205: The reckless Toriko

"Sister Kobayashi, are you leaving?"

"You don't need to worry about us."

"Sister Kobayashi, you have to be careful from now on. I heard that the outside world is even scarier than here."

Watching the children gather around Kobayashi Rindō not far away, chattering with immature yet sincere words while their small hands reluctantly tugged at her clothes, Lin Luo couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

This seemingly reckless, prickly red-haired girl had such a soft side and deep bonds in this forgotten corner of the world.

Kobayashi Rindō squatted down and ruffled the messy hair of the little boy closest to her. Her golden eyes rarely shed all their wildness, leaving only gentleness: "Don't worry, you little rascals! Your big sister is very strong! Once I've earned more 'tasty treats' outside, I'll come back to see you!"

The children nodded vigorously, their eyes reddening, but they were all sensible enough not to cry or fuss.

Just then—

Skree—!

A clear, long cry that pierced through the clouds came from high above!

Immediately after, a brilliant golden flash tore through the gray sky of the slums, followed by a massive wind pressure that kicked up dust from the ground. The children could barely keep their eyes open, and the sorrow of parting was temporarily blown away.

"Wow! Look at the sky!"

“W-What a huge bird!”

"It's golden! So cool!"

The voices of reluctance were instantly replaced by cries of shock and curiosity.

The children looked up one after another, forgetting their sadness as they scrambled toward the open space where the golden light was descending.

Phoenix Feather spread its magnificent wings and slowly landed on a relatively open area of ruins at the edge of the slums.

Its massive body flowed with a molten-gold luster under the slanted sunlight. Every feather seemed forged from the purest radiance—elegant, majestic, and divine—forming a soul-shaking contrast with the dilapidated surroundings.

"This is..." Kobayashi Rindō stared blankly.

"Its name is Phoenix Feather, a Radiant Phoenix, a magical creature that lives in thunderclouds. Lin Luo tamed it in the Sky Vegetable Garden, and now it's our partner," Erina explained simply, the divine glow reflected in her purple eyes.

Lin Luo smiled and said to Machi, "Machi, I'll leave things here and at the Casino to you."

Machi nodded solemnly: "Rest assured. I will handle the funds and follow-up matters. Be careful on your journey."

"Let's go." Lin Luo said no more and leapt onto Phoenix Feather. With a wave of his hand, a gentle force lifted the two women and placed them on Phoenix Feather's broad, warm back.

Kobayashi Rindō curiously stroked the golden feathers, not forgetting to turn back and wave vigorously at the children: "Goodbye! Take care!"

"Goodbye, Sister Kobayashi!"

"Goodbye, Big Bird!"

Amidst the children's innocent farewells, Phoenix Feather gave a long cry and flapped its wings, carrying the three of them into the sky like a golden meteor disappearing above the clouds.

High in the sky, the wind howled. Erina and Kobayashi Rindō leaned close to Lin Luo, softly recounting their experiences in this world to each other. Their words were scattered by the wind, only to gather back into shared memories.

Below, the outline of the slums gradually blurred, leaving only that golden light that had once sliced through the sky, seemingly lingering briefly in the children's upward-looking eyes.

IGO Headquarters, Chairman's Office.

Mansam rubbed his shiny bald head, his brow furrowed into a knot. Sitting in the large office chair opposite him was Chairman Ichiryu.

Ichiryu casually tossed a newly delivered briefing onto the polished tabletop, leaned back into his chair, and let out a long sigh, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "That boy Toriko... he's just too reckless."

"Tell me about it!" Mansam's voice was booming, filled with an obvious headache. "Last time, Sunny lost sight of him for a moment, and he slipped off to the edge of the Gourmet World on his own. If he hadn't been discovered in time, he would've almost lost his life there! How long has it been since he settled down? He's doing it again! These youngsters really are more worrying than the next!"

Ichiryu waved his hand, seemingly having accepted this 'normality,' but a deep look flickered in his eyes: "Mansam, there's no need to interfere specifically."

"No need?" Mansam was stunned. "Chairman, that's the Gourmet World! Even if it's just the periphery, it's not a place the current Toriko should be wandering into alone!"

Ichiryu picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face: "That boy Lin Luo... should be heading over there."

"Lin Luo?" Mansam was startled again, then said doubtfully, "He... probably doesn't have the ability to enter the Gourmet World alone yet, right? Although his strength is good, that place is different after all."

"Haha," Ichiryu laughed twice and set down his teacup. "Going deep into the interior might not be possible yet, but wandering around the periphery to bring someone back... is more than enough."

Indeed.

Almost at the same time Ichiryu and Mansam were talking, high in the sky, on the back of Phoenix Feather soaring through the sea of clouds.

The communicator on Lin Luo's wrist vibrated. After connecting, Komatsu's anxious voice immediately came through:

「Mr. Lin Luo! Mr. Toriko... he seems to have run off to the Gourmet World by himself! I have a very uneasy feeling in my heart...」

Lin Luo's brow twitched slightly: 「Toriko? The Gourmet World? That guy... he's practically seeking death.」

Although his tone carried blame, his response held no hesitation: 「Komatsu, don't worry. I'll go drag that brat who doesn't know the heights of heaven back.」

「Really?! Thank you so much, Mr. Lin Luo! I'm counting on you!」 Komatsu's voice was clearly relieved.

Ending the communication, Lin Luo put away the device, shook his head inwardly, and whispered: "He really is a handful..."

