Just like he told Tsunade earlier, Takuya's customers were people with dreams and goals.
And those goals didn't always mean power.
Behind the counter, Teuchi busied himself with intense focus. Clearly, Takuya's words—and his seemingly close relationship with Tsunade—had stirred up Teuchi's competitive spirit.
As a ramen-obsessed chef, his goal was simple: to make ramen that customers would love.
Pure, but firm.
"Please enjoy," Teuchi said, placing a steaming bowl of ramen in front of Takuya.
He wore a confident smile.
From ingredients to timing, this was his best effort—perfect in every way.
"Meow." Sitting on Takuya's shoulder, Himeko stretched her neck and sniffed the bowl, then gave it a very obvious look of disgust.
Yes. Disgust.
Despite her fluffy kitten face, she somehow managed an absurdly human expression—like a picky little girl being forced to eat vegetables she hated. Her deep violet-blue eyes made it even more vivid.
Teuchi's expression twitched.
Do cats even eat human food?
But then again, some ninja brought dogs here... surely the aroma of meat should at least get some approval?
Takuya didn't care about Teuchi's feelings and didn't bother with local customs like "I humbly receive this food." He simply scooped up a spoonful of broth and tasted it carefully.
The moment it touched his tongue—
His eyebrows furrowed.
Teuchi's heart tightened.
"If you're gonna say it's bad, at least give a reason," Tsunade said, resting her chin on her hand and watching with amusement. "I think Teuchi's ramen is even better than before."
Takuya shook his head with a small smile and put down the spoon.
"It's not bad. It's just... compared to the ramen I've had, this is average at best."
He was being honest. The flavor was definitely good—but it lacked that soul-shaking, reality-shattering intensity of ramen from the Food Wars world.
"Hey, old man!" Naruto suddenly stood up, angry. "Tsunade-neesan already said ramen outside the village isn't as good! You're just being a hater!"
"Naruto!" Sakura quickly yanked him down.
This guy came with Tsunade-sama. Who knows who he is, but judging by that tailored suit, he had to be someone important.
"That's not a real reason," Tsunade said with a smirk. "Unless you can prove it."
She was probably the only one here who truly believed what Takuya said.
After all, he was from another world.
But that didn't mean she'd back him up. Seeing this too-calm man eat some humble pie could be fun.
"Yeah, prove it!" Naruto yelled, still struggling in Sakura's grip.
Teuchi was like a second dad to him—besides Iruka-sensei, nobody treated him better.
"If you want proof, how about a taste for yourself?" Takuya said calmly.
"You're gonna cook?" Tsunade raised a brow.
"No." Takuya looked at Teuchi. "As a regular chef, you've reached the peak of the ordinary. But beyond that lies a vast world of cuisine. Are you ready to see it?"
Takuya's entire aura shifted.
Solemn. Grand.
And mysterious.
Even Naruto went silent under that atmosphere, fists clenched tightly. He felt nervous, without knowing why.
After a long pause, Teuchi finally exhaled.
"True cuisine, huh?" He straightened his apron and respectfully nodded. "If it exists, then yes. I want to see it."
"Even if it shatters your faith in cooking?" Takuya asked again.
"A chef who fears challenge will never improve," Teuchi replied.
"Then—"
Takuya raised his hand and gently waved.
In an instant—
A covered ramen bowl appeared on the counter out of thin air.
What the—!?
Teuchi's eyes widened. The others all jumped in surprise.
"What is this? A magic trick?" Naruto stared at the bowl, then back at Takuya, trying to figure out how he hid it.
Even Sasuke looked stunned.
There was no smoke, no hand signs, no scrolls.
Nothing.
"Try it," Takuya said calmly.
This bowl came from the Food Wars world—handmade by the legendary Demon of Cuisine, Senzaemon Nakiri. It was the pinnacle of ramen.
Teuchi's heart thudded in his chest.
He reached out, carefully touching the bowl.
Perfect temperature.
As if it had just been cooked.
He glanced at Takuya, then clenched his jaw and lifted the lid.
The aroma exploded into the room.
Everyone—everyone—including Sasuke, instinctively took a deep breath, and then—
Gulp.
A perfectly synchronized swallow from every single person there.
"What is this smell..."
Naruto's drool flowed freely. His eyes were locked on that bowl like a starving man spotting gold.
Teuchi trembled, eyes filled with disbelief and excitement.
"This broth... it's flawless." He stared at the ramen like it was a divine relic. "No murkiness at all, crystal-clear, yet mouthwateringly rich. And these noodles, the arrangement of the pork slices... What is this meat...?"
Teuchi loved ramen with all his soul.
Thirty years of his life had been poured into it.
But now—it felt like tasting ramen for the very first time.
"Ramen has a short window of peak flavor," Takuya reminded.
"Right!" Teuchi snapped back to reality.
Carefully, reverently, he scooped a spoonful of broth and sipped.
Everyone watched him, holding their breath.
Then—
Tears.
"It's like... being held by a mother," Teuchi whispered, body trembling, tears streaming down his face. But he smiled—a smile of overwhelming happiness. "This taste... this magic... So this is true ramen..."
Perfect.
Takuya smiled inwardly.
Looks like the new Gourmet Jar series just found its first buyer.
Now, the only question was—
How much was Teuchi willing to spend?