Toriko: Gourmet Chat Group

The two of them headed toward the Gourmet Hotel. The conversation with Ichiryu had been completely relaxed; there was no need to be nervous at all. He truly was an approachable senior.

Kenji had also mentioned to Ichiryu that he wanted the special knife forged by Melk. Ichiryu didn't refuse him outright, simply saying that if Kenji could successfully prepare AIR, the knife was his for the taking.

"Senior Uncle Ichiryu... he's a great man."

"Yes, he is," Atashino agreed wholeheartedly. "The President has done so much to benefit the world."

Because of the IGO, the number of wars in the Human World had drastically decreased. Before the IGO was established, conflicts between nations were endless, and the world was shrouded in the smoke of gunpowder and the fires of war. Although global conflict hadn't been completely eradicated, the current era was incomparably better than that time.

"Kenji, you're here! We were waiting for you," Toriko called out as they arrived at the Gourmet Hotel. He waved his newly regenerated arm, glanced at Coco out of the corner of his eye, and shot Kenji a meaningful look. "By the way, did you bring that coffee? Let me have a cup."

He'd had this idea back in the Ice Hell when he saw Coco, but Kenji had taken a different route and left.

Kenji understood instantly. He poured Toriko a cup of coffee, a profound smile spreading across his face.

Hehehe...

While the taste of Himeko's coffee was indescribable, its aroma was perfectly fine, making it easy to deceive the senses.

"What kind of coffee is this?" Coco's eyebrow twitched. The electromagnetic waves coming from the cup felt strange in a way he couldn't put his finger on, but he figured Kenji and the others wouldn't actually poison him.

"It's Himeko's Coffee. One of a kind," Kenji said, the corner of his mouth turning up.

"That's right, Coco! I had some last time. It's got a real kick to it," Toriko chimed in. That barista named Himeko was a true genius. She could turn something rotten into a marvel, using coffee grounds to create such a "gourmet" experience.

Gulp.

Seeing that Toriko was fine, Coco took a sip. His expression changed in an instant.

Oh no!

It's over!

It's a trap!

Was it poison? It didn't feel like it. What on earth was this?

Coco's face immediately contorted into a painful expression meme. His body had an astonishing natural immunity; he could analyze the components of any poison. But against this bizarre coffee, his abilities were completely useless. What kind of power was this?

Himeko: The power of the Trailblaze, kid.

The last time he'd felt like this was the very first time he injected himself with poison.

Toriko's grin stretched nearly to his ears. The agony he had endured... finally, a good friend could empathize with and understand his pain. This was what life was all about.

"Hah—" Coco finally managed to catch his breath, feeling like he'd nearly taken a trip to the Soul World. "Toriko, you bastard."

He sighed, understanding what had just happened. Toriko had clearly experienced this before and wanted to drag the rest of them down with him. Misery loves company, after all.

"By the way," Coco added, "next time you give some to Sunny and the others, make sure to include me."

"You got it! Kenji, you have enough of this coffee, right?"

"Don't worry. If we run out, I can always restock."

Himeko would surely be delighted.

And just like that, the three of them exchanged a smile, their goals perfectly aligned. More people needed to learn about this coffee. They all had good friends, didn't they?

Kenji was already planning to ask Raiden Ei for a batch of The Hour of Judgment. The only problem was that her cooking looked poisonous, unlike the deceptive aroma of Himeko's coffee, making it much harder to trick people into eating it.

"Everyone, please, enjoy the Century Soup."

The clear, transparent soup was served. A beautiful, shimmering aurora flickered throughout the restaurant, and within the rich fragrance, one could easily distinguish the scents of hundreds of different ingredients.

"Time to eat!"

Faced with the legendary Century Soup, everyone dug in with great anticipation.

Though it was as clear as water, countless flavors exploded in their mouths. It was so rich it felt nothing like a broth, and they couldn't help but start chewing instinctively.

"Ehehehe..."

"Soooo satisfying~"

...

Kenji watched as everyone began to sport the same lewd grin—drooping eyes, upturned lips. It was an over-the-top expression. Although, Lady Setsuno, with your strength, you could totally control it. You're just enjoying it, aren't you?

Kenji admitted the Century Soup was delicious, but he absolutely did not want to make that face. Having come prepared, he consciously controlled his facial muscles to prevent the change.

"..."

