Using her newfound power, Kaguya single-handedly ended the wars and took control of the nations. For her role in ending the conflict, she received the people's blessing and was worshipped as Usagi no Megami. Months after doing so and fixing her and Tenji's home, Kaguya gave birth to twin sons: Hagoromo, the first, and Hamura, the second. While giving birth to her twin sons, she distributed chakra to them, making the pair the first people born with chakra. Kaguya taught both of them, and it soon became clear that they were sons of their father.
They had tremendous potential. Their physical prowess was higher than it should have been. Both Hagoromo and Hamura were half-Otsutuki and, therefore, should have had the rough equivalent amount of raw power. But that wasn't the case at all. As it turned out, they didn't fully inherit their father's talent. In fact, they didn't even come close, but they did inherit great talent. And what's more, because Tenji had been at the peak of human strength and power, they were more powerful than their 'half-breed' status would have suggested.
The death of Tenji changed Kaguya. She had lost faith in humanity and had seen firsthand what ingratitude meant. She saw humans as unworthy of Tenji's talent and goodwill, which had been done for them. It was only Aino's survival and constant presence that grounded Kaguya a bit. Ruling by herself, Kaguya often resorted to cruelty to settle disputes and set examples; her dōjutsu and jutsu were regarded with fear, awe and reverence by humans. Kaguya didn't want to make the same mistake her husband had made and chose violence instead.
During the time, she wasn't doing anything, she stared at the Divine Tree and the sky. Aino was her constant companion for years, but time hadn't been kind to the young, frail woman. Apart from Kaguya, Aino fed and taught the two a lot. She was immensely proud to see the two children of her mistress and Lord Tenji grow up. Apart from that, Kaguya spent a lot of time at the Divine Tree, where a special compartment was located at its heart. There, wrapped in the tree's protective and nourishing energy, lay Tenji's body. Preserved and mourned daily.
Sadly, Kaguya didn't open her heart again after the incident. Not even to her sons. She kept everything to herself.
.
One day, decades later, a situation arose in the Land of Ancestors. The young masters Hagoromo and Hamura were asked to settle a dispute over missing water. The rice paddies of one man hadn't been getting enough water, and he was accusing another one, who lived upstream, of stealing it. Understanding that the situation wasn't usual, the two brothers set off upstream to find out where the water had gone. The two travelled up the mountain until they came across a boulder in the riverbed that blocked the water from flowing freely.
"I see... So this is what's blocking the flow of the river," Hagoromo said, seeing the large boulder.
"But where did this boulder come from?" Hamura asked. "It wasn't here the last time we were up here."
"Either it fell from somewhere, or someone put it there."
"What do you mean by 'someone'? No one can move a boulder this big other than Mother and you, Elder Brother."
"I put it there," a new voice interrupted the two brothers.
Surprised, they look around, looking for the owner of the voice. But they find no one.
"Hey, don't brush me off like I'm some sort of bug... 'Cuz I'm not a bug. I'm a toad."
Hagoromo looked around, confused, and then turned to his brother. The owner of the voice turned out to be a small orange toad, which sat on a stone and looked at them.
"Hey, am I going crazy? There's a toad trying to make bad jokes..."
"Well, Elder Brother, it must mean I'm going crazy, too."
"No, you're not going crazy. I really am talking to you. But if you think my jokes aren't funny, then that's a little crazy," the toad said and crossed his little arms.
"No one's hiding nearby. It's not some Ventriloquism Jutsu either," Hamura revealed after checking with his Byakugan.
"You're pretty wary for a human."
"And you're arrogant for a toad," Hagoromo responded.
"We toads have lived here far longer than you. You just don't know it," the toad argued.
"A talking toad... You think people will be happy if we capture it and take it home?" Hamura asked his brother.
"Fools! Do you really think you can catch me?"
"For a toad, you sure talk big..."
By this point, both brothers found the situation amusing and weren't taking the toad seriously. But as it happened, this changed a moment later.
"It seems we have a guest."
A large black bear walked out of the forest and roared at the people present. But not one of them was the slightest bit scared.
"That's one huge bear," Hagoromo smiled.
"Perfect timing. I'll show you just how strong I am," the toad said.
He puffed up his cheeks and spat out a stream of water, hitting the bear and shooting it through the air. After that, the bear respectfully retreated. The brothers were pleasantly surprised.
"I placed this boulder here so I could meet you two. My name is Gamamaru. And you two are Hagoromo and Hamura, right?"
"A toad just addressed us by our first names..."
This had never happened, since the two brothers enjoyed the greatest respect, just below their mother.
"Come with me, you two," Gamamaru told them.
Gamamaru brought the two further up the mountain until they reached the summit. From there, they had a good view of the wide valley below and also the Divine Tree.
"Why did you bring us here?" Hagaromo asked.
"Do you know what that is?" Gamamaru asked and pointed at the Divine Tree.
"Of course," Hagaromo said.
"That's the Peak of Demise," Hamura added.
"Have you ever seen what's beyond that?" Gamamaru asked them.
"No, never."
"Mother has warned us not to go near that peak. Everyone must follow that law, and no one has ever seen what's on the other side."
"The truth behind the Divine Tree is beyond that peak," Gamamaru said.
"The truth behind the Divine Tree?" Hagoromo asked.
"The Divine Tree has been absorbing the power of this land. As long as that tree exists, the land will continue to weaken," Gamamaru revealed.
"Is that so? But I've heard that it's because of the power of the Divine Tree that this land has thrived," Hamura said.
"You're wrong. If you want to know the truth, go see what's on the other side of that peak," Gamamaru told them.
