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Yuuki had no plans to head to the Gourmet World just yet.
The Human World still had one last great delicacy to offer—the Four-Beast. In the original story, under the combined assault of Toriko and the others, its capture level had reached several hundred.
That level was nothing compared to the Four-Beast's peak. You have to remember, in its prime—it had managed to escape from the Eight Kings themselves.
That feat alone spoke volumes.
So, Yuuki planned to wait for the Four-Beast to revive, give it a thorough beatdown, boost his own power one last time, and then head to the Gourmet World.
In the meantime, Toriko and the others were still growing.
Yuuki had no intention of interfering too much. He would continue with his own projects—researching Gourmet Cell fusion and developing the path beyond master-level Enbu.
He did, however, contact Toriko with a commission—he wanted him to capture a few Shining Gourami. As for payment, Yuuki offered a piece of Jewel Meat.
On the surface, judging by capture levels, it seemed like Toriko was getting the short end of the stick. But that wasn't the case at all. The Shining Gourami's high capture level was solely due to the existence of Death Falls.
Without that waterfall, its capture level would be pathetically low.
Moreover, an ingredient like Jewel Meat was nearly impossible to find in the outside world now. For Yuuki to offer it in exchange, Toriko was beyond ecstatic.
The reason Yuuki had commissioned him was simple—this was an ingredient he couldn't capture himself.
The Shining Gourami's perception was terrifyingly sharp. The moment it sensed a powerful creature approaching, the capture would fail.
In the original story, even powerhouses like Setsuno couldn't catch it because of its incredible senses and fragile nerves.
Toriko and the others had only succeeded because of Komatsu. At that time, Komatsu had heard the Voice of The Ingredient and knew that Mors Oil was needed for the capture.
If Yuuki wanted this ingredient, unless his stealth abilities could surpass those of the older generation, it was a lost cause.
And as it turned out, entrusting the commission to Toriko and Komatsu was the right call. The two of them did indeed bring back the Shining Gourami for him.
....
"Chef Yuuki, where did you find this Jewel Meat? It's even more delicious than the one from the Regal Plateau!"
Toriko and Komatsu said. The flavor was truly beyond imagination, far superior to the last one they had eaten.
"I got it from the Former Biotope 1. But I've already captured all the Jewel Meat there now. Of course, if you're interested, you can still take a trip. There are plenty of other great ingredients."
Yuuki said with a smile.
While the Jewel Meat was gone, that didn't mean the Former Biotope 1 was worthless. There were many other things there. Most critically, the Corona Sunflower was there. A trip for Toriko would only bring benefits.
"The Former Biotope 1? The IGO has a place like that?"
Toriko asked, completely baffled. He had no idea such a place existed.
"You'll have to ask President Ichiryu or Director Mansam about that. It's a bit hidden, and the danger level is a little higher. They'll only tell you the location when they think you're ready."
Yuuki explained.
In the original story, Toriko and the others had gone there after mastering Food Honor. As for now, though Toriko's strength was decent, he was still a bit lacking for a place like the Former Biotope 1.
"I see. I'll ask the Director about it later."
Toriko nodded. He and Komatsu had been adventuring in many places recently, so he knew what Yuuki said made sense.
"By the way, Chef Yuuki, congratulations on entering the top 100 of the Chef Rankings."
At this moment, Toriko's partner, Komatsu, also spoke up.
"The top 100? When did that happen? How come I don't know about it?"
Yuuki was stunned. He had been busy researching Gourmet Cells recently. He had no idea when he had made it into the top 100.
He hadn't made any major contributions, so he was a bit confused.
"The G7 has already announced it!"
With that, Komatsu handed a tablet to him. After taking it, Yuuki saw his own information displayed in the top 100, and his rank wasn't low either—33.
Looking further down, a long list of various achievements appeared. Yuuki was certain he had never done any of these things.
Seeing this, he immediately called Granny Setsuno. This had to be her doing.
....
"It's you, Yuuki. What can I do for you?"
After the call connected, Setsuno's voice came through. Seeing this, Toriko and Komatsu were both very envious. Toriko was envious because Yuuki had such a good relationship with her and could go to her diner for a free meal anytime.
As for Komatsu, he was simply envious that Yuuki could chat with her anytime. After all, she was a Gourmet National Treasure, a representative of the chefs of the Human World.
"About the Chef Rankings... that list of achievements must be your doing, right?"
Yuuki asked.
"So it was about that. You've noticed? That's right, I did it—your culinary skills have already surpassed mine. It's a bit ridiculous that you're not even on the rankings."
"Though I know you don't care about such things, having it is better than not."
Setsuno said with a smile.
Actually, the main reason she did this was because she couldn't find any other way to repay him. She and Jiro had received too much from him, so they had to give something back.
"I understand. Thank you very much!"
Although he didn't care about the rankings, as she had said, having it was better than not.
"So, Chef Yuuki, your cooking has already reached Granny Setsuno's level?!"
At this moment, Toriko and Komatsu were staring at him with their mouths agape.
