Chapter 401: Recruitment from the Head Chef of Totsuki

Originally still scrambling for food, Minezaki, upon hearing Erina's words, suddenly wore an embarrassed expression and slowly retracted her chopsticks.

That's right; at the very beginning, Minezaki had indeed been acting as a shop assistant, responsible for hosting Erina and her group.

But when Erina and the others were tasting the dish, Minezaki, looking at the slices of fish meat on the ice mountain that were as clear and translucent as works of art, felt her appetite instantly stirred, and she reached out her chopsticks as if possessed.

Then, after the first bite, she was instantly unable to stop, entering a state of "drug-induced" ecstasy even more blush-inducing than Erina and Hisako.

It was fortunate that everyone else was currently in a state of intoxication from the cuisine; otherwise, this guy Minezaki would likely have suffered a social death afterward.

Of course, Shengzai, the only one present who remained sober, had watched the entire scene of fan service.

After Minezaki retreated from the final battle for the last slice of sea bream, Yukihira Soma and Erina were still arguing endlessly, until a pair of chopsticks reached out from the side as if no one else was there, picked up the slice of sea bream, and brought it to a mouth. The two who had been arguing then glared at the other in unison.

"I said it before, didn't I? The longer sashimi is left out, the worse it tastes.

Since you two can't reach a conclusion, it would be best for me to resolve it. Besides, since this dish was made by me, eating the last bite can be considered a decent ending, right?"

When the sea bream entered his mouth, Shengzai thought it was delicious, but he did not fall into the "drug-induced" state that Erina and the others had experienced.

Thinking that those who were "drugged" generally didn't feel there was anything strange about themselves, Shengzai asked Minezaki beside him, and the result was that she indicated Shengzai hadn't done anything strange.

What the hell? Was it because the sashimi had been left out too long, making it impossible to enter the drug-induced state, or was it that he couldn't drug himself?

"Extraordinary. Just as that person said, you are indeed a culinary genius possessing both talent and strength.

Although it might be presumptuous to ask, young man, if I, as the Head Chef of Totsuki, personally invite you to enter Totsuki Academy, would you be willing to come?

With your culinary level, I believe that it won't be long before you obtain a seat among the 'Totsuki Ten' after entering Totsuki.

And within Totsuki Academy, the 'Totsuki Ten' not only possess authority higher than instructors, but after graduation, they can also possess a certain level of prestige, fame, and status in the entire Japanese culinary world."

The food was finished. Nakiri Senzaemon first covered his chest, which had been exposed by his "clothes-tearing" reaction, then took a sip of tea, and looked at Shengzai with a serious face as he asked.

Upon hearing Nakiri Senzaemon's words, Nakiri Erina and Hisako, who were sitting to the side, also showed expressions of surprise.

After all, since the establishment of Totsuki Academy, they had never heard of the Head Chef of Totsuki personally visiting a student to invite them!

Moreover, Nakiri Senzaemon's evaluation of Shengzai could not be called anything but high. Being able to obtain a seat among the "Totsuki Ten" upon enrollment meant that in Nakiri Senzaemon's view, Shengzai's current culinary skills were perhaps already stronger than the majority of the current "Totsuki Ten."

Otherwise, if he were only stronger than Nakiri Erina, Senzaemon would not have used such a firm tone.

However, regarding Nakiri Senzaemon's evaluation of Shengzai, if it had been before, Erina would have felt surprised and unconvinced.

But after eating the "Three-Not-Sticking" and "Mountain of Flaming Ice Fresh Sea Bream" made by Shengzai, she now had to admit that this young man of similar age to her had already left her far behind in terms of culinary skills.

If it were only that egg dish called "Three-Not-Sticking," Erina would still feel that although she was slightly inferior to the other party, such a distance was not impossible to catch up with.

But when seeing Shengzai's "Mountain of Flaming Ice Fresh Sea Bream," Erina truly could not muster the courage to compare herself with Shengzai.

Not to mention other dishes, but in terms of sashimi, Erina even felt that it would be very difficult for her to catch up to Shengzai in this lifetime; after all, that kind of ultimate knife skill was truly enough to make one look up in awe.

The Head Chef of Totsuki, the "Demon of Food," personally inviting him—if it were other chefs, there would probably be quite a few who would be so excited they would cry on the spot, right?

However, facing the olive branch thrown by Nakiri Senzaemon, Shengzai now just calmly wiped his Seven-Star Knife, and finally, with a serious face, said: "I am very grateful for the Head Chef of Totsuki's kindness, but please forgive me for refusing, because I still prefer the small restaurant at home."

"Damn it, are you looking down on our Totsuki Academy? My grandfather has never invited a student like this before, although you are indeed..."

"Erina!"

Hearing Shengzai's refusal, Erina, whose emotions had suddenly become somewhat agitated, was interrupted by Nakiri Senzaemon before she could finish speaking.

Afterward, Senzaemon looked at Shengzai seriously again and said: "Could you tell me the reason for your refusal of Totsuki?

It cannot be denied that as far as peers are concerned, your talent and ability are indeed outstanding among those I have seen, but there are also quite a few culinary geniuses in Totsuki who are like you.

Staying in one corner will only bury your talent; only by colliding and communicating with other geniuses can you take a step further.

Or perhaps you are dissatisfied with the conditions I just proposed? As long as you are willing to enter Totsuki, any conditions you have can be discussed."

Regarding Shengzai's refusal, Nakiri Senzaemon was not angry, but still said with a calm expression.

If it were someone else, Nakiri Senzaemon probably wouldn't be so persistent, but the "Mountain of Flaming Ice Fresh Sea Bream" that Shengzai had just made had truly amazed him.

Senzaemon had seen quite a few geniuses who worked behind closed doors, possessed extraordinary talent and ability, and eventually faded into the crowd.

Senzaemon believed that for Shengzai to have such a culinary level at this age, besides his own talent and hard work, the careful guidance of Shengzai's mother was also a major reason.

As Yukihira Soma said, Shengzai's mother was a chef whose strength was not inferior to Saiba Joichiro.

And with such a powerful chef carefully guiding him from a young age, Shengzai's starting point was naturally much higher than others from the beginning.

But now that Shengzai's mother has gone on a long journey, instead of guarding such a small restaurant and burying his talent, it would be better to enter Totsuki Academy to receive elite education.

Senzaemon dared not say that Totsuki's instructors were better than Shengzai's mother, but at least it was definitely better than Shengzai working behind closed doors by himself.

"I am very sorry, I do not have any thoughts of looking down on Totsuki Academy, I just think that entering Totsuki Academy to study is completely different from the culinary path I want to take.

Regarding fame, wealth, and status, I don't see them as very important; I just want to continuously refine my culinary level and keep the restaurant at home open."

(End of chapter)