Chapter 74: Garlic Bird Oyakodon
"Granny Setsuno, if I get a power boost after drinking the Century Soup, can I go into the Gourmet World?"
Toriko asked with anticipation. Since Kenji had already entered the Gourmet World, he was even more eager to go himself.
His heart was excited, and his hands were trembling.
"Toriko, entering the Gourmet World is not just about brute strength. Many Gourmet Hunters don't die from the claws and teeth of the beasts, but from the extreme and harsh climates and weather."
"Extreme cold, lack of oxygen, super-gravity... can you adapt to those right now?" Setsuno said slowly. Toriko was still thinking too simplistically. If he hadn't experienced the brutality of the Gourmet World, he couldn't just walk in there. If you can adapt, the Gourmet World is a paradise of ingredients. If you can't, it is a hell and a graveyard for Gourmet Hunters.
Toriko thought for a moment, wondering just how extreme the conditions were. He was no longer the novice he had been when he started out.
"Toriko, don't look so sad. Have a cup of coffee and relax."
Kenji poured a cup of Himeko's coffee for Toriko. Good things should be shared with good friends, of course.
"Coffee?" Toriko scratched his head. His sensitive nose smelled the coffee, and it was quite fragrant. Since it was Kenji who had offered it, it must be something special.
"Yes. It's one of a kind in this world. Don't you want to try it?" Kenji left the final decision to Toriko. If he chose to drink it, it was his own choice. Himeko's coffee would definitely give Toriko a unique taste experience.
"Gulp..."
"Hmm?!"
Toriko drank it curiously. His eyes widened instantly, and his entire body's muscles tightened. His stomach began to convulse.
Kenji, you bastard. You're not playing by the rules!
Is this really coffee?
Toriko's brain instantly received a signal: "Hey, mouth, what the hell are you drinking?!"
Red Demon: "No good! Toriko is trying to poison himself!"
Blue Demon: "What is this? So terrifying."
After a while, Toriko finally managed to relax his clenched fists. He was sweating profusely. This was indeed a magical coffee, unlike anything he had ever experienced. He thought he had briefly seen his parents, whom he had never met, but he couldn't make out their faces clearly. He didn't even realize that his White Demon had nearly been awakened.
"Kenji, seriously, where did you get this coffee?" Toriko said weakly. This was no longer a question of how good or bad it tasted; it had almost killed him. His Gourmet Cells had issued a warning. The coffee's ingredients seemed fine, but there was a strange, powerful energy within it.
"I just said it was unique. I didn't say it tasted good," Kenji said with a wicked smile. "Pretty strong, right?"
Toriko nodded. It was certainly strong, and it was indeed unique coffee. A lesson learned. He would definitely not drink it a second time; it was too painful.
"Can I try a cup?" Komatsu asked curiously.
"No, Komatsu. You'd better not," Toriko stopped him. This was a man who would become his partner. He was worried that Komatsu's small body couldn't handle it.
"Alright," Komatsu nodded with a look of regret. Mr. Toriko wouldn't lie to me.
"Kenji, do you have more of this coffee? It's too good not to share with Coco and the others," Toriko said with a laugh.
"I do, I do."
"When you meet Coco and the others, just ask me for some."
Kenji looked at Toriko, and they both shared a similar, wicked smile. Heh heh heh, good things are meant to be shared with good bros.
I wonder if Coco's physique can withstand Himeko's coffee.
Coco, in his home: Achoo!
"Is this Air Water?" Kenji poured a glass of water for himself. It tasted like air, very easy to drink, and many times better than mineral water. He could send some to Furina and see what kind of evaluation Neuvillette would give.
But he was looking forward to making Neuvillette drink the Century Soup and seeing him make that "perverted" face, and then taking a picture of him. If Neuvillette made that face, it would be fun to watch.
Ahem, why am I turning out like this? I must have been influenced by Aha. That naturally evil Aha.
Aha: ?
"Alright, enjoy your meal. Garlic Bird Oyakodon."
A plain ceramic bowl. White, shimmering "Gourmet" rice. Tender, crispy "Garlic Bird" meat, golden "Ten-Yolk Egg" fluid that was silky and sweet, melting in the mouth. It looked like a luxury home-cooked meal.
For many, the gourmet feasts in hotels were no match for their mother's home-cooked meals.
"Itadakimasu."
Kenji slowly savored the food. The garlic bird meat had a faint, unique garlicky aroma, tender and bouncy. The silky, sweet, and flavorful egg from the Ten-Yolk Egg melted in his mouth, paired with the soft and fragrant rice. Although the ingredients were not complex, the flavors were perfectly blended.
Delicious—
The cooking skills of one of the top three chefs in the world were indeed worthy of the title. Setsuno had also won many cooking festivals. This bowl of Oyakodon brought an immense sense of satisfaction. Setsuno used ingredients that didn't have very high Capture Levels, but she still managed to cook an amazing dish. This was the authority of a top-three chef.
"It tastes like Sesame Chestnut. Did Granny Setsuno add that as seasoning?" Atashino, as a chef, could discern the subtle nuances. The flavor of the Oyakodon was perfect.
"Yes, I tasted it too," Komatsu nodded, and immediately added his suggestion. "Adding Seven-Flavored Spice might also be a good fit."
Atashino thought for a moment. "A small amount of Four-Season Mint powder should also work."
Kenji and Toriko didn't understand the culinary jargon; they just ate, their mouths full.
"Ho ho ho, both of your suggestions are excellent. What wonderful senses of taste and observation. You also have 'sexy' talent," Setsuno praised.
She was very satisfied with the partner Ichi had arranged for Kenji. His potential was great, and Komatsu was also promising.
"Sexy?" Komatsu was stunned. What a terrible way to describe him.
"She means you have the talent for making sensual dishes, right?" Toriko asked with a smile.
Komatsu was speechless. There was no such thing as "sensual dishes."
Setsuno didn't explain. It was just a compliment. The new era belonged to the young.
The new era no longer had a boat to carry the old.
Ichiryu/Jiro/Midora: We're too old. We can't fight anymore.
"Kenji-kun, how was your first time in the Gourmet World?" Setsuno asked.
Toriko straightened up, his ears pricked up.
"The Gourmet World... it has many rare ingredients. The Capture Levels of the beasts are generally above a hundred," Kenji explained.
Toriko's brow furrowed. Beasts with a Capture Level of over a hundred? Were the creatures of the Gourmet World that strong?
"Capture Level is not the only point. The important thing is that those beasts can adapt to their habitats' environment. Can you adapt?" Setsuno asked, addressing Toriko. Since they had brought up the topic, she would gently warn Toriko. As Ichi's adopted son, she couldn't let him go into the Gourmet World and die.
"Toriko, when you can enter the Gourmet World, just follow Ichi's plan. He's doing it for your own good."
"I understand."
Toriko ruffled his hair. Everyone was saying that the Gourmet World was dangerous and that he couldn't enter it yet. But he was a rebel at heart. He had to go and see how terrifying the Gourmet World really was.
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