KHR: Decimo Primo

A week had passed since Tsuna's seventh birthday. The memories of his celebration with Haru and Takeshi lingered fondly in his mind. His friends from Japan had flown to Italy just to spend time with him, making his birthday truly special. They laughed, played, and caught up on everything that had happened since they last saw each other. However, with the new school semester in Japan starting soon, their visit was limited to just three days. When the time came, they bid Tsuna a heartfelt goodbye, promising to meet again.

Now, life had settled back into its usual rhythm. Tsuna's second year at the Mafia school had begun. Much like the previous year, it was filled with rigorous training and lessons about the Mafia world. The schedule was intense, but Tsuna had grown accustomed to it. Each day brought new challenges, and with Reborn's relentless teaching, Tsuna had honed his skills in ways he couldn't have imagined a year ago.

Today, however, was different. As Tsuna sat in the living room of his home, Reborn appeared, as composed as ever, his signature smirk in place.

"Good morning, Tsuna," Reborn greeted, adjusting his fedora. "Today is a special day."

Tsuna tilted his head in confusion. "Special? What do you mean, Reborn?"

Reborn's smirk widened. "It's been a year since I started training you. It's time to see how far you've come. You'll be taking a special exam today."

Tsuna's eyes widened. "An exam? What kind of exam?"

"A sparring match with me," Reborn replied simply as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "This will test everything you've learned—your flames, your combat skills, your strategy. Don't expect me to go easy on you."

Tsuna's heart raced. A sparring match with Reborn? The idea was terrifying, but it was also an opportunity to prove himself. He clenched his fists, determination flickering in his eyes.

"Alright," Tsuna said, nodding. "I'll do my best."

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The sparring match took place in the spacious training room of Tsuna's home. The area was clear of any obstacles, providing ample space for movement and combat.

Reborn stood on one side of the room, his posture relaxed yet exuding an aura of confidence. "Let's make this fair," he said. "I won't use my Sun Flames or Leon. Just hand-to-hand combat."

Tsuna nodded, taking his position on the opposite side. He wore his I-Gloves replica, a gift from Reborn that allowed him to channel his Dying Will Flames more efficiently. Taking a deep breath, he activated his flames, the orange hue of the Sky Flames igniting around his hands. He felt the warmth of his determination in every flicker of flame.

The match began.

Reborn moved first, his speed blinding as he closed the gap between them in an instant. Tsuna barely had time to react before a fist grazed past his face. He stumbled back, regaining his footing just in time to see Reborn's smirk.

"You're hesitating," Reborn said, his voice calm but sharp. "Hesitation will get you killed."

Tsuna steeled himself, rushing forward with a combination of punches, each one infused with his Sky Flames. Reborn blocked each blow effortlessly, his movements precise and calculated. Every strike Tsuna launched was countered before it could land, leaving him increasingly frustrated.

Reborn seized an opening, stepping into Tsuna's guard and landing a solid hit to his stomach. The force sent Tsuna skidding back across the floor, his flames flickering unsteadily.

"Get up," Reborn ordered, his voice cold. "If this is all you've got after a year, you're wasting my time."

Gritting his teeth, Tsuna pushed himself to his feet. He activated his Mist Flames, creating a series of illusions around the room. Reborn's eyes flicked to each one, but he remained unfazed.

"Interesting," Reborn said, disappearing from view. Before Tsuna could react, a sharp blow landed on his side, dispelling the illusions. "But you're too slow."

Tsuna gasped, his body burning with pain. He activated his Sun Flames, quickly healing the injury before leaping back into the fray. He darted around Reborn, trying to find an opening, but his mentor's movements were too fast, too precise. Every attempt to attack was met with overwhelming force, and every defense crumbled under Reborn's relentless assault.

"Come on, Tsuna," Reborn taunted, dodging another attack. "Is this really the best you can do? Show me your resolve."

Desperation surged through Tsuna. He focused on his flames, channeling everything he had into his next attack. His fists burned brighter as he launched a flurry of strikes, each one faster and more powerful than the last. Reborn deflected them all with ease, his expression unreadable.

But then, something shifted.

Backed into a corner, Tsuna felt a surge of energy deep within him—a familiar yet foreign sensation. His flames roared to life, brighter and hotter than ever before. His body moved on its own, guided by an instinct he didn't fully understand.