Atashino clapped a hand over her face and immediately put on a mask. Though the smile had only flashed across her face for a second before she suppressed it, it had been mortifying. No one had told her that drinking Century Soup would cause this kind of reaction. She guessed the lewd smile was so embarrassing that no one dared to record it.

Coco's expression returned to normal, but his face was dark. That expression was just too creepy. The Century Soup was best tasted in small sips; the sight was too much for the eyes. If he was like this, he could only imagine Sunny being here—he'd probably have a complete meltdown.

"Komatsu, can I put this Century Soup on my Full Course Menu?" Toriko asked with a smile.

Komatsu stared at Toriko in disbelief. My cooking... on Mr. Toriko's menu? Am I dreaming?

Seeing Toriko's serious expression, Komatsu burst into tears. "It would be my honor!"

[Star Forger]: Here's some delicious Century Soup. One portion for each of you.

As for Furina's portion, Kenji planned to deliver it personally.

[Star Forger]: @Stank Tony, have some soup and relax.

[Stank]: Thanks.

Tony looked at the soup in front of him with a surprised expression. The aroma was unbelievably fragrant, like nothing he had ever smelled before.

"Ahhh..."

After taking one sip, Tony couldn't stop the lewd smile from spreading across his face. The satisfaction it brought to his tongue was pure bliss. All his frustrations and anger seemed to melt away.

"To..."

"Hello? Is this Dr. James?"

Pepper Potts walked in holding a corporate file and froze at the sight. She instantly pulled out her phone to call a psychiatrist. Poor Tony. The stress has finally made him snap.

"Wait! I'm fine!" Tony yelled hastily. Pepper lowered her phone, ready to hear his explanation.

Similar scenes were playing out in other worlds. When they drank the soup, an acquaintance just happened to walk by. No one knew how it happened.

Mobius scoffed: "Elysia, is there something wrong with your head? What kind of major illness are you suffering from?"

Shinjo: "Daigo, is your face having a seizure?"

Himeko, looking at a picture from March 7th: "This child is just too abstract. Can we return her to the Stellaron Hunters?"

Hisako Arato: "Gasp! My lady! I won't tell a soul! I saw nothing!"

...

[Miss Pink Elf♪]: This Century Soup is too strange! How can a cute elf make a smile like that ♪.

She loved smiles, but not that kind of lewd smile.

[Crash-Test Pilot]: Rena and the others were about to call the mental hospital for me.

This won't do. I need to go break a few horns off a monster to vent my frustration.

[Stank]: It's definitely a delicious soup, but this side effect is... hard to describe.

How embarrassing. For a genius like me to make such a silly, creepy smile.

[Galactic Baseballer]: Honestly, I'd rather drink Himeko's coffee.

Drinking Himeko's coffee was physical suffering, but drinking this soup was social death. March 7th and the others were looking at her with disgust. Physical pain was temporary, but social death meant being laughed at for a long, long time. She could accept digging through trash cans, but she could not accept making such an over-the-top face.

[Dian Mei Ruan]: If you can control your facial muscles, you can avoid making the strange expression.

I'll have to give some to Herta later. We promised to be sisters for life, I can't leave her out.

[God's Tongue]: You think everyone can control their facial muscles that easily?

For a girl, that smile was just too much.

The boys: Same here.

[The Champion]: Although it's delicious, please don't send any more ingredients with such strange effects.

The way her Garchomp was looking at her made Cynthia want to find a hole to crawl into. All her dignity as a Trainer was gone.

[Ahoge King]: How can a king make such an expression? I want to die.

[Monkey D. Kizaru]: What a scary soup~ My lifelong composure was nearly shattered.

Thankfully, he used his Glint-Glint Fruit to escape at the speed of light, otherwise his subordinates would have seen him.

[Gudako]: Haha, Mash's face after drinking the soup was priceless! I recorded it. So satisfying.

Mash was a witness. To prevent her from telling everyone, Gudako opted for mutual destruction and force-fed Mash a spoonful of the soup.

Classic Gudako.

Kenji remained silent. Oh, you'll all be sharing PAIR, don't worry. And we'll drink it together at a group gathering.

He idly imagined it: a gender-bent Daigo? Madara? Kizaru? Artoria? Gudako?

~~~

We cross the 750 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter

Next goal 900 power stone, good luck guys.

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