the uncrowned king of the Japanese shogi world for more than 20 years. During his peak period, he held seven major titles. Even though he is old now and his computing power has slightly declined, he still retains the titles.
"Xiao Ai may not be able to become the number one shogi player, but as one of the only two female professional shogi players, she will definitely be a hot topic and attract a lot of attention." Yushan Kazuto said slowly.
Hinazuru Akina did not continue speaking. What Yushan Kazuto said made sense.
Hinazuru Ai wants to become a professional chess player. After gaining fame and social status, he can give back well to the Hinazuru Inn.
Although the relationship between Hinazuru Inn and the Shogi Federation is good now, and one of the Dragon King Tournaments is held at Hinazuru Inn every year, in fact, this is just a simple exchange of interests.
If Hinazuru Ai becomes a professional Shogi player and an internal member of the Shogi Federation, the Shogi Federation will pay more attention to Hinazuru Ryokan when choosing a hotel for the tournament.
For Hinazuru Ryokan, this is a great opportunity for brand building and hotel expansion.
"An even more important point is that you should not put all your eggs in one basket."
After hearing the last sentence, Hinazuru Akina felt a little dazed. It was true that all eggs should not be put in one basket.
Decades ago, Hicui-so, which was as prosperous as Hinazuru Hotel, had already run into financial difficulties.
It’s difficult. We are preparing for international transformation.
There was nothing wrong with Xicui-so. If there were any problems with Xicui-so, they were mainly due to the downward trend of the Japanese economy and the shift in people's preferences.
According to statistics from Hinazuru Akina, more than 70% of the guests at Hinazuru Ryokan every year are repeat customers.
Although this shows that Hinazuru Ryokan is very good and can attract a large number of repeat customers, there is also a very cruel point - it is already very difficult for Hinazuru Ryokan to open up new markets.
She also cannot grasp the current market trends. The domestic market is stable and stagnant with almost no flow, while the international market is volatile and no one knows where it will go next.
If there really is some strange trend in the market and all the eggs are put in one basket, Hinazuru Hotel will not be able to bear it.
If Hinazuru Ai enters the shogi world, her income may not exceed that of the Hinazuru Inn, but that is also another way. In this way, the Hinazuru family will have completed the diversion and will be more resistant to risks.
Hinazuru Akina let out a long sigh, and as if she had made a great decision, she slowly spoke:
"Please Mr. Yushan accept Xiao Ai as your disciple."
Chapter 652: Which one sounds better, Hinazuru Kazuto or Yushan Ai?
Yushan Heren blinked, how did this bring it up on him again?
Hinazuru Ai is very talented. If she were any other chess player, he would have accepted her as a disciple to bring honor to his family long ago.
But Hayama Kazuto is different. Hayama Kazuto's shogi is just him, and he has no plans to stay in the shogi world for long. Maybe after this year, or maybe after three years of high school, Hayama Kazuto will retire from the shogi world.
Therefore, the master-disciple inheritance in the shogi world is actually a constraint for Kazuto Yuyama.
