Pufferfish and Seafood Rice / Shirou's Culinary Way

She seems to have become a symbol of hope for humanity and Servant of the Star Faction because of this unprecedented achievement.

"Hmm! Very interesting! It's maritime cuisine. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, I also traveled around the world on a cruise ship with those students who went abroad to study. When I traveled to the Americas, I even learned fishing techniques from the local fishermen. Sometimes, in order to get the best ingredients, I even had to fight wave after wave of sharks. It was really tough." The Elder Liu recalled the past, nodding repeatedly.

"Ah, Grandpa Liu is finally getting serious. The true skills of a chef from the last generation are a bit frightening. But... how old are you anyway?" Shirou couldn't help but retort, feeling that this burly old man was even stronger Servant of Chaldea.

"Hehehe, kid, do you want to know? Then go and find out, the ultimate realm of culinary skill," the Elder Liu said with a mysterious smile.

"The pinnacle of culinary skill... could it be the realm of a god?" Shirou mused, recalling the Muramasa from his memories. If there were swordsmiths who reached the realm of a god through their memories of forging, perhaps there were also chefs who elevated their culinary skills to the level of a god.

The Elder Liu shook his head, rejecting Shirou's idea, and then said:

"No... I don't think so. In the end, according to Daoist theory, immortals have already abstained from grains in their earliest stages. Food is no longer essential for them."

Even if they were to eat, they would only consume the magical fruits and herbs passed down from the primordial era. Mortal food was not what they desired. Even if the celestial court had deities like the God of Cookery and the Kitchen God, when their cooking was no longer made for humans but for gods, the taste would probably be quite different."

"To put it arrogantly, if it were a human being tasting it, I don't think the dishes made by those immortals could be more delicious than the dishes I make wholeheartedly for humans. Of course, this only applies to deliciousness. As for the effects of prolonging life, curing all diseases, and bringing the dead back to life, I don't have those skills. You might want to try, young man, hahahaha." The Elder Liu stroked his beard and laughed.

"Haha, you're joking, I definitely can't do that either. Besides, cooking was created to bring happiness to people. A chef is simply someone who cooks ingredients, not a doctor or a sage." Shirou waved his hands back and forth as he spoke.

"It seems I wasn't mistaken. You and I are the same kind of people, both simply chefs. We've given up other possible paths and chosen the path of culinary art," said the Elder Liu. "In my opinion, the God of Cookery Cup isn't a mark of a god who has surpassed humanity, but rather a medal for humanity's continuous self-improvement on the path of culinary art."

"Well, with your outstanding achievements as a chef, I dare not be presumptuous," Shirou said with a smile. He added that taking things easy and not having too high expectations will prevent disappointment.

"That's what they say, but... Masked Boy, you've been itching to try it out for a while now." The Elder Liu's aura surged, and the phantom dragon behind him, engulfed in flames, became even more conspicuous.

"Actually, I just realized that as long as money covers food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and retirement, that's enough. But my queen has very high ambitions. If I don't work hard, I might become a burden. Now that we're already in the top four, I have to give it my all, no matter what." Shirou's eyes blazed with fire as he chuckled.

For a chef, being able to face all sorts of demanding and unusual customers, and then satisfy them with your cooking, earning their genuine gratitude, is a rare and rewarding experience.

First, she's a blonde girl brimming with energy, but her taste in food is also top-notch.

Next up is the black-haired man with amazing insight. He claims it's a hangover, but it's actually a series of tests. If the food isn't up to par, he'll definitely be ruthlessly shut out.

The third is a captain as unrestrained and bold as a pirate...

It really never gets boring.

To be honest, Shirou was also caught up in the atmosphere and became eager to try it out. After all, memories are just memories, and he hadn't seen such interesting judges since he came to this world.

Although his memories were filled with countless amazing things, in reality, he, like Erina, only had contact with the culinary world of this world. This was also his first time meeting the Servant.

A scorching aura gradually rose from Shirou's body. It was the intense heat of the steel-forging furnace, a temperature capable of melting steel into molten iron. The temperature continued to rise. Although it was initially suppressed, the temperature gradually increased. When it reached its peak, it actually collided with the Elder Liu's fire dragon for a moment, and they fought against each other from the left and right.

"Hahaha, kid! Not bad! Really not bad! Grow up quickly! Let this old man enjoy some of the fun of the past." The Elder Liu looked at Shirou with admiration and laughed. He recalled his childhood in the distant past, that handsome boy with flowing hair, who was brought home by his mother to learn cooking from her, and later became a top-level chef, and even the emperor's personal dragon chef, that genius.

