KHR: Decimo Primo

Tsuna sat at his desk, looking out the window as the classroom buzzed with chatter. A week had passed since the start of the second semester, and things had settled into a familiar rhythm. Each day felt like a mix of lessons, training sessions, and small tasks from Reborn. Nothing too extraordinary, but it was enough to keep Tsuna on his toes. He'd been handling smaller missions now—rookie mafia tasks that were simple, but still important. Nothing like his first bodyguard mission with Hayato, but each one helped him get a bit more comfortable with the world he was now a part of.

His training with Reborn had intensified, too. Every morning before school, they'd run drills, focusing on improving his reflexes, his aim, and his ability to read people. Tsuna still struggled, but he could see the improvements. Reborn's cryptic advice still left him more confused than not, but he was starting to see some sense in it all. Slowly, Tsuna was learning how to keep his head in the game—how to be both a student and an heir, how to balance his responsibilities with his desire for normalcy.

During the school day, Tsuna spent time with his classmates. Raul, as energetic as ever, was constantly challenging him to spar, while Naito never seemed to stop talking about his "research," which mostly involved stalking the female students. Tsuna couldn't help but notice how Pantera's usual calm demeanor had shifted—she was more distant, more intense, as if something was bothering her. Lunga was always there to keep Naito in check, but Tsuna couldn't shake the feeling that there was tension in the air.

In the strategy classes, Basil's calm and analytical nature shone through, offering Tsuna invaluable insights. The more Tsuna learned from Basil, the more he realized that being a mafia boss wasn't just about strength or control—it was about strategy, timing, and the ability to make decisions with far-reaching consequences. Even in the moments when Tsuna felt overwhelmed, Basil's words helped him find clarity.

Despite all this, there was still the constant reminder of what he was truly involved in—the mafia, the Vongola, and the future that lay before him. But for now, school continued as usual, with all its chaos, quirks, and challenges.

During the week, Tsuna had also stayed in touch with Bianchi. She had reached out to him after Hayato's departure from the family, keeping him informed of how things were going on her end. Tsuna wasn't sure what to make of Hayato's sudden exit, but he knew one thing for certain: Bianchi's support had been invaluable during that time. Even now, she would occasionally send messages of encouragement, and Tsuna found himself grateful for her friendship. They didn't speak as often as he'd like, but he always appreciated her checking in.

As the day began to wind down, the teacher stood at the front of the classroom, a small stack of papers in his hands. Tsuna sat up a little straighter, curiosity rising in him. It had been a long week of lessons and sparring, but the teacher's expression was a bit more serious than usual.

"Alright, everyone," the teacher began, "I hope you've all been keeping up with your studies and your training. Tomorrow, we will be taking a field trip."

The room quieted, students exchanging excited glances. Tsuna's classmates eagerly whispered to one another, speculating on the destination. Tsuna was curious, too, but his mind was already racing, trying to imagine what sort of excursion could be planned for them.

The teacher continued, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Your field trip tomorrow will be a small gathering hosted by the Vongola famiglia, one of their branches. It's a chance to meet some of the other mafia families and learn more about the responsibilities that come with leadership."

Tsuna blinked, surprised. A Vongola gathering? It was an unusual field trip, but then again, nothing about his life seemed normal anymore.

The classroom erupted in excited chatter. Tsuna caught sight of Naito eagerly leaning over to Raul, both of them grinning at the thought of mingling with mafia families. Pantera, however, seemed more reserved, her expression unreadable. Lunga simply shrugged, as though this was just another day in their strange world.

"I trust you will all behave appropriately," the teacher said, raising an eyebrow as the noise settled. "This is not a vacation. It's an opportunity to observe, to learn, and to make the right impression."

Tsuna leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of the upcoming event. A Vongola gathering, even a small one, was not something to take lightly. This was the world he was slowly being pulled into. It felt like it had been forever since he had first arrived at mafia school, and yet here he was, one step closer to understanding what it truly meant to be part of this world.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. As Tsuna gathered his things and stood up, he glanced around at his classmates, each of them lost in their own thoughts about the upcoming trip. He wasn't sure what to expect, but something told him that this event would be the first of many surprises in his journey as the Vongola's secret candidate.

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Tsuna and his group walked out of the school gates, the sunlight casting long shadows across the pavement. The topic of the upcoming field trip was still fresh in everyone's minds, and the air was thick with conversation.

"I can't believe we're going to a Vongola gathering tomorrow," Naito said, grinning ear to ear. "This is gonna be so cool!"

"Yeah, but it's not just for fun," Lunga added, looking serious. "Basil said we need to behave properly. This is important."