"It has indeed reached that level."
Yuuki nodded. Hearing the confirmation again, the two of them didn't know what to say. In their eyes, Yuuki was just too terrifyingly good.
"Wait, you can get on the Chef Rankings like that?"
Suddenly, Komatsu realized something and asked, completely baffled. As a chef, he had always seen the Chef Rankings as his goal.
It was supposed to be a very sacred list, but now you could get on it through such means. This was a bit hard for him to accept.
"Are you a little disappointed, Komatsu?"
Yuuki asked with a smile, seeing his expression.
"A little. The Chef Rankings have always been very sacred in my heart, my ultimate goal. But now you can get on it through... means."
Komatsu scratched his head. Though he had been adventuring in the outside world for a few years and was no longer so naive, he still never thought such an important ranking would be like this.
"You should be disappointed. That's why I was never interested in it before. And Komatsu, you have to know, this ranking is very inflated."
"Getting on it doesn't require great culinary skill, but contributions. Just like the ones under my information just now—those were all arranged by Granny Setsuno."
"With these contributions, you can get on the Chef Rankings. So, for anyone who knows how to play the game, it's not that hard to get on this list."
"Of course, normally, using this method would only get you to the eighties or nineties. My situation is a bit special. After all, it was Granny Setsuno who made the move, so I could get such a high rank."
"So, the higher the rank, the more value it actually holds. In a sense, if you remove the bottom fifty, then this ranking is still the one in your heart."
"And the changes in these top ranks only happen during each Cooking Fest. That's why Granny Setsuno was surpassed by Zaus."
Yuuki explained the specific situation of the ranking to him. After listening, Komatsu finally understood.
He also let out a sigh of relief. It was good that the top ranks were still legitimate. And he also noticed one thing—Yuuki's culinary skills were already on par with Setsuno's.
If ranked by skill, he shouldn't just be in the top ten—he should be number one. Yet he was only ranked in the thirties.
Now, he just had a wait-and-see attitude towards this ranking.
"Also, Komatsu, you should also get ready. Maybe in a little while, you'll also appear on this list."
Yuuki said.
While he would intervene in the Four-Beast matter, it would only be at the end. The rest would be left to the Four Heavenly Kings and Komatsu. So, at that time, Komatsu would surely become a savior-like existence.
In the original story, the main reason he had been able to get on the list was because of his contribution during the Four-Beast incident. As for his other contributions, they were more or less dispensable.
And his contribution was actually much greater—he shouldn't have been ranked so low at that time. He had saved billions of people.
It could only be said that this list was really ridiculous.
"Me? How could I possibly appear on this list?"
Komatsu shook his head. He knew his own situation very well. Though he had culinary skills, he had no contributions.
"Komatsu, don't be so pessimistic. With your culinary skills, getting on this list is just a matter of time. By the way, Chef Yuuki, I came here for another matter this time. Have you heard of Surprise Island?"
Toriko asked.
"Surprise Island? You mean the island the IGO uses to nourish Surprise Apples? I know of it. Are the apples maturing?"
Yuuki asked. The Surprise Apple was an ingredient he was very curious about. In the anime, he had really liked that episode. It had to be said, the concept of the Surprise Apple was really good.
"That's right. The Surprise Apples on the island will be mature in a few days. Besides delivering the ingredients, I also wanted to invite you to come and see."
Toriko said.
"I'm very interested in the Surprise Apple. I'll be there!"
Yuuki nodded and said he would go. After getting his reply, Toriko and Komatsu left with the Jewel Meat.
....
There were still a few days until the Surprise Apples matured. But Yuuki soon received a call from Master Jiro.
"The Camping Monster is mature? Alright, I understand. I'm coming over now!"
Hearing that his Camping Monster was ready, Yuuki immediately set off for Setsuno's Diner. It had been brought back from the Gourmet World by Jiro and was now in her kitchen.
Getting the news, he rushed over at once. After all, this was his Camping Monster. He had been coveting one for a long time, but he had never been able to find a suitable one. But now, Jiro had sent him the most suitable one.
"Mr. Yuuki, you're here!"
Nono was very happy to see him. The two of them then went to the kitchen. Setsuno and Jiro were both there.
In front of them was a large shell, a hundred meters long, over eighty meters wide, and over twenty meters high. This was his Camping Monster, a juvenile Giant Shell.
"You're here. This is your Camping Monster, a juvenile Giant Shell. The interior has already been decorated. Go and have a look!"
Seeing him arrive, Jiro said with a smile. Hearing this, Yuuki directly entered the Giant Shell.
Inside, it had everything. All sorts of high-tech furniture were also available.
Besides that, there were also many rooms, each with its own function.
It could be said that this juvenile Giant Shell was countless times better than the Octomelon.
"THIS IS AMAZING! Master Jiro, thank you so much!"
Yuuki said. He really loved this gift.
"Don't thank me. After all, you've helped me and Setsu a lot."
Jiro said. Strictly speaking, they also owed him their lives. The favor was too great.
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