A Pure-Hearted Man's Passion

With Mansam and shockingly, the Vice-President Shigematsu.

Naruko was pointing out Battle Mistakes as she has them attack her one by one, at their full force as if they're in a fight for their lives on her orders.

They hit at their hardest and fastest, and she was unfazed and unbothered that freaked them out.

Toriko has 9 mistakes, Coco has 11 and Sani, 20 mistakes due to his vanity in terms of martial combat.

As for techniques...

Their most common problem was poor energy inefficiency. Too much and too little on actually strong techniques but unevenly distributed, as well as slow attack formation.

Toriko's techniques take two seconds to form. Coco takes four to coat himself in poison and his firing speed too slow, and his creation of poison weapons? Even slower. Sani's range is too short for all 200000 hairs he has to extend it at least far enough for a 300m reach or hopefully more than that with ALL OF HIS HAIRS for max power that he can casually use without getting tired easily if he wanted to enter Gourmet World.

'That little lady is impressive...with her demands.' Vice President Shigematsu mused in amusement.

'Well, she made short work of the Bishokukai's GT Robos and knows how to fight.' said Mansam. 'She's helping them out to be better guys.'

Upon getting their needed homework, Toriko, Coco and Sani set out, determined.

'Those are quite serious looks on their faces.' Komatsu commented as Johannes took them home to Toriko Harbor near the city where Komatsu works in.

'Yeah, they made up their minds.' said Naruko. 'They're gonna do it or die trying. Becoming strong isn't easy. You gotta pour lots of time, effort and near-sleepless nights over it.'

'I'll work to become a better chef too.' said Komatsu. 'I'll have to cook more nutritious food for everyone.'

'That's the spirit.' said Naruko. 'If you travel with Toriko as his Combo Partner, you'll get stronger mentally, emotionally and psychologically since we Bishokuya do crazy, hair-raising stuff on a daily basis...and Bishokuya are counting on their Chef Partners as support.'

'Ehehe hair-raising...' "Ever since I met Toriko-san I've gone through crazy stuff but..." 'Combo huh...Naruko-san, what about you? Aren't you gonna pair up with anybody?'

'They gotta prove they're worth partnering with.' said Naruko. 'My partner should be someone who values life and teamwork, has high morals and a conscience, stronger than me and will not pull gender-bias bullshit on me such as 'you're a woman don't fight', I'll just end up drowning them in the ocean or maroon them in Ice Hell to freeze and die...' Komatsu shuddered at that, particularly her dark expression at the last condition. 'If even one requirement is failed, I will not accept them as my partner unless they impress me enough to make up for one lacking but things I will NOT compromise in is the gender-bias bullshit and lack of morals.'

'Talk about high standards...' Johannes sighed. 'Can we even find such a person in the IGO for that...'

'Then it simply means I'm going solo fly.' Naruko harrumphed, arms crossed. 'Come to think of it there's gonna be a Gourmet Summit soon...are you gonna be OK Komatsu?'

'Eh?'

'Hotel Gourmet is under IGO.' said Johannes. 'You'll possibly be asked to cook for them.'

Komatsu went slack-jawed.

'EHHHH?! W-why me and why not Naruko-san?!'

'I'm not an IGO Affiliate, just a citizen.' said Naruko wryly. 'Not to mention my schedule is packed. I got 20 parties after this, I gotta stock up! No doubt that Jewel Meat will be on the Gourmet Summit Menu...'

Dishes served in the Gourmet Summit are extremely high-class, with a Capture Level of 50 and above.

'Not quite.' said Johannes.

'Huh?!' both chefs gawked out.

'That Jewel Meat is only forty years old from a CLVL 48 Regal Mammoth...it won't be on the menu.' said Johannes.

'Unreal...I tastes sheer luxury and it won't be on the summit?' Komatsu choked out. 'How picky are they?'

'Naruko-san, we're counting on you for seafood supplies.' Johannes quipped. 'We'll be sending you requests.'

'K K, my first party will start on Sunday next week.' said Naruko. 'I'll have plenty to share for that party of snobs.' she said with a wink.

xxx

Weeks later...

After several parties she's been to, even in social gatherings and birthdays, she got wind of the ever-elusive Century Soup.

But she knows that its long gone so she didn't bother coming...only to get recruited for rescue because of the Bishokukai by Coco and a rumor that Toriko and the others got marooned to death by their client!

'Colonel Mokkoi huh? Toriko sure got hired by some shady bastard.' Naruko frowned as she and Coco rode on Kiss. 'He was one of my clients too when he wants seafood and his party I went to was last month.'

