Food Wars, My Dishes Don't Just Shine

Although they couldn't participate in the competition, they were still students of Totsuki Academy, and they shared the same sense of honor and loss. Naturally, they would discuss the strong participants in the competition.

If any inappropriate individuals appear on the list, they will speak out to stop them, even at the risk of public condemnation, to prevent tarnishing Totsuki's reputation.

After all, no one wants someone weaker than themselves to participate in a competition that symbolizes honor.

"Has the list been released yet?"

On the third floor of the teaching building, looking at the noisy scene in the square, Erina Nakiri's face showed a curious expression.

If she chooses to play for Totsuki, her name will definitely be on the roster.

Unfortunately, she chose to support the world of bizarre cooking.

With neither she nor Alice Nakiri present, who would Totsuki send to fight? A sense of curiosity rose in Erina Nakiri's heart.

The first person she thought of was Tsukasa Eishi, the top seat of Totsuki Culinary Academy, who had even obtained a Japanese Special Grade Chef Certificate at the beginning of this year, making him an undisputed Special Grade powerhouse.

With such a strong player representing Totsuki in the competition, there is no doubt that we can rest assured.

However, it's unknown who his teammates are.

Rindou Kobayashi is one of them, and Tousuke Megijima, Momo Akanekubo, Soumei Saito, and others are also quite skilled. They are among the best of the top chefs and will not be a burden in the competition.

But can such a contestant really achieve good results in the school exchange competition...?

Thinking of the promise her grandfather made with Bai Yuan, Erina Nakiri couldn't help but feel worried for him.

The strongest members of Totsuki Culinary Academy have already joined him in the world of dark cuisine. While there are some powerful individuals left, they are too few to carry the burden alone...

With doubts in her mind, Erina Nakiri left the school building with Hisako Shinoto and soon arrived at the place where the notices were posted.

The expressions of the people present varied, some were surprised, some were angry, and others were blank and confused, clearly indicating that they did not approve of the contestants on the list.

Upon seeing their expressions, Erina Nakiri instantly understood everything. She then looked curiously at the list in the center, wondering who the contestants were that could make them so angry.

It was no wonder that Erina Nakiri was immediately drawn to the sight of it, and her brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Soma Yukihira, Ryo Kurokiba, Akira Hayama, and Takumi Aldini—have these four replaced me, Eizan Etsuya, Kinokuni Nene, and Saito Soumei...?"

At that moment, Erina Nakiri understood why the outside world was in such chaos.

Four unknown individuals were replacing the Ten Heroes in the competition, which was unacceptable to anyone. At this moment, they were only whispering among themselves, which was already a great restraint.

What was Teacher Bai Yuan thinking when he let these four people participate? The Ten Heroes are clearly much stronger than these random characters!

Because she didn't pay much attention, Erina Nakiri knew nothing about anyone except for Soma Yukihira, who was gaining fame during this period after defeating second-year students one after another.

Therefore, he was puzzled by Bai Yuan's arrangements.

"There seems to be something written down over there..."

Suddenly, a few students with eyes spoke up, pointing to the bottom of the list where there was a line of small print that was very clear.

Many people around turned their attention to him upon hearing his words. Students with better eyesight saw the contents clearly and gaped in surprise.

"Anyone who is dissatisfied with this list may challenge the contestants above. Each contestant must accept at least one challenge per day until the day before the competition."

Students with good eyesight murmured the contents of the list aloud.

It turns out that Bai Yuan had anticipated that some people might disagree, so he devised this rule to allow those who disagreed to challenge these contestants.

He has already given you the opportunity to become stronger.

Whether they can seize the opportunity depends on Soma Yukihira and the others.

"I see. So, the academy exchange tournament is used as a bargaining chip to bring out all the hidden powerhouses of Totsuki Academy and compete for this opportunity to shine."

Looking at the situation before her, Erina Nakiri automatically imagined a whole drama unfolding before her eyes, and inwardly praised Shiroyuki's wit, thinking he was truly an amazing man.

"To fight, to seize, to use cooking to obtain everything one desires—this has always been the way of life that Totsuki Culinary Arts adheres to!"

Hisako Shinto spoke up from the side, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes as well.

Only by using this method can Totsuki select the strongest and most suitable contestants to participate in the competition, and then achieve good results in the exchange competition.

Soma Yukihira and the others were the bait thrown out by Hakubuchi-sensei.

Many people in the Far Moon Society are unaware of their own strength. Most of them are ascetics in the society, not attached to external things, and choose to shine in their own field.

Such beings are not uncommon in the far moon.

The difference between them and the top ten lies more in whether or not they compete.

In the minds of Erina Nakiri and Hisako Shirato, Shirabuchi put Soma Yukihira and others on the list to motivate them.

This encourages them to strive to keep up with younger students, challenge them to victory, and then become the defenders instead of the attackers.

When the current Elite Ten challenge them and they win the match, they will naturally realize their strength, and Totsuki will gain the most powerful contestant.

Even if these people lose in the end, it doesn't matter. After all, with the Ten Heroes as a backup, Totsuki can send out its strongest group of experts no matter what.

Chapter 386 Culinary Showdown: Tonkotsu Ramen vs. Sour Soup Noodles!

"This is the wisdom of Master Baiyuan!"

Having figured out the key point, Erina Nakiri's eyes revealed strong admiration. As expected of Hakubuchi-sensei, he can strategize even from afar!

Everything was as planned.

