Chapter 21
As Toriko,Aiko and Terry climb at what seemed endless branches at the trees covering the forest as Toriko stopped for a moment.
" just how many hundreds of meters tall is this tree?" Toriko ask
" you're asking the wrong girl T-Toriko-kun" Aiko said as Toriko couldn't help but smile . She's been trying to get used to calling Toriko that since he told her to address him casually whenever she tries she'd stutter and slightly blush as if it was embarrassing for her to even say it which Toriko though was cute. " and there's all these branches that support our body weight"
"With these you could erect a giant building on top of this forest and it be stable" Toriko said " but when I think that it's not a building but a giant ingredient up there, I get really excited and can't stop drooling!"
" oh Toriko-kun is that the only thing that gets you excited?" Aiko said it so innocently as Toriko slightly blushed at her comment.
' oh Aiko...that's not the only thing that gets me excited' he though as he looked at her as she jumped on another he snapped out of his thought when he heard Terry barking.
" oh Terry is that the top?" Toriko shouted
"Oh good job Terry!" Aiko said as Toriko crouched at her
" get on my back Aiko " Toriko said as she gripped him as Toriko began to climb at full speed as she held on tight until they reached the top as they looked at number of corn husk spreading around at the top as they smiled widely at the sight of the corn.
" Bingo, Terry! Aiko!" Toriko said
" yes! We're finally here!" Aiko said as she let go of Toriko
" we found it!" They cheered
" Awesome. I've never seen such huge and amazing corn before." Toriko said " now then I think I'll bring a few back to tomu as souvenirs"
" I gotta get a few for yuuto too he'll flip when he sees these!" Aiko said happily as she kneeled in a corn husk as she grabbed it. " it's incredibly thick and flexible my guess the corn is packed really tightly inside" as she heard Toriko struggle
" what the? It won't budge" Toriko said " it feels like I'm trying to lift up the entire forest!"
' that's because you are lifting up the forest!' Aiko though as she giggled at toriko's attempts
" these are connected to all the plants in Wu jungle, does the BBcorn grow by adsorbing all the nutrients in the forest?" Toriko said as Aiko turn to her corn husk
" okay then maybe...REIKI SLASH! " Aiko said as she focused her reiki in her hand as it took the form of a claw only slicing a bit of the husk. 'aw come on!' " Reiki slash!" As she did it multiple times as she finally gotten the husk.
" KNIFE!" Toriko said as he also got his husk as he took a deep breath " the fibers are tangled in such a complex way that it makes it ridiculously strong it's like a GT robots arm"
"Toriko-kun I got one!" Aiko said holding the husk as she smiled
" that's great Aiko!" He said ruffling her hair as they heard Terry howling. " Huh? What's up Terry?!"
As the two looked as the clouds cleared as they're jaws drop.
" WH-WHAT THE HELL'S THAT?!" Toriko shouted
" it's so freaking huge! It's incredible!" Aiko shouted
" it really looks like there's a building standing up here!" Toriko said
Meanwhile with Coco
" the location of the head chef that has traveled to the danger zone, Wu jungle in searches of an ingredient for the Gourmet summit is still unknown " the reporter said
As Coco stared at the screen
" Komatsu-kun...Aiko-chan..." Coco muttered ' I wonder if they're safe...'
" okay it's our turn" the man dressed in a black suit said
" we've waited all this time so we would like quite a bit In Return " he said " say, are you listening to us?"
' ah, excuse the suddenness, but according to information we have just received an item on the menu to be served at the summit dinner party is planned to be the mermaituna's Bubbly tuna' the reporter said
" Excuse me, Coco-San?"
"The rare mermaituna huh? If the chef doesn't return before its best if eaten by date they'll need a replacement mermaituna, won't they?"
" yeah, that could be a job to do for the IGO. Coco-San predict for us where we'll be able to capture a mermaituna..."
As Coco got up from his seat " My fortune telling is over for today " he said smoothly
" Eh?!" The two men said
Meanwhile with Komatsu,Tina and Johannes
" what should we do?" Komatsu said
" try going inside?" Tina said
" hey this forest is seriously dangerous" Zonge said " However uh, I have had quite a grand adventure in it though "
" even though all he did was run around all over the place..." One of his subordinates whispered
" huh? Did you say something?" Zonge ask
" No nothing."
