KHR: Decimo Primo

The battlefield was silent for a moment, the sound of distant flames crackling and faint groans from the incapacitated Irregolare soldiers filling the air. The Cavallone defenders, bloodied but unbroken, stood in a loose formation, their exhaustion evident. Dino and Tsuna remained at the forefront, their breaths ragged but their resolve unshaken. Around them, the forest had been reduced to a smoldering wasteland, a testament to the fierce battle they had endured.

The Irregolare boss, battered and bloodied, stood as the sole remaining threat. His dark coat hung in tatters, and his once-commanding aura had been replaced with desperation. His eyes darted around, searching for an escape route, but the encirclement was too tight. Despite his condition, the twisted grin on his face remained.

Dino's whip cracked through the air, glowing with the golden flames of resolve. "It's over," Dino declared, his voice firm. "Surrender now, and maybe we'll show some mercy."

The Irregolare boss let out a low, guttural laugh. "Mercy? From the Cavallone heir? Spare me the theatrics." His voice dripped with venom as he staggered forward. "Do you honestly think I'll bow to a spoiled brat like you?"

Dino tensed his whip coiling in his hand like a serpent ready to strike. "You've lost. Accept it."

But the Irregolare boss's gaze shifted, locking onto Tsuna. His eyes gleamed with malice as he spoke, his voice filled with venom. "Ah, but this one… this little Vongola heir… He's an unexpected prize. You seem to care about him, don't you, Dino?"

Before anyone could react, the boss moved with a sudden burst of speed, enhanced by the last reserves of his Mist Flames. A tendril of flame shot out, snaking past Dino's defenses and latching onto Tsuna. The young Vongola heir barely had time to gasp as he was yanked toward the Irregolare boss, who now held him tightly.

"Tsuna!" Dino shouted, lunging forward, his whip slicing through the air. But the boss conjured a barrier of Storm Flames, forcing Dino to halt or risk being consumed by the destructive energy.

The Cavallone soldiers froze, their weapons raised but unable to act without endangering Tsuna. Even Romario, who had fought with unshakable composure, hesitated, his pistol trained on the Irregolare boss but his finger unmoving on the trigger.

The Irregolare boss's grip tightened on Tsuna, his voice a venomous hiss. "If I'm going down, I'm taking him with me. Let's see how the Cavallone family handles the loss of someone important to their precious heir."

Tsuna struggled, his small hands clawing at the tendril of flame that bound him. His heart pounded in his chest, and fear threatened to overwhelm him. But then, amidst the chaos and desperation, something within him shifted.

Tsuna's wide, panicked eyes suddenly calmed. His breathing steadied, and his trembling ceased. A profound stillness washed over him, as though time itself had slowed. His gaze locked onto the Irregolare boss with an intensity that sent a shiver down the man's spine.

"What… what is this?" the boss stammered, his bravado faltering.

Tsuna's expression was no longer that of a frightened child but of someone far older, wiser, and more resolute. His voice, when he spoke, was calm and unwavering. "You've already lost."

The Irregolare boss's grip faltered for a split second—a mistake that would cost him dearly. In one fluid motion, Tsuna twisted his body, breaking free from the tendril of flames. His Sky Flames flared to life, not as an explosion of power but as a controlled, radiant aura that pushed the boss back.

The battlefield seemed to pause as everyone turned to witness the transformation. Dino's eyes widened in shock. "Tsuna…" he whispered. "What is this?"

Even Tsuna himself didn't fully understand. He wasn't in Hyper Dying Will Mode—there was no bullet, no dramatic ignition. Yet, his Vongola Intuition had awakened, as if responding to the dire circumstances. For a brief moment, he embodied the spirit of the Vongola bloodline, his actions guided by ancient, instinctive wisdom.

The Irregolare boss staggered back, his desperation mounting. But before he could react further, a shadow loomed behind him.

