Getting out of the Cavern Lagoon was easier than you first thought. Certainly because of this thing that left earlier, with a presence that gave off an intimidating and dark aura. Neither Toriko or Coco talked about it on your way to the exit, but you could tell right away there was something wrong.

The sky was now slowly turning a dark orange, the sun about to disappear. You gaped at the horrifying sight in front of you. Several hunters were lying dead on the ground, and you that's when you noticed Tina standing still a few feet away from the entrance of the cave.

"Tina-san, are you all right?" you asked the woman as you ran up to her.

"Huh?" she blinked, coming back to herself as she stared at you. "Oh, I'm okay! But..."

"The bandits and assassins that had their eyes on the Puffer Whale..." trailed Coco, eyeing the corpses.

"Yep. I bet they tried to take them from that thing and were attacked" sweated Toriko.

"This is terrible..."

The flap of wings echoed above your heads, and you looked up to see Kiss landing in front of you. You smiled up at the crow, feeling a bit happy to see this majestic beast again.

"Kiss! You came to get me?" asked Coco, his pet cawing in response.

At the distance, a few helicopters were making their way to the Cavern Lagoon. The Gentleman gazed at them for a few seconds in silence, and took this as the signal to leave.

"The rescue choppers are here. Well, I hope you will excuse me. I'm not good with crowds, you see" spoke Coco, climbing on Kiss's back. He then smiled at you and Komatsu, "Komatsu-kun, (y/n)-chan, thank you. I'm very glad to have met you both"

"M-Me, too! I think we can we've learned a lot" you stammered with a blush.

"Yes! Thank you so much!" added your friend, and Coco simply nodded.

"See ya, Toriko...I've got a feeling we'll meet again soon"

"Yeah, we'll see" smiled knowingly the blue haired male.

You earned a good bonus when you and Komatsu came back from your small trip to Cavern Lagoon. With 11 gold Puffer Whales, the manager was in Heaven. And of course you were beyond harassed to extract the poison sacks of this particular ingredient. News spread fast, and already your mail at home was filled with requests from all around the continent.

Nothing special was happening for the moment, leaving you to work in the kitchen. Your meeting with the Gentleman of the Heavenly Kings left a bigger impact than what you expected. At the thought of him, your cheeks reddened as the blood mounted in your head. God, you felt like a schoolgirl all over again. Unfortunately, Komatsu was a lot more observant and would mockingly remind you of the handsome man at each opportunity.

"(y/n)-chan! Coco-san is here!" suddenly shouted the voice of Komatsu behind you.

"E-E-EH?!"

Everything you held slipped from your hands by how startled you were. Whipping around, your expression turned sour at the sight of Komatsu laughing his ass off. You pouted, bending down to gather back the material that fell on the floor.

"Don't make jokes about this!" you whined, and your friend whipped a tear.

"Sorry, (y/n)-chan. But we can both agree that Coco-san affected you just like those women back in Gourmet Fortune..."

"What?! Of course not! I'm not throwing myself at his feet or something like that!" you groaned.

"You didn't protest about liking him just as they do, though"

"KOMATSU"

"Sorry, sorry!"

You were about to throw yourself over the counter and grab the young chef to beat him in an 'amicable' manner, when suddenly one of your employees burst inside the kitchen breathless. Inhaling sharply, the man lifted his gaze to stare at Komatsu:

"The chief of the IGO's Development Bureau is asking for you. He said it was an emergency"

And that's how you found yourself in an helicopter along with Komatsu and Toriko after Johannes requested your presences. From what you heard and understood, IGO had another mission for the Gourmet Hunter.

"Devil Snake Hamburger Patties stuck between Neotomato and Mineral Cheese...I call it the Toriko Burger!" the blue haired male smiled as he put the bun at the very top of his tower filled with the ingredients he named.

"It's way too big!" shouted Komatsu, sitting right in front of him.

"And is it me, or it is starting to topple over?!" you squeaked.

"I give thanks to all the ingredients in this world" stated Toriko, grabbing the hamburger tower with his two hands.

He opened his mouth so wide that you heard the crack of the jaw unhinged itself. You sweatdropped at the sound, even more as the Gourmet Hunter wolfed down the tower in only one bite. Finished with his food, Toriko lifted his arms in victory:

"Yum!!!!" he exclaimed.

"Speaking of which, how was the Puffer Whale?" inquired Johannes next to the hunter.

