"What an excellent Hodgepodge Fish Stew. It perfectly brings out the umami of the fish offal, which works in concert with the seafood!"
In the dining hall of the Shōkei-en, an old man, over eighty years old with a face like withered bark and a gaunt figure, looked at the stew on the table and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
"Whether it's the use of the vegetables or the synergy between the fish offal and the seafood, every aspect is interpreted perfectly.
If the details were refined a bit more, and the stewing time controlled more precisely, it could reach the level of a Flowing Light dish."_"
His cheeks moved as he chewed and swallowed all the fish offal and vegetables in his mouth. A sharp glint appeared in the old man's eyes, and he then raised his hand to tap on the table.
"Tell your chef that this dish is very well made, but the texture of the fish offal is too soft and mushy. The stewing time was a bit too long. If it had been taken off the heat a dozen or so minutes earlier and allowed to simmer in the residual heat of the pot for a while, that would have been best."
Looking at the staff member, the old man spoke in a calm voice, pointing out the shortcoming of the Hodgepodge Fish Stew, then raised his wine glass and took a sip.
A few minutes passed.
"I'm very sorry that this dish gave you a poor experience. I will try your suggestion later. We welcome you as our guest."
Megumi Tadokoro, wearing an apron, quickly walked up to the old man, bowed, and gracefully admitted her mistake. Dylan had mentioned this to her earlier as well.
The old man before her was likely a connoisseur with a unique understanding of food. With this kind of customer, it was best to just go along with his wishes.
"You're a good little girl, not one for excuses. It's a pity that I was entrusted by someone today and must have a Shokugeki with you. Otherwise, I really wouldn't want to bully you."
Looking at the refined and lovely young woman before him, the old man felt a bit embarrassed. Bullying the young was something one should only do once.
Years ago, he had received a favor from Tsubasa Hyakuchou's mother and promised to help him once in the future. He never expected it would be used in a place like this.
For him, a Four-Star Special Grade Chef, to compete against a little girl who hadn't even graduated from high school—wasn't this like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken?
It seemed the scions of great families were quite desperate in their fight for the family inheritance.
"You are the Shokugeki opponent sent by Hyakuchō-kyo from across the street!"
Megumi Tadokoro was no fool. From the man's accurate judgment of her dish's hidden flaws to his now mentioning a Shokugeki, it wasn't hard to guess that he was the person Hyakuchō-kyo had sent to challenge them.
"That's right. My name is Wang Zhi, a Four-Star Special Grade Chef. At the invitation of Hyakuchō-kyo, I have come to accept the challenge!"
As he spoke, Wang Zhi stood up amidst the surprised gazes of the surrounding tourists. His eyes shone brightly as he looked at Megumi Tadokoro, truly treating her as an opponent.
Although his opponent could at most make a Special Grade dish, a lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit. He didn't want to lose the match due to carelessness.
"I'm sorry, but your opponent is not me."
Knowing that Wang Zhi was sent by Hyakuchō-kyo, Megumi Tadokoro's expression was no longer friendly, and her tone grew cold.
After all, the man's purpose here was to seize their family's inn and drive them all out. She naturally wouldn't give him a pleasant look.
"Not you? Could it be that this small family inn has a second Special Grade Chef?"
Hearing Megumi Tadokoro's words, Wang Zhi's expression first faltered, then immediately became serious as his gaze swept across the inn.
He had thought it would be an easy battle, a Shokugeki where he could easily crush his opponent, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.
To make Megumi Tadokoro, who possessed Special Grade skill, willingly step back and become a spectator in a Shokugeki, the person representing her must be even stronger!
Who exactly was going to compete? A question like this surfaced in Wang Zhi's mind.
"The theme of the match is for you to decide. As for the location, let's have it between our two inns, with the passing tourists serving as judges for their evaluation. What do you think?"
During their conversation, Dylan had appeared at some point. He walked forward as he spoke, and the guests on both sides made way for him upon hearing his voice, watching the scene with great interest until he stood beside Megumi Tadokoro, facing Wang Zhi.
"And who might you be?"
"Just a nameless nobody. I am also your opponent for this Shokugeki. My name is Dylan."
Dylan spoke nonchalantly. Due to his rapid growth, his existence had been kept under wraps. Aside from a select few, very few people knew of his accomplishments.
