The strongest anime shop owner

This scene left everyone speechless. Seriously, Su Luojun, where is your integrity? According to him, this is called a great man who can bend and stretch. What is mere integrity worth to someone who does great things?

"Let's go then!" said the boy in the lead.

"Hey, wait a minute, you guys really won't do *that* to me, will you?" Su Luo hesitated for a moment before asking again.

"No, you're overthinking it." Seeing this situation, the leader really didn't want to say anything more.

"This is impossible! This plot is completely wrong, director. Shouldn't it be that someone tries to take advantage of me, and then a beautiful girl comes out to save me, and I repay her with my body?" Su Luo followed behind, still bothered by this matter, muttering to herself.

Hearing Su Luo's mutterings to himself, everyone broke out in a cold sweat, wanting to yell, "Kid, you should go home and take your medicine. And besides, are you sure you're a man?"

After leading Su Luo a long way, they entered a house. After walking to the door of a room, they said to Su Luo, "Go in by yourself."

Su Luo walked in with a puzzled look, and before she could even see what was inside, she heard a strange voice say, "You've come!"

When Su Luo walked in, she saw a young man sitting at the desk. He wore square glasses, his hair was combed back, and he leaned casually against the chair, looking unruly and rebellious, with a kind of tough gangster vibe, despite his very refined attire.

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Chapter 155 The Ninth Seat - Eizan Etsuya

Upon seeing this person, Su Luo immediately knew who he was—Eizan Etsuya, nicknamed "The Alchemist," currently the ninth seat of the Elite Ten. He was a delinquent, a notorious martial arts fighter, an intelligent thug, and a steady and reliable man. He would not forgive those who disobeyed him. Starting in middle school, he served as a food consultant for various purposes, handling over 500 cases. He also recruited his defeated rivals, constantly increasing his followers, and by the time he entered high school, he had become a formidable force. He considered himself the one who controlled all chefs.

When Su Luo saw him, he frowned slightly. He didn't have a good impression of Eizan Etsuya, either in reality or from the comics he had read before. He figured that there must be something good about him being called here.

"I wonder what business the ninth seat of the academy has with me?" Su Luo quickly composed herself and said calmly.

"Oh? You actually know me?" Ruishan Zhijin was clearly a little surprised that Su Luo could recognize him. Although being one of the Ten Heroes would certainly attract a lot of attention, Su Luo seemed to be a transfer student and didn't seem to have any exposure to this kind of information. In addition, he rarely showed up and usually left things to his subordinates.

"Since I study at Totsuki Academy, I naturally know the Elite Ten. I'm not the kind of person who doesn't pay attention to anything." Seriously, Su Luo-jun, is it really okay for you to say that? It seems you really don't pay attention to anything. As for recognizing Eizan Etsuya, that's only because you read the manga in your previous life, right?

"Let's get straight to the point. What do you, a member of the Ten Heroes, want from a kid like me?" Su Luo didn't want to beat around the bush. Although she knew that Eizan Etsu was the same kind of person, she still went straight to the point.

"It's nothing major, I just heard you won five percent of the shares from the Toyota Group?" Eizan Etsu said casually, with his legs crossed and his hands clasped on his knees. Although he spoke casually, anyone with a brain could understand what he meant. Su Luo was obviously a little surprised that this group was related to Eizan Etsu.

"The opponent is just trash, so it's not a big deal to win the bet." Su Luo seemed oblivious to the underlying meaning.

"Although Feng Gu Jian Da is indeed trash, he's still a graduate of a culinary academy. It seems you really have some skills. Besides, I don't think you, a child, are any worse than others. After all, many people have seen what you did at the academy." Seeing Su Luo's calm demeanor, Rui Shan Zhi Jin didn't make any big moves either, continuing to speak slowly and deliberately. Finally, he revealed his purpose: "Although I didn't plan the Feng Gu Group, I still have a part in it. I heard you managed to salvage UHB. But let's not talk about that for now. I've called you here today because I want to invite you to be my subordinate. I can make sure you enjoy a life of wealth and luxury for the rest of your life."

There's no doubt that what Eizan Etsuya said could be accomplished. However, Su Luo didn't have a good impression of him, so she didn't want to get involved with him. Although getting involved with him was inevitable, given Eizan Etsuya's personality, she knew that.