"It had an impact, but that's really about it" answered Toriko. "Within the vastness of the sea, there are still lots of ingredients that I've never eaten. I can't choose my Fish Course too hastily"

"I see. But the creature that the IGO is requesting that you capture this time is..."

"The Regal Mammoth. Of each type of meat that is located throughout its body...high quality shoulder steak, fillet, giblets, sirloin...there is one part that combines the savoriness of all its parts, known as the Jewel Meat. I've got very high hopes for it"

"The Regal Mammoth is in the 1st Biotope, right? It's very prosperous as a site for gourmet research, and it's even a famous sightseeing destination" you said.

"It's the island where new flavors are born, also known as the Gourmet Garden" he nodded. "Or at least, that's what it looks like from the outside"

"Huh? What do you mean 'from the outside'?"

"The IGO's largest garden, the 1st Biotope, is a single 500 000 square kilometer island. Only a small portion of it is open for sightseeing" told Johannes. "Even the IGO doesn't have a firm understanding of the entire island. It's encircled by a mountain range, and several unique ecosystems have been set up so that selectively bred and cloned creatures can be released there for research"

"This is definitely gonna be another perilous journey, isn't it?" sweated Komatsu.

"You'd better gather your resolve" Toriko warned.

Arriving at the facility of the 1st Biotope, you descended the helicopter and followed after Johannes and the others. Upon entering the inner-garden after taking the moving stairs, you were surprised to find a research laboratory inside.

Various meats, fruits, and vegetables were made by strange machines. Including a few types of foods that you never saw before.

"We're able to reproduce about 30% of the world's gourmet ingredients here" stated Johannes. "Selective breeding is ordinarily done in the larger gardens. There's even research that cannot be made public..."

"They're still doing that?" asked Toriko mysteriously, and the chief simply gave a nod. "Geez...rich folks sure have some weird hobbies"

"Excuse me, but what are they doing exactly?" you asked.

"You will see"

"The Chief is in the basement. I'll be taking my leave here" told Johannes when you finally left the travelator and went inside an elevator.

The doors closed, and Komatsu took this time to turn and gaze at Toriko who was silently staring forward.

"What kind of person is the Chief?"

"He's a regular old drunk" spoke Toriko bluntly. "But after the President and Vice President, they say he's the number 3 guy"

"N-Number 3? I'm feeling n-nervous..."

"Save your nervousness for later. Right now, we dunno whether or not we'll be attacked by something"

"Attacked-?!" you trailed as the doors suddenly opened.

Both you and Komatsu screamed loudly at the sight of an octopus pressing its face against a glass. You fell on your butt, gaping at the weird beast as someone pushed its prison on a tray.

"Calm down, Komatsu and (y/n). As long as those specially fortified acrylic panes are there, we'll be fine"

You stood abruptly at his statement while Toriko walked down the long corridor filled with more of those creatures. Beasts that you never heard of, or could imagine. You looked around you uneasily, rubbing your upper-arms to comfort yourself:

"What are these, Toriko-san?"

"They're clones of extinct species and new species that've been created by crossbreeding. Chain Animals"

"Chain Animals?" echoed Komatsu.

"Animals that are restrained by shackles. Gourmet research is purpoted as a great, just cause, but from an ethical standpoint this place has to be kept top secret"

"So that's why it's full of things that I've never seen before?" mumbled your friend, turning around to gaze at some crab with huge muscles. "Man, these acrylic panes sure are transparent...It's almost like there's nothing there at all"

"IT'S BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANYTHING THERE!!!" you shouted in fear.

"EH?!!!!"

MUSCLE CRAB (MAMMAL - CRUSTACEAN) - CAPTURE LEVEL 3

The muscle crab approached its pincers close to Komatsu, who stood frozen on the spot like a statue. The fear that racked his body with tremors made it impossible to run away. The staff behind the beast ran in terror at the sight of it, and Toriko dashed in your direction to come to your help.

"Go back to bed!" snarled a voice, which made the crab stop in its movements.

It lifted its head to gaze at where it came from, and froze in fear when a bald man stood right behind Komatsu. He repeated his order darkly, and the muscle crab scurried away and back to its acrylic prison, intimidated by the man's Appetite Demon. The staff closed the hatch, and bald man whipped his head angrily to the person next to him:

"Didn't I tell you to keep a close eye on it?!"

"M-My deepest apologies!" the person said as he ran away.