The massive snapping turtle, its shell still glowing faintly with Sky Flames, moved with surprising speed for its colossal size. Its intelligent eyes focused on the Irregolare boss, who now seemed pathetically small in comparison.

The boss turned, his expression shifting from anger to terror. "No… stay back!" he screamed, his voice cracking.

But Enzo was relentless. With a thunderous roar, the turtle lunged forward, its gaping maw opening wide. The ground shook as it clamped down on the Irregolare boss, swallowing him whole. The man's final scream was abruptly silenced, leaving only the sound of the turtle's heavy breathing and the murmurs of the stunned onlookers.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, a cheer erupted from the Cavallone soldiers, their relief palpable. The battle was finally over

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Dino approached the massive turtle, awe and gratitude etched on his face. He placed a hand on the creature's enormous, ridged shell, its texture rough and ancient beneath his palm. "You really saved us back there," he said softly, his voice carrying a mix of reverence and warmth. "I think you've earned a name."

Romario, standing a few steps back, chuckled, finally relaxing after the exhausting battle. "A name for a turtle, boss? Isn't it already impressive enough?"

"Why not?" Dino replied, his trademark grin returning. He turned toward Tsuna, who was sitting on a fallen log, catching his breath and still trying to comprehend the sheer scale of the events. "What do you think, Tsuna? Got any ideas?"

Tsuna blinked, his mind still a haze from exhaustion. "Uh… Big Guy?" he offered hesitantly.

Romario smirked, shaking his head. "Too literal, young Vongola. We can do better than that."

Dino tapped his chin thoughtfully, surveying the giant creature whose presence had brought both salvation and destruction. The soldiers around them murmured suggestions, but none seemed to click. Finally, Dino snapped his fingers, his expression lighting up. "How about… Enzo?"

The name seemed to resonate in the air, and an audible cheer of agreement rose from the Cavallone members. Dino beamed, patting the turtle's shell with newfound affection. "Enzo it is! A name worthy of a hero."

Enzo, as if acknowledging his new name, let out a deep, resonating groan that echoed through the clearing. The soldiers laughed nervously, their relief palpable. But their moment of celebration was abruptly cut short.

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Without warning, Enzo began to shift, his colossal limbs moving with erratic force. Each step sent tremors rippling through the ground, shaking the nearby trees and toppling what remained of the battlefield's debris. Soldiers scrambled as rocks and branches tumbled, and some were knocked off their feet by the shockwaves.

The once-gentle giant now seemed unrecognizable. His golden eyes, which had shone with curiosity and loyalty, now burned with wild, uncontrolled energy. Enzo swung his massive tail in an arc, uprooting several trees with a single swipe. The sound of splintering wood filled the air as dust clouds rose around him.

"Uh… is it just me, or does Enzo seem a little… out of control?" Tsuna asked, standing quickly and stumbling back as the turtle's tail narrowly missed him.

Romario barked orders to the soldiers, his usually calm voice strained with urgency. "Keep your distance! Don't engage directly! We need to figure out what's happening first!"

The soldiers scattered, trying to maintain their footing and avoid the chaotic movements. Dino stepped forward, raising his hands in a calming gesture. "Enzo! Hey, easy there! It's me, Dino! Remember me?"

But Enzo didn't respond. Instead, he let out a guttural bellow, a sound so deep and resonant it seemed to shake the very air around them. His massive form shifted toward the Cavallone headquarters, his steps like thunderclaps as they crushed the earth beneath him.

"What's happening to him?" Tsuna asked, his voice rising with alarm as he watched the rampaging turtle stomp through the field, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.

Romario's calm demeanor faltered, his brow furrowed deeply in concern. "He was calm a moment ago… What could've caused this?"

Dino gritted his teeth, the worry evident on his face. "He's too big—too powerful! If we don't stop him, he's going to destroy the headquarters and everything around it!"

