"Speaking"
"thinking"
On with the story
The final battle was about to come as it was Yukihira Soma vs Tsukasa Eishi
The Harlequin vs the White Knight of the Round table
In the rebel's room, Soma was in the middle of getting lots and lots of info from everyone of what to make of the dish but he just disagrees with them all
"I have something else in mind" Soma said as he takes out his knives and cracked his neck a bit
"Megishima-senpai, Kurokiba, Kuga-senpai, Hayama, Isshiki-san, Takumi, Mimasaka," Soma called out to them as they look to Soma "have a small Shokugeki with me"
"seriously, Yukihira!? A shokugeki here and now!?" Yuki exclaimed
"no, I think he's up to something" Marui said
"just listening and learning from words won't help me at all" Soma said as he lifted up the black knife "actions speak louder than words, right?"
Isshiki and the others nodded before they all went to their cooking stations and prepare to train Soma with everything, they have in them
Erina watched them cook, she watches as Soma use everything in his arsenal to help him
"here, Nakiri-san" Megumi said as she gave some tea for Erina
"thank you, Tadokoro-kun" Erina replied with a smile before the two went to watch on Soma train with his comrades
"Soma-kun can win this, right?" Megumi asked with a nervous voice
"he will" Erina said with a smile as she watched Soma cooks with passion and a smile "he would never lose to central"
The day of the final Shokugeki had arrived and everyone flood the seats of the kitchen chamber to see this final match between the first seat and Yukihira Soma
"it's here" "Tsukasa Eishi will win" "he's the first seat after all"
Everyone was talking about the outcome of the match, and we're leaning heavily on Central's side.
"This would be a first for them, wouldn't it?" Hisako said "The Harlequin vs. the White Knight of Tōtsuki. I can't wait to see this unfold."
"It's the second match their going to have," Erina said
"Second!" shouted the Rebels as the audience listens in.
"Yeah, their last match was almost two months ago, just before the start of Promotion Exams," Hisako told them. "The theme was French, and the main ingredient was Venison. Both made incredible dishes, Yukihira fell short, but it was a close match. Tsukasa Eishi-senpai's dish had a deeper impact."
"Can Yukihira close the gap in that short amount of time to defeat the First Seat?" Daigo said while gulping his throat nervously
In the lounge area
Shinomiya Kojiro, Inui Hinako, Dojima Gin, and Yukihira Joichiro came and watched the final battle
"looks like Soma-chan is in the finals against the first seat, huh?" Hinako said watching the empty arena but she could already feel the tension that is rising up "What type of dish do you think he would make, Kojiro-chan?
"I don't know but I can't wait to see it" Kojiro said with a smile
"the final battle's theme will be the winning factor to both side" Dojima Gin said crossing his arms "all that is left is to trust in luck and pray for their win"
Joichiro watched the arena as he sees his son entering in with Tsukasa
He watched as Soma takes out his black knife and sees how it shines from the light
"Joichiro?" Dojima called out to Joichiro who snapped out of a trance of somesort
"uh..yeah?" Joichiro asked
"I asked if Yukihira have a specialty or not" Dojima asked as Joichiro shook his head before looking to the battle bellow
"he made many dishes but he doesn't have one that he is a specialty of" Joichiro replied before the battle was about to begin
Daigo and Shoji were going to the rebels' meeting room as they were asked by Alice to check on the others
"did they fall asleep inside?" Daigo asked as they reached the door and opened it
Inside is Ryo and the others on the ground and looks like they have been through hell
"hey! What the hell is going on here!?" Shoji exclaimed as they went to Takumi who was the only one conscious
"hey, Takumi-chi! Are you alright!?" Daigo called out to the blonde chef while shaking his shoulders
"y-yeah, just tired that's all" Takumi replied
"did Yukihira drain you guys so much?" Shoji asked as he sees Isshiki and Megishima unconscious as well
"yeah" Takumi replied before smiling "but it was worth it"
"that guy is going to win, he will win"
Soma stood in front of Tsukasa as the two chefs stared hard at each other with their auras battle against each other
the trickster joker, Harlequin vs the White Knight of the Round Table, the match was for the history of Totsuki and this last match will decide it all
The judges came as Azami and the other judges took to their seats and sit down
Senzaemon stood up and clears his voice.