"Geez, every last one of these guys..." he sighed, drinking down a bottle of alcohol.

"Already drinking, are you?" smiled in amusement Toriko, approaching the man. "Chief Mansam?"

"Did you call me 'handsome'?" Mansam turned to the hunter.

"I didn't say that..." Toriko sweatdropped.

"This man is the Chief?" inquired Komatsu, before he recoiled in disgust. "Erk, he smells like alcohol!"

"Welcome...no, welcome back" Mansam greeted as he took Toriko's hand in a wrestling handshake.

"So, what's up this time? It's not just the Regal Mammoth, is it?"

"The Bishokukai has reconvened"

The atmosphere did a 180 degrees turn as Toriko's expression turned serious. You had a feeling that it has something to do with the thing you saw in Cavern Lagoon, along with the mission.

"They are certainly behind the thing we saw at the sandy beach in the cave..." said Toriko.

"It's a new-model GT Robo" nodded Mansam.

"Um...the Bishokukai?" asked your friend.

"They're an organization whose aim is to control all of the ingredients in the Gourmet Age. They'll use any means necessary to get their hands on them" said Mansam, causing Komatsu to let out a shout of disbelief. "And the Bishokukai's next goal is most likely going to be the Regal Mammoth"

"So basically, we've gotta capture it before they do?" said Toriko.

Loud voices boomed behind the closed doors Mansam was standing in front of. You raised a brow inquisitively as the Chief sauntered toward them. You were all brought inside an arena filled with a ton of people, some that you recognized as leaders around the globe.

In a dome right in the middle, a Troll Kong was battling a Galala Gator. The crowd cheered loudly, taking bets and exchanging money right in front of your eyes.

"Looks like we made it" whistled Mansam. "They're still doing the opening ceremonies"

"What is this place?" you demanded, brows furrowed as the two beasts fought inside the dome.

"The Gourmet Colosseum" told Toriko. "It's an arena where wild beasts do battle in order to determine their fighting strength and Capture Levels. But it's really more of a place for the rich, the powerful, and the VIPs of the IGO's member nations to enjoy themselves..."

"Now that you mention it, these are all people that I've seen before" breathed in shock Komatsu.

"Yeah, they're the leaders of countries all over the world. They can place bets here, too. This place is so stimulating that there are even Prime Ministers from the IGO here"

"This is so barbaric!" you voiced your outrage, glaring at Mansam who got slightly afraid of the look you were giving him.

"O-Of course, but this is necessary for the organization as well. We part these rich guys with a bunch of their money during the battles, and pass it along to poorer countries whose people are suffering from starvation" the bald man told you with a sweatdrop.

"So you're donating it?"

"The IGO was once a department of the United Nations, but it became independent because of high demand for gourmet ingredients. Now it's an international organization with 360 member-nations"

"Even with such noble causes behind it, why would we need to make them fight against each other..."

The Troll Kong tossed the dead body of the Galala Gator, drumming on its chest in victory. Those who placed their bets on it roared in joy while others sulked or cursed.

"There is still such a sharp division between the rich and poor in those countries, that we've had to take drastic measures such as these" continued Mansam.

"Well anyhow, I haven't got any interest in these battles" huffed Toriko, descending the stairs of the arena.

"Don't say that!" chuckled Mansam. "There are Prime Ministers here that have even skipped out on their summit to come see today's incredible main event!"

You were seated right in front of the dome, Toriko and Komatsu at your sides. Mansam was still drinking next to the Gourmet Hunter, and you swore it was his 24 bottle of the day. After a few rounds of fight between beasts, the finale arrived and the announcer's voice burst inside the speakers:

"For today's main event, and the contenders are entering the ring! Entering from the first gate, it's the rampaging monster from the Northern continent, the Elephantsaurus!"

ELEPHANTSAURUS (REPTILE) - CAPTURE LEVEL 17

"And from the second gate, we have the amphibious demon, Gauchi!"

GAUCHI (MAMMAL) - CAPTURE LEVEL 13

"Now, a real top dog is making its way to the stage. From the third gate enters...the Silverback!"

SILVERBACK (MAMMAL) - CAPTURE LEVEL 10

"Making its entrance from the fourth gate is the god of death who's swooped down from the skies, the mysterious bird, Gerold!"

GEROLD (BIRD) - CAPTURE LEVEL 15

"So much intimidating fighters inside..." you shivered, causing Mansam to bark a laugh.

