The main round of the pro test has begun. Everyone's feeling the pressure, no one more so than Hikaru's friend Isumi, who has failed the test twice before. Fighting off his feelings of self-doubt, Isumi faces his next opponent, who turns out to be Hikaru. But a careless mistake lands the pair in an awkward position!

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 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?

Sai's Internet Go games have people around the world guessing who he is. Akira, Hikaru's rival, suspects it's Hikaru himself. He even skips the first day of his pro exam for a re-match with "Sai."

Hikaru tries to handle the demands of being a professional Go player without his mentor's support while preparing to face the prodigy, Akira Toya.

Tension is high during a Go tournament between the Kaio Go Club and the Haze Go Club, particularly during the final match between Akira and Hikaru. Afterward, Hikaru and Kimihiro learn more about playing the game and Hikaru finds a way to let Sai play all the Go he desires without drawing attention.

Hiraku 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. But that's only three months away!

"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.

"Go players under the age of 18 in Japan, Korea, and China are getting ready to qualify for the Hokuto 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 the unconventional yet formidable go of Kiyoharu Yashiro of the Kansai Go Association?"--Page 4 of cover.

Akira is beginning a new school year at Kaio Middle School. With his daunting reputation as the Toya Meijin's son, Akira finds he must prove himself to more than a few mean and jealous classmates. And with the help of upper-classman Yuri Hidaka, Akira finds the confidence to persevere in his hunt to beat Hikaru. Meanwhile, Hikaru is having a hard enough time just trying to find a third teammate to play in the Haze Middle School Go Club. A possible...