HxH : Pokemon Master-Chapter 97: The True Prize!

"Hmm?"

"The old man is here too?" Akira, sitting on the Dragonite, naturally saw the three judges.

Linne was, of course, one of them.

What surprised Akira was that Chairman Netero had also come, though upon reflection, it made sense. For an important competition among Gourmet Hunters, inviting the Chairman of the Hunter Association was only fitting.

As for the other bald judge, Akira hadn't seen him before, but he was likely a high-ranking member of the Gourmet Paradise.

Akira gathered his thoughts as the Dragonite began to descend into the cooking area. Seeing that the kitchenware was all uniform, Menchi casually picked a spot and prepared to begin her work.

If Akira had been the main force during the hunt, then the upcoming cooking would be Menchi time to shine.

With nothing else to do, Akira turned his attention to Netero and flashed a smile.

"Hohohoho..." Netero smiled gently and waved his right hand in greeting to Akira.

It had been some time since the two had last met. Akira had last seen Netero during the Hunter Exam. On the other hand, Netero had seen Akira in a live broadcast from the Heaven's Arena.

After a brief exchange of greetings, Akira shifted his focus to Menchi, ready to quietly admire her artistic cooking.

First, they needed to have Gengar bring out all the ingredients.

Linne initially squinted eyes widened slightly, and a look of surprise appeared on her aged face.

A spatial ability, huh...

A shadowy, mist-like figure emerged from Akira shadow, complete with facial features.

Ingredients began to pour out of Gengar mouth, and in an instant, a pile of them appeared on the pre-laid mat and Gengar hadn't even emptied everything yet.

It seemed the storage space was quite big?

As she watched Gengar effortlessly spit out a pile of items, Linne pondered silently.

As a Gourmet Hunter, and one who had even ventured to the Dark Continent, she knew all too well the importance of such an ability for a Gourmet Hunter!

Akira Nen Beast was truly remarkable~

Recalling the commotion that had occurred in the ingredient area earlier, Linne silently marveled.

...

Menchi dishes were divided into appetizer, main course, salad, dessert, and beverage.

To improve efficiency and allow multiple dishes to be presented for scoring simultaneously, Menchi had arranged the order of these dishes accordingly.

First came the appetizer, the main component being the white caviar obtained from the icy plains. After some delicate processing with seasonings and side dishes, the appetizer was freshly prepared.

Next was the salad, primarily composed of white jade Cabbages, paired with other seasonings.

The rainbow fruits were used for dessert, first juiced and then shaped into pudding.

The dream tuna was used for soup, accompanied by some ingredients hunted from the ingredient zone.

Most importantly, the main course included three of this time top ingredients. They were diamond meat, sauce star mushroom, and rose rock salt.

Under the astonished gazes of the group, Menchi began cooking each ingredient one by one. White caviar, dream tuna, diamond meat from the jewel mammoth...

Linne stared in shock at each ingredient.

Although she had anticipated it beforehand, she was still utterly amazed.

These were all top-tier ingredients from the ingredient zone!

Generally, other contestants couldn't obtain even one of these.

Yet, Menchi and Akira had effortlessly hunted down each of these top ingredients.

In fact, Linne thought they could directly declare Menchi team as the winner.

With these ingredients, as long as the cooking skills weren't too poor, the resulting dishes would be exceptional. Not to mention, she was well aware of Menchi skills.

Despite her young age, her culinary expertise was already highly refined.

Even the well-traveled Linne was startled by Menchi ingredients, let alone the bald judge beside her. His wide eyes were fixed on the pile of ingredients radiating with dazzling brilliance.

It was as if something was stuck in his throat, he wanted to say something but couldn't utter a word. The shock within him was like a tidal wave, sweeping through his entire body.

Even he had never seen so many top-tier ingredients before!

Among all these ingredients, the bald judge had only been fortunate enough to taste the whitening caviar. That alone was an experience worth boasting about.

Overwhelmed by the impact, the bald judge found it hard to accept reality.

But thinking about the opportunity to taste them later, he became excited again.

Unlike the tearfully grateful bald judge, Netero was certainly not that interested in those ingredients.

What he cared about most was the Dragonite beside Akira.

Another Nen Beast, huh...

A glint flashed in Netero eyes, this was a new Nen Beast he had never seen before.

Neither in previous records, nor during the Hunter Exam, nor even in the Heaven's Arena.