"Wow... What confidence, what a presence! The kid actually withstood it..." Nakiri Senzaemon, having witnessed all of this, had a glint in his eye. His evaluation of Shirou seemed to have to rise even higher. Looking at it this way, perhaps the matter between this kid and Erina might actually have a good outcome?

"..." Pablo felt the intense clash from the other side, frowned, his heart trembled, and he broke out in a cold sweat. However, he quickly composed himself, touched the bottle of pink granules hidden in his pocket through his clothes, and felt more confident.

He snorted and spat, thinking, 'We're almost finished, and you still dare to be so arrogant! Enough! You don't have much time left to be arrogant, so just enjoy your last moments.'

His dark gaze swept over his surroundings. He saw the cameras on the ceiling and the staff standing around him. He thought of the troublesome long-haired British man from before, made a decision in his mind, and calmed down.

Pablo understood that now was not the time to use the potion; a single judge was not enough to warrant the use of this priceless treasure.

"Oh, the atmosphere's getting exciting! Very good! Very good! Now let's start cooking! Let me feel a little more of your abilities!!" Francis stepped forward and shouted.

"Yes, just as this lady said. Masked brat! Let me show you the skills this old man has mastered first." The Elder Liu perked up and looked at Shirou.

"I dare not disobey the elder's words, so please allow me to learn from him properly," Shirou replied respectfully, looking as if he was ready to learn all the old man's skills.

"Haha, that's how it should be! Grow up! Don't let this old man be lonely for too long!" The Elder Liu laughed as he walked towards his designated cooking station.

"Ah, how passionate! Then I'll give it my all one more time!" Nakiri Senzaemon seemed to be infected by the two of them. His robe ripped open, he took off his kimono top, revealing his strong muscles, and then picked up a slender fish knife from the table.

After hearing the contestant's request, the support staff would bring the ingredients to the contestant within minutes. The ingredients provided for the Culinary Master Competition are the finest in the world, and special methods are used to maintain their freshness. At this moment, a staff member pushed a cart and brought in a large water tank.

Floating inside were black and white fish. One of them seemed to have been startled by the vibration as it was moving. It inflated like an inflating balloon, turning into a black and white ball with small spines protruding all over its body. It was a wild pufferfish.

While pufferfish meat is delicious, it is also poisonous, and there's even a saying that the more poisonous it is, the more delicious it is. It's a dangerous food that should never be touched by anyone other than a professionally certified chef.

Nakiri Senzaemon use this dish to complete his life's masterpiece.

Chapter 444 Pufferfish and Fish Rice

Nakiri Senzaemon made extensive preparations for this God of Cookery Cup, even going so far as to condescend and personally visit the masters of various cuisines in Japan.

As is well known, since the last century, China has developed a national character that values small and exquisite things, promotes the craftsman spirit of "doing only one thing in a lifetime", and respects artisans in all walks of life.

Even street sweepers and toilet cleaners, if they reach the highest level, will be recognized for elevating their profession to an 'art,' and will be hailed as representatives of the industry, masters with unique skills. Those with high artistic merit are even selected as 'living national treasures.'

The TV station will interview him, film a program, announce the tips he has summarized, and then award him nationally certified titles such as "Master" or "Crafting God." Although it seems a bit childish, it is very exciting for craftsmen.

In the last century, before the era of CNC-controlled factories, those legendary level 10 fitters in the red China, whose operational precision reached a few thousandths of a millimeter, were such a glorious existence.

Their rigorous, meticulous, and even obsessive research spirit, sometimes described as "die-hard," is precisely why the quality of their products has gained international recognition.

Even in the 21st century, an era of entertainment to the death, Japan has declined due to factors such as the incompetence and infighting of its multi-party cabinet, aging population, low birth rate, and homelessness. Many industries have fallen out of favor. Only in the field of high-end products such as automobiles, digital electronics, and daily necessities has Japan maintained its world-class level.

As other developing countries have advanced their technology, their products have become far more cost-effective, leading to the gradual withdrawal of industries like televisions and mobile phones from these markets where their technological advantages have diminished. However, when it comes to certain products, people still prefer Japanese goods, which are known for their quality and are cheaper than German products. This is because in Japan, everything from large cars to small items like rice cookers and toilets, down to the smallest screw, is made with meticulous care and craftsmanship.

