Chapter 47: Rampaging Dinosaurs

Fanfan was finally buried at the ruins of the broken mountain on the back hill. After burying the coffin, Taro erected a stone tablet. With his finger as a blade, the stone chips flew as he carved the simple inscription: "Grave of Mu Fanfan, erected by Mu Taro."

 Taro stood in front of the grave for a long time before finally leaving.

 Back at the dojo.

 "Master, are you leaving?" Aragon noticed Taro's intent to depart.

 "Father..." Yumeko's face was aged, her eyes filled with tears, reluctant to part.

 Taro waved his hand and said.

 "No need to say more, my decision is made. Fanfan is gone, and I have no more attachments. You two are adults now, you shouldn't need me worrying about you, right? Or... do you really want me to personally see you off, one by one?"

 His voice held a trace of bitterness.

 "But..." Yumeko's voice was hoarse, tinged with weakness.

 Aragon sighed deeply, speechless. He patted Yumeko's arm and gently shook his head. Seeing her husband was also like this, Yumeko fell silent as well.

 Taro walked in front of Aragon, supporting this man who now looked even more mature than himself, saying.

 "Aragon, you're a good kid! You're even taller than me now! I still remember the foolish scene when you chased me down the mountain all those years ago... Remember, you're my only disciple. The entire future of the Muten school rests on your shoulders... Haha, I feel like I've already entrusted everything to you..." He smiled and shook his head.

 "Master." Aragon's eyes reddened, his lips trembling, unable to speak. His life had turned around when he ran down that mountain all those years ago and kowtowed to Taro. Everything he had was given to him by the man standing before him, yet today, it seemed like they were about to part forever.

 Taro patted his shoulder and walked over to Yumeko. With his rough hand, he wiped the tears from her face, saying.

 "My old girl, what's there to cry about? You're not a child anymore..." He patted her now graying hair and spoke in a complicated tone. "You and Aragon still don't have a child..."

 "Father, it's my fault, I can't have children." Yumeko's face fell with a hint of sadness as she spoke of this.

 Taro waved his hand and sighed.

 "No one can help with that. It's just your fate." He continued. "You two don't have children, so take the disciples of the dojo as your family. With them by your side, you won't be too lonely."

 He looked at both Aragon and Yumeko seriously before floating into the air and soaring toward the distant sky. Yumeko and Aragon walked to the door, staring at Taro's receding figure. Aragon murmured.

 "Take care, Master..."

 Whoosh...

 Taro flew through the sky, whistling loudly. Soon, three brightly colored, beautiful birds flew from the horizon, flapping toward him and circling around him. It was as if three brilliant butterflies were playfully fluttering, chirping non-stop.

 Taro smiled softly at the young hunter's curiosity, glancing at the colorful birds perched on his shoulder.

 "They're not from the forest," Taro replied. "These birds are... something special."

 The young hunter, intrigued, took a few steps closer, his eyes wide in wonder.

 "Special? Are they magical?" he asked, still eyeing the birds, who chirped playfully around Taro.

 "In a way, they are." Taro said with a slight smile. "They've been with me for many years. They're not ordinary creatures, but they're not entirely magical either. They just have a... connection to me."

 The young hunter nodded, unsure what to make of Taro's cryptic answer, but still fascinated.

 "I've never seen anything like them," he murmured. "Are they dangerous?"

 Taro chuckled softly, shaking his head.

 "No, not at all. They're just playful, like children. They've been with me for so long, it feels as though we've known each other forever."

 The young hunter nodded, still a bit puzzled but more at ease. The birds, sensing the calm, perched quietly on Taro's shoulders, chirping lightly.

 After a moment of silence, the young hunter's curiosity returned.

 "Uncle, if you don't mind me asking, what's it like... being part of Muten School? I've heard a lot of stories about it, but I've never met anyone who's actually from there."

 Taro's expression shifted slightly, the playfulness in his eyes softening.

 "Muten School is a place of both peace and conflict," Taro said, his voice becoming more thoughtful. "It's where we train, not just our bodies, but our minds. We learn to control our power, to use it wisely. It's not about being the strongest—it's about knowing when to fight and when to let go."

 The young hunter listened intently, fascinated by Taro's words.

 "Sounds like a lot of responsibility." he remarked.

 Taro nodded, his gaze distant.

 "It is. But that's why we have to be careful with the power we wield. Many seek power, but few understand the cost of it."