"Now then, as I was the one who issues this final match, I will tell you the theme," said Senzaemon. "True Gourmet!"
"True Gourmet?!" said everyone.
Azami looks at Senzaemon in surprise out of the corner of his eyes.
"it is simple! The appetizer and main dish must collaborate in sync. You may use any ingredients and use any theme you wished. In other words, make your specialty!" said Senzaemon.
"Speciality?!" repeated the Rebels in the audience.
"Yosha!" shouted Urara in triumph. "This match is our for the taking! Tsukasa-senpai's Speciality never has lost a single vote!"
The audience looks on in excitement as they believe that central's win is just around the corner
"It's time!" Senzaemon announced as Soma takes his headband and puts it on while Tsukasa rolled up his sleeves "let the final match begin!"
Soma and Eishi went to get their ingredients and in just one minute, they come back with a cart filled with so many of it
"they're fast!" "they came back in just a minute!?" "they're monsters!"
The crowds murmured against each other as the last battle was a battle to watch to the end
"Does Yukihira have a game plan?" Marui asked "he doesn't have a specialty while the first seat does, how is he going to win?
"this match is going to be the end of us" Isami said with a depressed tone before Takumi came and slapped his brother's back
"never be depressed in defeat, Isami" Takumi told his yuonger twin as he and Isshiki with the others came to the arena
"Niichan?" Isami asked
"Yukihira won't back down, he will strive through and win!" Kuga said with a smirk as they watched the two chefs cooking their dish with flames raging around
"What are they going to make?" said Megumi as she looks on.
Everyone was watching in earnest as the best Central had to offer quickly and watches as the participants battled each other with their cooking
"Western, Eastern, and even diner level, this match is a sight for everyone to see" Isshiki said
"Tsukasa-sama is bringing something out," shouted one of the first year in the stands. All eyes turn to Tsukasa as he pulls out excellent venison.
Hisako's eyes went wide with alarm.' the dish he made against Yukihira a month ago was splendid in every way, don't tell me – he has a dish even greater than the one I tasted?! Even back then, Yukihira was no match for it – this time is it really pointless.'
'Tsukasa brought out salt crust to help reinforce the dear meat venison,' Erina thought as she eyed Tsukasa's work
"Tsukasa-senpai," Sōma asked as he continues working without looking at the first seat. "back then, you didn't take me seriously did you?"
"Don't be ridiculously Yukhira-Kun," said Tsukasa. "You are a splendid chef, and I acknowledge you as one. Back then, the idea was a simple match, and I did give it my all. Unfortunately for you, this match theme is true gourmet. I have no choice but to make my specialty."
Yukihira stopped cooking before he turns to look at Tsukasa
"so you weren't serious back then, that's good" Soma said with a dark grin as this made Tsukasa looks surprised at his statement.
Soma's aura changed as this creeped some of the audience
"the truth is..i never did go all out against you" Soma said as he lifted up his black knife "I never used this guy back then because I was certained that I could beat you but I didn't, so I'm going to use him now."
Soma cracked his neck before he gets a venison that looks a lot like Tsukasa's.
"Is Yukihira crazy!" Hisako shouted out. "He's going to try to defeat the First Seat with his own specialty!"
"So he intends to fight the First Seat blow for blow huh," Hayama said
"The White Knight vs. the Harlequin" Ryo added in
The image of a White Knight Tsukasa Eishi appeared before a clown Yukihira Sōma.
"What does that mean?" Alice asked
"It means both of them are going on the attack. Will Yukihira's weapon break the White Knights armor?" said Hayama.
"Or will Tsukasa-san puncture a defeat into Yukihira," Ryo said as everyone imagined the possibility of Soma losing
"That's reckless! Even for Yukihira!" Yuki shouted out.
Yukihira and Tsukasa both started to cut their venison and soma created perfect slices that were a bit larger than Tsukasa's.
