Saiyan Primal Ascension

I left flinging back to the nearby city, which was easy for me to reach as I wasn't moving slowly for the others to keep up with. The air was filled with the hum of excitement, the vibrant energy of celebration spreading like wildfire throughout the bustling square. It was rare to have such a lighthearted event, but today the city was alive with joy, the festival in full swing, and I couldn't help but get swept up in it as I landed.

I walked through the throngs of people, the warm sun beating down on me. Laughter, chatter, and the sounds of sizzling food created an almost musical harmony. The families of Saiyans were out in full force. Kids with tails wrapped around their waists, some still learning to control their movements, tugged at their parents, pointing towards different booths set up for the festival. Some of them had that wild look in their eyes, the kind that only came from youthful excitement. Older Saiyans stood around in groups, sharing food, stories, and even a few small brawls that broke out from time to time when things got heated. A little sparring was just part of who we were, after all.

"Hey, isn't that Celera?" someone called out, and I turned to see a young Saiyan woman waving at me. Her name was Tarshe—she was a gourmet hunter, known for her love of capturing Sea beasts. Her smile was warm, and her young son clung to her side, his eyes wide with awe.

"Back in one piece, I see," she added, her eyes taking in the faint bruises still visible on my skin. "You really gave them a run for their money, didn't you?"

I smirked. "You know me, Tarshe. Wouldn't be me if I didn't."

Tarshe laughed, her son hiding behind her leg as he peeked at me. "This one's gonna grow up just like you," she said, ruffling her son's hair. "Always talking about becoming the strongest Saiyan out there. I tell him there's no need to rush."

"Never hurts to start young," I replied, winking at the boy, who gave a shy smile.

As I continued down the path, my senses were overloaded by the smell of food. Skewered meat turned over an open flame, various kinds of fish grilled to perfection, and unfamiliar fruits cut and arranged in colorful displays. I stopped near a booth run by an older Saiyan, Totepo, who was a skilled cook in his own right. He was offering samples of some exotic-looking grilled insect, and a line had formed in front of his stall.

I watched with amusement as Totepo gestured wildly, explaining to a group of curious onlookers, "This, my friends, is the Fire Beetle. Tough to catch, but oh, the flavor! Just a hint of spice that will knock your taste buds out of the park!"

An enthusiastic cheer went up from those around, many trying to sample the dish. I could see the pride on Totepo's face as he handed over plate after plate to eager customers. Even the little ones, who seemed wary of eating insects, eventually relented and, after tasting it, broke into wide smiles.

"Celera! Come try this!" Totepo called, waving me over.

"Thanks," I said, chuckling. moving to grab one and eat it. He laughed, shaking his head. "taste good right!" I nodded as I licked my fingers. "Yeah, its pretty good."

As I moved away, the sight of a group of Saiyans, mostly teenagers, gathered around a cooking station caught my eye. They were wearing aprons, some of which were far too large for them, and each had a look of pure determination on their face. They were participating in a cooking competition, the goal seemingly to create the most exotic dish with ingredients gathered from Regal Island. The judges, a few senior hunters, and Gine herself watched with amusement as the young cooks scrambled about.

I couldn't help but grin at the scene. Saiyans were warriors and fighters, but here they were, battling it out over cooking pots and spices. I had tried cooking once, but never again. The others had practically banned me from any cooking since then. My skills lay elsewhere, and honestly, I was okay with that.

Further along, I spotted some familiar faces. The spiky blue hair of Toriko stood out in the crowd, and beside him, I saw the smaller figure of Komatsu, carrying a bag full of what I assumed were cooking supplies. Sunny and Coco were with them, the four of them weaving their way through the festival, seemingly deep in conversation.

I headed their way, weaving through the bustling crowd, and caught up just as Toriko let out a loud laugh, his voice booming over the noise of the crowd. "So you're telling me that thing could have fed a hundred people?" he said, eyes wide with disbelief.

"That's right!" Sunny replied, his vibrant hair shimmering in the sunlight, his expression one of exaggerated disgust. "But it wasn't beautiful enough, so I decided to pass. I mean, come on, Toriko, you wouldn't want something that ugly on your plate, would you?"

"Uh, I dunno," Toriko said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "If it tastes good, I'm game."

Coco gave a small smile, shaking his head. "Not everything is about looks, Sunny. Though I admit, it would have taken a lot of work to make that presentable."

"Well, if it tastes good, I'm eating it," Toriko said with a grin, and Komatsu nodded vigorously in agreement.

"Mind if I join in on the fun?" I called out, and all four of them turned toward me. Toriko's face split into a wide grin.

"Celera! Good to see you back on your feet!" he said, clapping me on the shoulder with enough force to knock over an average person. "We were just talking about some of Sunny's latest finds."

"Something about ugly food?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Sunny.

Sunny gave an exaggerated sigh, tossing his hair back dramatically. "Ugh, you know how it is. I can't stand anything that isn't beautiful. I found this creature, a combination of beetle and snake, and Toriko here wants to eat it! I mean, the flavor might be alright, but just looking at it was enough to make my hair curl in disgust."

