141: Tasting Pufferfish and Whale

After Lin Luo precisely designated the location of the poison sac, although Komatsu wasn't as swift as him, he also smoothly completed the preparation of the Puffer Whale. Seeing this, Toriko could no longer contain himself and urged Komatsu to cook a few more. About twenty minutes later, five Puffer Whales had been processed in succession and were neatly arranged to the side.

"These fresh Puffer Whales are perfect for sashimi, and I want to try them all—fried, stir-fried, boiled, and roasted!" Toriko rubbed his hands in excitement. "I'll prepare the Fin Liquor."

Komatsu nodded in agreement. "No problem, I'll handle the sashimi first." He began to slice the fish with practiced skill; the fish slices, as thin as a cicada's wing, were carefully arranged on a large leaf, looking like a blooming flower.

On the other side, Toriko took out the brandy he carried with him and a portable cassette stove to start warming the liquor. Once the liquor was slightly warm, he shouted to Komatsu, "Help me cut some Dorsal Fins."

"Coming right up." Komatsu briskly cut off several translucent Dorsal Fins and handed them over.

Toriko placed the Dorsal Fins over the flame to lightly toast them. Coco reminded him from the side, "The Dorsal Fins have a rich aroma; a light roasting is enough. It would be a pity to overcook them."

"Understood." Toriko focused on flipping the Dorsal Fins. Before long, a sweet fragrance filled the air. He stopped immediately, placed the slightly charred Dorsal Fins into a cup, and slowly poured in the warm brandy.

"Glug—glug—"

The moment the Dorsal Fins touched the liquor, tiny bubbles rose from the bottom of the cup and rippled across the surface. The richness of the brandy and the sweetness of the Dorsal Fins achieved a perfect Fusion, creating a unique and charming aroma that lingered in the air for a long time.

"It smells so good..." Toriko took a deep breath with his eyes closed, unable to help swallowing his saliva. Resisting the urge to taste it, he turned and asked, "Komatsu, are you ready? The Fin Liquor is done."

"Almost ready!" Komatsu arranged the last few slices of sashimi and waved to Tina, who was still filming. "Come join us."

Tina shook her head while holding the camera. "You guys eat first; these shots are very precious."

Coco smiled helplessly. "I'm actually not used to being filmed..."

"Don't worry, Mr. Coco, I'll be careful not to film your face directly," Tina promised.

By then, Toriko was already drawn to the sashimi arranged like a flower. "Wow! So beautiful!" Coco took the opportunity to pour the Fin Liquor into four cups and handed them to everyone.

"A toast to our successful capture of the Puffer Whale!" Toriko raised his glass high.

"Cheers!" The four of them responded in unison.

Lin Luo touched the glass to the tip of his nose, and the rich aroma of the liquor wafted toward him. Taking a small sip, the spiciness of the brandy skillfully brought out the sweetness of the Dorsal Fin, making the body of the liquor even richer.

"This is delicious!" He couldn't help but drain the glass in one gulp.

Toriko and Komatsu were also intoxicated by this wonderful taste. "This liquor is really amazing," Toriko murmured. "The sweetness of the fin blends with the strong liquor, leaving an endless aftertaste."

Tina noticed that Coco hadn't touched his glass and asked curiously, "Won't Mr. Coco try some?"

Coco explained with a smile, "I have a low tolerance for alcohol. If I get drunk, I'm afraid I won't be able to control the toxins in my body."

After tasting the Fin Liquor, Toriko impatiently turned his attention to the sashimi. He clasped his hands together in a devout prayer: "Grateful for all the ingredients in this world, let's eat!" With that, he picked up a large handful of fish slices with his chopsticks, and a corner of the exquisite arrangement instantly disappeared.

Lin Luo followed suit and picked up a large chopstickful, causing the originally beautiful presentation to immediately fall into disarray. Seeing this, Tina cried out, "Oh! Slow down, you two! The plating is being ruined!"