Soma then brings out five charcoal braziers and immediately sets his venisons on them three apiece, making fifteen of them in total.
"Charcoals! In French Cuisine! Do you even know how to make a French dish, Yukihira!" Ryoko shouted out
"That's interesting," Isshiki said with a smile
"Charcoal doesn't pair well with French cuisine. Why would Yukihira do this?" Ryo asked
"I don't know," Hayama replied. 'The charcoal aroma will be difficult to defeat and doesn't pair well with French dishes. Yukihira – how will you overcome this?'
"Coffee again, Yukihira?" Tsukasa asked. "That didn't work last time, and it won't work this time."
"didn't I tell you, Senpai?" Soma asked looking at Tsukasa with his black knife shining "this time I'm going all out"
Tsukasa looks at Soma as his entire character changed
"what is Yukihira saying?" Rindo asked before she smelled something so delicious that her mouth instantly waters nonstop.
"Doesn't he understand he's making a French dish?" Alice asked "He knows Charcoal Braizers don't go well with French dishes!"
"It doesn't," Erina replied. "This is actually an interesting cooking method. In Japan, charcoal braziers are used for cooking fish faster. The trick will be on how well Soma can eliminate the bitter charcoal aura on the venison. The First Seat said Soma used coffee last time. Coffee is indeed an excellent choice in countering the bitter taste of the charcoal."
Sōma pulls several skillets and starts putting some ingredients on them.
"Fat?" Hayama said curious
"That's actually smart," said Alice. "Instead of risking burning the meat – the fat will absorb the heat while cooking the meat."
"But why isn't he using it on the charcoal?" Ryo said looking at the redhead's cooking
Soma takes the meat off and places them on the fat before placing them into the oven
"He didn't finish it?" Hisako said in shocked. 'Last time Yukihira finished his venison from start to finish on the charcoal brazier. Why is he using an Oven now for the Venison?'
"Oh, that's interesting and inventive," Dojima said in the lounge. "He used the charcoal brazier to heat and juice up the venison before using the salamander. This will make it even juicier than normal."
"Slice onions, garlic powder, black pepper, I see some salt, seasoning," Hinako said
"What is Yukihira's trump card?" Yuki asked asked. "These are common ingredients for a venison dish, but unless Yukihira has an ace up his sleeve, then this is not going to be enough to defeat the First Seat's Venison."
"If there is one thing, we have learned from Yukihira Sōma, is that he always has something up his sleeve," Shinomiya said with a smile. "His endless hunger and his desire to push past boundaries no others are willing to take – is what gives him the edge."
'The Venison is too plain for you to present, that means – you're going to rely on the sauce. The meat will be juicy, but that alone isn't enough. The sauce is what is going make it count, Yukihira,' Kojiro watches as his student work on his dish as he knows what Soma is going to do next
"I'm finished," Tsukasa said as he finished both Appetizers and main dish at the same time
"me as well" Soma said as he also finished cooking
"amazing! Both participants finished their dish at the same time!" Urara exclaimed on the mic
"First mine," Tsukasa said as he presents his appetizer. "Mushroom Filled Delights."
"It's so wonderful," Courage said admiring the dish
"As I would expect from an elite member of Central and Tōtsuki Third Seat," Azami said as he cuts the mushroom appetizer and takes a bite from the dish. "Splendid indeed."
"Mushrooms are commonly used with Venison, this could be bad," Hisako said
'Mushrooms will empower the salt-pie crust venison that Tsukasa Eishi will give to the judges,' thought Alice. "Yukihira-kun…how will you counter this?'
"and the main dish" Eishi said as he presents his dish. "White Armor Plate: Sauce Chevreuil."
"It looks amazing," Anne said as she looks upon the glittering meat. "It's so perfect. I can't bear to cut it with my knife."
"Quit being a baby and just eat your plate before it gets cold," Courage said as they all at the food and couldn't deny the joy they felt as they ate their food.
Everyone was taken back by the smell they were unsure of how it would taste, and sure enough, when all seven judges taste the dish, they were given the divine Nakiri 'Blessing' of the taste.
