Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

After listening to Haruto’s description of the Toriko world, Professor Oak sighed in wonder.

"What an extraordinary place. I would love to see some of those rare ingredients for myself."

Dangerous as the world sounded, its wonders were still impossible not to long for.

"As it happens, I have three of the rarer ingredients I mentioned—Jewel Meat, Puffer Whales, and BB Corn."

Haruto gave the professor a calm smile.

He possessed a considerable amount of BB Corn and could easily use some for trading.

His supplies of Jewel Meat and Puffer Whales were far more limited, but that did not make them completely unavailable.

Professor Oak would simply need to offer something valuable enough to interest him.

"Jewel Meat, Puffer Whales, and BB Corn..."

Professor Oak gave Haruto a thoughtful look.

He understood perfectly well that Haruto had not mentioned the three rare ingredients merely to show off.

Still, his curiosity had undeniably been aroused.

He also knew that obtaining any of them through trade would not be easy.

Haruto saw his reaction but did not press the matter. Instead, he moved on to the next world.

"Besides the Toriko world, I’ve also visited a place where people wield an ability called Nen."

"Nen?" Professor Oak asked curiously. "What is that?"

"It’s a peculiar form of life energy. You could compare it to psychic power, though it is much more closely tied to the mind and a person’s nature."

"Those who master Nen can enhance their speed and strength, manipulate objects, create things from nothing, and accomplish feats that would normally seem impossible."

Haruto paused briefly before continuing.

"To regulate those ability users, that world established an organization called the Hunter Association, which helps maintain order."

"In reality, however, all of known human civilization is confined to a cluster of islands inside a body of water called Lake Möbius."

"Beyond that lake lies a seemingly endless region known as the Dark Continent."

A faint light flickered in Haruto’s eyes.

"The Dark Continent contains what humanity calls the Five Hopes and the Five Threats."

"The Five Hopes are Nitro Rice, which extends one’s lifespan; the Cure-All Herb capable of treating any illness; Unmanned Rock; the Trinity Elixir; and the alchemical plant Metallion."

"The Five Threats are Ai, a gaseous life-form; Brion, the botanical weapon; Hellbell, the twin-tailed snake; Pap, the human-keeping beast; and Zobae, the disease that grants immortality."

The Five Hopes and the Five Threats...

Haruto could not help wondering what they might taste like if prepared as cuisine.

Unfortunately, with his current strength, entering the Dark Continent would still be far too dangerous.

He needed more experience and far greater power before he would be qualified to approach that forbidden land.

"I’ve also visited a magical world filled with enormous dungeons."

"Those dungeons are home to all kinds of strange monsters, many of which taste excellent."

"However, the dungeons themselves are connected to demons."

"Those demons feed on desire. If one ever escaped the restrictions of its dungeon, it could potentially destroy the entire world."

Professor Oak fell silent.

So that was yet another world where global destruction was an entirely realistic possibility.

The Pokémon world occasionally suffered disasters or clashes between Legendary Pokémon, but most were confined to particular regions. There had rarely been a crisis that directly threatened the survival of the entire human race.

Compared to the worlds Haruto described, this one seemed almost peaceful.

Professor Oak’s gaze toward him gradually became more complicated.

"After visiting those four worlds, I arrived here."

Haruto lifted his glass and took a small sip of water.

He remained perfectly calm despite the professor’s conflicted expression.

Strictly speaking, the Pokémon world was not nearly as safe as Professor Oak seemed to believe.

There was no need to point that out, however.

Although Haruto’s stories left Professor Oak with mixed feelings, they had undeniably broadened his horizons.

Beyond the Pokémon world he knew so well, there were apparently countless strange and incredible realms unlike anything he had ever imagined.

Even from Haruto’s understated descriptions, Professor Oak could picture their grandeur and mystery.

Aside from the first world, however, every one of them was filled with dangers far beyond anything commonly seen in the Pokémon world.

Despite that, their unique wonders still filled him with longing.

"Your experiences are truly remarkable. The worlds you’ve seen are stranger than anything I could have imagined."

Professor Oak sighed softly.

"It’s a shame that age catches up with everyone. I’m no longer the reckless young man who could throw on a backpack and travel to every corner of Kanto."

There had been a time when he too had been filled with boundless energy, driven by his love for Pokémon and his curiosity about the world. Together with his Pokémon partners, he had crossed mountains, rivers, forests, and seas.

His strength and stamina were no longer what they had once been.

As much as he longed to see the worlds Haruto described, he no longer had the energy to explore places so perilous.

He also had the entire Oak Laboratory to manage, countless research projects awaiting completion, and generations of young Trainers who still depended on his guidance.

Those responsibilities made it impossible for him to simply leave.

More importantly, of course, he had no means of reaching another world in the first place.

While Professor Oak was still lost in nostalgia, Haruto brought the Pokémon Egg Arceus had given him out of the Gourmet Restaurant.

He carefully placed it before the professor.

"Professor Oak, since you’re one of the foremost authorities on Pokémon, could you help me identify this Egg?"

Professor Oak immediately set aside his thoughts and accepted the Egg with both hands.

He examined the patterns across its shell, its coloration, and several other subtle characteristics.

His many years of research allowed him to reach a conclusion quickly.

"This is a Charmander Egg. Judging from the condition of the shell, the little one inside is exceptionally healthy."

Haruto’s eyes brightened.

He had already been considering raising a powerful Charizard.

Now his wish had practically been fulfilled—and with a high-quality Charmander Egg personally gifted by Arceus.

Naturally, he would have been even more delighted if it were a Legendary Pokémon Egg.

Haruto knew that had never been particularly likely, though.

He looked down at the Charmander Egg and quickly asked,

"Professor Oak, what do I need to do to hatch it safely?"

The professor frowned for a moment.

This was something even most children in the Pokémon world knew.

Then he remembered that Haruto came from another world and naturally had no reason to understand Pokémon breeding.

"If you allow it to hatch naturally, it may take quite some time."

"A professional incubator can regulate the correct temperature and energy levels, greatly accelerating the process. With proper care, it should hatch before long."

"My laboratory happens to have one of the most advanced incubators available. Provided you don’t mind, I can take care of the Egg for you."

It was only the Egg of a standard starter Pokémon, so helping to hatch it was no great inconvenience.

"Thank you, Professor Oak!"

Haruto accepted immediately.

When it came to Pokémon Eggs, he trusted the professor’s expertise far more than his own guesswork.

Professor Oak smiled, carried the Charmander Egg into the laboratory’s breeding room, and carefully placed it inside an incubator.

Once the Egg had been settled, the two returned to the reception room and began formally discussing the details of their trade.

Haruto presented a range of ordinary ingredients from the Toriko world.

In exchange, Professor Oak offered gentle Pokémon raised at the laboratory that could continuously produce useful ingredients, including Miltank and Combee.

Both sides received what they needed, and the initial trade proceeded smoothly.

Naturally, neither of them immediately raised the subject of especially rare Pokémon or Haruto’s most precious ingredients.

Professor Oak needed time to study the composition and value of the otherworldly foods.

Haruto likewise needed time to settle the new Pokémon inside the Gourmet Restaurant and prepare for their future cooperation.

Still, to thank Professor Oak for incubating the Charmander Egg free of charge, Haruto gave him a supply of BB Popcorn.

It was both a gift of gratitude and an opportunity for the professor to personally experience the difference between an ordinary ingredient and one considered truly rare in the Toriko world.

That would make their future negotiations much easier.

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