Recruiting for Team Alaskan Wilderness Tours

The following day, Okisato was surprised to find Peter at the chess center. "When did you get into town?"

"Just now. I've finally managed to get the warping ability at a discount price."

"Inoue-senpai really lucked out winning that bughouse event in Budapest, though it was disturbing how easily it was hijacked by Deep Blue."

"Deep Blue is a true enigma. Some claim their skill truly matches their high ratings, yet others claim they're just artificial inflations like the executive board. And of course, some appear to posses the ability to hide their rating, so it's possible I've played some members without knowing."

"I know of a few people that are part of Deep Blue, but even then, there appears to be more mystery. Finland's the epicenter of it all, yet going off Ilmi's accounts, majority of the Finnish populace was digitized via the Blue tech against their will, and had no choice but to use the power. Them possessing a living sacrifice was also the only way for them to regain their physical forms, or rather "evolve" to a state where they can take full advantage of the powers gifted to them via Blue space, or whatever it is they call it."

"Within the Desperado League, Skaberghast appears to be the one that knows the most, but he refuses to elaborate on the matter."

"Typical for him."

"But you're also familiar with one of the so-called grandmasterminds of Deep Blue, Olavi Hellkinen."

"I know not of the specifics of his role, or how he achieved it, but it doesn't surprise me given how involved he was with the DESPER project."

"And that is where the enigma begins to manifest. From what I've heard, Deep Blue's technology builds off the DESPERs, yet don't fully count as DESPERs. Not to mention, there were ones like that Kamaleon who possessed a DESPER, yet also wielded the Blue power."

"Hmm, could DESPER keys work on them all or just the ones with DESPERs..."

"I doubt the ones you wish to kill would present themselves before you so carelessly."

"I'm sadly aware."

"Now before we deviate any further, I must iterate my main purpose for this visit. Okisato Tanabe, would you rather be on a team with me or against me?"

"Team."

"No hesitation. Well you're in luck. The Alaskan Wilderness Tours company has approached me to recruit me for their team in the World Chess League. I've accepted, and was asked if there were any others who would make good teammates. You come to mind."

"Before Inoue-senpai?"

"She would make a good teammate, but if the three of us were on a team, we'd dominate, and I'd be unable to face her. Need I mention the fact that other teams will likely make more appetizing offers to her."

"You're not wrong. Noa was here yesterday and seemed to sway Inoue-senpai towards joining the team that reached out to her."

"Thus, I approached you. You're not as eye-catching to the teams as Mimoko Inoue is."

"Figures. Well, I'll make things easy for you; I'm in."

"That makes three of us then."

"Who's the third?"

"Hubert."

"Oh, we've got a solid lineup so far. Anyone of interest in mind for the other three?"

"No."

"Hmm... I have someone in mind."

"The girl you've been training?"

"Yes, but if she's able to join Inoue-senpai's team- No, hold on, no team can have more than two people from a single country/federation. She was going to vouch to have Shousen-san on her team."

"Not like she'd need to worry about facing her idol anyway as board assignments don't change as there's no alternates."

"I'll ask her then."