KHR: Decimo Primo

Tsuna stood at the edge of the grand garden, taking in the sight of gold and crimson banners fluttering in the wind. The mansion had been transformed into a lavish festival ground, with an elegant stage at the center. Despite the overwhelming decorations and the buzzing anticipation from the guests, he held his head high. This was his birthday, and though it was a unique tradition, he was determined to face it with confidence.

He adjusted his tie and smiled slightly as his mother, Nana, waved to him from the judges' table, sitting alongside his father, Iemitsu, Haru's parents, Takeshi's parents, and Reborn. The hitman in disguise smirked at him, clearly planning something mischievous as usual.

"Feeling nervous, Tsuna?" Reborn teased, his gun gleaming in the sunlight.

Tsuna shook his head, his tone steady. "Not really. I've faced worse than this. Besides, it's just a game, right?"

Reborn chuckled, impressed. "Good attitude. Let's see if it holds up."

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This was no ordinary celebration—it was an odd-year birthday tradition, the "Legendary Vongolian Birthday Party." Each participant would present a gift or performance, and Tsuna would score them. The highest-scoring participant would win an "elegant present," while the lowest would face a punishment. Reborn, of course, had raised the stakes by declaring that the loser would receive a bullet—thankfully, just a Dying Will Bullet.

As the lively chatter filled the room, Reborn clapped his hands sharply, his authoritative presence cutting through the noise. "Everyone, gather around and listen up!" he commanded his voice firm yet laced with amusement. The crowd quickly hushed, turning their attention to the small, suited hitman standing at the center.

Reborn adjusted his fedora with a smirk. "Here's how this is going to work. Each of you will present either a gift or a performance to celebrate the birthday of our dear Tsuna. He will score each of you based on your efforts. The one with the highest score will walk away with an elegant prize. And the one who scores the lowest..." He paused dramatically, his smirk widening. "Will face a punishment—a Dying Will Bullet, to be exact."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as Reborn raised his hand for silence. "Impress, entertain, or face the consequences. Let the games begin!" He fired a blank into the air, signaling the start of the event.

As the echo of the blank shot faded, Tsuna scanned the gathered crowd, his gaze softening when he spotted familiar faces. Takeshi Yamamoto, ever cheerful and calm, stood near the buffet table with his father, chatting and laughing as if this were just another casual celebration. Haru Miura, her energy as boundless as always, was waving excitedly to him from across the room. Her parents stood nearby, smiling warmly and taking in the party with the ease of people who thought this was just a quirky, extravagant event.

Tsuna let out a small sigh of relief. From the way Haru's parents clapped politely and Yamamoto's dad chuckled at the theatrics, it was clear they thought Reborn's announcement was all part of an elaborate act. They probably believed the gun was a harmless toy and the "Dying Will Bullet" was just a playful gimmick.

Thank goodness for that, Tsuna thought, feeling some of the tension in his shoulders melt away. The last thing he needed was an explanation about the real nature of Reborn's antics. His friends' parents seemed entirely unfazed, and that was a small mercy in a party that promised anything but normalcy.

Still, Tsuna couldn't help but glance nervously at Reborn, who was watching the participants line up with a mischievous gleam in his eyes. It's fine, Tsuna told himself. No one here outside the Mafia has any idea what's actually going on. As long as I can keep things under control, everything will stay... relatively normal.

He straightened up, trying to project confidence, even as the festivities promised to spiral into chaos at any moment. "Alright, let's see what everyone's got," he said, forcing a smile as the first participant stepped forward.

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The first few performances passed without much fanfare, each participant either presenting a small gift or delivering a lighthearted performance. Tsuna dutifully scored them, but his attention sharpened when Reborn called out the next name.

"Haru Miura!" Reborn announced, his voice carrying across the room.

"Yay! My turn!" Haru cheered, bouncing forward with her usual enthusiasm. Her parents clapped supportively as she took her place in the center of the room. Dressed in a vibrant tracksuit, Haru struck a dramatic pose, her confidence radiating outward.

