Traversing the Anime Multiverse with a System - Chapter 121

Soren made his way to the closest Shopping District near his home, the name of the shopping district was Sumiredōri Shopping District. Soren recognised this place in the Anime: Food Wars!, the main character Soma Yukihira grew up here, this is also where he learned to cook from his father Jōichirō, Soren had continued to walk around the District until he saw an abandoned building with a phone number on it, Soren then took out a phone that he just bought an hour ago, and began to call the number. After a short talk Soren waited for about 30 minutes before a car pulled up, and an older man stepped out of the car to meet up with Soren, when the man saw Soren he felt that it was a joke and wanted to leave, but after Soren showed him ID the older man stayed to show Soren around the place.

[So that’s the tour… Will you be interested in buying the place?]: older man

[How much is this place?]: soren

[5 million ¥… It’s well worth the price as its a 2 story building with a basement for storage]: old man

Soren didn’t need to worry about money as he had a way to infinitely create more money with his Creation Magic, he just didn’t like doing that as it will slowly ruin the economy and how much the paper money is actually worth. Soren then signed some papers and transferred the money, he then watched as the man called his bank to make sure the money went through before he signed the deed and handed it to Soren, after the man left Soren started working on cleaning up the place with his telekinesis before burning all the old stuff with a burning Ki sphere. Soren then used his Creation Magic to create new furniture, making the place look brand new, Soren then placed the tables and chairs down all around the room while making a giant stove for cooking and had a few refrigerators that Soren started filling with food supplies. The newly created cabinet were then being filled with all sorts of spices, Soren then repainted the walls while he mopped the floor, all with telekinesis, the shop was read for business after a few hours but Soren would wait a few days as to not seem suspicious, Soren then went and bought a truck and filled it with empty boxes, then over the course of 4 days Soren was done moving empty boxes and decided to open up shop with a list of food. Soren brought Killua and Gon in to be waiters while he was in the back cooking, the first few days were slow, but after the world got out that the Zoldyck Family Restaurant had food that rivals Yukihira Shop, more and more people started to show up, even some food critics came to settle the debate on who’s food was better? Yukihira, or Zoldyck? Soren knew that he couldn’t take claim to his skills as they were stolen from the characters of this world, but he wouldn’t openly say that, so when customers ask “Who’s food is better, You’re food, or Yukihira’s?” Soren would always say the same thing.

[I feel that their one and the same… Food is food, we all need it to survive. Just some might prepare it better]: soren

He gave them an answer while being so vague that some could say it never answered their question. Zeno would always come to the shop right after school while Zenith would go home with Misha or Hancock, depending on who picked them up. Zeno had a thing for food as he loved eating it, as well as watching it be prepared, Soren then started teaching Zeno how to cook just like Jōichirō taught Soma, and after a few years passed by the Zoldyck Family Restaurant was tied with Yukihira for the top spot in the Sumiredōri Shopping District for best food stop.

[Dad, can me and Soma go play at the park?]: zeno

[Sure. Just don’t forget to tell your mother like you did last time… Okay Zeno?]: soren

[Yeah! I will, thanks dad!]: zeno

[Wait up!… Soma, can you go ask your dad if he can come over. I want to talk with him for a bit]: soren

[No problem Mr. Zoldyck!… I’ll go tell my dad now]: soma

Soma and Zeno then ran out of the store at a fast speed for a pair of 8 year olds, Soren wondered if Zeno was teaching Soma anything. A few moments later the door to Soren’s shop opened and a man with long wavy Reddish Brown hair that had one really long bang that sat in the middle of his face, the man had a well kept chin strap beard with a well built physique. He wore a Black T-Shirt that was tight on his body with a White apron tied around his waist, the man’s name was Jōichirō Yukihira, he was known worldwide as one of the best chefs to live, his cooking was so good that he could make a Monk who was fasting for 7 years to reach enlightenment, give up and eat just for the taste of his food.

[What did you want Soren, I closed down shop for this]: jōichirō

[Nothing much, I just wanted to talk about the future… You plan on sending young Soma to Tōtsuki right?]: soren

[Yes, but he’s not even close to ready for it… Once he becomes 16 I’ll send him, how about you? Young Zeno seems interested in cooking as well. Will you send him to that hell?]: jōichirō

[Hahaha… Jōichirō, we’ve known each other for around 3 years now, our sons are best friends… Why would I separate them from schooling?]: soren

Jōichirō smiled as he knew that Zeno would be sent there too if he makes the cute, Jōichirō then asked a burning question that he had for a long time.

