"You're as perceptive as ever, Gin. I'll leave Daiki in your care."Nakiri Senzaemon's voice was calm, yet the weight behind his words carried unmistakable authority.
Dojima Gin gave a wry smile. "You can count on me. I'll oversee his development personally—and explain the Jade Age Initiative to him. Daiki's the kind of man who doesn't forget those who've helped him. Loyalty runs deep with him."
Senzaemon nodded, fully aware of the bond between the two. Gin had been close to Daiki's family, and there was no one better suited to guide him through the storm ahead.
"Also—consult Muneshige. Nakiri International has done extensive work on supernatural culinary abilities. It might help you understand Daiki's powers better."
That final suggestion came just as Senzaemon was about to hang up. Gin blinked, then nodded slowly.
"Right... I'd almost forgotten about Munee."
Gin was a chef to the core—his focus always on the flame, the blade, the dish. He had neither the tools nor the expertise for scientific analysis of supernatural phenomena. But Muneshige Nakiri was a different story.
The Nakiri International branch had been founded not just to expand the family's global culinary influence, but also as a research arm—delving into cutting-edge gastronomic science and the mysteries behind supernatural abilities. It was Muneshige's attempt to challenge the God Tongue's curse from another angle.
And now, perhaps, Daiki was the missing key.
After ending the call with Senzaemon, Gin wasted no time. He contacted Nakiri Muneshige directly, forwarding the same test data and videos. The response was almost immediate.
As for Senzaemon himself, he summoned his aides to retrieve every available file on Daiki. Though he knew the boy in passing—through school reports and family ties—he needed to dig deeper.
He had learned from his past mistakes.
Akihime Nakiri had once seemed perfectly normal—strong, poised, composed. But he had underestimated the weight of the God Tongue's burden on her psyche. When it finally broke her, it had nearly destroyed everything around her, especially Erina.
Her twisted ideals, her emotional detachment—those were the echoes of pain left behind by Nakiri Tsuji, the man who had manipulated her descent.
Senzaemon could not afford another blind spot.
Even if Daiki had no romantic interest in Erina, the two would inevitably interact. If Daiki truly had the potential to counter the God Tongue's flaws, then he would be close to her, perhaps too close. And Senzaemon would not be blindsided again.
As for his daughter, Nakiri Managi—he chose not to tell her yet.
She had seen too many "promising" candidates over the years. Too many false hopes. Each one brought only more disappointment, more pain. Until Daiki's progress reached a point of undeniable success, it was better to spare her heart.
But Senzaemon wasn't the only one shaken by Daiki's awakening.
Not long after his own call, Nakiri Muneshige—having reviewed the data and the footage—called his father back, voice laced with disbelief.
"Is this information accurate?" Muneshige asked.
"It came from Gin. He witnessed it firsthand," Senzaemon confirmed.
A long silence followed, broken only by the faint clicking of Muneshige typing something rapidly on his end.
"Then I'll begin making arrangements immediately. This boy's powers are beyond anything we've ever cataloged. He's off the charts."
Muneshige Nakiri wasn't one to exaggerate. And yet, even he sounded shaken. In a world where most supernatural gifts enhanced a chef's sensory range or instinctual accuracy, Daiki was something else entirely. A walking furnace of culinary destruction—and precision.
Back at Nakiri International headquarters, Muneshige packed a travel case and began reorganizing project schedules. His next call was to someone even more important—his daughter.
Alice Nakiri blinked at the message: Return to Totsuki. Departure moved up. Priority: High.
"What's going on? Why the sudden change?" Alice asked when she finally reached her father.
Muneshige looked at her across the video call, then hesitated, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"It's important. Something... or someone. You'll understand soon."
Alice raised an eyebrow. "Someone?"
He offered only a cryptic smile. "Let's just say the Jade Era may have found its vanguard."
After all, there was no need to keep it a secret.
Daiki's supernatural ability wasn't something that could be hidden forever. Once he began participating in public cooking battles or practical assessments, the whole culinary world would witness it sooner or later.
Besides—Muneshige Nakiri had his own reasons for letting the news circulate, especially to his daughter.
A power like Daiki's was rare, even among the top tiers of the culinary elite. Muneshige had seen his fair share of prodigies and anomalies—but this boy... this boy had the potential to dominate the culinary world, just like her.
And if Alice could form a bond with Daiki early—friendship, partnership, rivalry, whatever form it took—it could only benefit her future. Even if nothing romantic developed, a relationship with someone of Daiki's caliber would elevate Alice's path immeasurably.
As for Kurokiba Ryo, Muneshige didn't deny that the boy had talent. In terms of raw culinary aggression and technique, Ryo was a beast. But... that was where it ended. His emotional volatility, lack of polish, and narrow focus worried Muneshige.
Daiki, on the other hand, showed balance—discipline, control, and a supernatural gift that could rewrite the laws of fire-based cuisine. From what Muneshige had seen so far, Daiki surpassed Ryo in nearly every category. Naturally, his instincts pulled him toward Daiki.
When Alice finally questioned him about the abrupt change in her schedule, he decided to answer honestly. Not fully, but enough to spark her curiosity—which he knew would do the rest.
And he was right.
As Muneshige explained Daiki's abilities in broad strokes—the superheated steam, the controlled ignition, the touch that rivaled the God Tongue—Alice's eyes began to sparkle with interest. She leaned forward, the corners of her lips curling into a grin.
"Wait... steam that can melt steel? And a tactile sense that accurate? Are you serious, Dad?"
Muneshige gave a measured nod. "Serious enough that your grandfather and Dojima Gin are both personally overseeing his development."
Alice straightened up, arms crossed, eyes gleaming. "...I want to meet him."
Just as expected. Her curiosity was a furnace of its own.
But while Alice buzzed with scientific fascination and anticipation, Kurokiba Ryo—standing off to the side with his usual slouch—remained silent for a moment.
Then he cracked his neck.
"He sounds strong," Ryo said, voice low. A faint grin tugged at his lips. "I want to cook against him."
There it was—the shark's instinct. Ryo wasn't particularly social, and he didn't care for strategic relationships. But the moment he heard about a powerful chef, his battle instinct flared. For him, the kitchen was a battlefield. And someone like Daiki? He was a worthy opponent.
Muneshige raised an eyebrow but didn't look surprised. He had counted on this reaction too.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
"Where is he?" Ryo asked simply.
"Back at Totsuki. Dojima Gin is handling his integration. You'll meet him soon enough."
Ryo gave a curt nod. Alice, on the other hand, was already tapping into her tablet, pulling up files, research logs, anything she could find.
"Hmm... no images? No detailed reports? I'll need to see for myself."
Muneshige chuckled softly. "You will. But keep in mind—this isn't a competition. At least not yet. The Jade Era plan is still evolving, and Daiki may be the cornerstone of the entire project."
That caught both Alice and Ryo's attention.
"You think he can fix the God Tongue?" Alice asked, voice soft but serious now.
"I don't know," her father admitted. "But if anyone has a shot, it might be him."
The room fell into thoughtful silence.
For a moment, they weren't just chefs—they were part of something much larger. A shift in the world of cuisine was coming, and they were standing at the edge of the fire, waiting to see what emerged.
And in the center of it all... was Daiki.
..patreon Seasay