Rebirth in HxH World With Gardevoir

A short while later, Larry, Menchi, Gardevoir, and Gengar sat around a round table, ready to dig in. Initially, the plan had been to capture a regular Pale Fang Scorpion, which would have been plenty for just the two of them. However, the unexpected catch of the Pale Fang Scorpion King, nearly twice the size, meant there was more than enough to share.

Menchi didn't even question why Larry's Pokémon could eat. By this point, she had seen so many strange things from him that she had stopped being surprised altogether. Gardevoir and Gengar, having eagerly awaited their share, wasted no time digging in.

Larry lifted his spoon, scooped up a piece of the scorpion's belly meat from the soup, and took a bite. The moment it touched his tongue, the meat melted instantly—its texture as smooth as egg tofu with a natural sweetness that burst forth in his mouth. A deep, rich aroma followed, enhanced by the layers of flavor from Menchi's signature sauce. The "Ultimate Freshness" sauce elevated the dish to a whole new level, making every bite more delicious than the last.

As the soup flowed down his throat, a comforting warmth spread through his entire body, like drinking a hot broth on a freezing winter night. Larry leaned back, savoring the sensation. It wasn't just delicious—he could feel something happening inside him. His aura stirred, fluctuating ever so slightly, and upon closer inspection, he realized... His aura capacity was increasing! Larry's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait… does this food actually boost my aura?"

Menchi, who was enjoying her own meal, looked up and grinned. "That's right! This is exactly what us Gourmet Hunters are after." She gestured proudly at the dishes before them. "Rare, high-quality ingredients, cooked to perfection with the right techniques. Some dishes, like this one, have the power to enhance aura and strengthen the body."

Larry nodded slowly, taking it all in. The way Menchi spoke about food—it was more than just nourishment to her. It was art. For Menchi, this meal was a personal milestone. She had tasted many delicacies in her life, including some of the finest dishes from Gourmet Paradise, but tonight's meal ranked among the best.

The quality of the Pale Fang Scorpion King played a huge role, but Menchi could also feel it—her cooking skills had improved. The challenging process of preparing such a rare ingredient had pushed her boundaries, refining her abilities and giving her confidence in her growth as a chef. In her heart, she silently thanked Larry. Without his help, she wouldn't have had the chance to work with such an ingredient. As she ate, her mind drifted to the words of Master Buhara, the legendary figure all Gourmet Hunters admired.

Buhara had once told her that true Gourmet Hunters rarely worked alone. Hunting and cooking required different skills, and human energy was limited. That's why many Gourmet Hunters formed partnerships—one would specialize in capturing ingredients, while the other focused on preparing them. But both had to share the same passion for food.

Menchi had always been independent, confident in her strength, and focused entirely on food. But after facing the reality of this journey, she realized that her skills as a hunter weren't enough to match her culinary ambitions. She could cook high-level ingredients, but she lacked the strength to capture them on her own. Looking at Larry enjoying his meal, she felt a new sense of understanding. 'Maybe... Larry is the partner I need.' Her heart pounded, and a faint blush crept onto her face.

"Ge-ngar, Gengar!"

"Shauna!"

While Menchi was lost in thought, Gardevoir and Gengar chirped excitedly, their eyes gleaming. Even they could feel the effects of the meal—an improvement in their strength.

Larry glanced at his internal status and noticed that their experience levels had increased slightly. To him, these dishes weren't just food—they were literal experience boosters. Menchi snapped out of her thoughts and smiled warmly, watching as Larry, Gardevoir, and Gengar eagerly devoured their portions. Seeing everyone enjoy the meal brought her a deep sense of satisfaction. "Delicious food makes people happy," she said softly to herself.

Larry looked up from his plate and grinned. "You said it. This might be the best meal I've ever had."

Menchi chuckled, twirling her spoon. "Well, if you stick around, I'll make sure you have plenty more."

Larry smirked. "Careful, I might take you up on that offer." 

For Menchi, the greatest compliment was seeing the satisfied expressions of those enjoying her cooking. Gardevoir and Gengar, after a flurry of excitement, had devoured the entire feast alongside Larry and Menchi. The only downside? They had all put on a little belly fat.

Thankfully, as Nen users—and with Gardevoir and Gengar being Nen beasts—their bodies could handle the immense intake. Had they been ordinary people, they would have succumbed to the overwhelming temptation and possibly eaten themselves to exhaustion, unable to resist the sheer deliciousness of the meal.

For Nen users, this dish was an incredible supplement, enhancing their aura capacity and strengthening their bodies. But to an average person, it could be a dangerous indulgence—one that could lead them to overconsume beyond their physical limits. The rich energy contained within the Pale Fang Scorpion King could prove too much for an ordinary body to handle.

On the market, most ingredients available were below B-rank, with B-rank ingredients considered rare and difficult to obtain. Their scarcity was due not only to their rarity in the wild but also because very few people could actually consume them. Only those with Nen abilities or individuals with extremely high status and access to top-tier security could indulge in such luxury.

As Larry and Menchi finished their meal, a soft rustling sound caught their attention. A small group of Dune tapirs had gathered around them, drawn by the irresistible aroma. The creatures had black skin with a distinctive yellow stripe running across their bellies, their large ears twitching curiously. Their faces resembled rabbits, but their plump bodies and round bellies gave them the appearance of miniature boars. Due to their cute looks and easygoing nature, dune tapirs were commonly kept as pets in desert regions.

Larry and Menchi exchanged amused glances before deciding to toss the scraps to the eager creatures. "Here you go," Larry said, chuckling as he watched the tapirs devour the leftovers with loud, pig-like snorts. "Alright, that's enough of that," he muttered, and with a nod, Gardevoir used her teleportation ability to move the dune tapirs—and their meal—far from their camp.

With a gentle pink glow, the dune tapirs vanished, reappearing in a distant area, still oblivious to their sudden change in location as they continued happily munching away. As the last traces of their meal faded, Menchi dissolved the materialized kitchen tools with a snap of her fingers.