Toriko: Gourmet Chat Group-Chapter 366 - 365: Entering the Final Land

Chapter 365: Entering the Final Land

On the planet that made Gourmet God Old Black question his divine existence... a rugged man dressed in animal skins, looking like a savage, was picking his nose calmly and leisurely.

Next to him, the Ape King Bambina was doing the exact same nose-picking motion. The man and the ape looked surprisingly compatible.

As for his two lackeys, they were completely unremarkable. The radiance emanating from Zongeh was just too brilliant; they were completely overshadowed.

Food Luck is a differentiation of the Gourmet Gods’ Gourmet Energy. Even for people with high Food Luck, there’s usually a limit.

But... the Food Luck on Zongeh was countless times brighter than the sun. What the hell was this situation?

"Baka! I’m Zongeh! Not a Zombie!"

Zongeh glared, roaring at Toriko. Can’t these bastards get my name right just once?

The Gourmet Gods looked over, all wearing expressions as colorful as Old Black’s.

They hadn’t noticed before... was it due to the interference of Supreme Food Luck?

At this moment, Zongeh looked like a king revealing his edge, receiving worship from all sides.

"Er... let him pretend. It’s nothing." Kenji’s mouth twitched.

As expected of you. You’ll always find Zongeh on the high-end battlefields. As a war correspondent, no one can beat him.

"So scary~ Is he a hidden big shot?"

Kizaru looked at Zongeh but couldn’t see anything special.

The mere pressure from the Gourmet Gods could make beasts with capture levels in the hundreds of thousands grovel... yet Zongeh acted like nothing was happening, completely unaffected.

Kizaru was only safe because he was watching from inside the train.

"He’s an incredible guy. I must have had good luck to be able to Knock him back then," Teppei sighed with emotion.

Zongeh’s journey... was legendary.

Human World -> Gourmet World -> Gourmet Universe -> Final Land.

You say he’s a normal person... but what normal person could go to all these places and survive unscathed? But he has no battle record to speak of. The "war correspondent" vibe is too strong.

...

"Giant Takoyaki... this is so cool." Kenji looked at the Takoyaki, as big as a planet, and marveled.

This was just the tip of the iceberg of the giant octopus. Its size was exaggerated. Even a Space Taipan Snake would look like a cute little snake in front of this Gourmet God-level octopus.

"The heat control is good... but it lacks Appetite Energy. The flavor is a bit light... it doesn’t have that feeling of ’biting back’ in your mouth."

Old Black came up to taste it, giving a somewhat grotesque review. Kenji was stunned.

"Aren’t you all Gourmet Gods? No psychological burden eating this?"

"What’s the big deal? There are plenty of Gourmet Gods. It’s not like I haven’t eaten one before."

Old Black said casually. In battle, eating an opponent’s arm or leg... was standard procedure.

Appetite Energy can devour everything, even the divine body of a Gourmet God.

"You hunted a Gourmet God. You are now qualified to enter the Final Land," Gourmet God Old Black said.

This wasn’t out of fear (cowardice), but because Kenji and the others had earned the qualification themselves.

Kenji smiled, seeing through it but not saying anything.

The Final Land wasn’t a planet, but a continent larger than a galaxy. It was covered by a golden spherical barrier. This must be the "Gourmet Barrier" the White Ogre mentioned, serving as protection and a filter, keeping most people out.

Sizzle...

"Oww! Hot!"

Hoshi, at some point, had gone over there. In the spirit of Trailblazing, she reached out to touch it... and her hand was instantly burned by Gourmet Energy. She quickly pulled back, blowing on her hand in pain.

"See? Just like that. If you don’t meet the conditions, you’ll be burned by Gourmet Energy. The temperature rises the deeper you go. Turning to ash is normal," Old Black used Hoshi as a negative example.

Hoshi: "..."

Why am I the bad example?

Hmph! It’s just a burn! I don’t believe it!

Stubborn as a mule, Hoshi, under the incomprehensible gaze of even the Gourmet Gods, resolutely charged at the Gourmet Barrier.

Oh my god... how can there be such an ’abstract’ human (Stellaron Spirit)? Is her head made of iron?

BOOM—!

Hoshi didn’t get far before being bounced back by the Gourmet Barrier, landing in front of Kenji and the others.

Her skin was an unhealthy red, like a boiled crab.

"Medium-well. Anyone want to taste Stellaron Spirit?" Kenji glanced at her, genuinely amused. She looked thoroughly cooked.

"Wait... wait... I think... I can... still... be saved..." Hoshi grimaced, reaching out her hand.

"Time Reversal—"

Kenji shook his head. She never learns.

"Darling... did you reverse it a little too much♪?"

Elysia couldn’t help but say. The Stellaron Spirit had turned directly into a Stellaron. Was this reversing back to before Hoshi was "printed"?

"Sorry. I did use a little too much force." Kenji looked at the lonely Stellaron, realizing he’d overdone it.

No problem.

—Time starts to accelerate!

"Hoshi! Open your eyes! I am Zoffy!" Kenji called out.

"Need some pure oxygen?"

"Ah... Lord Zoffy?"

"What was that? I feel like I experienced a ’restart from zero’." Hoshi opened her eyes.

The people who knew Hoshi twitched their mouths. In a way, it was a restart from zero. They had witnessed a Stellaron turning back into a Stellaron Spirit.

An existence even the Gourmet Gods couldn’t comprehend appeared. Too abstract. What is inside her head? Abstract art?

"Firefly, open sesame." Kenji chose the convenient method.

With absolute power, they could force their way through the Gourmet Barrier into the Final Land. But if there was an easier way, why not use it?

Firefly yawned. With a casual swipe of her small hand, she opened a special hole in the Gourmet Barrier. Not a bit of the aura inside leaked out.

"Uh... there’s a ’gate-crasher’ party?"

Old Black’s mouth twitched. He and the mermaid Firefly were neighbors. He knew this special "God Ingredient" was strong and could freely pass through the Gourmet Barrier to wander the universe.

But now, opening the door directly for these people? Are you even a native of the Final Land?

[?]

Firefly looked at Old Black, her large, slightly dazed eyes blinking in confusion. Where did this guy’s wig go?

Because he was bald, Gourmet God Old Black would wear various wigs when not fighting.

"Forget it. You guys go in." Old Black felt Firefly’s gaze land... there. His mouth twitched slightly, and he touched his "supremely intelligent" bald head.

(Big Herta: Noted. I can’t let the Herta-puppet say ’supremely intelligent’ anymore. Being bald is a no-go.)

(Kenji: What about ’pointy head’?)

Not having hair really wasn’t his fault. It just wouldn’t grow on top.

If he could grow hair, he’d give up being a Gourmet God.

Never underestimate a bald man’s obsession with hair.

Through the tunnel opened by Firefly, the Astral Express passed unhindered, entering the place where the Gods lived—the Final Land, the Gourmet Paradise.