Chapter 247: Before the Farewell
The Land of Rain.
Inside a quiet wooden house, steam rose gently from a bathing room.
A large wooden barrel was filled with hot water.
Konan sat inside, her small body half-submerged, staring blankly at the surface.
In the Land of Rain, bathing was a daily necessity.
The constant rainfall carried dust, smoke, and the remnants of war.
Even if one was used to the rain, the discomfort never truly faded.
Konan scooped water over herself again and again, letting it flow down her body.
But her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Teacher Ragnar… is leaving soon."
Her voice was soft, almost lost in the steam.
The war had ended.
And with it, Ragnar's reason to stay here.
"This isn't his home…"
Konan whispered to herself.
Her eyes showed a quiet determination.
"Before he leaves…"
"I want to become stronger."
"Strong enough… to make him proud."
She closed her eyes briefly.
Memories surfaced.
That rainy day.
The moment everything changed.
She had been weak.
Hungry.
Helpless.
And then Ragnar appeared.
From that day forward, her life had been different.
She became a ninja.
She could protect herself.
She could protect others.
She could choose her own path.
But now—
That same person who changed her life was about to leave.
A faint sadness lingered in her heart.
"…I wish he could stay."
The thought slipped out unconsciously.
But she quickly shook her head.
That was selfish.
"Food's ready!"
Yahiko's loud voice echoed from outside.
Konan quickly finished washing and stepped out, wearing her favorite blue floral dress.
Lunch Together
Inside the house, Ragnar sat quietly at the table.
He watched his three students moving around, preparing food.
For a moment…
There was peace.
"Teacher," Konan said softly as she sat down.
"Finished bathing?" Ragnar asked.
She nodded.
"I trained all morning… and it rained again."
Yahiko suddenly rushed forward, proudly presenting a dish.
"Teacher! Look at this!"
"Chicken stew with mushrooms!"
"I ran all the way to the next town to buy the ingredients!"
Konan took a look and sighed lightly.
"…The heat is too strong."
Yahiko scratched his head awkwardly.
"I used Fire Release to cook it…"
Nagato stood nearby, holding a bowl of miso soup.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Watching this scene…
It felt warm.
"Not bad," Ragnar said.
"Using ninjutsu in daily life is a good idea."
"See? The teacher praised me!" Yahiko said proudly.
Soon, the table was filled with food.
The four of them sat together.
Talking.
Laughing.
Eating.
In a world filled with war, such a moment was rare.
The Question of Departure
Suddenly, Yahiko spoke.
"Teacher… you're leaving again, right?"
His tone sounded casual.
But something deeper was hidden beneath it.
Nagato and Konan both froze slightly.
They lowered their heads, silently eating.
Waiting for the answer.
Ragnar didn't hesitate.
"You're sharp, Yahiko."
Yahiko smiled.
But it wasn't his usual bright smile.
"Today's farewell…"
"Is for a better reunion tomorrow," Ragnar said calmly.
"Even though I'm your teacher…"
"Our ages aren't that different."
"In the end, your lives are your own."
"I can't walk beside you forever."
Konan spoke softly.
"The teacher is right."
"Yahiko shouldn't act like a child."
"Hey!" Yahiko protested.
"You're one to talk!"
"You're the one who cries secretly at night!"
Konan's face turned red instantly.
"Yahiko!"
She glared at him angrily.
But she didn't deny it.
Ragnar glanced at her.
So she had been crying.
Silently.
At night.
He said nothing.
But something shifted slightly in his eyes.
Still—
He had to leave.
The ninja world was vast.
The Land of Rain was only one part of it.
Even Konoha wouldn't be his final destination.
There were still many places to explore.
A Question About War
After a moment of silence, Nagato spoke.
"Teacher…"
"What do you think about war?"
The question surprised everyone.
Nagato rarely spoke.
Especially about something like this.
Yahiko wanted to become someone who would end all wars.
Nagato knew that.
But now he wanted Ragnar's answer.
Ragnar looked at him.
Then spoke calmly.
"War…"
"It doesn't really matter what I think."
He paused.
"Sometimes…"
"I even like war a little."
The three children froze.
They didn't understand.
Ragnar continued.
"War."
"Killing."
"Blood."
"Death."
"At certain moments…"
"They help you understand the world more clearly."
He looked at them.
"You know my title."
"Rakshasa."
"A demon."
"A messenger of death."
Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan were stunned.
They couldn't fully grasp his meaning.
But they felt something.
Something heavy.
Something real.
Outside, the rain continued to fall.
Inside the house…
A quiet moment stretched between teacher and students.
And somewhere within that silence—
The meaning of the world…
Began to take shape.
End of Chapter
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