At the same time, even he, Eizan Etsuya, is just a pawn in someone else's game. As for whether he is willing to be someone else's pawn, that remains to be seen.

Therefore, after Eizan Etsu also said something, Su Luo decisively refused: "When I entered this profession of chef, my goal was destined to be to stand at the top of the chef's table. I'm sorry, I have no interest whatsoever in becoming your subordinate."

"Really? But I knew you wouldn't agree. Even though you're just a child, don't you think you're being a bit too arrogant?" Eizan Etsuya wasn't surprised at all by Su Luo's answer, as if he had known all along that she would say that.

“As long as you have ambition, you will definitely achieve it, don’t you think?” As Su Luo spoke, she glanced meaningfully at the leisurely-looking Eizan Etsuya, and her tone became quite meaningful at the end.

Ruishan Zhijin naturally understood the meaning behind Su Luo's words, but his expression didn't change much. He still spoke in a leisurely tone: "Having ambition is indeed a good thing, but you also need the power to realize it. At least, what I can present to you is what you will soon see. I am the one who controls all the chefs - my perspective on things is different from yours."

He started handling inquiries about various types of restaurants when he was in junior high school, drastically reforming long-established hotels and kitchens that were struggling to get their businesses back on track, accepting commissions from high-end restaurants to develop new menus, or leading a fried chicken shop in Kyoto to win gold medals in competitions. He has handled more than 500 cases.

"You've really gone through a lot of trouble to make this trip. You can go back now, because I've made my decision." As he said this, Eizan Etsu stood up and said to Su Luo.

After hearing this, Su Luo naturally understood what he meant. Ruishan Zhijin could be very domineering. If he couldn't accept someone he wanted to take in, he would make that person stop, because he couldn't tolerate any stains on his past.

However, Su Luo wouldn't care about that. Although the person behind him was indeed very powerful, who could completely control what would happen in the future? Even if the other party wanted to do something, the prerequisite was that no one would stop them.

Just as Eizan Etsu was about to say something, a familiar voice came from outside the door: "Hey, Su Luo, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, it's Soma." Su Luo wasn't surprised at all that Soma would be here, provided that her arrival didn't change the plot: "I just wanted to talk to this thug about something, but I'll be going now."

"A big thug?" Soma looked puzzled. As for Eizan Etsuya, he maintained a leisurely demeanor, but the aura he exuded showed that he was not indifferent to these words.

"Hey kid, I haven't finished speaking yet." Seeing Su Luo greet Soma and then walk outside on his own, completely disregarding him, he felt a little embarrassed because no one had ever dared to act like that in front of him before.

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Chapter 156 Announcement

"What else do you want to say? You're not saying my meteoric rise is over, are you? If so, then you don't need to say anything more. Even though you're more than just the ninth seat, lastly, what I hate most are people who think they can control other people's destinies—arrogant and conceited." Actually, after Su Luo saw that the person calling her was Eizan Etsuya, she knew she would inevitably clash with him. Since that was the case, there was no need to be polite. Moreover, Su Luo's meaning was clear: besides knowing your outward appearance, I know other things about you, so I'm not afraid of you, provided you have the ability.

"If I had known it was you who called me, I definitely wouldn't have come, because... that would have been a complete waste of time." After saying this, Su Luo didn't give Eizan Etsuya any chance to speak and left directly. It's unknown what kind of expression Eizan Etsuya would have after hearing Su Luo's words.

At this moment, the Ten Heroes are gathering in a conference room.

“I think we should re-examine the eligibility of these two transfer students.” Sitting in a chair was none other than Erina Nakiri. In front of her were the admission information of Su Luo and Soma. She crossed her arms and raised this question.

“But…didn’t it already pass the review a few days ago?” one of them said, listening to Erina Nakiri’s words.

"No! I think their conduct and character are questionable! They are not suitable to attend such a historic food festival!" Erina Nakiri said firmly after hearing this.

"Nakiri-kun, while you've always been right about cooking, why do you become so unreasonable when it comes to these two transfer students? Has anything happened between you and them? Like... some private grudge?" Isshiki seemed to have guessed something from Nakiri Erina's attitude and said with a smile.

"N-No...no! I just think they're not qualified enough..." Faced with these words, Erina Nakiri was momentarily flustered and speechless, as if her secret had been discovered. However, she quickly calmed down, and as if remembering something, she said to Isshiki, "Isshiki-senpai...you're the one who's giving preferential treatment just because they're juniors in the same dorm?"

