Shows a growing internal struggle. He is beginning to realize that if he lets Sai play all his games, he will never truly be Akira's rival himself.
Continues to desire games, but is forced to watch as the friction between Hikaru and Akira grows. Production Note
anime differences for this specific chapter, or do you want to move on to the arc? Hikaru no Go Episode Guide - European Go Federation Hikaru No Go Episode 7
Hikaru has officially started middle school and is trying to establish a Go club with Tsutsui. Akira, still haunted by his previous losses to "Hikaru" (actually Sai), tracks him down at his new school. Akira challenges him to a game, but Hikaru—who is starting to feel the pressure of being a "fraud" and wanting to play his own Go—refuses to play.
Akari Fujisaki decides to hang out at the Haze Go Club to support Hikaru, marking the early stages of the school's Go team. Character Highlights Shows a growing internal struggle
His character arc shifts from a "prodigy" to a "seeker." His encounter with Hikaru in this episode solidifies his view of Hikaru as a target he must overcome.
Sai beseeches Hikaru to take him to a go club so that he can once more play the game he loves (through Hikaru as an intermediary). European Go Federation Episode 07 | Hikaru no Go Wiki | Fandom Production Note anime differences for this specific chapter,
お前とは打たない (Omae to wa Utanai)