Tsuna nodded absentmindedly, still processing the teacher's announcement. He wasn't sure what to expect from the Vongola gathering, but he could tell it would be more intense than any school field trip he'd been on.

Basil, walking beside Tsuna, adjusted his glasses as he caught Tsuna's attention. "There are a few things you should know for tomorrow," he began, his tone more serious now. "Since it's been about a year since I started working with CEDEF, I've had my share of experiences with important people in the Vongola family."

"Important people?" Tsuna asked, glancing at him curiously.

Basil nodded, looking over his shoulder to make sure no one else was eavesdropping too closely. "Yes. Tomorrow's gathering will include some prominent figures. Enrico Fermi, Massimo Ranieri, and Federico Ferrino are all sons of Timoteo, the current Vongola Boss, and Vongola Nono Enrico is the most qualified to inherit the title of Vongola Decimo. He's the leading candidate, no question about it."

Tsuna's brow furrowed. "But... who else is there?"

Basil paused, eyes narrowing slightly as he continued. "Massimo is second in line. They call him 'the young no. 2.' He's got the skills, but he's not quite as qualified as Enrico. Still, he's one to watch. And then there's Federico... he's the favored one by many. People talk about him like he's the next big thing after Enrico. But then..." Basil lowered his voice. "There's Xanxus. He's Timoteo's other son, and he's the one no one wants to cross."

Raul perked up at the mention of Xanxus. "What about him?"

Basil's expression darkened. "Xanxus is ruthless. He's strong—maybe even stronger than Enrico—but he's dangerous. He has no mercy for anyone. He's known for his short temper. Even the smallest mistake can set him off. If you see him tomorrow, it's best to keep your distance."

Raul seemed to consider this, a bit concerned. "Got it. Stay away from Xanxus."

Just then, as the group was still walking and Tsuna processed Basil's warning, Raul, who had been eagerly listening to the lecture, suddenly bumped into someone walking in the opposite direction.

"Ouch!" Raul yelped as he collided with a person in front of him, stumbling back a few steps.

Before he could apologize, the person turned around, and Raul's eyes went wide as he saw who it was.

It was none other than Suberpia Squalo, the current number one student at mafia school, known as the "Sword Prince." Despite being only 14 years old, Squalo had earned a reputation as a competent mafia member. He was already part of the elite Vongola assassination group, the Varia. Some even whispered that he'd already defeated the current Sword Emperor of the Varia and was destined to become its next leader.

Squalo, clearly in a foul mood, glared at Raul. "Watch where you're going, idiot!" he snapped.

Raul stammered, "Sorry, I didn't mean—"

Squalo cut him off, his temper flaring immediately. "You better watch where you're walking, fool! What, you think you can just bump into people like that?" His voice was like a whip, crackling with anger.

Tsuna, instinctively stepping forward, opened his mouth to intervene. "We didn't mean to—"

But before he could finish, Squalo's gaze shifted to the group, narrowing suspiciously. "And you were talking about Xanxus, weren't you? Don't think I didn't hear you," he growled. "You were badmouthing him, weren't you? You think you can just talk like that about the next Vongola Decimo?!"

Tsuna's stomach dropped. He had heard that Squalo was fiercely loyal to Xanxus, but he hadn't expected this kind of reaction. The entire group froze, the tension in the air palpable.

"Apologize, now," Squalo demanded, his eyes flashing dangerously. "For insulting Xanxus. You think you can just walk around disrespecting him?!" His voice was so sharp it felt like it could cut through the air.

Before Tsuna could say anything, a mocking laugh echoed through the street. The group turned, startled, to see a young boy with bleach blonde hair strut toward them, his posture stiff and proud, as if he owned the world.

"Hah!" the boy scoffed, looking down his nose at Tsuna and his friends. "How pathetic. You really think you can talk about Xanxus like that? You must be out of your minds."

The boy raised an eyebrow, an arrogant smirk spreading across his face. "I am Belphegor," he announced with exaggerated flair, "Prince of the Ripper. A member of the Varia, of course."

Tsuna blinked in surprise. A member of the Varia? He'd heard rumors about them—elite assassins under the Vongola, feared by most. But this kid? He barely looked older than Tsuna, maybe a year or two.

"Xanxus will become Vongola Decimo," Belphegor continued as if stating an obvious fact. "And if you think otherwise, you're even dumber than I thought. Honor his name, because it's already settled."

Squalo, now calming down slightly but still glaring, turned toward Belphegor with an expression of admiration. "That's right. Xanxus is the next boss. Anyone who doesn't understand that needs to get their head checked."

