After the meal, Mana gave instructions for the next phase of work and left the resort with Senzaemon.
Elsewhere, at the Totsuki Resort, a large number of individuals had begun to gather.
"I haven't seen Gin in quite a while. What's going on? For the Commander-in-Chief to summon us so urgently..."
Inside the grand lobby of the resort, the best of the best—top graduates of Totsuki—had assembled. Among them was Yukihira Joichiro, who had received an urgent call from Senzaemon himself, asking him to come to the resort immediately and seek out Dojima Gin, who would explain everything.
Sensing the unusual urgency in Senzaemon's tone, Joichiro didn't hesitate. He quickly handed off his restaurant to his son and rushed over.
But upon arrival, he was stunned—not by what was said, but by who was present. Countless graduates, many of whom rarely reconnected with Totsuki, had gathered. Even during residential training seasons, many never showed up.
"You're probably aware that Erina went missing recently," Gin began, addressing the gathered chefs. "She's returned. But more importantly—she's brought back several guests. Strangers, yes, but not ordinary ones. The Commander-in-Chief said they're the kind of people he—and even the WGO—can't afford to offend."
The hall buzzed with disbelief.
"Not even Miss Mana can afford to offend them?" Joichiro echoed, his tone a mix of confusion and concern. "That's… impossible."
The family, despite being culinary royalty in Japan, didn't carry significant global political weight. But if even Mana, the WGO's sole Special Executive Officer, dared not cross them, then things were far from ordinary.
"This came directly from the Commander-in-Chief," Gin said gravely. "I had no reason to question it. That's why I asked you all to come. There's something else, too—their appetites."
"Appetites?" Joichiro asked with a frown. "Surely they can't be that bad."
"You'll see for yourself soon enough. But to support the effort, we'll need all of you. And one more thing—the ingredients we'll be using this time are… not normal."
Gin then led the group to the ingredient storage.
Inside the food warehouse, crates of freshly delivered ingredients lay neatly stacked. But the moment everyone laid eyes on them, they were stunned.
"What… are these?" Someone whispered.
The ingredients were utterly alien—some resembled grotesque sea creatures; others looked like oversized plant-animal hybrids. Some appeared to be made of multiple creatures stitched together by nature itself.
"When I first saw them delivered, I thought it was a joke," Gin admitted. "But I tried cooking them. The result? Easily the most delicious dishes I've ever tasted in my life. The quality is beyond anything I've encountered."
Joichiro narrowed his eyes. "You're serious?"
"I wouldn't lie about this. You'll know the moment you cook with them."
The chefs hesitated for only a moment before curiosity took over. They selected ingredients and began preparing experimental dishes. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the rhythmic clatter of knives and sizzling pans.
As the first dishes were tasted, the reactions were immediate.
"This is… unreal!" one graduate gasped, tasting his own dish.
"Don't flatter yourself," another retorted. "Your skills didn't magically improve. It's these ingredients—they're on a completely different level!"
"I've never tasted anything this refined in my life. Not even in international competitions..."
As disbelief turned to awe, Gin clapped his hands. "Alright! Dinner service starts now—get cooking!"
"How many dishes are we expected to prepare?" Inui Hinatako asked, raising her hand.
"No limit," Gin replied flatly. "Just keep cooking."
Hinatako blinked. "...No limit?"
"None."
Though confused, the graduates didn't question it further. Instead, they set to work, their competitive spirits igniting at the prospect of pushing their culinary limits.
Meanwhile, in the resort's private dining area, Zed and his companions had just arrived.
Waiters began bringing out dishes—platter after platter of exquisite cuisine.
Oddly, the waitstaff looked perplexed. The kitchen had prepared enough food for a small banquet, assuming dozens of guests. Yet only five people were seated at the table.
Milajane sampled a few bites. "While it doesn't compare to the flavor techniques of Mr. Zed's world, this is a refreshing new taste."
"The graduates this time are from various culinary disciplines," Erina said politely, smiling. "It's no surprise the flavors are diverse."
"I wonder if they can keep up with our eating speed," Rukia remarked with playful curiosity.
The moment the signal was given, the group dug in.
Plates vanished at lightning speed.
They moved gracefully, even elegantly, yet their consumption rate was terrifying. Within minutes, what was meant to feed hundreds had been devoured. Nearby, the stunned waiters watched in disbelief.
"...Don't just stand there!" one of Gin's assistants barked. "Clear the plates—now!"
The plates disappeared, and more dishes took their place, flowing like an assembly line. But the kitchen wasn't ready for what came next.
"Deputy chef! We're running out of dishes!" A waiter shouted, panic written all over his face.
"Then go to the kitchen and tell them to speed up!" The assistant snapped, breaking into a cold sweat. Gin had warned them—these guests were not to be neglected.
The message reached Gin quickly.
"What?! Already?" Gin's eyes widened. Then he sighed. "So that's why the Commander-in-Chief was so specific..."
"Everyone, pick up the pace! We're running low on food!"
The graduates looked up from their stations, stunned.
"We're feeding five people! How are we running out already?!"
"They're not normal people!" Gin barked. "Just keep cooking!"
The chefs exchanged glances—bewildered but invigorated. They poured their full effort into cooking, pushing past exhaustion.
But it wasn't enough.
Even with near-constant output from every available chef, they couldn't keep up with the relentless consumption rate of Zed and his companions.
"Bring the next one!"
"Done—go, go!"
"Prep station three, don't stop!"
The waitstaff ran back and forth like clockwork. Yet the growing mountain of dirty plates next to the table was only getting taller.
Unwittingly, the relentless demand ignited the competitive pride of every graduate present. It became a trial—not just of skill, but of endurance and pride.
Still, they couldn't match the pace.
Zed's appetite alone could absorb thousands of tons of food, and he wasn't even exerting himself. At his current level—his gourmet cells surpassing the 100-cell registration threshold—this wasn't even a real challenge.
One by one, the chefs began to fall from exhaustion. Even veterans like Joichiro and Gin found themselves collapsing onto the floor late at night.
"It's over..." the assistant finally announced, watching Zed and the others slow down and finally stop eating.
When the words reached the kitchen, chefs dropped to the floor like marionettes with their strings cut.
"Finally…"
"I thought I was going to die!"
"How... can five people eat that much?!"
Joichiro slumped next to Gin, both men drenched in sweat.
"How long's it been since we pushed ourselves like this?" Joichiro asked, gasping.
Gin laughed weakly. "Residential training at Totsuki was child's play compared to this..."
Both men turned toward the dining hall, where the five otherworldly guests sat, seemingly unfazed.
Gin shook his head. "I don't know who they are… but that level of hunger... it's inhuman."