In Toriko With A Chat Group

[Congratulations, host, for completing the second simulation and obtaining the ability 'Minority Barrier.' Commencing reward distribution!]

After returning to his shop in the Gourmet World, Kei claimed his reward from the second simulation. As soon as he did, his senses underwent a transformation.

"The world feels clearer?"

Kei noticed the change in his perception. He focused the power of the Minority Barrier on a small stone beside him.

In an instant, the ordinary-looking stone floated up from the ground.

The Minority Barrier was the ability of Ichiryu from the Gourmet World. It could turn the minority of atoms into the majority.

For example, most of the atoms in a stone are sinking, but there are a few that are rising. Under normal circumstances, the stone wouldn't float.

But under the influence of the Minority Barrier, the sinking atoms became the minority, and the rising atoms became the majority.

The originally sinking stone then began to float upward.

"What a terrifying ability! But that beast, Midora, is truly a monster! He managed to learn and even counter this skill!"

"Neural Reflex Copying, the ability to learn any skill... I'm kind of interested in that."

Kei shook his head to clear away his greedy thoughts. Having the Minority Barrier was already a great gain.

What he needed to do next was to properly train his use of this ability, not waste time fantasizing about obtaining other powers.

"The effectiveness of the Minority Barrier is somewhat linked to the strength of my Gourmet Cells. The more atoms I want to reverse, the more energy it consumes."

"If my energy isn't strong enough, I won't be able to fully utilize this ability!"

Kei recalled Ichiryu's ultimate move, which involved using the Minority Barrier to directly reverse the atoms of a person's internal organs, making functional organs cease operation.

For example, reversing a beating heart, making it incapable of functioning. That way, the enemy would essentially kill themselves.

But such a technique required a tremendous amount of energy. The stronger the opponent, the tougher their body, and the harder it would be to control them.

...

Some time later.

"Excuse me, is this Kei-san's shop?"

Kei heard someone calling his name outside. After releasing the Minority Barrier, all the items around him fell back down.

Some vegetables that were already rotten had been restored to freshness. This was the reversing effect of the Minority Barrier.

He opened the door and saw a woman standing outside. She was wearing a pink suit, a pencil skirt, and holding a microphone.

"I'm Kei. What's the matter?"

Kei looked at her curiously. He didn't remember inviting any reporters. Although he needed publicity, he had no intention of hiring anyone for that purpose.

"Hello, I'm Tina from Gourmet News. I was recommended to interview you about your views on gourmet food."

Tina said politely.

"Oh, so someone was feeling lazy and sent you my way. Alright, don't just stand there. Come inside and have a seat."

Kei invited Tina into the shop and poured her a glass of juice.

"I'm just an ordinary shop owner. I don't know much. If you want an interview, the best I can do is talk about how to select ingredients."

"I don't know anything beyond that."

Kei spoke calmly. He didn't refuse the interview. Partly because Tina was sent by Aru, and partly because he wasn't going to pass up free publicity.

"Yes, but I heard that you once traveled and adventured with Toriko-san. Is that true?"

Tina asked.

"Hmm, so he even told you that. It's true. I did travel with Toriko once, but I was just an ordinary person."

"I'm not a Gourmet Hunter. During our journey, I was only able to survive thanks to Toriko's care."

Kei wasn't being humble. Back then, he was just a strong ordinary person with no ability to fight back against giant beasts.

"You're really modest. Toriko-san told me that he learned quite a lot from you during your journey."

"That includes respect for food and the principle of not killing unnecessarily unless it's for food."

Tina had already gathered plenty of information from Toriko before coming here. Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed to interview Kei.

"What I told him was not to waste food. As long as it's something you can eat, you should finish it all properly."

"But that guy misunderstood and turned it into some philosophy about not killing if you're not going to eat it."

Kei explained with a wry smile. Back then, he had told Toriko not to waste food, but Toriko had somehow taken it to a whole new level of moral ideology.

"Oh, I see."

Tina nodded before asking, "I also heard from Toriko-san that you possess extensive knowledge about various gourmet foods. Is that true?"

"That's true. As an ordinary person without great strength, the only way to survive in the wild is through knowledge and intelligence."

"Understanding the habits of various creatures and plants can help you survive better in the wilderness."

Kei replied.

Although he often described himself as having won by clinging to Toriko's coattails, he had actually put in a lot of effort.

Otherwise, Toriko wouldn't have held him in such high regard.

"Then..."

"Ring, ring."

"Excuse me for a moment, I need to take this call."

The phone in Kei's shop rang, interrupting Tina's question. Kei walked over and picked up the receiver.

"Hello, Kei's Gourmet Shop. What's the matter?"

"It's me, Tomu. Recently, Toriko went hunting the Galala Crocodile, right? He just came back from the Baron Islands."

"He told me some good news. There's a big one on the island and everyone's excited. I was thinking of gathering some people to get ingredients. Do you want me to bring some back for you?"

Kei was the one responsible for selling gourmet ingredients, so naturally, he had his own supplier. That supplier was Tomu, who was also a friend of Aru. The three of them had known each other for a long time.

"Oh, Toriko is back already."

Kei glanced at his shop's current inventory, thought for a moment, then said, "Alright, but this time, I'll go to the island with you."

"If I can get some Crocodile meat, it'll be a huge profit."

"Eh! You're actually willing to leave your shop? That's a surprise. Alright, I'll be back tomorrow. Just wait for me at the usual spot."

After exchanging a few more words with Tomu, Kei hung up.

"Sorry about that, Tina-san. I have something to attend to, so the interview can't continue."

"It's fine! I can come along!"

Tina's eyes gleamed with excitement. An on-site investigation, and an adventure involving the Galala Crocodile?

How could she possibly pass up such a great piece of news? She was determined to tag along!

"I don't want to take you along. You look like dead weight."

Kei bluntly stated.

(End of Chapter)

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