“With knife skills so fast they leave afterimages, and fire control like flame magic, Inui Hinako, are you sure you’re serious and not joking around?”
As Totsuki’s Elite Ten graduates, Mizuhara Fuyumi and others had either opened their own restaurants or become head chefs in famous establishments, meaning they had all been immersed in culinary arts for many years.
And while they specialized in different cuisines and dishes, their foundational skills were quite solid.
But even they couldn't achieve the level of Seiya that Inui Hinako spoke of, could they?
“No, I’m serious. That child’s monstrous talent is far beyond your imagination.
Before, I always thought Erina Nakiri, who had received elite training since childhood and possessed extraordinary talent, was a monster among the Elite Ten of all generations.
But it wasn’t until today that I realized my previous horizons were too narrow. That child, Seiya, has talent and potential far surpassing Erina.
Putting other aspects aside, just the knife skills and fire control he displayed in the previous class assessment are enough to make even my current self feel ashamed.”
“Moreover, while I was full, I did indeed lower my expectations for other students afterwards.
But after eating that '"Crab Shell"', I truly felt that the dishes made by the subsequent students couldn't even pass the lowered passing mark.”
Upon hearing Inui Hinako’s evaluation of Seiya, the Totsuki graduates present fell silent.
Only Kojiro Shinomiya, after a moment of stunned silence, finally said, “It’s probably because, compared to that kid’s cooking, everyone else’s dishes were mediocre, so you only found his dish delicious because it stood out, Hinako.”
“No, Shinomiya, on the contrary to what you said, before eating that '"Crab Shell"', the dishes made by Yukihira Soma and Kutami were quite excellent.
I know you have some prejudice against that child, but his cooking is truly outstanding.”
Hearing Inui Hinako, who he used to scold constantly at Totsuki, now defending Seiya so fiercely, Kojiro Shinomiya felt a bit annoyed.
Just as he was about to say something, Gin Dojima, standing beside him, stroked his chin and said, “Interesting. Is that kid using this method to prove that what he said is correct?”
“Gin Dojima, what do you mean by that?”
As the star senior admired by Totsuki graduates, as soon as Gin Dojima spoke, everyone’s attention was drawn to him, but Inui Hinako and the others didn't quite understand the meaning of his words.
“Do you still remember what that kid said earlier in the lobby?”
“‘Only a chef who can cook excellent dishes in any environment is a true chef.’?” Inui Hinako recalled the scene at the time and repeated what Seiya had said.
“That’s right. Now, think back to the reasons why the students whose dishes failed in your class assessment failed.”
The Totsuki graduates present were all former Elite Ten members, with top-notch comprehension and talent. Gin Dojima had only given a slight hint, and Inui Hinako and the others already showed expressions of sudden realization.
“That kid wasn't deliberately showing off; he was using it to prove that he couldn't maintain concentration during the cooking process.
A chef who is affected by the surrounding environment cannot be considered an excellent chef.
In other words, he was using this method to tell Kojiro Shinomiya that a truly excellent chef would not be affected by the fermentation of citrus.
And those who were already incompetent, even if it wasn't because of citrus hairspray, would still perform poorly due to even a small environmental factor.”
After understanding Seiya’s intention in his assessment performance, Kojiro Shinomiya left with an angry huff, leaving behind a single phrase: “Arrogant brat!”
As Inui Hinako and Mizuhara Fuyumi watched Kojiro Shinomiya’s retreating back, they exchanged glances and all sighed in unison.
“It seems this Special Student isn’t a quiet one either. I wonder what will happen during this training camp if he really gets assigned to Shinomiya’s group…”
No sooner had Donato Gotoda finished speaking than Mizuhara Fuyumi and Inui Hinako glared at him.
Both Mizuhara Fuyumi and Inui Hinako had admired Kojiro Shinomiya greatly, even harboring affection for him, since their student days.
And Donato Gotoda’s apparent enjoyment of the drama clearly annoyed the two formidable female chefs.
“I’m also quite curious about the scene you mentioned.”
Gin Dojima’s sudden remark surprised Mizuhara Fuyumi and the others, who said, “Donato Gotoda is one thing, but why you too, Gin Dojima…?”
“Do you also think I’m enjoying the drama?”
“We didn’t mean that. It’s just that with Shinomiya’s temper, if he really clashes with that Special Student, it might end up in a Shokugeki, won’t it?”
“Then let it be a Shokugeki. It’s not wrong for a chef to fight for his ideals, is it?
Moreover, perhaps through this Shokugeki, Shinomiya might understand some things, which wouldn’t be bad. That Special Student named Wenren Seiya possesses something Shinomiya lacks.
As for whether they’ll end up on bad terms, there’s no need to worry about that. Shinomiya is just a bit stubborn.
Once they acknowledge each other, they might even become friends because of it.”
Gin Dojima’s words left Mizuhara Fuyumi and the others confused, and when the remaining Totsuki students were grouped again the next day, their worst fears ultimately came true.
Seiya, along with Yukihira Soma and Tadokoro Megumi, were once again assigned to the same group, and their instructor this time was Kojiro Shinomiya.
Or rather, Seiya was originally in Mizuhara Fuyumi’s group, but under Gin Dojima’s manipulation, Seiya was ultimately reassigned to Kojiro Shinomiya’s group.
Kojiro Shinomiya’s assessment for everyone this time was to provide a recipe for a French dish called “Nine Treasures Vegetable Aspic.”
Although Seiya specializes in Chinese Cuisine, Kojiro Shinomiya’s recipe was very complete, even detailing every step of the dish. For Seiya, making this dish was not difficult.
For this class assessment, students didn't need to collect ingredients themselves, but because the fresh ingredients on hand were limited, the good quality vegetables were quickly snatched up by everyone present.
Seiya and Yukihira Soma, relying on their physical advantages, naturally grabbed fresh vegetables first.
Especially Seiya, who possesses the “God’s Eye,” managed to collect the nine best quality vegetables in a short amount of time.
But while Seiya and Yukihira Soma were progressing smoothly, Tadokoro Megumi, who is always a step behind others and has weaker physical abilities, had a tough time this time.