"As expected," said Azami. "everyone received my blessing; the first seat dish was without a doubt – done perfectly."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that, father," Erina said as Soma presented the first appetizer to his cooking "Yukihira Soma is not a chef that is to be underestimated"
"a pate de campagne" Soma said as he presented a dish that looks like some meat that has a bone sticking out on both sides "dig in"
The judge tasted the dish and in an instant, Courage and Decora were stripped of their clothes
"woow! If the stripping happened!" Daigo exclaimed
"then that means the dish was recognized to be delicious by Nakiri Azami!" Shoji finished
"I call that dish, Cheeky teenagers cavemen meat" Soma said before he presented the main dish and it will be the dish that will decide the winner
"Yukihira Sōma," Azami said looking at the young chef. "what possible dish could you have made that will surpass the first seat?"
Sōma sets the plates down in front of the judges and set some aside for the Alumni and one for the First Seat Tsukasa Eishi.
"I made enough for everyone," Sōma said as Erina looks at Sōma and couldn't help but ponder on what dish he would've made.
As they all look at the meat, they couldn't help but notice how plain his dished appeared. It looked like a standard French dish without any sauce. The judges all look at it, and there was one thing they couldn't help but notice the aroma smell of the charcoal wasn't present.
"How did you eliminate the charcoal smell?" Anne asks Yukihira.
"He covered the Venison in coffee," Azami said "it would erase the charcoal aroma. That is not enough to create a true gourmet dish."
"It is an interesting idea," Senzaemon stated "He used the brazier to enrich the meat and seasoning, then used the salamander to deepen the strength of the meat. This is, without a doubt, a French dish. The only thing that is missing is the sauce."
"Then you wish for us to taste the meat first before we add the sauce is that correct," Anne said
They all cut the meat and were surprised to see how easily the meat was cut by the mere weight of the knife alone. All the judges took a bite and couldn't help but enjoy the sensation of the meat itself.
"Pepper, salt, garlic, onions, lemon, with hints of red wine and olive oil," Azami listed the ingredients as the smell coming from the dish was powerful
"It's delicious," Anne said after tasting it
"Indeed," Histoire agreed. "The meat was well cooked and is nothing in short amazing. The meat itself is delicious."
"And the season has been well blended together to add a deeper impact upon the taste that makes you want to dig in for more," Courage added in "However, it pales in compassion to the Salt Crust Venison."
"Indeed," Decora agreed. "the Salt Crust Venison was a dish that stood out. There is no doubt that this dish is excellent, but the First Seat dish was better."
"That's because you had your first bite without the sauce," Soma said as he sets down a tray with several bowls with lids on them. "try it with them"
Everyone looks at Soma as he pulls off the lid so everyone could see the sauce he had made for main dish and it was the same topping ingredient to Soma's Transforming Furikake Gohan.
"Those are," Erina looks in surprise. "Transforming Furikake?!"
"You've seen that before?" said Yuki.
"It's one of Yukihira's unique cooking methods," said Hisako. "It traps the sauce inside the cubes and will melt once it touches the heat of the food. Only, I've never seen two different styles to this sauce."
Inside the bowls, there were two different types of cubes. One was bright yellow, and the other was dark blue.
"Yukihira," Tsukashi asked. "what is this? This doesn't look like a sauce."
"wait and see" Soma replied he pours the cubes on the dishes.
Everyone watches in amazement as the yellow and grape cubes started melting before the heat of the meat and started coating it.
"Now I see," said Azami. "the sauce was trapped inside the cubes and coats the meat upon the mere heat of the cooked dished. It's impressive, but it's not enough to win. This is by no means, true gourmet."
"Why don't you say that after you take a bite," Soma told the dean with a smirk
"That is pointless," Azami said. "there is no need to continue this any further."
Azami gets up to leave confident he had won only to stop at the sound of clothes being ripped apart. Azami looks back and sees all five WGO judges had taken their second bite and their clothes were instantly shredded. It took him a moment to realized that everyone's close in the arena was gone leaving them only in their underwear.
