Although Zed's progress disrupted Jirō's plan, Jirō adjusted the teaching schedule accordingly.
However, Jirō did not expect Zed's progress to accelerate even further.
This was due to Zed's companions. Under Granny Setsuno's guidance, Erina and Hisako shifted their focus from memorizing food information to honing their culinary skills.
Having the opportunity to learn from Granny Setsuno was rare, so they naturally prioritized skill development over rote memorization.
As a result, their cooking abilities improved rapidly, almost daily. Similarly, Mirajane quickly grasped Knocking techniques under Jirō's tutelage, and her understanding of Food Honor deepened significantly.
Consequently, Zed received multiple rewards in succession, all enhancing his Food Honor, leading to an increase in his soul power.
With stronger soul power, Zed's perception improved rapidly, accelerating his Knocking learning process.
Zed's rapid advancement puzzled Jirō. In short, Zed's progress exceeded his expectations. Nevertheless, Jirō recognized this as a positive development and increased the pace of his teaching.
"In less than three months, you've completed all the advanced Knocking courses."
A few days before the three-month mark, Zed finished studying advanced Knocking, completing the first two stages.
"This is all thanks to Master Jirō's guidance; without it, I wouldn't have reached this level."
Zed spoke sincerely. Without Jirō's instruction, his Food Honor would still improve as his companions advanced, and his soul power would strengthen, enabling him to perceive through soul power. However, this process would take much longer. The key was the Knocking technique. Jirō had mastered advanced Knocking, a skill possessed by only a few worldwide.
Without guidance, it would take Zed a long time to master these techniques independently. However, with Jirō's instruction, Zed saved considerable time. Learning from predecessors is vastly different from self-discovery.
"With your talent, it's just a matter of time. Now that you've nearly mastered the advanced skills, I'll teach you advanced Knocking techniques.
But you should only learn part of these techniques."
"I've mentioned before that at this level; Knocking undergoes significant changes."
"Originally, I thought it would take you longer to reach this level, but it seems I underestimated you."
"I'll explain all the theoretical knowledge of advanced Knocking, but currently, you can only utilize the Grand Knocking and Damage Knocking, and only partially."
"Advanced Knocking also demands high physical fitness, and your Gourmet Cells are still developing."
Jirō explained that besides strong perception, advanced Knocking requires robust physical strength.
Zed understood this well. Some advanced techniques, like Eternal Knocking, would be taxing even for Jirō's body.
Jirō, having perfectly fused with his Gourmet Demon, still faced challenges with such techniques, let alone Zed.
Damage Knocking is manageable, as it seals part of the body's damage and transfers some externally, allowing Zed to use it after learning.
However, Grand Knocking is currently limited for Zed, usable only in a restricted range, suitable for large-scale group applications.
It's not capable of halting the Earth's rotation.
"First, I'll teach you these two techniques. I'll demonstrate once. A brief stop won't alert those beings. Watch closely~~!"
After Jirō tapped himself a few times, his body regained its robust form, and he raised his right fist high.
In the next moment, Jirō's fist struck the ground.
Zed's soul power was fully activated. He sensed Jirō's punch penetrating the Earth, spreading toward its core.
However, Zed's perception range was limited; he couldn't directly detect the Earth's core. The energy Jirō released vanished from his perception instantly. Within a second, Zed felt the Earth momentarily stop.
Although it resumed rotation shortly after, Zed was certain the Earth had indeed halted briefly.
Such a momentary stop didn't significantly impact the Earth in the Gourmet World. The planet had grown 659 times its original size and had been transformed by Gourmet Cells.
Therefore, Jirō's brief halt of Earth's rotation had minimal consequences.
On a normal Earth, even a one-second stop would cause severe effects, like natural disasters, climate changes, and celestial disturbances.
Jirō's action was sensed by powerful beings on Earth.
"President, did the Earth's rotation just stop momentarily?"
At the IGO headquarters, Mansam, reporting to Ichiryuu, noticed the change.
"It's not an illusion. The Earth's rotation did stop briefly. Only Jirō can do that. Isn't he training Zed? Why use Grand Knocking suddenly?"
Ichiryuu was puzzled and called to inquire.
"Did the Earth's rotation stop just now?"
Strong individuals in the BISHOKUKAI also sensed the Earth's change.
"You felt it too? So it wasn't just my imagination!"
