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nThe Six Realms and Five Planes, Kurikara Tenshō.

nAs John stared at the dish given that auspicious name, he kept his face neutral, carefully analyzing it.

nThe first thing John noted was that it was a combination dish, with both frozen and heated elements, as if to emphasize the duality of yin and yang.

nA bed of black sherbet, frozen and glistening like the vast empty night sky. On top of that, in five rings, were purees of different colors. Light green, dark green, white, light brown, and red. From the aroma, it appeared to be different purees of tea, refined down to the essence and then poured over the sherbet, which was another tea.

nA careful mixture of aromas, textures, temperatures, and taste. From the perfectly refined and measured freezing and melting points as well as the balanced ingredients and teas, it was a refreshing and almost overwhelming blend that would definitely prove too much for certain people. But not because it struck them senseless.

nNo. It was instead the artistry and careful craftsmanship. A combination of varied techniques, requiring knife skills, stirring, frying, as well as ice shaving for the sherbet. An awareness of how the teas interacted with each other to the extent of being a perfect blend even if the person eating allowed it all to melt together. No, not just that, but a balance that each bite would provide a different taste due to how it would interact on the tongue.

nIt was a masterful feat of culinary prowess as well as artistry. The perfect blend of ‘nothingness’ and ‘infinity’, as the teas complemented each other when consumed separately, as one, or in combinations.

nMoreover, the arrangement was eye-catching, almost appearing like a portal into the cosmos itself.

n“Th-That is…?!” Sakura leaned over, her eyes wide. “The mythical trademark dish of Chef Miyamoto?!”

nRin gasped when she saw the dish. “So pretty! And it smells so good!”

nAs for Alpha… It seemed like she wanted to scoff or berate it. But perhaps remembering her father’s earlier words and seeing his muted reaction, she held her tongue and simply nodded.

nMinato pulled out a wrapped bundle from his shirt and then handed it over to John.

nJohn took it without a word, unfurling it.

nAt the same time, Minato observed John, as if judging his reaction.

nIt was a simple golden spoon. Not too large, an ordinary serving spoon size. However, the fact that it was gold was important.

nSince gold was chemically inert for biological processes, it wouldn’t interfere with the delicately crafted balance of the dish when John used the spoon to eat. At the same time, it would let him fully appreciate the textures, tastes, and aromas without being influenced by externalities or artificial reactions.

nEyeing the spoon and the dish, John gave Minato an approving nod. “You know your stuff.”

nMinato smiled. “It appears that you do as well.”

nJohn nodded. “Then I will judge your dish.”

nMinato waved his hand. “Please, go ahead.”

nJohn considered how best to consume the dish and then decided to try out the five rings first.

nSweet. Umami. Sour. Salty. Bitter.

nEach of the rings represented one of the fundamental tastes. However, each wasn’t excessive in that taste. Instead, it was pleasant enough to enjoy on its own. However, with each bite, John experienced a new complexity.

nThe flavors gradually layered onto each other, simultaneously erasing and building upon the previous bite.

nAs John moved his spoon, he could sense everyone staring at him, especially Minato and Yuri.

nJohn ignored them and took a long scoop across all of the rings and the sherbet. Holding the gold spoon up, the bite from the dish looked almost like a contained galaxy with its swirls.

nMinato watched John with an eager gaze.

nSeeing that, John put the bite into his mouth.

nA complicated and indescribable texture, taste, and aroma. Nothing terrible, but rather the opposite. An experience that would send men and women alike into ecstasy, an almost intoxicating taste that could capture the hearts of any ordinary person.

nBut to John…

nHe placed the gold spoon down on the dish, causing a soft clatter to echo through the cafe.

nSilence. Everyone waiting with bated breath.

n“It’s…” John paused to gather his thoughts and then said, “…Not bad.”

n“What?!” Yuri reacted first. “You tasted Grandpa’s life work and all you can say is ‘not bad’?! Do you even have taste buds, you-“

n“Yuri.” Minato spoke up and looked at his granddaughter.

nThe blonde and fiery young woman huffed and then turned to the side.

nMinato turned back to John and said, “Might I hear more of your thoughts, Sir?”

nJohn hummed. “Honestly, I don’t think I should tell you. Having reached this level already, what I say could ruin the path you’ve built up.”

nIt was impressive.

nFor being on Earth, a world without an easy way to tap into the laws of existence or gather heavenly energy for insight, to reach the level that Minato did was already a miracle.

nThe dish was on the upper end, brushing up against the limits of what a mortal could do with cooking in terms of pure technique.

n-But that was it. Just ‘technique.’

nMinato shook his head. “No. Please, go ahead, Sir. I would like to hear your honest words.”

nJohn pushed the plate slightly to the side and said, “You lack heart.”

n“P-Pardon?!” Minato blinked and then said, “What do you mean?”