Coco shook his head with a laugh. "Such crude eating habits; really no class."

Toriko and Lin Luo didn't care at all, their hearts and eyes entirely on the delicacy before them. Toriko put the fish slice into his mouth, and his eyes instantly lit up. Tina quickly pointed the camera at Lin Luo. "Quick, tell us how it tastes?"

Lin Luo closed his eyes to savor it, an enchanted look appearing on his face. "Incredibly sweet, the texture of this fat is exquisite—like the perfect combination of top-tier Mink Whale pork belly and Black Tuna belly meat. The more you chew, the more fragrant it becomes; it's truly unforgettable."

"It is indeed delicious," Toriko agreed while chewing. "The more you chew, the better it gets. Even though my jaw is getting sore from chewing, I simply can't stop."

Coco nodded as he savored it slowly. "The aroma is gradually released during chewing, and layers of deliciousness emerge. It truly has a long-lasting aftertaste."

Seeing Tina looking like she was about to drool while staring at the food, Lin Luo amusedly picked up a slice of sashimi and handed it over. "If you've filmed enough, come and try some."

Tina gladly accepted. After taking a small bite, she marveled, "This taste is like the bottomless ocean! No wonder it still circulates on the Black Market even after being poisoned; it truly is a 'delicacy to try before you die'."

As the Puffer Whale went down, Lin Luo felt his entire body's cells seemingly soaked in a gentle warm current, feeling incredibly comfortable. Looking at Toriko and Coco, their previous fatigue had been swept away, and they looked refreshed.

"Amazing!" Toriko exclaimed as he moved his shoulders. His previous fatigue had vanished like it was carried away by the tide. "The muscle soreness is completely gone, and I'm as energetic as if I just woke up! I'd heard long ago that Puffer Whale can strengthen the body, but I didn't expect the effect to be so significant!"

This immediate recovery effect boosted everyone's spirits, and the new round of aromas gradually filling the air pushed this feast to another climax. Komatsu's figure was busy in front of the temporary stove; the sizzling of frying, the bubbling of stewing, and the hissing of rising steam intertwined into a mouth-watering symphony.

"Sorry to keep everyone waiting!" Komatsu's voice carried uncontrollable excitement as he carefully carried the clay pot of the final stewed Puffer Whale dish to the 'dining table' served by a flat stone slab.

At this moment, the Puffer Whale feast deep within the cave finally ushered in its most abundant and passionate chapter.

The air was no longer just the single scent of liquor or the sweetness of sashimi. The charred aroma of fat bursting under high heat, the rich and fresh scent brought out by the continuously boiling broth, the warm oiliness wrapped in the crispy coating of fried food, and the subtle but hard-to-ignore misty steam and original flavor of the steamed dish... all sorts of aromas intertwined, forming an invisible and tempting net that enveloped everyone.

"Here it is! Fried Puffer Whale chunks, paired with a bit of simple salt and pepper and lemon juice." Fine beads of sweat were on Komatsu's brow, but his eyes were incredibly bright—the pure joy of a chef seeing rare ingredients perfectly transformed in his hands.

The golden fried chunks were piled on another large leaf. The crispy crust was uneven and fried just right; one could imagine the light "crunch" when biting down. A few wedges of lime decorated the side.

"This is steamed, using only a bit of salt and a very small amount of the sake I brought to enhance the flavor." A hollowed-out giant seashell served as a container, inside which lay fish meat as white as garlic cloves, soaked in a clear and slightly golden broth, with a few strands of very fine green onion garnishing it, making the meat appear even more moist.

"Pan-seared. Because the Puffer Whale has rich fat, I used very little oil, mainly relying on its own fat." A few slices of fish were seared until the edges were slightly charred while the center remained a tender white color, the surface shimmering with a tempting oily sheen as steam curled upwards.

