Soma, You Have an Older Brother!

Alright here's an important note. Between the either, would you rather read a 

1. WW1 Historical Fanfic

or

2. Other? 

If other, suggest in this paragraph comment. Other can range from a MCU fic to a track and field fic to a Harry Potter fic. 

That being said, enjoy the few chapters.

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After finishing reading, Erina put down the thick stack of documents and rubbed her temples.

The midnight chefs.

Their power and influence had clearly exceeded her expectations.

The industry turmoil they caused in such a short time also made Erina feel very troubled.

She had just taken over as Director, and many internal issues were still unresolved. Now, at this critical moment, a group representing the dark culinary world was exploiting the "Shokugeki" rules to wreak havoc.

To be honest.

She didn't want to deal with it.

But from the information presented, if left unchecked.

It wouldn't be long before the entire culinary industry in Japan collapsed, with countless restaurants forced to close due to the so-called "Shokugeki" rules!

...

"Alright."

"Everyone, take a look at this document."

"Even though Totsuki Academy is currently facing numerous internal conflicts, I hope that in this moment of crisis, everyone here can unite."

Erina's expression was calm, her gaze firm, and an invisible aura of authority emanated from her.

Perhaps.

Only at Totsuki, only in this meeting room.

And when facing the Elite Ten, did she put aside her secret love for "pure" manga and fully reveal the temperament of the true lady of the Nakiri family.

In her heart, Totsuki meant far more to her than just a culinary academy.

"Hmm?"

"Midnight chefs?"

Rindo looked at the document, her face showing surprise.

"In just one day, they managed to defeat the head chefs of all one-star restaurants in Japan... Wow, what kind of monsters are these midnight chefs?"

Kuga was stunned. Until now, he had realized:

Forget Totsuki!

The entire culinary world might be undergoing a transformation.

"No wonder some of my restaurant chains have reported poor business recently. It turns out these midnight chefs are behind it!"

Eizan's eyes were sharp as he spoke.

"Sigh, they are exploiting the Shokugeki rules, forcing chefs from various restaurants into culinary battles with them."

"This behavior is not only tarnishing the name of Totsuki Academy but also misusing Totsuki's reputation to commit such acts!"

Eishi was neither shocked nor afraid. Instead, he realized that the midnight chefs' incident might be connected to Totsuki.

At least.

For now.

Totsuki and the Nakiri family couldn't stand by and do nothing.

...

"No matter what their purpose is."

"Whether they want to lead the culinary world, innovate this culinary era, or purely seek revenge by destroying each chef's dreams and years of effort with various means."

"But we cannot tolerate these midnight chefs using Totsuki's name and the Shokugeki rules to do such things."

"Director!"

"I suggest."

"Establishing a new organization with the Elite Ten as the main force."

"And if any restaurant is targeted by the midnight chefs again, Totsuki can send the Elite Ten or outstanding students to confront them."

Rindo, realizing the severity of the situation, immediately proposed a suggestion after some thought.

"I second that."

"This is now a matter of Totsuki's reputation."

"So, as a Totsuki student, we cannot sit idly by."

Satoshi nodded in agreement.

From the perspectives of Soma, Kurokiba, Alice, Satoshi, and others, they naturally despised Azami's concept of a "Gourmet Kingdom."

But looking at this midnight chefs' incident, the previous idea of "survival of the fittest" might actually be no better than "centralized management of everything"!

Under the centralized culinary organization.

Ordinary students avoided expulsion and gained skills and techniques on par with the Elite Ten.

With all research societies and clubs dissolved, resources were centralized under the Elite Ten's management in the organization, eliminating financial disparities and preventing resource competition among students.

Thus, the Shokugeki rule, originally designed to resolve conflicts among students, became unnecessary.

Each student.

Had their role, their place.

If they couldn't cook well, they could become reporters, or even "enforcers" for Eizan.

Perhaps under Azami's reform, though it stifled the individuality and freedom of chefs, other roles saw further development.

However, Azami's motives weren't that noble.

He also believed in survival of the fittest, teaching students only what he deemed "good" cuisine and dismissing anything else as garbage, unworthy of being made.

In his model, Totsuki would ultimately become a factory.

Screening diners.

Screening cuisines.

But not "screening chefs."

Senzaemon Nakiri's approach was more extreme, adhering to an elite supremacy, where elites held everything, pushing "screening chefs" to the utmost.

Essentially, the conflict between the surface culinary world and the dark culinary world is the same.

Represented by Asahi, the midnight chefs view surface chefs as greedy and cowardly.

Take Totsuki, for example. Students fight for small benefits, even though they dare to challenge each other in Shokugeki, the worst outcome for the loser is expulsion, never risking their lives as chefs.

Midnight chefs, often involved in secret banquets and illegal activities, are the opposite.

Not just Asahi.

Consider those who visited the tavern: Sarge, and Tokiyama!

And the clown who defeated Fumio, Maerkanta!

These people.

Aren't they all "tough" characters?

And their "toughness" isn't in their culinary skills but in their disregard for their own lives.

They dare to risk their lives to compete against surface chefs.

However.

Surface chefs.

They also hate and fear midnight chefs deeply.

