KHR: Decimo Primo

The days had blurred together into weeks, and the weeks into months. Time had a way of slipping past when you were always busy trying to catch up. Tsuna could hardly believe it had already been three months since that intense tournament. In that time, he'd gone from a nervous, uncoordinated boy who barely understood his abilities to someone who was starting to get the hang of this strange, dangerous world of Mafia training.

As the days grew shorter and colder, Tsuna found himself reflecting on everything that had happened in the past few months. His training had only become more intense, the pressure mounting as the months passed. He had learned the hard way that being a Mafia heir meant never having a moment to truly rest.

The first part of his training had been a grueling series of physical tests that pushed him to his limits. But it wasn't just the physicality that had been tough it was the mental endurance that truly wore him down. He had spent long hours working with Basil, Naito, and Pantera, slowly improving his fighting techniques, gaining control over his Dying Will Flames, and learning to trust his instincts more.

It wasn't all training, though. Between lessons, Tsuna had started to get more comfortable with his classmates. Naito had become a constant source of energy, dragging him into various training exercises or off-the-wall activities just to lighten the mood. Basil, with his quiet intensity, had become something of a mentor, helping Tsuna understand his strengths, even when Tsuna had trouble believing in them himself. Pantera, who was fierce in battle, had a calmer side that Tsuna appreciated in moments when he needed someone to talk to.

However, it hadn't all been smooth sailing. There had been rivalries that began to form, especially with Raul, the boy Tsuna had lost to in the first round of the tournament. After that defeat, Raul had become more focused, pushing himself harder than ever before. Their encounters in combat practice had grown increasingly competitive, with Raul constantly trying to outdo Tsuna, trying to prove that he was the superior student. It wasn't malicious, but there was a certain edge to his challenges that made Tsuna feel like he was being pushed into a rivalry he hadn't asked for.

Lunga, on the other hand, had been a strange presence. Calm, collected, and always just slightly ahead of Tsuna's abilities, Lunga had continued to stay in the background, offering the occasional word of advice. Tsuna didn't quite understand Lunga yet, but he knew that Lunga's quiet demeanor hid a dangerous skill. He'd seen it firsthand when they worked together during training exercises.

It wasn't all about rivalries and competition, though. There had been plenty of small moments to appreciate. Despite everything, Tsuna was learning. He wasn't the same person he was when he'd first set foot in this school.

And now, here he was. The morning sun peeked through the classroom windows, and Tsuna could feel the nerves in his stomach twists. He was about to face his first Mafia school examination. It was a big deal his performance would determine if he was ready to take on even more responsibility. He could feel the weight of the expectations on his shoulders, but he tried not to let it get to him.

"Well, this is it," Tsuna muttered to himself, looking out the window. "Three months in, and this is my first real test. Time really flies, doesn't it?"

He let out a deep breath. At least he wasn't alone. His friends his teammates would be with him. Naito, Basil, Pantera, Lunga, and even Raul, with whom he'd formed an unexpected bond after the tournament, were all going through the same test. It didn't make the weight any lighter, but it did make him feel less isolated.

Reborn had been quietly observing, as usual, but Tsuna knew that whatever happened today, would be just the beginning. His real growth would come from what came after, as he'd learned all too well in the past few months.

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Tsuna adjusted his tie nervously as he made his way to the designated meeting point near the academy gates. The cool morning air did little to ease the knots in his stomach. He wasn't alone for long; Naito came bounding up, his ever-present grin plastered across his face.

"Tsuna!" Naito called, throwing an arm around his shoulders. "Big day, huh? Feeling ready?"

"Ready?" Tsuna echoed, his voice shaking slightly. "Not really. I feel like I'm going to mess everything up."

Naito's grin faltered for a moment. "Yeah, same here," he admitted, his usual cheer dimmed. "I mean, the combat stuff, sure, but after that disaster of a written academics exam last week? I'm doomed. Those questions were like a foreign language."

Tsuna sighed in agreement. "I know what you mean. I think I guessed half of them. But…" He hesitated, thinking back to the endless hours Reborn had forced him to study. The baby hitman's brutal teaching methods might have been unorthodox, but they had worked. "I might've done okay this time. My grades have gotten better lately… thanks to Reborn."

"Lucky you," Naito said, slouching a little. "If I flunk the written academics part, I'm gonna have to ace everything else to pass. No pressure, right?"