"Sounds like you're missing out," I teased, knowing exactly how to push Sunny's buttons.

He gave me a withering look, though there was a playful glint in his eyes. "You should stick to fighting, Celera. Leave the culinary choices to those of us with refined tastes."

I laughed, raising my hands in surrender. "Trust me, I'm not touching anything in a kitchen. We all know how that ends."

Komatsu, chimed in, "But you know, Sunny, sometimes the ugliest ingredients make the best dishes. I bet if you gave it a try, you might change your mind."

Sunny made a face, but Coco nodded in agreement. "It's true. Some of the best-tasting foods come from unexpected places. Besides, if anyone could make it beautiful, it's you, Sunny."

Toriko chuckled, patting Sunny on the back. "See? You're missing out on a potential masterpiece, my friend."

Sunny huffed but didn't argue, and I could tell he was considering it, though he would never admit it out loud.

"Anyway, what's the plan for today?" I asked, looking between them.

"Well, we're mostly here for the festival," Toriko said. "Thought we'd sample some of the local cooking, maybe take part in a few games. But I heard there's a competition going on, and Komatsu loves those."

Komatsu's face lit up at the mention of the competition, and he nodded eagerly. "They've got a cooking contest with some really unique ingredients. I was thinking of entering, if that's alright with you guys."

Toriko gave him a thumbs-up. "Of course! We're here to support you, buddy. besides he's a fan of Gine's cooking skill so he wanted to impress her."

"Absolutely," I agreed. "Besides, I'm curious to see what you can whip up with whatever weird ingredients they've got here. and knowing Gine she would be open to eating anything"

Sunny crossed his arms, eyeing me critically. "Just stay out of the kitchen, Celera. I don't want any of your 'help' ruining Komatsu's chances."

I rolled my eyes, a grin tugging at my lips. "I know, I know. I'm staying far away from anything that involves cooking."

As we made our way through the festival, I couldn't help but notice the atmosphere. Here, there was laughter and joy. Near one of the larger open areas, a group of Saiyan children were playing a game, their laughter echoing as they chased each other around, their tails flicking playfully behind them. A few of the older Saiyans watched over them, occasionally calling out encouragement.

I spotted a familiar face among them, Kara, a Saiyan who had always been one of the most level-headed among us. She had her hands on her hips, her eyes following the children closely as they ran about.

"Keeping them out of trouble, Kara?" I called over, and she looked up, her expression softening as she saw me.

"Someone has to," she replied with a small smile. "They're a handful, but they're good kids."

One of the kids, a boy with wild hair and an untamed energy that reminded me of Gohan ran up to me, his eyes wide. "Are you really Celera?" he asked, his voice filled with awe.

I knelt down so I was at his level, giving him a smile. "That's me. Who wants to know?"

The boy's face broke into a grin, and he puffed out his chest. "I'm Rako! And I'm gonna be stronger than you someday!"

I laughed, ruffling his hair. "I'll hold you to that, Rako. Keep training, and who knows? Maybe you'll be even stronger but I won't make it easy for you."

He beamed at that, and then Kara called him back, giving me a knowing look. "Don't go giving them too many ideas, Celera. They're already a handful as it is."

I winked at her. "Just making sure the next generation knows what they're capable of."

As we continued on, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. We finally reached the area where the cooking competition was taking place. Tables were set up, covered in exotic ingredients, some familiar, others I had never seen before. Komatsu's eyes lit up as he saw the selection, and he immediately got to work, his hands moving with a precision that only came from years of practice.

Sunny, ever the perfectionist, stood beside him, offering critiques and suggestions while Toriko and Coco watched with interest. I stayed back, knowing that my role here was to observe and not get in the way.

I watched as Komatsu carefully sliced into a strange, glowing fruit, its juice shimmering in the sunlight. He worked with a focus and intensity, Sunny, despite his usual complaints, was clearly impressed, occasionally nodding in approval.

"How's it looking, Komatsu?" Toriko asked, leaning over to get a better look.

Komatsu smiled, not taking his eyes off his work. "I think it's going to turn out great, Toriko. Just wait until you try it."

Sunny sniffed, his expression one of grudging approval. "It's not ugly, at least. I suppose that's something."

Coco chuckled. "Coming from you, that's high praise."

I found myself smiling as I watched them. This was a different kind of battle, a battle for flavor, for creativity, and for the joy of creating something new. Sometimes, it was about the simple things, the laughter of friends, the joy of a good meal, and the peace of knowing that, for now, we were safe.

The day wore on, and as the sun began to dip below the horizon, the festival showed no signs of slowing down. Lanterns were lit, casting a warm glow over the square, and music filled the air. People danced, their laughter ringing out as they moved to the rhythm of the drums.

I watched as Komatsu presented his dish—a beautifully arranged plate of grilled meat and fruit, the colors vibrant and inviting. The judges sampled it, their expressions lighting up with delight. Gine, who had been watching from the sidelines, gave an approving nod. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

Toriko clapped Komatsu on the back, nearly knocking him over. "Told you, buddy. You're the best!"

