Chapter 6 – The Iron Taste

Chapter 6 – The Iron Taste

Location Hunt – June 1st, 2010.

Astoria, Queens

We'd walked eight blocks already. My shirt stuck to my back, Max's sneakers were squeaking with every step, and Brie looked one pothole away from throwing her iced coffee into traffic.

"This is hopeless," Max groaned, dragging his heels behind me. "The last place smelled like mold and piss."

Brie shot him a look. "That's because it was mold and piss."

I wiped sweat off my brow, trying to focus. We weren't asking for a miracle. Just a spot with four walls, working plumbing, and rent that wouldn't make me cry blood.

Then I saw it.

Nestled on a quiet side street off Ditmars Boulevard, halfway between a laundromat and a closed-down bakery, was a small corner building. The paint was chipped, windows dusty, and the awning still had faded letters that said "Manny's Deli."

But the bones were good. Big front windows. A side alley for deliveries. And best of all — the "For Lease" sign was hanging crooked in the window like nobody had cared for months.

"Wait," I muttered, slowing down.

Brie turned. "What?"

"This place." I walked up to the window, cupping my hands to peek inside. Old counters, rusted chairs stacked in a corner, and a single fridge humming like it was clinging to life.

Max blinked. "This? Seriously?"

I looked again. 

'this feels nice' i took a deep breath.

"Yeah," I said slowly, as something clicked in my gut.

"This could work."

10 Days Later – June 11th, 2010 – 11:00 AM

The sign above the door read:

BARATIE – Fusion Bites & Fast Food

brie asked. " Baratie? What does that mean?" Even max looked at me with the '?' expression.

I said with a smile "i don't know...just something that pop out of my head..." 

'feels like home,because of sanji memories, probably'.i smiled at that thought.

Our little corner café had a new coat of paint, chalkboard menus, string lights, and the faint scent of dreams cooked in hot oil.

I tightened my apron. "Alright. First day. No pressure."

Max peeked through the front window. "There's already a line. Dude, what the hell?"

Brie smirked. "Guess your cooking really did awaken something in the neighborhood."

POV – First Customer: Nurse Carla (age 52)

I don't usually trust small joints, but something about the smell… it hit. That grilled sweetness? Like soy sauce and magic.

I ordered a Curry Karaage Chicken Slider Combo with Yuzu Soda.

First bite?

"Hoo!" I coughed. "Oh my stars—" My eyes watered from the heat and joy. "That mayo's got kick… and the chicken's… oh lord."

I closed my eyes and moaned. Out loud. Didn't care.

POV – Malik (college student)

Fries. I just ordered fries. I didn't expect them to move.

Bonito flakes danced on the Okonomiyaki Fries like they were alive. I hesitated.

Then I tasted it.

"…Bro."

I slapped the table. "WHAT IS THIS FLAVOR??"

Cheesy. Umami. Sweet. Spicy. It felt like my taste buds got mugged in a good way.

POV – Karen (Influencer)

I was gonna post a mid-review and bounce. But then I had the Tokyo Double Smash Cheeseburger.

One bite.

My camera dropped. My soul levitated.

I started crying. Actual tears.

I said "ahh...I just found a treasure..."

Brie's POV – 2 Days Later

We had a waitlist. A waitlist. For burgers and sliders.

Max was running around yelling "Corner! Corner!" like we were a 5-star steakhouse.

Alex was calm, focused. Like a battle chef in an anime.

And the tip jar was stuffed.

June 13th – 3:37 PM – Day 3 of Baratie's Opening

We were cleaning the grill when the air outside shifted.

A low mechanical hum vibrated the glass. Shadows danced on the floor.

People near the café started murmuring. Phones came out.

Clank. Clank. Hiss.

The door creaked open.

Iron Man. Full armor. Standing at our counter.

Max squeaked. Brie gasped.

I nearly dropped my spatula.

Tony Stark raised a hand casually. The helmet hissed open.

"Smells better than that donut place," he muttered, stepping inside like it was no big deal.

Everyone stared. Like everyone.

Max's POV

'holy fu..ahem..okay...Play it cool, Max. Don't scream. Don't sweat. Don't—'

"U-Uh… Mr. Stark! Welcome! Sir! You want uh… a seat? Or like—takeout? Or um—OH MY GOD IS THAT YOUR ACTUAL SUIT??"

'f*ck..I failed succesfully...can't keep my calm..damn it'.Max while shaking.

Tony gave me a tiny smirk.

"Relax, kid. I just want a burger."

