"Achoo! Who's talking about me behind my back?"
"I wonder if that Okabe kid will get my meaning. This also serves as a test for the Arato family, to see if they're worth continuing to support."
His gaze profound, Kensei Ma watched as the door closed behind the departing Okabe and Hisako Arato. He then rose and walked to the back room where the medicinal herbs were stored.
"After this medicinal bath, the herbs from that secret realm will be useless for the Okabe kid. I'll have to find time to go back to China and check out the Shennongjia Secret Realm."
Muttering to himself, he began to pick up herbs and prepare the mixture. The country of Japan was ultimately too small to nurture a truly valuable culinary secret realm.
However, precisely because the secret realms here were of lower value, they were perfect for beginners. That was why this place was also known as the newbie village; many famous chefs had spent their younger years here.
"How are the preparations coming along?"
Just then, Hayato Fūrinji's voice sounded from behind, sending a chill down Kensei Ma's spine. He hadn't noticed him approaching at all.
But upon realizing it was one of his own, he quickly relaxed.
"Almost done. I made a special trip to pick the remaining few 'Medicine Kings' from the secret realm. With the Okabe kid's current physique, he should be able to withstand it."
"But that kid is a true martial arts prodigy. A normal person can absorb 30% of the medicinal effects at most, but he can somehow absorb over 80%."
Kensei Ma crushed an herb in his hand that was shaped like a dragon's whisker and glowed with a faint purple light, then tossed the whole lot into the boiling medicinal tub.
Hayato Fūrinji slowly approached, his eyes sweeping over the faintly glowing herbs, his gaze deep. "Indeed. I've never seen a genius who, without practicing martial arts, could grow so strong so quickly just by honing his culinary skills."
"A person like that... it's as if he were born for the rise of the culinary way!"
"Erina, and Miu, what are you two doing in my room?"
After parting ways with Hisako Arato, Okabe hummed a little tune as he headed straight for his room.
However, just as he reached the doorway, he saw Erina Nakiri and Miu Fūrinji sitting on his bed, swinging their little feet, smiling as they chatted about something.
"Nothing much, just came over to chat. Let me tell you, Erina's life abroad was so interesting, foreigners are super interesting."
Hearing Okabe's surprised voice, Erina Nakiri and Miu Fūrinji stopped their conversation and looked over at him in unison, after which Miu Fūrinji spoke with a smile.
"Did anything interesting happen?"
Seeing the two of them occupying his entire bed, Okabe pulled up a chair and sat down in front of them, a hint of curiosity on his face.
"Actually, nothing particularly interesting, just the usual mundane stuff. If I had to mention something, it's that I met a strange person on my way back. That person said that although I have great talent, I've been developing it like a child."
"And just when I wanted to ask more, she ran off. Later, I tried to find her in Rome to ask her clearly, but I could never find any trace of her again."
Erina Nakiri couldn't be bothered to repeat what she had just said, instead bringing up a more explosive topic that she had been wanting to discuss with Okabe.
"A strange person?"
Hearing Erina Nakiri's story, Okabe's brow furrowed slightly.
She had been accompanied by many bodyguards during her travels abroad. While these bodyguards weren't exceptionally powerful, they certainly wouldn't let an ordinary person get close to her.
In other words, anyone who could bypass these bodyguards and approach Erina Nakiri in private was definitely no simple character.
"Could it be..."
A suspicion formed in Okabe's mind. In fact, aside from that organization, no one else would approach Erina Nakiri without revealing their identity.
"Hmm? Could it be what...? Do you know something?"
Seeing Okabe's reaction, Erina Nakiri leaned forward, her eyes filled with curiosity. She had been thinking about this matter for the entire trip.
"It's nothing, just a personal guess. Maybe you really did meet some reclusive master who didn't approve of your training methods, you never know."
Okabe shook his head and didn't say more.
Although he wanted to suggest that the strange person might be from the Underground Cooking Society, upon further thought, the possibility seemed low. What kind of villain would come out to guide a chef from the side of justice?
Unless their goal was to recruit Erina Nakiri into the Underground Cooking Society.