[How are you able to cook so well? I never saw you at Tōtsuki, and when I tried to look you up in recent years, you have never shown up in their graduates list]: jōichirō

[Hahaha… I have been all around the world similar to you, I have cooked for many years… it may not seem like it but I am actually 38 almost 39 years old]: soren

[Impossible! You only look to be in your early twenties… How can you be almost 40]: jōichirō

Soren just laughed it off as it was true, even though he was almost 40 physically, he was almost 70 mentally. Soren then started getting into talking about food recipes and certain concoctions that should never mix, Soren would eat anything if its food, and his stomach wouldn’t care, Jōichirō then pulled out a bento that had cooked Squid with heated jelly drizzled over it, Soren took it and could visibly see a dark miasma resonating from it, he then took the chopsticks and ate a piece.

[So… How is it? Disgusting right?]: jōichirō

To Jōichirō’s surprise, Soren took another bite which made Jōichirō think twice about this guy, he then took a bit himself only to throw up due to the clashing taste of octopus and Grape jelly.

[You sick monster… How can you eat this?]: jōichirō

Soren just laughed him off before flicking the open switch and cleaning up for the night. Soren then began to wrap up his conversation with Jōichirō so he could go back home with Zeno, but right at the end Jōichirō spoke up asking Soren for a favor.

[Soren… I travel around the world a lot to be a chef for many people, when I’m not here Soma is all alone… Will you watch over him when I leave on business trips?]: jōichirō

[Sure, no problem… I don’t mind little Soma hanging out more with Zeno, and I’m sure Zeno would like that too]: soren

Jōichirō felt comfort when Soren agreed to watch over Soma when he was on business trips. Right when Soren and Jōichirō left the shop and Soren was locking the doors for the night, Zeno and Soma ran up behind them, Soren picked up Zeno while Soma stayed by Jōichirō’s side, Soren the looked at Soma and asked.

[Hey Soma… How would you feel about staying with me when your dad goes on business trips? You could hang out with Zeno every day]: soren

[Really dad!? Soma can come over and stay with us for awhile!?]: zeno

Soma looked at Jōichirō who just gave a smile before Soma looked back towards Soren and spoke.

[That sounds fun… So next time dad is working overseas I will live with you?]: soma

[Yup!… You can live with us]: soren

[Don’t worry Soma, we live in a BIG house with like 20 rooms]: zeno

Zeno started to emphasize how big the house was with his hands, and 20 rooms was a bit much, it was more like 8 or 10. Soren then said goodbye to Soma and Jōichirō before they left to go back home, later on that night Zeno explained to Zenith about his day with Soma, Zenith was more of a quiet kid who only had a few friends and was content with that, while Zeno was a wild boy who loved to make many friends. Even though Zenith was more quiet, what he enjoyed most was listening to his brother tell him about his day, they would stay up all night talking until they fell asleep. And like that many years went by with Jōichirō taking a few business trips leaving Soma here with Zeno, now they were both 16 years in age and great cooks as well, Zeno and Soma would compete daily for who made the best food, and their score was something like, Zeno 1293 wins, 1292 losses, and 1838 ties. That meant Soma had 1 less win than Zeno and were going to settle it today with their last battle before they go to Tōtsuki Academy, both Zeno and Soma were back to back and once Soren yelled “start” they both began to cook at lightning fast speeds. What they were making was just some traditional Fried Rice, Zeno quickly put on a pot of water to start boiling while he started washing the uncooked rice in a fine strainer, after the rice was washed the water was at a boil. Zeno dumped the freshly washed rice into the water and covered it with a lid while lowering the temperature to let the rice simmer, Zeno then started heating up a pan while pouring some olive oil inside the pan, Zeno then started crushing up some cloves of garlic and deicing some onions while tossing them into the pan. It was also at this time that Zeno took the rice that was in the pot and strained it once more with a more course strainer, after straining the now cooked rice, Soren dumped it into the now caramelized onions and crushed garlic cloves, he then seasoned it with Salt and Pepper before dicing up some carrots and chives, and to finish it off Zeno drizzled a very little bit of white wine. Zeno then started plating 4 plates, 1 for the judge, 1 for himself, 1 for Soma, and 1 for Soren, it was also around this time that Soma finished his Fried Rice and plated 4 plates, 1 for the judge, 1 for himself, 1 for Zeno, and 1 for Jōichirō who was in town to see Soma off to Tōtsuki Academy. Both Zeno and Soma brought out their dishes to a close friend from school who took a bit of Soma’s food first, after her little fantasy of having her clothes explode into little Fried Rice bites that floated in a sea of caramelized onions and chives with a hint of soy sauce, she came back and spoke.