The minor Four-Star Special Grade Chef before him was clearly not among that select few. At this moment, Wang Zhi's face was filled with surprise. He had expected to meet a formidable figure, but it turned out to be another youngster.
He had never even heard of such a guy. It was obvious he wasn't some veteran Special Grade Chef. He might be fine for an ordinary Shokugeki, but against him, he was out of his league. The number of Special Grade Chefs who had fallen to him was at least eighty, if not a hundred.
It could be said that below Five-Star Special Grade, he was invincible!
"Wang Zhi."
Thinking this, Wang Zhi introduced himself again, the same smile on his face. "I have no problem with that.
As for the theme, before I came, I heard that this small town is situated by the sea, surrounded by vast farmlands, and is famous for its seafood and local produce.
If there are no objections, for this theme, we will use local seafood and local produce to create a dish with regional characteristics.
However, this dish must be original. You can reference parts of past dishes, but the similarity cannot be too high, or it will be judged as a loss."
Seeing that Dylan let him decide the theme, and considering that the Shōkei-en had once produced a Flowing Light-level dish and had a solid foundation, Wang Zhi didn't refuse. He closed his eyes to think for a moment, then opened them and spoke slowly.
In his view, even if Dylan's cooking level was excellent, his competition experience would be lacking. After all, how old was he? He couldn't possibly be a master of everything!
"An excellent theme. Let's do that!"
Hearing Wang Zhi's words, Dylan's eyes lit up.
He was just looking for a gift to give Tadokoro Mieko. Now, through this Shokugeki with the man before him, he could make this newly developed dish the inn's signature dish.
"It's morning now. How about we set the time for dusk? An afternoon should be enough time for you to prepare, right? If it's not enough, we can extend it a bit…"
Tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table, making a crisp sound, Wang Zhi used goading words, clearly trying to bully Dylan by not giving him enough time to prepare.
Compared to an old hand like him, a greenhorn like Dylan would need at least a day or two to prepare a qualifying dish.
"I have no problem at all. We can even start right now. The final result will be the same regardless."
He had thought Dylan would refuse and ask for more time, at which point he could mock him for needing so long and gain a psychological advantage.
However, to his surprise, Dylan just shrugged in response, then strode up to him and looked down at him.
"Arrogant and conceited."
Wang Zhi gave this evaluation. Compared to the modest and polite Megumi Tadokoro next to him, this kid, who wasn't much older than her, was far too arrogant!
To prepare an improvised dish for a competition, not even leaving himself any time to think—how little must he regard him?!
At this thought, Wang Zhi's face darkened. He decided to go back and prepare well, to at least present a Flowing Light dish that would ensure this kid could never recover from the defeat!
"Dusk, at the street entrance. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Likewise."
After saying this, Wang Zhi said no more and walked straight towards the entrance.
Dylan didn't try to keep him. He watched him leave in silence, responding to the other's contempt with a casual "likewise." He then looked at Megumi Tadokoro beside him, waved, and walked toward the entrance.
Megumi Tadokoro immediately understood, took off her apron, handed it to a staff member nearby, and jogged to catch up. Soon, the two were out of sight.
The meal rush had just ended, so not many hands were needed in the kitchen. It was the perfect time for her to slip away.
"You know the local shops. I need the best ingredients to make the best dish, to make them never dare to target your inn again, once and for all."
Leaving the Shōkei-en and walking down the lively street, surrounded by the calls of various vendors, Dylan looked at Megumi Tadokoro by his side and spoke.
If he was going to do it, he would do it best. Although his opponent wasn't as strong as he had imagined, as someone who believed in survival of the fittest, he wouldn't underestimate anyone.
As they say, a lion uses its full strength even when hunting a rabbit.
Furthermore, he also wanted to use this dish to boost the Shōkei-en's reputation, to draw more attention to it and bring in more customers.
The impact of this would be far-reaching and wouldn't diminish with his departure. It could be considered a parting gift for Tadokoro Mieko.
"Okay! If we need vegetables, Uncle Zagu's place is the best. His vegetables are grown in his yard with farm manure."
Hearing Dylan's words, Megumi Tadokoro answered without a second thought.
As a native who had lived here for over a decade, she had an incredibly clear understanding of who sold the best ingredients.
"Alright, lead the way."
Looking at the girl's determined expression, Dylan raised his hand and gestured forward for her to lead.
"No need, it's just up ahead."
