As time passes, Jiya remains with Kino’s family, learning to be a farmer. He and Kino grow together into strong young men. Likewise, Setsu grows into a joyful, mischievous, pretty young woman who teases her brother and often makes Jiya laugh.

For many years, no one returns to the empty beach where the village once stood. Those who survived live near the castle and travel outside their lands to fish in other waters. Eventually, however, some remember how deep the water near their beach was and how plentiful the fishing is. One day, Kino and Jiya see people building on the beach. They are shocked that some are rebuilding their family’s houses by the water. They rush down to ask what is happening, and one man explains that they are tired of living on the Old Gentleman’s land: They wish to own their own homes again and fish in the waters that their ancestors fished in. Kino asks what they will do if another big wave comes and how they will protect their children, but the men say that there may never be another big wave in their lifetimes. Even if there is, one came in their grandfathers’ time, and their fathers rebuilt, and now it is their turn to rebuild what their fathers lost.