Hikaru is losing the game in his anxiousness to win it. He freaks out when he realised that he didn't necessarily have win the game to pass as the purpose is for the examiner to gain an idea of his strength/potential. In reading the kifu, the examiner is amazed that Hikaru played the way he did during the 3-way match (with Mitani, Tsutsui & Kaga) and passed him. Hikaru unwittingly blurted out that Akira pursues him as a rival and received a cold reception from the Inseis who then see him as a threat. Waya and Isumi questioned Hikaru's validity when observing Hikaru's matches. Hikaru is shellshocked to find out that Kishimoto didn't even make it up to the upper half of the Insei class when he was an Insei and had quitted trying.
Season 0
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Eternal Rival Discovered Weakness!! Akira Bears His Fangs Kaga in Shogi Club Prediction of an Awakening The Beautiful Match I Won't Play Against You The Scheme in the Rain An Irritating Presence The Third Member The Most Inconsiderate Act You Are The Third Board Each of Their Decision The Third Match The Player On The Net Who Is Sai? The Match of Revelation Akira vs. Sai Hikaru's Strength The Road to Becoming a Pro The Haze Jr. High Go Club The Insei Examination The Room of Yuugen Ouza vs. Akira Sai's Sword Unsheathed (1) The Greatest Wall for Hikaru (2) A Place To Go Back To The Wakajishisen Kuwabara Honinbou Ogata vs Honinbou
Eternal Rival Discovered Weakness!! Akira Bears His Fangs Kaga in Shogi Club Prediction of an Awakening The Beautiful Match I Won't Play Against You The Scheme in the Rain An Irritating Presence The Third Member The Most Inconsiderate Act You Are The Third Board Each of Their Decision The Third Match The Player On The Net Who Is Sai? The Match of Revelation Akira vs. Sai Hikaru's Strength The Road to Becoming a Pro The Haze Jr. High Go Club The Insei Examination The Room of Yuugen Ouza vs. Akira Sai's Sword Unsheathed (1) The Greatest Wall for Hikaru (2) A Place To Go Back To The Wakajishisen Kuwabara Honinbou Ogata vs Honinbou