Before Tsuna could respond, Pantera arrived her calm demeanor a stark contrast to Naito's gloom. She adjusted her gloves, her piercing gaze scanning the crowd.

"Good morning," she said coolly, her eyes settling on Tsuna. "You look like you didn't sleep."

"I didn't," Tsuna admitted sheepishly.

Pantera sighed. "Don't overthink it. We've been training for months. Just focus on doing your best. And don't let those written exams get to you," she added, glancing at Naito. "Not everyone shines there, but that doesn't mean you're out of the running."

"Thanks," Naito said, perking up a little. "But I still think they were out to get me with those questions."

Before they could say more, Raul approached, his expression as sharp and confident as ever, his defeat on the first day of combat practice had left a mark, and since then, he'd made it a point to improve every facet of his abilities. He now regarded Tsuna as a rival, though he'd never openly admit it.

"Don't fall apart before we've even started, Sawada," Raul said, crossing his arms. "It's just an exam. Try not to embarrass yourself."

Tsuna bristled but decided not to respond. Instead, Naito jumped in with his usual cheer. "Come on, Raul. Cut Tsuna some slack. He's got more fight in him than you think!"

Raul smirked. "We'll see about that."

As the group continued their banter, the sharp voice of a staff member echoed through the courtyard, calling the students to the main auditorium. A large board at the entrance caught everyone's attention, displaying the trio assignments for the exam.

"Hey, look," Naito said, pointing at the board. The names were listed alphabetically, and as Tsuna scanned the list, his heart skipped a beat.

Team 7:

Tsunayoshi Sawada , Naito Longchamp , Pantera Lucena

"Whoa, we're all in the same group!" Naito exclaimed, his gloom from earlier forgotten. "This is gonna be awesome!"

Pantera glanced at the list and nodded. "At least I won't have to babysit strangers," she said, her tone as neutral as ever. "Let's make sure we don't screw this up."

Tsuna managed a small smile. "Yeah, let's do our best."

As they headed inside the auditorium, Tsuna couldn't help but feel a mix of dread and determination. They had trained hard for this moment, and with his friends by his side, he just might make it through. Or so he hoped.

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{Mafia School Hunting Auditorium}

The morning of the exam began with a buzz of anticipation in the air. Students whispered anxiously among themselves as they filed into the main auditorium. The large room was filled with a mixture of excitement and dread.

Tsuna was seated near the back, flanked by Naito on one side and Pantera on the other. He fidgeted nervously, running through everything he had learned over the past few months. His thoughts were interrupted when Reborn, as usual, appeared out of nowhere, perched on his desk.

"Feeling nervous, Dame-Tsuna?" Reborn asked with a sly grin.

"How could I not be?" Tsuna muttered. "This is the biggest test we've had so far."

Reborn chuckled. "Good. You'll need that nervous energy. And just so you know, there's a surprise waiting for you at the end of this exam."

"A surprise?" Tsuna asked, his stomach sinking.

"You'll see," Reborn said, his grin widening as he hopped off the desk and walked away.

Before Tsuna could press further, the teacher entered, her sharp voice cutting through the chatter.

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{Mafia School Hunting Grounds}

"Welcome to your first Mafia school examination," the teacher began, her tone strict and commanding. "This exam will test every skill you've learned so far—your intelligence, your leadership, your combat abilities, and your ability to work as a team. Over the next three days, you will face a series of challenges, each designed to push you to your limits. Fail any section, and you risk not advancing to the next stage."

A hush fell over the room as the weight of her words sank in.

"Here's how it will work. The exam consists of six parts, each progressively harder than the last. The final section will be a one-on-one battle with an advanced opponent. For some of you, this will be your greatest challenge yet."

Tsuna swallowed hard, already dreading what lay ahead.

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Day 1: Intelligence Gathering

The simulated city sprawled before them like a living, breathing urban maze. Each building and alley was meticulously designed to mimic the chaos and unpredictability of real-life situations. As the starting signal sounded, Tsuna, Naito, and Pantera gathered in a shadowy alleyway to strategize.

Pantera's eyes swept the area like a hawk. "Alright, here's the plan: we split up to cover more ground, but we stick to low-risk areas. We can't afford to trip any alarms or get spotted by the patrollers. Tsuna, you're going to the marketplace. Blend in, ask questions, but keep it subtle."

Tsuna hesitated. "Why me? What if they see through me?"

"You've got an unassuming face," Pantera said flatly. "No one will suspect you."

Naito snorted. "Yeah, Tsuna's basically invisible."

