Chapter 126: Fantasy Training of Subaru against Nene Kinokuni!

The Soba Noodle Research Society was the only research institute that hadn't shut its doors.

"Well, let's make this the final one," Sui said decisively.

However, upon seeing Sui and his group approaching, chaos broke out inside the room.

"Oh no! It's the Rare Ingredients Research Society!" one of the members cried out in panic.

"What? That band of kitchen thieves? Hide the new utensils, quick! Don't let them see them!"

"Where's that batch of premium pork we just bought? Stash it away before they get here!"

The room erupted in frantic movement as members scrambled to hide their valuable items.

Sui was speechless. Have we really gained a reputation as bandits?

"Don't even think about it! Everything here is ours!" Yoshino rushed in, her voice loud and commanding.

"That's right! All of these are our spoils!" added Ryoko, following closely behind.

Yoshino brandished a flag that read "The Rare Ingredients Research Society Will Win," charging in like a general leading an army.

Subaru, Sōma, and the rest of the group followed with equal determination.

Sui: …Is it these guys that ruined our research society's reputation?

"Do you really think you can barge into the Soba Noodle Research Society like this?" one of the society members said sternly. "Do you even know who our leader is?"

"Enough with the noise," came a soft voice.

A girl with twin pigtails, round glasses, a delicate appearance, and a quiet temperament was kneading dough. She glanced at the commotion but didn't seem particularly fazed.

"Huh? Wait, you're... Kinokuni -senpai!" Yoshino, who had been charging in with all the force of a bandit leader, suddenly froze in place.

Behind her, Miyoko, Subaru, and the others stiffened, realizing who they were up against.

They hadn't expected to find Kinokuni Nene, one of the Elite Ten, here.

"Since yesterday, this entire building has been a mess, so noisy that I can't focus on my soba experiments. Are you the ones responsible for all this chaos?" Nene set the dough aside, calmly washing her hands before turning to Sui. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she gazed at him.

"Well, yes. Since yesterday, our Rare Ingredients Research Society has been challenging other research societies. Isn't this something the school encourages?" Sui responded.

Nene nodded. "True," she admitted. "But I preferred the quiet before all this commotion. What's it going to take to stop the unrest? Do you want us to settle this with a match?"

"We only need to win one more battle," Sui said calmly.

They had already won nine matches. One more, and they would achieve their goal.

"In that case, the Soba Noodle Research Society will be your final opponent," Nene said coldly. "How about it? If you lose, leave us alone and stop disturbing the academy's peace. If you win, you can take anything from this research society."

"If you think you can pick a fight with us, I suggest you leave now," another member of the Soba Noodle Research Society warned.

"Exactly. Just because you beat Eizan-senpai doesn't mean you can defeat Kinokuni-senpai," another member added.

Yoshino leaned in close to Sui, her voice barely a whisper. "Sui, maybe we should try a different research society. This one might be too much for us."

Sui hesitated for a moment, considering her words, then nodded. "No, it's settled. We'll face them."

Apart from wanting to finish his mission, Sui was curious to gauge his current strength.

After all, Kinokuni Nene was ranked sixth among the Elite Ten. However, rankings alone didn't always reflect the true ability of the top students. Sui knew that Isshiki Satoshi, who held the seventh seat, had the skills to challenge the top five, and that Erina, ranked tenth, was far stronger than her position suggested.

"Very well," Kinokuni Nene said with a nod. "If you lose, you are never to challenge another research society again. If you win, you can claim anything from our Soba Noodle Research Society."

"Agreed. What's the theme?" Sui asked.

"I'll leave that to you," Kinokuni Nene replied calmly.

"In that case…" Sui thought for a moment before smiling. "Let's make it Soba."

"Soba?" Kinokuni Nene's eyes flashed with a sharp, cold glint.

Miyoko, Subaru, and the others were visibly surprised. After all, Nene was a master of soba noodles.

"Haha! Are you seriously challenging Kinokuni-senpai, from the renowned Kanda Soba restaurant, to a soba competition?" a member of the Soba Noodle Research Society scoffed.

"You're clearly overestimating yourself," another added, sneering.

"Alright then. Let's schedule the match for tomorrow," Nene said icily.

Soon, both teams submitted their Shokugeki applications to the academy's Shokugeki Authority.

The head of Totsuki Academy, Senzaemon, quickly received the report.

"So, you're eager to challenge the Elite Ten and prove yourself, are you?" Senzaemon mused with a faint smile. "Very well, let's see just how much potential you have."

In no time, the news of Sui's upcoming match against Kinokuni Nene, the sixth seat of the Elite Ten, spread like wildfire throughout the academy.

Even the intense battles between other research societies came to a halt as everyone focused on this new development.

The entire school was abuzz with shock and anticipation.

…

"Sui, are you sure about this? If the theme is Soba?" Miyoko asked when they returned to the Rare Ingredients Research Society.

"Well, I have some confidence, but not much," Sui admitted, deep in thought.

Megumi encouraged him with a bright smile. "Sui-kun, you have to give it your all!"

"Yeah. Of course," Sui replied with a smile of his own.

"In that case, let me be your training partner," Subaru said, stepping forward.

"Huh? You?" Sui asked in surprise.

"Yes. I've done extensive 'fantasy training' to simulate matches against the Elite Ten. I thought I'd never have a chance to use it, but it looks like this is the perfect opportunity," Subaru replied, a sly grin creeping across his face.