Of course, in terms of cultural industries and management level, it still leads the world by a wide margin. For example, its ACG cultural industry, which is unprecedented in scale and unparalleled in Asia, is second only to the United States in international competition, especially in the white world. In the aviation industry, there is a saying that "refinement" is to Japan Airlines as "vodka" is to Aeroflot.

While this was partly due to the remoteness of the island regions, these island nations in ancient times faced resource scarcity, with only the upper classes able to afford rice. They desperately needed to pay tribute and trade to obtain goods from neighboring powerful nations. However, with the Age of Exploration and advancements in shipbuilding technology, these outward-looking island nations rose to prominence even faster.

Although their ancient habits are still ingrained in their genes, it is precisely because of this that the people of this country recognize the craftsman spirit of dedicating one's life to doing only one thing. Many chefs do not think about opening branches, increasing the variety of dishes in chain stores, and then becoming bigger and stronger. Instead, they stick to one thing from beginning to end, becoming more and more refined, and have the tenacity to develop a certain cuisine to its ultimate level.

As a result, there emerged outstanding chefs such as the God of Sushi," the "God of Rice," and the God of Tempura," who dedicated their entire lives to mastering a single dish and whose status in Japan was at its zenith.

In Japan, a true sushi chef can control the weight of each sushi piece to 27 grams, while the God of Sushi can achieve an error of no more than four grains of rice per sushi piece.

If it were in their most proficient area, these individuals would be confident in their ability to fight even against China's culinary masters. Even if they couldn't win, they could at least put up a fight to a standstill, and a narrow defeat would be an unparalleled honor, or even a draw.

They are absolute masters who have mastered the true art of cooking. They are chefs who have pursued their cuisine to near perfection, standing at the pinnacle of their respective fields. When tasters savor such dishes, they feel sincere admiration for the creators.

This is because when people taste their dishes, in addition to the intoxicating flavor, they can also feel their unique craftsmanship, know that the dish contains the chef's heart, and feel the perfect taste that the chef has pursued throughout his life.

This kind of dish is also known as a "killer dish"!

Guided by these experiences and drawing upon his decades of culinary expertise, Elder Nakiri created a diverse array of masterpieces.

However, this time the opponents are simply too strong; almost every dish served here is a guaranteed kill.

Pablo, the underground Emperor of Europe, wielded immense power. Although he didn't follow the path of benevolence or tyranny, but rather the path of evil, his skills were undeniably first-rate. He was also ambitious and at the age of ruthless ambition, full of drive and ambition. Coupled with his unscrupulous and unscrupulous behavior, he was a dangerous opponent as explosive as a bomb.

The old master chef of China possessed unfathomable culinary skills, as if there was no cuisine in the world he couldn't master. Even the most outstanding chefs in the country, who had brought the spirit of craftsmanship to its extreme, could only compare to him in their most proficient dish, while this master chef was proficient in 'all'. And the dishes he could call his specialties were even more than a whole level above the culinary world.

And then there's... the young man that Elder Nakiri himself witnessed.

Naïve and ignorant, he was brought to Totsuki Academy by Erina. At first, he was just a kind-hearted but silly boy. However, after he became enlightened, he showed extraordinary talent and won the victory in one fell swoop.

Before achieving fame and success, he chose to live in seclusion in his early twenties, opening an inconspicuous little canteen that served home-style dishes, leaving him no opportunity to hone his skills in fine cuisine.

Everyone sighed, lamenting that a once promising genius had faded into obscurity and become just another ordinary person.

But no one expected that his skills would not decline. On the contrary, they would become more refined and mature, and now he has surpassed everyone else, gaining the recognition of that legendary figure who was unmatched in the entire country, and even being looked at with new respect.

Imagine having to compete against these three people on the same stage. Even if it's not about scores, but simply passing the gatekeeper's test, the pressure on the Elder Nakiri would be immense.

Which side tastes better, which side is inferior—the food doesn't lie. Although both sides aim to pass the level, the judges at each level have already made their judgments. And the leftover food will be sent to the top floor for the judges to enjoy.

Perhaps the judges have already made their decision.

However, Nakiri Senzaemon also had his reasons for fighting; at this point, no one was willing to stop there.

As the saying goes online, if the Elder Liu wins this God of Cookery Cup, then in people's minds, Chinese Cuisine will be superior to other cuisines and firmly sit on the throne of the world's number one cuisine.

In a sense, Nakiri Senzaemon is fighting on behalf of the country, and for this reason, he is willing to put aside his pride and visit various culinary masters. The sashimi dish he is currently making is a tribute to the god of pufferfish sashimi.

