The Demon's Menu-Chapter 1082: Before the Big Competition! (2)

It’s not about really joining, but about thoroughly understanding ’Blossom Cherry’ and then, uprooting this poisonous tumor completely.

Although having Jason, Hanakaiin Haru’s help would be better.

But, he just can’t bring others into things that don’t concern them.

The middle-aged man’s pretentiousness goes online once again.

Ryosuke chose such a path, more perilous than he imagined.

As for Urashima?

It’s totally because of Ryosuke’s choice.

Urashima thinks very simply.

Whatever Ryosuke does, he’ll do.

After all, his own boss wouldn’t screw him over.

Hanakaiin Haru looked at Ryosuke, then at Urashima, and finally nodded.

"If you need help, just say it, we’re friends now."

Hanakaiin Haru knew much more about Urashima than Urashima imagined.

He’s very clear about what kind of person he is.

Therefore, he roughly guessed what Ryosuke wanted to do.

Although he had his own plans before, as the situation changes, he hopes Ryosuke can change accordingly.

Unfortunately, this middle-aged man is just a stone in the latrine, both stinky and hard.

Left with no choice, Hanakaiin Haru could only settle for the next best thing.

"Thank you once again."

Ryosuke bowed once more.

What followed were some casual chats, with nothing unexpected happening.

Or rather, it was all expected.

Jason ate until dawn!

Not that he was full.

But because there was no more food!

All the food stored in the Hanakaiin Haru branch house was gone!

All eaten up, clean!

Jason glanced at the fish-belly white sky to the east, then just rubbed his stomach and stood up.

"Not bad."

Jason commented.

Hearing such an evaluation, the servants who had been busy all night collapsed to the ground, one after another, exhausted.

Hanakaiin Haru approached with an undisguised look of astonishment.

"I’m starting to worry about the two feasts I owe you."

"From what I see now, they are big projects."

"I need more chefs and servants."

Hanakaiin Haru joked.

"Then let them be worth the effort."

"Can we talk about this ’King of Fighters’ tournament?"

"The changes afterward."

Jason straightforwardly said.

Hanakaiin Haru was naturally dissatisfied with having his qualification for the preliminary round revoked.

Although he was eating, his brain was also pondering a bit.

Of course, he knew, Hanakaiin Haru now had a new solution.

"Please come in and discuss with me."

Hanakaiin Haru said, gesturing for the Miss Sagaraso to enter with a hand wave.

After apologizing to the Monk from Tongshou Temple and the others, Hanakaiin Haru led Jason and Miss Sagaraso to a room aside.

Watching the three disappear into the room aside, the Monk from Tongshou Temple pressed his palms together in prayer.

Hui Lijing, Ryosuke, and Urashima, who were standing there, exchanged glances with each other.

They knew that this negotiation would definitely take a lot of time; just idling around here would be a waste of time.

Therefore—

"Shall we have breakfast?"

The female detective suggested.

"Okay."

Ryosuke nodded decisively.

The all-nighter left Ryosuke feeling hungry, too.

Might as well eat while waiting.

...

"Did we win?"

The head chef of Hanakaiin Haru’s branch house asked the sous chef.

"Of course!"

"We satisfied Master Haru’s guest!"

"That’s our victory!"

The sous chef said matter-of-factly.

Wearing an expression filled with pride.

Making food for three hundred people overnight, and ensuring most of it was quality, was extremely difficult.

And they did it!

Shouldn’t they be proud?

All the kitchen staff couldn’t help but puff out their chests.

But just seconds later, a tidal wave of weariness swept over them.

"Everyone can rest..."

"Head Chef! Head Chef!"

"The guests need breakfast!"

Just as the head chef was about to let everyone rest, a servant’s shout came from outside.

Upon hearing such a shout, the head chef was stunned for a moment, then rolled his eyes and collapsed to the ground.

"Someone help!"

"The head chef has fainted!"

The kitchen became a scene of chaos.

Instinctively, everyone’s gaze turned to the sous chef.

And under the gaze of everyone, the sous chef also collapsed to the ground.

"Ah! Not good!"

