The information revealed by the mysterious old man made the atmosphere heavy, but the Straw Hat Pirates's drive didn't diminish. They knew that entering the Gourmet Festival was a crucial step in uncovering the truth and completely resolving the " Glutton Gang " problem.
Luffy, with his "devouring heaven and earth" momentum, swept through several more gluttonous challenges. Although he didn't score many points, it greatly boosted morale (and he ate with great enjoyment). In another challenge testing "precise peeling," Zoro once again used his superb " Cutting Sense " to perfectly handle a "pufferfish" covered in sharp spines but with extremely delicious internal organs, winning more points and amazement. Sanji, using the rare spices he had purchased earlier, created an exquisite appetizer in an "impromptu themed cooking" competition, blending Sky Island flavors with deep-sea caviar, conquering the discerning judges and boosting his score once again.
Adding to this Nami's carefully calculated advantage gained from exchanging previously purchased " Golden Honey " and other items in specific challenges, and the fact that the mysterious wooden plaques obtained by Franky, Brook, and Jinbe seem to have been recognized by the arena officials as a special "recommendation qualification"...
"Congratulations Straw Hat Pirates!" the loudspeaker in the center of the arena announced. "You have successfully gathered all the qualifications needed to participate in the ' Gourmet Festival '! The festival will officially open tomorrow morning on the main stage of the arena! Please prepare yourselves!"
"Great!" Luffy cheered, raising his arms high.
"Finally, I can eat that Dream Ingredient!" Chopper's eyes sparkled.
Nami breathed a sigh of relief and began calculating the prize money for the festival champion.
Zoro, holding his sword, looked forward to the possible battle that was about to begin.
Sanji has already begun planning the special desserts he'll prepare for the ladies at the festival.
Just as everyone was celebrating, a waiter dressed in a formal suit and with an extraordinary demeanor approached Allen and respectfully handed him an invitation with gold trim.
"Mr. Portgas D. Allen," the waiter bowed, "The guardian of the ' Seven Flavors of Desperation ' has sensed your extraordinary presence and cordially invites you to the top floor for a chat before the festival begins. Of course, this is not a mandatory challenge, but merely an opportunity... to savor and exchange ideas."
His companions all looked over curiously.
" Seven Flavors of Desperation?" Luffy tilted his head. "Is it that really powerful thing? Allen, do you want to try it?"
Usopp: "That sounds dangerous!"
Ace looked at Allen, his eyes asking a question.
Allen accepted the invitation, his fingertips able to feel a faint yet pure spiritual imprint emanating from it. He smiled slightly and said to Ace and his companions, "It seems the master has extended an invitation. I'll be right back; it wouldn't hurt to witness this island's pinnacle of 'taste'."
Without the slightest hesitation, he followed the waiter to the private passage leading to the top floor of the arena.
The top floor was unusually quiet, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the other floors. The entire space was arranged like a tranquil tea room, offering a panoramic view overlooking the entire Terra Island. In the center was a simple stone table with seven small, exquisite vessels of different materials, each containing one of seven seemingly ordinary substances: a drop of water, a grain of coarse salt, a slice of lemon, a red pepper, a piece of dark chocolate, a pinch of unknown gray powder, and a clump of transparent gel that was constantly twisting and changing slightly.
An elderly woman dressed in a simple kimono, sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, stood guard beside the stone platform. She was the guardian of the " Seven Flavors of Desperation ". Sensing Allen's arrival, she slowly opened her eyes, her eyes so clear that they seemed to reflect people's hearts.
"Young strongman, I sense that you... are not on the same level as us." The old woman's voice was hoarse yet carried a peculiar rhythm. "This ' Seven Flavors of Desperation ' does not test the stomach, but rather the soul and the understanding of the essence of 'flavor.' It amplifies your inner desires, fears, memories, and obsessions, transforming them into an extreme taste experience. To immerse oneself in it is to enter an eternal slumber of consciousness. Are you sure you want to try?"
Allen calmly observed the seven seemingly simple "flavors," clearly "seeing" the highly concentrated, soul-touching power of the rules contained within them. This was not an attack, but an ultimate "information injection," reaching the depths of consciousness through the most primal channel of taste.
"An interesting trial." Allen's lips curled into a slight smile, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "Perfect, I'd also like to see how everything I've experienced will manifest in terms of 'flavor'."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, and under the old woman's solemn gaze, pointed to each of the seven "flavors" in turn...
Meanwhile, deep beneath the arena, " Gluttony " Balo listened to his subordinates' report, a ferocious and greedy smile spreading across his face.
"Is everything ready? The festival is the time when the 'feast' begins! Those troublesome Straw Hat Kid, and that mysterious man... their 'taste' will surely satisfy 'that person' greatly! Hahaha!"
The shadows have already opened their Maw. The Gourmet Festival is destined to be anything but peaceful.