Tsuna's hotpot dazzled with its meticulous presentation.
In contrast to Soma's straightforward approach, Tsuna had opted for an elegant flair.
The yuzu broth, a clear, golden liquid with a hint of citrus, shimmered enticingly in the pot, casting a warm, inviting glow.
The seafood—succulent shrimp, tender scallops, delicate white fish, and tender squid—was artfully arranged, each piece taking on a lustrous sheen as it cooked.
The vibrant vegetables and tofu created a striking visual contrast.
Bright orange carrot rounds, crisp green mizuna leaves, snowy white tofu cubes, and earthy enoki mushrooms danced together in a colorful display.
"The presentation is flawless, but as always..." Gin began, his gaze lingering on the hotpot before him.
"...the taste is what truly matters," he finished, picking up his spoon.
The judges, their eyes fixed on the bowls, nodded in agreement.
One by one, they took a bite. Instantly, their eyes widened with surprise before closing in bliss.
"Ahhh..."
Each judge let out a satisfied moan, clearly overwhelmed by the depth of flavor.
The yuzu broth was light yet deeply flavorful, with a refreshing citrus note that danced on the palate.
The broth's umami depth, from the dashi and a touch of soy sauce, perfectly complemented the delicate seafood flavors.
Each spoonful reminded them of the summer by the sea.
The shrimp was sweet and tender, the scallops soft and buttery, and the fish fillets flaky yet succulent.
The squid had a pleasant chewiness that added texture contrast.
The vegetables and tofu absorbed the broth's flavors, adding layers of taste and texture to each spoonful. The garnish of yuzu zest and shichimi togarashi introduced a subtle heat and an extra pop of freshness.
The taste of the hotpot instantly transported them to a quiet beach in the countryside.
They could almost feel the gentle breeze brushing against their skin as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange glow across the sky, giving them a sense of relief and peace.
"That..."
"What are those..."
Their astonishment deepened as they observed a surreal scene unfolding before their eyes.
Beyond the horizon where the sun set, two silhouettes were visible, holding each other in a tender embrace.
They seemed to be deeply moved with tears streaming down their faces as they shared an intimate, emotional moment.
"..."
With a stony expression, Tsuna closed his eyes as he nodded in satisfaction.
This dish was actually inspired by his brother from another mother, Guy and Lee's "Young Spirited Embrace of Youth" from Naruto.
A powerful genjutsu born from their genuine feelings for each other—something truly remarkable that Tsuna felt he barely understood.
"The real one should be a lot better..."
Tsuna muttered as he watched the scene in silence.
The crowd looked at the stage with confusion, pointing at the judges and murmuring among themselves, their voices echoing across the arena.
"Ahh..."
"These feelings..."
Unbeknownst to them, tears welled up in the judges' eyes as they were deeply moved by the beautiful experience Tsuna's dish had provided.
The flavors had touched their hearts, quite literally. And stirring emotions they hadn't anticipated.
However...
"Eh?"
As they slowly returned to reality, they were startled to discover that, in their emotional haze, they had instinctively formed a circle and embraced one another.
"...Why am I even here?"
Soma was also caught up in Tsuna's imitation of the most powerful genjutsu ever created, and blinked in confusion.
The same went for the others.
They looked around, realizing they had finished their bowls without even noticing.
They exchanged puzzled glances as Gin, without much embarrassment, cleared his throat and sat back down.
"Ahem..."
The other judges followed suit, their faces flushed red as they also took their seats.
The moderator picked up her mic again and announced, "Well, now that both participants have presented their dishes, please make your judgment, dear judges!"
It didn't take long for the judges to reach a decision as they slowly began to speak.
"I'll go with Tsunayoshi Ito's dish..."
"Same here..."
"Yeah, me too..."
"I agree..."
"Y-Yes, I also choose Tsunayoshi Ito's dish!"
They all unanimously agreed, quickly deciding the winner of the round without much hesitation.
Even though Soma's dish was very creative and tasted great, it paled in comparison to what they had experienced with Tsuna's.
"...."
Soma was well aware of the difference in their levels after tasting his portion. Even though he knew he had a lot to improve, the fact that he lost still unsettled him as he silently clenched his fist.
The frustration was strong despite his acknowledgment of the need for growth.
He sighed and turned to Tsuna, who was about to walk off the stage, "Congrats, Tsuna. Looks like I lost this time..."
"Thanks. Your dish wasn't bad at all. Don't be too hard on yourself," Tsuna replied, shaking his head without stopping.
However...
"...Can you give me some tips this time? I paid for that portion you gave me."
"..."
Right.
Soma had paid for that.
Tsuna had promised Soma tips when he ordered his dish, and since he had done just that, it was time to deliver.
"You're right," Tsuna said, approaching Soma. "Why do you think you lost?"
"Mmm... Because you're better?"
"...No shit"
Tsuna almost facepalmed at the answer.
Massaging his forehead, he continued, "It was like we were hunting in the wild. I had all my gear ready, and you were barehanded..."
He then took out a jar of white powder and handed it to Soma, who grabbed it unconsciously, blinking at the jar.
"MSG?" he mumbled.
"And this... the one and only, the cocaine of cooking, the king of flavor, MSG! It's the tool I'm talking about..."
"...So if I use this, I'll win?"
Smack!
Tsuna smacked Soma on the head, causing him to grab it in pain. "Of course not, you dumbass..."
"Your food..."
Tsuna pointed at the dish Soma hadn't finished. "It was empty! You didn't convey anything through your cooking. No matter how good it was, it won't matter."
It was something Tsuna had learned during his travels in his previous life. He remembered that truly memorable cooking was always tied to profound experiences and memories. This realization had transformed his approach to cooking.
To convey memories, emotions, and experiences through your dishes.
"And to convey your experience, you need a purpose that drives you to explore life more fully! Beating your dad? That's weak—find a better goal!"
"Ah... Is that so?"
Soma scratched his head awkwardly and asked, "...Then, what's your purpose?"
"Mine?"
Tsuna's expression turned serious as he declared, "Curing the loneliness of every Mother I'd Like to fry rice For in the whole world!"
T—that was quite a lofty ambition...
Soma was truly taken aback.
The entire crowd fell silent.
The judges were in shock.
A few people in the crowd were in tears, looking at Tsuna with renewed respect as they muttered, "As expected of the chosen one, you are truly burdened with a glorious purpose..."