Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　If it weren't for Shiroichiro explaining the chef rankings and requirements for reaching those ranks to him yesterday, he wouldn't even have realized how strong Bai Yuan was.

　This is due to the difference in experience gained from living in ordinary restaurants for a long time!

　"Skilled techniques and a serious attitude."

　When asked by Yukihira Soma, Hakugen gave a simple ten-word answer.

　"Skilled? Diligent? I've been helping out at the restaurant every day after school for twelve years now. Isn't that skilled and diligent enough...?"

　Soma Yukihira frowned, thinking that Hakugen was unwilling to tell him, so he gave a casual answer.

　"Not enough! You're barely there! How dare you claim to be skilled in cooking! You haven't even mastered the basics, so don't even think about cooking!"

　Bai Yuan glanced at Yukihira Soma and couldn't help but chuckle. He then placed the carrots from the basket on the cutting board and cut them in half.

　"Take knife skills as an example, you have to reach at least this level to be considered proficient."

　Reach out and lightly tap the carrot; the next moment, a carrot slice less than one-tenth of a millimeter in size flies up and floats into the air.

　If Soma Yukihira hadn't focused his attention on the carrot after hearing what Shiroyuki said, he probably wouldn't have noticed the thin slice.

　Because it's so thin!

　So thin that moonlight could pass through it without obstruction, and no shadow could be seen on the ground. With a gentle breeze, it would drift away into the distance.

　What's even more terrifying is its condition: a perfectly intact piece without the slightest damage, even though it's sliced ​​thinner than a cicada's wing!

　"How is this possible? How can carrots be sliced ​​so thinly? And without a single tear..."

　Soma Yukihira stood there with his mouth agape, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He could slice carrots into thin slices about 1 millimeter thick, but it became increasingly difficult as he went down.

　One-tenth of a millimeter.

　This is no longer a realm that humans can access.

　Is this merely proficiency?

　Looking at Bai Yuan, whose expression remained unchanged, Yukihira Soma couldn't tell for a moment whether the other party was making fun of him or really thought so.

　If it's the latter, wouldn't that be terrifying?!

　"Let me try."

　Seeing Yukihira Soma's hesitation, Yukihira Joichiro's voice rang out. He then took the kitchen knife from Shirobuchi's hand and looked at the carrots on the table.

　With his fingers resting on the carrot, Joichiro Yukihira closed his eyes, trying to get a feel for it. Then, everyone heard a series of "tap-tap-tap" sounds, and the carrot, at an astonishing speed, transformed into an evenly sized...

　Small, thin slices.

　Compared to Bai Yuan's, although this slice is also very thin, it clearly obstructs the passage of moonlight by about half a millimeter.

　"Turns out I haven't reached proficiency after all. I used to pride myself on being a pioneer in the wilderness, but now it seems I can only look back at those who came before me..."

　Looking at the thin slices on the cutting board, Joichiro Yukihira gave a wry smile.

　Before meeting Bai Yuan, he always thought his knife skills were very strong, and that was indeed the case; he rarely saw anyone who could rival him.

　but...

　Seeing Bai Yuan's swordsmanship just now.

　He realized he had been somewhat narrow-minded.

　It turns out that there are even stronger geniuses ahead, opening up even deeper wilderness for them.

　However, with such knife skills, it's no wonder that Bai Yuan could use such techniques to toss ingredients into the air and handle them properly with just a silver chopstick and a knife.

　"I lost this match."

　Looking at the booklet handed to him by Bai Yuan, Yukihira Joichiro took out a black pen from his pocket and, referring to the examples of those who had done it before, wrote his own name on it.

　Page twelve contains his defeats.

　He finally became a top-tier five-star chef, but instead of shining brightly, he was used as a stepping stone for others.

　It's truly heartbreaking.

　However, the object of his affections was Bai Yuan.

　He felt no resentment whatsoever, especially after witnessing that incredible skill; he felt at peace.

　When the gap between two people reaches a certain level, it's really hard to muster any desire to catch up, especially when you're in his position.

　Genius is merely the threshold to seeing him.

　but.

　Unlike Joichiro Yukihira, Soma Yukihira's eyes did not show any discouragement; instead, they burned with a raging fire and a surging fighting spirit.

　"You've already competed with my dad, how about a cooking showdown with me?"

　The boy said this, looking intently at Bai Yuan.

　"We'll talk about it when you can beat her, but we're leaving tomorrow."

　The boy's passion was undeniable, and a smile suddenly appeared on Bai Yuan's face.

　This is the real protagonist! A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger. No matter how strong the opponent is, he can confidently swing his kitchen knife at them.

　"Defeat her? There's still time, and there's still some food left."

　Let's continue the competition! Using the remaining ingredients, create entirely new dishes and see who comes out on top!

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Yukihira Soma looked at Kikuchi Sonoka and spoke.

　"Are you challenging me? Sure, but you can't cry if you lose."

　Turning her head to look at Bai Yuan, and seeing him nod slightly, Mujichi Sonoka smiled and looked at the little brother in front of her, speaking in a tone that coaxed a child.

　"I can't lose!"

　Seeing through Kikuchi Sonoka's disdain, Yukihira Soma's words were firm and resolute.

　"Let's begin. After a day as a sales clerk, it's a good opportunity to stretch my muscles. I never expected to be challenged by a child here."

　Kikuchi Sonoka's voice was filled with emotion. Back in Totsuki Academy, no one dared to offend her. She never expected that she would be provoked by a chef from a small restaurant as soon as she left the school.

　If it weren't for the fact that the other party's father was very powerful, and that she wanted to see how skilled someone who had been trained by a top-tier five-star chef since childhood was, she probably would have politely declined.

