***
Na: Linne-Horsdoeuvre
Strength: A (Seriously Ill)
Nen Type: ???
Abilities: Unknown, but as a legendary figure, Linne-Horsdoeuvre likely possessed a powerful Nen ability related to gourt hunting. Despite being seriously ill, their strength remains formidable, suggesting vast experience and mastery over their craft.
***
Larry's eyes narrowed. ‘Seriously ill?’ He recalled how the manga ntioned that Linne hadn’t spoken in five years. Was it because of this illness? It wasn’t hard to connect the dots. She must have contracted so unknown disease during her journey to the Dark Continent.
In that mont, Larry realized that he was standing before the third major powerhouse he had encountered, after Chairman Netero and Maha Zoldyck. While he pondered, Linne was also studying him. Her cloudy eyes flickered with a trace of recognition and surprise. It seed she knew who he was. After all, Larry wasn’t just so random hunter—he was the strongest floor master of Sky Arena, Invincible Larry.
Unlike soone like Omokage, who shut himself away from the world, Linne kept up with current affairs. And in recent tis, Larry had been one of the most talked-about nas in the hunter world. Linne’s gaze grew complicated. She had initially worried about the partner nchi would choose, fearing he wouldn’t be good enough for her.
But now…She realized she had been overthinking things. If anything, nchi was the one who had lucked out. "Ahem. Is he the one?" Linne’s voice was hoarse and deep, as if every word took effort.
Larry blinked, mildly surprised—he hadn’t expected her to be able to speak at all. nchi nodded firmly, her tone full of conviction. "Yes, it’s him!"
Linne exhaled slowly, nodding. "I see… Then the two of you should take care of each other." Her words carried a deeper aning, one that Larry imdiately picked up on. The way she said it, her gentle expression, and the slight teasing smile in her tone— It sounded less like a ntor’s approval of a partnership… And more like a mother-in-law entrusting her daughter to soone.
Larry subtly glanced at nchi, who was blushing furiously but said nothing to refute it. ‘So that’s what this was.’ This eting wasn’t just about gourt hunting—nchi wanted Larry to et Linne for personal reasons too. And Linne, as sharp as ever, imdiately understood her feelings.
Larry, on the other hand, was still debating how to process this realization when Linne suddenly changed the subject. "Will you two be participating in this year’s competition?"
Larry frowned. ‘Competition?’
nchi eagerly explained the details to Larry. The annual Grand Culinary Tournant was the biggest event of the year, drawing in the top food hunters, chefs, and elite guests from across the world.
The competition was split into two main challenges, Ingredient Hunting – Contestants had to track down and secure the best possible ingredients within the designated food zone on the island. And Cooking Challenge. Using the ingredients they gathered, contestants had to prepare a dish and serve it to the judges.
Only a portion of the final dish would be submitted for scoring—the rest? Contestants could enjoy it themselves.
And the prizes were just as exciting. Among them were rare A-rank ingredients, a coveted all-you-can-eat pass to Gourt Paradise, and for the ultimate champion—direct promotion to a one-star Gourt Hunter.
Though contestants could enter solo, most ford two-person teams, splitting the work between hunting and cooking. This was where nchi had always struggled. She had competed before, always alone, and had never managed to take ho the championship. Her one-star Gourt Hunter title had co from sheer hard work, but the competition had always eluded her grasp.
This ti, she didn’t want to compete alone. She wanted Larry as her partner. Hearing this, Larry didn’t even hesitate.With so many rare ingredients up for grabs, how could he say no? This competition was practically a gold mine of resources—he’d be a fool to let it pass.
After leaving the administrative building, nchi led Larry through winding streets, heading toward her own shop. That’s right—nchi owned a store in Gourt Paradise. Unlike the temporary food stalls that lined the streets, nchi’s place was a permanent fixture, aning she had earned enough recognition to secure a coveted spot in the food district.
“Having a store here is a pretty big deal,” Larry comnted, noting how packed the streets were. He had expected fewer people, given how exclusive Gourt Paradise was.
nchi chuckled. “It’s busier than usual because of the competition.” She explained that, while only a select few were invited to Gourt Paradise, there were still hundreds, maybe even thousands, of visitors at any given ti.
During tournant season, food hunters from all over the six continents would return to compete, and the event also attracted elite guests, including V5 officials, nobles, and celebrity chefs.
As a result, the island was livelier than ever. Even more surprising—you didn’t have to be a Gourt Hunter to enter the competition. Hunters from other categories could join as well, though most contestants were food hunters.
As they walked, Larry noticed a sign ahead, and when he read the bold letters, he wasn’t sure how to react. "nchi's Shop."
“Straight to the point, huh?” Larry muttered. It seed nchi wasn’t one for fancy nas. Then again, her Nen ability was called “nchi’s Kitchen”, so this was actually surprisingly normal by comparison. Looking at her now—her outfit, her more reserved deanor—Larry couldn't help but feel like she had changed a lot since the last ti they t. ‘Had sothing shifted in her mindset?’
nchi, unaware of Larry’s thoughts, took out a key, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. The mont she did, a stale, dusty sll wafted out. Larry took one look inside and raised an eyebrow. "...nchi, exactly how long has it been since you’ve been back here?"
nchi awkwardly rubbed her nose. "Uh... maybe close to a year?"
Larry sighed. “Figures.” The place wasn’t too bad, but the layer of dust on the furniture made it clear—this place hadn’t been used in a while. Larry wasn’t particularly interested in cleaning, but fortunately, he had Pokémon for that.
“Shauna.” A brilliant white light flashed, and Gardevoir materialized beside him. nchi blinked in surprise. Before she could ask, Gardevoir extended her hands, and an overwhelming wave of pink aura surged out.
The entire store was instantly engulfed in a glowing pink aura, like an ethereal tide sweeping through the air. Larry watched calmly as every corner, shelf, and surface beca enveloped in Gardevoir’s aura.
Everything—dust, dirt, debris—was suspended in midair, gathered into a swirling pink mass, and then... "Whoosh!" The aura condensed into a compact sphere, and with a flick of her wrist, Gardevoir dropped it neatly into the garbage bag Larry had just pulled out from his storage.
The once dusty shop now looked as if it had just undergone a full renovation—spotless, polished, and brand new. At the center of it all, Gardevoir stood like an elegant perforr on stage, raising one hand gracefully and offering a slight bow. “The performance is over.”
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