Toriko: Namu's Buffet
Chapter 28
"Reasons For Eating."
The light reflecting off the ice gave a beautiful glow throughout the area. From the stalagmites to the stalactites the light bounced off the ice, almost like a living painting.
In a certain part of the cave, there was a tent, and several people sitting around in a circle.
"The Century Soup is said to give off an aurora, known as the 'Bishoku Curtain'." one of them said. "It's like a curtain to a restaurant that's been closed for 100 years opening to invite customers."
Immediately, Namu thought of his grandmother, and her habit of not opening her dining hall for months at a time. Although he thought this habit odd given his grandmother's status, he understood what she told him long ago. Setsuno only opened her shop when the Ingredients were ready, and not a second before. After all, the Ingredients are the ones that choose what chefs cook them, and what person eats them.
Namu grinned as he remembered his grandparents. Bygone days of Granny Setsu cooking, while Grandpa Jiro rested on the couch, drinking something he got from his almost daily visits to the Heavy Drinker Archipelago.
"Namu?" Tsubaki spoke softly to get Namu's attention. "Are you okay? You've been spacing out for a few seconds."
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking of my folks." Namu replied.
Namu took another piece of the Silver Grizzly they had killed earlier and began eating it slowly to maintain his energy.
Suddenly, Tsubaki noticed a small pink penguin walking towards Komatsu.
"WHOA! That surprised me!" Komatsu screamed. "What is that thing?"
"Oh, that's a Wall Penguin." Toriko replied. "Those guys are rare."
Komatsu looked at the oddly colored bird for a moment.
"It's so cute!" he said as he began to hug it.
"Oh my Acacia!" Tsubaki squealed as she too began hugging the small bird. "You're right Komatsu, this little guy's adorable!"
"Be careful you two." Toriko said with a grin. "That's an endangered species. And it's a child. It's parents are probably looking all over for it. I bet they're furious."
"I can take 'em!" Tsubaki boasted, placing her hand on the hilt of her kitchen knife.
"I CAN'T!" Komatsu shouted in fear.
"A baby bird that can't find its parents. Sounds like a pain." Match said dismissively as got up from his seat.
"Sounds like a pain"?" Namu thought to himself. "How can this guy be so heartless? I thought at least some yakuza had some honor."
"So, why do you guys want the Century Soup?" Komatsu asked the remaining yakuza. "Sorry, I just blurted that out, didn't I?
The yakuza explained their past. How they were street rats in Nerg City. How they begged for food, and how Match brought them into the Gourmet Yakuza. And, much to Namu's shock, the poor children of the city. And that they were going to give the Century Soup to them.
"Was he really that selfless?" Namu asked himself. "All this time I thought he was just another thug. Maybe I should apologize."
"What about you two?" Toriko turned to Namu and Tsubaki. "Why do you guys want the soup? Is this a date?"
"No!" Namu shouted more aggressively than he intended. "Tsubaki and I are working on our Full Course Menu. It's not finished, but the Century Soup might make a good Soup dish."
"That's right." Tsubaki added. "Also, it might impress my boss enough to finally make me a Sous Chef."
"You have a job?!" Namu asked, surprised.
"What, do you think I just sit in my apartment all day waiting for you to call?!"
"No. I just.. I.. uh…" Namu was so embarrassed at his the fact he had never asked Tsubaki such a simple question about her life.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell."
"It's okay, Tsu. Who do you work for anyway?"
"I work at Butch's Restaurant Rodeo."
Suddenly, Namu, Toriko, and Komatsu became shocked.
"Wait a minute! You work for Butch?! The "Gourmet Outlaw"?!" Namu began raising a ruckus.
"He's one of the top 250 Chefs in the world!"
"I know." Tsubaki replied, calmly. "That's why I wanna impress him."
Meanwhile…
"Hmph." Sarco scoffed. "I've seen more impressive caves in Gourmet World."
Sarco, Tommyrod, and the rest of the Bishokukai made their way inside Ice Mountain.
End of Chapter!
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys, hope you liked this chapter. I'm gonna try to make these longer going forward. Let me know what you think!
Also, I couldn't remember if Tsubaki was a free agent when it came to cooking, so if she was, let's just say she got a job in between story arcs. #retcons
Until next time.
JA NE!