Food Captive: Join the chat group Chapter 083

Setsuno’s Kitchen.

Jiro and Setsuno meticulously observed a peculiar giant egg, their expressions serious.

When Qin Zhou and his group brought the giant egg to Setsuno, Jiro, who had just gone to fetch sake, was also present.

“Jiro-kun, do you remember the creature Frohze-sama mentioned?” Setsuno’s expression was a little moved.

If she wasn’t mistaken, it should be that one.

“I remember. In ancient times, the Eight Kings were the strongest beings on Earth, but there were other creatures that could contend with them. One of them was the Frost Phoenix,” Jiro nodded.

Setsuno then explained to Qin Zhou and the others.

In ancient times, there was a mythical bird called the Frost Phoenix, known as the King of Frost. Its power was comparable to that of the Eight Kings, capable of freezing stars with its breath, and possessing an unparalleled graceful form.

However, the Frost Phoenix was said to be somewhat reclusive, or in common terms, a bit of a homebody. It wouldn’t actively participate in any conflict unless disturbed.

Neither she nor Jiro had ever seen such a creature; it was too reclusive. They never expected it to appear in Ice Hell.

There was only one Frost Phoenix, or at least only one had been sighted. In recent centuries, no one had seen it, and those who knew of it assumed it had gone to space.

Qin Zhou had considered a dragon egg, but never a phoenix egg.

Since only one had been sighted, the egg likely contained that very one. After all, phoenixes could undergo nirvana, and perhaps it had transformed into an egg through this process.

Atashino had truly stumbled upon a treasure—a king from ancient times.

However, it was uncertain whether the Frost Phoenix, upon hatching, would consider them enemies.

“Atashino, since your Food Luck led you to it, that means it chose you. Nurture it well; it will become a good partner for you. This is your destiny together.”

Setsuno said with a smile, and Atashino nodded.

Qin Zhou thought of the rejuvenating Soup Jelly, and everything made sense now—why the soup could make people young again.

Nirvana, cellular rebirth—that red, amber-like gelatinous substance must be the blood of the Frost Phoenix, solidified over a long period.

“Atashino, how about we make this dish our soup dish? You haven’t decided on your soup dish yet, have you?” Qin Zhou asked with a smile.

“Is that alright?” Atashino was slightly surprised.

Qin Zhou had discovered the dish; she hadn’t even noticed it at the time.

“What’s the big deal? If your Food Luck hadn’t led you to this egg, we probably would have missed the dish beneath.”

“Let’s name it for now… Frost Phoenix, Amber, Soup…”

“Got it! Soup Dish—Frost Phoenix Amber Broth.”

Since no one had discovered it before, they naturally had the right to name it. Qin Zhou and his group held the naming rights.

“Mm, that name works.”

The Frost Phoenix Amber Broth was confirmed as their joint soup dish.

Frost Phoenix Amber Broth—

Capture Level: Estimated 5000 (Due to the extreme rarity of only one Frost Phoenix, its strength comparable to the Eight Kings, the immense difficulty in obtaining its blood, and its rare efficacy.)

Efficacy: Promotes the evolution of Gourmet Cells and rejuvenates aging cells, allowing for a return to youth.

“Master, Mistress, you two should also try it.” Qin Zhou presented the soup dish.

Jiro, upon fully releasing his seals, would revert to his prime, but Setsuno, aside from flashbacks of her youth, never appeared young even by the end of the series.

Qin Zhou had several theories: perhaps because Jiro was in his elderly form, Setsuno also maintained her elderly appearance; or perhaps her mindset wasn’t that of a young person anymore; or there were other reasons.

“Itadakimasu x 2.”

The two smiled and accepted, tasting their disciple’s menu dish. A rich, wild flavor surged through their mouths, more impactful than even Century Soup. What an astonishing presence!

Their Gourmet Cells cheered; it was an experience they hadn’t had in hundreds of years.

“Hmm?”

“This is…”

Jiro was surprised to find that his seals were still active, yet his body had become younger. This sensation wasn’t something he controlled; it was a cellular transformation. What a miraculous dish.

“Jiro-kun, you’re so handsome~”

Setsuno covered her face, blushing like a young girl. And indeed, her current appearance was very youthful; her circular bun hairstyle had become twin pigtails, and her hunched body straightened.

Both of them had transformed into vibrant young adults.

“This…”

Atashino’s mouth hung open. It was too incredible. She had drunk it before, but since she was already young, there hadn’t been much change. However, Jiro and Setsuno had truly returned to their youth.

“Setsu, you’ve also become so young,” Jiro remarked.

This return to youth was entirely a spontaneous cellular change, undergoing nirvana, unless they forcefully stopped the process.

They hadn’t particularly cared about being young or old, but becoming young again truly felt wonderful.

“Granny Setsuno…”

Atashino looked at the youthful Setsuno, finding it a bit hard to use her previous address.

“Hohoho, call me what you called me before, it’s fine,” Setsuno didn’t mind.

They were only physically younger, not mentally.

“Thank you, Xiao Zhou.”

Now, her thoughts were the same as Jiro’s: to wear the clothes from centuries ago, go capture ingredients, and relive old times.

Qin Zhou smiled and nodded, then left with Atashino, not wanting to disturb their private moment.

…

[Monkey D. Kizaru]: “Qin Zhou, here’s the Devil Fruit you wanted, a normal Paramecia-type, the Coffee Candy Fruit?”

Devil Fruits were hard to come by. Unless they were put up for auction, if they suited someone, or if their abilities were powerful and rare, they were usually eaten immediately upon acquisition.

He had visited several pirate crews to procure this ordinary Devil Fruit. After consumption, the body could turn into coffee candy. While it didn’t boost combat power significantly, it was still a Devil Fruit.

[Star Forger]: “No problem, thanks. Send it over.”

Qin Zhou didn’t need a specific ability; he wanted to study the structural mechanics of Devil Fruit abilities, so any type was fine.

[Ruan Dianmei]: “Qin Zhou, send me half. I’m a bit interested in this Devil Fruit.”

[Star Forger]: “No problem.”

Anyway, a Devil Fruit could be cut without issue before being eaten.

[Star Forger]: “Kizaru, a heads-up: in a few years, the World Government will make a move against Vegapunk, and you’ll be involved in that operation.”

[Monkey D. Kizaru]: “…I understand.”

Kizaru’s sunglasses glinted, making his expression unreadable.

“Phew…”

He let out a long breath, seemingly having made a decision. Kizaru took out a Den Den Mushi and dialed a number he hadn’t contacted in a long time.

Bzzzt bzzzt…

Click.

“Dragon, I have something to tell you.”

“Oh? Borsalino, it’s been years since we last spoke. I miss those days.”

“No time for idle chat. I need you to save someone in a few years, someone your Revolutionary Army would be interested in: Vegapunk.”

Kizaru knew that Vegapunk, listed on the World Government’s death list, would be difficult to keep alive.

Regarding the Revolutionary Army, he understood Dragon and knew they wouldn’t be uninterested in a genius like Vegapunk.

As an Admiral, he was often constrained, but now that he knew, he had to do something. Since it was a future event, he had time to manipulate the situation.

“…I understand. We can discuss the details when there’s an opportunity.”

Dragon responded briefly, then hung up the Den Den Mushi. The longer the call, the easier it was to be exposed.