This Japanese expert, specializing in pufferfish sashimi, possesses the ability to discern the distribution of toxins in the finest parts of the pufferfish, selectively preserving dangerous parts that most chefs would discard. He received guidance from this master and underwent secret intensive training to master this special skill.

At that moment, the Elder Nakiri finished his meal and carried the tray to the seat where Francis Drake was sitting.

He began by saying, "As we all know, the toxins distributed in pufferfish, while following certain patterns, also exhibit considerable variability. Without a comprehensive understanding of the distribution of toxins in pufferfish, it's impossible to effectively detoxify them."

"But ultimately, what exactly is 'poison'? The deliciousness of pufferfish meat comes from its diet of these poisonous creatures. If these poisons were harmless to humans, then the entire pufferfish would be an exquisite delicacy."

Just as the most dangerous things in nature are often the most vibrant and beautiful, the meat from these dangerous parts is often the most delicious. As a great man once said, when faced with three times the profit, humans can abandon morality and conscience, everything else, and recklessly plunder and strive for it. The ultimate deliciousness can sometimes make people give up everything to pursue it, even their lives!

"This is wild pufferfish provided for this conference. Its exquisite flavor goes without saying; it's undoubtedly among the world's finest. Of course, the same goes for its toxicity. After being prepared to perfection, please dip it in your favorite sauce, and you'll experience an unparalleled delicacy, the pinnacle of Japanese sashimi. This is my masterpiece of Japanese art, created with all my might: Life or Death Fugu Sashimi! Please enjoy!"

The dish served by Nakiri Senzaemon was presented on an elegant white ceramic plate, crystal clear like silvery transparent petals. The sashimi slices were arranged like flowers, and next to it was a dish made of a four-leaf clover mold, with each leaf containing a different colored dipping sauce.

"Oh, now that you mention it, Uncle, this feeling of danger does seem quite similar to the tense and exciting life of pirates. The wasabi is so strong, it's making my nose tingle, but this fish bone with wine is quite good!" Francis picked up a piece of sashimi with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, his eyes immediately lighting up. He gave a thumbs up and said approvingly.

"Making you happy is the best thing that can happen." Nakiri Senzaemon smiled with satisfaction.

Next up on stage was Elder Liu, who brought a dish of fish rice with fish head soup. When the lid was lifted, a dazzling white light shone from the top.

"Men of the sea live off the sea." In Hemingway's famous story, the Old Man and the Sea and the Sea, the fisherman Santiago, in his days-long battle of wits with the marlin, ate raw tuna he caught and small flying fish he found inside a mahi-mahi in order to replenish his strength.

The same is true for the fishermen in the harbor. They go out to sea at dawn every day, and in the canteen of the fishing team that returns in the morning, they use the freshest small fish to make all kinds of delicious seafood dishes, drizzled with a layer of cooked and fragrant fish sauce, the golden sauce covering the fragrant rice.

This is a breakfast that provides the men at sea with plenty of energy for the day—it's nutritious and delicious.

This is a special delicacy that only those who work in the maritime industry can enjoy. Please enjoy!

"Oh, this tastes so fresh! Delicious! It goes perfectly with rice." Francis Drake exclaimed, getting up from his chair and standing up with a bright smile on his face.

At this moment, she felt as if she were in the middle of a deep blue sea, with long schools of flying fish leaping high below the ship, seagulls soaring, and whales emerging from the water in the distance, making a sound like a ship's horn and spouting high fountains.

Then she seemed to see a huge red wooden Chinese treasure ship break through the sea and emerge, with white sails tied to several masts the size of giant trees, now billowing in the wind.

There were sailors with black hair wearing nets, waving hammers and rhythmically striking a large red drum. Standing on the ship's platform was a bearded man of thirty or forty years old, dressed as a Ming Dynasty official, wearing a black cloak and a Hui ethnic face. He wore a eunuch-style hat, but instead of being effeminate, he appeared heroic.

He was Zheng He, the eunuch who created the pinnacle of Chinese maritime history, the earliest great man in ancient times to have a sense of maritime power, and the Eunuch Sanbao made the achievement of seven voyages to the Western Ocean.

The Elder Liu once traveled along the route of Zheng He's treasure ships, visiting all the coastal cities he passed through. Later, he even traveled to every country in the world. This dish is his understanding of the relationship between humanity and the sea. Each grain of rice in the bowl is like a treasure ship in the fleet that sailed to the Western Ocean, supported by the power of the sea represented by the fish sauce, setting sail for distant lands.

