With Zed's current strength, he was still a little short of dealing with the Wolf Fire Dragon. In the original series, the Wolf Fire Dragon was defeated by Toriko and the other Four Heavenly Kings using a combination of skills.
The timeline for Toriko and the others at that time was around the Four Beasts arc. Each of their Gourmet Cell levels had exceeded level 100, and they had also mastered Food Honor.
However, in Zed's opinion, the strength of the Wolf Fire Dragon should be lower than the state after the fusion of the Four Beasts. After their fusion, the Four Heavenly Kings were overwhelmed and had to use the King Food Dinner appetite fusion to win.
But against the Wolf Fire Dragon, they didn't use that move—only a normal combination of skills. So, the Wolf Fire Dragon wasn't especially powerful. Zed's current Gourmet Cell level wasn't high, but once it reached level 100, with all his other methods, defeating the Wolf Fire Dragon would be simple.
There were many ingredients in the Former 1st Biotope that Zed had yet to eat. He could use those ingredients to quickly raise his Gourmet Cell level to 100, and then go after the Wolf Fire Dragon.
Getting to the Former 1st Biotope wasn't hard for Zed. He had read the original story and knew exactly where it was hidden.
So, he didn't need the Hell Bee to guide him—he could go there directly.
"The Former 1st Biotope? So the one we went to before was a newer version?"
Everyone was surprised after hearing Zed's next plan. It was their first time hearing about the Former 1st Biotope.
"The so-called Former 1st Biotope, also known as Acacia's Kitchen, is actually a ruin left by the Nitro."
"Master Jirō said that the IGO once planned to build a research facility there, but because of the environment, they gave up."
Zed explained. This was what Jirō had told him—the IGO initially designated the area as the 1st Biotope.
"Was the environment that bad for building?"
They thought about the Food Research Institute in the current 1st Biotope, which had many ingredients and served as one of the Human World's lifelines.
"You've been around, so you should know about the Seven Gourmet Wonders."
Zed asked, and several people quickly nodded. The Seven Gourmet Wonders were well-known.
"The Former 1st Biotope is located in the most dangerous area of the Hunger Triangle, one of the Seven Gourmet Wonders.
"It's covered by a terrifying hurricane. Strong people can enter, but transporting ingredients through it is almost impossible.
"Also, the creatures inside usually have a Capture Level above 100. So, the IGO abandoned the idea of building there and even gave up developing the zone entirely."
Zed briefly explained. Although Ichiryuu and others didn't fear the beasts there, the IGO had many ordinary members. It wasn't safe to send them inside.
To protect the ecosystem, the IGO sealed all information about the place. Not many people even knew it existed.
"Level 100 creatures?! Aren't those only in the Gourmet World?!" The girls were shocked by the idea.
Zed clarified, "Most creatures above level 100 live in the Gourmet World, but not all. The Nitro ruins are close to the border, so it makes sense."
"Nitro? Zed, you keep saying Nitro. What exactly is it?"
Mirajane asked, confused.
"Nitro was a special lifeform that existed before humans. They built their own civilization, but suffered a disaster that wiped them out. Now only ruins remain."
" The upper echelons of the Human World controlled and prevented the circulation of the knowledge. Even Toriko and the Four Heavenly Kings didn't know."
"You remember the GT Robots from the Bishokukai? They weren't made to look human because they were modeled after Nitro. It made it easier to connect and study them."
Zed gave the group a basic explanation.
"A civilization from before humans… that's incredible!"
Everyone was stunned again. Zed explained while riding Tatsu toward their destination. He didn't need Hell Bees or transportation. Even fighter jets couldn't fly into the hurricane, but Tatsu could handle it.
Beasts attacked in the hurricane, but Zed and Tatsu were ready.
Even in the sea, Tatsu was fast. After some time, they arrived.
"That hurricane wall is huge… I can't even see where it ends!"
The girls were amazed. Though they had seen many natural wonders in the Human World, this hurricane wall was overwhelming.
It surrounded the entire Former 1st Biotope. Horizontally, it seemed endless. Vertically, it reached the sky.
There were three ways to enter: directly through the hurricane, from the sea bottom, or from the sky.
But only the direct route was practical. Planes couldn't fly high enough, and few humans could fly on their own. The sea route was dangerous because of Gourmet World beasts.
So, the safest way was to go through the hurricane.
Everyone sat on Tatsu's back and went in.
The hurricane was strong. Luckily, Zed used a Spoon move to shield the group. Tatsu's scales resisted the winds with ease.
"Roar!"
Inside, Tatsu roared and spat venom into the sea. A giant creature—part shark, part seahorse—leapt out. It made Tatsu look tiny.
But Zed didn't worry. Size does not always equate power. Tatsu struck with lightning. The monster burned and sank.
Tatsu's venom spread, keeping other creatures away. They crossed the hurricane quickly.
"It's a full kilometer thick. Incredible."
Even after passing through, Zed was shocked. He guessed the hurricane had been created by the red Nitros to protect their home.
It might have been a powerful weapon, like the Lightning Storm from Red Alert, but real.
The Mother Hurricane above the Sixth Continent was even deadlier, created by the Snake King, one of the Eight Kings.
But this hurricane was survivable if your Gourmet Cell level was high enough—and if no sea beasts attacked.
"One kilometer!"
Everyone was speechless again. And then they saw something up ahead.
A massive island like a continent, covered by a dome. From afar, it looked like a giant dinner cover.
"That can't be natural."
Erina Nakiri was stunned.
"It's not. It's a type of shellfish from the Gourmet World—harder than diamond. The Nitro built it as a shield."
Everyone was shocked again. Such power and civilization were hard to believe.
"Let's find the entrance. It's hidden."
Zed had Tatsu head to the dome.
For most people, finding the entrance could take decades. Toriko and his group had found it thanks to Komatsu's Food Luck and guidance.
But Zed used his soul power to locate it quickly.
"Is this really the entrance? It looks just like everything else. Any switches?"
They couldn't see a way in. "No switches. Just walk through—it's an illusion."
Zed stepped forward and passed through the wall.
The girls were amazed. The dome wall was just a visual trick.
Tatsu followed. Luckily, the tunnel was wide enough.
"You're almost filling the whole passage, Tatsu. You'll probably need to exit through the sea."
Zed commented, noticing Tatsu's large size. If he ate more inside, he might not fit later.
Fortunately, large creatures could use sea routes too.
"This material is stronger than diamond—and they used so much. Is that normal in the Gourmet World?"
Mirajane asked.
"Many Gourmet World creatures are huge. The King of Shells, Clam King, one of the Seven Beasts of the Sixth Continent, spans 10 million square kilometers."
"So, these shellfish must be large and abundant."
Zed explained. Even if this one wasn't that big, it came from a huge species.
"Ten million?!"
Everyone fell silent again. No matter how many wonders they saw, something always topped the last.
Finally, they reached the exit.
"The sky? But this cover is sealed… how is there sky?"
Mirajane was stunned. A sky inside a sealed dome—it defied logic.