'What do you know of that man?' Coco asked her.

'He's ridiculously wealthy, annual income of trillions making him one of the richest men in the world that my Service Fee of 50 million is just phone booth change to him.' Naruko snarked. 'But when I looked around, his company is very well-defended in terms of Military Power. He has shady connections that gets him all military land, sea and air armored vehicles he can wage civil war if he wanted, lives in a stupidly-expensive mansion, nothing but beautiful women for servants, even the butler is a woman but dear lord, pity the woman who works for him...' she shuddered, 'The only reason he can't touch me is because I have the power to snub him as the Top#16 Chef in the world.'

'Is he a cruel boss?' Coco frowned worriedly.

'Not quite, but I've seen enough porn in my life in his parties...or should I call it orgies instead.' Coco balked at that. 'All women that work for him are barely-dressed, and er...very active...if you know what I mean...and the SP he hires can freely enjoy themselves as long as they do their jobs.' said the blonde. 'Even worse, they're so addicted to it that the women quickly do their jobs and run for a man of their choice, opening their legs.'

Coco can only imagine such a scenario and got red-faced, smoke coming out of his ears.

'Yikes...good thing you're untouched.' said Coco in relief.

'I'm powerful in the influence department.' Naruko beamed. 'I'm totally safe!'

'But at any rate...is there any Century Soup left?' Coco wondered. 'Hopefully this trip is worth it.'

'Sadly no...its dried up.' said Naruko to Coco's dismay. 'I'm a regular visitor y'know. The Gourmet Show Window's many creatures are so squeezed up dry they can't ooze out their juices anymore. They went there for nothing and possibly, paid a huge price for nothing.' she scowled. 'And to think that damn old man marooned them there...I'm gonna have to snub him permanently.'

"That's because Komatsu-kun was among those marooned to death." Coco thought.

Komatsu was the one who earned her loyalty and power. Komatsu has no idea that if he asked, she'd gladly do it. He has no idea how much power he has over the ninja. Good thing Komatsu is a kind, gentle soul.

Upon arrival in Ice Hell...

'Brr, its cold!' Coco gasped as he felt the brutal chill of Ice Hell while Naruko can freely snub the temperatures, and she wore a sleeveless short dress!

'I'll add this to your homework.'

'Ehhh?!'

'Have fun.'

'You're a cruel teacher...' Coco sulked.

'Shaddap. The stuff I gave you are mere training wheels to prepare for sterner stuff.'

Upon arrival, they saw the others come out of a tunnel dead end by the cliffs.

'Coco-saaaan!' Komatsu cried in relief. 'Naruko-saaan!'

'Coco! Naruko!' Toriko cried in relief.

'We'll pick you guys up.' said Naruko. 'But the ride home will be a bit cold!' she said as using her Gourmet-Granted powers over Ice and Water, she controlled water using sheer will via Telekinesis alone and fashioned an ice basket and ice stairs for them to get onto it.

'Wooow...didn't know you could do this...and its convenient too!' Komatsu squealed in delight.

'Well, I'm not the Maiden of the Deep for nothing you know.' Naruko chuckled. 'Ice and Water's my territory. If some dumbass fought me in Ice Hell, they're so dead.'

'At any rate, its cool and comfy in here too.' said Match, settling down with the others. 'Everyone can rest here.'

'Setsuno-sama gave us a job...we're to rescue you guys and take you to LIFE.' said Naruko. 'She foresaw this, combined with Coco's fortune-telling. But to think Toriko will lose an arm in the job...' she noted Toriko's stump covered in Doctor Aloe and cringed, wondering if he could get his arm back...

'Can't be helped...Tommy's that strong.' said Toriko with a wince.

'For now, recover well guys, at least until we get to LIFE.' said Coco as Naruko took out a big seafood hotpot and deep bowls with deep spoons.

'Shellfish Hotpot with Medicinal Ingredients. Easy to eat and filling for injured.' said Naruko as she began serving the injured and cold.

'Knowing you, those are High-Class Ingredients!' Takimaru squeaked in horror, backing away. 'I'm a Gourmet Knight, I can't eat that even if its tasty! I'd commit taboo against the Doctrine!'

'...what's that?' Naruko asked cluelessly.

'They're guys who follow the Gourmet Doctrine.' said Toriko. 'The Gourmet Doctrine is a religious belief that one must entrust their life to nature. The Gourmet Knights even follow a simple diet of below LV3 CLVLs.'

'You gotta be kidding.' Match deadpanned. He can't comprehend that people who would pass up on gourmet luxury existed.