The Cavallone members scrambled into action. A group of them, armed with grappling hooks, launched their lines toward Enzo's massive limbs in an attempt to restrain him. The hooks latched onto the tough skin of his legs and shell, and the soldiers pulled with all their might, shouting in unison to coordinate their efforts.

"For the boss!" one of them yelled, straining as the ropes tightened.

But Enzo was too powerful. With a single heave, he broke free, sending the soldiers flying through the air. They landed in various states of disarray, groaning but determined.

Dino cursed under his breath and turned to Romario. "We need another plan!"

Romario nodded, his mind racing. "We'll use the terrain to our advantage. Redirect him toward the ravine—if we can block his path with debris, it might slow him down!"

A second group of soldiers rushed forward with explosives, planting charges along the base of a large cliff near Enzo's path. Dino and Romario worked together, issuing commands and ensuring everyone was out of the blast radius.

"Now!" Dino shouted, and the charges detonated. Rocks tumbled down in a cascade, blocking Enzo's path.

For a moment, it seemed to work. Enzo hesitated, his massive head tilting as he assessed the barrier. But then, with a deep, rumbling growl, he reared back on his hind legs and slammed his front limbs into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves through the earth, and the debris barrier crumbled as if it were nothing more than sand.

Tsuna watched the scene unfold, his heart pounding in his chest. "This isn't working! He's too strong!"

But then he remembered the strange, calm sensation he'd felt earlier—the fleeting moment when his intuition had guided him to act. Gritting his teeth, Tsuna stepped forward, determination overcoming his fear.

"Tsuna, what are you doing?!" Dino called, panic lacing his voice.

"I'll try to talk to him!" Tsuna shouted back, his small frame dwarfed by the massive turtle as he approached cautiously.

"Enzo!" Tsuna yelled, his voice trembling but firm. "It's okay! You don't have to do this! We're your friends!"

For a split second, Enzo seemed to hesitate. His golden eyes flicked down to Tsuna, a glimmer of recognition breaking through the wildness. But then, a surge of Rain Flames coursed through his body, and he let out another deafening bellow, his aggression returning tenfold.

Tsuna stumbled back, falling to the ground as Enzo's tail swiped dangerously close to him.

Dino rushed forward, grabbing Tsuna and pulling him out of harm's way. "It's no use! He's completely out of control!"

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Amidst the growing chaos, as Enzo's rampage reached its peak, a sharp, calm voice sliced through the cacophony. "It seems I arrived just in time, as always."

The unmistakable figure of Reborn appeared at the edge of the scene, perched atop Leon, who had taken the form of a miniature helicopter. The world's strongest hitman descended with practiced ease, landing gracefully on a nearby rock. His fedora cast a shadow over his sharp eyes, and his smirk was as confident as ever.

"Reborn!" Tsuna exclaimed, a mix of relief and frustration clear in his voice. "Where were you?! We've been dealing with—"

Reborn held up a hand, silencing him. "Handling important business, of course. A meeting with some of the underworld's less... cooperative players," he said, adjusting his hat. "You're lucky I finished early."

"Lucky?!" Dino shouted, narrowly dodging another swipe of Enzo's massive tail. He stumbled, catching himself just in time. "This isn't exactly the time for your usual theatrics, Reborn! We need to stop Enzo now!"

Reborn's smirk faded into a more serious expression as he took in the scene. Enzo, the once-gentle turtle, was now a towering colossus of destruction, his wild movements uprooting trees, crushing rocks, and sending shockwaves through the earth. The soldiers of the Cavallone family had formed scattered defensive lines, but their efforts were futile against the beast's sheer size and power.

"It's worse than I thought," Reborn muttered, stepping forward. "Enzo isn't just rampaging—he's completely out of control."

"What do you mean?" Dino asked, his voice tight with urgency.

Reborn crossed his arms, his tone both calm and authoritative. "Enzo isn't an ordinary turtle. Like Leon, he's a special beast, attuned to Dying Will Flames. But Enzo is unique. He's a combination beast, possessing both Cloud and Rain Flame characteristics."