Hyper Dying Will Mode.

For a fleeting second, Tsuna's entire being was consumed by this state. His movements became a blur, faster than even Reborn could anticipate. He closed the distance between them in an instant, delivering a final, powerful strike aimed at Reborn's hat.

The attack connected.

Reborn's fedora flew off his head, tumbling to the ground. The edge of the hat was singed, a faint scorch mark visible on the otherwise pristine fabric.

The room fell silent.

Tsuna collapsed to the floor, his Hyper Dying Will Mode fading as quickly as it had appeared. He gasped for air, his body trembling from exhaustion.

Reborn retrieved his hat, examining the burn mark with a thoughtful expression. "Hmph," he muttered, placing the hat back on his head. "Not bad."

Tsuna looked up at him, his voice weak but determined. "Did… did I pass?"

Reborn smirked, though there was a hint of pride in his eyes. "You're still weak," he said, his tone as sharp as ever. "But you've made progress. Burning the edge of this hat—crafted by Leon's threads—is no small feat. Don't let it go to your head."

Tsuna smiled faintly, relief washing over him despite Reborn's harsh words. He had given everything he had, and for the first time, he felt like he had truly earned his mentor's respect.

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Tsuna sat on the floor, catching his breath, still trying to come to terms with everything that had just happened. His mentor, Reborn, was holding his fedora and examining the slight scorch mark with that characteristic, inscrutable smirk. Tsuna, still shaken from the intensity of the spar, glanced up at him, his mind swirling with questions.

"You did well, Tsuna," Reborn said, his voice steady but laced with approval. "You've come a long way. A year ago, you couldn't even manage to land a blow on me and would have cried like a baby. Now, you're capable of holding your own, even if it's just at the level of an average Mafia member." His smirk deepened. "For a crybaby like you, that's quite the leap."

Tsuna's heart swelled at the praise, despite Reborn's teasing tone. He had worked so hard, and hearing that he was now on par with the average Mafia members felt like a huge accomplishment. But then, Reborn's next words hit him hard.

"This is the end of your training for now," Reborn said casually, as if it was nothing significant.

Tsuna's eyes widened in shock. "W-What? End of my training? Did I do something wrong?" His voice faltered, a sudden feeling of dread and confusion swirling within him.

Reborn gave a short, amused chuckle. "No, you didn't do anything wrong, Tsuna. It's just time. I've been training you for a year now. You've grown, but there's still much more for you to learn. And I haven't finished Dino's training, either. He needs me."

Tsuna felt a wave of sadness wash over him, even as Reborn continued, explaining that he had other duties to attend to. There were new developments in the Mafia world—changes not just within Vongola but in other factions, too. Reborn's eyes flicked around the room, his expression growing more serious. Tsuna noticed a subtle shift in the air as if the entire world was on the brink of something bigger than they could imagine.

"The world is becoming unbalanced," Reborn murmured, almost to himself. "Not just in Vongola, but beyond. Forces are growing in power. The balance of the world is shifting." His gaze met Tsuna's, and Tsuna felt the weight of his mentor's words. It was as if he was hinting at something far more dangerous than Tsuna had realized, but he didn't press him for more details. Reborn would say what he needed to when the time came.

But then Reborn did something that made Tsuna pause. He reached into his coat and pulled out a small egg. Tsuna recognized it instantly—it was the same kind of egg he had seen Dino receive a year ago, the one that had eventually hatched into Enzo, the gigantic and fiercely loyal animal.

"This is for you," Reborn said, handing the egg to Tsuna with a rare moment of sincerity. "A farewell gift from Leon."

Tsuna took the egg carefully, feeling its smooth surface in his hands. He remembered how Enzo had grown into a massive beast, and the thought of another creature like that hatching from the egg made him hesitant. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the gift—it was just that Enzo, with his towering size and ferocity, didn't feel like something Tsuna would bond with in the same way.

"Will it be another… Enzo?" Tsuna asked, his voice a little uncertain. "I don't think I'd be able to take care of something like that."

Reborn smirked, reading Tsuna's hesitation. "You don't need to worry about that. Leon's species is unique. It doesn't just give birth to creatures like Enzo. It gives birth to whatever suits its owner most. It could be a creature, or it could be something entirely different. Something that suits you."