"Not helping, Naito," Tsuna muttered, reluctantly heading off toward the bustling market.

At the plaza, Naito was in his element. He approached a group of robotic civilians, cracking jokes and drawing attention to himself. His antics served as the perfect distraction, allowing Pantera to slip into the warehouse district unnoticed. There, she managed to evade patrollers with calculated precision, gathering crucial information from encrypted terminals.

Meanwhile, Tsuna's heart pounded as he questioned robotic vendors and shopkeepers. One vendor, a cantankerous older model, gave him a cryptic hint that led him to a storage room filled with clues. With minutes to spare, Tsuna pieced together the final lead.

The trio reconvened at the destination, panting but victorious. Pantera gave Tsuna a rare nod of approval. "Not bad."

Naito grinned. "Told you we'd nail it!"

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Day 2: Mafia Gang Battle

The battlefield resembled a Mafia stronghold, complete with barricades, faux civilians, and rival gangs. Each student was assigned a team of robotic soldiers, programmed to follow their commands.

Tsuna stood at his control station, sweat beading on his forehead as he assessed the map. "Okay… how do we even start this?"

"Divide and conquer," Pantera suggested, her tone firm. "Send part of your team to flank while the rest hold the line. Keep your forces adaptable."

"Or just charge in!" Naito added with a laugh.

Tsuna sighed. "Let's try not to lose immediately, okay?"

The battle began, chaos erupting as robotic soldiers clashed. Tsuna's initial moves were shaky—his commands were slow, and his forces struggled to gain ground. Meanwhile, Raul, commanding a nearby team, orchestrated his troops with ruthless efficiency. His robots swarmed their opponents, earning him an easy victory.

Pantera leaned over, guiding Tsuna with sharp advice. "Focus on their weak points. The enemy's defenses are weakest near the northwest barricade. Exploit that."

Naito chimed in, "Yeah, and don't forget to use the environment. That overturned truck could block their reinforcements!"

Taking their advice, Tsuna regrouped his forces, executing a pincer maneuver that caught the enemy off guard. It wasn't a flawless victory, but it was enough to secure their position.

Raul passed by afterward, smirking. "Barely scraped by, huh? Try to keep up next time, Sawada."

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Day 2: Intelligence Test

The intelligence portion took place in a grand hall filled with individual desks, each equipped with a holographic interface. The questions ranged from logical puzzles to Mafia-specific scenarios.

Tsuna stared at his screen, feeling the weight of each question. One particularly tough scenario described a tense negotiation between rival families. The question: "What's the optimal strategy to secure an alliance while maintaining leverage?"

Tsuna hesitated, trying to recall Reborn's teachings. His answer wasn't perfect, but it was better than the wild guesses he would've made months ago.

Next to him, Naito worked surprisingly fast, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by focused determination. "Who knew all those board games would actually help," he muttered under his breath.

Pantera, on the other hand, breezed through the test, her calm, methodical approach evident in every answer. She even offered Tsuna a small smirk as their screens displayed their scores—Pantera at the top, Tsuna barely scraping through, and Naito grinning despite his below-average result.

"Not bad, Tsuna," Naito said, patting him on the back. "You didn't fail!"

"Barely," Tsuna muttered, relieved nonetheless.

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Day 3: Dying Will Flames Control

The high-tech training arena buzzed with energy as students prepared for their flame control test. This was a moment many had dreaded, but Tsuna found himself oddly calm. Over the months, he'd trained relentlessly under Reborn's watchful eye. While his skills were far from perfect, he felt more in control of his flames than ever before.

"Step forward, Sawada Tsunayoshi," the examiner called.

Tsuna took a deep breath and stepped onto the platform. The examiner gave a curt nod. "Summon your flames."

Closing his eyes, Tsuna focused inward. The familiar surge of energy coursed through him, and with a deep exhale, his Dying Will Flames ignited in a brilliant orange blaze. Unlike the shaky flickers of the past, his flames burned steadily, their intensity drawing murmurs of approval from the observing crowd.

"Good control," the examiner remarked. "Now, let's see your precision. Hit the moving target."

Several drones zipped into the air, weaving unpredictable paths. Tsuna narrowed his eyes, raising his hand as his flames coalesced into a concentrated orb. With a swift motion, he released the flame, striking the first drone dead center.

The crowd gasped as Tsuna adjusted his stance, firing at two more drones in quick succession. Each shot hit its mark with pinpoint accuracy, leaving the drones smoldering as they crashed to the ground.

