After Shinichi finished speaking, there was a moment of silence, followed by spontaneous applause that was even more enthusiastic and even a little touching than before.
These words, though simple and unadorned, cleverly connect personal pursuits with the duties of a ninja and a sense of national responsibility, making them exceptionally sincere and moving.
Moreover, this Ninja Chef, before them, naturally radiated a comfortable and trustworthy aura that made them instinctively feel goodwill toward him.
Many viewers' gazes toward Shinichi have shifted from mere admiration for the champion to a deeper sense of recognition and respect.
In the audience, Tsunade clicked her tongue softly and said to the two girls beside her, "Listen to this kid's pretty words, he's getting better and better at it."
Shizune and Kurenai looked at Shinichi, who remained calm and composed amidst the applause and admiration, their eyes shining with admiration.
Meanwhile, Shinichi, after finishing his emotional speech and handing the microphone back to the host, maintained a humble and polite smile and greeted those around him.
But deep within his consciousness, a feeling far more real than the cheers in the stadium was stirring within him.
The words representing the Big Eater (Green) talent shattered and crumbled the next moment.
A pure and deep azure light suddenly burst forth, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
[Gourmet (Blue): Your understanding of food has moved beyond mere taste pleasure and energy replenishment; it has delved into the microscopic realm of the interaction between matter and life. You can almost instinctively perceive the subtle biochemical reactions produced by the combination of molecules in different ingredients, predict the evolution of their flavor profiles, and more accurately grasp the nourishing and impactful effects they have on muscles, chakra network, organs, spirit, and even chakra after entering the human body.]
...…
One day later, somewhere in the wilderness of the Land of Fire.
An iron pot bubbled vigorously, steaming with heat. A rich and savory aroma drifted with the evening breeze, making people's mouths water.
"Mmm, this is so delicious! Shinichi!"
Shizune held the bowl, her eyes crinkling into crescents with happiness. She blew on the soup as she sipped it, her cheeks flushed with satisfaction. "I never knew a simple picnic could be this delicious! No wonder you're the champion of the first culinary tournament!"
Although Kurenai didn't speak, her chopsticks were noticeably faster than usual. Her demeanor remained elegant, but the speed betrayed her outward composure.
Those beautiful red eyes sparkled in the firelight, glancing every now and then at Shinichi, who was adding the last bit of flavoring herbs to the soup.
Tsunade took a big gulp, savoring the soothing warmth and rich flavor, and snorted through her nose. Then she glanced at Shinichi and said, "You brat, you really hid it well before. With such good skills, I've never seen you offer any thanks to me back in the village."
Shinichi smiled and closed the small spice jar in his hand: "If Tsunade-sensei likes it, I would certainly do so in the future if there is an opportunity."
Tsunade snorted and ate a few more bites. Soon she sensed a subtle change in her body. She raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask, "What exactly did you put in the food, kid?"
"But this shouldn't be the case."
Before anyone could answer, she muttered to herself, "Those are all just ordinary ingredients, but why does it feel like I'm eating some kind of highly nutritious medicinal cuisine?"
She watched Shinichi cook the whole time and confirmed that he did not add any special ingredients. With her top-notch medical knowledge, she also judged that the dish was made entirely of ordinary ingredients.
Strangely enough, after eating it, not only did her blood and energy flow smoothly, but her mental fatigue was also relieved. In medical terms, this dish nourishes both physical and spiritual energy.
Shinichi smiled but didn't answer the question. He took out a rolled-up manuscript and handed it over: "Tsunade-sensei, please take a look at this."
"Hmm?"
Tsunade took it and looked at it. It was a series of carefully drawn, segmented, narrative pictures, which were also carefully colored.
Manga?
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise on her face, which quickly turned into her usual disdain: "You brat, when did you start dabbling in drawing manga? Don't be like that idiot Jiraiya, who's always doing nothing but writing random novels, messing around with all this nonsense."
"Let me tell you, those who work in the arts, especially novelists, have the least promising future."
Shinichi simply smiled and said, "Tsunade-sensei, just keep reading."
"Cooking Master Boy?"
[Note: Chuuka Ichiban (1997-1998, 52 episodes)]
Tsunade glanced at the title on the homepage, pursed her lips, but still read on as instructed.
The story is set in the Shinobi World, and the protagonist is named Shinichi, who is the heir to a building called Kikkaro Restaurant in the southwestern region of the Land of Fire.
He is cheerful, upright, kind, and sincere, with an innate love for cooking and an extraordinary talent for it.
The story begins with the ultimate culinary showdown between him and his mother's other disciple, Shouan, over the inheritance of the Kikkaro Restaurant.
In the scene, Shouan, in order to seize the Kikkaro Restaurant, which represents glory and inheritance, does not hesitate to use treacherous means. He advocates controlling everything with absolute power and overwhelming taste. His cooking style is sharp and domineering, with a viciousness that does not care about the means.
Shinichi, on the other hand, is completely different. He adheres to his mother's original intention that cooking is a way of being a person, aiming to convey happiness and warmth, and firmly believes that the truly exquisite taste can awaken the most beautiful part of people's hearts.
The topic of the duel was dofu.
Shouan exhausted all his efforts to present the nine treasures qilin crystal dofu, a dish with an extremely complex process, extravagant ingredients, and an aggressive and impactful flavor, intending to conquer everything with absolute power and skill.
Shinichi, however, chose to return to the essence of cooking and created a dish called Mabo Dofu that appears simple and unadorned but actually contains the deepest craftsmanship.
The manga uses highly expressive panels to depict the scene when the two dishes are presented: Shouan's dishes are dazzling and imposing, like a feast of illusion for both sight and taste.
Shinichi's Mabo Dofu was glossy and oily, and its aroma seemed to penetrate the paper. The essence of the dish, described as numbing, spicy, fresh, fragrant, hot, tender, and crispy, was vividly conveyed through the judges' exaggerated yet infectious expressions as they tasted it, transmitting a warm power that returns to simplicity and touches the soul.
In the end, Shinichi, with his Mabo Dofu that embodies the original intention of cooking and can transform the most ordinary ingredients into a touching miracle, completely defeated Shouan, who was lost in the maze of power, won the right to inherit Kikkaro Restaurant, and also defended the culinary way that his mother insisted on.
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