Finally, there was the stewed pot. In the clay pot, the milky white thick soup bubbled slightly. One could see large chunks of Puffer Whale meat, a few wild mushrooms, and some edible root vegetables floating in the soup, steaming hot and fragrantly fresh.

"Great job, Komatsu!" Toriko's cheer was so loud the cave walls seemed to echo. He had already picked up simple chopsticks carved from tree branches, his eyes scanning back and forth between the dishes as if deciding where to launch his first "attack." "Every single one looks impeccable! I can't wait!"

Coco also showed a rare expression of great anticipation, elegantly picking up his "utensils." "What an amazing comprehensive presentation. chef Komatsu, in such simple conditions, to be able to perfectly showcase the many possibilities of the Puffer Whale, your skill is truly an art."

Tina's camera faithfully recorded close-ups of every dish and the unmistakable longing on everyone's faces. Her own saliva was already secreting faster, but she still professionally captured the footage. "Mr. Komatsu, can you briefly talk about your considerations for the characteristics of Puffer Whale meat when handling different cooking methods?"

Komatsu rubbed his hands a bit sheepishly. "Actually... I just went with my feelings. The meat of the Puffer Whale is very special; the fat is evenly distributed, and the muscle fibers are both elastic and delicate. Making it into sashimi best reflects its original flavor and that wonderful sweetness. For frying, high heat can instantly lock in the juices, and the crispiness of the outer shell will contrast with the tenderness of the inside. Steaming is to taste the purest freshness and tenderness; it has the highest requirement for heat control—one minute too long and it'll be overcooked. Pan-searing uses its own fat to stimulate a richer aroma. As for stewing... I wanted its deliciousness to completely melt into the soup, providing another kind of warm and rich satisfaction."

"Well said! But the theory part ends here!" Toriko waved his hand and clasped his hands together again, his expression even more solemn and devout than before. "Grateful for nature's bounty, grateful for Komatsu's skillful hands, let's eat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, his chopsticks struck out, targeting the golden fried chunks. He picked up a piece and, without even dipping it in much seasoning, put it directly into his mouth.

"Crunch—"

The crispy sound was clearly audible. Toriko's eyes instantly narrowed, his cheeks chewing quickly and powerfully. First was the crunch of the crispy shell breaking, followed by the hot, abundant, and amazingly sweet juice exploding in his mouth. The unique deliciousness of the Puffer Whale, accompanied by a perfect sense of oiliness, washed over his taste buds. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the salty and slightly spicy salt and pepper and a hint of lemon's tartness perfectly balanced the greasiness, highlighting the sweetness of the fish itself.

"Mmm...! Delicious! Fried to perfection! The shell isn't thick at all, and the inside is piping hot and juicy. This meat's elasticity! This sweetness!" Toriko praised indistinctly, his hand already reaching for the pan-seared fish slices.

Lin Luo followed closely behind. He first tried the steamed one. Using his "branch chopsticks," he carefully picked up a piece of the fattiest belly meat. The snow-white fish meat trembled slightly. He dipped it in a bit of the clear juice from the bottom of the plate and put it in his mouth.

Extreme tenderness—it was so tender that it felt like it would melt with just a gentle press of the tongue. But strangely, it didn't actually fall apart, still maintaining a subtle elastic texture. The slight saltiness of the salt and the faint fragrance of the sake acted like the most brilliant catalysts, guiding out the ocean-like sweetness and pure freshness from deep within the fish meat layer by layer, slowly spreading and lingering in the oral cavity, with a long-lasting and clean aftertaste without a hint of fishiness.

"This steamed one... the taste is so Advanced." Lin Luo couldn't help but marvel. "It feels like all the flavors are melted into the texture and sweetness of the fish itself; the seasonings are just a backdrop."

Next was the pan-seared fish slice. The slightly charred part brought a wonderful toasted aroma, and the meat inside was slightly firmer than the steamed one but still juicy. Its own fat was seared out, soaking the fish meat and making every bite full of rich and smooth satisfaction. The aroma was more direct and intense—a more impactful deliciousness.