In that case, the earlier words were likely foreshadowing, with the real purpose being to suddenly reappear when she suffers a crushing defeat.
They would tell her that they could develop the God's Tongue to its maximum potential and make her stronger, thereby recruiting her as a member of the Underground Cooking Society.
But that method was too old-fashioned.
It was the kind of trick that even someone with a few years of internet experience wouldn't fall for.
Wait a minute.
Has Erina Nakiri ever had much contact with the internet? Such an old trick might actually work wonders on her, after all, she absolutely hates to lose...
"Erina."
Thinking of this, Okabe stood up from his chair and looked at her with a serious expression.
"Hmm?"
"Promise me one thing."
"What?"
Seeing Okabe's solemn expression, Erina Nakiri's heart began to beat faster.
"No matter who tells you that joining them will let your cooking improve rapidly, don't believe them. The most important thing to getting stronger is to not doubt yourself."
Although he felt the person who approached Erina Nakiri was probably not from the Underground Cooking Society, Okabe couldn't help but give her a warning, just in case.
"Is that all you wanted to say?"
"Yeah."
"Do you think I'm an idiot? If you could really get stronger just by joining some organization, then wouldn't all the chefs in the world have joined them?"
Erina Nakiri couldn't help but retort.
She was a little confused why Okabe would suddenly tell her this. Could it be related to the strange person she met? He definitely knows something!
"Just remember what I said and keep it firmly in your mind."
Okabe didn't want to explain too much. It was already remarkable that a child knew of the Underground Cooking Society's existence; saying any more would defy common sense.
He couldn't possibly say he heard it from his mother when he was an infant, could he?
As for the name 'Underground Cooking Society,' Akisame Koetsuji had mentioned it briefly while they were cooking before, so he could always brush it off if someone asked him about it later.
"Mmm, okay."
"I get it. I'll remember."
Erina Nakiri couldn't help but grumble, but after seeing the serious look in Okabe's eyes, she still nodded and committed his words to memory.
Since it was something Okabe strictly forbade, it proved that organization was definitely not a good thing, at least not for her. She didn't have a habit of walking into traps.
"Okay, if there's nothing else, you two can head back. I have to take a bath in a bit."
Remembering that Kensei Ma had told him to come for a medicinal bath in two hours, Okabe couldn't help but hurry them along. He didn't have time to waste here.
"I almost forgot the important business!"
Hearing Okabe's words, Erina Nakiri's expression turned serious. She suddenly remembered she had come here for a reason and thus clapped her hands together.
"So there really was something you didn't say..."
Okabe's expression was peculiar, and he paused his movement of going to the wardrobe to find clothes.
"That's right. In a few days, it's my grandfather's sixtieth birthday. He hopes you can come and visit. Alice should be back by then too."
"A birthday celebration? I understand, but is it necessary to specially invite me to such an event..."
"I'm not too sure about the specific reason, but Grandfather called me to come back and specifically asked me to invite you. There must be some special reason."
Erina Nakiri sat cross-legged on the bed, a thoughtful expression on her face. She also didn't quite understand the reason.
Logically speaking, for a junior like Okabe, a simple notification would have been enough to get him to attend the birthday banquet. There was no need at all for her to come and invite him personally.
That was more a form of respect reserved for elders.
But children don't overthink things, so the conclusion she came to was that her grandfather simply wanted to see Okabe.
After all, he was a child who grew up in the Nakiri household. It was only normal to want to see him after three years. That seemed to be the most likely possibility right now.
"Alright, I'll go. Just come and pick me up then."
After some thought, Okabe decided to go.
On one hand, he grew up in the Nakiri household. Although it was through his parents' connections, it was a fact that he had received their kindness.
It would be too improper not to go and offer congratulations for the head of the Nakiri family's birthday.
On the other hand, Alice Nakiri was returning, and after three years, he kind of missed that eccentric little girl.
He could check out her molecular gastronomy then, and maybe learn something from a friendly match.
Because Hayato Fūrinji had recently critiqued his cooking for lacking innovation, he was eager to learn from others, and Alice Nakiri's techniques were quite impressive.
