Crocodile Feast · Bonfire Beneath the Stars

The sun set in the west.

Orange-red afterglow spilled across Giant Crocodile Lake, dyeing its surface golden red.

A bonfire had already been built on the shore.

Leorio had gathered a huge pile of dry firewood and stacked it high.

The flames burned fiercely, crackling and popping.

Sparks drifted upward with the heat, blending into the gradually darkening sky.

Genos stood beside the Crocodile King's corpse, preparing the ingredients.

The high-temperature blade in his hand cut with precision.

He cut along the gaps in the scales, peeling off the entire crocodile hide intact.

Then came the butchering.

As he cut, he recited the data, sounding absurdly professional.

"Tail core meat. The finest cut, accounting for five percent of total body weight. It has the richest fat content and melts in the mouth. Best served thick-cut and slow-roasted."

"Ribs. Crispy outside, tender inside, full of juices. Best grilled as full racks."

"Tenderloin. The most tender cut. Best sliced thin and grilled quickly. A brief sear is enough."

"Crocodile lip gelatin. Rich in collagen, with a springy texture. Requires slow roasting over low heat."

Every cut was incomparably precise, without wasting even a sliver of good meat.

Gon sat on a rock nearby, staring without blinking as Genos prepared the ingredients.

His drool was practically about to spill out.

Killua leaned against a tree with his hands behind his head, secretly watching as well.

Kurapika sat beside the bonfire, wiping his chains.

Firelight flickered across his face, bright one moment and dim the next.

Leorio crouched by the bonfire, searching through the seasonings.

"Good thing we brought salt and pepper," he said. "Otherwise, we'd have to eat it plain."

Saitama crouched beside Genos, staring fixedly at the cut pieces of meat.

He was just short of reaching out and grabbing them directly.