Chapter 54: A Complete Victory
"…Incredible."
A pure, unfiltered admiration spilled from Yukihira Soma's mouth.
His eyes were fixed on the chef who was simultaneously preparing three dishes—Santoku Shogo. The way he finished one task after another and moved across the station looked almost like a beautiful dance. Every movement was efficient, with no wasted motion or loss of time between steps. It was so smooth it seemed as if every action had been predetermined from the very beginning.
"S-Santoku-kun… That's amazing…! Just making three dishes at once is hard enough, but to handle such complex cooking…"
Tadokoro Megumi murmured in disbelief, her eyes filled less with envy and more with a hint of fear.
Only Nakiri Erina showed no surprise at the inhuman technique on display.
"He's handling three complex dishes simultaneously… As expected of Shogo-kun."
"B-But how is he so fast!? He's working alone, yet his pace isn't any slower than the three on the opposing team!?"
"…She's right. Shogo's always been fast, but this feels like something more."
Soma narrowed his eyes in agreement with Tadokoro. His skill was obvious, but speed alone couldn't explain it.
"Just as Yukihira-kun said, Shogo-kun is operating on a completely different level. It's not simply that his work is fast—it's far more than that."
Erina affirmed Soma's doubt while calmly elaborating.
"In his match against Shiratsu, he's using 'eel.' Against Kaburagi, 'beef.' And against Kamimase, 'cheese.' Shogo-kun is linking all three dishes together, reducing cooking time while simultaneously elevating the flavor of each one."
"Reducing cooking time…"
"While raising the flavor…?"
Keeping Erina's explanation in mind, Soma and Tadokoro once again followed Shogo's movements with their eyes.
He poured the dashi he had likely made for the eel dish straight into the frying pan to form the base for the Japanese-style sauce for the beef. He used the oil left from searing the beef to stir-fry vegetables for the pizza toppings. He created a special sansho pepper blend that brought out the cheese's flavor, enhancing the eel dish.
There wasn't a single wasted action.
Within his never-stopping movements, Soma and the others witnessed a level of technique that sent chills down their spines. They finally understood what Erina meant by "not cooking three dishes at the same time, but cooking three dishes simultaneously." At the same time, their reason rejected it as impossible. The theme ingredients had only just been decided moments ago—there was no way anyone could successfully pull off such tightrope adjustments on the fly.
Three dishes were simultaneously elevating each other's flavors and heading toward completion.
Indeed, with that method, even cooking alone, it was possible to complete three dishes within the time limit. The only real problem was that, aside from one person, no chef in existence possessed such skill.
"…What the hell is that?"
"H-How is that even possible…?"
"You two don't need to feel discouraged. …Because that—is Santoku Shogo."
The two-hour time limit arrived, and all the dishes were completed.
The Council of Ten side's dishes were, without question, of exceptionally high quality—true works of gourmet cuisine.
But the Tyrant crushed them all.
He destroyed their confidence, their pride, their dignity, and everything they had as chefs with an overwhelming difference in skill.
Santoku Shogo [3] – [0] Kaburagi Shoko
Santoku Shogo [3] – [0] Shiratsu Jurio
Santoku Shogo [3] – [0] Kamimase Minuki
A complete victory in every match by unanimous decision.
The only person still standing at the cooking station when the battle between four ended was Santoku Shogo.
"…U-Uwaaah…"
"…S-Splendid…"
"As expected… you really are my god…!"
Without even sparing a glance at the three who had collapsed to the floor, Shogo stepped down from the station. His expression was slightly refreshed.
After giving high-fives to Erina and the others to celebrate the victory, he naturally turned a mocking smile toward Nakiri Azami, who had been watching from the stands.
With Santoku Shogo's complete victory in the 1st Bout—the Rebel Alliance claimed victory.
Shogo's accumulated stress had been greatly relieved.
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"…How irritating."
Nakiri Azami walked down the corridor connected to the arena with a sour expression. He bit the nail of his thumb like a child, his brow furrowed deeply as anger radiated from him.
The reason was obvious: the 1st Bout that had just concluded. The result could only be described as a complete defeat, and Azami was seething. More than anything, the fact that Santoku Shogo was the one responsible for that outcome only heightened his displeasure. The condescending look Shogo had clearly directed at him was still burned into his mind and refused to leave.
"…You really are dangerous. Santoku Shogo."
In the empty corridor, Azami's voice echoed with pure hatred.
The composed, confident facade he had shown in front of the large crowd of students had completely crumbled. Azami's hatred burned solely toward Santoku Shogo.
The level of danger was exactly as he had expected. The level of skill was exactly as he had expected. If he allowed him to run wild any longer, there was a very real possibility of total annihilation.
Azami stopped walking and let out a long breath. He took out his phone from his inner pocket and dialed a registered contact to calm himself.
This was a battle he could not afford to lose under any circumstances. To win it, he would choose any means necessary.
Azami cast aside his pride—and resolved to eliminate Santoku Shogo.
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