"Look!" Komatsu said " that's mentaikomugi, isn't it?" As he pulled out what looked like a red wheat
"Mentai flavored wheat?" Tina said pointing her camera to it
" yeah I though we might find something like this.. So I brought some parmezansho fruit with me" Komatsu said searching his backpack taking out a small jar of the spice. " if I crush this fruit and the mentaikomugi together...I might be able to make an interesting spice!" As he poured the ingredients into the spicer as he placed the crushed spices into a plate.
" what a stimulating smell..." Tina said smelling the spice mix.
" I think I'll have a taste" Zonge said sticking his finger in the mix as he put it in his mouth " yum!" As he stopped and turn red by the heat of the spices " Spicy!"
" Zonge-sama!"
" hey! I'm gahha kill ou!" Zonge said
" S-Sorry!" Komatsu said looking at the plate ' I guess it's a failure '
" Hot! My mouth is burning!" Zonge said
Back with Toriko,Aiko and Terry
As they approached the giant BBcorn
" it looks even bigger up close" Toriko said
" I haven't seen anything that big before" Aiko said
" it's the size of at least a twenty story building ain't it?" Toriko said
" Toriko-kun I think I heard someone say that the number of corn fibers at the Top is the same as the number of kernels inside" Aiko said
" just how many kernels are in this thing?" Toriko ask
" well let's find out!" Aiko said as Toriko nod
" ready Terry? Aiko?" Toriko said " okay let's go!" As the three jumped up at the giant husk
" KNIFE!"Toriko said
" REIKI SLASH!" Aiko said
" the husk is pretty thick and tough too!"Toriko said " Terry, slice off from the inside!"
As Toriko and Aiko grabbed the side of the husk as Terry jumped inside to cut as they repeated the same motion. As they saw a lot of the corn fibers.
" I can smell the sweet and fragrant smell of corn coming from it" Toriko said
" ~oh~ it smells so good! Let's dig our way in!"Aiko said
As the three started cutting the corn fibers after what it seemed like forever they finally cut off the last of the fibers to reveal the corn inside as it glittered in the sunlight. As they had a look of amazement on their faces.
" There it is! The BBcorn!" Toriko exclaimed
" wow! I haven't seen corn like that look at how big this is!"Aiko said touching the corn kernel
" okay..." Toriko said as he touched the kernel trying to pluck it off as he struggled getting one out apparently he couldn't get one out. " N-No dice, it won't move."
" let me try" Aiko said as she tried to get one out she knew she was strong but the kernel was packed pretty tight in there that she couldn't get it out. " N-Nothing it's stuck there what should we do?"
" Now that I think about it, I'm not gonna be able to even scratch the kernels with fork and knife. And even if you found a way to get these out with your Reiki it might damage the kernels" Toriko said as Terry started to whine.
" ah don't get upset Terry " Aiko said
" it'll be fine this is the chance you gave us after all" Toriko said " we'll definitely get the BBcorn out of here"
As Aiko looked at the husk then back at Toriko.
" Toriko-kun what if you send a shockwave at the other side that might help pop the kernels out" Aiko said
" funny I was kinda thinking the same thing Aiko!"Toriko said " just stay there with Terry" as Toriko went to the other side as Aiko waited with Terry.
" don't worry Terry I know Toriko-kun will get the corn out" Aiko said ' I know he'll get it...I just can't believe he let me call him Toriko-kun...I haven't called anyone so casually except komatsu ...hmm I wonder why he let call him so casually all of a sudden?' She though
" 5 REN KUGI PUNCH!" Toriko shouted as he hit the corn with great force as Aiko and Terry watched anticipated as the looked at the husk as one kernel popped out then in an instant the other kernels followed suit as it rain kernels everywhere around them as Terry got down as Aiko smiled as Terry howled happily.
" all right, we did it Terry! Aiko!" Toriko said as Aiko smiled brightly
" all right we got the BBcorn" Aiko said
" but man this BBcorn really is something there's even more kernels backed further inside" Toriko said as the two looked you could clearly see more kernels in the husk.
" Wow...that's a lot of corn" Aiko said as they heard Terry bark as she ran in circles
" what's wrong Terry?"Toriko ask " you wanna make those into popcorn and eat them already?"
