Menchi's Cooking

At this point, Linne was convinced. There was no longer any suspense in the outcome of the competition. With such high-quality ingredients, even a mediocre chef would be able to produce something decent. But Menchi wasn't just any chef—her skills, despite her young age, were already at a masterful level.

Linne had seen enough. Larry's team had already won.

Even the well-informed Linne was taken aback by the sheer quality of Menchi's ingredients. But compared to the bald referee beside her, her reaction was nothing. His eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets, locked onto the dazzling array of ingredients laid out before them.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out. It felt like something was lodged in his throat, stopping him mid-thought. A wave of shock crashed through him, leaving him paralyzed. Even as someone who held a high position in Gourmet Paradise, he had never seen so many top-tier ingredients gathered in one place.

Among the rare ingredients piled up before them, the only one he had ever been fortunate enough to taste was white caviar—and that alone was an experience worth boasting about. But now, faced with an entire collection of world-class ingredients, the impact was almost too much to bear.

At first, it was difficult to accept. But then, a thought struck him—he would get to taste these dishes. The realization made his heart race. A deep sense of gratitude filled him as he glanced at Linne. If not for her bringing him along, he would have missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He would have regretted it forever.

Unlike the bald referee, who was torn between disbelief and excitement, Netero had a slightly different focus. While he was certainly interested in the legendary ingredients, his sharp eyes were drawn to the Dragonite standing beside Larry.

'Another Nen Beast…' A spark of curiosity flashed in Netero's eyes. This was something new—something he had never seen before. None of his previous observations of Larry, whether during the Hunter Exam or in the Sky Arena, had mentioned this creature.

So far, based on what Netero knew, Larry had five Nen Beasts. There was Gardevoir, Gengar, and Tyranitar—three creatures that had appeared during the Solvren Ruins incident. Then there was Arcanine, which Larry had used as a mount during the Hunter Exam. Finally, there was Lucario, who had fought in the Sky Arena.

But Dragonite? This was the first time Netero had seen it.

He couldn't help but sigh to himself. Just how many Nen Beasts did Larry have?

This was a thought that crossed the minds of everyone who interacted with him. Every time they thought they had a grasp on Larry's abilities, he would reveal another unseen Nen Beasts, each one with its own unique power. And this one—the dragon standing in front of him—was no exception.

Netero stroked his long, recently regrown beard as he carefully examined the creature. Dragonite had an almost comical appearance, with its rounded body and cheerful expression making it look completely harmless. Its chubby belly only added to the impression of being more of a cuddly companion than a formidable fighter.

But Netero wasn't fooled. Even though Dragonite gave off an air of innocence, there were subtle traces of power lingering in the aura it unconsciously released.

This dragon…Its strength was at least on par with his own. Perhaps even greater.

A contemplative look flickered in Netero's eyes as he turned his attention back to Larry.

If two of Larry's Nen Beasts were already at such a level, what about the others? And more importantly… what else was he hiding?

Meanwhile, Larry was completely unaware that the old man had once again been thrown into deep thought because of him. His focus was on Menchi, watching her work with fascination.

Although the competition organizers had provided high-quality kitchen equipment, Menchi opted to use her own ability to cook. The tools they had been given were excellent but ultimately just regular kitchen utensils. They didn't offer any special effects beyond their craftsmanship.

On the other hand, Menchi's materialized knives, forks, and plates—created using her telepathic ability—had an added advantage. These tools could preserve the freshness of ingredients, reducing the loss of flavor during the cooking process.

Watching Menchi wield the glowing utensils with absolute precision, Larry suddenly had an amusing thought.

The way she used her materialized knife and fork in battle reminded him of someone from Toriko. And then there was Gel's telepathic ability, which revolved around absorbing and releasing poison—eerily similar to Coco's poison-based Gourmet Cells.

If there were two more telepaths out there—one who could control hair and another who could create sound waves—they would perfectly match the Four Heavenly Kings from Toriko.

'Was this the birth of Hunter x Hunter's own "Four Kings of Food"?' Larry shook his head with a small laugh. He was getting carried away with his thoughts.

Unaware of Larry's wild imagination, Menchi was fully immersed in her cooking. 

To her, these ingredients weren't just valuable—they were a responsibility. Larry had done everything he could to secure the best ingredients possible. Now, it was up to her to ensure that they were used to their full potential.

She couldn't afford to let him down.

Determined to deliver nothing short of perfection, Menchi worked at full capacity, moving with incredible speed and precision. One after another, exquisite and beautifully plated dishes took shape.

Larry couldn't believe his eyes. Looking at the gleaming, almost otherworldly food in front of him, he had a strange feeling. 'Was he still in Hunter x Hunter's world?'

Because right now, it felt like he had stepped into the world of Shokugeki no Soma instead. Otherwise, how else could food possibly glow like this?

Menchi portioned out each dish onto five plates. Three were for the judges. The remaining two were for her and Larry. With careful, deliberate movements, she carried the plates onto the judging table.

The moment she placed the dishes in front of them, a wave of fragrance filled the air. The rich, tantalizing aroma wrapped around the judges like playful spirits, dancing at the tips of their noses.

The three of them hadn't planned it, but they all reached out for the appetizers at the same time.

Larry scooped up a spoonful of white caviar and let it melt in his mouth. A rich, creamy aroma filled his senses, followed by the cool, savory taste that seemed to bloom on his tongue. The caviar itself was soft and delicate, almost like tofu—melting away effortlessly and sliding down his throat like a refreshing stream.

This dish was no ordinary appetizer. It was a key, unlocking a door called "appetite," pulling him in with an irresistible craving for more. This was precisely why Menchi had chosen white caviar to start the meal—it was meant to awaken the taste buds and prepare them for the feast ahead.

Larry raised an eyebrow as he carefully savored the appetizer, letting the flavors settle before coming to a conclusion. The same ingredients, the same dish—yet unless it was made specifically for him, there was no way anyone could surpass Menchi's cooking. That was a fact.