Chapter 3

Legend tells of the primal Ōtsutsuki, Shibai, whose insatiable hunger knew no bounds as he rampaged through his native dimension, consuming all in his path. As the final star flickered into darkness and the last world was consumed, he transcended mortality, ascending to a plane beyond comprehension, his essence eclipsing all others.

In his boundless wisdom, Shibai fashioned five Otsutsuki from his very being, imparting upon them the divine mandate: "Go forth and consume, multiply across the cosmos and realms, feast upon the celestial bodies, flourish and fortify yourselves with the essence of existence, and ascend to heights unparalleled."

...

Travelling back home had been a mistake. I arrived in full regalia as was befitting of my station now, for the most part, the farming village of Dorogakure had been welcoming, seeing me as a sort of hero they could all relate to, my family on the other hand were not so pleased to see me. 

It was to be expected, I had not left on the best of terms. I entered the once home of my father, now my brother's. Tradition dictated that they bow when meeting me as I had the higher rank and so they did.

Ōtsutsuki by in large tend to be real sticklers for tradition, failing to bring up a child knowledgeable in the traditional ways was seen as a failure and a blight on the family.

I don't know what exactly it was I expected, perhaps a sorry or just acceptance from the blood relations I had in this world.

"Lord Ōtsutsuki." Bowed my younger brother, his face impassive.

"Masazato." I responded, looking him over, "How's the family."

Most lesser Ōtsutsuki spent their lives doing menial tasks. Dorogakure was one of the many farming villages on Akai Tategami. Our father had worked this land just as his father did before him, the land was meant to go to me, but I had refused, not wanting to be tied down by land, I instead joined the army.

That decision had been enough to set the old man on edge, he had cursed me, calling me a fool for my decision. But my mind had been made, I would either get my prize or die trying.

But now he was dead, and I had hoped that my brother might view me in a good light, considering he only has this land because I gave it up.

But that didn't seem to be the case. Filial piety was a big thing around here.

"They're fine." He said.

"I hear you got married and you have children." I continued ignoring his attitude., "I wish to see them."

He bowed once more, leading me through the familiar insides. There waiting for me in their best clothes was my sister-in-law and their children.

"Lord Ōtsutsuki." The woman bowed, while the children followed suite.

"Rise." I said after the appropriate amount of time.

I moved forward, hugging her as a sister, before turning to the children and giving them a pat on the head.

Three hundred years was a long time to be away from home, so much had changed, my little brother who followed me everywhere was now a man of his own right, with a wife and children of his own.

I turned to my brother, "How's mother?"

His impassive face broke, concern etched on his face, "She hasn't been eating well for a while. She's slowly wasting away."

"Hmm." I said, taking in the news.

"Is that all you have to say? Elder brother." Masazato responded.

I frowned, it was fine at first, but his disrespect was grating on my nerves, "That is all there is to say, life is a flame, and one day it will go out."

As tensions simmered in the room, Masazato's expression tightened, his jaw clenched. 

"You always had a way with words, elder brother," he said, his tone tinged with bitterness. "Come she's been expecting you."

I followed Masazato upstairs to the rooms of the house. He led me to a familiar door. It was the room I had when I lived here. She had been moved out of the master room when my brother took over the land no doubt.

"Here." He said, pointing, "Make sure not to excite her too much."

I nodded, placing a hand on his shoulder, before entering. The first thing I noticed was the smell, the room was bathed in old people smell. The curtains had been drawn, leaving the room in semi-darkness. Laying on the bed with all the fragilities of old age was the mother of my second life.

Approaching her silently, I observed her peaceful form, her eyes closed in repose, her breathing faint and labored. Gone was the vitality of youth she once possessed when I first entered this world centuries ago. In its place were sunken cheeks, etched lines of experience, and the frailty of old age, a stark reminder of the relentless march of time.

It would be wrong to say I truly loved her, I never did, my memories of a past life prevented me from ever truly seeing her as my mother, her strict, unbending traditionalist mindset prevented us from ever really being close, but in a way I did care for her.

"Okaa-san." I whispered softly, "It's me Shizukana."

Her body stirred, turning slightly towards me, and her eyelids fluttered open, revealing the familiar lavender eyes of the Ōtsutsuki.

"Shizukana," she rasped.

"I'm here, Okaa-san," I assured her, gently patting her hand.

She breathed heavily, her gaze scanning me. "What are you wearing?" 

I looked down at my clothing. If extravagant was a word, it was certainly this. Ōtsutsuki nobility spared no expense in ensuring the finest for their own. Soft silken robes enveloped me, their luxurious material harvested from chakra beasts, crafted by the skilled hands of the Mountain's tailor as a gesture of welcome.

The chakra beasts were a natural phenomena that occurred every so often, if enough chakra amasses in a particular place then a beast would emerge, it would take different forms depending on were it came from. They were wild untamed chakra brought to life, very few people could actually bring them to heel and command obedience from them. 

One of the more common types of chakra beasts, were the Supaidāu~ībā, spider chakra beasts capable of producing the fine silk for the Ōtsutsuki elite. This exquisite fabric stood in stark contrast to the mundane wool or hide favored by the lesser members of the race.

"Its a gift, from the nobles." I said.

She blinked, "So... you actually did it."

Three hundred years was a long time, and the world was a big place, with no shortage of problems in the form of chakra beasts and rebellious commoners turned bandits.

"Yes Okaa-san, I did it." I said.

She scrutinized me. "Are you happy now Shizukana?"

I averted my gaze, fixating on an empty point in space. "It's not about happiness, its about survival."

Awkward silence reigned after his words, the stared at each other in the darkness. Shizukana wondered if she was thinking the same thing as him; all the times they had spent together.

Finally his mother broke the silence, "How long will you be staying?"

"Just tonight." I replied, "The noble want me to move in as soon as possible."

"What exactly will you be doing for all eternity?" She asked, curiosity coloring her voice.

I cleared my throat, "Well, what any Ōtsutsuki does their entire life. Serve."

This was the way of the world, any society in the world follows this pattern. To who much has been given, much is expected back in return. This was truth everywhere, even among the Ōtsutsuki. Especially among the Ōtsutsuki.

The two kept on talking way past the night and into the morning, with Shizukana regaling her with tales of his three hundred years keeping peace in the world.