It had been a while since Éclair had seen Toriko. That Regal Mammoth adventure left her like it did the last, thirsting for more. She sat across from her Sous Chef Komatsu in the courtyard of a five star restaurant. She looked at her phone, "Komatsu it was amazing. I tried to take a picture for you, but it was to blurry." The man looked at her phone, "So this was when you were getting kicked by a Rock Drum?" She nodded excitedly, "Yeah! It actually sounds more dangerous than it was." She rubbed her chin for a moment, "I take that back, it was very dangerous. I promise I'll take better pictures from now on. It'll be postcard pretty." She put away her phone and sighed, "So a lunch date was really out of the question huh? I'm glad I get to at least work alongside you Komatsu. If I had no contact from anyone back in the day, I don't know what I would do." She took the last sip of her strawberry tea, "I need to cook." It was her way of relieving stress, cooking. Komatsu nodded, "Let's do it. Hey when does Toriko get back anyway?" She shrugged, "Who knows. With him, the journey's can last days or even weeks at a time. Let's just get back to the kitchen."
She rolled up her sleeves and before she could even think about touching any ingredients, someone busted through the kitchen doors. It was Johannes and he came bearing gifts. Behind him was a Bubbly Tuna Fish. He fixed his glasses, "Éclair Reinbou, I am here to ask for your assistance." She looked past him at the tuna, "Oh my ~wow is that Bubbly Tuna! How amazing!" "Yes, that's what I'm here about. A country leader is at a standstill. We need you to prepare the Bubbly Tuna so he can make a decision already." She completely ignored his words and admired the fish, "Oh, I don't even know where to begin!" She inhaled the aroma, "This thing is gonna peak soon. ~Wow, I've been hanging out with Toriko too long." She smiled, "Give me a time frame and I'll give you a fish." "One week." Her face immediately turned blue, "A week, yikes. Okay, I know what I need to complete this. Wul Star Sauce Fruit." Johannes frowned a bit, "Are you sure? The Wul Jungle is not a playground." "Yeah and I'm not a kid. Komatsu you in?" The man nodded, "Let's do it!"
Éclair was sitting in a chopper alongside her Sous Chef. She held her stomach, "No one said this trip would be three days. At least we're almost there I suppose." Her cheeks puffed, "I think my stitches are gonna bust." Johannes began to land, "Hang on you two. I'm getting ready to land this thing." It was a rough landing that would be considered a crash. They jumped ship and allowed the crazy vines to entangle the chopper. Éclair took out her machete and swung recklessly, "Welcome to the Wul Jungle! Now let's find us a fruit!" Komatsu stuck close to the woman. Though she wasn't a Toriko, her confidence provided a sense of comfort. As the three walked a noise sounded in the bushes. The girl clenched her machete tightly but didn't advance toward the bush. She picked up a sizeable rock and threw it into the bush. "Ouch! Hey, what was that for?" Out of the bushes ran a familiar Gourmet Hunter. Éclair smiled, "Hey I know you! You're Sangre ~Zomb ~Johnny! That's right!" He rolled his eyes, "For your information my name is Zongeh!"
She pointed the machete at him, "I remember not liking you very much. And what up with all the noises? What were you running from, bunny's?" He folded his arms, "No, actually I was running away from that!" He pointed at a large gecko like creature heading straight for them. She put the knife away and grabbed Komatsu's hand, "Whatever you do, don't let go of my hand!" The group ran into the forest and Éclair looked at her surroundings. "The Wul Star Sauce Fruit should be around here somewhere." Komatsu cried out, "Éclair, there's no time to think of the fruit when we're gonna die!" She caught a shiny glimpse in the corner of her eye. "That has to be it!" She continued to look forward but yelled back at Komatsu, "I don't expect you to die for my cause but I'm getting that fruit come hell or high water. So leave me behind if you must, but as a chef it is my duty to deliver. I'd rather put my life on the line knowing I gave my all than to make it home a failure."
She saw the tree sprouting from the jungle floor. The blond girl stopped at the tree and waited for it to mature. She looked at Komatsu, "Why aren't you leaving?" He smiled, "You told me not to let go of your hand." She looked down to see that he still had a firm grip. Finally the fruit blossomed and she took it from the tree. "Let's run for it!" Just as she started running she noticed a forceful vine coming down from its mane. She yanked her hand away from Komatsu's and pushed him out of harms way. The girl was soon in the belly of the beast. "It's a good thing this guy doesn't chew his food." She took out a pair of ear plugs and made sure they were nice and tight. She reached into her bag, "It's probably for the best that I rid myself of the heavy thing. Toriko Cracker, work your magic!" From the outside looking in, the giant lizard began to vibrate uncontrollably fast. Its gag reflexes kicked in and hacked the girl up. She fell into the soft bushes and smiled, "Thank you Toriko!"
