Just as Sanji and Zoro were winning one after another, drawing everyone's attention, Luffy couldn't contain himself any longer and rushed to the challenge booth that best suited his style—"Big Eater Challenge: Finish the 'Volcano Eruption Giant Spicy Burger' in ten minutes!"
The so-called "Volcano Eruption Giant Spicy Burger" is about the size of a small bathtub. The two buns are made from dough mixed with chili powder and special grains, giving them a dark red color. The thick patty in the middle is said to be a mixture of meats from various wild animals and soaked in a special "lava hot sauce." The patty is also piled high with crispy fried chili threads and a unique topping called "exploding chocolate beans." The hot, cold, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors combine to create an extremely harsh test for both the taste buds and the stomach. Next to the burger is an extra-large frozen drink that is said to be able to "freeze the volcano," but it is said that few people can endure until they need to use it to "put out the fire."
The previous challengers, the fastest of whom only ate half, were flushed, sweating profusely, clutching their stomachs and giving up, some even emitting real smoke from their heads.
"Wow! This looks incredibly delicious!" Luffy's eyes had completely turned into the shape of meat, and drool was dripping down his face.
"Hey, Luffy, this looks really spicy!" Usopp tried to dissuade him.
Chopper, clutching the first-aid kit with concern, said, " Luffy, you ate something bad, I need to treat your stomach!"
"It's okay! I'm going to be the Pirate King!" Luffy didn't listen at all and eagerly raised his hand, "I want to challenge him!"
Start the timer!
Luffy's eating style was as wild as ever. He didn't even use his hands; his rubber arms stretched out and grabbed the entire Big Mac, opening his mouth which seemed capable of swallowing the heavens and the earth, and took a bite out of a third of it!
"Whoa!" the onlookers exclaimed.
An intense spiciness and burning sensation erupted instantly, Luffy's face visibly turning bright red, a small puff of smoke rising from his head. But his chewing didn't stop at all; instead, it became even more rapid, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "So spicy! But so satisfying! The flavor of the meat has been completely brought out!"
Under the stunned gazes of everyone, Luffy devoured the hamburger like a whirlwind, taking a second bite, a third bite... the enormous hamburger disappeared at an astonishing speed into his bottomless stomach. The "magma hot sauce," which would cause stomach perforation in an ordinary person, and the complex ingredients seemed to be nothing more than seasonings to enhance the flavor for him.
In less than three minutes, the daunting "Volcano Eruption Giant Spicy Burger" had completely disappeared into Luffy's mouth. He patted his not-at-all-expanding stomach and let out a satisfied, chili-scented burp. "Delicious! Any more?"
The stall owner and the referee were stunned, and it took them a while to react before they rang the bell to signal success. "Challenge... successful! 10 points earned!"
" Luffy is amazing!" Chopper and Usopp cheered.
Allen looked at Luffy and couldn't help but chuckle. Luffy's digestive system, modified by the Gum-Gum Fruit and far exceeding that of ordinary people, along with his pure and unadulterated "foodie soul" that has an infinite tolerance and enjoyment for food (especially meat), may itself be a manifestation of an alternative "rule"—a talent that is almost compatible with the concepts of "devouring" and "digesting".
Having easily earned Luffy, Luffy's attention was immediately drawn to other stalls, and he ran off to find a new target.
Meanwhile, in an inconspicuous corner of the arena, an elderly man with a refined air and wearing a single-lensed glasses silently withdrew his gaze from Luffy, Sanji, and Zoro. Before him sat a quaint tea stall, its sign reading. " State of Mind Teahouse – Savor Tea, Savor the Heart."
Franky and Brook became interested in the tea stall.
"Boss, is there anything special about this tea?" Franky looked at the seemingly ordinary teaware.
The old man smiled slightly, not answering directly, but instead slowly brewing two cups of tea and pushing them in front of Franky and Brook: "Gentlemen, why don't you try some? There's no such thing as good or bad tea, only what suits your taste. What you can appreciate depends entirely on your own state of mind."
Brook took the teacup, and though he had no sense of taste, he still politely made a gesture as if to taste it. However, as the teacup approached his (non-existent) lips, a flicker of soul fire stirred slightly in his empty eye sockets. "Yo ho ho ho~ How wondrous, I seem to... hear the melody of tea leaves unfurling in the cup?"
Franky casually downed his drink in one gulp, smacked his lips, and said, "Hmm... it's pretty bland! But after drinking it, I feel a warm, cozy feeling inside, it's super~ comfortable!"
A glint of light flashed in the old man's eyes as he looked at Brook: "To be able to hear the sound and feel the rhythm, you have your own music within you." He then looked at Franky: "To drink tastelessly yet feel soothed, such a childlike heart is rare." He gently handed two simple wooden plaques, each adorned with a tea leaf relief, to the two men. "Your states of mind have passed the test of 'heart's discernment.' These gifts may prove useful to you."
Franky and Brook accepted the wooden plaque, somewhat puzzled, but feeling that the old man didn't seem like a bad person, they thanked him and took it.
Unbeknownst to them, this seemingly casual gift was another way to qualify for the Gourmet Festival —by completing special "Food Missions." This " State of Mind Teahouse " was one of the hidden trial sites.
The Straw Hat Pirates's gains in the Gourmet Arena are increasing in all sorts of unexpected ways.