"The sous chef has fainted too!"

Suddenly, the kitchen became even more chaotic.

But Jason was unaware of these events.

On the way back to Tongshou Temple in the afternoon, all he heard was Hui Lijing’s muttering.

"Why isn’t the Hanakaiin Family’s breakfast as good as before?"

"Is it because the food procurement isn’t up to standard?"

"It feels like it’s not the original chef."

"Yes, indeed, the taste is a bit different."

The wandering Onmyoji in the passenger seat strongly agreed.

The old Monk of Tongshou Temple glanced at the two of them but didn’t offer any further explanation.

He was the only person among them who knew the truth of the matter.

But what could he say?

He hoped the ointment from Tongshou Temple would be effective on the two chefs.

"Master, what do you have planned for after this?"

The old Monk, preoccupied with his thoughts, turned his gaze to Jason.

"I will make time to continue learning the traditions of Tongshou Temple."

"Also, Hui Lijing, I’ll start teaching you some basic knowledge in a bit."

Jason’s words immediately excited the female detective.

Is she finally going to learn the real knowledge?

Seeing the female detective’s anticipation of jumping with joy, Jason frowned.

"It’s just the basics."

"Also, when driving, please pay attention to the road ahead."

"Understood!"

The detective responded like this, but on the rest of the journey, she remained just as excited.

The wandering Onmyoji in the passenger seat silently fastened his seatbelt.

After pondering for a moment, the old Monk of Tongshou Temple did the same.

Jason had already fastened his seatbelt as soon as he got in the car.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the detective’s driving skills.

It was just a habit!

Driving without care, loved ones shed tears in pair.

He knew that all too well.

Closing his eyes, leaning back in the seat, Jason reminisced about his recent conversation with Hanakaiin Haru.

Hanakaiin Haru, having been deprived of the right to directly compete in the group matches, needed an extra-tournament card.

Acquiring an extra-tournament card is not easy in itself.

In previous years, the card was the result of prolonged battling.

Battle after battle.

Only the ultimate victor could qualify to enter the group stage.

But the real challenge is that, once you’ve gone through numerous battles and reached the group stage, you’re at a significant disadvantage.

Because the teams in the group stage are well-rested and prepared.

Each one is full of energy.

And all are unscarred.

On the contrary, the teams with extra-tournament cards are all battle-weary and exhausted.

Therefore, most teams holding an extra-tournament card are usually eliminated in the first round.

Unless you can dominated again and again, heading straight into the group matches.

But since the inception of the "King of Fighters" tournament, no such team has existed.

More importantly, this year’s competition introduced a draw.

The teams with an extra-tournament card will not be battling in rounds, but in a melee.

All the teams gathered in one place, engaging in a free-for-all.

The ultimate winner will obtain the right to enter the group stage.

The rule change seems minor.

But the opportunities for manipulation are just too many.

The most straightforward one is: a collective assault!

And Jason was confident that once their team holding the extra card entered the field, they would definitely be targeted by a collective assault.

Otherwise, the disqualification of Hanakaiin Haru from the group stage would be meaningless.

It seems the Hanakaiin main family clearly does not wish for Hanakaiin Haru to advance to the next round.

Hence, the current predicament.

’I don’t know what we will encounter.’

’But I can assure you, we’ll stick together.’

’If you suffer casualties, I will compensate.’

’When there’s nothing left to compensate, I’ll compensate with my life.’

’I swear!’

These were the oaths given by Hanakaiin Haru on departure.

Sagaraso naively nodded her head.

Jason was noncommittal.

His alliance with Hanakaiin Haru was based on mutual interest; despite Hanakaiin Haru’s amiable and friendly demeanor, it didn’t mean he fully trusted her.

Similarly, he would also do his utmost.

"It’s tonight!"

Thinking of the time for the extra-tournament card competition, Jason narrowed his eyes.

Such haste.

Made him smell an even larger conspiracy.

But none of that mattered.

What’s most important is—

The scarecrow!

He held in his hand a scarecrow, coming from the Hanakaiin Tree!

A scarecrow with a fragrance that fills the nostrils!