As far as Netero knew, Akira possessed a total of five Nen Beasts.

They were Gardevoir, Gengar, and Tyranitar from the Moros ruins.

The Arcanine used as a mount during the Hunter Exam.

The Lucario that fought against "Iron Man" Jim in the Heaven's Arena.

Dragonite was the first time he had seen it.

This couldn't help but make him wonder, just how many Nen Beasts did Akira have? This was probably a thought that everyone who had interacted with Akira would have.

Akira Nen Beasts seemed endless, with new ones always appearing. Especially since each one had high strength and unique abilities!

Like this dragon-like nen Beast before him...

Netero stroked his now fully grown long beard, carefully examining the adorable Dragonite.

Although the Dragonite had an "innocent and harmless" expression, However, Netero still sensed something unusual from the aura inadvertently revealed by the Dragonite.

The strength of this dragon... It was definitely not inferior to his own!

Thinking of this, Netero gaze turned profound as he looked at Akira.

Just from what had been revealed so far, there were already two beings on par with or even stronger than him.

What about the unknown beast that has not been shown yet?

Unaware that he had once again struck a blow to an old man pride, Akira was currently observing Menchi cooking. Although the organizers had provided the contestants with very comprehensive equipment, Menchi still used her Aura Ability to cook.

The equipment was good, but they were just ordinary kitchen tools with no special effects. However, the knives, forks, plates, and other utensils Menchi materialized with her Aura Ability had a certain preservative effect on the ingredients.

This could minimize the loss of flavor during the cooking process.

Staring at Menchi, who was holding utensils that emitted Aura fluctuations, Akira suddenly thought of something. Menchi use of materialized knives and forks to attack was very similar to the ability of Toriko in Toriko.

Gel Aura Ability was related to poison, allowing her to absorb and release toxins.

This was very similar to Coco in Toriko.

If there were two more Aura Users who could control hair and create sound waves, corresponding to Sunny and Zebra respectively, then the "Four Heavenly Kings" of Toriko would be complete.

A Hunter x Hunter version of the "Four Heavenly Kings"?

Unaware of Akira wild imagination beside her, Menchi was fully focused on cooking the delicacies.

In her opinion, the top-tier ingredients she had obtained must be cooked to the best of her ability, so as not to let down Akira 'efforts.

Akira had already done his part perfectly, and she couldn't drag him down!

Thus, under Menchi full effort, one exquisite and tempting dish after another was completed.

Looking at the radiant plates of food before him, Akira suddenly felt as if he hadn't entered the world of Hunter x Hunter.

It was more like he had stumbled into the world of Food Wars, otherwise, how could these dishes emit such dazzling light?

Menchi divided each dish into five plates, with three plates for the three judges to score.

The remaining two were for them to eat themselves.

"Clang, clang..." Menchi stepped onto the stage and placed the dishes in front of the three judges. Waves of aroma wafted over, as if mischievous little spirits were teasing their noses. Instantly, the three of them began salivating uncontrollably, swallowing their saliva subconsciously.

Even Linne was no exception!

This was honesty and respect for the delicacies!

The three of them hadn't made any prior agreement, yet they simultaneously reached out to start eating the appetizer.

Linne gently scooped a spoonful of the whitening caviar into her mouth. The rich creaminess, accompanied by a refreshing umami, burst open on her palate. The tender caviar was like tofu, melting effortlessly in her mouth, sliding down her throat like a clear stream.

This white caviar was like a key, unlocking the door to "appetite," making one crave more food. This was precisely why Menchi had chosen the whitening caviar as the appetizer.

The purpose of an appetizer is to whet the guests' appetite, setting the stage for the main course to come.

Linne raised an eyebrow, savoring the appetizer carefully, and finally came to a conclusion.

With the same ingredients, only if she were to make it herself could it surpass Menchi version.

No one else could possibly do it!

This meant Menchi had made significant progress in her cooking this time!

She was now second only to Linne herself!

While Linne and Netero were relatively composed, the bald judge beside them was nearly moved to tears.

This was the flavor he had been dreaming of, the taste he had longed for day and night!

It was even more delicious than the whitening caviar he had tasted many years ago!

After calming their emotions, the three judges picked up their scoring cards.

On them was clearly written: 10 points!

After tasting each dish, the judges would score it... 0 being the lowest, 10 the highest.