"Cloud and Rain?" Tsuna echoed, edging closer despite his nerves.

Reborn nodded. "The Rain aspect allows Enzo to absorb water rapidly, while the Cloud aspect causes him to grow and expand in response. Normally, these traits are balanced. But since he just hatched, his instincts are in overdrive, and his growth is unchecked. The more water he absorbs, the larger and more aggressive he becomes."

Dino paled. "So what you're saying is... he's basically a walking disaster?"

"Exactly," Reborn confirmed. "Right now, Enzo is a sponge for chaos, and his body doesn't know when to stop." He turned to Dino with a sly grin. "But don't worry. You're about to see why I'm called the world's strongest hitman."

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Reborn handed his fedora to Leon, now perched on his shoulder. "Stand back," he instructed, rolling up his sleeves. "This will take some precision."

His Sun Flames ignited in an instant, their radiant, golden energy spreading like a halo around him. The warm, calming glow illuminated the battlefield, providing a stark contrast to the destruction caused by Enzo. The air seemed to hum with power as Reborn approached the rampaging turtle, his movements unhurried but precise.

"Watch closely," Reborn said, addressing both Dino and Tsuna. "This is how a professional handles things."

With a graceful leap, Reborn landed atop Enzo's massive shell. The turtle roared in response, thrashing violently, but Reborn was unfazed. His balance was impeccable, his focus unshaken. The Sun Flames around him grew brighter as he placed both hands on Enzo's shell, channeling the energy directly into the creature.

"What's he doing?" Tsuna asked, his eyes wide with awe.

Romario, who had been standing protectively by Dino's side, allowed himself a rare smile. "You're witnessing the skill of the world's greatest hitman. He's using Sun Flames to calm Enzo down."

Reborn's voice carried over the noise of the chaos as he explained his technique. "Sun Flames enhance blood flow and vitality, allowing me to stimulate Enzo's system and speed up the process of expelling the excess water he's absorbed."

The effect was almost immediate. Enzo's movements began to slow, his wild bellows subsiding into low groans. Steam rose from his massive body as the water stored within him evaporated under the influence of Reborn's Sun Flames. His colossal frame began to shrink, the towering mountain of a turtle gradually reducing in size.

Dino and Tsuna watched in awe as the once-massive beast continued to shrink, his limbs retracting and his aggression fading. After several tense minutes, Enzo was no longer a towering menace. He was a palm-sized baby turtle, resting quietly in Reborn's hands.

Reborn hopped down gracefully, holding the now-tiny Enzo out to Dino. "There. Problem solved."

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The soldiers erupted into cheers, their earlier fear and exhaustion giving way to relief and joy. The battlefield, though scarred by Enzo's rampage, was now filled with a sense of triumph.

Dino took the tiny turtle from Reborn, cradling it gently in his hands. "Well, little guy," he said with a soft smile, "you gave us quite the scare. But I guess we can't blame you for being born with such incredible power." He looked up at Reborn, his expression sincere. "Thanks, Reborn. I don't know what we would've done without you."

Reborn tipped his hat, smirking. "You managed well enough until now. But next time, try to keep your pets under control."

Tsuna, who had collapsed onto the ground in exhaustion, couldn't help but laugh weakly. "Yeah, I'll remember that... if I ever get a pet this dangerous."

Reborn walked over to Tsuna, his expression softening slightly. "You did well, Tsuna. You kept your composure and protected your allies. That's a step forward."

Tsuna looked up at him, a tired but genuine smile on his face. "Thanks, Reborn. But I still have a lot to learn."

Reborn nodded. "You'll get there. Today was proof of that."

As the soldiers began cleaning up the battlefield, Dino held Enzo high above his head, his voice ringing out with his usual enthusiasm. "Welcome to the Cavallone family, Enzo!"

The cheers that followed were loud and heartfelt, a fitting end to a chaotic day.