"I've prepared something special, Tsuna-san!" Haru declared. "A gymnastics routine! It's something I've been practicing for weeks!"

Tsuna smiled nervously, knowing Haru's energy was always unpredictable, but her determination was undeniable. Haru began her performance with a series of graceful cartwheels, seamlessly transitioning into a roundoff and finishing with a high, perfectly executed backflip. The crowd clapped enthusiastically as she landed and posed with a flourish.

"Ta-da!" she exclaimed, beaming.

"That was amazing, Haru!" Tsuna said, genuinely impressed. He jotted down her score, trying to balance fairness with his relief that her performance went smoothly.

Haru skipped back to her spot, clearly pleased with herself. "I hope that's enough to win, Tsuna-san!" she said with a wink.

Next, Reborn's voice rang out again. "Takeshi Yamamoto, you're up!"

Takeshi smiled easily and walked forward, carrying a baseball bat slung casually over his shoulder. His father gave him an encouraging pat on the back as he passed by. "I figured I'd show off a little baseball," Takeshi said, grinning at Tsuna. "Something simple but fun!"

Reborn tossed a small, soft rubber ball his way, clearly prepared for Takeshi's choice. "Let's see what you've got, Yamamoto."

Takeshi's grin widened, and he twirled the bat like a pro, earning a few impressed murmurs from the crowd. He then tossed the ball into the air, wound up, and swung. The bat connected with a satisfying crack, sending the ball flying in a perfect arc. It soared across the room, hitting its mark—a decorative target Reborn had set up earlier on a far wall. The crowd burst into cheers.

"Nice shot!" someone shouted, and Takeshi scratched the back of his head, laughing. "Thanks! Just some practice from the baseball field."

Tsuna smiled, relieved that Takeshi's performance was clean and undeniably impressive. He scribbled down another score and gave his friend a thumbs-up. "Great job, Yamamoto!"

Takeshi returned to his spot with a lighthearted laugh, waving to the crowd like a natural performer. Haru, however, crossed her arms, mock-pouting. "Hmph! I should've brought props too!"

Tsuna chuckled nervously. So far, everything has been going well. But with Reborn still watching like a hawk, he knew this party wasn't going to stay calm for long.

The next performer, Basil, walked up to the stage with his violin in hand. His calm and measured presence set him apart from the others, his focused gaze reflecting the quiet confidence he carried with him. Without any hesitation, he brought the bow to the strings and began playing a piece that filled the room with its gentle yet powerful melody. It was soothing, like the sound of rain softly falling, and yet there was an underlying intensity in the crescendos, evoking the power of a thunderstorm.

The audience was captivated, each note wrapping around their hearts and drawing them into the performance. When Basil finished, the room was still for a brief moment before a thunderous applause erupted.

"Magnificent!" Nana exclaimed, clapping enthusiastically. Tsuna smiled at her praise, the warmth of the moment filling him with pride.

Tsuna nodded approvingly. "That was amazing, Basil. 9 out of 10!"

Basil gave a modest smile in return, clearly content with the reaction to his performance as he returned to his spot.

The next performer, Naito, bounded onto the stage, exuding his usual high energy. Without missing a beat, he started juggling flaming batons, his movements fast and fluid, showing off his natural flair for the dramatic. Just as effortlessly, he began rapping about friendship, loyalty, and his excitement for the day, keeping the crowd laughing with his silly, yet catchy, rhymes.

The audience couldn't help but laugh along, some even joining in with the rhythm of his rap, as his boisterous personality filled the room.

"A unique performance, as always," Haru's father remarked, shaking his head with a smile.

Tsuna couldn't help but grin. "Entertaining as ever, Naito. 8 out of 10."

Naito gave him a playful salute before bounding back to his spot, his fiery batons twirling through the air as he laughed with the audience.