 The young hunter was silent for a moment, reflecting on Taro's words. After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice tinged with curiosity.

 "I've always wondered... Why does Muten School train so many people, but not everyone becomes... well, like you? Strong, skilled, and wise?"

 Taro turned to the hunter, his expression softening with understanding.

 "Because not everyone is ready. Strength isn't something you can teach overnight, and wisdom comes with experience. Some are ready to learn, and some are not. But even those who aren't ready have their place in the world. It's about finding that place, understanding what you can do and what you can't, and living with it."

 The young hunter nodded, his gaze thoughtful.

 "I think I understand." he said slowly.

 Taro smiled.

 "Good. Just remember, strength without wisdom can be dangerous. And sometimes, the hardest battle is the one you don't fight."

 The young hunter's eyes widened as he took in Taro's words. They walked in silence for a while, the birds flying ahead and circling above them. The air was peaceful, the rain light, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause around them.

 The young hunter's heart raced as the massive dinosaur charged toward him, its powerful legs shaking the earth with each step. He could feel the ground tremble beneath his feet, the air thick with the beast's furious roars.

 "Uncle, I... I don't think I can handle this alone!" the young hunter shouted, panic creeping into his voice.

 Taro, ever calm, stepped forward. He raised his hand and gave a short whistle. The three colorful birds that had been perched on his shoulder suddenly took flight, soaring toward the charging dinosaur.

 "You're not alone." Taro said, his voice steady as he turned to the young hunter. "But you need to stay calm."

 The young hunter watched in disbelief as the birds circled the dinosaur, their bright colors distracting it for a moment. It was still enraged, but the beast hesitated for a split second, confused by the sudden appearance of these strange creatures. Taro moved in seamlessly, using the distraction to close the distance between himself and the massive creature.

 With a swift motion, Taro leapt into the air, flying toward the dinosaur with surprising speed. The creature reared its head back, ready to strike, but Taro was already there. His hand moved in a flash, touching the dinosaur's forehead with a soft, almost delicate gesture.

 "Calm." Taro muttered under his breath, his voice almost a whisper, but it carried a powerful resonance.

 For a moment, the dinosaur's furious growls died down. Its eyes, which had been glowing with rage, softened. It stopped its charge, its massive body swaying unsteadily as it seemed to be under some sort of trance. The village, watching in stunned silence, couldn't believe their eyes.

 Taro landed lightly on the ground, his calm demeanor unwavering.

 "It's not the creature's fault." he said, looking at the bewildered young hunter. "Sometimes, they're driven by instincts they can't control. But it's not beyond a peaceful resolution."

 The young hunter stood frozen, still processing what he had just witnessed. He had expected to see a fierce battle, not the sudden, inexplicable taming of such a powerful creature.

 "What... how did you do that?" the young hunter finally asked, awe in his voice.

 Taro smiled, glancing back at the dinosaur, which was now quietly standing still, its anger completely subdued.

 "It's not about brute force," Taro said, his gaze focused. "It's about understanding the nature of things. This creature wasn't trying to attack; it was scared and frustrated. I simply helped it find peace."

 The young hunter's eyes widened with understanding, though he couldn't fully grasp the extent of Taro's power.

 "So, you're some kind of... beast tamer?" he asked, still in awe.

 Taro chuckled softly.

 "Not quite. But understanding and patience can go a long way with any living thing."

 The villagers, still behind the gates, stared in disbelief. The elder chief, who had been watching from a distance, finally gave a cautious nod.

 "Looks like the beast is no longer a threat. But that man... he's no ordinary person."

 The young hunter turned back to the village, his heart still pounding from the close call. He raised his voice toward the gates.

 "It's safe now! The beast's calm. Open the gate!"

 Slowly, the village gate creaked open. The young hunter, relieved but still in shock, walked toward Taro.

 "Thank you, uncle. You saved our village... and me."

 Taro gave a small nod, not looking for praise.

 "Remember, it's not just about saving a village or a person. It's about understanding what they need. Be it a person, a beast, or even yourself."

 The young hunter nodded, absorbing Taro's words as they left a deeper impression on him than any of the martial lessons he had learned.

 As Taro turned to leave, the young hunter watched him go, still unsure whether he had witnessed a miracle or something far beyond his understanding.

______________________________

If you can, support me on p@treon:

pa treon. com/RightTranslations (No spaces)

Up to 50 chapters ahead.

You can also support by rating.