Erina and Kobayashi Rindō both looked at him, waiting for an explanation.

"That guy Toriko has charged into the Gourmet World alone," Lin Luo explained simply. "We need to go fish him out."

"The Gourmet World?!" Kobayashi Rindō gasped, a look of shock flashing in her golden eyes. "Is he crazy?!"

Erina also looked grave: "That place... is extremely dangerous."

However, the corners of Lin Luo's mouth slowly curled into an arc filled with Battle Intent and anticipation.

"But... the Gourmet World, huh." He looked toward the distant, heavy horizon where clouds churned as if they had existed since ancient times, his gaze deep.

When he first arrived in this world, that land full of perils and divergent Laws had given him a harsh wake-up call, making him deeply realize his own insignificance and the vast terror of this world.

But... now. That place will only make Lin Luo even stronger.

After safely delivering Erina and Kobayashi Rindō to the Gourmet Hotel and settling them in, Lin Luo didn't delay. He immediately found the worried Komatsu to ask about the specific situation.

It turned out that after Sunny failed to dissuade Toriko, knowing that once Toriko made up his mind no one could stop him, he leaked the news to Komatsu.

Given Komatsu's personality and understanding of Toriko, he naturally understood how dangerous it was for Toriko to charge into the Gourmet World so hastily and without preparation. That was why he had contacted Lin Luo in such a panic.

"That guy Sunny..." Lin Luo shook his head with a laugh.

He understood Sunny's intention—if Sunny had made the request himself, Toriko's stubbornness and competitiveness would likely have provoked a backlash. By conveying it through Komatsu, who was worried sick and close to Toriko, it ensured the information was delivered accurately and gave Toriko an easier 'out' to accept.

After getting the route Sunny speculated Toriko would most likely choose from Komatsu, Lin Luo had a general direction in mind.

He returned to the hotel room where Erina was waiting somewhat uneasily. He stepped forward, gently put his arm around her shoulder, and said warmly: "Don't worry, I'm just going to the periphery to bring that reckless guy back. You can use this time to properly study the data Leib Beiyala gave you."

Erina looked up at him. The worry in her purple eyes didn't completely dissipate, but she trusted Lin Luo's judgment and strength. She finally nodded gently and urged: "You must be careful."

"I know." Lin Luo lowered his head and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. "Wait for me to come back."

After comforting Erina and giving Kobayashi Rindō a few brief instructions, Lin Luo didn't linger.

He went to the rooftop terrace of the hotel and focused his mind. Soon, a familiar golden flash broke through the clouds and landed gracefully before him—it was Phoenix Feather.

Lin Luo leapt onto the bird's back and lightly stroked the warm feathers on the side of its neck.

Phoenix Feather let out a clear, long cry, and its massive wings fully unfurled, kicking up a vast current of air. It carried Lin Luo like a bolt of golden lightning, racing toward the end of the eastern horizon.

His destination was very clear—Zebel Island, located at the far eastern end of the Human World, or more specifically, the "Life Waterfall Pot" on the island.

That place held extraordinary significance for Lin Luo. Not only was it the place of his "fall" and "struggle" where he nearly lost his life when he first arrived in this world, but it was also a relatively stable and "friendly" entrance connecting the Human World to the outskirts of the Gourmet World.

The wind whistled sharply in his ears as the blue sea and scattered islands below receded rapidly, gradually replaced by a deeper grayish-brown that seemed to harbor primordial power.

The area where Zebel Island was located was one of the singularities where the Human World and Gourmet World plates met.

There was a staggering altitude difference between the two, forming a waterfall so magnificent it seemed carved by the natural forces of heaven and earth—this was the origin of the name "Life Waterfall Pot." For the strong who dared to challenge it, a single leap from there was the most direct path into the Gourmet World with the fewest obstacles.

The last time he "arrived" there, it was forced, accompanied by the wretchedness of destruction and survival.

But this time, he was stepping in voluntarily.

The golden flash hovered high in the firmament.

Below, the boundless, deep ink-green primordial forest was the Domain of the Gourmet World.

Even standing high at the edge, one could feel the aura coming from below, which was completely different from the Human World—heavier, wilder, and filled with untamed primordial violence and vibrant vitality.

This aura clearly placed immense pressure on Phoenix Feather. Its magnificent golden feathers stood up slightly, and its molten-gold eyes showed clear vigilance and a hint of instinctive fear. Its massive body even leaned back slightly, unwilling to move forward another inch.

It seemed that having Phoenix Feather fly directly down was not going to be possible.

Lin Luo understandingly patted the warm side of its neck and soothed: "Phoenix Feather, just stop here."

Phoenix Feather gave a low, worried cry, but it still followed his command and hovered steadily in the air.

Lin Luo no longer hesitated. With a light tap of his toe on Phoenix Feather's broad back, his figure fell as gracefully as a fallen leaf, plunging straight down toward the bottomless abyss below.

Last time, he had fallen from here passively and out of control, hanging by a thread between life and death.

But this time, he was calm and composed.

His body did not accelerate during the descent; instead, it seemed to lose weight, floating leisurely in the void.

He tapped his feet lightly as if stepping on invisible stairs. His figure left several faint afterimages in the air, and in a few flashes, he had quickly plunged into the bottomless ink-green forest below and vanished.

Only Phoenix Feather remained high in the sky, still tensely watching the direction where its master had disappeared, letting out a long cry full of concern that echoed in the empty sky.