When the heart was reached Komatsu and Toriko were huffing and puffing, sweat was dripping down from their faces. "Sheesh. It has to be eaten by two people at once. This vegetable sure likes pairs." Toriko's eyebrow twitched a bit as the woman added her two cents. "You shouldn't be surprised at that. It took two to take it on. Speaking of pairs, perhaps it's trying to tell you something." Sarafina had an innocent look when Toriko shot her a glare. Komatsu looked between the two confused before he spoke up, "Well, Ozone Grass does require special preparation."
"Since Fina is out of the running it looks like it's just you and me, Komatsu." The hunter said, feeling like a certain someone had set this up for her, their, amusement. Sarafina tried not to laugh as the two knelt on either side of the plant. "Let's both bite down at the same time." Toriko told the chef, both of their mouths ready to bite down. "Rodger!"
"On my count you two! One! Two!" Sarafina started and watched the boys both bit at the exact same time. Well, at least they got it right this time. A laugh erupted from her at their casts of pure happiness and excitement and laughed even harder as the two hugged each other. "We did it, Komatsu!" Toriko cried out even as the smaller man went, "Toriko-san!" "We did it! We ate it" "!? Ahh?! G..get off of me!" The woman exclaimed in surprise as her companions dragged her into their hug feist. "You helped too so you're joining in." Toriko grinned as a blush appeared. Too damn cute.
"I...I did not do enough this time! Get off!" Sarafina said as she laughed a little. "B..but you gave us some advice that helped.." Argh...fine. If that's what was being considered. "Ah's so, so happy! Iss...so..delicious! Super delicious!" Ok time for her to get free. Sarafina quickly escaped from their grasp but the two were so distracted with the chewing and tasting it that they never noticed her getting free or that they let go of each other.
What crunch! 'If I don't chew hard enough, it springs back!' The hunter thought as he continued to chew. 'The fibres are so dense, they're making my jaw do gymnastics to ear it. Chewing is fun! It's so pure and refreshing! I could get addicted to this, even though it's a plant! It's beyond delicious!' Too bad the woman couldn't try some but maybe next time. Just as the hunter swallowed a jolt went through his body. A split second later his cells levelled up, causing his shirt to literally to burst off of him. NOW he knew what that feeling was. His gourmet cells were craving ozone grass! 'My cells advanced!' The blue-haired man thought excitedly, looking up at the sky. The old man... The hunter recalled the president's words just before they left.
He knew the whole time. 'Ozone grass powered up my cells and forced me to cooperate with Komatsu.' Though Toriko had a sneaky suspicion that Sarafina was also trying her hand to get him to cooperate. Not that much surprising, she is his granddaughter technically. Jeesh those two. But...Sarafina and the old man were right. "I get it. I get it, you two."
"Hm? Get what, Toriko?" Sarafina asked as she felt him plopped down and turn his attention to Komatsu. "Yes? Whoa! What happened to your shirt?!" Komatsu responded, though how come he was so surprised about him losing his shirt? "Will you...be my partner?" Toriko asked, extending his hand a bit towards the smaller man. The woman couldn't help but smile at the adorable confused/surprised cast upon him.
The chef was silent for a moment before going, "Huh...?" The larger man scratched his chin nervously before he continued, though to be honest, it seemed like that Komatsu's reaction wasn't one he was looking for, "Um... You don't have to... If you don't want to, but... Be my partner... And together we'll make the greatest full course meal ever!"
Once again playing the enthusiasm card again. To be honest again for sure she thought it would be a yes but... Ah. Right. This guy was too modest. He probably never dreamed that Toriko would ask him. The hunter's words further startled said man. "M...me...and you?"
"You know the answer, Komatsu. Why bother dragging it out any longer?" Sarafina lightly pushed. "Mew!" Was it only apparent to her that they should be partners? "Yeah. Well?" Toriko waited. Komatsu started to tear up and puff a bit before a second a later tears and snot began running down his face. He had thought the same as well. "I...I... Ever since I met you, Toriko-san... I've always...always...wanted to be the one to prepare your food. I know I'm not good enough...but I've always wanted...to be your partner, Toriko-san!"