Tsuna looked down at the egg in his hands, wondering what it would become. It was a strange and somewhat overwhelming thought, but as Reborn had said, it would be something that suited him, something that he could connect with in his own way. Maybe it would be smaller, maybe more subtle—but whatever it was, Tsuna knew it would be a gift he'd treasure.

"I'll wait for it," Tsuna said quietly, his heart a little lighter now that he understood the meaning behind the egg. He looked up at Reborn, who was already preparing to leave.

"Don't worry, Tsuna. I'll be back eventually. Keep growing. Keep training. You're a part of this world now, whether you like it or not," Reborn said, his usual teasing tone back in place. "And besides, it's not like you're alone. You've got the whole Vongola family behind you. But until then…"

Reborn stepped toward the door, pausing for a moment. "Man up, Tsuna. I'll be around when the world tilts more in our direction. Just keep doing your best until I return."

Tsuna watched as Reborn walked out of the room, the door closing behind him with a soft click. He stood there for a long moment, clutching the egg and reflecting on everything Reborn had said. There was so much to process—the changes in the Mafia world, his own growth, and the fact that Reborn was stepping away from his training for a while.

He wasn't sure when Reborn would return, but one thing was certain: Tsuna had come a long way, and no matter what happened, he was ready to face whatever the future held.

For now, he would continue his path, surrounded by those he cared for, and one step closer to understanding the true weight of his role in the Mafia world. And with that thought, he looked down at the egg once more, wondering what kind of creature—or item—it would become.

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Tsuna stood in the empty training room, still holding the egg in his hands, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty and sadness. Reborn's departure had left a strange emptiness in him, something he wasn't used to. Though Tsuna understood that Reborn had his own reasons, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind, even if it was just temporary.

After a long pause, Tsuna slowly made his way toward the door, the weight of the egg in his hands somehow grounding him. As he stepped out into the hallway, he was startled to see his father, Iemitsu, standing there with a knowing look on his face. Iemitsu was leaning casually against the wall just outside the training room, arms folded across his chest, as if he had been waiting for him. His eyes softened when he saw Tsuna's expression.

"Reborn already told you the news, right?" Iemitsu asked, his voice calm but laced with a sense of understanding. It wasn't a question Tsuna wanted to answer, but the way his father asked it made it clear that he already knew. Iemitsu, despite his often carefree and goofy demeanor, had a way of sensing when something was off.

Tsuna nodded, clutching the egg tighter. "Yeah… he's leaving for a while. He said it's time for me to stop training under him… that I've come far enough."

Iemitsu raised an eyebrow, offering a small, teasing grin. "Oh, so Reborn thinks you've surpassed him, huh? I'm impressed." His attempt at lightheartedness was evident, but Tsuna could see the underlying concern in his father's eyes.

Tsuna forced a small smile, though it felt more like an automatic response than anything genuine. "I don't think it's that... I think he's just done with me for now."

Iemitsu chuckled, walking over to Tsuna with an easy-going stride. "Done with you? Come on, Tsuna. You know how Reborn is. He's just like that, pushing you until he thinks you're ready to stand on your own two feet. He wouldn't have left if he didn't think you were strong enough to handle things without him. But…" He paused, his grin softening as he placed a hand on Tsuna's shoulder. "I get it. It's tough. Reborn's been like family to you, right?"

Tsuna nodded again, his throat tightening as he glanced down at the egg in his hands. "Yeah, he's been there for me. More than I ever expected."

Iemitsu let out a soft sigh, giving his son a knowing look. "I can see why that would feel a little lonely, Tsuna. But you know, you've got a lot of people who care about you, and you're never really alone. You've got us. And you've got the Vongola family, too. You're part of something bigger now."

"I know," Tsuna murmured, though his voice still sounded a bit distant. "But it's just… Reborn was the one who taught me all this. Without him, I feel like I'm going to be lost."

"Lost, huh?" Iemitsu grinned again, his eyes twinkling. "Well, if you're feeling lost, then it's a good thing you've got me around, right?" He chuckled and gave Tsuna a playful shove. "Who else would keep you out of trouble in this crazy Mafia world?"