" she's really excited!"Aiko said as Terry barked in agreement
"But in order to pop BBcorn of that size we're gonna need to supply quite a bit of heat" Toriko said
" yeah with my fire reiki it might take a long time and I don't want to burn the kernels too much" Aiko said as Toriko nod.
" which means we don't have many choices as to where we do it" Toriko said " the Wul Volcano just southwest of the jungle is closest"
" then let's head over there!" Aiko said happily grabbing toriko's hand as Terry howled as she stopped to look at one of the corn stalk cut it was the same size as the one they captured.
" T-This is..."Toriko said
" B..but how?"Aiko mumbled
As they picked all of the kernels as they climb down
" strange huh Terry, aiko?" Toriko said as he carried all of the BBcorn on his back as aiko walked next to him.
"What's strange?" She ask
" the forest extends this far" Toriko said
" ah Toriko-kun!" Aiko said as they looked that the ground was sprouting and the trees were growing. " they're growing!"
" Does the scope of the forest spread at an incredibly fast speed?!" Toriko said " Aw man,now I don't know how to get back"
" Toriko-kun since this forest is so new to me I really don't know where we're supposed to go"Aiko said as they noticed Terry sniffing and walking forward.
" Hey Terry!" Toriko said
"you know where we are?"she ask
"Oh yeah, that marking you did!" Toriko exclaimed " I knew I could count on you Terry,you did it! Nice peeing! Really nice peeing!" As aiko giggled
Meanwhile with komatsu and the others
"W-What is this?" Tina said looking at the moving plants
" the forest's plants are..." Komatsu said
As Johannes got out of the helicopter as the giant roots crushed it as it exploded to pieces as half a petal wilted from komatsu's front pocket as he noticed it.
" A capture level 5 is coming." Komatsu said as they heard the screeching sound of the flying peach squirrel as they ran the squirrel chased after them.
" Hey, do something!" Tina said as they kept running " you're a bishokuya, right, tonbi?!"
" No I'm Zombie! Er,no I mean Zonge!" He shouted as they ran " I already went all out beating up the things in this forest today! If I do any more ill just feel bad for them!"
" is this really the time to be blowing your own horn?!"
As the squirrel inmediatly turn around running away as they stopped
" Afraid of me,Huh?" Zonge said
As a full petal wilted from komatsu's pocket as the turn to look behind them.
Aloe frill-Neck Lizard (Aloerimakitokage) (plant beast) capture level 10
As they ran from the giant Lizard as komatsu noticed something shining a head of him as he ran towards that direction.
" Komatsu-kun!" Tina shouted as Johannes followed komatsu
" I'm sure that around here..." Komatsu said as he tripped on a root to see a small seedling bloom into the wulstar sauce tree. " this is it! But the fruits still small though"
" Komatsu-kun!' Tina said " what are you doing?" As she was out of breath as well as Johannes
" At a time like this?!" Johannes said " we have to Hurry up and get out of here!"
" I can't yet" he said " the fruits aren't ripe yet"
" the wulstar sauce fruits?"Johannes said
" but this isn't the time to be saying things like..." Tina said
As the aloe lizard was going towards them
" I can't leave here empty handed" Komatsu said
" Komatsu-kun!" Tina said
" I have resolve as a chef too!" He said as the fruit grew a bit more as Komatsu took one as they started running off as the lizard used its aloe leaves to attack. Grabbing Komatsu as the lizard ate Komatsu whole.
" Komatsu-kun!" Tina shouted
As Komatsu was inside the lizard ashes backpack opened up dropping the gourmet spicer in mid air as he grabbed it. " wait that reminds me..." Komatsu though ' something you failed at will save you, I'm sure it will be a help to you' " that's it!" As he put the spices in the gourmet spicer
" Special tasty hot spice!"Komatsu said
On the outside it seemed the lizard enjoyed the meal until it's aloe leaves literally ripped away as he spit out Komatsu as he held the spicer. As the lizard ran away.
" Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone" Sani said as he appeared " it looks like you've had a pretty rough time, But fear not, for I am here"
" are you okay Komatsu-kun?" Tina ask
As sani looked at the three as they ignored every word he just said.