[Wow! That was amazing Soma-kun… I guess I should try Zeno-kun’s dish now]: class friend (I forgot her name XD)

When the girl took a bite of Zeno’s dish her eyes shot open as she had a vision of being touched by Angels made of Fried Rice, they tore her clothes off while playing heavenly music, her taste buds were going in all sorts of directions as the taste was only one word “Heavenly” Zeno truly was worth of Soren’s teachings, it also didn’t help Soma that Soren had given both his kids a System of their own on their 16th birthdays which was just a few days ago.

[So who won?… It must be me right?]: soma

[Mmnnhh… Sorry Soma, but Zeno’s food was just a tad more satisfying and had more flavor to it… But your food was still amazing!]: class friend

Soren then hung his head as he felt depressed, but then he raised his head with an evil grin as he pulled out a bento and a pair of chopsticks, he then walked up to his class friend and tried to force her to eat a piece of Octopus tentacle covered in peanut butter.

[No! Soma I’m sorry! Don’t do this… NOOOOO!…*Belrahh*]: class friend

The poor girl was taken advantage of by that octopus tentacle, Soren then took Zeno over to his side before he handed him a box that was engraved with Soren’s handwriting. Opening the box, Zeno saw a set of 3 chefs knives, Zeno closed the box and hugged Soren before he went to go show Soma he present, and after that, Zeno and Soma went to Tōtsuki Academy’s entrance exams a few days later, Zeno and Soma entered a hall filled with a bunch of aspiring chefs, and were surprised to see that some of them had lots of money from the looks of it, then a boy came up from behind them and introduced himself.

[Hello… My name is *Rich Snob* I am from a well known wealthy family of chefs… What family are you guys from?]: rich snob

[I’m Soma Yukihira, and this is my childhood best friend Zeno Zoldyck]: soma

[Those names don’t sound familiar… How rich is your family?]: rich snob

[Oh, I’m not Rich, my family owns a small restaurant in a Shopping District]: soma

[My dad is… You could say well off, but still not rich… We own a shop a bit down the street from Soma and his dad’s restaurant]: zeno

The Rich Snob heard both of them and quickly took a few steps back and shivered as he was thinking about shaking their hands. The snob then started to point at them and scream.

[You poor country bumpkins dare to try out for Tōtsuki Academy because you work as a small family owned restaurant!?… Disgusting! Stay away from me before your poor rubs off onto me]: rich snob

Both Zeno and Soma ignored the snob and continued to wait for further instructions on the exam. After a few minutes, a blonde woman walks in followed by a purple haired girl with a clipboard, the blonde then started speaking.

[My name is Erina Nakiri, I am known here at Tōtsuki by the alias The God Tongue… I will be your Examiner today. I will give you 10 seconds to leave this place, otherwise you will choose to take the exam, and those who fail, can never try out for Tōtsuki Academy ever again… 10… 9… 8]: erina

When everyone processed what Erina had just said they quickly started to dart for the door as they knew she was serious, the only people who stayed were Zeno and Soma, and Erina continued to count.

[3… 2… 1… Okay, I did my job… Let’s go back now Hisako, nobody passed this year]: erina

[Yes miss Erina]: hisako

But before they could leave Soma spoke up startling them both.

[Umm… Excuse me, when do we start cooking?]: soma

Erina looked at the 2 who still stayed, even after she said if they fail, they will never be able to try out again, she decided to remind them.

[Why are you still here?… Didn’t you hear me? I said those who are still here when I finished counting will continue on to be tested, and those who fail will never be able to try out again]: erina

[Well that’s why we are still here, bring on the test!]: zeno

Erina was shocked that these idiots think they could pass with her, The God Tongue, as the Examiner. Erina then decided to play along and let them test, even though they will fail, after testing them Erina who refused to say that their cooking was good even though it was shouted.

[It tastes like crap!… You fail, get out!]: erina

Both Soma and Zeno left the building and went home, but later they both got a letter saying they were accepted into Tōtsuki Academy. Soren was happy for the both of them and went with Misha, Hancock, Zenith, Killua, Gon and Haku to the ceremony for those who got accepted, Soma was made to give a speech and basically told everyone that he was a better cook then they were, Soren wanted to strangle Soma but held back as this was how the Anime played out. Zeno was now going to try for the top spot at Tōtsuki Academy, and once he achieved that, they would leave this world and continue the journey to become the strongest.