On the ice plain, where icy winds howled and shards of ice flew through the air, making it almost impossible to see, Toriko and Komatsu finally reached the iceberg known as "Hell of Ice" after enduring countless hardships. They were dressed in full cold-weather gear, even wearing special thermal underwear that generated heat through friction.
The legendary "Century Soup" was somewhere inside this iceberg. But before they could start searching, they ran into a problem—not a huge one, but not a small one, either.
"..."
"..."
They looked to their left and right, then behind them. Their group of three had dwindled to two. After confirming that the small figure was indeed missing, Toriko and Komatsu exchanged uneasy glances. Ice had formed around their eyelashes and lips.
"What should we do?"
"Toriko?"
"She really is gone. Annie's disappeared again..."
"Should we wait for her here?"
"Or..."
"Go back out onto that freezing plain and look for her?"
At the thought of the terrifying plain outside, which had almost turned him into a popsicle, Komatsu's courage began to fail. He really didn't want to go through that grueling journey again.
He'd only made it here because Toriko had supported him the whole way, even carrying him on his back. And some troublesome little girl had laughed at him over and over along the way. But now, after they'd finally reached the iceberg, they'd discovered that the little one—who hadn't been cold or tired at all—had somehow vanished. His phone had no signal, and he had no idea what to do.
"No need!"
"Komatsu, I don't think we need to do either!"
"You don't really think Annie got lost or fell behind, do you?"
Toriko had repacked his gear and slung it over his shoulders again. Looking completely at ease, he answered