　"You guys clean this place up before you go in to compete. I have some things to say to Brother Shiro, and I'll come back in an hour to check on the results."

　Seeing the passionate young man and the girl whose fighting spirit had been ignited, Bai Yuan warmly put his arm around Yukihira Joichiro's shoulder and said to them with a smile.

　Chapter 135 Do you want to reach the summit? (Chapter 135)

　"Brother Bai Yuan, is there something you want to say to me in private?"

　Enjoying the evening breeze, the two wandered aimlessly until they found a high place on a mountain on the edge of the city.

　From here, leaning on the railing and looking down, you can see the entire city. After admiring the beautiful scenery for a while, Yukihira Joichiro turned to look at Shirai, his expression showing doubt.

　Do you think the scenery here is beautiful?

　Instead of answering Yukihira Joichiro's question, he asked him another question.

　"It's pretty good; you can see most of the city's scenery."

　How did you discover this place? I've lived here for so many years and never knew it existed.

　When asked, Yukihira Joichiro nodded, guessing that Shirai was probably not visiting this place for the first time, otherwise how would he know about this place, which even the locals rarely knew about?

　"The two kids on the street were talking about what seemed to be their secret hideout. Kids always manage to find places like that, didn't you hear them?"

　"Is that so? Maybe I just didn't notice..."

　Upon hearing Yukihira Joichiro's answer, Bai Yuan was somewhat puzzled, and then, as if he had thought of something, he suddenly fell silent.

　He has super hearing, which Joichiro Yukihira does not.

　Thinking about it carefully, this guy is just an ordinary person.

　It's astonishing that an ordinary person could reach the level of a top-tier five-star chef before the age of forty. This guy's culinary talent is truly remarkable.

　At this rate, it's not impossible for him to break through to the sixth-level special rank in this lifetime, or even create luminous dishes.

　"If you stand at this height, all you can see are these views."

　But what if you stand even higher?

　After saying this, Bai Yuan didn't say anything more, but continued to move forward up the mountain path. Yukihira Joichiro seemed to be thinking about something and followed closely behind him.

　The two of them, one after the other, quickly reached a higher place. Looking down, they could clearly feel that the view in front of them had become much wider.

　Previously, you could only see a small part of the city, but now you can see most of the city in your field of vision, and pedestrians look like ants.

　"Looking at everything before you, what do you feel?"

　"Can we see more and go further by standing on the shoulders of giants?"

　Yukihira Joichiro wasn't stupid. The contrast between his two visits to the city from a high vantage point immediately made him understand what Bai Yuan wanted to tell him.

　The higher you stand, the farther you can see; if you stay in this small place, even if you have exceptional talent, it will only be buried.

　"So, what's your choice?"

　Seeing Yukihira Joichiro deep in thought, Bai Yuan asked.

　"Do you want to take Soma as your apprentice? I'd be at ease entrusting him to you, but why?"

　As he spoke, Yukihira Joichiro met his gaze.

　"what?"

　"No, you misunderstand. I have no intention of taking anyone as an apprentice."

　I want you to join the world of dark cuisine and become a member. There are many powerful chefs there who you can learn from.

　Do you want to reach the summit? Joichiro.

　After a two-second silence, Bai Yuan realized that Yukihira Joichiro had misunderstood, so he began to explain.

　"The World of Dark Cuisine?"

　What kind of organization is that? A force that specializes in creating bizarre and culinary abominations? If so, that seems quite suitable for me.

　Stroking his beard, Yukihira Joichiro became intrigued after listening to Bai Yuan's words.

　It wasn't that he was interested in the many skilled chefs in the world of culinary disasters, but rather that he was quite surprised that they shared his passion.

　He would also make some terrible dishes when he was under a lot of pressure, to compete with his son to see who could make the worst-tasting food.

　The organization that Bai Yuan mentioned must be of this kind, right?

　"An organization that aims to reach the pinnacle of culinary skills should be able to significantly improve your abilities in a short period of time."

　If you're interested, call me back, and I'll tell you the direction of the culinary world of bizarre dishes.

　Looking at the moon hanging high in the sky, Bai Yuan slowly spoke, revealing that he truly admired Yukihira Joichiro's talent.

　If properly nurtured in the future, he might become a formidable opponent.

　He had been at the top for too long, and it was getting lonely at the top. He wanted someone to come up and keep him company; life without an opponent was too lonely.

　"To reach the pinnacle of culinary skill...?"

　Yukihira Joichiro was just joking; he knew perfectly well that Bai Yuan would never invite him to join some random organization.

　However, the phrase "reaching the pinnacle of culinary skills" made his heart race considerably.

　There are quite a few organizations in this world related to chefs, the largest of which is the World Gastronomy Association, WGO.

　The world's chefs are ranked, and the outcome of food battles is determined.

　It can be said that it is an organization that every chef who wants to pursue fame and fortune cannot avoid.

　Even such an organization has never had the idea of ​​reaching the pinnacle of culinary skills, but the world of dark cuisine does.

　Combined with Bai Yuan's bold and inspiring words just now, it's really hard not to feel one's heart racing and blood boiling!

　"I will think about it carefully when I get back, and I will give you my decision tomorrow morning."

　However, making such a hasty decision was not in his nature, especially since he had that rascal Soma Yukihira at home, and he was really worried about him.

　After hesitating, Yukihira Joichiro spoke seriously.

　The boy in the family has reached the age of independence, and Grandpa Nakiri has visited more than once, hoping that he will go to Totsuki Academy.

　That's fine! He goes to the world of dark cuisine to hone his skills, while Soma Yukihira enters Totsuki Culinary Academy to compete against other young chefs.