Toriko: Gourmet Chat Group

Ruan Mei left, but whether she had abandoned her idea, only she herself knew.

"Kenji, why didn't you agree?" Atashino teased with a smile. With Ruan Mei's looks and disposition, it was impossible for a man not to be interested, especially when she was the one inviting him to have a child.

"Atashino, you don't understand Ruan Mei," Kenji said, shaking his head.

Ruan Mei was indeed beautiful, but she was also dangerous. He knew she was incredibly interested in him, and if it came down to actually doing that, he felt she wouldn't hesitate. If he had to choose among the geniuses in the field of biological science, Kenji would prioritize Big Snake Mobius. After all, she had a bit more humanity to her and was even a stubborn tsundere.

"The feeling she gives me is one of rational indifference," Atashino said, sharing her own impression. She also noticed that Ruan Mei had looked at her with a sense of curiosity.

"Your feeling is pretty much spot on. Let's go try the Ozone Herb."

The King of Vegetables, the Ozone Herb, was a special cooking ingredient. The edible part wasn't as large as it appeared; like an artichoke, there wasn't much left after peeling it. The cooking method required two people to peel away the outer leaves in a specific, synchronized order, or else it would rot and turn into a single seed. The way of eating it was also special, requiring two bites at once. However, if one was fast enough, they could land two bites before the Ozone Herb could even react.

Kenji shared the information about the Ozone Herb with the group members, telling them to find a partner to eat it with. Madara, however, probably wouldn't be able to find anyone, since Hashirama was already in the Pure Land.

"Atashino, try listening for the voice of the ingredient first," Kenji suggested.

Atashino nodded, steadying her breathing and focusing her mind. She couldn't hear it casually yet; she had to concentrate with all her being to feel and listen.

"...Kenji, grab that slightly upturned leaf over there and sync up with me. We'll peel them off together," Atashino directed.

"You got it. Leave it to me."

Both of them were experts, so they didn't need to worry about the other falling behind. They worked in perfect harmony, systematically peeling away the outer layers of the Ozone Herb. The massive 15-meter plant was reduced to a final size of only 50 centimeters, looking like a vibrant, green tongue. A cool spray of mist splashed onto their faces.

"So this is the Ozone Herb... The flesh looks so tender it could break with a touch. Unlike the pungent outer leaves, this part exudes a fresh, clean fragrance," Atashino said, seeing the true form of the Ozone Herb for the first time.

At an altitude of over 20,000 meters, with ample sunlight and nutrient-rich volcanic ash in the clouds below, this fertile bed was the only place such a vibrant and delicious vegetable could grow.

Swish! Swish!

Before the Ozone Herb could react, Atashino's knife flashed twice, dividing it into three portions. Such precise and rapid knife work was easy for someone who had mastered Food Honor.

"Normally, two people have to eat it at the same time, but if you're fast enough, one person can do it."

Atashino took a deep breath, her head darting forward as she took two quick bites from the plant. The Ozone Herb didn't even have time to register that it had been bitten twice by a single person.

"I know."

Swish! Swish!

Kenji used the same method, biting into the flesh of the Ozone Herb leaf.

Although it looked easy to bite, the flesh had an astonishing elasticity. An incredibly refreshing and delicious flavor exploded in his mouth. Compared to the other vegetables they had eaten, this was truly worthy of the title "King of Vegetables." In this Sky Vegetable Garden, the Ozone Herb reigned supreme. Of course, it couldn't compare to the salad from the Gourmet World, AIR. Even the Air Fruit tasted better than the Ozone Herb.

BOOM!

Suddenly, a creature that walked upright, resembling a GT Robo, burst through the clouds and descended from the sky. Its body was covered in black, white, and orange fur, and it wore a short skirt. An ornament that seemed to be made of strung-together bones hung on its upper body. This creature was undoubtedly far more intimidating than any robot. For those with great strength, the terrifying aura it emitted was especially palpable.

"Is that... a Nitro?" Atashino's face grew grim. The Nitro were beings observed by Biotope 0. She didn't recognize it as a Blue Nitro, which was far stronger than the common variety. The whereabouts of the Blue Nitro were always a mystery, and few had ever seen one.

Kenji frowned. Had the Blue Nitro, PAIR, arrived this early? According to the original story, it should have encountered Toriko and his group. Although a Blue Nitro couldn't beat one of the Eight Kings one-on-one, each one had a Capture Level of at least 6,000.

WHOOSH!

Kenji thought PAIR was after the Ozone Herb, but to his surprise, it appeared in front of him in an instant.

"What's your problem, lizard?" Kenji said coolly. He was no longer at a level where he would be paralyzed with fear at the sight of a Blue Nitro.

"Threat!" the Blue Nitro PAIR suddenly spoke. Atashino was shocked. A Nitro could talk? This was definitely no ordinary Nitro. Could it be one of the mysterious Blue Nitro?

BANG!

"Ugh—!"

"Agh!"

A punch as fast as lightning slammed into Kenji's abdomen. He was sent flying by PAIR, spitting out a mouthful of blood as he tumbled through the air, hurtling towards outer space.

"?"

The impact didn't feel right. PAIR looked at its fist. Logically, even though that wasn't a full-power blow, it should have been enough to pierce straight through Kenji's body. Kenji's physical durability was unexpectedly high, inhumanly so. Just a moment ago, it had sensed a latent, dangerous aura from this weak human, which had sparked the thought of eliminating him.

"Kenji?!"

Atashino pulled out a purple umbrella. It was now confirmed: this Nitro was their enemy. To be able to send Kenji flying with a single blow meant this Nitro's strength was terrifying. Could she even be its opponent?

"That really hurt!"

"Starfall!"

A giant meteor, wreathed in roaring flames, descended from the heavens. The Blue Nitro's eyes widened, but the meteor was falling too fast. It was struck head-on, smashing through the clouds and plummeting towards the sea below.

Kenji rubbed his stomach and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. That punch from PAIR felt like being hit by a high-speed bullet train. He had just experienced a limited-time tour of space.

"Kenji, how are your injuries?" Atashino asked with concern.

"I'm fine. Atashino, you wait here. I'm going to have a little chat with this sucker-punching lizard."

Kenji gave chase. After taking such a big hit, there was no way he would swallow his anger. A gentleman's revenge doesn't wait until the next day. He had never been so wronged in his entire life.

The Blue Nitro stood unharmed on the surface of the sea, faint ripples spreading from beneath its feet. Kenji knew an attack like that wouldn't be enough to harm a Nitro.

"Did I do something to you?" Kenji asked, looking down on PAIR from above. This was completely random. You don't go looking for trouble with people like Ichiryu, Jiro, or Midora, but you come after a nobody like me? Are you that bored?

He was pissed. Really, really pissed.

"Eliminate threat," the Blue Nitro PAIR spoke, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth.

"Tch."

"Then you can try it, lizard."

"Stars, hear my command—Gather!"

"Starlight Reforged!"

Kenji grinned, pointing a single finger to the sky and letting out a mighty roar.

The stars in the heavens began to twinkle, as if awakened by the sovereign of the stars, their gaze turning in unison towards Earth. Endless starlight converged from across the universe, forming a fiery vortex of stars above the sea. The surrounding space began to tremble, as if it would shatter at any moment.

Kenji stood at the center of the stellar vortex, continuously absorbing the power of the stars, raising his own strength to new heights. He now stood enthroned in the sky.

The moment this earth-shattering aura and phenomenon erupted, it drew the attention of the strongest beings across the entire planet, all of them looking in his direction.

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We cross the 450 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter

Next goal 600 power stone, good luck guys.

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Every 150 Power Stones = 1 extra chapter