Shun's calm, penetrating gaze rested on Erina. After saying his piece, he sheathed the Blade of Shoku-gi on the station, gathered his pack, and made to leave.
Miyoko hurried up and caught his hand. "Shun, you're just going to walk out?"
"If I don't, am I supposed to stay and hear her say 'not qualified' a second time?" His voice was perfectly even.
At that, Erina's body gave the faintest tremor.
Shun's eyes slid past Miyoko's worried face and settled on Erina once more.
Those eyes were clear and deep—showing none of the anger or frustration one might expect after being denied. If anything, there was… a near-pitying understanding in them.
Father, I did my best.
It's not that I don't want Tōtsuki—it's that this "God Tongue" is too capricious.
This is fine. Better than wasting time here.
Decision made, Shun turned to go.
Just then, the chime of a system prompt rang through his mind.
Ding! Hidden Quest [The God Tongue's Flutter] complete.
Evaluation: S (Perfectly conquered the God Tongue, triggering taste evolution and intense inner conflict).
Rewards: Large increase to Shoku-gi proficiency; special state "God Tongue's Favor" (Erina's implicit favor toward the host rises; craving for the host's cooking greatly increases); unlocks Toriko world Ingredient Exchange List (Beginner).
The windfall of rewards caught Shun off guard.
"System, what's with this hidden quest? There was no advance notice," he asked silently.
In Shokurin-ji, quests had always come with briefings. This time, nothing.
Answer: Quests are divided into standard and hidden. Standard quests display guidance. Hidden quests are auto-settled when the system judges the host's actions have significantly impacted the worldline or a key character.
So that was it—thoroughly shocking the God Tongue, forcing her palate to evolve and to yearn—that had tripped a hidden quest condition.
Those rewards—especially the Toriko Ingredient Exchange—were a massive surprise, enough to shift some of his plans.
If so, there was even less need to linger at Tōtsuki; he could just go home and take the family diner forward.
Whatever the exam result, this alone made the trip worth it.
Good—no waste of the ingredients I brought back from Shokurin-ji…
Outwardly expressionless, Shun's intent to leave didn't waver. He patted Miyoko's hand at his arm, gently signaling her to let go.
At that moment, a low, commanding voice rolled out from a side door of the hall.
"Erina, your judgment seems a touch hasty."
All eyes turned. A tall elder in a traditional black kimono strode in, white hair and beard framing a face like carved granite. His gaze crackled; authority walked ahead of his feet.
This was none other than Tōtsuki's Supreme Commander—the "Demon King of Cuisine"—Senzaemon.
"C-Commander!" Hisako bowed at once.
Miyoko stiffened in surprise.
Erina also started. "Grandfather? Why are you—"
Senzaemon didn't answer immediately. His eyes dropped to the almost spotless bowl before Erina.
In an instant, he caught it—a single grain clinging to the rim, faintly aglow, plump as a pearl.
That stray grain Erina had overlooked now radiated a subtle power that made even his seasoned body give a tiny shiver.
"This is—" Senzaemon pinched the grain between two fingers with exquisite care, as if handling a rare treasure.
Without hesitation, he placed that lone grain on his tongue.
Silence.
It lasted less than a heartbeat.
The next moment—air roared outward from Senzaemon as a blast, centered on his stance!
His perfectly straight kimono, on the left side, ripped open as if torn by an invisible giant hand.
Shrrrip!
The collar burst wide, revealing an aged yet still power-hewn torso.
All that from a single grain—and his collar had torn on its own!
"T-that's the Collar-Burst!" Erina cried before she could stop herself.
Senzaemon closed his eyes, savoring.
In his mind, that grain became a small sun, its warmth burning away the long shadow over the Nakiri line—
The shadow of the God Tongue's curse.
Yes, those born with the God Tongue stand destined to shine in cuisine—but gifts cut both ways. With time, the tongue rejects, interest dies, and in the end, the owner cannot eat… sinking into despair.
Why did the 92nd cohort brim with prodigies? Because Senzaemon had gathered them—seeking a way to save Erina's God Tongue.
He opened his eyes, a spark hidden deep within. He studied Shun with care.
Now he understood Erina's turmoil.
This boy's cuisine pierced reason and struck the soul.
"Young man—your name?" Senzaemon's voice carried a carefully leashed excitement.
"Shun."
"Shun," he repeated, weighing it.
He glanced at Erina, still struggling to hold a calm mask. His mind was set.
He turned to the room, voice resonant. "The exam continues. Sōma—present your dish."
(Truth be told, Sōma's appearance here had been arranged by Senzaemon's hand.)
"As for Shun—"
His gaze swept back to the boy. "Qualified. From this moment, you are one of Tōtsuki."
Erina's head snapped up, eyes to her grandfather. Her lips parted, then closed. Under that iron look, she stayed silent.
She knew no one defied his will—and shamefully, somewhere deep inside, she actually exhaled with relief that Shun could stay.
Hearing the decree, Shun didn't show delight or gratitude. He only paused, eyes touching Erina's complicated expression before returning to Senzaemon.
"Thank you for the recognition, Commander." He dipped his head lightly, tone as calm as a still pond—as if the storm over his future moments ago had never touched him.
…
(End of Chapter)
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