"Really? It never occurred to me before." Ouch. Even she felt that from where she was standing. Highly, more like extremely, doubtful Toriko had even thought about being partners, let alone having one. He seemed to be relieved that the chef finally replied. "But now that it has... Komatsu. You've got skills I don't have. You've got a passion for cooking and..." A slight sharp look came to his eyes. "You have the gift of being adored by food." So that explained why the food reacted so positively to him.
The admission stunned the chef for a moment, at least long enough for the larger man to hold on his hand. "Will you...be my partner, Komatsu?" Toriko asked again. Was it just her or did he seem to be softened? Almost immediately Komatsu grasped the open hand crying and shouted/said loudly, "Yes! I look forward to working with you, Toriko-San!" Komatsu smiled brightly and rubbed the tears from his eyes and looked up to the sky. "Toriko-san and I are partners... I never thought this day would come. This really is paradise." Komatsu looked over toward her and asked curiously, "You knew the whole time, didn't you? Sarafina-san."
The woman smiled innocently, ignoring the "You're not innocent" comment from the other man, and nodded. "Guilty." "Mew, mew!" Kururu went, nodding her head. "It does explain some of the comments you've been making."
"Also guilty. It was much too infuriating. I knew right from the start you two would make a great team. Ever since I first met you two on the train. I've been trying to motivate a certain someone to ask." Sarafina said.
"Hey. Was looking for a good time to ask."
"Haha, right." Sarafina giggled at the annoyed growl that a certain someone let out.
"Oh. Look, Toriko-san and Sarafina-san! The Ozone Grass!" The two looked over at the smaller man. "What is it, Komatsu?" Sarafina asked. Looking at the plant and the men took notice that it looked like a heart from above. "From above, it looks like a heart!" Komatsu said pointing at it. A slow grin came across her lips. She sniffed a bit in pretend. "Oh, I see how it is... I'm the third wheel of the party. I'll probably just get in the way."
"So?! Don't get all weird to n me now! Sarafina! Don't even go there! You know that's not the case!" Toriko exclaimed and glared slightly, fighting the blush back at her playful teasing look. "But.." "And don't even pretend the fake tears. I can tell when it's fake." "Well, it was fun while it lasted." The woman grinned at him, causing him to shake his head even when he turned his attention back to the plant. "Well, Ozone Grass is tasty but... I/you can't add it to my/your full course." Toriko looked at the woman who only smiled innocently. Someone sure seemed to be in a playful mood. "I'll put that choice on hold."
"So will I. This ingredient isn't for me." Sarafina said.
The chef seemed surprised by the announcement. But he really shouldn't be. Toriko is always so picky when it comes to his full course. "Huh?! Really?!" Komatsu gaped out before continuing, "But it commemorates our becoming partners. Put it in your full course. Sarafina-san, you have a say in this too!"
"No can do. Sure it advanced my cells, but...Ozone Grass likes you better than me, Komatsu."
"Huh?"
"Didn't you see how many times I made it rot? If it had liked me, we'd have eaten it a lot faster." Komatsu thought back to when he first saw the grass and how it was completely open but was closed when he brought the others over. "I'm only here because that stupid old man wanted me to get beat up."
"Toriko, please, I'm sure that's not the case." Sarafina tried to say but only got waved off. "Plus, I can't have something in my full course that has to be eaten by two people at the same time. Foods that go in my full course will have to accept all three of us, right you two?"
"What? But you were just talking about the two of you being partners. Shouldn't it be foods that accept the two of you?" Sarafina started before the said men turned and smiled at her. "You're part of the group. Why the heck should you be left out?" Toriko asked, looking at her softly, causing her heart to flutter and beat fast. W..wow. "Y..yeah! We'd never leave you out, Sarafina-san!" Toriko laughed a bit at the flustered look Sarafina had.
