Nextgen Kids: Legend of the Nine Newborn

The War Veterans

Get ready for another WILD dump of Gourmet Corp. members as we match them against numerous KND operatives!

Gourmet 18: The War Veterans

Cooking Island

"Attention all festival attendees, we have a special presentation taking place within the hour! Don't return to your beds just yet, or you'll miss the course of a lifetime!"

In only an hour, the sun will set on the 6th day of the festival. Kohaku stood on the Rice Beach, gazing at the twilight in a somber way. "I can't believe this tastes so good." Wolf said, approaching the older warrior while eating a handful of rice. "With everyone walking on it...uck, it's even stuck to my feet. ...Kohaku?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, it is kinda messy." Kohaku said, shifting her feet in the rice.

"Is something the matter?"

"Hey, Kohaku!" They looked over as Tressa and Tama jogged up. The former spoke, "Hey, it's just about time, isn't it?"

"Yeah... this is the sixth night. There's still no sign of him."

"Oh, right." Wolf said. "The captain guy."

"Hm...I guess we should-"

"Kohaku! There you are!"

Kohaku gasped, hearing the familiar voice. A short distance away, there stood a handsome boy in light-brown summer clothes and leek hair. "Senku!" The warrior dashed up and embraced him in a hug.

"Aaack! Heh, you feel a tad stronger since the last hug... A little breathing room?"

"So, this is the great Senku?" Tressa inquired. "Cool to finally meet you!"

"And you all must be Augustus's other crewmen."

"More like acquaintances." Wolf clarified.

"Senku, outer space has been so amazing!" Kohaku exclaimed. "I've seen so many things and met so many people! A world covered in stars, a world covered in snow, a world of giant animals... After this, I can't imagine going back home. Is...is that wrong?"

"Not at all! I'm glad you've having fun! Maybe after this, I'll take you to see Earth. Until then, wanna take a look at some of my favorite recipes?"

"O-Haku, we hath to go!" Tama insisted.

"I..." Kohaku frowned as she looked back to her new friends. "I'd love to, Senku... but we sort of made a promise to Augustus. If he didn't show up by the sixth night, we have to leave the island and try to find him. He went to a place called New Galaxia to search for Gourmet Corp.'s boss, and... it sounded like a dangerous mission."

"Sounds like you've really fallen for him~"

"..." Kohaku puffed her cheeks and glared. True, she had used that expression when Senku first rescued her, but it had a different meaning where he was from. "I haven't 'fallen' for him as strongly as you... but at the same time, I've begun to feel a soft spot for him. He's a terrific fighter, and he brought me on this amazing adventure. I sort of feel indebted to him..."

"Then let's get going!"

"Huh? You mean, you want to come, too?"

"Why not? The whole thing sounds rather exciting. I mean, Cooking Fest will just come again four years later, but you can't miss a chance to challenge a criminal organization. Oh, but, did Suika come with you guys? We couldn't find her afterward."