"Does anyone really live here? It looks like it's been abandoned for ages."
Several figures stood at the edge of a patch of wasteland. A few dilapidated wooden houses could vaguely be seen scattered between the field paths.
Nami glanced around. Apart from a few bare little hills, there was nothing near the abandoned village.
This environment was too harsh for people to settle in. There was not even anything edible nearby.
There was, however, a bamboo forest in the distance.
Luffy said nothing. He lowered his straw hat, hiding his face beneath its shadow, then started walking toward the bamboo forest.
Zoro followed without hesitation.
Nami, Robin, Pudding, and Uta exchanged looks, then followed as well.
The bamboo forest was deep and secluded. The breeze flitted through it like little spirits, making the green leaves rustle with a pleasant whisper.
A small wooden house stood atop a lush green hillock.
A petite girl sat leisurely on the porch, weaving a straw hat from bamboo strips.
Her shoulder-length purple hair was tied up in a bun, and her pale green kimono was decorated with faint yellow floral patterns.
Sparse sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, scattering mottled patches across the wooden floor beside her. Birds chirped, clear as wind chimes.
At a glance, the place had a quiet, tranquil charm.
But her clothes were covered in patches. Combined with the shabby wooden house behind her, it was clear her life was nowhere near as comfortable as it first appeared.
Tama wore a satisfied smile, still savoring the half bowl of rice she had eaten for her birthday at noon.
If she hid the rest and ate it little by little, she could make it last for several more meals.
Thinking that, Tama's face brightened with even more happiness.