Next, Lunga stepped onto the stage, his presence quiet and deliberate as he took his seat with a guitar in hand. He began to play a hauntingly beautiful melody, the music flowing with such richness that the audience was immediately drawn into it. It was a stark contrast to the lively energy of the other performers, yet there was something mesmerizing about the way Lunga poured his emotions into each note. His song tugged at something deep within, its sorrowful beauty leaving everyone speechless.

When he finished, the silence lingered for a moment before the crowd erupted into applause, some visibly moved by the depth of the performance.

"That was stunning," Takeshi's mother whispered, wiping away a tear. "So beautiful."

Tsuna nodded, clearly impressed. "Lunga, you really surprised me. 9 out of 10."

Lunga gave a small nod of acknowledgment, a faint smile crossing his lips as he returned to his place.

Pantera took the stage next, her calm demeanor immediately setting the tone for her performance. Without a word, she began her martial arts demonstration, every movement executed with precision and grace. It was as if time slowed as her strikes flowed seamlessly, her Cloud Flame abilities enhancing her actions, making her appear almost otherworldly in her poise and strength.

The audience was entranced, watching in awe as Pantera finished with a dramatic flourish. She stood tall, her expression unwavering as the crowd erupted into applause.

"Impressive," Bianchi remarked with a rare smile. "9 out of 10."

Tsuna clapped, genuinely awed by Pantera's ability to captivate without uttering a single word. "That was incredible, Pantera. 8 out of 10."

Raul stepped up next, his presence commanding the attention of the entire room. He exuded confidence, and it was clear he intended to leave an impression. He performed a sword dance, his Storm and Sun Flames interwoven in a dazzling display of power and precision. The flames swirled around him like a storm, and his swift, graceful movements made it look effortless. The audience was spellbound, unable to look away as Raul's performance reached its peak.

"What flair!" Iemitsu shouted, clapping loudly. "10 out of 10!"

Tsuna raised an eyebrow at the performance, knowing full well that Raul would expect the highest score. "That was impressive, Raul. I'll give you a 9 out of 10."

Raul, clearly satisfied with his performance, returned to his spot, a smug grin plastered across his face.

Finally, Dino stepped forward, strumming his guitar and preparing to sing a heartfelt song about friendship. His easygoing nature won over the audience, despite a few mishaps—his whip accidentally tangling with his guitar strings and causing a brief moment of chaos. But through it all, his sincerity shone through, and the crowd warmed to him instantly.

"Charming as always, Dino!" Nana gushed, clapping enthusiastically. "10 out of 10."

Tsuna chuckled, appreciating Dino's lighthearted spirit. "You did great, Dino. 8 out of 10."

Finally, Bianchi unveiled a towering cake decorated with intricate designs symbolizing the Vongola Famiglia. The judges eagerly took their first bites—but as soon as they did, the infamous effects of her poison cooking became apparent.

"It's… unique," Takeshi's father managed, pushing his plate away.

Tsuna winced, trying to keep his face neutral. "Thanks for the effort, Bianchi. 6 out of 10."

Despite the mishap, everyone clapped politely, the atmosphere lightening once again as the performances concluded. Tsuna took a deep breath, thankful that the evening had gone as smoothly as it had.

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With all the performances completed, Reborn tallied the scores. Basil emerged as the clear winner, accepting his elegant present of a flame-resisting suit with a humble bow.

But then came the announcement Tsuna had been dreading. The lowest score… was Bianchi's. Despite her grand cake display, the poisonous nature of her cooking had effectively sabotaged her chances.

The room went silent for a moment as Reborn smirked, raising his gun. "Looks like the punishment is yours, Bianchi."

Bianchi's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, Reborn! You can't seriously—!"

Before she could protest further, Reborn fired the Dying Will Bullet. Tsuna's heart skipped a beat as he realized what was about to happen. The bullet would strip Bianchi of her clothes, leaving her in nothing but her underwear. Tsuna panicked, rushing forward without thinking.