Tsuna couldn't help but smile more genuinely at his father's antics. Iemitsu had that uncanny ability to lighten the mood when things felt heavy. Tsuna's shoulders relaxed, and the sadness that had been weighing him down felt a little less oppressive.

"I guess you're right," Tsuna said, his smile growing a bit more. "You're always the one who saves me, huh?"

Iemitsu gave a mock bow, his grin wide. "Of course! I'm your father. It's my job to make sure you're never too lost."

Tsuna's smile widened slightly as he looked up at his father, feeling a warmth in his chest. Iemitsu had a way of making things seem a little less serious, even when the world around them was anything but light. Tsuna knew that, no matter what, his father would be there for him—whether it was to cheer him up or to guide him through whatever lay ahead.

"Thanks, Dad," Tsuna said quietly, feeling a bit more at ease.

"Thanks, Dad," Tsuna said quietly, his voice softer but carrying a sense of relief as his father's words eased some of the tension in his chest.

Iemitsu's expression shifted, becoming more serious as he leaned in. His voice lowered, as if he were carefully weighing his next words. "There's actually another reason Reborn's leaving."

Tsuna's brow furrowed. "Another reason?" He hadn't expected this. He was still reeling from Reborn's departure and trying to process what it meant for his future.

Iemitsu nodded, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with a more serious air. "It's not just about his training for you. Reborn got orders from Vongola Nono. As you know, you're now officially the successor of the Vongola. That means things are changing. A lot."

Tsuna's eyes widened. "Wait… what do you mean? What's changing?"

Iemitsu sighed, his gaze firm. "From now on, Tsuna, you're not just training to be the next boss. You are the next boss. That means everything you do will be scrutinized by every mafia family, not just here in Italy. The entire world is watching you now. And it's not just the mafia—you'll have other forces, from beyond the mafia world, keeping an eye on you too."

Tsuna's heart skipped a beat. The weight of his father's words sank in, and he felt a knot form in his stomach. Being judged by the mafia world wasn't just a scary thought anymore; it was a looming reality. The idea of having to live up to expectations, of being watched by so many, made his head spin.

"I didn't realize it was... this big," Tsuna murmured, his voice small despite the surge of thoughts racing through his mind.

Iemitsu nodded, a slight hint of a smile creeping onto his face. "Yes, well, that's not all. Reborn's left for a reason. You're going to have to start working directly with CEDEF now. You'll be a trainee, like Basil was when he started. No more staying on the sidelines. It's time for you to start taking on missions for the family."

Tsuna's eyes widened even further. "Missions? But... I'm not ready for that! I can barely keep up with the training!"

Iemitsu's gaze softened, though his voice remained steady. "You'll never feel ready, Tsuna. Not at first. But you've proven that you have what it takes. You've already learned to control your flames, to fight with strategy, and to think quickly. You're not the same kid you were when Reborn first arrived. You're capable—more than you think."

Tsuna hesitated, his confidence wavering. "I'm still scared, though. What if I mess up? What if I make a mistake that ruins everything?"

"You'll make mistakes," Iemitsu said, his tone calm but firm. "Everyone does. But it's how you handle those mistakes that defines you. You've got the heart of a leader, Tsuna. You've already started walking that path. Now you've just got to keep moving forward, one step at a time."

Tsuna took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his father's words. His palms were sweaty, his heart pounding, but the fear inside him started to settle. He had to do this, not just for himself, but for the people around him. There was no turning back now.

"I'll try," Tsuna said, his voice stronger this time, though still laced with uncertainty. "I'm scared, but... I'll do my best. I'll make sure I don't let everyone down."

Iemitsu smiled at him, pride shining in his eyes. "That's all anyone can ask for, Tsuna. You've already come so far. Don't forget that."

They walked together, leaving the training room behind. Tsuna's thoughts swirled, the weight of his new responsibilities pressing on him, but there was a part of him that felt more confident than before. It was terrifying, yes. The future was uncertain, and the mafia world was a dangerous place. But Tsuna knew one thing for sure—he wasn't the same scared kid he used to be. He had a place in this world now, and whether he was ready or not, he was going to step up.

"I'll do it," Tsuna whispered to himself as they walked down the hallway. The road ahead was daunting, but for the first time, he felt a flicker of resolve ignite within him. "I'll do it... for all of them."