Belphegor's smirk widened at the confirmation. He turned back to Tsuna's group, his eyes cold. "So, do us all a favor and show some respect. Because Xanxus isn't someone you want to mess with."

The tension in the air thickened as Squalo's anger continued to boil. His sword was already in hand, the polished metal glinting under the fading sunlight. "You think you can just disrespect Xanxus and get away with it?" he snarled, taking a step forward. "I'll show you what happens when you mouth off to someone who actually matters."

Tsuna felt his heart race. He wasn't prepared for a confrontation like this—especially not with someone like Squalo, who was already part of the Varia, an elite assassination squad. His body stiffened, his instinct telling him to retreat, but the reality of the situation sank in: there was nowhere to run. Squalo was dangerous, and from the way he looked at them, he was ready to strike.

"Shut up, idiot!" Squalo shouted, raising his sword and swinging it in a fast arc toward Tsuna and his friends.

Basil acted quickly, stepping in front of Tsuna. His metal-edged boomerang-shaped weapon, coated with Rain Flames, blocked Squalo's strike with a loud clash. Sparks flew as the two weapons collided, Basil gritting his teeth from the force of the impact.

"I'm not going to let you pick a fight with my friends, Squalo," Basil said, his calm voice betraying none of the tension in his posture. He quickly repositioned himself, using the momentum of the clash to back off just in time for another strike.

"Ha!" Squalo taunted, spinning his sword expertly in his hands. "You think you can stop me, kid? This is a battle you'll never win. I'm going to enjoy this."

Belphegor, not to be left out, grinned wickedly. "Oho, I'm bored of standing around. You all want a fight, don't you?" He snapped his fingers, and a series of silver strings flew from his fingers, cutting through the air like whips. They moved so quickly that Tsuna barely had time to react before the strings were already inches from his face.

"Watch out!" Raul shouted, quickly jumping out of the way and pulling Pantera with him. Pantera, usually so composed, was now on edge, her eyes scanning the strings, her body poised for action.

"Belphegor," Tsuna muttered, his eyes widening at the sight of the Varia member's strings. His mind raced for a way out. Squalo was bad enough, but Belphegor was a different kind of threat altogether.

Squalo laughed again, seeing the fear in their eyes. "You better keep your distance, brats. You have no idea who you're messing with."

Basil grimaced, trying to maintain his footing against Squalo's relentless attacks. He had blocked the first strike, but he could tell that Squalo wasn't going to hold back. He needed a plan—fast. "Tsuna," Basil called over his shoulder, "I need you to stay focused. Don't let them get to you. Just keep your distance and be ready."

Tsuna's mind spun, but his training with Reborn kicked in. He needed to keep his cool. His instincts screamed at him to get away, but Basil was right. They couldn't let themselves be intimidated. He gritted his teeth, eyeing Squalo and Belphegor closely.

Then it happened. Squalo lunged forward with a furious roar, slashing his sword with brutal force. Basil barely blocked it again, but this time the force sent him sliding backward. His knees buckled, and for a moment, Tsuna saw a flicker of vulnerability in Basil's eyes.

"Damn it!" Basil muttered under his breath, trying to push himself back to his feet, but Squalo wasn't giving him any room to breathe.

Seeing this, Belphegor's smirk widened as he twirled another set of silver strings, sending them flying toward Tsuna, Lunga, and Raul. The strings whizzed past, narrowly missing Tsuna's face. He could feel the wind from their speed.

"Playtime's over!" Belphegor sang, clearly enjoying the chaos. He flicked his fingers again, and more strings wrapped around the nearest lamppost, creating a snare. He yanked, and a bundle of sharp silver wire shot in Tsuna's direction.

"Tsuna!" Raul shouted, his voice a mix of panic and excitement. "We need to move—fast!"

Before Tsuna could react, the sharp silver strings came at him like a deadly net. Pantera darted in front of him, slicing through the strings with a swift motion of her knife. She shot a glance at Tsuna, her face full of urgency. "Stay back, Tsuna. I'll deal with this."

Tsuna stumbled backward, taking a step away from the action, trying to think clearly despite the mounting pressure. But then he heard the sound of a gunshot.

"Enough."

Tsuna looked up, his heart pounding in his chest. It was Reborn. But the Varia members Squalo and Belphegor didn't seem to notice Tsuna's presence. They were far too focused on the confrontation, unaware of Tsuna's true identity as the secret heir to the Vongola family.

Squalo's expression darkened at the sudden interruption. "Reborn?" He hissed, narrowing his eyes. "What do you want, you damn brat?"