Sunny sniffed, though there was a smile on his face. "It's passable. I suppose."

I couldn't help but laugh, enjoying the warmth of the moment. Komatsu beamed, clearly thrilled by the praise, while Gine stepped up to offer a few words of encouragement.

"You've got a real talent, Komatsu," Gine said warmly, her eyes bright with excitement. "It's not easy to take ingredients like these and make something that brings out the best in each of them. You've got a great sense of taste."

Komatsu's face turned red, and he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Thank you, Gine! That means a lot coming from you."

Sunny huffed, crossing his arms as he glanced at Gine. "Well, it's good enough for her to approve, so I suppose that means you're getting there, Komatsu."

Gine just chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, Sunny, you've got such high standards. But honestly, Komatsu, if you ever want to learn more, I'd be happy to teach you some of the old family recipes."

Komatsu's eyes widened, and he nodded eagerly. "I'd love that! Thank you, your majesty!"

Toriko grinned, draping an arm around Komatsu's shoulders. "There you go, buddy. Learning from one of the best! We're all going to be eating like royalty soon enough."

As the festival continued, I decided to explore a bit more, leaving the cooking area behind. The lanterns that hung above swayed gently with the breeze, and the music seemed to take on a different rhythm as night fell. The glow of the lights gave the whole square a dreamlike quality, and it was easy to lose myself in the energy of it all.

I spotted a small group of Saiyans engaged in a friendly sparring match nearby. The combatants were a mix of ages, some young and brash, others older and more experienced.

There was a particularly impressive display as one of the fighters, a younger Saiyan named Ragil, managed to dodge an incoming strike and counter with a sweeping kick that knocked his opponent off balance. The crowd around them cheered, and I could see the pride in Ragil's eyes as he bowed to his opponent, who laughed good-naturedly as he got back to his feet.

"You want in, Celera?" someone called out, and I looked over to see Oran, one of the older Saiyans I had trained with in the past. He was grinning, his eyes glinting with challenge.

I grinned back, shaking my head. "Not today, Oran. I'm giving the rest of you a chance to shine." Honestly, none of them would even be a warm-up for me now.

He laughed, nodding in agreement. "Probably for the best. Don't want you showing us all up."

I stayed for a while, watching the matches, and feeling the energy of the crowd. Eventually, I moved on, wandering through the stalls and booths. They were enjoying the festival.

The sound of laughter drew my attention, and I looked over to see a group of Saiyan children gathered around a small stage where a performer was putting on a show. He was using his ki to create shapes in the air, dragons, birds, and even a few familiar faces. The children were enthralled, their eyes wide as they watched the glowing figures dance and move. now that was interesting.

I felt a smile tug at my lips as I watched them. It was good to see them like this, happy, carefree, without a worry in the world. 

The evening continued, and the festival began to wind down. The sparring matches ended, the cooking competition was declared a success, and people began to gather in small groups to share stories, to eat, to enjoy the company of friends and family.

I found myself back near the cooking area, where Toriko, Sunny, Coco, and Komatsu were still talking with Gine. They were laughing, their voices mingling with the music and the sound of the crackling fires that lit the square.

"Celera!" Toriko called, waving me over. "Come join us! We're just about to try some of Gine's cooking."

I made my way over, raising an eyebrow at the assortment of dishes spread out before them. "Alright, alright. besides Gines is one of the best I've had."

As the plates were passed around, I took a bite of one of the dishes—a savory stew made from a mixture of ingredients I couldn't even begin to identify. The flavor was rich, complex, and I could taste the care that had gone into preparing it.

"So good!," I said, nodding approvingly. 

Toriko grinned, his mouth full. Komatsu nodded in agreement, his eyes wide as he tasted the food. "It's amazing! I can learn so much from this."

Sunny, was eating like a kid his high and mighty way of eating was long gone. Coco chuckled, shaking his head. 

We sat there for a while, eating, laughing, enjoying the food and the company. It was a simple thing, but it was moments like these that made everything worth it. 

As the night wore on, the crowd began to disperse, people heading back to their homes, their camps, and their ships. The lanterns flickered, their light growing dimmer as the fires burned low.

I stood, stretching, feeling the fatigue of the day finally catching up to me. "I think that's my cue to head out," I said, giving the others a small smile.

Toriko nodded, clapping me on the back. "Take care, Celera. And don't be a stranger."

Sunny gave a small wave, his usual air of aloofness still present. "Try not to get yourself killed, alright?"

Coco gave me a nod, his eyes kind. "Until next time, Celera."

Komatsu beamed at me, his excitement still palpable. "Thanks for joining us! And if you ever want to learn to cook, I'd be happy to teach you!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think I'll stick to what I'm good at, Komatsu. But I appreciate the offer."

With a final wave, I took to the sky, the cool night air rushing past me as I flew away from the festival. Below, the city grew smaller, the lights flickering like stars against the darkness. It had been a good day a rare day of peace, of joy.