Jay and Ameno's wedding reception lasted past 6 p.m., and they finally managed to wrap up the celebration successfully.
All that was left was to tidy up the remaining items and offer blessings to the cousins and extended family who had helped with the wedding.
As a token of gratitude for their assistance.
######
Early that morning at the black market in the sub-district, a man carrying several items on his back was seen entering the market area.
There, the man began to observe the situation. After observing for a while, he began looking for an empty space to set up a stall.
And soon, next to a bamboo craft seller, he decided to open his stall.
It didn't take long for the goods to be unpacked from the packages he was carrying.
One contained corn kernels, another contained rice, and another contained meat.
Everything was neatly arranged, and soon several customers approached to examine the man's wares, their eyes immediately brightening.
"How much?" a customer asked in a low voice.
"3 cents for 1 kg of rice, 2 cents for 1 kg of corn, and 5 cents for 1 kg of venison," the figure replied hoarsely.
"Give me 10 kg of rice and 2 kg of meat," the customer replied.
The figure immediately handed over the ordered items, and soon several customers began lining up to buy.
Finally, in just half an hour, all of the figure's merchandise was sold out, and those who had run out were now feeling unhappy and sad.
As the figure was about to leave the market area, a middle-aged woman with her face covered spoke to stop him.
"Wait a minute… my friend, could you stop for a moment?" the middle-aged woman asked.
"What's wrong?" the figure asked warily.
The figure was clearly displeased with the middle-aged woman's actions, and he spoke in a cold tone.
"Don't worry, my friend. I just wanted to ask if you could bring some more rice here. I really need it," the middle-aged woman replied, explaining her purpose.
"Just wait for the next opportunity," the figure replied, eager to leave.
"Don't go, my friend. Please help me find it. I'll pay you 5 cents per kilogram for as much as you can carry." The middle-aged woman continued to try to persuade the figure.
"Oh, 5 cents per kilogram. Why are you so willing to pay such a high price?" the figure asked with a questioning expression, as if trying to find out her true motive.
Seeing the middle-aged woman's hesitation, the figure became increasingly interested in her true motives.
So he patiently waited to see what the middle-aged woman wanted to say next.
"Okay, I guess I can't hide it from you, but come with me and talk somewhere more private." The middle-aged woman then invited the figure to a quieter place to talk.
Soon they arrived at a quieter place, but still within the black market area.
As for why the middle-aged woman chose this location, it was because she wanted to remain vigilant against the figure in front of her.
"Food is running low, and many refugees will be arriving from the eastern part of the country.
Furthermore, the hot weather currently affecting the entire country doesn't seem to be improving soon.
This has caused many crop failures in food-producing villages.
So I want to stock up on more food for my family, regardless of how expensive it is.
Because, as you know, without food, humans cannot survive," the middle-aged woman explained in detail to the figure, explaining the real reason behind her high-priced order.
The figure, listening to the middle-aged woman's explanation, showed a serious expression, and now his suspicions were starting to be confirmed.
(I must report this situation to the main body, and inform him that the situation he previously predicted seems to have arrived.
And they can no longer continue trading food as they are now, as this will only arouse suspicion and ultimately lead to unforeseen disaster.)
"Okay, I'll give you 50 kg of rice and 50 kg of corn as a reward for this information. You won't have to pay 5 cents, just 3 cents," the figure replied.
In short, the figure and the middle-aged woman successfully completed their transaction, and Afterward, they went their separate ways.
The figure, having left the outer area of the black market, quickened his pace and, not long after noticing no one nearby, vanished.
Elsewhere, Jay, who was practicing ninjutsu in the forest behind his village, noticed an additional memory filling his mind.
Afterward, a serious expression appeared on Jay's face.
"I never thought that a food shortage would eventually reach my area.
Even though the area I currently live in is one of the national food barns,
But in the end, it was still affected.
So let's inform the family about the changes and prepare for the future." Jay concluded his ninjutsu training and decided to return home to inform his family of the impending situation.
Shortly after arriving home, Jay realized that he didn't see his father and mother, only Ameno and Nining, who were busy tending the vegetable garden in the backyard.
"Are you back?" Ameno asked when she saw Jay.
"Yes, I'll be back early. Where are Mom and Dad? I need to discuss some important matters with them," Jay asked Ameno.
"I think Mom and Dad are in the rice fields, preparing to plant for the next planting season," Ameno replied.
"Then Nining, call Mom and Dad immediately and tell them that I'm waiting for them at home." Jay instructed Nining to call her.
"Okay, Sis," Nining replied obediently and ran out of the house to call her back.
Seeing Nining leave, Ameno, who had been suppressing her curiosity, immediately asked.
"Why are you back so early? And what important matter do you want to discuss?" Ameno asked Jay as they walked back to their house.
"At the black market, while my clone was trading, I received information that a food shortage has spread across almost the entire country.
And it will soon reach our area.
So, I want to inform Mom and Dad and the extended family to prepare for any potential situation," Jay replied to Ameno.
"Oh, it seems your prediction was correct, honey. You predicted it a few weeks ago.
But our family should be fine, right?" Ameno asked Jay again.
Ameno knew that Jay had a space, and with his space capabilities, he must have stored a lot of things, like food, in it for emergencies.
"Yes, I've stored a lot of food, and it's enough for our family and even the entire village, it's just a limited amount.
And I need a reason to keep it at home," Jay replied to Ameno.
"Okay, you can talk to Mom and Dad later," Ameno agreed with Jay's decision.