" Ah yes" Komatsu said " that spice from before really helped me"
" nice idea! That was amazing!"Tina exclaimed
" well it's thanks to Coco-San,too" Komatsu said
" so, did my beaut'ful appearance not mean anything?" Sani said
" Huh? Sani-San?" Komatsu said
" what're you doing here?" Tina asked
" Ah, uh that. I came to get that" Sani said pointing at the aloe
" isn't that, that lizards aloe?" Tina said
" this aloe's got quite a moisturizin' effect it'll be great for my beaut'ful skin and cuticles " Sani said
" Komatsu!" Toriko said
" Oh hey Komatsu!" Aiko said
as they appeared with Terry
" Toriko-San! Ai-chan!" Komatsu said happily running towards the two
" you guys came too?"Toriko said
" yes" Komatsu said
" what's with the big difference compared to when I showed up?" Sani muttered as he stared at aiko smiling at Komatsu and Tina as she walked towards Sani.
" hi Sani-San it's good to see you!" Aiko said giving him a bright smile making Sani's heart beat a bit fast.
" Aki! I was so worried abo't you!" Sani said
" I'm fine Sani-San I was with Toriko-kun" Aiko said as Sani couldn't help but feel a bit jealous that Toriko had Aiko all to himself.
" S'nce when did you call Toriko so casually like that" Sani muttered
" Oh, well he asked me too since he says we've known each other a bit better now." Aiko said
' TORIKO!' Sani though as aiko tilted her head curiously at him.
" Sani-San? Are you okay?" Aiko said moving a bit closer to Sani as he slightly blushed
" Aki I was wondering if you'd like-" he started
" hey aiko! Look what Komatsu found!" Toriko said
" oh excuse me Sani-San " Aiko said as she walked to Toriko and Komatsu.
' it happened again! I want to be alone with Aki!' Sani though
" oh so you came to get the Wulstar sauce fruit" Aiko said
" is that the BBcorn you talked about?" Komatsu ask
" yeah now we're going to turn this stuff into popcorn" Toriko said
" oh the popcorn said to be a snack for Gourmet Nobles"Johannes said
" you wanna come too?"Toriko ask
" yeah it'll be fun Komatsu come with us!" Aiko said as Komatsu looked at the fruit
" that's okay " Komatsu said
" Eh?! Why?!" Tina said
" I'd like to see the popcorn, but I have something I have to do" Komatsu said
" Gotcha" Toriko said
" okay Komatsu there's always next time" Aiko said
As Sani's plane took them leaving Aiko,Toriko and Terry
" Getting to see the BBcorn that was a really rare opportunity " Tina said
" but I have to get back to the IGO and use this fruit to make a sauce that goes well with the Bubbly tuna. It's my job" Komatsu said
" something you have to do, huh?" Tina said
" okay, I'd really like to eat Bubbly tuna with that beaut'ful fruits sauce" Sani said " in a magnificent flight, let's head back at top speed!" As the plane went even faster.
" Um, Sani-San, you can't eat any!" Komatsu said
" it's okay isn't it? Or is that summit a higher priority than me?" Sani ask as he piloted the plane.
" Please give me a break!" Komatsu exclaimed
Back with Toriko,Aiko and Terry
" okay we made it our cooking site!" Toriko said as they walked on the rocks feeling the rising temperature on it.
" H-H-Hot!" Aiko exclaimed
As they jumped up to the higher rock.
" that was close we almost got cooked ourselves" Toriko said
" no wonder it's called the magma hot spot Toriko-kun" Aiko said moving a bit trying to regain feeling in her feet
" the magma below the grounds is no less than 1,400 degrees the higher you go the lower the temperature of the Rock is " Toriko explained
" but with this heat I know we'll make delicious popcorn!" Aiko said
" okay let's cook the BBcorn!" Toriko said as Terry barked in agreement
As Toriko placed one kernel in the rock.
" if we roast it on high temperature rock too suddenly it'll burn " Toriko said
" in order not to get it to burn well just slowly warm it in lower temperature first " Aiko said
" okay that should be about good" Toriko said flipping the kernel over to reveal a large burnt side " it burned!"
" I guess it was too late, we have to be careful" Aiko said " don't take your eyes off of it guys not even for a second"
Slowly as night fell the trio manage to climb down to the third rock. As Toriko took a drink from his canteen as he glanced at Aiko as she tied her hair up by the heat as she drank from her canteen.
