Chapter 408: The Great Mission to Rescue the Mother-in-law
Today, Hachiman once again arrived at the Nakiri household.
Previously, he had promised Senzaemon that he would prepare another perfect dish for Mana, with the ingredients being provided by the Nakiri family.
With the matter concerning his own daughter, Senzaemon dared not be the slightest bit lax.
Under the operation of the Totsuki Group, it took only a week for Senzaemon to gather all the ingredients for the "Four Sacred Seafood Eight Treasure Soul Buns," and the quality was absolutely top-notch.
Especially the most crucial ingredient, the aged dough. This time, with the entire Totsuki Group mobilized, they managed to acquire a batch of dough that was around 900 years old.
In terms of ingredients, they were already top-notch, so it was now up to Hachiman's performance.
"Hachiman-kun, today I'm counting on you," Senzaemon earnestly requested.
Not only Senzaemon, but even Erina and Alice, the two sisters, looked at him with hope in their eyes.
Erina: "Please, Hachiman, you must save my mother."
Alice: "Yes, Hachiman-kun, do your best."
Seeing this scene, Hachiman's expression also became serious.
"Don't worry, I'll give it my all, and then some."
He reassured the two sisters with a reassuring smile.
Just then, the door to the kitchen opened once again, and Soue entered, supporting a slender figure of a woman.
This woman also had chestnut-colored long hair, faint eyebrows, and like Erina, she also had a pair of violet eyes. However, her expression carried an unmistakable sense of arrogance, and her body seemed somewhat emaciated due to long-term malnutrition.
"Mom..."
Watching this woman, Erina murmured to herself.
Hearing the girl's words, Hachiman raised an eyebrow.
It seems that this is Senzaemon's daughter, Erina's biological mother, Mana Nakiri.
"Father, I've brought Mana here."
Supporting Mana Nakiri, Soue nodded towards Senzaemon.
"Mana, it's been a long time."
Seeing his daughter, who seemed to have lost even more weight since last time, Senzaemon felt a pang of guilt.
As a father, being unable to save his own daughter was such a painful feeling.
But now things were different; the perfect dish was the hope of saving his daughter.
"Yes, Father, it's been a while."
Seemingly accustomed to being in a position of authority, Mana Nakiri exuded a certain air of superiority, even when facing her own father.
"I heard from Soue that you've found a master who can make perfect dishes for me. Who is this 'master chef'?"
Although she referred to them as a master chef, there was a hint of disdain in Mana Nakiri's tone.
As the only specific executor of WGO, Mana Nakiri was well-versed in the world's culinary masters, but in her impression, there hadn't been one who could make a perfect dish.
"Mom, it's Hachiman. He can create perfect dishes."
Upon hearing her mother's words, Erina quickly pulled Hachiman to her side.
"Oh, it's Erina. It's been a while."
Although Mana saw her daughter, her tone remained quite flat as she casually greeted her before shifting her gaze towards Hachiman standing beside the girl.
Seeing the so-called "master chef" was just a young boy, Mana raised an eyebrow, as if to confirm, "He's the master chef who can create perfect dishes?"
"Yes, Aunt Mana, Hachiman-kun's culinary skills are really amazing," Alice also approached from the side.
Hearing her niece's words and noticing Senzaemon's lack of objection, Mana's face showed impatience.
"Nonsense. He's just a child. What perfect dishes could he possibly make? It seems you've lost your mind, Father, to believe such things."
It wasn't surprising that Mana would think this way. After all, Hachiman looked too young, and a teenager of about the same age as her daughter, how skilled could his culinary skills be?
It was ridiculous to think that such a young person could create "perfect dishes."
Seeing her mother's attitude, Erina panicked because she was afraid that Hachiman would get angry and refuse to cook for her mother.
Thinking of this, the girl quickly held Hachiman's hand.
"Hachiman, don't be angry. Mom didn't mean it. It's just..."
Before Erina could finish her sentence, Hachiman smiled reassuringly at her and squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, I won't get angry over something like this."
Hearing his words, the girl breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Mana, on the other hand, showed an interested expression at the sight.
As a mother, she knew her daughter's personality quite well, and she didn't expect Erina to be so intimate with a boy of the same age, and Senzaemon showed no objection either.
It seemed that the relationship between the two was not simple.
Thinking of this, Mana's lips curved into a smile.
"Oh my, it looks like this young man will be my future son-in-law."
Erina blushed at her mother's unexpected words.
"Mom, what are you saying?"
Mana gestured towards their clasped hands, "Isn't it obvious? You two are holding hands tightly."
Upon hearing this, Erina realized and promptly released Hachiman's hand.
Meanwhile, Alice, who stood nearby, also caught on and shot Erina a frustrated glare.
Darn Erina, she's actually trying to seduce my Hachiman-kun!
Ignoring Alice, Erina composed herself and addressed her mother with a serious expression.
"Mom, Hachiman can really cook perfect dishes. His culinary skills are even better than those of Mr. Dojima and Mr. Saiba."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Mana turned her gaze to Senzaemon and Soue.
To her surprise, both nodded in agreement.
Mana was truly astonished. After all, the culinary skills of Dojima Gin and Saiba Joichiro were top-notch even on a global scale. Yet, this young man named Hachiman apparently surpassed them.
Just then, Senzaemon interrupted her thoughts.
"Alright, Mana, since you're here, let Hachiman-kun give it a try."
Hearing this, Mana nodded as well.
Indeed, whether this young man in front of her could cook perfect dishes would be revealed through a trial.
Seeing her agreement, Senzaemon continued, "Alright, then we'll leave it to you, Hachiman-kun."
"No problem, leave it to me."
Hachiman didn't hesitate and nodded, then proceeded to prepare the dish at the kitchen counter.
After a series of dazzling maneuvers, the "Four Sacred Seafood Eight Treasure Soul Buns" were ready.
Carrying the steamer, Hachiman approached the dining table.
Seeing him carrying the steamer, Senzaemon nervously asked, "Did it succeed, Hachiman-kun?"
Not only him, but even Erina and the others held their breath.
Seeing the intense golden light emanating from the steamer, even stronger than last time, Hachiman nodded.
"It's a success, no problem."
With that, he placed the steamer in front of Mana.
"Please enjoy, this is my dish."
Looking at the steamer in front of her, Mana reached out and lifted the lid.
In the next moment, a towering golden light burst forth from the steamer.