"Hehe... that's not true..." Upon hearing this, Isshiki immediately raised his hand to clarify, still maintaining a smiling expression.

"Su Luo and Yukihira Soma... seem to be some interesting guys, I don't think so?" Just then, Eizan Etsu had somehow picked up Su Luo and Kuro Soma's enrollment information and started looking at it, speaking in a very leisurely tone.

“…!” After seeing Eizan Etsuya also speak, Nakiri Erina suddenly felt immense pressure.

"Although Soma didn't achieve much at school, and it seems he hasn't been at Totsuki Academy for very long, he still managed to prepare 200 meals during the training camp, even under difficult circumstances... and he also received high praise in the first day's challenges." Looking at Soma's file, Eizan Etsu said, "The short review on it is 'very delicious' - Hinako."

While speaking, he took out Su Luo's information and looked at it, saying, "As for Su Luo, there's no need to mention her. Not only is her actual combat performance ideal, but when she participated in the training camp, she almost always completed 400 meals in the last 30 minutes. If it weren't for the lack of ingredients, I don't think she could have surpassed you, right?" After saying this, he glanced at Nakiri Erina.

After hearing this, Erina Nakiri fell silent for a moment. She was somewhat dissatisfied with such an evaluation, but it was the truth after all, especially since it was in the last 30 minutes. You know, the closer it gets to the end, the more difficult it is to deliver the food. After all, it was almost the end of the day, and the customers probably wouldn't be able to eat much. So, to be able to double the task under such circumstances, doesn't that say something?

"It's often the most exceptional talents who can make the atmosphere of the ceremony even more lively, right? I really don't understand what you're dissatisfied with." Eizan Etsuya said accurately and with explanation after looking at the information.

"Hmm..." Faced with such well-founded facts, Erina Nakiri could not refute them, after all, it was the truth.

"This year's first-year students are all very unique..."

"Yes... they are all quite special."

"Alright - this list is the final selection result." One of the people said after organizing the selected information.

A few days later, the graduation ceremony -

"Hey! Hurry up! It's finally going to be announced!"

In the vast plaza, a huge sign stood, its contents obscured by a white cloth. More and more people gathered there. This was supposed to be a day for distributing first-semester report cards and for students to eagerly anticipate the summer vacation. However, at Totsuki Academy, this day held another significant meaning: the official announcement of the participants for the Autumn Selection Tournament would take place!

"Ryoko, hurry up, the list is about to be announced." At this moment, Yoshino excitedly ran ahead, looking somewhat agitated. As he ran, he looked back at everyone and said to Sakaki Ryoko, who was pulling Su Luo along behind him. The other members of the Polar Star Dormitory also rushed over, after all, this was a very grand event.

"I said, why did I have to come too! I was planning to sleep in all morning." Su Luo originally planned to sleep in, but Sakaki Ryoko dragged her out, so Su Luo complained a lot.

"Why are you sleeping so much? You should go out more. Also, today is the day the results of the Autumn Selection Competition are announced. Don't you feel nervous or excited at all?" Ryoko Sakaki always presents herself as a mature and composed older sister in front of everyone, but she can't help but feel a little excited about this. After all, this is not only a large-scale event, but also an opportunity to show everyone her strength.

"Absolutely not!" Su Luo said decisively, adding, "Besides, I was selected a long time ago, so whether I look at it or not is irrelevant."

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Chapter 157 List of Participants

At that moment, a crowd had already gathered in the square. Upon seeing this, the relevant personnel lifted the white cloth, revealing the contents to the crowd.

"Ahhh...no..."

"Did you lose the election...?"

"YES!!"

After the white cloth was lifted and the results were revealed, many people expressed their emotions, some joyful, some resentful...

After searching the list for a while, they finally saw the names of Ryoko Sakaki and Yuuki Yoshino. Upon seeing her own name appear on it, Yuuki Yoshino immediately hugged Ryoko Sakaki with joy, jumped up and down excitedly, and said with tears streaming down her face, "That's great!"

"Ouch!" Sakaki Ryoko cried out immediately, feeling some pain from Yoshino Yuuki's sudden movement.

"Wow, it's just a grand ceremony, what's so exciting about it?" Su Luo was speechless at Yoshino Yuuki's exaggerated actions.