Tsuna noticed that Squalo's irritation wasn't just because of the interference there was something more to it. Squalo only knew Reborn as the number one hitman in the mafia world and Dino's teacher. Dino, a classmate who had always annoyed Squalo with his overly cheerful demeanor, was someone Squalo didn't think highly of. Yet, here was Reborn, stepping in to stop the fight and it wasn't even because of Dino.

The realization hit Squalo like a bolt of lightning. "What's going on here?" he thought to himself, eyeing the group of students closely. He'd seen Reborn step in for Dino before, but now, for the first time, Reborn had intervened in a fight that had nothing to do with Dino. That alone was suspicious. He'd heard rumors about Reborn being the most excellent trainer for mafia bosses, someone who wouldn't waste his time on just anyone.

His eyes shifted to Basil. Squalo's expression shifted to one of recognition, as his mind quickly put two and two together. Basil was the top student of the first years in mafia school. His skill was undeniable, and he had a weapon that no one in his year should have been able to get their hands on. It wasn't just any ordinary weapon it was clearly infused with Rain Flames, making it a weapon meant for someone important. The puzzle pieces clicked together in Squalo's mind, and he realized that Reborn's attention was probably on Basil or the brown-haired boy whom Squalo saw Reborn explicitly deflect the attack from Belphegor he saw nothing special about the other boy but even so, he felt a weird instinct that the brown-haired boy may not be as normal as he thinks. 

"What is this…? These kids…" Squalo thought, a sense of unease creeping into his thoughts. He had no idea who the brown-haired boy was, but Reborn's presence alone told him that there was something more here. Someone from this group had a special identity something that warranted Reborn's attention.

Reborn, unfazed by Squalo's glare, took a step forward, his gun still holstered but his presence as commanding as ever. "Squalo," he said flatly, "Leave them alone."

Squalo's grip tightened around his sword, his temper flaring once again. "And what if I don't want to?" he sneered.

Before anyone could react, Belphegor, growing impatient with the stand-off, decided to take matters into his own hands. "Oh, please, Reborn," Belphegor mocked, stepping forward. "You think you can just waltz in and make demands? You're nothing but a clown."

Squalo snorted amusement as Belphegor arrogantly approached Reborn, aiming a kick at him. "Let me handle him," Belphegor said with a laugh, clearly thinking this would be another easy fight for him. He raised his foot and launched himself at Reborn with the speed of a striking cobra.

But before Belphegor even reached Reborn, the small hitman sidestepped the attack effortlessly. In one fluid motion, Reborn raised his leg and delivered a single, precise kick to Belphegor's chest.

Belphegor's eyes widened in surprise as the force of the kick sent him flying through the air, crashing to the ground in a heap. He was out cold before he even hit the pavement.

Squalo stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide with disbelief. He had never seen anyone take down Belphegor so easily. The fight had barely even begun, and Reborn had already dispatched him with a single kick.

Squalo was now genuinely perplexed. Reborn wasn't just some trainer; he was an elite hitman, far beyond anyone he'd ever encountered. His gut told him that something wasn't right about this whole situation.

"Damn it, Reborn…" Squalo muttered, frustration clouding his thoughts. His gaze flicked back to Tsuna and his friends. They were still so young, so inexperienced. What could they possibly have done to catch the attention of someone like Reborn?

Reborn, casually brushing off his hands as if he'd just swatted a fly, turned his attention back to Squalo. "Now, are you going to stop being a nuisance, or do I need to deal with you, too?" he asked, his tone completely uninterested.

Squalo glared at Reborn, but his resolve was weakening. He had no desire to provoke the hitman further. He wasn't sure what was going on with Tsuna and his group, but one thing was clear Reborn wasn't someone he could underestimate.

With one last grumble, Squalo sheathed his sword, muttering under his breath. "Fine, fine. This isn't over, though."

Reborn simply nodded, his expression as calm as ever. "Good. Now, go back to your business."

Squalo shot one final glance at Tsuna and his group before he turned and stalked off, Belphegor's unconscious form still lying on the ground, forgotten for the moment.

Tsuna let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart was still racing, but the immediate danger had passed. He glanced at Reborn, who was already walking away.

"Thanks, Reborn," Tsuna said, trying to steady his nerves.

Reborn turned back for a moment, offering Tsuna a small, amused smile. "You owe me one, Tsuna," he said simply, before walking off.

Basil, still catching his breath, wiped the sweat off his brow. "That was too close," he muttered. "We almost got ourselves killed."

Raul let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, no kidding. What was up with Squalo? He was out of control."

Pantera shook her head, her expression unreadable. "He's the type who doesn't think before acting. But he's also dangerous."

Tsuna didn't say anything. His mind was still whirling with everything that had just happened especially the fact that Reborn had stepped in like that. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger than he had realized.