Boxes upon boxes of food were moved from the back kitchen onto trolleys until Okura Hotel's back kitchen was emptied.
"Alright, it's all loaded." The lead refugee said, wiping sweat from his forehead.
His name was Masato Miyamoto. Before the war broke out in the Land of Grass, he was a chef. After the war, he fled with his family to the closest Land of Rain. However, at that time, there was also war within the Land of Rain, so they could only stay in the relatively peaceful Nibi no Utsu.
It was precisely because of his talent as a chef that he was chosen by Sato to work as a chef in Okura Hotel's back kitchen. But Masato never expected that Sato wouldn't pay him. Instead, Sato exchanged his labor for three steamed buns a day.
Sato would beat and scold these refugees, even having his ninja monitor their daily labor, fearing they would be lazy.
Masato had long found life unbearable here, but he lacked the ability to resist, let alone contend with Sato. Now, the appearance of Haruki and his group gave him new hope.
Haruki looked at the three fully loaded large trolleys and nodded in satisfaction.
Masato sighed, "There was actually more left yesterday, but Sato threw it all away. He would rather waste it than help the refugees."
Hearing Masato's words, Yahiko clenched his fists in anger. Haruki, however, was not surprised by such things.
Haruki said to Masato, "Let's go. Let's push this food onto the streets. Let more refugees join our resistance."
Masato looked at the righteous eyes of the young man before him, and his eyes suddenly stung.
He quickly lowered his head and said, "Okay."
The system's notification sounded in Haruki's mind. Gratitude value had increased again.
Just like that, their large group headed towards the busiest street in Nibi no Utsu. Along the way, they encountered many refugees.
The refugees all remembered Haruki, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan. Yesterday, these young people had distributed food to them. The refugees had lived in Nibi no Utsu for almost a year, and no one had ever shown them kindness.
When they were extremely hungry, they could only search through trash cans for food. They couldn't even manage to leave Nibi no Utsu.
Firstly, there was war within the Land of Rain previously, and secondly, the merchants of Nibi no Utsu did not allow them to leave.
The refugees looked at the ninja and samurai following Haruki and his group, fearfully shrinking their emaciated bodies back, as if trying to merge into the walls. But very quickly, the refugees noticed something unusual.
Because behind these ninja and samurai, there was another group of people following. These people had smiles on their faces. Their cheeks were sunken like the refugees', and although their clothes were clean, they were tattered, having been washed countless times.
Someone among the refugees recognized Masato.
"Masato... how are you here?" Someone quietly asked.
Their gaze fell on the food in the trolley, and they swallowed, their protruding eyes gleaming with hunger.
Masato smiled at them, his voice loud and clear, instantly spreading throughout the entire street. "Later, we will be giving out food for free in the central plaza. If you want to eat, follow us."
The refugees might have strong reservations about the ninja and samurai following Haruki, but with Masato saying these words, it was different.
Masato, like the refugees, came from the Land of Grass, and he was also a refugee. He would not harm anyone.
The refugees looked at each other, and driven by hunger, they involuntarily followed behind Masato and his group. More and more refugees followed behind them.
By the time Haruki and his group arrived at the central plaza, almost all the refugees in Nibi no Utsu had received news that someone was giving out free food. They dragged their weak bodies and gathered towards the plaza.
Soon, the plaza in front of Haruki and his group was packed with refugees. Pairs of protruding eyes looked at Haruki and his group with anticipation, filled with the light of hope. The longing on their faces made it impossible to disappoint them.
The teams led by Kojiro, Genra, and Muramasa stood in various directions, guarding the central plaza to prevent riots, chaos, or enemy surprise attacks.
Haruki stood in the center of the raised platform in the plaza. Yahiko and Nagato stood by his side, while Konan was distributing food with Masato and his group.
Konan really liked this work. She hoped to help those who were suffering.
She patiently said to the refugees, "Everyone, don't rush! Everyone will get some! Everyone will be full! From now on, everyone will have food every day! Don't snatch!"
With ninja and samurai guarding, the refugees did not dare to disobey the order.
The food brought by Masato and his group was quickly depleted.
Every refugee held food more precious than gold in their hands, including Masato and others who hadn't eaten their fill in the back kitchen.
The food was distributed fairly. Haruki naturally would not forget Masato and his group.
Haruki stood on the platform, patiently waiting for the refugees to finish eating.
The refugees hadn't eaten so much food in a very long time, their minds were empty of everything but food.
No matter what Haruki said, they wouldn't listen.
The refugees touched their bulging bellies.
So full!
It had been very long since they had a full meal.
Tears dripped onto the steamed buns and dumplings in their hands.
Even though they were already very full, the food given to them had not yet been finished.
The refugees looked up at Haruki and his group, tears gradually washing away the dirt on their faces.
In the midst of the silence, Haruki's voice rang out. "Has everyone eaten their fill?"
The refugees nodded, and someone shouted in a hoarse voice, "We're full!"
Haruki nodded and continued to ask, "Then does everyone want to be full from now on?"
The refugees froze.
What did he mean?
Could it be...
The refugees' breathing quickened. Who wouldn't want to eat their fill and dress warmly?
"Yes!"
Hearing the shouts, Haruki nodded.
"This meal you just ate might temporarily drive away the hunger in your stomachs, but what about tomorrow? Where will our next meal be? Where will we shelter from the wind and rain tonight and for the tens of thousands of nights to come?"
The refugees looked at Haruki blankly.
What could they do?
They could only pray for the war in the Land of Grass to end, so they could return home.
But could they even last until then?
Goal = 350 PS