"You're confused. Let's go inside first."
Ichiryu knew Toriko's head had to be spinning right now. Honestly, if he were in Toriko's place, he'd feel the same. On the way here, Starjun had already told him about some of the grudges between them.
And since Ichiryu had always kept an eye on Toriko, he knew quite a bit about their past clashes.
Toriko snapped back to his senses. No matter what, Ichiryu wouldn't mean him any harm. With that in mind, he stepped aside and let the two of them into his home.
Just like in the original story, Toriko's house was built entirely out of ingredients. The first one had been eaten clean not long after it was completed, but he'd rebuilt it. Of course, this one wouldn't last forever either. After some time, he'd probably have to call a construction company again.
Still, building houses in this world was easy. A skilled builder could finish something like this in less than a day. It was no wonder people of this era could create so many architectural wonders.
Once inside, Ichiryu handed Toriko ANOTHER to eat.
After finishing it, Toriko began to remember his past. But unlike Starjun, he took much longer to regain consciousness.
He didn't remember Starjun at all.
The only thing he remembered clearly was that strange space that had nurtured him before birth.
But something else surfaced in his mind. Back then, there had been another space beside his own.
Maybe… he hadn't been alone.
Toriko felt an urgent need to know who the other person was. But no matter how hard he searched his memories, he couldn't see their face. Frustration started to build—
Then his eyes landed on Starjun.
Ichiryu bringing the Sous Chef of the Gourmet Corp here was strange enough. Why would he do that?
For some reason, that empty space in Toriko's mind suddenly felt less hollow.
His gaze locked onto Starjun. Was he the other one?
"It seems you've noticed," Ichiryu said. "You and Starjun are biological brothers."
He went on to explain everything—the relationship between Toriko and Starjun, as well as the truth about Acacia and Frohze.
When Toriko finished listening, he looked just as stunned as Starjun had earlier.
"So… you're really my older brother?"
His expression was complicated as he looked at Starjun. This was the man who had once been his mortal enemy. And now he was suddenly his brother? That was a lot to process.
"That's right. And I owe you an apology," Starjun said quietly. "When we were born, I came out first because I absorbed the nutrients meant for you… including your Food Luck."
"So I was strong from the moment I was born. My growth was smooth after that. I know it was because of you. I took what was supposed to be yours. Your childhood must have been… hard."
"I was just a baby. I couldn't control anything. It was instinct. But I did take your share. I can't return it right now. But if I ever find a way, I will give it back to you. That's my debt to you."
His voice was heavy with guilt.
Starjun was never some irredeemable villain. Toriko didn't actually hate him that much to begin with. Compared to the rest of the Gourmet Corp, Starjun had always been different.
Most members would kill you the moment you crossed them—or even just annoyed them.
Starjun wasn't like that.
Back in the Cave Beach, after capturing the Puffer Whale, he had been attacked while leaving. But he hadn't intended to strike first.
Whether it was Toriko and Coco, or other Gourmet Hunters outside, as long as no one attacked him first, he wouldn't make the first move.
When Toriko and Starjun fought, it was because they were competing for the same ingredient. It was a straightforward battle for resources.
If it had been up to Toriko, he would've suggested splitting it evenly.
But Starjun had grown up in the Gourmet Corp. Even though he still retained basic kindness, he was also domineering by nature. He didn't share with outsiders.
He wasn't as saintly as Toriko.
So they fought.
It was normal competition. And when Toriko got beaten badly, it was simply because he wasn't strong enough at the time.
That was all.
Toriko's hostility toward Starjun had never been that deep. Moreover, the Gourmet Corp itself had recently been making changes. And now that he knew Starjun was his brother—especially after seeing the guilt on his face—his attitude softened even more.
"This wasn't your fault," Toriko said with a grin. "You didn't choose to absorb those things. And besides—if you hadn't, would I have ever met the President?"
Toriko laughed it off easily.
That was just who he was. Generous to a fault. And honestly, Starjun truly hadn't meant to do it.
Ichiryu smiled as he watched them.
He understood Toriko well. With Starjun taking this attitude, Toriko would never hold onto resentment.
Both of them were Frohze's children.
The last thing Ichiryu wanted was to see them fighting each other.
Strictly speaking, Toriko and Starjun were of the same generation as him and the others. Since Ichiryu's group was much older, they should technically be considered Toriko and Starjun's senior brothers and sisters.
But so many years had passed. Titles didn't matter anymore.
From that point on, the atmosphere gradually warmed.
Toriko excitedly shared stories from his childhood, thrilled to have found his older brother.
But the more Starjun listened, the heavier his guilt became.
Toriko's childhood had been miserable.
There were times he'd been so hungry he chewed his own fingernails down to nothing.
And he hadn't just been feeding himself. He had younger siblings to look after.
Even when he was starving, he would give whatever food he found to his family first.
Yes, Toriko was a glutton.
But he knew when to hold back.
That was why, even though he could be overly forgiving, people like Kael didn't dislike him.
Because his kindness was genuine.
Like Ichiryu's.
Not the kind that made you sick to your stomach.
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Thank you so much for still giving out the Powerstones, love ya'll for that. Despite it being your first fic it got so much support, never expected it to reach this many people either. But yeah, like many of you might have guessed, Author has stopped updating the fic for more than a month now. I'll upload the remaining chaps over the span of a month. It's been a great fic, sad to see it end without a proper ending.
I will update if author does in future. Thanks for being a part of this journey.