Now THAT was adorable. Might be the first time they've seen her look so off guard. Now the hunter must remember to find things to throw her off her game. "He's right! There must be an even tastier vegetable somewhere in the world. I just know it! I'm going to cook whatever food you want...in the most delicious way imaginable!"
"Deal! Well said, Komatsu!" Toriko complimented as the two watched the chef pumped his arms up into the air. Before Sarafina had a chance to comment a chill came over her suddenly, making her exclaim, "Somethings here! Toriko!" The words barely had time to register when a loud thud from behind them startled them. The three turned to see a reddish creature that looked like a GT. Wait. Creature? Sarafina focused her hearing and her eye widened when she heard its heartbeat. It was alive. So this is the thing that inspired those dingbats to make all those robots?
'A GT Robot... Wait, no... It's not! It's alive!' Toriko thought, looking at the creature hard. That footprint from before... That was its footprint! He risked a slight glance at Sarafina. Kururu was growling lowly from her shoulder. Even he didn't know nor sense it coming so how did she..? Movement brought his attention back and saw the thing walking over to them. "T...Toriko-San.." Komatsu started but the hunter cut him off. "Stay still, you two. We can't afford to make a wrong move. I don't know what it is but..." Toriko said.
For some strange reason, he couldn't help but think Sarafina might know. But that's impossible. "It doesn't want to hurt us...yet. Don't worry. Whatever happens, I'll protect you. That's what partners do!"
"Toriko-San."
"It's not interested in us... It's after the Ozone.." Sarafina started but slowly got quiet as the thing got closer. Whatever it was walked right in between them and moved like they weren't there. The trio watched it kneel by the heart and a second later a loud chomping noise was heard. Did that thing just bite into the plant?! The trio continued to watch, even as it chewed for a few seconds before it spat it out.
It then stood up, turned then JUMPED to another spot and disappear. The group stood there for a second before looking at each then back to where the creature vanished. "Wh..what just happened?" Komatsu asked then looked up at Toriko in panic. "D...don't tell me...it was a GT.." "It wasn't a robot. It was alive. It might have inspired to make the GT..." Sarafina answered. Wonder if she could ask Grandfather about that thing.
Toriko looked at her for a moment then replied to the chef, "It looked like one, but it didn't smell like titanium alloy. Plus I would have been able to sense the aura of a human operator." The hunter looked at the woman. Again he suspected that Sarafina would've sensed that as well. "You're right. I'm sure it was a wild animal but...how did you know it was alive let alone it was coming?"
Sarafina looked down for a moment. "I...I don't know. Honestly. I just...knew." Toriko looked at her and was willing to bet his status that she was lying. Though Sarafina had never lied about anything up until this point. "You mean it lives up here?!"
"I don't think so, Komatsu." The woman told him even as the hunter continued. "I've never smelled anything like it before, so it probably lives elsewhere. And only came here to forge."
"Th..that's right, it ate Ozone Grass! Even though it spat it out.." Komatsu added. "Probably because it went bad. It does take two people eating it at the same time." Toriko tried to explain but Sarafina shot that down. "No, it ate it. I thought... I heard it bite twice but...the speed it had... Hm? What is it?" Sarafina asked when she noticed something caught his attention and looked behind her at the plant. Not to her surprise, there were two triangle bites into it. "Wh..what the?!" Toriko shouted in disbelief.
"The Ozone Grass! It didn't rot, you guys!" Komatsu pointed over at it even as the hunter walked over to inspect it. Impossible. 'How could it..?' Toriko thought when he realized Sarafina was right. It did bit it twice! And with such speed, the Ozone Grass couldn't even sense the difference! What speed... "Toriko-san... How..?"
"Komatsu." Sarafina didn't know if she liked that worried feeling Toriko was projecting... "That thug...might have been watching us this whole time." Damn. She figured as much but to hear him say that made this situation even more nerve-wracking. She clenched her fist. It watched and memorized the way Toriko and Komatsu peeled and are the ozone grass. "Memorized?" Komatsu echoed. "It wanted Ozone Grass but might not have known how to eat it."
