KHR: Decimo Primo

{Mafia School Gymnasium}

The scene shifted to a massive gymnasium, its ceiling arching high above, fitted with gleaming lights and advanced technology that seemed decades ahead of its time. The walls were lined with training equipment, ranging from punching dummies to complex simulators. In the center of the gym stood a large circular arena, its surface reinforced with a strange metallic sheen built to withstand even the most intense training.

Tsuna and his classmates stood in a line, their expressions ranging from excited to terrified. Naito was bouncing on his heels, his excitement barely contained. "This is it, guys! My time to shine!" he exclaimed, grinning wildly.

Basil, standing calmly next to Tsuna, chuckled. "Careful, Naito. The teacher might just take you up on that."

Pantera, as stoic as ever, glanced at Naito with a faint look of disinterest. "Or he'll embarrass himself. Again."

Tsuna, meanwhile, was trying not to panic. His palms were sweaty, and he could feel his heart racing. Combat practice sounded serious, and he wasn't sure he was ready for whatever was coming.

Their teacher, a tall man with a commanding presence, stepped forward. He had slicked-back gray hair and a pair of glasses that glinted under the gym lights. "Welcome to Combat Practice, the final class of the day," he began, his voice resonating through the gym. "This is where you'll learn to apply what you've studied about the Dying Will Flames. In this arena, you'll gain the skills necessary to defend your family and yourselves."

Tsuna's stomach churned. Defend ourselves? I don't even know how to throw a proper punch!

The teacher smirked as if reading the students' minds. "But to make today's class extra special, we have a guest instructor. He's an expert in combat and tactics, and I trust he'll whip you into shape. Please welcome… Il Falco!"

From the far side of the gym, a figure strode in, wearing an elaborate disguise. Il Falco, dressed in a sleek gray suit with a matching cape and a mask that covered half his face, exuded an air of mystery and authority. His sharp, birdlike features seemed familiar to Tsuna, though no one else seemed to notice.

The students whispered among themselves.

"Who is that?"

"He looks so cool!"

"Is he a real fighter?"

Tsuna's jaw dropped. That's… that's Reborn!

Il Falco's voice was smooth and commanding as he addressed the group. "Good afternoon, young operatives. I am Il Falco, your instructor for today. In this class, you will learn the essentials of combat—reflexes, strategy, and precision. The future of your families depends on it. Now, let's see what you're made of."

While the other students were captivated by Il Falco's mysterious aura, Tsuna was freaking out internally. Why does he have to dress up like that? Does he think no one will notice?

Reborn, still in his usual baby form, leaned casually against the gym wall, smirking at Tsuna's reaction.

Basil leaned over to Tsuna and whispered, "Il Falco seems intense, doesn't he? Do you think he's really as skilled as they say?"

Tsuna forced a smile. "Y-Yeah… something like that."

Naito, unable to contain himself, blurted out, "Hey, Il Falco! Can you show us some cool moves? Like, what's your secret technique?"

Il Falco tilted his head, his mask glinting under the lights. "My secret technique? If I showed you that, you'd all be in tears from the sheer brilliance of it."

The students laughed, except for Tsuna, who groaned internally. He's really playing this up, isn't he?

Il Falco clapped his hands. "Alright, enough chatter. Line up by pairs and prepare for the first drill. Today, we'll focus on dodging and counterattacks. No flames yet—you need to master the basics first."

As the students scrambled to find partners, Il Falco strolled past them, offering cryptic advice like, "Your stance is wrong," or "Hold your ground like a falcon poised to strike!"

Naito, paired with Lunga, was struggling to follow the instructions. "What does that even mean? How does a falcon hold its ground?"

Lunga shrugged, tuning his guitar instead of paying attention. "Who knows? Just don't fall over."

Meanwhile, Pantera demonstrated perfect form, much to her partner's frustration. "Are you even trying?" she asked bluntly.

Tsuna found himself paired with Basil, who grinned. "Don't worry, Tsuna. Just focus on your movements, and I'll help guide you."

"Thanks, Basil," Tsuna muttered, his nerves getting the better of him.