"The real surprise has yet to come, lass. The main attractions for today are the legendary beasts waiting behind the fifth and sixth gates"

"From the fifth gate...the strongest and most powerful of the wolves, born in ancient times...THE BATTLEWOLF!!!"

Toriko jumped from his seat, eyes widening like saucers at the words spoken from the announcer. He looked more excited about the fight than earlier.

"Awesome! Just as in the legendary 'Tragedy of the Deathgore'...the Battlewolf!" breathed Toriko, amazed.

"Battlewolf?" repeated Komatsu.

"In ancient times, a demon was born into this world. With a body length of 50 meters and weighing 1000 tons, the enormous herbivorous beast, the Deathgore. They were devils that formed herds and consumed all of the greenery, mowing down all of the earth's plant life. They left a world of death in their wake. The footsteps of the Deathgore were truly the countdown to a species' extinction" told Mansam. "After eating one continent into oblivion, they set their sights on the world's largest continent...a green paradise"

"But they were never able to consume even one blade of grass in this wonderland. When the demons tried to lay claim to that land, they were completely wiped out by one, solitary creature, the Battlewolf"

"They are all looking in the same direction" you pointed out to the beasts.

Indeed, they were all looking nervously at the fifth gate. Red eyes were shining behind the bars, and once it lifted, a white colored wolf made its majestic entrance. It growled, the sound shaking the whole arena.

BATTLEWOLF (MAMMAL) - CAPTURE LEVEL IMMEASURABLE

"The legendary wolf" sweated Toriko, gaping at the size of this beast. "What an incredible presence it has. It's giving me a serious case of goose bumps"

"How did you even clone one?" you inquired, staring at Mansam.

"There weren't many, but we were able to find some cells near the place where the Deathgores went extinct. It was constructed from those cells"

"It certainly has the blood of a king running through its veins" mused Toriko. "Look at them. They're all so scared that they can't move"

"The most popular is the Battlewolf" you gazed at the screen that displayed the number of bets and the ranks between the beasts. "And the runner up is....the DEVIL SNAKE?!"

"Y-YOU MEAN....?!" cried out in fear Komatsu.

"It's the same species that attacked Komatsu and (y/n) in the cave" spoke Toriko.

Your attention drifted from what was happening next to you to the Battlewolf. It remained far away from the pack of beasts snarling at it, and showed no sign of wanting to fight. You furrowed your brows, head tilting to the side.

Its physique looked particular too, and your eyes traveled to the wolf's stomach. You blinked once, then twice. Until you edged on your seat while letting out a gasp:

"Is it pregnant?!" you yelled.

"Huh? What do you mean?" wondered Komatsu, Mansam and Toriko too busy in conversing with some girl named Rin through a screen.

"The Battlewolf!"

At this right moment, smoke came out from the cavities that you could find all around inside the dome. The beasts suddenly became restless, a chemical reaction from this smoke.

"So much Battle Fragrance is coming out!" said Mansam, placing his hands against the glass.

"What's Battle Fragrance?"

"It's the essence of the plant that blooms in the land of unending strife, Battle Island, the Battle Flower. Its smell affects an animal's central nervous system and manifests a heightened state of excitement within them" explained Toriko.

"The wild beast trainer, Rin, uses it under managerial supervision. It's vital for the Colosseum to have, but this much gonna pose a problem" groaned the Chief.

"None of this is important! You have to stop this fight!" you cried out, facing Mansam and Toriko who gazed at you, confused.

You were shocked to see the beasts charging at the Battlewolf, each of them biting a part of its body. The wolf struggled to advance forward, digging its claw into the ground. Toriko noted that there was something odd about it while you shook your head.

"The Battlewolf is a female!" you tried again, and Mansam raised a brow.

"Uh, yeah, it is" he said, not really getting your point. "So?"

"She's pregnant!!" you shouted.

Toriko gazed quickly at the Battlewolf, and his eyes widened when he came to the same realization as yours. You didn't even have the time to blink that Toriko made a hole inside the dome, and used his Nail Punch to get rid of the Gauchi. The beast collided with the wall behind, falling unconscious.

"Sorry, I just need you to quiet down a bit" muttered the Gourmet Hunter.

"TORIKO-SAN WENT INTO THE ARENA!" yelled Komatsu in panic.

"That idiot..." facepalmed Mansam.

"And they added him to the ranking of popularity..." you sweatdropped as you stared at the screen, seeing Toriko's name printed on the screen's display.