" here you've gotta keep up your hydration too Terry" Toriko said holding the canteen to Terry " we'll be here a while"
" a long while" Aiko said ' but we can't get to any rock hotter than this...wait! Didn't mansam said that my Reiki ability also affects the temperature in my body? But I havent learned it yet' Aiko though
" is that a magma rat skin?" Toriko said as aiko snapped out of her thoughts. " this skin can endure even intense heat, let me use this for a little bit"
As morning came as the three of them manage to go lower on the rock. As the scalding heat started making them sweat Toriko took off his shirt by the heat.
" persevere Terry" Toriko said " give it everything you've got, getting delicious things isn't that simple" as he glanced at Aiko as she was sweating a lot as he notice that she's unbuttoning her sleeveless shirt as he started to turn red.
" Aiko! What are you doing?!" Toriko said as he stared at the BBcorn trying not to look at Aiko undressing in front of him.
" easy toriko-kun I have a sports bra on I always wear these when I go on captures " Aiko said as Toriko slightly glanced at Aiko which was true she was wearing a light blue sports bra as she giggled.
" What?" Toriko blushed
" It just the look on your face was so cute!"Aiko said between giggles as he continued to blush
" sheddep " Toriko muttered as he was slightly red.
After a few hours the reached the bottom.
" we finally made it" Toriko said as they slowly gasp a bit by the intense heat. " the lowest and hottest rock at a temperature of 1,200 degrees "
" please pop BBcorn please" Aiko said as she sweated a lot
As they saw the kernel moving
" is it happening?! Aiko look!" Toriko said as she moved closer to Toriko looking at the kernel moving " come on! Come on!" As the kernel pop unleashing a huge explosion of popcorn as it rain popcorn everywhere.
" we did it! It's a rain of popcorn!" Toriko exclaimed " we did it Terry! Aiko! Good job enduring all that without making a single displeasing face!"
" great job Terry!" Aiko said as she petted Terry as she smiled.
" A meal after a hard days work is always incredible!"Toriko said
" even better when you share it with friends!"Aiko said " let's dig it!"
As they jumped up to the top as Toriko and Aiko grabbed one of the popcorn.
" and man these are huge!"Toriko said " they look more like cotton candy than popcorn "
"Look there's enough for a hundred people!" Aiko said as they looked at the popcorn
" fragrant...it's like a fried croquette." Toriko said smelling the popcorn
" I give thanks to all of the ingredients in this world itadakimasu!" The two said as Terry closed her eyes to mimick them.
As she sniffed the popcorn
" Terry what do you think?"Aiko ask as Terry licked it as she took a bite of it. As she barked happily.
" is it good? Really?!"Toriko said as he wiped away a slight tear of happiness " okay I'll have some too!"
" that's great Terry eat as much as you want! Il have some too!"Aiko said as she took a bite as her eyes widen. ' delicious! So good! When I bite it the flavor grows into an even deep flavor!' She though as she saw Toriko grabbing one and eating it non stop as they heard the volcano erupting.
" oh great timing! The volcano ash has a high salt content and its edible" Toriko said " bring on the popcorn spice!"
" wow! It's so good Toriko-kun!" Aiko said " even better with the volcano ash salt!"
" it looks like we've been given Wul volcano's blessing, huh?" Toriko said
" yep cause we finally found something that suits Terry's palette " Aiko said
"Aiko,Terry Ive decided on my hors d'oeurve!" Toriko said " for my full course menu hors d'oeurve...I've chosen the BBcorn!"
" that's great Toriko-kun!" Aiko said happily
" this is utterly befitting of a starter it'll make the whole course seem more delicious!"Toriko said " thank you Terry this is thanks to you" as he hugged Terry as he turn to Aiko.
" I'm happy that you found your hors d'oeurves I'm sure you'll have even more delicious ingredients along the way" Aiko said smiling as Toriko hugged her tightly
" Aiko...I gotta tell you something " Toriko said as he let go and took her hands in his " Aiko I wanted to say that I—"
As there was strong winds as all of the BB popcorn were being sucked as they looked at a man and what looked like he was holding a giant straw.
" Yum, BBcorn!" The strange man said " Can I suck up that dog,too?!" As Terry ran at great speed away from the man as he used his straw with great force to try and suck Terry in.
" TERRY!" Aiko shouted
there you have it guys the next chapter will be up soon theres still time to vote on my poll! Also those that don't have an account you can leave a review of which person you'd like aiko to be with! See you guys soon!
