Two hours later, Blackgrass Plains, First Ecological Zone.
"Ooh, amazing."
Toriko gazed excitedly at the endless grassland before him. "Isn't this blackgrass, perfect for making salads? To think we'd see such a vast, untouched prairie... This is awesome!"
"Yeah, yeah. I heard blackgrass fields of this scale are called black carpets."
Komatsu, following behind Toriko, seemed quite excited as well. "The growing environment for the ingredients here is ideal, Mr. Toriko. IGO's ecological zone management is incredible."
"...Nom nom nom nom nom!"
As expected of the legendary Gourmet Hunter, Toriko said nothing and simply crouched down, scooped up a huge handful of blackgrass, and began chewing fiercely. "Mmm, this refreshing flavor... So tasty!"
"Seriously, bro?"
Fang Mo, standing some distance away, could barely stand to watch. "Have you gotten so desperate you won't even spare the grass? Please eat something normal. Look, that giraffe over there is so mad it's about to start singing folk songs. Squatting down everywhere like that, giving people something to gossip about for life..."
"Don't say that, Fang Mo."
Toriko chewed a huge wad of blackgrass without getting angry. Instead, he cheerfully pulled up another handful and offered it to him. "You should try some too. This blackgrass is delicious..."
"What's so good about weeds? Who knows how many animals have trampled all over them?"
Fang Mo looked disgusted, but he still reached out and took the clump of blackgrass.
After taking it, he gave it a quick look and discovered that it was literally... black grass.
Unlike the harmful weeds found in wastelands, this stuff was a little over ten centimeters long. It looked much like the expensive turf commonly seen around villa districts. Every blade was tender, carrying a healthy, glossy black sheen, without any dirt or impurities on it.
"A Xue, activate