Finally, there was the stew. He took a sip of the soup; it was milky white and rich, piping hot and fresh. The essence of the Puffer Whale seemed to have melted into this single sip of soup, and the earthy fragrance of the wild mushrooms and roots added layers to the flavor. Then he ate a piece of the stewed fish meat; the long cooking time had made the meat soft and tender, almost melting in his mouth. The fresh flavor was completely released, merging with the soup, providing another kind of warm, solid, and comforting deliciousness.

Each dish had its own characteristics, perfectly showcasing the versatility of the Puffer Whale as a top-tier ingredient.

However, when Lin Luo finished a round and subconsciously picked up another slice of sashimi to put into his mouth, that unadorned, direct, and intense fresh sweetness that had first moved him swept over him again.

The fish slices, thin as a cicada's wing, softened slightly at body temperature. When his teeth cut in, he could clearly feel the delicate and vital elasticity of the muscle fibers. Without any seasoning, the most essential essence of the Puffer Whale, nurtured by the ocean, bloomed in layers during chewing—first a crisp sweetness, then a rich fatty aroma, followed by an indescribable, deep underlying freshness. The more he chewed, the more flavorful it became, and the more he could feel that energy that made his entire body's cells vibrate with joy being released.

"As expected..." Lin Luo swallowed the sashimi and looked at the wide array of delicacies on the table, saying sincerely, "Every cooking method is extremely delicious; Komatsu's skill is truly beyond words. But if we're talking about what best embodies the Soul of the Puffer Whale, what most directly allows one to feel that shocking vitality... it's still the sashimi."

"Exactly!" Toriko's mouth was full of food as he nodded vigorously in agreement. Only after managing to swallow did he add, "Frying, searing, and stewing are all super delicious—a different kind of enjoyment. But that primal, explosive sweetness and sense of energy from the sashimi is irreplaceable. It's like the difference between listening to a top-tier instrument solo and enjoying a magnificent symphony; the solo perhaps more directly showcases the essential tone of the instrument."

Coco elegantly tasted each dish and smiled upon hearing this. "A very apt metaphor. Sashimi is the most honest dialogue between the ingredient and the taste buds, while other dishes are wonderful chapters with the addition of culinary art. All are supreme enjoyments, just from different angles. Today, how lucky we are to experience this complete musical movement of gastronomy together."

Tina finally put down her camera and joined the ranks of the gluttons. Every bite she took was followed by a sigh of happiness, and she was almost moved to tears. "So happy... to be able to eat a meal like this in this lifetime... it's worth it..."

Lin Luo felt the warm current constantly gathering in his stomach. That Puffer Whale energy, coming from different cooking methods but from the same source, was nourishing his body more deeply and gently. The previous sensation of cell activation hadn't faded; instead, under this continuous and diverse energy replenishment, it became more stable and solid. He could not only feel the fullness of power and energy but even felt that his five senses seemed to have become a bit sharper. The subtle air currents in the cave, the faint sound of the distant underground river, and even the satisfied breathing rhythms of his companions became clearly discernible.

This was not just a feast for the taste buds but a baptism of life energy.

He looked at his companions, who were still enthusiastically tasting, interacting, and marveling. The firelight reflected on their satisfied faces, and the rich aroma and laughter filled this deep cave, dispelling all the chill brought by darkness and danger.

Delicious food really can bring happiness and strength.

He picked up the now slightly cool Fin Liquor, which still held the last lingering fragrance of the Dorsal Fin, and raised his cup to everyone:

"To this incredible encounter, to this unforgettable delicacy, and to... our journey ahead."

Toriko, Coco, Komatsu, and even Tina, who still had a piece of fish in her mouth, all smiled and raised their respective cups or substitutes.

The crisp sound of clinking, in this palace of gastronomy, was exceptionally pleasant to the ear.

"Cheers!"