In preparation for the final, Soma and Megumi go to the fish market, where they come across Kurokiba and Alice. There, they learn of the varying factors for picking the best pacific saury, which Kurokiba appears to be an expert on. Learning that Hayama also has a talent for picking out the best fish, Soma worries about how to compete with against them. Soma decides on aging his saury, asking for help from Ryoko, Ibusaki, and Ikumi. He tries their aging techniques: using malt rice, smoking, and high humidity, but manages to think of a way to surpass his competition after a run-in with Fumio. On the day of the final, Soma brings out a completely unrecognizable saury.