Of course, Komatsu may have made a profit, but Takumi didn't suffer any loss either.
In addition to motivating the newcomers, Komatsu also left a note containing some of his cooking experience as a return gift for the space props. Furthermore, this friendly cooperation promoted the relationship between the two parties and would be of great help to the future business development of Dimension City regarding the Gourmet World. So, from Takumi's perspective, it was definitely not a loss. This could be said to be a win-win situation.
"It's getting late. If I don't go back, the chef will be worried. I'll say goodbye for today."
Having been in Dimension City for half a day, Komatsu planned to go back. Although there was nothing urgent at home, he did not say hello to Granny Setsuno when he came out. If she didn't see anyone for too long, she would probably think that something had happened to him.
"Well, in that case, I'll see you off."
Seeing that Komatsu was going back, Takumi didn't try to persuade him to stay. Anyway, he could come and go at any time in the future, so there was no rush. Komatsu nodded, did not refuse, and said goodbye to Alice Nakiri and the others. With Takumi sending him off, he entered the dimensional gate and returned to the Gourmet World.
The Gourmet World, Human World, in a market within Gourmet Town.
As the rainbow vortex emerged, Komatsu walked out of it. Seeing the familiar environment around him, Komatsu couldn't help but feel a little dazed, almost thinking that the experience in Dimension City was just a dream. But after feeling the weight of the suitcase, he confirmed it was real.
Immediately, Komatsu turned around and left the busy market to avoid being discovered by others. This was not because he planned to keep the affairs of Dimension City a secret, but he just didn't want irrelevant outsiders to know too much, to avoid unnecessary trouble. In his opinion, it would be useless for ordinary people to know about Dimension City. They would not be able to comprehend it, and their attention would only cause trouble. Only high-level humans like his mentor and Granny Setsuno were qualified to know and deal with it.
With this idea in mind, Komatsu sprinted with all his strength, his figure disappearing into the market in a flash as the rainbow vortex faded away. People who were originally attracted by the rainbow vortex couldn't help but wonder if they were just dazzled.
After successfully escaping without causing a scene, Komatsu quickly returned to Setsuno's Canteen in Gourmet Town.
"Ah, Komatsu-kun, what's wrong? You look so anxious."
A kind-hearted old lady with girlish pink hair stood in the open kitchen.
And on the bar in front of her, a gray-haired, pompadour-sporting old man was drinking. This was Setsuno's partner, the second disciple of Gourmet God Acacia, and the Knocking Master Jiro.
After Komatsu came in, the two people who were still talking and laughing looked over. They were a little surprised by why Komatsu was so anxious.
"Granny Setsuno, Mr. Jiro, I just..."
Komatsu quickly closed the door to avoid being heard by outsiders. Seeing that Jiro happened to be there, he didn't mind and began to tell them about his adventure today. The suitcase in his hand and the ingredients inside were placed in front of the two of them as evidence.
At first, the two of them looked calm and didn't pay much attention. After all, in their eyes, there is no trouble in this world that they cannot solve. But when Komatsu talked about Dimension City and the different world, they had to look serious.
"These are indeed ingredients that I have never seen before..." Jiro picked up the specialty ingredients that Komatsu brought back from Dimension City, looking at them carefully.
"I haven't seen them either, Jiro-chan, so it seems to be true." When Setsuno saw this, her expression became increasingly serious. Even Jiro, a legendary Gourmet Hunter who has traveled all over the planet, said that he had never seen these ingredients. The authenticity of Dimension City could be said to be confirmed.
"Well." Jiro suddenly smiled and waved, took a sip of wine, and said with a relaxed smile: "Setsuno, you don't have to be so nervous. At least for now, it seems that the other party has no malicious intent, right?"
Setsuno relaxed after hearing this, nodded while looking at the ingredients, and said with a smile: "Indeed, the other party's kindness is quite substantial."
At least judging from Komatsu's personal experience and these gifts, Dimension City had no malice towards their world and was even sending out signals of goodwill. From their point of view, this was enough. As long as there is no malice, it's okay. It is better to have more friends than enemies.
"Since it's someone's kindness, we can't let it go to waste. Setsuno, use these ingredients to make me a snack." Jiro said cheerfully and looked at Komatsu again. "Son, do you mind if this old man mooches off your ingredients?"
"Not at all, Mr. Jiro. If you want to eat it, please go ahead. I'll just follow Granny and watch."
"If that's the case, then I'll do it. I'm also very curious about the ingredients from another world." When Setsuno saw this, she happily took the ingredients to cook.
"I'm here to help." Komatsu walked into the kitchen to assist.
"Well, remember to save a portion. I will bring it to Ichiryu later and tell him about this."
"No problem."
Inside the small canteen, peace returned in the blink of an eye. Soon, Setsuno used the strengthened ingredients to prepare several side dishes to go with the wine, and the three of them tasted them separately. Except for Komatsu, who was impressed by Setsuno's cooking skills, a hint of shock flashed through Setsuno and Jiro's eyes.
"It's a bit interesting. Do they call these 'strengthened ingredients'? It turns out to be such a strengthening method."
"Oh? Could it be that even Jiro-chan feels it?"
"Um." Jiro nodded. "Although there is only a trace, and you may not notice it if you don't feel it carefully, I did become a little stronger after eating."
Well, it was probably only about one-billionth. It was really just a tiny bit, almost negligible. But you can't underestimate this one-billionth. You have to know that this is one-billionth of him.
Who is he? He was adopted by the Wolf King Guinness as a child and was later taken as a disciple by the Gourmet God Acacia. His strength can be ranked among the top three in the world! For it to be effective on someone with his strength, increasing it by even one-billionth, is already extraordinary!
"But..." Jiro felt it again, and then said with a little doubt: "Although I have become stronger, the Gourmet Cells in my body have not responded."
"In other words, this enhancement has nothing to do with Gourmet Cells?!"
This surprised Jiro even more.