"Mmm, there's nothing else I wanted to say. But this feeling is so nostalgic. I remember I used to rest on your bed just like this when we were little."
Lifting a hand to stifle a yawn, Erina Nakiri lay down without a care in the world, completely oblivious to the fact that this was Okabe's room.
"It certainly is nostalgic. You used to monopolize my bed just like this back then, too."
Okabe's words were laced with complaint.
"What do you mean 'monopolize'? This is called 'requisitioning'."
Perhaps feeling that Okabe's choice of words was poor, Erina Nakiri said chidingly, as her soft, fair little feet swayed back and forth in a provocative manner.
"If you're going to the Nakiri household, I'll sew a few outfits for you. The clothes you have now are basically training uniforms; none of them are suitable."
Glancing at Erina Nakiri beside her, Miu Fūrinji's gaze fell on Okabe, and she clapped her hands, deciding to sew clothes for him herself.
As for the clothes Okabe brought from the Nakiri household three years ago, they were all too small by now.
"That's not necessary. I'll just go to the mall and buy a few sets later."
"How can store-bought clothes be as comfortable and well-fitting as my custom-made ones? It's settled then. I'll come over tomorrow to take your measurements. It'll take three days at most to finish them."
Hearing Okabe's words, Miu Fūrinji thought he was just being polite with her. Her little face immediately puffed up, and she patted her chest as she said this guarantee.
"In that case, I'll graciously accept. I have something to do later, so I'm going to take a bath first."
"If you want to stay here, feel free. There are some dried fruits below, help yourselves. There's also a carton of yogurt in the fridge, and the cups are on the coffee table."
As he spoke, Okabe glanced at his phone. Although there was still an hour before the appointed time, it wasn't his style to delay things until the last minute.
So after a few brief instructions, Okabe grabbed a change of pajamas from the closet, left the room directly, and jogged to the hot spring on the back mountain.
But before he could even take off his clothes, the scene before him made him freeze, then turn around awkwardly, his face visibly turning red.
"Ma... Master Shigure, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here. I'll come back later!"
"Wait."
A familiar voice sounded from behind, making Okabe's body stiffen. He thought she was going to lecture him, but what he got was Shigure Kōsaka with a bath towel wrapped around her.
"Why are you leaving? Didn't you come here to bathe?"
Looking at the blushing Okabe holding a change of clothes, Shigure Kōsaka tilted her head, not understanding why he was suddenly leaving after seeing her.
Was she that scary...
"What other reason could there be? Master Shigure, you're using the hot spring right now. It's more or less a bit inappropriate for me to be here, right?"
Hearing Shigure Kōsaka's words, Okabe's expression was peculiar. For a moment, he didn't know where to begin his retort.
"I see. Little Okabe has already reached that age. But it's okay, I don't mind."
Hearing Okabe's explanation, Shigure Kōsaka showed a look of understanding, then reached out and patted her chest generously, indicating that she didn't mind.
"But I mind..."
Okabe screamed internally, but maintained a calm expression on his face, then said, "Then let's bathe together."
Although the feeling was strange, since the lady herself didn't mind and might not even see him as a man, he naturally wasn't going to be coy about it anymore.
Thus, right in front of Shigure Kōsaka, he quickly stripped off his training uniform, leaving only a pair of boxer shorts to preserve his dignity, and then stepped into the hot spring.
The warm water enveloped his entire body, bringing a look of comfort to his face.
Having stayed at Ryōzanpaku for three years, his favorite thing was this hot spring. Just by soaking in it, a whole day's fatigue would vanish completely. This was an effect that ordinary hot springs didn't have.
"You've grown so fast these past few years. You're almost as tall as me now."
Shigure Kōsaka had approached at some point. Looking at Okabe, who was now at eye level with her, a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes. She suddenly realized he was about as tall as she was.
"Well, I train every day and eat well. It'd be strange if I didn't grow quickly."
Okabe said with a contented expression.
"You're right. Ever since you came to Ryōzanpaku, you've been making all sorts of different dishes every day. I feel like I've gained quite a bit of weight."