'Then, you can eat the flora then.' using her powers, she took some vegetables and mushrooms, but none of the soup. 'They're waaaay below LV1 since all anyone can do is pick them.'

'T-thank you...' Takimaru looked relieved, gratefully accepting the vegetables.

'Umeee! The soup is spicy but in a warming way, not in a tongue-burning way!' Teppei cried as Naruko went back to ride on Kiss.

'I feel warm already...' Komatsu swooned out in the delicious warmth granted to them.

'Its delicious!' Toriko scarfed down his meal by chugging it down with one arm.

'Eat up fellas! Its a long trip to LIFE!' Coco told them. 'CLV1 Vegetables?' Coco asked her in a low voice with a raised eyebrow. 'From you?' he snorted.

'Vegetables from LIFE really are easy to get, if you survive the beasties there racking up the level.' Naruko snickered. 'Let's not tell him that.'

Coco shook his head in amusement.

Days later...dining on floating ice was all too surreal, not that they have a choice...out of consideration for Takimaru, Naruko only caught easy prey for him while everyone else gets their fill of luxury seafood.

If Toriko can generate energy knives and forks, she could generate energy fins and tails and dive for prey and gets back food.

Soon, in LIFE...

'Here we are!' said Teppei as they landed by the entrance...and sure enough, loads of Butterflies landed on the boys.

'Ah! Butterfly Therapies!' Naruko exclaimed. 'The blue ones will alight on relatively light injuries, while the red ones will gravitate to more severe afflictions. Those with mortal wounds will find both kinds drawn to them. They help doctors determine who to treat first based on their landing.'

'Heee...'

'Well, you guys are lucky at any rate cuz' if both landed on you we'd have to rush you.' said Teppei.

'Naruko-san, Coco-san, I need to get back to the hotel as soon as possible.' said Komatsu. 'I want to recreate it immediately! Century Soup!' he said urgently. 'I need to try and get that taste!'

'Huh? I thought that place is all dried up?!' Naruko gawked. 'The ingredients in the show window are worse than dried raisins! Useless!'

'Well, I was able to squeeze out a mouthful left.' said Teppei.

'There WAS some, just enough for a small bowl but...the Bishokukai took it so the last drop, Teppei-san wrung it out.' said Komatsu helplessly, upset about it. 'That's why I want to recreate it. As soon as possible while I still remember the taste! For everyone's sake!'

'Alright.' said Naruko. 'If you decided that strongly, we'll take you back home.'

'Yun!' came the cutesy squeak of...a pink penguin?

'O-Oh! In the ensuing chaos he decided to come with us.' said Komatsu sheepishly.

'Heee...that's a cute one.' Coco petted the penguin that enjoyed the attention.

'Let's hurry on then.' said Naruko as they boarded the ice basket.

'Komatsu! I'm counting on you!' Toriko told him.

'Yes!'

xxx

'Can he do it? Recreate it.' said Coco as they left Komatsu and his penguin.

'Well...he has talent. But unless Toriko takes him out to play, he can't awaken it.' said Naruko. 'He can't travel with me, I'd end up coddling him!'

"You definitely would." Coco thought wryly.

It took days.

Komatsu purchased ingredients from both the Wholesale and asking Naruko for some.

Naruko gladly got him high-quality ingredients and various flavorings. Considering she knew what's on the Gourmet Show Window, she had to get equal amount of land and sea beasts and condiments that somehow sembled them as she never saw them anywhere in the years she was in this world. They were all prehistoric and extinct.

It took six months.

'You've worked hard Komatsu.' said Naruko, giving him nutritious medicinal energy soups that keep his body awake, recover from fatigue and stress and provide nutrients quickly. She gives it to him in a bottle with a straw for quick consumption. 'How is it?'

'I'm almost there, there's just one thing missing but I haven't an idea what it could be...!' Komatsu choked out. 'You and I did all we could but...'

'Maa maa, don't give up.' said Naruko. 'Ingredients talk...and they open up to ones they like.' she said. 'Its love.'

'Love?' Komatsu asked her.

'Yup...food are attracted to those who wants to bring out the best in them to feed people and bring them that same pleasure of tasting deliciousness.' Naruko explained. 'Open your mind and heart, and listen. This is part of Chef training no Chef School can teach you. How else do you think we're the Top 100? So few are so passionate about food. Everyone else is just in it for money and fame, and no heart nor passion in their cooking so they never advanced. The ingredients snubbed them because they weren't loved. They never gave their best while cooked.'

