An archipelago somewhere on the Grand Line had just been struck by a tsunami.
Extreme natural phenomena occasionally occurred in these waters, which was hardly unusual. Under normal circumstances, the islands themselves remained relatively "stable."
But an external natural disaster like a sudden tsunami was almost impossible to guard against.
On the side of the archipelago that faced the tsunami, a town stood on one of the small islands.
Administratively speaking, it did pay taxes to the country on the main island and nominally enjoyed that country's protection.
But after the tsunami destroyed its roads, bridges, and homes...
The main island cited "transportation difficulties" and sent only a few small boats with a token amount of food.
There were no desperately needed supplies such as medicine, tents, blankets, or fuel.
The town's only small clinic had also been flooded.
The injured could only lie helplessly in an open space on higher ground, staring at the sky.
Families who had lost loved ones searched the waterlogged ruins for keepsakes or usable supplies.
The experienced elders, meanwhile, felt that the reigning king was truly merciful for providing any food at all. They even lectured the ignorant youngsters.
After all, living on an outlying island, they already paid far less tax than the main island's citizens. They should be grateful.
In fact, in this world, the elders were absolutely right. Their king was a merciful king. That was not sarcasm, but a fact.
Yet some young people refused to accept it. A few of them had gone to sea on merchant ships and seen the outside world.
According to the rumors, a Great Angel descended from the sky, helped those suffering hardship, then left with a cheerful smile, asking for nothing in return.
Under pressure from the World Government, the vast majority of