Sarafina narrowed her eye. Meaning that it was beyond smart. If it could stay out of the range of their senses and only seen them eat it once to learn. Komatsu echoed the words she was musing over and Toriko's voice snapped her back. "Once it knew it couldn't peel the leaves on its own, it waited until we expose the editable part."
"Meaning it's intelligent and has extraordinary abilities..." The blind woman finished for him, making him nod a bit. Komatsu was quiet for a few moments then glanced at the plant as he remembered the thing spitting it out. "But...it spat...one delicious vegetable! What a waste! Ack!" Sarafina hugged him tight. "That's absolutely right! It should be a crime to waste such good food!" The larger man laughed and smiled big. "You guys said it! Guess it's not smart enough to know good food when it tastes it! Anyway, I'm glad nothing bad happened. So, Komatsu and Sarafina! Let's bring the old man some Ozone Grass!"
"Sounds good to me!" "R..right!" The two agreed excitedly.
"Um... Toriko-San? Are we gonna have to..go home the way we came?" Komatsu asked nervously. "Yup! But don't worry! Jumping down will be a piece of cake!" Even though he knew that was going to be the answer, Komatsu was still having a freakout. Toriko just ignored him and looked at the direction the creature went. What the heck was that Thing? He glanced towards the woman. Just how the heck did she know it was coming. He has a feeling a certain lady has some hidden talents.
At IGO Headquarters
The three were sitting on a couch: one dressed casually and just relaxing, one dressed nicely and played with her kitten, and the last dressed in a suit and looking like he was gonna have a panic attack. Sarafina couldn't help but wonder if that blonde weirdo, the president and her beloved grandfather, was laughing at them. Certainly looked like it judging from his body's movements as they watched him pour some tea. "Well, haha! I'd forgotten about that little errand I sent you on." Well, that answered that.
"You must have a complex, you strange old man." Sarafina said and tried not to laugh at Toriko's shout of dismay of "You forgot?!" Still, oddly enough, this guy loves these guys like real family to tease them like this. Ichiryu grinned turning slightly to look at them.
"Good work, Toriko. Ozone Grass requires special preparation. Its capture level is 68." The president congratulated them. 'So he knew the entire time it required that and didn't tell them?' Sarafina thought to herself with a smile. If she didn't know better, she'd say he was getting a kick out of on tormenting them.
Toriko grinned cheekily, putting a hand on the chef's back and explained, "It's all thanks to this guy. Allow me to introduce my partner, chef Komatsu." Oh boy. Poor Komatsu. He looked like he was gonna soil himself. Seriously too modest for his own good.
"H..h..how do you do? M..my name is Komatsu. I'm the head chef at Hotel Gourmet." Komatsu greeted nervously. That seemed to surprise the older man a bit. "Oh-ho. An IGO employee." Ichiryu stated. That made Komatsu even more nervous. "Y..yes, sir. Th..thank you...for your generosity."
"Don't stain your shorts, Komatsu. Ow!" The blue-haired man said before getting hit in the arm by Sarafina. "Be nice! He's already a nervous wreck, so please don't make it worse." The blind woman scolded him, slightly amused he went 'ow' from a light tap. "I am being nice Jeesh. Getting violent."
"I'm certainly not."
"Wanna try that again?"
"I..it's fine Sarafina-san. No big deal." The blonde watched the three in amusement before walking over to the container that held the Ozone and asked the chef as he pointed to the container, stopping the play fight, "Are you the one who programmed this gourmet case for Ozone Grass?"
Komatsu rubbed the back of his head nervously as he replied, "Y...yes, sir. Since they don't sell storage data for Ozone Grass, it took a while ago to program it on site." It all honesty, it took him an hour or two. "I see." Ichiryu responded grinning a bit. So this kid could hear the voices of the foods hm? He turned his attention to the other man. "Toriko." Toriko stopped, about to drink his tea, and went, "Hm?" Sarafina smiled a bit at the proud feeling and smile Ichiryu gave the hunter. It's been a long time since she felt that one. A smile that felt like the real him. "You've found a good partner. Take good care of him. Moondrop, make sure you keep these two in line."