This meant a single dish could earn a maximum of 30 points, and theoretically, a full set of dishes could score up to 150 points.

However, in all the years the Gourmet Competition had been held, no team had ever achieved a perfect score.

Linne thought to herself, perhaps today would see the first-ever perfect score in history! And maybe it would also be the last!

It was incredibly difficult to assemble a team like Akira and Menchi, who combined immense strength with exceptional culinary skills. The latter was somewhat easier to find, but someone like Akira, with his unparalleled strength, was truly rare.

After scoring the appetizer, the three turned their attention to the next dish.

Menchi was quite pleased with the judges' scores, a satisfied smile on her face.

Akira, on the other hand, remained unfazed.

After all, with top-tier ingredients and a top-tier chef, a perfect score was only reasonable. Right now, he was preparing to enjoy his meal.

After eating the white caviar, as expected, Akira physical strength and Aura surged once again.

He couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

Would his base strength reach S-class by the time he left the Gourmet Paradise?

Under Menchi hands, the dishes before him were among the finest delicacies across the six continents!

Each one brought him a tremendous boost in power! His strength was skyrocketing like a rocket!

With each bite of the exquisite food, his Aura, which had been like a vast "lake," was rapidly expanding into an endless "ocean!"

Seeing Akira delight, Menchi couldn't help but smile.

As a Gourmet Hunter, there was nothing she loved more than seeing others satisfied with her creations. Especially when that person was someone she cared about!

As each dish was scored, the final total didn't surprise anyone present.

It was only natural!

Team 66 (Akira and Menchi), final score: 150—a perfect score!

When the announcement was made, the bald judge still felt that the total score was too low—he believed it should have been infinite!

It's a bit sad to say, but it's the truth—he would never taste a better dish in his lifetime!

No score could be too high for it!

In the end, with the unanimous approval of the three judges, Akira and Menchi were declared the winners of this Gourmet Competition!

They were awarded the first-place prize on the spot.

According to the rules, the rankings should have been determined after the one-week deadline, once all participants had been scored.

However, Akira team performance was simply too outstanding.

Not to mention that no one could replicate their results, even if someone did, they could simply share the first-place title. The first-place prize could be awarded again if needed.

Of course, everyone knew deep down that there would be no more perfect-scoring teams.

The three judges gave different prizes.

The bald judge awarded them two portions of A rank Ingredient. Although it might be slightly lower in rank compared to top-tier ingredients like White Caviar or Dream Tuna, it was still a high-end ingredient from the Six Continents.

Linne prize was more unique—a land deed, granting them a 4.4-acre plot on Gourmet Island.

It could be used to open a shop or for residential purposes.

Perhaps Linne had a thoughtful idea, as the location of the deed was right next to Menchi Shop.

Finally, there was Chairman Netero.

The reward he gave was fitting for his status as the Chairman of the Hunter Association. He bestowed upon Akira the title of One-Star Gourmet Hunter!

As for Menchi, who was already a One-Star Gourmet Hunter, this was an accumulation of merit for her.

In essence, it was a step toward promoting her to a Two-Star Gourmet Hunter.

All she needed to do was make a few more contributions, and she would easily be promoted to Two-Star.

The three rewards covered ingredients, land, and titles respectively. Both Akira and Menchi were quite satisfied with these. The main rewards they had gained from participating in this Gourmet Competition weren't these prizes.

It was the meticulously crafted top-tier gourmet dishes!

And the large amount of rare ingredients stored in Gengar belly, which were unseen in the outside world!

Akira believed these two things were the true "prizes" of this Gourmet Competition!

Of course, the rewards from the three judges were also quite good, and the two of them gladly accepted them.

...

As they watched the two ride off on their Dragonite, disappearing into the horizon, the three judges had different thoughts in their minds.

The bald judge was savoring the wonderful taste he had just experienced, while also losing some anticipation for the dishes from the remaining participants.

After tasting such top-tier delicacies, he worried that he might not be able to enjoy ordinary dishes anymore...

Linne was happy to see the growth of the two juniors, especially pleased that Menchi had found a good partner.

Chairman Netero thoughts were different from the other two. He stared at the rapidly flying Dragonite.

In his mind, he was thinking about when he should arrange a sparring match with Akira.

Hmm... Perhaps he should seriuosly train to fight akira again now?

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