Gradually,
the General and Gin Dojima began to enter a marvelous realm.
Within a vast and ethereal environment, the magnificent palace seemed to be draped in a celestial glow bestowed from above.
Upon closer inspection, a graceful Phoenix stood majestically atop the palace.
A few exquisitely carved feathers on its head fluttered in the breeze, gently, so beautiful, and so natural!
Suddenly, this divine bird spread its magnificent wings. Its golden wings shimmered continuously under the glow, so beautiful as to be unreal, truly captivating.
As a result, this never-before-seen beautiful and strange sight caused both the General and Gin Dojima to become somewhat intoxicated.
Chirp! Chirp!
Subsequently, this Phoenix let out a few proud cries.
Such clear and melodious Phoenix cries seemed to be showing off its voice.
Then, with a few 'thump' sounds, it flapped its wings and flew towards the sky.
Seeing this, no matter how empty one's heart might be, it would be filled by the powerful image of this 'Phoenix soaring'!
...
Rip!
By the time the General came back to his senses, his clothes had finally burst.
Immediately after, his eyes, full of vicissitudes, remained fixed on the Phoenix in front of him, which had a few feathers eaten.
Finally, he could no longer bear it and picked up his chopsticks, frantically grabbing bean sprouts and stuffing them into his mouth.
"General,"
"You have to leave some for me. Don't eat it all by yourself."
Watching the General beside him not only burst his clothes but also displayed such a disheveled eating manner,
Gin Dojima's mood became both surprised and flustered.
He had not expected that this dish could instantly conquer the General and make him burst his clothes.
But in that sudden moment, the plate of bean sprout dish in front of him was decreasing at a visible speed! Gin Dojima shivered, quickly picked up his chopsticks, and began to snatch bean sprouts from the General.
Thus, at the Izakaya, two burly men appeared, acting like three-year-old children.
They were comically fighting over a little bit of delicious snack!
...
After a short while,
the entire plate of Phoenix Crystal dish was eaten by the two of them, leaving not a single crumb.
"Phew!"
"I didn't expect."
"I would also have a time when I would wolf down food and snatch bean sprouts from you, General."
Taking a deep breath, Gin Dojima, still unsatisfied, looked at the empty plate on the table and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
The main ingredients of this Phoenix Crystal dish were nothing more than bean sprouts, potatoes, carrots, minced meat, and so on, but the hidden mysteries within it were truly not something that could be understood just by eating it.
First, this dish definitely required extremely high knife skills, and the chef needed to possess proficient carving abilities.
Then there was the hands-on weaving and artistic talent, especially wanting to carve and weave a standing Phoenix using bean sprouts, potatoes, and so on, which was truly not easy!
"Masters."
"Are often found among the common people."
"Shopkeeper, your Phoenix Crystal dish is exceptionally good."
"I truly didn't expect someone of your age to possess such superb culinary skills and abilities; it truly amazes me!"
At this moment, Gin Dojima looked deeply at Sosuke and finally couldn't help but speak in a particularly complimentary tone.
"It's just an ordinary bean sprout dish, but to be able to win such praise from someone like you, a Chef Director, is also my, Sosuke's, honor."
Sosuke said with a light smile.
Although he appeared calm on the surface, his heart was still somewhat elated at this moment.
After all, making a dish from bean sprouts, potatoes, minced meat, and so on, and then astonishing the strongest person in Totsuki, was still quite interesting to think about.
...
"I am also a chef."
"So I deeply know that this kind of cooking is very valuable in the current era."
"And I know that the simplest delicacies, to be done to the extreme, to be visually stunning, are very difficult!"
"As the Shopkeeper of an Izakaya, you can be so meticulous in treating every dish. Especially wanting to present the best side of the dish to the diners, this spirit is truly worthy of my admiration!"
Upon hearing this, Gin Dojima did not hide his thoughts at all and spoke truthfully in front of Sosuke.
Afterward, he slightly turned his head and said to the General, "General, I was a bit shortsighted just now, and I apologize to you here first."
"Hmm!"
"Gin Dojima."
"Undeniably, you are the highest-scoring graduate in Totsuki's history."
"But the times are ultimately moving forward, and the stage will belong to the younger generation."
"People like you and I hold significant positions and influence in today's culinary world, but the old era will eventually come to an end, and the new era is destined not to carry our boat and take us forward!"
At this moment, the General, who had put on a new set of clothes, spoke earnestly.
...
More than 20 years ago,
at that time, many geniuses represented by Gin Dojima, Joichiro Saiba, Nakamura Azami, and others directly ushered in Totsuki's "Golden Age."
Back then, they were particularly spirited and vibrant at Totsuki.
It was as if the entire future culinary era would be completely changed because of them; they were like those brilliant stars, illuminating the dark sky!
But things are unpredictable, and looking back now,
the experiences and fates of these people later on inevitably make one feel heartbroken and sigh with regret!
"Yes! General, what you said is indeed very true."
"Today's culinary world is already rotten and has long lost its former glory, and our generation finds it difficult to make changes."
Savoring the taste of Phoenix Crystal carefully, Gin Dojima also sighed with emotion.
When Joichiro Saiba reluctantly decided to drop out, it was already destined that the entire culinary world had completely lost hope.
As his close friend, Gin Dojima always felt great regret whenever he thought of that scene.
Jōichirō's tragedy, while certainly due to his personal reasons, was more influenced by the overall environment of the culinary world.
Therefore, he clearly understood that the current culinary world must and should be at a time for innovation.
But for now, looking at any chef in this world, who can take on the responsibility? Who can lead everyone to create a better culinary era?
He recalled that year, when he rejected invitations from 800 famous culinary establishments across the country and chose to work at Far Moon Resort.
The reason was that he valued the strength of Totsuki Group. He believed that in the future, the person who could lead the new era would definitely come from Totsuki Academy!
But it was not until today that he fully realized that such a person was not actually at Totsuki, but in this Izakaya!
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