"What is this?!" Decora shouted
"How are such flavors even possible?!" Courage exclaimed in shock
"Blackberries, cranberry, raspberry, grapes, plums, pomegranate," Histoire noted
"I taste honey, chestnuts, almonds, walnuts," Charme added in
"How is this even possible?!" Anne exclaimed in shock
"Transforming Furikake," said Senzaemon. "It traps the sauce inside and unleashes a barrage of flavors upon the tongue."
"One sauce made up of nuts and honey, perfect for wild game," Courage added
"The other is made up of different kinds of berries," Anne looks in amazement to the dish "the honey and nuts sauce is terrific!"
Azami was taken back by the words and appearances of the judges. The clean sweep he was expecting was now in jeopardy. Azami had to find some fault and failure within their cooking so he cuts a slice and couldn't find any fault in its appearance. The golden and dark sauce on the venison looked so perfect its rival Tsukasa's.
Azami's took a bite, and he immediately was taken back by the flavors within the slice. His tongue was overwhelmed by the mere taste of the dish that he found himself trying to hold back from admitting it was without a doubt, delicious. Unfortunately, because he refused to say it, it began to swell up inside of him, and Azami couldn't help but admit defeat.
"GAAAAH!" Azami's clothes were stripped of him as Soma stood above him in victory
Azami gets up and looks at everyone was in shocked and awe over the crushing blow that defeated Central. The vote was unanimous, and the Rebels were given a clean victory with a 5 – 0 over Central.
"Yukihira-kun," said Tsukasa. "I don't get it, how did you perfect the blend both honey and nuts with the berries?"
"Peanut Butter Squid," Soma replied with a cheeky smirk
Everyone paused by this as they heard what he just said
"What?!" shouted everyone.
"isn't that's Yukihira's?!" shouted Yuki.
"Disgusting Combinations," said Marui.
Polar Star Dorm knew full well about Sōma's strange creations.
"How did you know that would work?" asks Tsukasa.
"it's just a gamble that I took" Soma replied
"A gamble?" Tsukasa repeated in surprise.
Azami looks at the young chef as such risks being taken to action reminded him of Saiba Joichiro's past
"Even if I had perfected the sauce, they wouldn't have worked well together. They were too rich in their own taste," Soma explained. "they would have course, ended up clashing and the dish would have ended up destroying the plate. So I need a compound that would not only lighten the flavors the sauce but enrich them at the same time. The peanut butter squid was the perfect mediocre for the sauce. Once the sauce began rich, I blended the peanut butter squid into the sauce. Thus the sauces were able to find harmony given the fact they had a similar compound inside them."
"That's why they taste so well together!" shouted Anne.
"That's something," Yuki began unable to believe her eyes.
"Yukihira would do," Ryo said with a grin
"Yukihira I was wrong about you" Tsukasa looks at Soma as the man's ability and skills in cooking already surpassed him in the first place "you are no Harlequin"
(food fantasy: the Harlequin Soma snickers before he spins and exploded in flames. The flames subside and revealed a red dragon with a scar over its left eye. The dragon roared at Eishi who was a white knight as the dragon stood in front of a castle where Erina who was in a princess was within the top of the tower)
"You're the Fire Dragon that protects the princess!"
(food fantasy; Soma Dragon roared before spewing fire at Eishi and destroyed his white armor)
"As agreed Azami, you are no longer the headmaster of Tōtsuki, all actions and expulsions you and Central have taken are overruled, and the Elite Ten Council under you have been stripped of their seats," Senzamon said while crossing his arms
Azami grinds his teeth in frustration at the thought he had lost.
"Why?" said Azami. "why can't you understand what I'm trying to do? You want things to return the way they were? Where chefs are swallowed up by the storm only to end up being swallowed up by the pit of chaos! True Gourmet, where chef's skills are truly polished, and only real food is served and learned! Where chefs skills are polished directly instead of being swallowed by the storm! you take such a gamble that could've resulted in a disaster, why did you take such a risk!? doing such things! You will just destroy yourself! Just like your father did in the past!"