As she spoke, Megumi Tadokoro suddenly quickened her pace, soon arriving in front of a scruffy-bearded, somewhat melancholic-looking uncle, and said with a smile, "Uncle Zagu, long time no see."
"Oh, it's little Megumi! It has been a long time.
I heard you're having a Shokugeki with the inn across the street this evening. Your opponent seems very strong, a Special Grade Chef, I heard. You have to do your best!"
Hearing the voice, Uncle Zagu, who was playing on his phone, looked up. He was about to say something when he saw it was Megumi Tadokoro, and his eyes lit up. Then he remembered what Hyakuchō-kyo had been announcing on the street earlier.
The gist was to invite everyone to come watch the match in the afternoon, where they could eat free food.
They were determined to win the match cleanly and decisively in front of everyone, thereby obtaining the ownership of the Shōkei-en and turning it into a branch of Hyakuchō-kyo.
"I'm not the one competing in the evening Shokugeki. It's this gentleman beside me, Dylan-sensei.
I just came to buy some of your vegetables. The quality of your vegetables is the best in the market. With them, I'm sure our chances of winning will increase greatly."
Megumi Tadokoro's voice was gentle and melodious, like a spring breeze caressing the heart.
"Now you're exaggerating. Just take your pick. Today's vegetables are on the house, consider it a little support from me."
Uncle Zagu slapped his chest magnanimously, deciding to give them the vegetables in front of him as ingredients for the Shokugeki.
"How can we do that? You worked so hard to grow them…"
"Don't say such things. A few vegetables are really not worth much. If you feel bad, just win the match beautifully. I'll be there to watch."
Just as Megumi Tadokoro was about to decline, Uncle Zagu cut her off.
He forcefully bagged all the vegetables in front of him, then stuffed them into Dylan's arms, picked up the small stool from under him, and left.
"This uncle is really enthusiastic."
Dylan looked at the vegetables in the bag before him and couldn't help but sigh. Small chrysanthemum pumpkins, Tachikawa burdock, red root radishes—all were local specialties.
"Honestly, he just left after a few words.
Let's take these back first, then go to the next place."
Looking at Uncle Zagu's departing back, Megumi Tadokoro said with puffed cheeks, then turned her gaze to Dylan, wanting to take the vegetables from his hands.
"I can carry this much. You just follow along."
Dylan said as he personally carried the vegetables back to the Shōkei-en, then set out again with Megumi Tadokoro.
When they reached the commercial street, Dylan and Megumi Tadokoro were surprised to find that everyone in town seemed to already know that the Shōkei-en and Hyakuchō-kyo were about to have a Shokugeki, and they had all, as if by agreement, given her their ingredients.
Even though Megumi Tadokoro tried her best to refuse, thinking it wasn't right, she couldn't overcome the enthusiastic townsfolk, who gave her the best ingredients from their respective stalls.
The message was clear: as long as she could win the match, that would be the best reward for them.
"Logically speaking, you should be the protagonist of this Shokugeki. I'm the one who stole your spot.
Since that's the case, I'll leave the dish development part to you. Don't refuse. I'll be responsible for perfecting the dish you create."
Looking at Megumi Tadokoro, who, after chatting with a burly uncle, was pushing a giant monkfish out from the factory behind him, Dylan's voice suddenly rang out.
He had originally decided to develop the dish himself and use it in the competition.
But when he saw the enthusiasm of the other townspeople for Megumi Tadokoro, he suddenly felt that the protagonist of this Shokugeki shouldn't be him, but her.
It was just that due to her limited skill, it would be difficult for her to win even with her best effort, which forced him to step in and save the day.
"Leave the dish development to me…"
Dylan's words stunned Megumi Tadokoro. She clearly hadn't expected him to entrust such an important matter to her. This concerned the fate of the Shōkei-en, after all.
"Calm down. With your current skill, it's not difficult to develop a dish with Special Grade potential. And no matter what, I'll be here to back you up, so just go for it with confidence."
Dylan raised his hand and patted Megumi Tadokoro's head. It was about time for her to participate in a Shokugeki with a Special Grade Chef. After all, this girl's skill was already on the verge of the Special Grade level.
This Fujian Youth Chef Competition might be a good opportunity for a transformation.
"If that's the case, then I'll develop the dish, and you can perfect it."
After thinking for a moment, Megumi Tadokoro agreed. Even if she didn't believe in herself, she believed in Dylan, believed he had the ability to turn the mundane into the magical.
_____
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