Before he left, he turned to the two brothers one last time and smiled mysteriously.
"Also, you aren't quite right. There is someone who not only knows what's on the other side, but has been there personally."
"Really, who?"
"The servant girl, Aino."
"Aunt Aino? She knows?" Hagoromo asked.
"How could that be? Why does she know that?" Hamura asked.
"Oh, that you will need to ask her yourselves. Later!"
.
"What? Lady Kaguya isn't here?" the man asked.
"How many times must I tell you? She's not here," the old woman said.
She turned around and greeted the two brothers with a smile on her face.
"Welcome home, Masters Hagoromo and Hamura."
"Aunt Aino, how many times have we told you that you don't need to call us that?" Hagoromo asked.
"Yes, and stop bowing, please."
"You are the sons of Lady Kaguya and Lord Tenji; it is only appropriate to do so," she said.
"You are our aunt. You don't need to do that," Hamura said.
"What is going on here?" Hagoromo asked.
"This man is very persistent," Aino told them.
"Who are you?" Hamura asked.
"I'm a travelling medicine peddler. I wanted business here and came to get Lady Kaguya's permission," the man explained.
"And I have been telling you that we don't need medicine here," Aino exhaled, feeling this discussion drain the little energy she had.
"Where is Mother?" Hagoromo asked.
"Lady Kaguya has gone away and will not return tonight. She has gone to visit your father again," Aino revealed with a sad smile.
"Father... I see."
Hamura used his Byakugan to check the contents of the merchant's backpack and found out that he was a fraud who sold basic herbs and even poisonous mushrooms. The two brothers 'kindly' asked him to go and never return, for if their mother found out, he would be punished. After he was gone, though, Hagoromo went after the man to ask him something, while Hamura stayed behind to ask Aino something.
"Say, Aunt Aino, what do you know about the Divine Tree?" he asked.
"I don't know more or less than you do, Hamura. Lady Kaguya forbade everyone from going there and asking questions," Aino told.
"Someone told Elder Brother and me that you know about the Divine Tree and even were there at one point."
Aino's eyes widened when she heard that.
"Who told you that?! Tell me, Hamura."
"Is it true, Aunt Aino?" Hamura asked.
"... It is true."
Aino looked exhausted when she admitted to this. Kaguya had forbidden her from talking about it to anyone. The fact that she was doing it now was already a breach of her word. But she had a weak spot for Kaguya and then the two brothers.
"Please tell me, Aunt Aino. What's on the other side of the mountains? What happened there?"
"It is not allowed to speak about it. Lady Kaguya forbade it. All I can tell you is that it was the day that Lord Tenji died."
"Father?!"
"Yes."
"What does that mean? What happened?"
"I can't tell you more, young Master Hamura. If you wish to know more, then you need to ask Lady Kaguya when she returns. Now, if you will excuse me, I will take my leave. Unless there is something else you need from me."
"No. Thank you, Aunt Aino."
.
"Everything is going well. Elder Brother?" Hamura asked.
"Hmm? Oh, no news is good news," Hagoromo answered.
"Elder Brother, are you still thinking about what that toad said?"
"It's not about that, but..."
"But what?"
"I spoke to that trader you chased off a few days ago. Do you remember?"
"Oh yes. The travelling meddler. What about him?"
"I asked him what the people think about Mother. He told me that there were rumours about people rebelling in some places," Hagoromo said.
"Rebel? About what?" Hamura asked.
"Over Mother's Ritual of the Divine Tree. In order to suppress them, the man said that Mother annihilated the instigators. They claim that Mother is a mere tyrant and rules with fear."
"Annihilated? Can we believe the words of a lying merchant like him? Don't bother yourself with him, Elder Brother."
"I thought that as well, but... Hmm?" Hagoromo stopped and looked at the column of people walking on the path below.
"They're part of the Ritual of the Divine Tree..." Hamura said.
This wasn't anything new for the two brothers. But there was a problem this time, since they recognised one of them.
"No way!" Hagoromo said and rushed down.
"Elder Brother!"
The two made it down and reached the person they had recognised. It was a young woman, both brothers, but especially Hagoromo were very close with.
"Haori!"
"Hagoromo... Hamura..." she said.
"What's going on?" Hagoromo asked with worry.
"I've received notice to serve the Divine Tree," she revealed.
"But--"
"I have no choice. This is a ceremony that Lady Kaguya established long ago... Hagoromo, Hamura... It was only for a short time, but I'm glad I got to meet you two. Please remember me."
After they watched the group walk into the distance, Hagoromo and Hamura went and talked to their Mother. They kneeled in front of her, showing her the utmost respect.
"Mother. Please end the Ritual of the Divine Tree," Hagoromo asked.
"That is not possible," Kaguya answered.
"But--"
"I will not tolerate any defiance, even if you are my sons," Kaguya interrupted him.
"Then please tell me... What happens to those who go to the Divine Tree as part of this ritual? Why does no one ever return?" Hagoromo pushed for answers.
"The ritual is necessary... until the others arrive."
"'The others'?" Hamura asked.
"You don't need to know about them just yet," Kaguya said.
This enraged Hagoromo since he didn't receive one good answer from his mother. Or so he thought.
"Hagoromo, hamura.. I am leaving once more. Take care of things in my absence."
"Yes!" "Yes!"
Hagoromo decided, after Kaguya left, that he would go beyond the peak and look at what was behind it. Hamura chose to accompany his brother. So they got going, and not long after, due to their powerful constitutions, they reached the peak and looked at the enormous Divine Tree. Hamura used his Byakugan to check everything out, and what he saw shocked both of them.