After resolving the issue with the IGO, the group headed straight for the Gourmet Corp.
By the time they arrived, all members had already gathered at the Human World headquarters under Midora's orders.
Now that Midora had chosen to change, he naturally wouldn't allow his subordinates to keep running wild. And he had no intention of letting NEO continue planting people under his banner.
The members of the Gourmet Corp had no idea why they were summoned. But they knew one thing—this order came from Midora himself.
In the past, most directives had come from administrators like Kromad. But whenever Midora gave an order, no matter what they were doing, they had to obey.
So the moment the order was issued, everyone immediately returned to headquarters. They didn't know the reason—but if it was Midora's command, they would follow it.
"Chef Manager, what is the meaning of this? We are in the middle of preparations for the Cooking Festival!"
Tommyrod looked at Kromad as he spoke. The younger generation, including him, had been responsible for handling matters related to the Cooking Festival. Once it began, powerful chefs from all over would gather there.
Normally, tracking those chefs down wasn't easy. Especially after the chefs on the World Chef Ranking started disappearing one by one, many had gone into hiding, refusing to show themselves.
Under those circumstances, the Cooking Festival was the perfect opportunity. And yet, everything had been abruptly halted by a single order.
Tommyrod was arrogant, but he wasn't stupid. The IGO wasn't easy to deal with. The Four Heavenly Kings were all formidable opponents. He didn't dare slack off.
"Shut up. Even if you ask me, I don't know. I was summoned back by the BOSS too!"
Kromad was just as confused. They had been preparing for an all-out war with the IGO. The NEO faction had planned to betray both sides during the chaos and dismantle the two organizations from within.
But just as the war was about to begin, everything was suddenly called off.
No matter what, Midora's command had to be followed.
As the crowd buzzed with speculation, Midora suddenly appeared atop the platform at the front.
Alongside him stood Ichiryu, Jiro, and Setsuno.
"The IGO President Ichiryu, the Knocking Master Jiro, and Living National Treasure Setsuno? Why are they here?"
The moment they appeared, everyone's minds went blank. Even Starjun's betrayed a look of shock.
They were supposed to be enemies of their boss. So why were these enemies standing here?
After a brief silence, the entire Gourmet Corp erupted in an uproar.
Midora didn't bother with words.
A terrifying wave of Intimidation crashed down over the crowd.
Under that overwhelming pressure, every single person felt death brushing against their skin. In an instant, the noise died.
Sometimes, presence spoke louder than speech.
"Shut up. You don't need to question this. There are traitors among you. The Gourmet Corp will undergo reform. Anyone who has a problem with that can get out."
Midora remained as domineering as ever. The Gourmet Corp had been built for his sake alone. He didn't care about their opinions.
In the past, he hadn't interfered with their actions. But now that he had decided to change, they would change with him. Those unwilling could leave.
But once they left the Gourmet Corp, the IGO wouldn't show them any mercy.
Ichiryu would never let problematic individuals walk free. He was kind—but that kindness was never extended to the irredeemable, nor to those who had committed unforgivable crimes.
Over the years, criminals captured by the IGO who could still be saved were sent to Shokurin Temple. Those beyond saving paid the price and awaited death.
The IGO had never shown leniency to such people. That was Ichiryu's stance. Kindness didn't mean being a fool.
With Midora's words, the purge began.
The first to be targeted were Joie and Kromad.
Unlike the IGO, however, many within the Gourmet Corp had willingly chosen to follow Joie.
Joie hadn't gone to great lengths to hide. Otherwise, Kuriboh wouldn't have been able to join NEO in the original story. After Kuriboh joined NEO, Joie hadn't even bothered controlling him.
If Joie had truly intended to stay hidden, he would have taken measures to ensure Kuriboh was under his control.
But time was drawing close to the Gourmet Solar Eclipse. The ingredients were about to appear. Joie himself had reached a certain height of power.
He simply didn't care anymore.
People who grew too confident always paid the price.
"You've really got a mess of an organization here. A motley crew of all kinds of trash."
Ichiryu shook his head as he looked over the crowd. He had long possessed information on the Gourmet Corp's core members. Many among them were beyond saving.
Jiro and Setsuno shared the same sentiment.
These people could stir up trouble in the Human World, sure. But once they entered the Gourmet World, the gap in ability would become painfully obvious.
Without the protection of Food Honor, surviving there was nearly impossible.
That was why, in the end, the IGO still had survivors—though many were gravely injured or had their bodies taken over, they could at least be saved.
But what about the Gourmet Corp?
Aside from Starjun, the rest either died or defected. By the later stages, the organization had essentially collapsed.
As the testing continued, the situation within the Gourmet Corp proved far worse than the IGO's.
"Chiyo, isn't it about time you came back? I already know about the Ultimate Resuscitation Ingredient you seek. If you need it later, and we manage to capture it successfully, I'll give you a share."
Setsuno looked at her old acquaintance, Chiyo.
She understood Chiyo's obsession. Back at Shokurin Temple, Chiyo had already caused a scene over it.
Thinking of Chin Chinchin, Setsuno felt a trace of helplessness.
He was someone worthy of respect.
But sometimes, he was just too stubborn.
Setsuno was far older than him, and her mastery of Food Honor had long reached perfection.
But she wasn't rigid. She didn't believe everything had to follow the so-called natural order.
If she had been in his position, she would have agreed to Chiyo's proposal without hesitation.