Silence enveloped the hallways of the Otsutsuki residence. The servants had already finished their morning cleaning, and now the wooden surfaces gleamed under the warm sunlight. Hinata didn't even have to think as she made her way toward Hamura's personal study.
Hamura's private study was situated on the residence's third floor. The window in his study offered a breathtaking view of the lush forest that surrounded the mystical Daija mountain. Hinata stood in front of the shoji door, readying herself for the conversation ahead. She made sure she coughed loudly before announcing, "Sensei, I'm coming in."
After a moment's pause, Hinata finally opened the shoji door by sliding it. Lounging on his side in front of the window, her teacher appeared completely absorbed in a scroll, his eyes unwaveringly fixed upon its contents. With the sunlight upon him, he had a luminous radiance that gave him an almost divine presence. On the side, a female servant carefully poured tea into two delicate cups.
When Hinata caught sight of the light red mark on the woman's neck, it caused her to mentally roll her eyes. Her sensei's flavour of the month. There had been so many women and men that she couldn't remember their names anymore. Despite, her sensei numerous dalliances over the years, none of them yield him an off spring.
She saw he laid out a cushion across from him, so she slowly lowered herself into a kneeled position on the cushion. This suddenly brought her memories when she was younger and he would teach her principles of body composition and chakra usage. He had taught her this sitting position as a method to use chakra distribution, preventing numbness in her legs. By channeling chakra into her back legs, she could alleviate pressure on her heel and feet.
After serving them tea, the servant excused herself and silently slid the door shut.
"Are you excited about your new freedom?" he asked without looking up. Hinata remained silent. Her teacher loved to ask her these loaded questions. He knew perfectly well that once she returned to Konoha, the Hyuuga Clan elders would find any and all ways to cage her up.
Hamura finally glanced up from his scroll due to her long silence and let a soft chuckle, whether the Hyuuga Clan believed it or not, Hinata Hyuuga truly had the potential to be an impressive clan leader. It was unfortunate that this ambition was the last thing on his student's mind. It was truly up to her. She would cut all ties with the Hyuuga Clan. After carefully evaluating the woman who sat in front of him, he concluded that the years he spent teaching her were not in vain.
At this thought, it reminded him of the reason he wanted to speak with her, "Do not forget you are the Marebito."
Hinata bowed her head in response as she replied diligently, "yes, I will not forget."
Once her body had changed after that incident, Hamura believed she had finally become a vessel for a god. Only the blood of a god could give life and death like the way hers did. Hamura had supposedly hidden this from the Hyuuga Family.
Her face remained neutral as she mentally sighed, understanding why he had brought this up. Once they found out about how valuable her blood was, it would only be a matter of time before Hyuuga Clan showed its true intentions towards her. The Hyuuga elders, although they seemed harmless like sheep, were actually a pack of wolves with hidden agendas.
Yet, who was to say that Hyuuga Clan was the only one who was a wolf in sheep's clothing? However, if the Hyuuga Clan was expecting a sheep, she wouldn't want to disappoint her elders, right?
"My offer still stands...return to Daija Mountain in three years' time, I shall name you as my successor," Hamura said, his tone gentle.
Hinata was aware that this was a test, and technically, he had the power to name her successor at that moment. However, he had intended for her to endure three years of hardship in Konoha. His goal was to gauge whether she would falter in the future, should she ascend as the leader of Otsutsuki. He needed to ensure that her heart had no lingering loyalty to the Hyuuga Clan.
"I shall return in three years to claim my rightful place," said Hinata, pushing herself off the cushion in one fluid motion. Hamura said nothing and turned his attention to his scroll. There was a moment as she slid open the door that she wondered if she should thank him for his teaching and care over the years, but knowing him, he would take it as a sign of resignation instead of gratitude.