Toriko: Gourmet Chat Group

"Are you sure it's okay for us to just leave? Can Toriko and the others handle this?" Atashino asked.

The Salamander Sphinx was a beast whose Capture Level and strength placed it in the highest echelon of the Human World. Even with two of the Four Heavenly Kings working together, it would be a difficult fight.

"Don't worry," Kenji said with a wave of his hand. "Komatsu knows the cooking method. If Toriko and Zebra team up, they'll definitely be able to capture the Mellow Cola."

"What about that Nitro?" Atashino pressed.

Sensing that Kenji and Atashino were not to be trifled with, one of the awakened Nitro had remained hidden in the shadows. For Toriko and the others, this was not good news.

"If it were at its peak, we'd have to step in. But it just came out of estivation. Even if it replenished some energy, it's just a drop in the bucket."

With Self-Devouring and Rage, Toriko and Zebra's energy levels were already maxed out.

"Have faith in them," Kenji said. "And don't underestimate Komatsu's Food Luck. The Gourmet Pyramid is just a small hurdle for them."

[God's Tongue]: @Star Forger Kenji, when are you coming to our world?

[Star Forger]: What's up?

Erina's world, aside from having some unique culinary arts, was a relatively normal, everyday world.

[God's Tongue]: ...My mother and the others want to meet you. Mainly to thank you.

Erina felt a bit helpless. Her family was incredibly curious about Kenji. To a chef, delicious ingredients were more attractive than any treasure. She guessed they wanted to discuss a supply arrangement.

[The Destroyer]: Is it time to meet the parents? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm so jealous.

Jealous my foot, Kenji thought. You're just enjoying the drama. There were far too many followers of Aha, and not just in the Star Rail world.

[God's Tongue]: It's not like that!

[Star Forger]: @The Destroyer Hey Tsukasa, you looking for a girlfriend? I've got you covered—

[Star Forger]: I can introduce you to someone. Tendou Souji's sister is very nice.

[The Destroyer]: Isn't he a total sis-con? Are you trying to get me killed?

The corner of Tsukasa Kadoya's mouth twitched. He could just imagine a dozen Hyper Kabutos appearing out of nowhere to Rider Kick him the moment he got close.

[Miss Pink Elf♪]: Erina-chan♪, I want to come visit you too! Really, I have no other motives at all.

[Gudako]: Gasp! The pink-haired predator is after the group's weak and innocent pretty girls again! Unhand them and come at me!

[Crash-Test Pilot]: I can only describe this as... unhinged.

[Stank]: Kid, you're unbeatable.

[Ghost of the Uchiha]: I often feel out of place with you all because I still possess a shred of sanity.

[Star Forger]: I doubt that. Your true nature definitely has a goofy side, otherwise you never would have been able to hang out with Hashirama.

[Ghost of the Uchiha]: I agree that Hashirama is a goofball, but I won't accept you calling me one.

Madara Uchiha's eye twitched. How was he goofy? He was a genius, thank you very much.

[Star Forger]: We can talk about my visit later. By the way, Erina, your mother's condition should be quite serious by now. You could have Ruan Mei perform a procedure for her.

[Dian Mei Ruan]: If it's just something like a 'Super Taster' ability, it's very simple to resolve.

For her, even enhancing all five senses would be no problem at all.

[God's Tongue]: I understand. I'll go ask my mother.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. How ugly," Kenji remarked, looking at the awakened, red-furred Nitro. Even the Gourmet Corp.'s GT Robots were better looking than this thing.

"Haaah~"

Kenji brought his curled, power-gathering finger to his lips and blew a puff of air onto it.

"Knocking Point: Forehead Flick."

Thump!

With a simple flick, the sound confirmed it was a good, solid head.

The red Nitro froze instantly, unable to move even a single finger. Its strength right after waking up was truly pathetic, equivalent to a Capture Level of about 80 or 90.

"I thank all the ingredients in this world for this meal. Nitro, capture complete."

"Atashino, let's roast it right away."

"Got it."

Atashino nodded. She set up the grill, plucked the creature, and gutted it in one smooth, swift, and stylish motion.

This Nitro was indeed weak. It had been starving for far too long and had no real power upon waking.

Sizzle—

As the flames licked the meat, a fragrant aroma that could stir one's Gourmet Cells began to waft from the sizzling, fat-rendering Nitro meat.

"Time to eat."

After taking a bite, Kenji was somewhat disappointed. It didn't taste bad, but the flavor was similar to chicken, and the meat was on the tough side, probably due to its excessive muscle mass.

BOOM!

The moment the Nitro meat slid into his stomach, a colossal amount of energy erupted like a long-dormant volcano. Every single one of his Gourmet Cells greedily absorbed the power. Kenji's well-proportioned body instantly swelled, turning him into a small giant brimming with inexhaustible strength.

The effect of the Nitro meat was astonishingly good.

"What immense energy."

If the current Toriko were to eat this, the terrifying power would be incredibly difficult to handle. An ordinary Gourmet Hunter wouldn't be able to bear it.

Hoo—

Exhaling a breath of dense air, Kenji clenched his fists. After he finished eating this Nitro, his own strength would likely rise to a Capture Level of around 2500. This single meal had boosted him by over 200 levels.

Naturally, the first time eating something always yielded the best results. Any future Nitro meat he consumed wouldn't provide such a massive increase.

If he were to encounter PAIR again, Kenji felt he could fight it to a standstill after applying his buffs, even without Jiro and the others. At full power with all his enhancements, a single punch at this little planet would make the whole world tremble.

Still, there was a gap between him and monsters like Jiro and the Eight Kings.

"Incredible. The Nitro's meat could strengthen me this much," Atashino said, her own aura growing much stronger. She was probably now ranked among the top-tier staff in Biotope 0.

"Of course," Kenji explained. "Nitro are demons born from Gourmet Cells. The purity of the cells in their bodies is incredibly high. If an ordinary person took even one bite, nine times out of ten they would be instantly overwhelmed by the backlash and die."

"Even someone with Gourmet Cells would be unable to withstand the terrifying energy if they weren't strong enough."

His master, Jiro, had eaten who knows how many Nitro. If one could handle it, the meat could indeed grant an unimaginable boost in power. Then again, Master Jiro was a beast even as a kid to be able to digest Nitro energy like that.

"I see." Atashino's face showed her understanding. Not many people knew this information.

"By the way, Atashino, what does your Gourmet Cell Demon look like?" Kenji asked curiously.

"Uhh... how should I put it? My Gourmet Cell Demon hasn't appeared yet," Atashino said, embarrassed.

She had Gourmet Cells, but her demon had never shown any signs of activity, as if it hadn't encountered an ingredient capable of moving it.

"President Ichiryu once told me that my Gourmet Cells are very unusual."

Kenji pondered this. It meant that Atashino's Gourmet Cells were of a high grade—either Blue or Black. Her demon would probably only awaken after she had eaten Acacia's Full Course Menu.

My partner is quite extraordinary, isn't she?

After sprinkling some Melk Stardust on it, the Nitro meat tasted even better. Perhaps because the meat was so special, the seasoning enhanced its flavor without masking the Nitro's inherent taste.

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