Gourmet Demons vary in strength. Before fully devouring and merging with them, Gourmet Cell holders enhance their power through two primary methods:
Cell Activation: Consuming ingredients compatible with their cells rapidly boosts strength by tapping into the Gourmet Demon's latent power. Toriko and the Four Heavenly Kings exemplify this, using rare, potent ingredients like the Eight Ingredients to trigger explosive growth.
Traditional Cultivation: Older elites like Midora relied on centuries of training and diverse ingredients to elevate their Gourmet Cell Levels, surpassing their Gourmet Demons' innate power. By later integrating the Eight Ingredients, they achieved heights rivaling entities like Neo Acacia.
Most lack the lifespan for such gradual mastery, making Midora's feats exceptional. In the human world, a hunter's potential is gauged by their Gourmet Demon's inherent strength.
Observing Erina and Hisako, Chef Sumire noted that their Gourmet Demons—while not apex-tier—still ranked impressively. Their gold and pink spectres hinted at formidable, yet untapped, potential.
After awakening Gourmet Cells, Erina and Hisako's appetites surged. Erina discovered her God Tongue's hypersensitivity had been mitigated by the cells—a relief, given its limited utility in this world.
After the meal, Zed summoned the pair aside.
"I'm returning to the Healing Kingdom, then onward to the First Biotope. Since you've awakened Gourmet Cells, you'll accompany me. There's much to teach you…"
He instructed them to access their Mind Spaces and fabricate backstories: newly awakened, born with dormant Gourmet Cells. They were to hide their Gourmet Demons' docility—a trait only Zed's System could explain.
Erina pieced it together. "So, our rapid awakening is because…"
"A trade secret," Zed interjected. "Just remember the cover story."
They agreed, grasping the stakes. Exposing Zed's methods could destabilize nations craving Gourmet Cell replication.
Before parting, Zed supplied them with Gourmet Ingredients to boost their Cell Levels pre-First Biotope. With his strength, even Bishokukai's GT Robots there posed no threat.
Zed's true aim was Yosaku, the Saiseiya Master. The device measuring Tatsu's Cell Level couldn't gauge its potential. As humanity's foremost expert on Gourmet Beasts, Yosaku—still in the human world pre-Four Beasts Crisis—could optimize Tatsu's growth.