'Heee...' Komatsu got some confidence in her words. 'Setsuno-san was trying to create a Century Soup for this Century while respecting her ancestors...and now, I gotta create a Century Soup for our age.' he said. 'Naruko-san have you tried creating your version since you found out about Century Soup?'

'I tried but the last Ingredient, I'm stumped in...I tried but no matter what I did, the Aurora that was the symbol of its authenticity never showed up.' Naruko sighed. 'Its no Century Soup if there's no Aurora like it says in books. Its just another plain transparent soup.'

'Awww...'

'Yun!' they saw a sad penguin peek from the kitchens.

'Ah, penguin-chan must be hungry.' said Naruko. 'I tried feeding him but he barely eats my food...maybe if its you, his master...'

'Oh no! I'm so sorry!' Komatsu cried at the forgotten penguin. 'I'll get you something right away! Oh yeah, wanna try my soup out?' he asked, offering his current progress to Yun.

Yun drooled in anticipation but...

When a drop of his drool fell...

The aurora appeared.

'Holy cow! I told you so!' both chefs had their eyes bulge in disbelief and shock.

Komatsu had an epiphany by the looks on his face, and looked at Yun. 'C-could it be...that the final ingredient was your drool...?' he croaked out. 'Never in my wildest dreams...its kinda like a Swallowtail Bird's drool huh?'

'It makes sense now...Wall Penguins since prehistoric times while the Gourmet Nobility was around, they ate so much of it that its essence permeated enough all the way into their genes.' Naruko mused thoughtfully. 'And you met the li'l fella in Ice Hell...you must have won its heart over that the soup's last drops chose you because Yun-chan chose you.' she speculated happily.

'T-thank you, Yun...' Komatsu, overwhelmed that he became the Chef of Century Soup was because he saved and adopted Yun after the Bishokukai killed his parents. He was extremely grateful to Yun and gave it a gentle hug.

"Ah, its just too cute..." Naruko squeed at the penguin's expression when Komatsu hugged it.

Komatsu declared his soup completed and Hotel Gourmet was mobbed by the Media while from afar, Naruko watched just so the media won't use her to steal Komatsu's thunder.

'He completed it!' said Naruko to Coco in his shop in Gourmet Fortune basically barging her way in despite a humongous line of girls. 'Century Soup, he did it!'

'Really?! He did!' Coco perked up.

'Yeah! We got a VIP Seat! C'mon!'

And so...

'Everyone! Century Soup!' Komatsu served them a covered bowl each.

The customers were Toriko, Match and his followers, Takimaru, Teppei, Coco, Naruko and Setsuno. Rin came to dine with Toriko in a suit that she wore her best dress while Naruko appeared just as formal in a blue dress and dark blue shoes and her long hair down from its usual high twintails.

'Bon Appetit!' and they removed the lids to see the aurora appear.

'UWOOOH!'

'Amazing!' Match gasped out.

'The aurora came out!' said one of his subordinates.

'T-this is the real...' Coco gasped as Setsuno finished his words with a dramatic 'Centuuuryyyy Sooooouuuup!'

'It took six months of nonstop work too...' Naruko smiled. 'But with how its done, everyone can now eat it willy-nilly...'

'No kidding, Capture Level 60 down to way less than 1 in just half a year!' Teppei cried. 'Its incredible!'

'With that, I can bring this home...' Takimaru swooned in delight. 'I can safely say we can eat this!'

'Itadakimasu!'

Everyone had something to say about the soup.

Its so transparent that the only way to tell it was there was through the aurora and the smell.

And the sound it makes was gentle elegance.

They can even 'taste' it by scent alone before they could slurp it up but...

Its THICK.

"Its like I bit into something..." Naruko gasped out as she froze at the unusually prominent presence. Normally you can't 'bite' soup but due to its immense richness, it had such a substance into its ancient savoriness that...she ended up having a dopey grin she, like Coco, quickly buried her face in her arms out of embarrassment. "W-wow...its like I forgot everything but happiness..."

Something in her throbbed. "Huh?"

She gained incredible power.

'Oho? Century Soup is compatible with you huh?' Setsuno asked Naruko as Naruko grew in power.

'I guess so...' Naruko didn't show her face, perfectly content with evolving while face tucked down.

'Hey Komatsu! Can I put it in? Into my Full Course?' Toriko asked Komatsu excitedly.

'EHH?! Really?!' Komatsu was utterly stunned and touched. He gladly gave consent, then he was asked by Teppei if he'd patent it.

'No...'

He was worried about the Wall Penguins, fearing overpoaching to extinction, thus 'killing' Century Soup so he wouldn't patent it. That, and its Toriko's Soup for his Full Course!