Francis Drake raised one hand, holding his empty bowl high, and exclaimed heartily, "This is truly the cuisine of the people of the sea! Such a small grain of millet contains such immense power! So satisfying! It's like drinking a chilled glass of wine on a hot summer day! It would be an injustice not to accept it!!! Another bowl, please!"

"Okay! There's plenty more, eat more!" Elder Liu replied with a smile, serving the female captain a bowl of fragrant white rice, scooping on a spoonful of smooth fish skin and belly meat, and drizzling it with fish sauce and meat gravy, which immediately emitted a shimmering white light.

"Oh, thank you, old man!" Captain Francis accepted the fish and rice, and ate with great relish, completely forgetting her duty as a gatekeeper and focusing solely on enjoying the food.

Chapter 445 Shirou's Culinary Arts

Francis Drake's blissful eating manner made viewers' mouths water. People watching on TV were swallowing hard. In the online live stream, many comments said they would go to the kitchen to make themselves a bowl of instant noodles before coming back.

Seeing this, the chefs at the same table had different expressions. Nakiri Senzaemon sighed quietly; Pablo rolled his eyes, revealing a fierce glint; Shirou, on the other hand, watched the Elder Liu's cooking with great interest, marveling repeatedly, and unconsciously wiggling his fingers, seemingly eager to try it himself.

"So, young man, would you like one too?" Elder Liu asked, looking at the red-masked man who had already finished cooking.

"Grandpa, then I won't stand on ceremony. Please let me try it." Shirou's keen nose had been itching with curiosity ever since he smelled the aroma of the dish that could elicit such a reaction from Sister Francis. Without a second thought, he agreed.

"Hehehe, then please try it. Don't let the old man discourage you, young man," said the Elder Liu.

"No need for you to trouble yourself," Shirou replied with a nonchalant smile, raising his hand to place on his mask.

The camera was pointed in this direction, and the online comments exploded, sparking a lively discussion.

"Hey? Masked X wants some food?!"

"Really? Is the mask about to be removed? Is the secret behind the million-dollar bounty about to be revealed?"

"What happened? What happened? I just clicked on a neglected mobile game, what happened?"

"The legendary chef of China invited Masked X to taste his cooking, Masked X gladly accepted."

"Liar..."

And the five judges at the very top.

"Wow? What interesting thing is going to happen next?"

"Is that red mask about to deactivate his transformation? Right now, he's crimson like Lord Enma's robe, and he looks kind of handsome!" Enma-tei asked curiously, like a child watching a tokusatsu hero show.

Although she is the proprietress of a hot spring resort and knows mostly gods and great monsters, she also has the side of a fair and impartial judge of hell, seemingly full of authority.

However, she also died as a child, so her temperament was inevitably influenced by her childhood personality. She mistakenly entered the House of the Lost Ones set up by King Enma, and after her death, she was taken to the underworld and adopted by King Enma and his wife.

She cultivated with King Enma, the King of Hell, and became a civil servant there. After a certain number of years, in order to understand humanity again, she transformed into a small, crimson sparrow to observe human society.

During this time, an accident occurred. Enma-tei was accidentally injured and then captured by a wicked old woman who wanted to sell her for a good price.

Just then, a kind old man appeared, took out his savings, and bought the little sparrow.

Then came the fairy tale of the Tongue-cutting Sparrow.

It was only after meeting this old man who influenced her entire life that Enma-tei truly began to grow up.

Now she is both Servant from hell and the owner of a hot spring inn that provides a place for the rare and precious gods to recuperate. At the same time, she is still the same innocent little sparrow and innocent little girl she was back then. Moreover, her pursuit of fairness and justice makes her the type of person who would like tokusatsu heroes who uphold justice.

"Enma-chan, no matter how cool your clothes are, you're still a dirty human inside! Don't be fooled by your pretty appearance. Well, although I can understand that kind of rugged mechanical style, with its sharp angles and such, it is indeed very cool." Consort Yu originally wanted to warn her friend, but she seemed to blush and fall into a blissful reverie, as if she was thinking of that tall android man, Ma Wei.

Enma-tei squinted and said sarcastically, "I feel like what you're saying and what I'm saying aren't the same thing. I'm not talking about love. You don't like handsome men like Gong-chan, you're just best friends with him. Is it because your taste is off?"

"If that's the case, Enma-chan, shouldn't you prefer the old man's side? Look, there are two old men here." Consort Yu pointed downwards.