As she spoke, Shigure Kōsaka pinched her slightly protruding belly, looking at Okabe with a resentful expression, as if looking at an irresponsible man.
"Ahem, Master Shigure was too thin before. You're just right now."
Okabe coughed awkwardly and tried to smooth things over.
"Really?"
"Really. I'm about done soaking."
Seeing that Shigure Kōsaka was about to say something else, Okabe wiped the non-existent cold sweat from his forehead and stood up from the hot spring.
"So soon?"
"I still have to go to Master Ma's for the medicinal bath, so I can't soak here for too long."
Okabe explained hastily.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll learn medicinal cuisine from Kensei during the day, and at night, come to my room. I'll teach you how to use the cooking utensils of various countries."
Watching Okabe quickly put on his clothes, his back turned as he prepared to leave in a hurry, Shigure Kōsaka shouted after him.
"Okay, I understand."
Hearing the young woman's words from the hot spring, Okabe nodded with a seemingly calm expression, but a hint of surprise grew in his heart.
First Kensei Ma, then Shigure Kōsaka. Why were the masters suddenly starting to teach him their real skills?
Before today, only Akisame Koetsuji would systematically teach him noodle cuisine and drill his fundamentals. The other masters would at most give him a few pointers when they saw him.
Could it be because they saw his duel with Erina Nakiri and acknowledged his skill? Did they think he was qualified to take the next step...
With many thoughts running through his mind, Okabe arrived at the door to Kensei Ma's room once more.
At this moment, an extremely rich medicinal aroma was wafting out from within. Just smelling it made his body feel warm and very comfortable.
"You're just in time. Take off your clothes and get in."
Just as Okabe was about to knock, Kensei Ma's voice came from inside the room.
"Okay."
Okabe replied, pushed the door open, and walked in. He quickly changed out of his clothes, leaving only his underwear, and looked at the giant medicinal tub in the center of the room.
The tub was about as tall as a person and filled with a dark brown medicinal soup. Various strange herbs floated on the surface, some of which were even glowing faintly.
The rich medicinal aroma was almost tangible. Okabe took one deep breath and felt all the pores on his body open up, as if he had eaten a panacea.
"What are you spacing out for? Get in, quick."
Kensei Ma urged. He was holding a small wooden mallet, occasionally tapping the edge of the tub to break up the concentrated medicinal power.
Okabe hesitated no longer, climbing over the edge of the tub and slipping in.
The moment he entered the medicinal soup, he couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath of cold air.
The reason was simple: the temperature of this medicinal soup was astonishingly high, like scalding hot water, searing his skin from all directions.
But strangely, there were no signs of his skin being burned, only sharp, stinging pains, something he had never felt in the dozens of medicinal baths before.
"Hiss..."
Feeling the stinging pain, Okabe gripped the edge of the wooden tub tightly. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but they were quickly evaporated by the heat of the medicinal soup.
"Endure it. This time, I used only 'Medicine Kings' for you. The medicinal properties are more than ten times stronger than before. Only this can stimulate the full potential of your body."
Seeing Okabe clench his jaw without any thought of getting out, Kensei Ma couldn't help but nod in his heart.
A medicinal bath using 'Medicine Kings' as a primer was often accompanied by a burning pain due to its potent medicinal power; even many adults couldn't endure it.
Yet Okabe could stay inside without making a sound.
This child was not only hardworking in his daily life, but his resilience was also top-notch. As long as he didn't meet an untimely end, he was destined to become a great figure in the future!
And what about Okabe in the wooden tub? Although he was in pain, he could also clearly feel the medicinal power seeping into his muscles, bones, and even his blood.
Every deep breath felt like a deep-level cleansing.
After an unknown amount of time, just as his head was starting to feel dizzy, the searing, stinging pain gradually subsided, replaced by a warmth that penetrated to his very bones.
Okabe felt as if he were floating on a cloud, every cell in his body rejoicing.
"You can come out now."
Kensei Ma's voice woke him from that mystical state.
Okabe opened his eyes and was surprised to find that the color of the medicinal soup had become very light, and the herbs that were originally emitting a strange glow had also lost their luster.
In its place was his stronger, more powerful body.