"Hmph, with your abilities, you could have easily made the list, so of course you'd say that! But for us, this is a magnificent celebration, something I've been looking forward to for a long time." Looking at Su Luo's nonchalant attitude, Yoshino Yuuki's eyes were full of anticipation as she spoke.

Well, Su Luo was speechless.

"Oh! You two got selected? That's amazing." Su Luo, arms crossed, looked at Yoshino Yuuki's excited expression and said sincerely, though her tone was somewhat casual.

“Now the Polaris Dorm has seven people competing.” Standing next to Su Luo, Ibuzaki Jun had his hands in his pockets, his bangs covering his eyes, so his expression couldn’t be seen.

"Hmph... It seems I'll have a chance to face you directly before the food battle begins, Soma!" Just then, Takumi Aldini walked over to Soma after seeing him and pointed at him.

"Oh! Ikumi! You made it too!" Soma greeted Ikumi Mito, then turned to Takumi Aldini and said, "By the way, Takumi too? Let's do our best together."

"Soma...! Yes...yes." After seeing Soma greet her, Mito Ikumi blushed slightly, her face flushed, and she stammered, her words seemingly caught in her mind.

As for Takumi Aldini, he angrily pointed at Soma and roared, "Don't... don't ask me while you're asking others!"

Upon seeing this, Isami Aldini, who had been following behind Takmi Aldini, burst into laughter for no apparent reason. What a funny guy!

"Isami, stop laughing!" Seeing Isami Aldini laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his face, Takumi Aldini immediately exploded.

"Oh my, isn't this Su Luo-kun? Hello." Just as he was talking angrily to his follower Kurokiba Ryo, he suddenly saw Su Luo and greeted him without thinking.

"Ah, it's you." Su Luo was already annoyed at being dragged out by Sakaki Ryoko and the others, and her tone was weak and listless.

"I heard that you actually completed the task of preparing 400 meals after I left. What kind of meals did you make that surpassed mine? However, I don't care about that at all. After all, that was just me showing off my skills. If I wanted to beat you, it would be a piece of cake for me. Also, I will definitely beat you next time." After seeing Su Luo, Alice Nakiri seemed to remember something and said.

"Ah..." Seeing Alice Nakiri pouting and pointing at Su Luo, Su Luo really didn't know what to say, so she just gave a casual reply. Alice Nakiri's words seemed to imply that she couldn't be left speechless.

"Oh right, I need to report this to Ms. Fumio." At this moment, Yoshino Yuuki seemed to remember something, and took out her phone as she spoke.

“She’ll definitely be happy to say that the Golden Age has come again!” Ryoko Sakaki guessed in response to Yoshino Yuuki’s words.

"...Hmm? What do A and B mean?" Su Luo looked at the list, which was divided into two groups, A and B, and didn't understand what it was for.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out in the square: "Hello, fellow students!"

"crane!"

"And it's still smoking!"

Hearing the sound, everyone looked towards its source. A crane pulled up, carrying a square frame from which billowing white smoke rose. Standing inside the frame was Kawashima Rei, holding a microphone and playfully greeting the crowd: "I'm Kawashima Rei, the emcee for the Autumn Selection..."

"Xiao Li!" Kawashima Rei's appearance once again elicited cheers from the men and expressions of jealousy and anger from the women.

After witnessing this scene, Su Luo was utterly speechless. What the hell was this about using a crane? And why was the frame still smoking?

"Congratulations to all the selected students!" After introducing herself, Kawashima Rei congratulated the selected students again, and then said, "The official notification will be sent to you later. Let me briefly explain the competition format! As you can see on the notice board, the 60 selected students have been divided into two groups, A and B. During the selection process, groups A and B will first hold internal preliminary rounds, and then the top-ranked students in each group... will get the right to participate in the official elimination rounds! Now, next is... a message that Executive Committee Member Eiyama asked me to pass on to you!"

As Kawashima Rei finished speaking, she took out a piece of paper, looked at its contents, and said, "Many VIPs... culinary masters will be attending as guests. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills, but..."

Upon hearing this, many of the selected candidates became excited, but when Kawashima Rei stopped speaking at the crucial point, many of them became nervous again.

Just as the atmosphere became tense, Kawashima Reisai said at the perfect moment: "If you dare to make a bad dish, then in that instant, your future as chefs will vanish. Anyway, good luck... That's all I have to say."

"We...we have no choice but to give it our all!"