nJohn gestured towards the dish and said, “This is an exceptional feat. Truly, the pinnacle of technique and the embodiment of a lifetime seeking limitlessness within the realm of the culinary arts. But as a result, you have forgotten the soul of cooking.”

nMinato froze.

nYuri growled and stepped forward. “What kind of nonsense are you saying to Grandpa!?”

n“The truth.” John looked at Yuri and gestured towards the dish. “This is a masterful display of technique in the culinary arts… but ‘technique’ cannot create an ‘art.’ In the first place, the process is reversed. One develops an art from a principle and derives techniques in accordance with that principle. Or in simpler terms… Technique does not matter as much as the principle, or the belief. This is especially true in cooking, which is inherently a means to serve others.”

n“And what would you know!?” Yuri snatched the plate away and said, “A man like you without qualifications-!”

nAlpha, who had been quiet the entire time, finally narrowed her eyes and stood up. “Without qualifications?”

nJohn sighed. “Alpha-“

n“No.” She shook her head and said, “This is something I cannot allow, Father. I can allow your slacking off. I can allow you not using the full extent of your capabilities on this tiny blue star. I can even allow you acting in such a manner that would harm Mistress’s heart should she learn of the details. However, to have your own efforts be denied by a young girl who knows not the full extents of the world, let alone the vast and infinite expanse, I-“

n“Enough.” John stood up and grabbed Alpha’s shoulder.

nShe flinched and looked back. “Father-“

nHe smiled. “It’s fine. And remember, this isn’t ‘that’ place. It’s okay to let things like these go.”

nAlpha’s crimson eyes wavered. “But-“

n“Alphy. Please.”

nAlpha bit her lips and then let out a long sigh. “…Why are you so adamant when it comes to these things, Father? If you stood your ground more often-“

n“Then I would have to deal with more troublesome things, remember? And if that happened, what would be the point in being here?”

nAlpha was silent.

nJohn turned towards Rin and Sakura, who had remained quiet at the tense atmosphere, and then said, “Sorry, you two. But it seems like I’ll have to linger here a bit.” He looked to Alpha and said, “Alphy. Could you take them home?”

n“Father-“

nJohn took out his keys and gently placed them in Alpha’s hands. “Please?”

n“…Very well.” Alpha nodded and then walked off. “Miss Rin? Miss Sakura?”

nRin looked to John. “Mister John. Um… What are you going to do?”

nJohn turned to Yuri, who seemed ready to literally rip him apart, and Minato, who seemed skeptical. “Since it’s reached this point, I might as well reveal a bit of my ability.” He paused. “It might get annoying afterwards… but if my beloved daughter got so riled up, I should do something on her behalf, right?” He glanced back at Rin and smiled. “Don’t worry about it and go home to relax, alright? Ah, and Alphy, treat them to whatever they want on the way back.”

n“…As you say, Father.” Saying that, Alpha walked off, but not before giving a sharp glare to Yuri.

nThe blonde young woman flinched, but quickly glared back.

nAlpha shook her head and then left the cafe, Rin and Sakura trailing behind her.

nAnd then it was just John and the Miyamotos in the cafe.

nMinato stared at John and said, “It seems that you are confident. No, from the fact that you remained, you know what must come next.”

nJohn walked out from the booth and stood before the Miyamotos. “Of course. A ‘Food War’, right? Can’t say that I expected that to be reality here, but stranger things have happened since I got to Japan.”

nYuri huffed. “We’ll see about that. Grandpa will-“

n“Yuri.”

n“Huh?” Yuri looked over at Minato. “Grandpa?”

nHe tossed her a key and said, “You go home first.”

n“G-Grandpa?!”

nMinato shook his head, still staring at John. “This is something between men. And also… Like he said. If my beloved granddaughter got so riled up, I have to resolve it as well.”

nYuri bit her lip, and then she glared at John. “You. I’ve memorized your face as well as the other girls. If you hurt Grandpa-“

n“Yuri!”

nThe blonde young woman flinched.

nMinato shook his head. “No.”

n“But-“

n“No. We will settle this like men, and regardless of the result, that will be it. Now, go.”

nYuri looked hesitant, but then she nodded and walked out of the cafe as well.

nThe bell chimed.

nAnd then it was just John and Minato.

nJohn brushed away a strand of his golden hair that fell over his eyes and said, “Are you certain about this? When this is over, you will not be able to look at the world the same again. In fact, you will face a heart demon that could send you into despair. A man as old as you…”

n“Hmph. We’ll see about that, young man.” Minato narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know about other fields considering the killing intent radiating off of your daughter earlier, but I’m confident in cooking skills.”

nJohn smiled, reevaluating the older man. “It seems that I might have underestimated you if you noticed that. But still, I gave you fair warning.” He paused. “Do you want to bring in some impartial judges beforehand?”

n“I will be more than enough of a judge.”

nJohn shrugged. “If you say so… Then, let’s move this somewhere else. I presume you have an arena in mind?”

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