In their eyes, this group of "illegal" chefs, only surviving in the dark, are like a cancer to the culinary world. They are despicable, shameless, and demonic.

Now.

They represent the evil forces against the culinary world.

Mysteriously and ubiquitously invading the entire culinary industry, rapidly expanding their influence.

...

Ultimately, with the unanimous suggestion of the Elite Ten.

Erina ordered a continued investigation into the midnight chefs incident. When necessary, students, lecturers, professors, and the Elite Ten could be sent to confront them.

After the meeting, Eishi and the others left, leaving only Erina and Hisako.

At this moment.

The entire meeting room was quiet, with only the sound of the evening breeze through the windows.

The moonlight outside also cast dappled shadows through the curtains, but inside the meeting room, the stronger indoor lights absorbed it, unable to break the silence.

Erina, deep in thought.

Sometimes she would stare at the documents on the table, her expression always serious and focused.

Finally, as her thoughts became clearer, she sighed: "There's no other way."

...

One must know.

A head chef running a one-star restaurant is a renowned figure in the culinary world.

Some chefs are even more skilled than the Elite Ten trained at Totsuki!

However.

These powerful chefs.

Were defeated by the midnight chefs within a day.

While Totsuki represents Japan's top culinary academy, in the broader culinary world, and even within Japan, the Elite Ten are not the absolute best!

Relying on the current Totsuki.

Relying on the Elite Ten led by Eishi.

Relying on first-year students like herself, Alice, Soma, Ryo, and others.

To confront the midnight chefs, to be honest, it's like:

Hitting a rock with an egg!

"Lady Erina, I understand your dilemma."

"You just became the Director, and now you're facing such a tough problem. It must be very troubling for you."

Hisako, feeling sympathetic, came to comfort her: "But this midnight chefs incident also brings us unity! I believe, with our strength, we can defeat them!"

"Hopefully."

"If only Zane were here. He... he would definitely beat them."

Erina said helplessly.

"Hehe."

"Lady Erina, we just came back from the tavern, and you already miss him?"

Hisako couldn't help but laugh.

"No... I don't!"

Erina's delicate face immediately turned red, murmuring softly: "I'm just a bit at a loss with these matters!"

"Sigh!"

"Oh no."

"The purpose of visiting the tavern was to persuade him to become a lecturer at the academy."

Saying this, Erina rubbed her forehead.

"Lady Erina, do you think this midnight chefs incident is someone's deliberate plot?"

"And from my intuition, it seems like they intend to destroy the entire culinary industry, forcing all restaurants to close, and then have Zane from the tavern save them?"

Hisako voiced her thoughts.

"Hmm?"

"You think so?"

"To have such powerful midnight chefs as pawns, this person must be..."

"Wait!"

"Mother? Could she be behind this?"

Erina exclaimed.

But in the next second, she shook her head: "This incident seems too sudden to be meticulously planned."

"However, from what you said, it seems like Zane might be directing this trouble towards Totsuki Academy?"

"Sigh!"

"It's really troubling."

"If I could, I wouldn't want to be the Director!"

Erina sighed again.

...

Continuous failure is the only shortcut in life.

This is what Soma realized deeply after the advancement exams.

From the initial donburi research society incident, losing to Ikumi; then missing the championship in the Autumn Elections; to being overwhelmed by Kuga during the Moon Banquet Festival; and finally, being crushed by Eishi in the advancement exams!

Constantly losing.

For no other reason than lack of skill.

To Soma, life isn't decided by one battle.

As someone who grew up running a diner with his father, defeating top chefs with his cooking skills was a source of pride.

But looking back, he realized that while he could compete with top students,

 his limited perspective prevented sustained success, often ending in unexpected defeat.

"Dad..."

Soma, making a phone call, quickly spoke after reaching Joichiro.

"Hahaha, Soma."

"You're really lucky to face the current first seat in the advancement exams."

With your current skills, you probably wanted to cry after losing, right? That Nakiri Azami knew you were my son and still didn't hold back, but instead, tormented you more!"

"Soma, if it gets too tough."

"Come wander abroad with me, working in hotels. We can barely make a living."

On the other end, Joichiro's voice sounded almost "gleeful."

It's rare for Soma to call, and Joichiro, closely following the Totsuki reform events, knew about Soma's recent experiences.

"Dad!"

"You should at least comfort me since you know this, right?"

Soma was speechless: "Besides, I haven't been expelled yet. I still have the qualification to continue the advancement exams!"

"Oh?"

"Not expelled?"

"Seems the new Director is lenient with you rebels."

Joichiro was surprised.

He held a bottle of red wine, poured a glass, and sipped it.

After exhaling the wine, he used the opportunity to tell Soma something: "Lately, many restaurants in Japan must have closed down, right?"

"Yeah!"

"Satoshi just attended an Elite Ten meeting."

"He said a group of midnight chefs are forcing restaurant chefs into culinary battles using the Shokugeki rules."

Soma replied honestly.

"Looks like they're really going big this time."

Joichiro, silent for a long time, finally said: "Soma, be careful."

"Dad, didn't you close Yukihira Diner before the school year? I'm not planning to reopen it soon, so this shouldn't affect me, right?"

"No!"

"The leader of the midnight chefs is your brother!"

Soma: (⊙o⊙)

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