"but I'm not him, am i?" Soma asked as Azami looks at him with surprise in his eyes
"cooking is fun, making a meal and eat it with everyone is fun and especially…" Soma turns to look at Erina who was smiling happily to him "making it for the one you love"
"Azami," Gin and Joichiro appeared on stage as they approached their old friend. "I know the storm is frighting. Tōtsuki exists to prepare students for the storm. For students to excel, they must first learn how to overcome their own flaws and weakness. They must learn this themselves. Or do you intend to guide them on their path for their entire career? What happens when they run across a problem they can't figure out? You rigged the Advancement Exams while trying to sabotage the rebels who refuse to accept your direction. You weren't helping these first years, you were crippling their cooking careers."
Azami stares at his old friends before grabbing his shirt and walking out the arena with his head down, accepting his own defeat.
"Now then," Gin said while coughing into his hand a bit. "we have a daunting task ahead of us, most importantly, choosing the new Director of Tōtsuki and electing the new Elite Ten."
"That's right," Yūki said in excitement. "all the ten seats have been vacant because we defeated the Elite Ten!"
"What do you mean choosing a new Director?" said Erina. "Grandfather is –
"I'm afraid not, Erina," Senzaemon said cutting in. "I have been Director of Tōtsuki for a long time, and Azami is right. I need to step aside and let another run the school. Not to mention, I have been uprooted before. I do not wish to face another."
"now the question is to Yukihira Soma" everyone looks to Soma who looks back at them "you are now the First seat, who do you think would be able to be the new Director of Totsuki?"
"hmmm" Soma rubbed his chin before pointing to Erina "Erina can do it"
"what!?" Everyone and even Erina exclaimed in shock
"I mean, the headmasters in the past has always been the Nakiri family, right? Then you're perfect for the job" Soma said with a smile
"just wait a minute! Soma!" Erina exclaimed
"no, Yukihira is right, Erina. Only you can do this" Senzaemon said with a smile "the future of Totsuki, I entrust it all to you!"
Erina looks to her grandfather before nodding with a smile
"then it is decided!" Senzaemon shouted out "as the former former Headmaster of Totsuki Academy I hereby appoint Nakiri Erina! As the new headmaster!"
"Erina! Erina! Erina!" the rebels cheered while Soma just smiles
"oh yeah, this also reminded me of something" Soma suddenly said as Erina looks to him
Soma placed his hand on Erina's right cheek before pulling her into a kiss
This shook everyone of the redhead's action and even more shocking Erina to the core
Her eyes widen as her cheeks turns crimson red
Soma separates from the kiss before smiling to Erina
"go out with me, Erina" Soma confessed as this made the female in the crowds wowed to the sudden confession by the young red chef
"wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wa" Erina stuttered out as her mind is going haywire
"I love you, Erina. I always have ever since we were kids" Soma said with a smile "that's why I made a deal with gramps"
Senzaemon nodded as he crossed his arm
"hey! Grandfather! What deal is he talking about!?" Alice exclaimed
"well…" Senzaemon started off
Flashback
It was during the time when Senzaemon had asked Soma for his help to save Erina
"give me permission for Erina's hand" Soma told Senzaemon as this surprised him
"Erina's hand?" Senzaemon repeated his word "for what reason?"
"to protect her" Soma said looking to the cloudy sky "I am a disgrace because I couldn't save her when she went under Azami's training, but I won't let it happen again!"
"I'm going to protect her! Forever on!"
Flashback ends
"I believe that sums it up" Senzaemon said scratching his long beard
Erina was blushing hard as she had steam coming off of her head
"Erina….will you go out with me?" Soma asked smiling to Erina
Erina looks down a bit as she holds Soma's hand before nodding a bit
She grasped his hand a bit tighter as she started nodding even more
Soma smiled even more before he pulls Erina into a loving hug
The crowds applaud for the newly born couple
Erina rested her head into Soma's chest as she was still blushing
"you better….take responsibility" Erina muttered out as Soma smiles before caressing her head
"yeah…I will" Soma replied before giving a peck to her cheeks
"with this! The Regiment de Cuisine Shokugeki! Is over!" Senzaemon shouted out as the rebel team cheered in their victory
"IT WASN'T MUCH!"
That's a wrap!
Bye bye