"No! Don't—!" Tsuna shouted, instinctively stepping in front of Bianchi.

The bullet struck Tsuna instead. Flames erupted around him, and before he could even process what was happening, his clothes disintegrated, leaving him in his boxers.

The entire room went silent, and Tsuna stood there, mortified. "Uh… Reborn…?"

Reborn raised an eyebrow. "I suppose you wanted to take the punishment for her?"

Tsuna could only nod weakly, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I didn't want to see anyone else… you know, like that."

Reborn smirked, clearly entertained by Tsuna's actions. "You're becoming more like a boss every day."

Tsuna grimaced and stood tall, trying to push the humiliation aside. "I'll do it with my Dying Will!" he shouted, his voice amplified and full of newfound energy. The transformation hit him like a freight train, and his confidence surged as his body glowed with the fiery Dying Will Mode.

The effects of the Dying Will Mode kicked in immediately. Tsuna's personality shifted drastically, and he became incredibly hyperactive, his movements exaggerated as he rushed around the garden, shouting about how he would throw an even bigger party next time. His confidence was undeniable, and he was completely unafraid of the soreness in his body as he pushed himself harder than he ever thought he could.

"Let's go! We're making this birthday legendary!" Tsuna bellowed, his voice booming across the garden. "I'm gonna make sure next time is even better—no one will ever forget it!"

The crowd cheered, caught up in his infectious energy. They seemed to think this was part of Tsuna's planned performance, and many laughed and applauded, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.

However, as the minutes ticked by, Tsuna began to falter. The overwhelming strain on his young body took its toll. He could feel his muscles burning as if they were about to tear, but he pushed through, determined to outdo himself. The clock was ticking—only 4 to 5 minutes before the effects of the Dying Will Mode wore off.

But eventually, Tsuna's body couldn't keep up. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, his entire body sore and weak. The crowd went quiet, and Tsuna groaned as the flames surrounding him began to fade.

Nana rushed over, kneeling beside him with concern in her eyes. "Tsuna, are you alright?"

Tsuna forced a small smile, though his body ached with every movement. "Yeah, Mom. I'm fine. Just… really sore."

Reborn walked over with his signature smirk. "Not bad, Tsuna. Maybe you're starting to act like a boss."

Tsuna gave him a tired, but somewhat amused, glance. "Thanks, Reborn. I'll take that as a compliment."

The rest of the evening passed with more of Tsuna's friends and family laughing and chatting. Tsuna was still embarrassed, especially when his friends teased him about his "performance." He did his best to hide his discomfort, but his sore body made it clear that Dying Will Mode was no joke.

As the party wore on, Tsuna reluctantly greeted the other guests, mostly mafia figures hoping to curry favor with the new Vongola successor. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Tsuna tried to make the best of it. He wasn't sure if he was ready for the responsibilities that came with his status, but tonight, he felt something new—maybe it was pride or just the relief of surviving the chaos—but he was starting to feel like he could handle it after all.

Finally, when the last of the guests had left, Tsuna allowed himself to relax. His muscles were sore, and he felt physically drained, but he smiled contentedly as he sat with his friends and family, watching the stars above.

"You handled that well, Tsuna," Basil said, sitting beside him.

Tsuna smiled tiredly. "Thanks, Basil. A year ago, I'd have run away from all of this. But now… I'm starting to face it head-on."

Naito leaned in with his usual enthusiasm. "That's the spirit, Tsuna! Let's make your next birthday even crazier!"

Tsuna chuckled weakly. "Let's not go overboard. But I am looking forward to it."

As the laughter and chatter filled the garden, Tsuna felt a deep sense of pride. He may not have chosen this life, but for the first time, he was starting to think he could actually thrive in it.

And with that, Tsuna smiled to himself, grateful for the unexpected turn his life had taken.