Shokurin Temple—revered as the "Temple of Etiquette"—holds towering prestige even within the high-level gourmet world of Toriko.
It is a required stop for many chefs—and a nightmare for many wrongdoers.
Shun knew Toriko well and understood exactly what kind of place Shokurin Temple was.
Even someone as strong as Toriko (Aru) had suffered plenty of bumps and bruises to finish his training here.
Ordinary people couldn't withstand Shokurin Temple's regimen; one careless step could be fatal.
"I don't know if this mortal body of mine can handle training here…"
With that thought, Shun spoke to the system in his mind. "System, are you sure I have to train here? I'm not afraid of hard work, but my body might not keep up."
The system ignored his question.
Ding. Host has entered a high-level gourmet world with insufficient base stats.
Granting [Gourmet Cells]. Fusion commencing.
Ding. First entry into the world of Toriko detected. Assigning a new identity based on host's strength and current objectives.
Ding. Identity granted—Outer-Gate Disciple of Shokurin Temple.
Before he could react, a searing heat surged through him. On a microscopic level, his muscle fibers began to reorganize.
The pain drove him to one knee; sweat beaded and rolled from his brow.
"S-so this is Gourmet Cell fusion…?"
He could feel every cell in his body cheering, as if infused with new life.
Plain muscle lines sharpened into clean contours, and his five senses grew razor-keen.
Ding! Gourmet Cells fused. Overall physique enhanced. Current Gourmet Cell Awakening: 2%.
The process took less than a minute—but the agony nearly knocked him out.
Thanks to sheer will, he endured.
Now his whole body felt light, power humming beneath his skin.
He threw a test punch—air whistled with a crisp whoosh.
"So this is the power of Gourmet Cells…"
He looked down at his palms. The old calluses from years of gripping knives had vanished, replaced by springy, resilient skin.
But when he flexed, his muscles hardened like steel.
Just as he was basking in the joy of fusion, a young man stepped out through Shokurin Temple's main gate.
He wore a dark moss-green monk's robe. Tall and straight as bamboo, his face was spare yet warm with a jade-like smile. His half-smiling eyes seemed to see right through people.
The two characters "Food Honor" stitched across his chest glimmered faintly in the sun. He descended the stone steps one by one, each step carrying a peculiar rhythm—as if in sync with the temple's very breath.
"A new outer disciple?"
His voice was like a mountain spring—clear and bracing, with a calm that settled the heart.
He smiled at Shun. "I'm Shuu—acting instructor at Shokurin Temple."
Shun quickly clasped his hands and bowed. "Shuu-sensei, hello. I'm Shun. I've come to train at Shokurin Temple."
In the Toriko storyline, it was Shuu who supervised early Food Honor training for Toriko and Komatsu.
Before Toriko learned Food Honor, he wasn't even Shuu's match.
That alone showed how strong Shuu was—and how much Food Honor could elevate someone.
Shuu nodded. "Come with me. I'll take you inside."
"Right."
Shun followed behind Shuu, stepping up the stone stairs.
What would the training be like here? Harder than what Toriko and the others went through?
Could he truly grasp the basics of Food Honor in just half a month?
Also—Shokurin Temple should have access to high-grade ingredients. If he could bring his own to the transfer exam, that would boost his chances.
As the thought crossed his mind, several slim stone spikes suddenly jutted up from the otherwise calm stair, stabbing toward his feet.
"—What?!"
Shun started—but his reflexes were sharp now. He sprang back, narrowly avoiding the sudden attack.
Shuu glanced back with a smile. "Do not forget etiquette. The materials used in Shokurin Temple's structures can turn invisible—and they'll strike those who behave discourteously."
Buildings that attack people—impossible in the Shokugeki world, but in Toriko, nothing was off the table.
"Don't forget etiquette, huh…"
Shun recalled how Toriko and the others had passed their entrance trials here.
The basis of Food Honor is gratitude—for food, and for all things.
Only on that foundation can one train and truly learn it.
With that in mind, Shun pressed his palms together, closed his eyes, and bowed deeply to the stairs. "Thank you for guiding my steps forward."
When he set foot on the stairs again, the sharp spikes drew back into the stone like living things.
A glint of approval flickered in Shuu's eyes. "Not bad. You've tasted the first hint of Rei—of courtesy."
Careful and composed, Shun followed Shuu, step by step, toward the temple gates.
Inside the main hall, the sight took Shun's breath away.
Tens of thousands of robed disciples moved in precise unison across the courtyard, training Food Honor under the guidance of acting instructors.
"S-so many… Are all of them temple disciples?" Shun couldn't help blurting out.
Shuu looked over the crowd and explained, "Those who wish to train in Food Honor, students and working chefs alike—plus waves sent here as corporate trainees. In recent years alone, a hundred thousand have passed through."
"A hundred thousand?! That many?"
"No. Ordinary beginners don't just show up here."
He pointed to a cluster of people. "Some committed crimes in the outside world and were forcibly sent here. Of course there are ordinary folks like you who came to learn. But the majority are convicts sentenced by the Gourmet Court to reform at Shokurin Temple."
So even criminals were sent here for reform. No wonder training here wasn't something normal people could endure.
Right—Shokurin Temple was no ordinary place to stay.
"Shuu-sensei, uh… will you be the one guiding my Food Honor training?" Shun swallowed and asked.
…
(End of Chapter)
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