A fourteen-year-old junior high school student, Ichigo Aida, lives in Kitaese City and feels completely disconnected from the world around her. Disgusted by what she perceives as shallow friendships and artificial emotions, she craves a genuine fight. This frustration comes to a head when she attacks a bullying classmate with a chair. School counselor Tatsuo Miyamura, a former principal, steps in and rather than simply punishing her, engages her in a game of shogi, believing the strategic board game will help her open up.

During their game, Ichigo reveals she has no personal connection to the bullied student, only a desire for authenticity. In a shocking move, she wagers her own life on the outcome of the match. Miyamura initially humors the novice player but quickly becomes alarmed as Ichigo demonstrates an extraordinary, untapped talent for the game. Though she nearly defeats him, she ultimately loses due to an illegal move and attempts to leap from a window. Miyamura stops her, and, taking responsibility for her life, he decides to enter her in a local shogi tournament.

Despite having only two days of experience, Ichigo’s raw and unorthodox talent allows her to defeat seasoned players in the tournament. Her winning streak is finally broken by a professional player named Izuru Kōdai, who is observing the matches. Izuru challenges her to resume a game from a specific position and soundly defeats her. This loss, her first true taste of defeat, does not discourage Ichigo. Instead, it ignites a fierce competitive spirit. For the first time, she has a purpose: to pursue shogi professionally and secure a rematch with Izuru.

The story follows Ichigo’s journey as she navigates the intensely competitive world of professional shogi. While her genius-level talent allows her to progress rapidly, she must also contend with her volatile personality and lack of formal training. Her mentor, Miyamura, continues to guide her as she faces a series of increasingly powerful opponents, each with their own unique playing styles and philosophies. A notable early narrative arc follows her entry into the local tournament and her subsequent loss to Izuru, which sets her on her path. The series then follows her entrance into the professional shogi circuit, where she continues to grow and challenge established players, driven by the singular goal of meeting Izuru across the board once again.