"What happened? Why did the Earth's rotation stop? Is the GOURMET SOLAR ECLIPSE approaching?"
Many in the BISHOKUKAI discussed the event. A sudden stop in Earth's rotation, even briefly, was significant.
"This was Jirō's doing; no need concern!"
As discussions continued, a voice—Midora's—intervened. Hearing this, the BISHOKUKAI members, though confused, ceased the topic upon their leader's instruction.
Midora was also curious about Jirō's sudden use of this technique.
Meanwhile, powerful beings in the Gourmet World noticed Earth's change. The EIGHT KINGS simultaneously looked toward the Human World but, after a glance, turned away.
A brief stop in rotation wasn't enough to provoke them.
"The only technique that can stop Earth's rotation is Grand Knocking. Why did Jirō use it now?"
Several BLUE NITRO discussed the matter after sensing Jirō's move.
Jirō's action alerted all top beings on Earth. He's aware of this but proceeded, knowing that while his move would alert other strong beings, it was a minor issue for them.
"This is Grand Knocking. What do you think?"
Jirō asked with a smile after retracting his fist.
"Extensive perception range, strong power diffusion, and precise power control."
Zed shared his observations.
"Sharp intuition!"
Jirō was impressed by Zed's insights.
The explanation of Grand Knocking is straightforward.
First, locate Earth's core, then inject power directly into it.
This completes the technique.
It sounds simple but is challenging in practice.
Locating Earth's core requires a vast perception range. The Earth in the Gourmet World is enormous, necessitating perception over tens of thousands of kilometers.
After locating it, one must send power tens of thousands of kilometers away and accurately hit the target.
This demands exceptional perception, strength, and power control.
Currently, Zed can't achieve this.
His observations were based on understanding Knocking, not direct perception.
After teaching Zed the key points of Grand Knocking, Jirō explained the essentials of Damage Knocking.
Zed was familiar with this technique.
Jirō had used it to defeat a group of BLUE NITRO, sacrificing himself in the process.
Jirō's explanation deepened Zed's understanding. Damage Knocking relates to food.
Food increases the cell's upper limit, allowing more calorie storage.
Many areas in Gourmet Cells remain undeveloped. Damage Knocking forcibly opens these areas to store impact energy.
However, this storage is temporary. After battle, the injuries must be released gradually.
Jirō died from this technique due to excessive sealed damage in his final battle.
The accumulated power, capable of destroying multiple Earths, exploded simultaneously.
Jirō's body couldn't withstand it.
Each cell area's opening position varies, requiring strong perception to locate the switch, making this technique advanced.
The key to Damage Knocking lies in the mouth and is fixed.
Whoever learns it possesses this key.
Zed soon noticed that his Food Honor seemed beneficial for this technique.
When launching food, others' effects fade as cell obstacles restore, releasing stored calories into the air.
Damage Knocking stores damage in cells.
To unlock it, one must forcibly close these opened areas via Knocking.
The stored energy then explodes within the body.
Jirō mentioned that after using this technique, he would gradually close parts of his cells post-battle, releasing the force within tolerable limits.
This way, he wouldn't be injured, provided it's done within a certain timeframe.
Just as food can't last forever, the sealed damage from Damage Knocking is similar. If not released gradually, once cells reach their limit, all damage bursts out instantly.
Zed's soul power can solidify cell obstacles. Similarly, the damage he can endure can be permanently sealed.
Though the damage doesn't disappear, it's akin to missing this vital point.
Considering this, if Jirō in the original story lacked this vital point, perhaps he couldn't defeat Acacia, but Acacia wouldn't easily defeat Jirō either.
Besides these two techniques, Jirō also taught Zed the specific methods of force generation and usage for other advanced Knocking techniques, but Zed couldn't learn them yet.
These techniques require higher cell strength and perception ability.
"..Okay, I've taught you everything I should. It's up to you now."
A few days later, Jirō imparted all his Knocking knowledge to Zed, treating him as his successor.
Zed, familiar with the original work, knew Jirō held nothing back. Unfortunately, he already had a master and couldn't become Jirō's apprentice again.
Three months of study concluded. Zed and others returned to Granny Setsuno's Kitchen, taking along Erina and Hisako, who had also improved significantly.
"Are you saying his Knocking has reached the advanced level?"
After everyone left, Jirō shared recent events with Granny Setsuno. Upon hearing Jirō's account, Granny Setsuno was astonished.