Komatsu ran to the girl, "Are you okay?" Everyone was so busy worrying about Éclair, they didn't even notice that the Heavenly King Sunny was standing right before them. Sunny gave the girl a lift with his feelers. "Sunny? What are you doing here?" He pouted, "I heard about your leaving on the Gourmet News. I thought I would lend a hand." She rubbed her head, "Well, unless you have a way out of this jungle, we could all use some help." "Of course I have a way out. Follow me."
She was almost out of the woods on this endeavor. Sitting in Sunny's chopper she looked out of the window with fear in her heart. "What's wrong Muffin?" She looked at the fruit, "I just realized what a huge responsibility I have on my shoulders. I have to make a dish that could potentially stop a war! I'm not God you know!" The chopper went silent until Sunny spoke out, "You know about God? The ultimate food that stopped the war 500 years ago?" She shook her head, "No, I wasn't aware." Komatsu nodded, "Long ago the Gourmet God Acacia stopped the war by sharing the food. Instead of fighting, they could think of nothing but sharing the food. They put down their weapons and picked up a plate. ~Thus ending the war." Sunny's eyes went flat, "Who the hell are you?" Éclair yelled, "Sunny, you're so oblivious! He's my best friend Komatsu." She sighed, "Please just get us home. At this rate we're gonna make it back in the nick of time."
She was no Coco but her prediction was right. She was frightened as she was once again racing the clock. "Floor it Sunny! The tuna is getting ready to peak and if we're not there to cover it with the sauce who knows what kind of war could break out!" The man landed just outside of the hotel and there was a full newscast ready to ask her questions. She squeezed through the crowd, "Excuse me. ~Sorry, ~No questions please." In the corner of her eye she saw a struggling news lady trying to get a statement. Éclair looked directly into her camera, "Wul Star Sauce Fruit. That's what I'll be topping the Bubbly Tuna with. Take that to your news people and sell it!" She continued on inside and looked around anxiously.
To her detriment, the elevators were completely blocked. "Dammit, we have to take the stairs!" She ran as fast as her short legs would allow." There it was, the doors were in her sight. She busted through the door, "Wait please! Don't eat the tuna yet." Her flamboyant superior looked to her, "Éclair, what do you think you're doing?" She held up the fruit, "Please, let me finish that dish." Just as the world leader put his fork down, bubbles escaped from the tuna, many bubbles. Sunny looked up at them, "The bubbles symbolically tell you when the tuna is no longer good. Hence the name Bubbly Tuna."
The girl looked at the fruit, "Please don't leave. I'll make you something else, I promise. It'll be great. Just give me another chance." "Here's your second chance." At the door entrance stood Coco with another Bubbly Tuna fish waiting to be prepped. She ran to the man, "Coco, you're such a life saver. How did you~" "I predicted this would happen and my fortune telling paid off for us both." She hugged the man tightly, "You're amazing, really." Éclair's boss was still anything but satisfied, "That tuna is not mature so therefore it is as good as a waste of space for the next seven days." The blond girl winked, "You dare question your head chef? I got this fruit for a reason. It'll mature the tuna before it's time, trust me." Into the door came Toriko. He shook his head, "That fruit isn't fully ripened yet, the sodium is not at its peak. But I have something here that is. Volcanic ash from the Wul Volcano along with some good old BB Corn for
everyone!"
The dish was done and all that was left to do is serve. She smiled, "Sunny, Coco, Toriko. Without you guys none of this could be possible. Thanks for everything. If you ever need anything from me, I'll be there within the drop of a hat." She served the food to the important man, "Please enjoy sir, and whatever conclusion you come to I will completely respect." She took a seat next to Toriko and the others. Before them were plates of BB Corn. Toriko smiled, "I've decided to make this the Hors d' Oeuvres on my full course menu. And it's also Terry's dog chow." "That's great Toriko! But what is the world coming to when I eat a bowl of bran flakes for breakfast and a dog eats BB Corn. You totally spoil him." She cut into the popcorn to have a taste for herself, "This is amazing. It's so light and airy that it feels like I almost didn't even eat it, but know I did because the naturally buttery tasted mixed with the salt can't get out of my mind."
Toriko took a celebratory cigar out, "You know the only reason I didn't invite you was because you were supposed to be letting your stitches heal. Not going to the same dangerous jungle without supervision!" She continued to inhale the popcorn, "Oh bite me, I had a job to do and I did it. I'm still alive." He nodded, "I know. So I was thinking, I'm heading into town tomorrow, you in?" "Town? Which town?" "Gourmet Town." Her jaw dropped, "Gourmet Town? Wow, I haven't been there since I was 15. It's been almost ten years since I've seen the big full. I wonder how much has changed since I used to live there. Yeah, I'll go with you!"
Her boss pulled out a microphone, "I have an announcement to make. A decision has been concluded. When it comes down to it, E.T. rice sushi will be dipped in on the rice side, not the meat!" Everyone cheered and toasted to the resolution. Éclair sat back wide eyed. She was dying to say something sarcastic, but the sight of everyone's enjoyment made her smile. "I'm glad I could be of assistance. Toriko, I can't wait to go to Gourmet Town with you."