"Does anyone really live here? It looks like it's been abandoned for ages."
Several figures stood beside a barren field. A few dilapidated wooden houses stood faintly visible along the paths between the plots.
Nami looked around. Near the abandoned village, there was nothing but a few bare hills.
The conditions were so harsh that forget living together—there wasn't even anything to eat nearby.
There was a bamboo grove in the distance, though.
Luffy said nothing. He lowered the brim of his straw hat, shadowing his face, and started toward the grove.
Zoro followed without hesitation.
Nami, Robin, Pudding, and Uta exchanged glances, then followed.
The bamboo grove was deep and quiet. A breeze slipped through like a sprite, and the green leaves swayed with a soft, pleasant rustle.
A small wooden house stood on a lush green hill.
A petite girl sat comfortably on the porch, weaving a straw hat from strips of bamboo.
Her medium-length purple hair was tied into a bun, and her light-green kimono was patterned with tiny pale-yellow designs.
Scattered sunlight filtered through the leaves and dappled the floorboards beside her. Birds chirped as brightly as wind chimes.
At a glance, the scene had a tranquil, secluded charm.
But her clothes were covered in patches, and the shabby house behind her made it clear that her life wasn't as comfortable as it first seemed.
Tama smiled contentedly, still savoring the half-bowl of rice she'd eaten for lunch on her birthday.
She'd hidden the rest away. If she ate it a little at a time, it would last for several more meals.
Thinking that made her smile even more happily.
Suddenly, she heard voices coming from a distance.
"Are they Kaido's men again?"
Tama warily stood up. As if remembering something, she hurried inside and hid