Chapter 2: The Vital Ingredient

That went better than expected. A fine ingredient, perfect in both shape and size.

What are you doing all the way out here? And what's that in your hands? It doesn't look like it's something you'd use in battle.

I came to get this to use as an ingredient in my new cooking recipe.

Cooking? What kind of food are you going to make with it?

I haven't decided on the details yet, but I took inspiration from Aaroniero's Glotoneria.

The dish I want to come up with is one that can provide a boost in power upon its consumption.

But to call it a "new recipe" means that I need to be original and unique. It has to be different from what already exists.

With that in mind, I don't feel that this is enough to be a determining factor.

I see. In that case, you may want to try being creative. A little ingenuity can help to transform this missing element.

Upon learning that I modified my Fracciónes to use as healing elixirs, Lord Aizen turned them into Arrancar for me. You can apply this idea to your cooking.

Creativity... So you're talking about the seasoning and the combination of ingredients?

Cooking is a science. Depending on the composition of ingredients, you can have an infinite number of possibilities.

Oh, speaking of which, though I am not that familiar with the concept myself...

...I've heard of a technique in the world of the living called "spicing it up." You add an unexpected flavor to create uniqueness.

That's a phrase I've never heard before. But incorporating the style of the world of the living is an interesting idea.

I was so caught up in my own knowledge that I seem to have limited my range of ideas. I should look into this.

Interesting. "Spicing it up" means to add a small amount of something to a pre-existing dish to make it unique to your own taste.

It sounds simple, but I can see that there are endless possibilities.

In which case, what should I add to this? What would be the best way to go about this?

Hm?

Where am I?

You're near the Lair of the Dos Cifras. What are you doing here anyway?

I actually didn't come here on purpose. It looks like I wandered into this area while thinking about what to cook.

What a strange thing to be thinking about.

It's a hobby of mine. I get absorbed in it very easily.

While I'm here, I'd like to ask you about something.

If you were to add a small amount of something to this to turn it into an original dish, what do you think would be best?

I'm not very familiar with these things.

Ah, I should've known. I apologize for asking a strange question.

Although this may not be original, I once heard that you need "love" in cooking.

You may have a point, but I wasn't really looking for a conceptual notion.

What can be seen is not the whole of everything there is. I won't go into too much depth, but...

...even if you can't see it, there are things you can feel. The message conveyed through these prayers... Now, that is love.

The actions involved in preparing the dish are directly portrayed in the meal. I believe this difference is what brings upon change.

For example... Like this!

What?!

What do you think? This is love!

You're very powerful, as expected of an Espada.

However, that was not quite the response I was looking for. I will keep looking for my own way.

But...