"Challenging the Elite Ten… and it's Terunori-senpai, the master of Sichuan cuisine!"
Upon hearing the intel, Erina's pale, exquisite face filled with surprise—and the slightest flicker of worry she herself didn't quite notice.
At her side, Hisako lowered her voice. "The shokugeki already has the Director's personal approval. It's set for one week from now. The theme is mapo tofu."
Erina, herself a member of the Elite Ten, knew Terunori's strength well.
Even putting aside his specialty—Sichuan—there weren't many at Tōtsuki who could face him in other fields of cuisine either.
Yes—in Erina's eyes, Shun had practically no chance of winning.
As if thinking of something, Erina suddenly asked, "What's the wager? What are they staking for this shokugeki?"
She was genuinely curious what could be considered equivalent to the "Eighth Seat of the Elite Ten."
"It's unknown. The wager is completely confidential—not disclosed to the public," Hisako replied.
A non-public wager!
That only stoked Erina's curiosity even more.
Her "God Tongue" also began to stir restlessly as she recalled that bowl of uniquely fragrant egg fried rice Shun had made during his transfer-student exam.
After just a few days without tasting Shun's cooking, her body wouldn't obey—it craved that flavor.
"..."
Erina tried to shake the thought out of her head, but the harder she tried, the more it clung to her.
After a round of inner struggle, she made a decision.
She would witness this shokugeki—not as a spectator, but as a judge.
Meanwhile, in Polar Star Dormitory, Room 308—
Shun locked the door and opened the System Shop.
After a round of searching, he fixed his gaze on a certain ingredient.
…
[Golden Tofu]
Capture Level: 5
Price: 30 points
Description: Not produced by the traditional process of grinding soybeans and setting with brine, this tofu is naturally grown inside the pods of an extremely rare perennial vine known as the "Golden-Pulp Vine."
When the pod is split open, what lies within isn't a neat row of beans, but a single, perfectly formed block of tofu—its color like pure gold.
Its texture is extraordinarily fine and silky—none of the usual honeycomb pores found in common tofu. Under light, it gives off a warm, jade-like luster; look closely and you can almost see faint golden ripples shimmering within. Hence the name: Golden Tofu.
…
This was the ingredient Shun intended to use in the shokugeki.
Since this would be his first and last shokugeki at Tōtsuki, the ingredient could not be ordinary.
Redeeming something from the System Shop was just right.
With a high-grade ingredient from the Toriko world, plus Shun's own culinary technique—the one with no chance would certainly be Terunori.
...
Time Skip
Time flew by, and the day of the shokugeki arrived.
From the start, it drew widespread attention and stirred up no small commotion… and with Senzaemon-sama's particular interest in Shun, the venue was exceptionally set to Tōtsuki's highest-spec battleground—the Moon Banquet Hall (Tsukigetsu-no-Ma)!
This solemn, grand hall rose beneath a lofty dome.
Tier upon tier of spectator seats ringed the arena. Portraits of past Elite Ten First Seats hung upon the walls, silently narrating Tōtsuki's glory and history.
Ordinarily, only crucial clashes between Elite Ten members qualified to be held here.
Senzaemon-sama's decision undoubtedly raised this shokugeki to the very highest tier—and it drew a crowd far beyond expectations.
The stands were a sea of voices, nearly packed to capacity.
Most first-years came either to witness a miracle—or to watch a farce.
Second- and third-years were mainly curious: Who was bold enough to challenge the authority of the Elite Ten like this?
Look closely and you'd find the silhouettes of other Elite Ten members in the crowd!
In the far aisle, the Sixth Seat, Nene, pushed up her glasses, watching the arena with a blank expression.
In another corner, the Second Seat, Rindō, peered about with bright, restless eyes, casually chewing on a snack—very entertained by the unexpected spectacle.
The Polar Star crowd sat in the front row with Miyoko, all tense yet full of expectation. Sōma's eyes practically sparkled—he looked like he wished he were the one down there on the floor.
Satoshi was also on site, though not as a spectator this time; he was working staff, helping maintain order.
"Ladies and gentlemen of Tōtsuki! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
The wildly popular first-year Rie took the center as MC; her lively voice ignited the atmosphere. She'd gone with an adorable outfit today, of course.
At mid-stage she struck a cute pose to the crowd, drawing a wave of squeals from the boys.
"Today, in the sacred Moon Banquet Hall, we'll witness a never-before-seen shokugeki! First to enter—one of Tōtsuki's Elite Ten… Terunori-senpai!"
As Rie's voice fell, Terunori strode out from the player tunnel.
A spotlight snapped on, landing precisely at the exit.
He wore a brilliant red chef's uniform embroidered with a golden dragon, chin lifted, his signature smile—so self-assured it could be called flamboyant—fixed on his face.
His steps were powerful, as if he weren't entering an arena but ascending his personal stage.
Behind him marched a file of burly, shaven-headed members of the Chinese Cuisine Research Society, like stars orbiting the moon—magnifying his presence.
"He's here—Terunori-senpai!"
"What an aura! As expected of the Elite Ten!"
"Look at that uniform—pure Sichuan dominion!"
"Terunori-senpai, crush that clueless transfer kid!"
Cheers and chants exploded across the stands, overwhelmingly for Terunori, especially from his research society and those who worship strength.
Terunori seemed to bask in the adoration. He raised a hand in a casual wave, as though acknowledging his subjects; his smile deepened, eyes gleaming with the expectation—and contempt—of a coming one-sided stomp.
Then a second beam fell—this one on Shun, the challenger, who walked out at an unhurried pace.
In sharp contrast to Terunori's flash, Shun wore a plain, spotless white chef's coat with no extra adornment.
His stride was steady and cool, his eyes like a still, bottomless pool—no ripples on the surface.
(End of Chapter)
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