Chapter 153: Before Entering
Before heading to the Gourmet World, Kenji went to find Zongeh.
"Hahaha! You've got good taste, kid! This great man will go with you to that so-called Gourmet World!"
The zombie Zongeh roared with laughter. After a little praise, he completely lost his head, while one of his underlings played along, hyping up his boss's greatness.
"Sigh..." The other, more clear-headed underling looked at the two of them, who were about to float off to the heavens, and let out a helpless sigh.
Do you guys really not know what the Gourmet World is? It's a hell that eats people without spitting out the bones. Of all the people who go in, you'd be lucky if even one in ten comes out alive. Don't you have any self-awareness about your own strength?
But then again... Lord Zongeh's luck was indeed ridiculously good. He had been to many dangerous environments and had always managed to turn peril into safety in the end. Perhaps the Gourmet World wouldn't be a problem either.
Kenji's inner thought: It's definitely not a problem. He'll even make it to the final circle.
The final "kiss" part would be left to Zongeh. The Ape King Bambina would be 100% willing. This was just recreating a plot point from the manga ahead of schedule.
Mount Melk.
Melk the Second was grinding a commissioned kitchen knife. The First stood by and watched, offering no guidance. The Second's grinding skills had long since surpassed his own; even he was in awe of the process.
"Kenji, Atashino, long time no see," the First nodded. He now wore an Amplifier Stone around his neck at all times. This was the Second's requirement. She really couldn't stand her master's voice, which was quieter than a mosquito's buzz; you couldn't hear it even if you pressed your ear right up to him.
"Second, come with us to the Gourmet World later," Kenji said, getting straight to the point. There would be a need for her grinding skills later on.
"Me?"
The Second stopped her work and wiped the sweat from her brow with a towel. Her meager combat power would be at the bottom of the food chain in the Gourmet World.
"We'll need you to grind the Golden Cookware," Kenji explained.
"I remember those are the utensils needed to cook the fish course, Another, right?" the First said. He had heard of them. Cooking Another required a vast amount of time. Ordinary utensils couldn't withstand the long-term wear and tear, and not just any utensil could be brought into the Soul World. Only the Golden Cookware could last until the cooking of Another was complete.
"If it's grinding, then I have no problem," the Second nodded lightly. This was her area of expertise.
"I can help too," the First added. As a staff member of Biotope 0, he could also enter the Gourmet World.
"Second, you shouldn't have a problem entering the Gourmet World, right?" Kenji asked.
"Haha, don't worry. I've been to the Gourmet World with my master before to look for materials for knives," the Second smiled. She wasn't a stranger to the Gourmet World. Although her combat power wasn't high, she wouldn't run into trouble the moment she set foot in it.
In Ichiryu's garden.
"There's been no news of Midora recently. He's probably been sealed," Ichiryu said helplessly.
"If Joie used Lady Froese's face, he could indeed find an opportunity to seal Midora." Jiro wasn't too shocked. Joie was no match for Midora, so he naturally wouldn't fight him one-on-one. Sealing him while he was caught off guard was the easiest solution. But to permanently seal Midora... that was impossible.
For the past two years, Midora had been searching the world for Joie. Ichiryu had to handle IGO matters, and Jiro was waiting for Joie to pop out on his own and didn't waste time looking. With only Midora by himself, the probability of an accident was high. Although the relationship between the three brothers had eased somewhat, Midora didn't want them to follow him. He didn't need their help with Joie's matter.
"Ichi-kun, do you have any clues about Master Acacia's whereabouts?" Jiro asked. He had been to the Gourmet World but hadn't sensed any powerful aura, which meant Acacia was hiding himself well.
"No. Not unless Master Acacia starts to make a move himself," Ichiryu shook his head.
"The younger generation is also preparing to enter the Gourmet World. The two of us should go find Joie, and check on Midora's whereabouts at the same time," Ichiryu said, standing up. He radiated a calm and invincible aura. He was in great shape now. For the past two years, Kenji had continuously brought back many high-energy ingredients, and he had recharged a lot. While not at his peak, it should be enough.
"That's a good idea. But, Ichi-kun, are you going to use your Gourmet Cell Demon's power this time?" Jiro still hadn't seen Ichiryu use Don Slime's power.
"We'll see how it goes." Ichiryu smiled. Don Slime's power was too strong.
At the intersection of the Human World and the Gourmet World, four people entered the Human World.
"Hisashiburi! How's life in the Gourmet World?"
The Four Heavenly Kings had stepped into the Human World at almost the same time. Toriko smiled and waved. The two-year agreement... the time was now up. They hadn't gone deep into the Gourmet World, but had been adapting in suitable environments, familiarizing themselves with the attack patterns of Gourmet World beasts. Their auras, however, had grown stronger by more than just a little.
"Don't mention it. I ran into a lot of disgusting creatures," Sunny said with an annoyed expression. Slimy toads, ferocious-looking spiders, slugs with a large number of eyeballs... Blegh! Compared to the Human World, the creatures of the Gourmet World were much more unsightly. What kind of bullshit matchmaking was this? He had lost count of how many he had encountered.
"The poisons of the Gourmet World are indeed more diverse and potent," Coco said with a smile. The poison in his body had also evolved to become stronger.
"Hmph. So-so. The place I went to could barely adapt to me," Zebra scoffed. It was never him who had to adapt to the environment, but the environment that had to adapt to him.
"If we face the Eight Kings now, we should be able to put up a fight, right?" Toriko asked, clenching his fists. With two years of growth and unlocking the left arm of his Gourmet Demon, he was a completely different person now.
"You're still far off, kids."
Ichiryu had come to greet them personally. Seeing the change in their auras, a gratified smile appeared on his face.
"Old man, we've become very strong now. We should be able to go a round with the Eight Kings, right?" Toriko had never seen an Eight King, so he was still confident.
If Kenji were here, he would definitely be laughing. The current strength of Toriko and the others was not much different from in the manga after they had captured the salad, AIR. Against the Ape King, they wouldn't even be able to last a second. Bambina could send Acacia flying with a single punch; his combat power was explosive, and he had mastered the highest realm of Ape Dance.
"Hehe, you'll know when you see the Eight Kings," Ichiryu smiled. His words were useless. If they didn't take a few elbow strikes from the Eight Kings, Toriko wouldn't realize how big the gap was.
Coco rubbed his chin. He didn't underestimate the Eight Kings. Before facing them, he had to make some preparations, just in case.
Ichiryu noticed this and smiled helplessly. Among the Four Heavenly Kings, the only one he was relatively at ease with was Coco. Without him, Toriko and the others would get into trouble sooner or later.
"Alright. Rest for a few days, and then you can go and capture Acacia's Full Course Menu."
Toriko and the others nodded. For the past two years in the Gourmet World, they had to remain highly concentrated even when resting. Both the ever-changing environment and the ferocious beasts were not to be underestimated. They were no longer rookies just starting out.
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