Chapter 245: The Weight of a Will
Nagato stood before Ragnar, trembling slightly.
Fear and confusion were written all over the boy's face.
This child had experienced far too much tragedy in his short life.
And now, for the first time, he had begun to sense the truth behind the strange things happening to him.
"Tell me what's wrong," Ragnar said calmly.
"Your teacher will always be your strongest support."
Ragnar had never been good at comforting others.
His words were blunt and straightforward.
But Nagato trusted him.
Deeply.
For someone who had grown up surrounded by loneliness, trust was a rare thing.
Yahiko and Konan were Nagato's companions.
The people who gave warmth to his lonely life.
But Ragnar was different.
To Nagato, Ragnar was like a guiding beacon.
A direction when he felt lost.
"Teacher…"
Nagato wiped the tears from his eyes.
"Recently… a strange voice has appeared in my mind."
He hesitated before continuing.
"It feels powerful."
"So powerful that it could swallow me at any moment."
"I keep having strange dreams."
"In those dreams… I do terrible things."
"To Lady Tsunade."
"To Lord Orochimaru."
His voice shook.
"I know those actions aren't me."
"But at the same time…"
"They are me."
Nagato held his head tightly.
"It's confusing."
"It feels like I'm losing control."
Ragnar listened quietly.
He already knew the answer.
The one controlling Nagato was Uchiha Madara.
Even though Madara could temporarily seize control of Nagato's body through the Rinnegan, the memories of those actions would still be left behind.
The body remembered.
The mind remembered.
And Nagato, the true owner of the body, would eventually feel those fragments.
Which was exactly what was happening now.
"Fear comes from the unknown," Ragnar said slowly.
"Nagato."
"You are the master of your own body."
"Why not try to defeat that strange will?"
"Become the true master of yourself."
Nagato shook his head desperately.
"I can't."
"When I feel that presence…"
"I don't even have the courage to resist."
Ragnar's gaze hardened.
"Then become stronger."
"No one is born strong."
"No one is born great."
"Nagato… a person must shape themselves in this life."
"I may be your teacher."
"But I am only a guide."
"The road you walk… and the direction you choose…"
"That depends entirely on you."
Nagato froze.
He stared at Ragnar silently.
His throat tightened with emotion.
"Teacher…"
Ragnar placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Think of it as a nightmare."
"And every nightmare has a moment when you wake up."
"Try to control it."
"The Rinnegan is known as the Eye of Creation."
"It appearing in your body is not an accident."
After saying that, Ragnar walked away.
Leaving Nagato alone with his thoughts.
There were some battles no one else could fight for you.
If a person's mind was broken…
No amount of external help could repair it.
And Ragnar understood something clearly.
The real danger was not Uchiha Madara's control.
The real danger was Nagato's own will.
One day Nagato would choose a path.
A path to change the world.
Whether that path led to peace… or destruction…
Would depend entirely on the strength of his heart.
Nagato stood outside the house for a long time.
He didn't move.
He simply stared into the distance.
After a while, Yahiko finally woke up.
He stepped outside and immediately noticed Nagato standing there.
"Nagato?"
"Why are you up so early?"
Yahiko rubbed his head in confusion.
"Wait a second… something's wrong."
"You usually wake up before me!"
"Why am I the one waking up late today?"
He looked at the sky.
"Did I oversleep?"
Nagato looked at Yahiko.
Seeing his friend's cheerful expression…
The heavy weight in his chest suddenly felt lighter.
"Yahiko," Nagato said softly.
"Teacher's companions already left."
"What?!" Yahiko shouted.
He instantly panicked.
"We just reunited and they're leaving already?"
"What about Teacher Ragnar?"
"He's still here," Nagato replied.
Yahiko immediately relaxed.
"That's good."
Then he grinned.
"Come on!"
"Let's make breakfast!"
"We need to show Teacher how hardworking we are!"
Before Nagato could respond, Yahiko grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the kitchen.
Nagato couldn't help smiling faintly.
Being pulled forward like this…
Made the emptiness in his heart fade.
For the first time in a long while, warmth filled that hollow space.
Nagato looked at Yahiko's bright smile.
He silently engraved that expression into his memory.
"Partner…"
Nagato whispered to himself.
"Teacher…"
"I think I finally understand something."
Inside the wooden house, Ragnar had already noticed everything happening outside.
The innocent friendship between two children.
Pure.
Simple.
Without calculation.
For a brief moment, a faint smile appeared on Ragnar's usually cold face.
"The teacher's smile is very beautiful."
A shy voice suddenly spoke beside him.
Ragnar didn't even need to turn around.
"Konan."
"Why are you here?"
Konan lowered her head slightly.
"I woke up earlier."
"I saw Teacher saying goodbye to Lady Tsunade."
"And I saw Nagato's expression."
She hesitated before continuing.
"He's a very pitiful child."
"Just like me."
"We're both war orphans."
"I understand his pain."
"But Nagato doesn't know how to express his feelings."
"He always carries everything alone."
Ragnar nodded.
"Our Konan is very considerate."
"If everyone in the world could be as understanding as you…"
"The world would become a much better place."
"There would be far fewer orphans like Nagato."
Konan's face turned red instantly.
"Teacher… are you praising me?"
She looked both shy and happy.
But a moment later, her expression dimmed.
"Teacher…"
"Now that the war in the Land of Rain is over…"
"…you'll return to Konohagakure, right?"
Ragnar didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
"I never liked war."
"Now that it's over…"
"I want to go home."
Konan lowered her head quietly.
The morning light slowly filled the small wooden house.
But for some people…
A quiet sadness had already begun to grow.
End of Chapter
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