Arms crossed, Nakiri Erina stood proudly in the plaza—completely unaware that she had just stepped deeper into Izumi's carefully laid web.
Moments earlier, under the "helpful guidance" of Aihara Enju's companion, she had purchased [Temperature Control] Level 3.
And just like that…
Every single point she had earned that day—gone.
Erina clenched her fists as she walked back, her cheeks faintly red.
"…Still worth it."
She raised her hand slightly.
The air around her flickered.
Warm.
Cold.
Warm again.
Her lips curled upward in excitement.
"With this… I can control heat precisely while cooking…!"
For a chef, this ability was nothing short of revolutionary.
Back in the kitchen, she distributed the gene enhancement vials.
Within minutes, the exhausted chefs of Tōtsuki were reborn—refreshed, energized, and ready to work again.
What she didn't know…
Was that her real challenge had just arrived.
...
Not long after Erina left the plaza, a boy appeared.
A boy carrying a large cooking pot on his back.
Izumi, who had been watching from afar, instantly recognized him.
"…No way."
"That's him."
Liu Mao Xing—better known as Mao.
And not just any version.
This was the peak-era Mao, the one who had already gathered the Legendary Cooking Utensils. (T/N: I freaking hate it when they put in chinese like these one but,,,i dont have any idea what to replace here so bear with me...for now...)
A grin spread across Izumi's face.
"Now this is interesting."
In a flash, he appeared before the boy.
...
After a brief exchange, Mao listened carefully to Izumi's explanation about this world.
A place where anything could be exchanged for points.
A place where even the dead… could return.
Without hesitation—
Mao sold everything.
- The Legendary Cooking Utensils
- His accumulated culinary knowledge
- Nearly all of his assets
In an instant, his balance skyrocketed.
Over 300,000 points.
Izumi watched with clear amusement.
"That was fast."
But Mao wasn't finished.
With burning determination in his eyes, he spoke:
"If what you say is true… then I can bring her back."
His mother.
Abei.
Izumi simply smiled.
He didn't need to say anything.
The answer was already obvious.
Following Izumi's suggestion, Mao immediately planned to open his own restaurant.
But first—
He returned to his world.
To gather companions.
To bring back family.
To build something far greater.
Izumi watched him leave, hands in his pockets.
"Erina's in trouble now."
"Let's see how long she lasts."
Beside him, Aihara Enju's friend glanced over with a troubled expression.
"Izumi-sama… is this really okay?"
"That boy's cooking… it's on a completely different level."
"If he opens a restaurant… Erina-san's business will collapse."
Izumi chuckled softly.
"Isn't that perfect?"
"Pressure creates growth."
He continued, eyes gleaming.
"And if he revives his mother… things will get even more interesting."
After all—
Abei wasn't just a chef.
She was a legend. (T/N: I dont know who the hell is she...)
Izumi casually added:
"Oh, and when you get the chance—recommend Mao's cooking techniques and utensils to Erina."
"Those tools can grant longevity through food, you know."
"That'll make a great selling point."
He paused, then smirked.
"And maybe… we can make Mao the 'God of Cooking' of this world."
"If he can afford it."
The girl beside him could only sigh.
"You really plan to turn everyone into your workers, don't you…"
Izumi didn't deny it.
Just as their conversation ended—
A massive shadow fell over the plaza.
A man.
Over four meters tall.
With a crescent-shaped white mustache.
Izumi's eyes lit up instantly.
"…Now that's unexpected."
"So it's the One Piece world."
"Devil Fruits… those could be valuable."
The man laughed loudly, his voice booming across the plaza.
"Gurararara!!"
"What an incredible place this is!"
It was none other than—
Edward Newgate.
Also known as Whitebeard.
He stepped forward, towering over everyone present.
The small girls stared up at him in shock.
One of them muttered:
"A giant…?"
Whitebeard grinned widely.
"Gurarara! Little ones—"
"Would you like to become my daughters?"
Silence.
Then—
Immediate rejection.
"I refuse!"
The girl crossed her arms, glaring up at him.
"Please watch your wording."
"I feel insulted. And I have evidence."
"If you continue, I will have you removed."
Whitebeard blinked.
Izumi, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh.
And just like that—
Another powerful figure had stepped into Izumi's ever-expanding world.
A chef who could shake the culinary world.
A pirate who ruled the seas.
And at the center of it all—
Izumi, quietly pulling the strings.