Hikaru is in for some eye-opening revelations when his fledgling Haze Go Club faces the Kaio Go Club in a tournament, and he finds a way to let Sai play.

Akira proves his worth to his jealous Kaio Middle School classmates with the help of upperclassman Yuri Hidaka, and, struggling to find a third teammate over at Haze, Hikaru considers recruiting swindler Yuki Mitani.

Hikaru accidentally insults Suyong Hong, a twelve-year-old studying for the pro test in his native Korea, and finds himself in a grudge match.

Isumi returns from his foreign training with unique methods of handling the stress and mental strain of competition, but when he challenges Hikaru to a rematch, his friends wonder how he will fare in battle after such a long break.

Go players under the age of 18 in Japan, Korea and China are getting ready to qualify for the Hokutu Cup. Hikaru and Akira are both in contention for the Japanese team, but the preliminaries prove to be tough going. Stung by a reality check, Hikaru focuses like never before. But will it be enough to meet the challenge of unconventional yet formidable go of Kiyoharu Yashiro of the Kansai Go Association?

Hikaru Shindo, a schoolboy whose consciousness houses the spirit of a master Go player, struggles to turn his losing streak at the insei school around in time for the Young Lions Tournament, where he could have a chance to play against his rival, Go prodigy Akira Toya.

"The main storyline takes a holiday, making way for six tales that offer fresh insight into the characters and lives of Akira Toya, Tetsuo Kaga, Asumi Nase, Yuki Mitani, Atsushi Kurata and Fujiwara-no-Sai. Hikaru Shindo figures in some of these and takes center stage in the final tale when he challenges a crooked antique shop owner to a game of go in an attempt to restore an heirloom vase to its rightful owner"--From publisher's web site.

Hikaru's career as a professional Go player begins. In his first game he must face veteran player Toya Meijin, none other than Akira's father. But to Sai, this round is "personal."

"Hikaru's classmate Ochi has won enough games to guarantee his place among the top three players who will pass the pro test. Hikaru, on the other hand, still needs to win more games, and he'll soon face his friend Waya and Ochi himself, who has been preparing for their match with Akira's help! When the dust clears, who will be left standing?"--Page 4 of cover.

Hikaru ignores Sai's pleas to let him play go, and then Sai vanishes! Where has he gone? Will he come back? Can Hiraku play with Sai's coaching?