As the drills progressed, Il Falco continued to watch closely, occasionally making exaggerated comments that only Tsuna recognized as Reborn's unique sense of humor.

When the class ended, Il Falco announced, "You've made some progress, but there's much more to learn. Rest up, because tomorrow, the challenges will only grow harder."

As the students filed out, Reborn—now back in his baby form—appeared beside Tsuna and his group, smirking as usual.

Naito immediately pointed at him. "Hey, it's you again! Where've you been all day?"

Reborn adjusted his fedora nonchalantly. "Busy. Important business."

Tsuna squinted at him. "Busy dressing up as Il Falco?"

Reborn ignored the comment, addressing the group instead. "I hope you're ready, Tsuna. Combat practice is only going to get harder, especially for someone like you."

"Why me?" Tsuna whined.

Reborn's smirk widened. "Because you're special, Dame-Tsuna. You'll see soon enough."

The group exchanged confused looks as Reborn hopped onto Tsuna's shoulder, leaving him dreading whatever was coming next.

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The teacher clapped his hands, silencing the murmurs. "To truly gauge your potential, we'll hold a small tournament. This exercise is not about winning it's about assessing your current abilities and identifying areas for improvement. Each match will be one-on-one. The victor moves on to the next round."

The students' excitement was palpable, though the mix of reactions varied.

"A tournament?!" Naito exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "Finally, a chance to show everyone what I'm made of!"

"You've got a lot to prove," Pantera replied dryly, crossing her arms. "But don't embarrass yourself more than usual."

Naito frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Tsuna, standing awkwardly to the side, looked like he wanted to vanish. "Why does everything here have to be so intense? A tournament on the first day would've been bad enough, but now, after we've barely learned to use flames?"

Basil, ever the supportive presence, smiled at Tsuna. "It's just a test of what we know, Tsuna. Focus on doing your best."

"Easy for you to say," Tsuna muttered, his nerves getting the better of him.

From the far side of the gym, Il Falco still in his elaborate disguise stepped forward with a commanding presence. "I expect each of you to give your all," he said, his voice sharp and resonant. "This is not merely a test of strength but of instinct and adaptability. The Mafia World's future depends on honing these qualities."

While most students stood mesmerized, Tsuna squinted at him suspiciously. "Does he really think no one notices? That's definitely Reborn."

Reborn, hidden behind his mask, smirked at Tsuna's reaction. Let's see how much you've learned, Dame-Tsuna.

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The gym buzzed with a mixture of excitement and nervous energy. The students, most of whom had only just managed to activate their Dying Will Flames earlier that day, lined up in a rough semicircle around the arena. Il Falco, still clad in his extravagant outfit, paced along the edge of the circular stage, his cape swishing dramatically behind him.

The teacher clapped his hands to grab their attention. "To truly gauge your potential, we'll hold a small tournament," he announced, his voice cutting through the chatter. "This exercise is not about winning; it's about assessing your current abilities and identifying areas for improvement. Each match will be one-on-one. The victor moves on to the next round."

Raul, a tall boy with a buzz cut and tattoo-like markings on his arms, cracked his knuckles menacingly. His scowl deepened as his gaze landed on Tsuna. "Heh. Looks like I'll finally get a proper shot at you, loser."

Tsuna paled, his stomach twisting in knots. He remembered Raul's earlier attempt to fight him and how narrowly he'd escaped. This was not how he wanted to spend his first day at Mafia School.

Il Falco's masked face turned toward Raul, his voice sharp. "Confidence is good, but arrogance will get you nowhere. Let your actions speak, not your mouth."

Raul scoffed but stayed silent.

The teacher consulted a clipboard. "First match: Tsunayoshi Sawada versus Raul."

The students erupted into a mix of cheers and murmurs. Naito leaned toward Pantera, grinning. "This is gonna be good. Tsuna's either gonna surprise us or get flattened."

Pantera rolled her eyes. "He's hopeless."

Tsuna reluctantly stepped into the arena, his legs feeling like jelly. Raul followed, cracking his neck and grinning like a predator about to pounce.

"Begin!" the teacher called.

Raul lunged immediately, his movements aggressive and fast. Tsuna barely managed to dodge the first punch, stumbling backward. The crowd winced as Raul's fist slammed into the metallic floor, leaving a small dent.