"You're probably overthinking it. The reason Brother Bai Yuan added their names to the list is most likely because he believes their strength has surpassed that of the current Ten Heroes."

Just as Erina Nakiri and Hisako Shinomiya were marveling at Hakubuchi's astonishing wisdom, Alice Nakiri appeared behind her without her noticing.

"Soma Yukihira and the others have already surpassed the current Elite Ten? How is that possible! No... judging from his performance in the Fujian Youth Chef Competition, his skill level is among the best even for first-class chefs..."

Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri's face showed an expression of disbelief.

Soma Yukihira and the others seem to be freshmen this year, and they haven't received any training from Hakugen-sensei, so how could their strength have increased so quickly!?

However, upon closer reflection, it seems to be true what she said. During the Fujian Youth Chef Competition, the opponent defeated Liu Yu to advance to the top eight. Although they lost in the end, they still demonstrated considerable strength.

Of the current Elite Ten of Totsuki Academy, there seem to be very few who can reliably defeat him...

But what about the others? Do they have that kind of ability?

Erina Nakiri was filled with doubt.

"I don't know about the others, but Kurokiba Ryo's strength is definitely not weak."

He already possessed the skills of a first-class chef before enrolling in Totsuki Culinary Academy, and now he's likely on the verge of becoming a special-grade chef, probably surpassing many of the Elite Ten.

Seeing Erina Nakiri's somewhat surprised expression, Alice Nakiri spoke calmly.

As a contestant who has been competing with Kurokiba Ryo since childhood at the seaside restaurant, she knows Kurokiba Ryo's strength very well; he is much stronger than the Elite Ten.

Although the two hadn't competed for a long time, her opponent's seafood cooking skills still left a deep impression on her.

Even though she has made great strides thanks to Shirai-sensei's guidance, she still has to admit that Kurokiba Ryo is a very talented and strong person. During her time at Totsuki, she must have also made considerable progress.

Alice Nakiri was undoubtedly reassured that he would represent Totsuki Academy in the school exchange competition.

"You actually trust his abilities so much? This Kurokiba Ryo must be quite powerful."

Hearing Alice's somewhat nostalgic words, Erina Nakiri looked at the list again, a sense of curiosity rising in her heart.

She realized that she might have underestimated this year's freshmen; there were quite a few talented individuals among them, just like herself.

"Regardless of their strength, anyone who wants to represent Totsuki will inevitably have to go through an elimination tournament. That's when we'll know whether they are true heroes or just all show and no substance."

Although she believed Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri maintained a calm expression and spoke in a seemingly profound manner.

"You're right. Whether Professor Hakugen's decision is correct depends on whether they can withstand the challenge. Someone has already gone to challenge Yukihira-kun."

Seeing the sudden commotion in the crowd, Alice Nakiri's lips curled up slightly, and a look of excitement appeared in her eyes.

"A challenge? Is Yukihira here too?"

Upon hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Erina Nakiri showed interest. She then scanned the scene and quickly spotted Soma Yukihira, who was surrounded by a crowd and prevented from leaving.

“Such a big thing, they will definitely all come to check the situation. Not only Yukihira Soma, but also Kurokiba Ryo, Hayama Akira, and Takumi Aldini are all here. Everyone is surrounded.”

As the circular formation that had unknowingly gathered around Soma Yukihira and the others, a mysterious smile appeared on Alice Nakiri's face.

"Let's go watch the game."

"Ah."

Unaware of what these people were saying, Soma Yukihira's face darkened with anger, and he strode quickly toward the direction of the starry sky.

Seeing this, Alice Nakiri turned to Erina Nakiri and Hisako Shinoto beside her and said.

At the same time, a group of people gathered around also set off, all wanting to see just how capable the person selected from the list really was.

Especially that Yukihira Soma, why is he, a transfer student, allowed to be on the list of participants for the school exchange competition? Doesn't that make them look incompetent?!

At this moment, even Yukihira Soma was somewhat flattered, wondering why his name was on the list. Did Hakugen-sensei think he had unparalleled potential?

That's quite likely!

However, now that the opportunity has come, he cannot simply give it up, otherwise he would be letting down Teacher Bai Yuan's cultivation!

A dozen minutes later, the group arrived in the starry sky.

Due to limited space, not all challengers can appear at the same time.

Therefore, the competition is conducted in a rotating manner.

"Will Soma Yukihira be the first to appear?"

Looking at the scene in the Starry Sky Arena, Erina Nakiri, who had somehow arrived at the VIP audience seats on the second floor, murmured to herself.

"That's normal. After all, he's the most famous among the freshmen on the list, so if people want to test him, they'll start with him."

Alice Nakiri moved a chair over and sat down next to Erina Nakiri, speaking casually.

"How did you get up here!?"

Upon seeing the sudden appearance of Alice Nakiri, Erina Nakiri showed a surprised expression.

"What's wrong? This place is so big, isn't there even a place for me?! Erina is so stingy."

Hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Alice Nakiri rolled her eyes speechlessly. It's just going to the VIP seats on the second floor, why is it like she did something wrong?

"This is a place only the top ten can come up to; ordinary students are not allowed to come up here."

"Sometimes I find it rather boring to be such a rule-abiding person like you. Now that I'm up here, is anyone going to kick me off? Hisako, you can sit down too."

As she spoke, Alice Nakiri patted the chair next to her and then called for Hisako Shinoto, who had been standing next to Erina Nakiri without a chair, to sit down.