Nine months later, One Piece World, Low Earth Orbit Dock.
Spaceships of various designs slowly departed the port against the backdrop of the brilliant starry sky.
Their engines spewed out azure flames, like the sound of an expedition horn.
The hulls were painted with various emblematic symbols… these were the new insignias chosen by the powerful pirates who once ruled the seas for their new identity as [Star Sea Pioneers].
Inside one of the ships, Kaido, carrying his kanabo, laughed wildly as he looked at the shrinking blue planet.
Katakuri quietly wiped his trident, anticipation for unknown challenges in his eyes.
Even Whitebeard, feeling 'old man's youthful passion', prepared to enter space to continue growing his large family.
'What a scene of vibrant life, where everything competes to flourish.' Setsuna sighed with emotion as he looked upon the era he had created.
'The next world, it's time to return to the Toriko universe.' Setsuna's thoughts stirred slightly.
As for Luffy? He was already a remnant of the old era.
He knew about Enel's disposition but couldn't be bothered to care.
"Haha, this lord is going back!" Don Slime was instantly excited.
Although he had followed Setsuna and tasted many unique delicacies in other worlds, what his soul craved most was still the unparalleled, transcendent cuisine of the Toriko World.
The life energy and levels of deliciousness contained in the ingredients there were incomparable to other worlds.
…
Toriko World, Main Venue of the Gourmet Festival.
The festival, which should have been filled with joy and gastronomy, had descended into a chaotic battlefield.
The huge circular arena was riddled with holes, most of the spectator stands had collapsed, and the air was filled with a strange mix of gunpowder smoke, burnt food, and the smell of blood.
Three factions were locked in fierce battle:
The disciplined IGO's members, fighting valiantly under Director Mansam's roaring commands...
The strangely dressed, violent members of the Gourmet Corp., launching a frenzied assault led by Sous Chef like Tommyrod and Grinpatch...
And most surprisingly, a sudden third-party force… NEO.
Especially the leader of NEO, Joie, a woman with the same face as the legendary [Chef Goddess], Froese.
Her strength was also terrifyingly beyond imagination, single-handedly suppressing the Four Heavenly Kings.
"What kind of monster is this guy?" Toriko shouted, blood at the corner of his mouth.
"Her cells are constantly changing, adapting to our attacks!" Coco's Poison Demon Pupils were filled with gravity.
"Her target is Komatsu!" Sunny looked towards Komatsu, who was being protected by IGO's members nearby.
"Get lost!" Zebra unleashed his strongest soundwave, but it was blocked again by a silver, wall-like ability.
"It's useless." Joie's voice was cold and hollow. "Your struggles are meaningless."
Elsewhere, two living legends of the Gourmet Era… [Knocking Master] Jiro and [Gourmet Living National Treasures] Setsuno… were also in a difficult spot.
Their opponent was actually their grandson, Teppei.
But at this moment, Teppei's eyes were empty, his face expressionless, as if he was being controlled.
The entire festival venue was filled with despair.
The IGO vs Gourmet Corp. conflict had spiraled out of control due to NEO's intervention. The Four Heavenly Kings were suppressed by a mysterious strong enemy. The legendary Knocking Master and National Treasure also seemed outmatched...
Was the pinnacle strength of the Gourmet World about to fall here?
Just then, a teasing voice sounded: "Master Jiro, Grandma Setsuno, isn't this 'going easy' just a bit too much?"
The chaotic battlefield fell silent. Everyone looked up at the sky.
There, above the festival venue, a young man in simple casual wear was descending through the air.
"It's Setsuna!" The Four Heavenly Kings were overjoyed... Setsuna was undoubtedly a powerful reinforcement.
But they were also somewhat puzzled, 'What did Setsuna mean by his words? Weren't Jiro and Setsuno struggling against Teppei?'
Setsuna looked down at the chaotic scene below, his gaze resting on Joie: "Even if you want to follow the vine to find the main orchestrator behind this guy..."
"Is there really a need to keep up the act to this extent? It almost makes me want to laugh."
Joie's pupils contracted sharply. From this suddenly appearing young man, she felt a lethal threat.
"Who are you?" Joie yelled sharply, releasing Komatsu as her silver tentacles shot towards Setsuna in the sky like countless venomous dragons.
This attack was all-out, several times stronger than when she attacked the Four Heavenly Kings. She wanted to eliminate this variable instantly.
Setsuna casually stretched out his right hand and pressed downwards. Before Joie's horrified eyes, all her attacks vanished into nothingness.
The residual force of his power struck her. She felt like she had been hit head-on by a massive mountain, a mist of blood spraying from the pores of her skin before she collapsed unconscious.
The entire venue fell deathly silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed.
That Joie, leader of NEO, who moments ago had been so arrogantly suppressing the Four Heavenly Kings and threatening the entire battlefield, had been instantly defeated by this suddenly appeared young man with a single blow?
Setsuna smiled and looked at Jiro: "As long as the person behind her wants to save her, or rather wants to retrieve this tool, they won't be able to resist showing up."
Jiro was also inwardly shocked, 'How long had it been? This disciple of mine's strength had already completely surpassed my own.'
After the shock, a look of relief appeared on his face.
"Haha, you saw right through me." Jiro's figure flickered, as if he had only blinked, and he was already behind Teppei, who was still frantically attacking Setsuno.
Jiro casually tapped, and Teppei instantly collapsed unconscious.
Four Heavenly Kings: "???"
Toriko was bewildered, 'So Jiro had been acting this whole time?'
At that moment, the sky, already hazy from the battle, suddenly grew even darker.
Then, countless meteors trailing crimson tails poured down from the heavens like a torrential downpour.
The earth cracked, the crust rumbled.
"Meteor Spice?" Setsuna recalled this plot point from the original work and shook his head slightly. "So Ichiryu-senpai still lost?"
Setsuno, knowing that Ichiryu's appetite had been restored thanks to Setsuna, sighed: "Ichi must have gotten soft-hearted again. Even though he found his strength, when it comes to Midora, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to really go for the kill."
"What exactly is going on?" Toriko was both worried and confused. "Is Sensei fighting an enemy too?"
Setsuno nodded: "Midora, the president of the Gourmet Corp., is Ichiryu and Jiro's junior. This is a destined battle between them."
"Destiny or whatever, I don't believe in it!" Toriko shouted. "Grandma Setsuno, do you know where Sensei and Midora are fighting?"
Setsuno sighed: "On the Stray Islands. If you're thinking of saving them, it's probably too late."
"Damn it!" Toriko clenched his fists. He knew it was an island floating in the sky, difficult for ordinary people to reach.
"I'll go take a look. Hopefully, I can make it in time." Setsuna said and vanished with a teleport.
"What kind of speed is that?" Zebra widened his eyes... his sonic detection couldn't track Setsuna's movements at all.
"That's teleportation." Even Jiro's eyes showed a trace of shock, 'How many months had it been? Setsuna had actually grown to this extent?'