"You're pathetic!" Raul sneered, launching a kick aimed at Tsuna's ribs.

Tsuna ducked clumsily, his instincts kicking in. As Raul's attacks grew wilder, Tsuna began to move in ways he couldn't consciously comprehend—his body reacting to Raul's movements before his mind caught up.

Reborn, disguised as Il Falco, watched intently from the sidelines. His sharp eyes glinted behind the mask. So, the Vongola Intuition awakens under pressure. Interesting.

Raul grew frustrated as his blows failed to connect. "Stop running and fight me, coward!"

Tsuna, still panicked, managed to mutter, "I'm not running! I'm just… surviving!"

Raul overcommitted to a powerful swing, leaving himself wide open. In a rare moment of clarity, Tsuna sidestepped and instinctively jabbed at Raul's chest, sending him stumbling backward. The momentum carried Raul off-balance, and he fell flat on his back.

The arena erupted in cheers and laughter. "Winner: Tsunayoshi Sawada," the teacher declared, though he seemed as surprised as the rest.

Raul sat up, glaring daggers at Tsuna. "You just got lucky," he spat before stomping out of the arena.

Tsuna stood frozen, unsure of how he'd managed to win. Reborn—or rather, Il Falco—smirked. "Luck has little to do with survival, Dame-Tsuna."

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Tsuna stood in the center of the arena, his body trembling slightly. He had just won by sheer instinct, and his mind was still trying to process what had happened.

As he caught his breath, Naito jogged over, practically bouncing with energy. "Hey, Tsuna! That was awesome!" Naito said, grinning widely. "You totally showed up Raul! I mean, that was close, but you did it!"

Tsuna, still dazed, managed a weak smile. "I... I don't even know how that happened. I was just trying not to get hit."

Basil approached next, a more serious expression on his face. "You're underestimating yourself, Tsuna. You were reacting faster than you thought. It's not just luck—it's your instincts at work. You should pay more attention to that."

Tsuna blinked, trying to comprehend. "Instincts? Me?"

"Yes," Basil said, nodding. "But you need to learn to control them. They're the key to unlocking your true potential."

Before Tsuna could respond, Raul was limping off the arena, muttering curses under his breath. "You just got lucky, Tsuna," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "Next time, I'll show you how it's done."

Tsuna watched Raul leave, his stomach still tight. "I don't know if I want to face him again..."

Naito slapped him on the back. "Hey, you did great! And don't worry about Raul. You've got more important stuff to focus on—like winning the next match!"

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The second match saw Tsuna facing off against Naito. Unlike Raul, Naito bounced with excitement, his energy almost infectious.

"Don't hold back, Tsuna! Let's see what you've got!" Naito said, grinning.

Tsuna sighed. "I'll try, but don't expect much."

"Begin!"

Naito charged immediately, his punches fast but lacking precision. Tsuna dodged awkwardly, his earlier instincts somewhat dulled by fatigue. Naito's enthusiasm made up for his inexperience, and he managed to clip Tsuna's shoulder with a wild swing.

"Not bad," Tsuna muttered, wincing.

"Thanks! Here comes more!" Naito launched another flurry of attacks, but his lack of stamina began to show. Tsuna, though equally untrained, relied on the minimal physical training Reborn had forced on him over the past week. He sidestepped a punch and tripped Naito with a sweep of his leg.

Naito hit the ground but immediately bounced back up, grinning despite the bruise forming on his cheek. "Okay, that was good. But I'm not done yet!"

The match continued in a back-and-forth struggle, with neither gaining a decisive upper hand. Finally, Naito's energy gave out, and he collapsed onto the arena floor, panting.

"Winner: Tsunayoshi Sawada," the teacher announced, though his tone suggested he was impressed by both students.

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Tsuna, sweating and panting, barely managed to stand after his exhausting back-and-forth with Naito. As he helped Naito up, the energetic boy flashed him a thumbs-up.

"Good match, Tsuna! I thought for sure I had you there," Naito said, his grin wide despite the bruises forming on his cheek.