She blinked slightly before smiling and replied, "Already planned to." "I will." Toriko said taking a sip of the tea before quickly spitting it out. "Blegh! Gross! What is this stuff?!" Hm? Usually this guy ate and drank anything in front of him so why would he spit something out? Sarafina cautiously took a small sip of her tea and blinked at the bitterness of it but...it wasn't that bad. "It's delicious." She said causing the hunter to go "You actually like this stuff?!" and blinked when the president laughed hard. "Hahaha! It's Ozone tea-made from the outer leaves of Ozone grass. Once you get used to it it's pretty addictive! Looks like one of you already likes it! Not that I'm surprised." Before Sarafina had a chance to reply Toriko cut in indignantly, exclaiming quite loudly, "Ozone tea?! Outer leaves?! You had ozone grass this whole time?! Then why'd you have me go to get it?!"
"He said it was for training before we left./Idiot! It was for your training!" Sarafina and Ichiryu said together but the older man continued. "Entering the Gourmet World unprepared is signing your death warrant." Toriko clenched his fist and grinned cheekily. "I know. But if it's cold and low oxygen I'll be facing, then I'm ready. I'm ready for the Gourmet World."
"And how many times do I have to tell you that you WILL DIE as you are now, Toriko." Sarafina said sternly to him, causing him to groan a bit. "And how many times do I have to say I'm ready?"
"If someone like me, who has already been to the Gourmet World, can tell you aren't then.." The president cut her off going, "Idiot! There's a lot more conditions you'll have to face." The older man brought out a piece of paper and handed it to Toriko. "Here! This is your next training assignment!"
"What?!" Riko exclaimed in dismay once more taking the list and whatever was on it almost caused his eyes to bug out. "Awww! There's more?!" Sarafina tried not to smirk as she listened to him. This man was so impatient to go that he couldn't see he was unprepared for this place!
"Lots more. Go and capture all the foods on that list. You're not allowed to enter the Gourmet World until you've finished. This is your training. You're lucky that one of you has a head on her shoulders to know what to do." But the hunter didn't hear him, too focused on the list. "Argh, you gotta be kidding me."
Ichiryu stared at him for a moment then said, extending a hand out, "You're not the only one undergoing intensive training against the elements. Sunny and Coco are too." That snapped Toriko back. "Huh? Sunny? And Coco?"
"Depending on the food, you ought to bring them along. Consider that training too. Heck...invite Zebra along!" That startled the blue-haired man. "Z...Zebra?! But he's...!" The president cut him off as he continued. "Toriko. I'll be going to the Gourmet World soon. If you boys feel up for it..." He grinned widely. "Tag along with your old man!" That threw Toriko off, both stunned and surprised for a moment before returning the grin excitedly, "Okay! I'll be right behind you!" Sarafina and Komatsu jumped when attention was turned back to them. "As for you, Komatsu and Sarafina."
"Yes? Sir?!"
"I'll see you there too. Make sure you keep them honest too, young lady."
"I will." Sarafina smiled. Komatsu, having a similar expression the larger man had, smiled brightly and said, "Yes, sir! Thank you very much!" Sarafina couldn't help but laugh a bit as the two chattered excitedly, unaware the president was watching on. Those two, Toriko and Komatsu, reminded him of Master Acacia and Froese-sama. He glanced over to the woman. She seemed to be having a positive influence on those two, especially Toriko. Something was going on between them. Just like way back then.
"Grandfather. Back on vegetable sky...we saw this strange creature..." Sarafina started, getting Ichiryu's attention, also drawing Toriko's. "Ah! That's right! I almost forgot!" Toriko turned and looked over at him. "We saw this weird creature up there." He then what on to explain. What was interesting to her wasn't the fact that a new creature was there but the sudden reaction of the blonde man. So he knows what that thing is, hm? Don't suppose he could enlighten them on it? Probably not...
