Chapter 43: Tasting the Jewel Meat
A convoy of vehicles from the research institute arrived, bringing with them the small Regal Mammoth that Sunny had captured. Seeing its parent, the small mammoth immediately started running toward it on its short legs.
In front of the adult Regal Mammoth, the small one looked like a tiny bean, its size and presence worlds apart.
Kenji took out his Knocking Gun and gave the agitated small mammoth a refreshing shot to the head. It instantly froze in place, just like its mother.
"Load this robot onto the truck. It’s time to go back," Kenji said.
In half an hour, the Knocking on the two Regal Mammoths would be released. If they released it now, the mammoths would go on a rampage and attack them indiscriminately, and they would just have to perform Knocking on them again.
The researchers, filled with admiration, quickly loaded the giant GT Robo onto the truck. It was an excellent research specimen.
Back at the research institute, with the help of more advanced and comprehensive medical equipment, Rin quickly regained consciousness. She would be fine after a short period of rest.
That night, on a spacious rooftop of the research institute, Kenji and the others sat around a table. In front of them was a giant platter. Even with the lid on, they could smell the penetrating aroma of the Jewel Meat.
The moment the lid was lifted, a dazzling light burst forth. Although it was night, the rooftop was illuminated by the light from the Jewel Meat, as if the sun had risen.
The sudden, blinding light made it impossible for them to see the meat on the platter.
Once their eyes had adjusted, the sliced Jewel Meat was revealed. It glowed like a jewel, with beautiful patterns running through it. The crystalline meat juices flowed on the platter like liquid gold. The aroma was overwhelming, a stunning visual and olfactory experience. It didn’t look like an ingredient, but rather a work of art.
In ancient times, Jewel Meat was incredibly valuable. Because it shone like a jewel, it was also used as a wedding ring, a powerful testament to one’s ability to capture a Regal Mammoth. Many had embarked on the quest to capture Jewel Meat for this very reason.
"Sob... it’s so moving, but I can’t even record it," Tina said, tears streaming down her face. The light from the Jewel Meat was too intense; her camera couldn’t capture the moment. But to be able to see the Jewel Meat with her own eyes... as a reporter, this trip was more than worth it.
"Toriko, you already ate some, didn’t you?" Sunny asked, noticing the glow emanating from Toriko’s body and recalling that several pieces of the Jewel Meat had been cut off. No wonder his skin was so radiant.
"That’s right. If I hadn’t eaten the Jewel Meat, I would have died back there. That guy Starjun is really strong," Toriko said, touching his muscles. His cells had evolved, becoming even stronger than before. "And this Jewel Meat is really amazing. I just went to the bathroom..."
"Stop, Toriko!" Kenji knew what Toriko was about to say and quickly cut him off with a look of disgust. This was dinner time. There was no need to discuss such a... fragrant topic. It would ruin everyone’s appetite.
The others also glared at Toriko. They knew what he was about to say, and it would definitely spoil their meal. There was no need for such a disgusting description.
Toriko scratched his head in embarrassment. "Ahem... let’s just eat," he said.
Kenji picked up a piece with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. Using a knife and fork was too much trouble.
As he chewed, a rich and savory meat juice flooded his mouth. Even without any seasoning, the original flavor of the Jewel Meat was exquisite. In fact, ordinary seasonings would only detract from it. The juice was incredibly refreshing, not thick or greasy. The moment it slid down his throat, it felt like an electric current shot through his body. Every single one of his cells was glowing with pleasure. It wasn’t an illusion; his body was literally glowing.
The texture of the Jewel Meat was extremely complex. Some parts felt like chewing on a heart, others like chewing on a liver...
"Lotta, this piece is for you. Have a taste."
Kenji cut off a piece of Jewel Meat and placed it in front of Lotta. Although it was just a mouthful for her, the amount of Jewel Meat was limited. If they ever encountered another Regal Mammoth, he would definitely capture it. He wanted Lotta to have a taste; it would be awkward for her to just watch.
"Awoo~ chomp, chomp~"
Lotta swallowed it in one bite and began to chew. Since the Regal Mammoth had a much larger original species in the Gourmet World, the Battle Wolf found the ingredient acceptable.
"This... settles it then!" Toriko said, taking a leisurely sip of champagne and looking at the full moon in the night sky.
"What have you settled, Toriko?" Sunny’s voice interrupted him. After eating the Jewel Meat, Sunny was radiating light. Every single strand of his long, thick hair was glowing. He was definitely the shiniest one there.
"Of course, I’ve decided to make the Jewel Meat the meat dish of my Full Course Menu," Toriko said with a calm smile. The empty spot on his menu was about to be filled.
Sunny’s sudden shout kicked the impending decision out the window.
Toriko was furious. "Sunny, what the hell are you doing?!"
Komatsu and the others were speechless. Can it really be interrupted like that? Is no one going to fix the fourth wall?
"Toriko, look at the glow all over my body. The Jewel Meat is obviously more suitable for me," Sunny said, stroking his glowing hair. The Jewel Meat was truly a beautiful ingredient, perfect for him.
"In your dreams, Sunny! I decided first! Get out of the way!"
The two of them immediately started arguing over whose Full Course Menu the Jewel Meat would join. Although there was no rule that an ingredient could only be chosen by one person, since they knew each other, it would be awkward to have a duplicate on their menus.
"Arguing is too much trouble. Why don’t you just see whose fist is harder?" Kenji suggested, not minding stirring the pot. He was ready for some drama.
Toriko and Sunny looked down at their fists, then at each other with burning intensity. The idea sounded good. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since the Four Heavenly Kings had a proper spar.
"What do you say, Toriko? Want to have a long-overdue chat with our fists?"
Sunny was full of fighting spirit. He would absolutely not give up a beautiful ingredient like the Jewel Meat. There was nothing more suitable for his main course.
"Alright, Sunny. It’s been a while. Let’s see if you’ve gotten any stronger," Toriko said with a grin, the phantom of the Red Demon appearing behind him. Coincidentally, he had no intention of giving up the Jewel Meat either. Its flavor was undoubtedly satisfying and would make the perfect meat dish for his Full Course Menu.