"You're crazy," Tsuna muttered, smiling despite himself. "I thought you were going to knock me out for sure."

"Not a chance! I was just getting warmed up," Naito said, bouncing back to his feet. "Seriously, though, you're way tougher than I thought. You've got some serious potential!"

Tsuna rubbed his sore shoulder, trying to hide his embarrassment. "I don't know about that… I was just trying to keep up."

Basil, who had been watching from the sidelines, gave Tsuna a respectful nod. "You're improving. You're able to keep your cool even when you're being overwhelmed. That's a good sign."

Tsuna's eyes widened a little. "You really think so?"

Basil smiled. "Definitely. You just need to trust yourself more."

Before Tsuna could say anything else, Naito was already bouncing around. "Next up, I'm totally gonna crush whoever I face!"

Pantera, who had been watching the match in silence, leaned in toward Tsuna. "Don't get too comfortable. You'll need to dig even deeper for the next round. Especially with Basil."

Tsuna groaned inwardly. "Great. Another scary opponent."

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The final match was against Basil, and Tsuna's nerves were at an all-time high. Unlike the previous opponents, Basil exuded a calm confidence that made Tsuna feel completely outclassed.

"Good luck, Tsuna," Basil said with a kind smile as they stepped into the arena.

"Y-Yeah, you too," Tsuna stammered.

"Begin!"

Basil moved first, his attacks precise and controlled. Tsuna barely managed to block, his arms stinging from the impact. Unlike Raul's brute force or Naito's wild energy, Basil's movements were calculated, and Tsuna quickly found himself on the defensive.

"You're improving," Basil noted mid-fight. "But you're still hesitating. Commit to your movements, Tsuna."

Tsuna gritted his teeth and tried to focus, but his exhaustion and inexperience were catching up to him. Basil feinted left before landing a clean strike to Tsuna's side, sending him sprawling.

"Winner: Basil," the teacher declared as Tsuna lay on the ground, groaning.

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Tsuna lay on the floor, his body aching from head to toe. The fight with Basil had been intense, and Tsuna had barely been able to keep up. He was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and he couldn't even muster the strength to sit up straight.

"Good fight, Tsuna," Basil said, offering his hand. "You put up a good effort, but I've got to say, I'm impressed with your endurance."

Tsuna took Basil's hand, struggling to pull himself upright. "I didn't even land a hit..." he muttered, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. "I couldn't keep up."

Basil smiled, his tone calm and encouraging. "It's not always about landing a hit. You're learning. That's what matters right now. You'll get there."

Tsuna sighed, the weight of the match pressing on his shoulders. "I feel so behind... Like I'm not getting anywhere."

"Stop comparing yourself to others," Basil advised, his voice steady. "Focus on your own progress. Everyone's path is different."

As Tsuna nodded, trying to take Basil's words to heart, Naito bounded over, his face lit with enthusiasm despite the bruises forming on his face. "Hey, Tsuna, that was awesome! I gotta step up my game after that! You're tougher than I thought!"

Tsuna gave him a small, tired smile. "Thanks, Naito, but I don't know about that..."

Naito raised an eyebrow and folded his arms. "You're definitely stronger than you give yourself credit for, man. Trust me. You've got something."

Before Tsuna could reply, Reborn—still in his baby form—hopped onto his shoulder, chuckling softly. "Not bad, Dame-Tsuna," he said, his voice light but with a hint of approval.

Tsuna turned to look at him, still winded. "Reborn... you were watching?"

Reborn's grin widened. "Of course. I'm actually impressed. I didn't think you'd last this long."

Tsuna frowned. "But I lost... didn't I?"

Reborn's eyes gleamed with amusement. "It's not about winning, it's about learning. You did well, but there's still much more ahead."

"Besides It would be far too embarrassing for someone to lose to you as are now Dame-Tsuna you barely have any fighting experience and physical training after all you only started to be trained a week ago, you were lucky to be matched up with that musclebrain kiddo and Tomaso Familigia heir who lacks any formal training." 

Tsuna glanced at the other students, some of them whispering among themselves, while others simply watched indifferently. He felt a strange mixture of pride, exhaustion, and anxiety.