Tony Stark – POV

Didn't expect much. Thought I'd grab something out of pity. 

'I was planning to go to Randy's donut but when i passed by...the smell… it hit me like a truck

"damn."

The burger came out wrapped in wax paper. Neatly folded. Glazed bun. Melted cheese. A little shimmer from the miso sauce. Not flashy. Just confident.

I took a bite.

Chew.

Stop.

'…Wait.'

Chew again. Slow.

That sauce? Savory and sweet. The beef? Perfectly crispy on the edge, juicy inside. Grilled onions hit like a jazz solo. The cheese wrapped around it like a warm hug from someone with secrets.

"Okay," I said slowly, blinking. "Who the hell cooked this?"

Back to Alex

I raised a hand. "That'd be me, sir."

Tony tilted his head. "You got more of these?"

I blinked. "Uh, yeah."

"How many can I get?"

"…How many do you want?"

"Give me four no..five. For the road."

Randy's Donuts – That Evening

Tony sat inside the iconic donut sign.

Only this time?

He wasn't holding a donut.

He was eating burger.

Nick Fury appeared below, leather trench coat flapping.

"Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you to exit the giant pastry."

Tony held up a hand. "Can I finish this first?"

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Is that… a cheeseburger?"

"Yeah,just found new favorite burger joint". Tony said while chewing his burger.

Tony tossed him one from the bag. "Here...Trust me."

Nick hesitated. Took a bite.

Stopped chewing.

"…This ain't from In-N-Out."

"Nope. New spot. Called Baratie. Fusion-style."

Nick nodded slowly. "They got delivery?"

———

System Notification

Customer Milestone Unlocked: VIP Customer – Tony Stark

Reputation Boost – Hero Circles + Public Interest

Reward: +100 Points, +1 Mystery Gacha Pull

Special Mission Progress – Feed 50 Strangers (37/50)

Tony counts as five. Man eats like a vacuum.

System Status

[Gacha System – Beta Access]

User: Alex Walker

World: MCU – Earth-199999

Timeline: June 13, 2010 (1 year, 6 months before Battle of New York)

Gacha Points: 223

Bonus Gacha Token(s): 1

Mystery Pull Token: 1 (NEW)

Active Templates:

Vinsmoke Sanji – 30% (Mid Baratie Era)

– Black Leg Style: Intermediate

– Enhanced Leg Strength: Intermediate

– Cooking Talent: Advanced

– Trait: Smoking Habit (Inactive)

– Minor Fire Resistance

– Passive: Culinary Intuition

Yukihira Soma – 95% (Boosted via Synergy)

– Advanced Culinary Skills

– Cooking Battle Instincts

– Trait: Culinary Provocation

– Passive: Kitchen Improvisation

Synergy Trait: Creative Culinary Fusion – Flavor & Instinct synergy boosted. Menu creation now triggers bonus effects in customers.

Inventory – Notable Gacha Pulls (1–26):

Portable Takoyaki Maker

Street Chef Uniform

NYC Café License

Bonus Gacha Token

Tsunade's Panties (Never. Ever. Mentioned Again.)

Bag of Marbles

$1,060,000 (Total Cash Assets)

Mission Board:

Daily Missions: Active

Weekly Goal Reset: In 4 Days

Special Mission – Feed 50 Strangers: (37/50)

Reward: Template Sync Boost ×2 + 1 Mystery Pull

Track: Business – Café Start-Up Progression Engaged

– New Branches: Locked

– Influencer Reach: Medium

– VIP Reach: 1 (Tony Stark)

– Local Reputation: ★★★★☆

Stat Overview:

Physical:

– Strength: Human+ (Enhanced Legs Only)

– Speed: High Human (Black Leg + Slippers)

– Stamina: Trained

– Reflexes: Sharpened

Cooking:

– Culinary Instincts: Professional

– Recipe Knowledge: Expanding

– Plating & Presentation: High

– Improvisation: High

– Customer Reaction Rate: 100% (Still undefeated)

Current Status:

– Restaurant: Baratie – Open & Running

– Friends Recruited: Brie, Max

– Fame: Rising

– VIP Acquired: Tony Stark

– Secret Shame: Stored Deep (Still Tsunade's panties)

"Three more double cheese burger..!!".brie shouted at me.

"On it.!!" I said while checking my status..

'nice.. almost 100% soma template' i hope the next spin,i got something good'. I though while flipping the burger.

To Be Continued…

(I changed something a little bit,like the location and why tony visited.the original location are too far for aunt may to come)