Because the chance of failure was zero.
The thought crossed Lexon's mind.
He could roughly guess Senzaemon's objective.
That so-called Uncut Gem Generation Project... he wanted to forcibly bind Lexon to Erina Nakiri's side so he could support her God's Tongue, preventing his granddaughter from being swallowed by its vortex.
But... that was never going to work...
'I am destined never to stay in one place.'
'No matter what method is used.'
As this thought surfaced, for some reason, the image of Shinobu flashed through Lexon's mind.
"Grandpa! How could you make such a request?! Why do I have to marry this guy if I win?! He's my cousin!" Erina Nakiri found Senzaemon's condition completely nonsensical.
'This is also for your own good... Erina.'
Senzaemon looked at the fuming Erina, thinking to himself.
'Though, Grandpa doesn't think you can win... I've seen the recordings of Lexon's Shokugekis against the other Elite Ten... It was a total slaughter...'
'So, I only proposed this to prepare you both mentally. That way, you won't be too surprised when I find an opportunity to set you up later...'
Naturally, Senzaemon couldn't voice these internal monologues.
Instead, he laughed heartily and said, "Your relationship is distant enough as it is. Don't worry, it'll be fine."
"That's not the issue here!" Erina Nakiri shouted.
"The conditions don't matter," Lexon said flatly.
Hm?
Erina looked toward Lexon.
'Could it be that my cousin actually has feelings for me?'
The thought involuntarily rose in her mind.
"Because it's impossible for you to win."
As those words left his mouth, a throbbing vein of irritation popped onto Erina's forehead.
"Just you wait! I'm not going to lose!" Erina Nakiri shouted stubbornly before stomping off.
"Lady Erina!" Hisako Arato hurried to follow.
"I'll inform you of the time and location later," Senzaemon told Lexon.
"Understood." Lexon nodded and added, "I'll have to trouble you to arrange a match with the First Seat then."
He was actually somewhat grateful. After all, without the old man, securing a match against the First Seat would have taken some effort.
Furthermore, he didn't believe a shrewd old man like Senzaemon failed to realize his culinary skills far surpassed Erina's.
If his guess was correct... this opportunity to challenge the First Seat was essentially a gift.
"It's no trouble. This is a return for the information you provided earlier," Senzaemon laughed, stroking his beard.
The information from before...
About the intel regarding Azami Nakiri he gave Gin Dojima during the training camp...
It seemed it had been verified as true...
So, the old man's deeper objective was...
"However, I hope that when you face Eishi Tsukasa in a Shokugeki, you do so representing our side," Senzaemon continued.
'As I suspected...'
Lexon concluded.
In the original story, when Azami Nakiri invaded Totsuki and used the Elite Ten Council to impeach Senzaemon, Eishi Tsukasa was the leader of those who supported him.
The First Seat had been recruited by Azami in a chance encounter and often held secret meetings with him. Having received Lexon's intel, Senzaemon had naturally noticed that Eishi Tsukasa was standing on the opposing side.
So he wants to rely on me to provide a deterrent...
If I win and take the First Seat, he can announce I'm a member of the Nakiri family, effectively cutting down one of Azami Nakiri's top generals.
Even a loss wouldn't be catastrophic; it would still serve as a warning.
It would send a signal: "Totsuki already knows about your collusion, so don't push it."
'A bit of an old fox, isn't he...'
But this was an open play... an option already laid out on the table.
So, Lexon didn't hate it.
Besides, preventing Azami Nakiri from tainting Totsuki was beneficial to his own goals...
After all, after defeating the First Seat, he still had to beat the rest of the Elite Ten and claim this story world for himself...
As the center of this world, Totsuki Academy was his. He preferred to have fewer plotlines where his property was seized by villains.
'It saves me the trouble of having to come back and cast Genjutsu on people later.'
"No problem." Having received Lexon's agreement, Senzaemon Nakiri didn't linger and turned to leave.
"What kind of condition is that?! How could you?!" Yuki Yoshino was the first to jump out and shout after the Director left.
It was obvious she thought both the Director who proposed the condition and Lexon who accepted it were completely absurd.
The other members of the Polar Star Dormitory also voiced their opinions.
Only Satoshi Isshiki said something different. "Lexon, will you really have a Shokugeki with Eishi Tsukasa, the First Seat, if you win against Nakiri? Isn't that a bit too fast?"
Although he felt Lexon's progress was rapid and his culinary skills were high... against the "White Knight of the Table," Satoshi Isshiki still thought Lexon might fall a bit short...
He might win in the future...
'But for now, he probably can't win...'
"Don't worry, Senior Isshiki," Lexon replied with a smile.
Looking at his smile, a thought suddenly surfaced in Satoshi Isshiki's mind that even he found strange.
'Maybe... he really can win...'
...
The Shokugeki between Lexon and Erina Nakiri was scheduled for noon on the third day.
The venue was the enclosed Moon Heaven Hall.
The judges were Senzaemon Nakiri himself and two inspectors from the Shokugeki Bureau.
The audience consisted only of the Polar Star members and the secretary, Hisako Arato.
Although this was an important Shokugeki involving many stakes...
It was the Director's decision not to allow other students to watch.
In truth, Senzaemon didn't want too many people to witness the scene of his granddaughter's defeat.
Yes, the old man had that little confidence in his granddaughter.
The theme of the Shokugeki was sushi.
The topic was chosen by a spinning wheel, showing no favoritism toward either side.
"Please taste this. It is my 'Pure Ocean Salmon Gunkanmaki'," Erina Nakiri said with absolute confidence, placing three pieces of sushi before the judges.
This was a dish made with her utmost effort.
Her most unreserved attempt yet.
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