Shogi, a board game similar to chess, holds a special place in Japanese culture, enjoyed by people of all ages. A select group of skilled players compete professionally for the prestigious title of Ryuuou, the ultimate achievement in shogi mastery. A young player named Yaichi Kuzuryuu recently earned the coveted Ryuuou title by winning a major tournament. Despite his victory, however, Yaichi has been criticized by some in the shogi community as the worst Ryuuou ever. On top of that, Yaichi failed to keep his promise to coach a young girl named Ai Hinatsuru if he won. When Ai unexpectedly shows up at his doorstep, Yaichi reluctantly agrees to train her. Together, they strive to improve their shogi skills. Ai hopes to uncover her hidden talents while Yaichi seeks to prove his worth to the world.