Basil, Naito, and even Pantera gave him encouraging looks, and Tsuna couldn't help but feel a little better, despite everything.

Reborn hopped off Tsuna's shoulder, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Tomorrow's gonna be even harder, Dame-Tsuna. Ready for it?"

Tsuna groaned. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really," Reborn replied with a shrug before vanishing into the crowd.

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As the students gathered around, still buzzing from the intense matches, the teacher stepped forward, raising his hand to get their attention. "Now, to announce the results of the tournament," he began, his voice cutting through the chatter. "It's been an eventful day, but there can only be one winner."

Tsuna stood off to the side, his legs trembling from the exertion, and watched as the teacher scanned the students. "The final match was between Gin and Basil," the teacher continued. "Although Gin showed great effort, it was Basil who emerged victorious."

"However I would also like to mention a particular student who managed to excel in today's matches despite it only being his first day in our school Tsunayoshi Sawada"

The teacher paused, giving Tsuna a moment to register the words. "Tsunayoshi Sawada," the teacher continued, "may have been new to our school today, but his performance was nothing short of impressive. Despite the nerves and the challenges, he displayed remarkable focus and determination. It's rare to see such potential from someone so new, and I'm certain we'll see great things from him in the future."

Tsuna's face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and gratitude, but deep down, he couldn't help but feel a small flicker of pride.

The teacher then continued to point out other notable students who excelled in certain aspects of the practice, Naito even got a notable mention as a person with unique potential due to an "unorthodox" method he used in battle.

Afterward, the teacher and Reborn disguised as Il Falco now once again congratulated Basil for his victory. The teacher gave a rare, approving nod toward the winner.

Basil, who had been standing calmly nearby, nodded back with a slight smile. "Thank you, sir."

Tsuna, still catching his breath, looked around. Some students looked impressed by Basil's performance, while others seemed distracted by the announcement.

The teacher continued, his voice growing more serious. "Basil is our tournament winner, but the true measure of your abilities is in your growth. Keep training, and remember that the road ahead will only get tougher."

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The class slowly began to empty as the school day came to a close. Tsuna lingered in the gym for a while, watching the others talk excitedly about the tournament and the upcoming days. It was the kind of quiet moment that reminded him that, despite all the chaos and pressure, life would continue, even after all the fights and tests.

Naito came over to him with a grin. "Hey, Tsuna! You did awesome today, man. You're looking like you've got some fight in you after all!"

Tsuna smiled, a little more relaxed now. "Thanks, Naito. I think I just need to rest for a bit."

"You earned it!" Naito said with a thumbs-up. "Maybe we can grab a snack later. I'm starving!"

"Sure," Tsuna agreed, glad for the normalcy of a simple offer like that. Sometimes, it was nice to just relax with a friend.

As they walked out of the gym together, Tsuna couldn't help but feel a little lighter. The day had been long, and the tournament had been intense, but for now, it was over. His legs ached, and his mind was buzzing with everything that had happened, but for a moment, he let himself be content with the quiet ending to the school day.

The evening sky was fading into warm colors as they headed to the school gates. Tsuna took a deep breath of the cool air, feeling the weight of the day lift just a little.

"Tomorrow's another day, huh?" Tsuna said softly, mostly to himself.

Naito laughed beside him. "You bet! Let's see what Reborn has in store for us next!"

Tsuna just nodded, already feeling the nervous anticipation start to build for whatever came next. But for now, it was nice to just take it easy.

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As Tsuna returned to his home that evening, he tossed his schoolbag onto the bed and flopped down beside it, exhausted but content. His mind wandered to the simple moments of walking to the gates with Naito, chatting about snacks, the sun setting peacefully. For all the chaos that surrounded his life, there were still moments like this that reminded him life could be simple, at least for a little while.

The sound of his phone buzzing pulled him from his thoughts. It was a message from Reborn. "Don't get too comfortable, Dame-Tsuna. The real challenges are coming."

Tsuna sighed but couldn't help but smile. It seemed like he was never going to get a break. Still, he couldn't deny that a part of him was looking forward to what was to come.

For now, though, the day was over, and he let himself enjoy a peaceful, uneventful evening. Tomorrow would come soon enough.