After a while, they getting ready to leave, but Sarafina wanted to have one more conversation with her dear grandfather and her friends thought it was just gonna be an older man doting on his little princess. Well, that's what they wanted them to believe. When they were alone, Sarafina looked up at Ichiryu and said, "You offer Toriko and the others to come along with you to the Gourmet World. I supposed that means that..." She trailed off as Ichiryu placed a hand on her head.
"Yes. Sarafina, you are still forbidden of ever going back to the Gourmet World." Ichiryu said as he pulled her into a protective, yet loving hug. Sarafina stayed still, sadden at how hard he was trying not to tremble. "I don't want to experience something like that ever again. That was the most nightmare-inducing moment of my life and I can't even begin to imagine what you were feeling. ...Please, don't ever go in there again. Not yet." Ichiryu told her, practically begging her.
Sarafina closed her eye as she wrapped her arms around him. "I understand."
A couple of days later
"Are you quite certain this is a good idea?" Sarafina asked, looking up at the huge chunk of iron mineral that was roughly the size of a small mountain. "Yup! Here we go!" Toriko said, patting the Rock and left his hand and turned to look at her, Kururu and Terry. "Hey, Terry! Sarafina! Kururu!" He grinned at them. "How about this rock? Good enough to test my strength on, right?"
"I think it's going to work but... Knowing you, you're most likely going to go over the top with it." Knowing him, this thing was gonna get totally obliterated. "It's hard to find something more solid and durable...than a chunk of iron ore." Slightly amused at her uncertainty. He couldn't blame her. His strength was always changing and getting stronger. Sarafina sensed him power up his arm, couple of veins popping upon his face.
"Ozone Grass advanced my cells. I've been dying to measure just how much. Stay back, you two."
"Say no more." Sarafina moved back to what she hoped was a safe distance. The moment she moved he was already reached Fourteen. "Fifteen Fold!" Toriko started as he punched the rock. "Spiked Punch!" The force of the punch pushed the rock high into the air, the punch going through it. "Almost there!" The hunter said excitedly, the thing almost destroyed. That was...quite impressive... "Yeeaah!" He cheered happily clenching his fists before he pumped a fist into the air.
"Haha! How about that, Sarafina? Terry?" The hunter grinned at them. The young wolf gave an excited woof. "Pretty impressive, Toriko." The woman smiled. "Mew!" Kururu gave out. The grin then turned cheeky. "It was totally awesome! Heh heh! Okay! Time to eat!" Sarafina wanted to ask when wasn't he hungry but felt like it would spoil the mood.
At camp
Whatever the larger man caught smelled great. "Here. Try some of this in the sauce." Toriko said handing her a piece already dipped in sauce. "Thank you." Sarafina smiled as she took it and just as she expected it tasted great. Was it just her or did Toriko felt to be lost in his thoughts? From the looks of it, Gourmet World was weighing heavily on his mind. If that was so it was too soon for the young wolf. Not to mention it was too soon for a certain man but...
What would she know? She sensed him clench his fist, his aura had turned deeply serious. Damn it all. "Don't even think of it." He startled a bit then looked at her. "Eh? Don't what?" She gave him a look. He looked right back, debating on whether if he should tell the truth.
Granted if he did chances are good Fina would just tell him flat out no, saying something like "You're not ready" or "No it's too early". Well, no matter. He already knew what he wanted to do. The question was how to get her to believe him. He wanted to know...he really wanted to know just how far he could get into the Gourmet World.
"I'm just thinking about a rough hunt I'm about to go on. I was thinking of leaving you with Komatsu. You should be fine for a few days... Wha?" The hunter stopped in mid-sentence when he saw the dark look on her face. Kururu was glaring at him as she growled. Crap...she wasn't buying it. "It's the truth. It's a dangerous hunt I'm gonna do so I think it'll be safer with Komatsu. I'll only be gone for a short while." The woman was silent for a moment before turning away, slowly nodding her head. She was gonna kick his ass, wasn't she...?