"Excellent work," the examiner said, clearly impressed. "Now, for the final test—control your flames to form a shield against incoming projectiles."

Panels around the arena opened, revealing turrets that began firing energy blasts toward Tsuna. He gritted his teeth and extended his flames outward, creating a shimmering barrier. The projectiles hit the shield and dissipated harmlessly, the flames holding strong against the barrage.

By the end of the exercise, Tsuna stood amidst the fading glow of his flames, sweat trickling down his face but a triumphant grin spreading across his lips.

From the sidelines, Naito erupted in cheers. "That was insane, Tsuna! You're like a flame master or something!"

Pantera, ever composed, allowed a small smile. "That was... impressive. You've clearly been practicing."

Even Raul, observing from the crowd, seemed forced to acknowledge Tsuna's performance with a grudging nod of approval.

As Tsuna stepped off the platform, Reborn appeared seemingly out of nowhere, perched on his shoulder. "Not bad, Dame-Tsuna," he said with a smirk. "I'd say you're starting to look like a real boss."

Tsuna's cheeks flushed, but he couldn't hide his satisfaction. For once, he felt like he belonged.

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Day 3: Team Fight

The labyrinthine arena buzzed with anticipation as the two teams stepped into their designated zones. The space was designed like a sprawling urban battlefield, complete with towering walls, narrow alleyways, and hidden traps. Tsuna, Naito, and Pantera stood shoulder-to-shoulder, their Dying Will Flames flickering faintly as they prepared for the challenge ahead.

"Stay sharp," Pantera said, her tone calm but firm. "We stick together. The moment we're separated, we lose."

The opposing team a trio of skilled students known for their aggressive tactics was already spreading out, flames igniting with bursts of blue, green, and red. Their leader, a tall boy with piercing eyes and a confident smirk, pointed toward Tsuna's team. "Take them down fast."

"Here they come!" Naito shouted as the opposing team launched their attack.

The first assault came from above. A rain of flame-imbued projectiles arced toward them, forcing the trio to scatter. Tsuna dove behind a crumbling wall, his heart pounding as the flames exploded nearby.

"Naito, flank them! Tsuna, hold the center!" Pantera barked, dashing forward with her Cloud flames blazing around her fists.

Naito nodded, his golden flames sparking as he zigzagged through the battlefield with incredible speed. He became a blur of motion, weaving around the enemy's attacks and drawing their attention.

While Naito distracted the enemy, Pantera engaged one of the opponents in a fierce one-on-one fight. Her precision and speed were unmatched as she blocked a series of flame-enhanced strikes with ease, countering with a devastating punch that sent her opponent sprawling.

Meanwhile, Tsuna found himself face-to-face with the opposing team's leader. The boy's Lightning flames surged, forcing Tsuna to summon his own. His Sky flames roared to life, steady and strong a far cry from the weak flickers they'd been months ago.

"You're that rookie everyone's talking about," the boy sneered, launching a blast of Lightning flames toward Tsuna.

Tsuna raised his hand, forming a shield of flames that absorbed the attack. "I'm not the same as before," he muttered, his resolve hardening.

Using the momentary lull, Tsuna shifted to the offensive. He fired a concentrated blast of flames at the leader, who barely managed to dodge. The explosion created a shockwave, scattering debris and forcing the enemy team to regroup.

"Nice shot, Tsuna!" Naito called out, his flames igniting as he tackled another opponent. Using his agility, he leaped over a fiery kick and countered with a spinning flame-infused strike that knocked his rival off balance.

As the battle raged on, the opposing team tried to corner Naito, bombarding him with coordinated attacks. Tsuna saw his teammate's predicament and didn't hesitate. Summoning his Mist flames, he created a dome-shaped barrier around Naito, absorbing the incoming blasts and giving him a chance to recover.

"Thanks, Tsuna!" Naito shouted, launching himself out of the barrier and taking down one of their assailants with a flaming uppercut.

Pantera rejoined them after dispatching her opponent, her calm demeanor intact despite the intensity of the fight. "We need to finish this. Tsuna, can you hold the leader off? Naito and I will handle the last one."

Tsuna nodded, his confidence growing. As Pantera and Naito teamed up to take down the remaining enemy, Tsuna faced the leader again.

"You've got guts," the leader admitted, his Lightning flames surging. "But you're still outmatched."

Tsuna smirked. "Maybe. But I'm not backing down."

With a fierce roar, the two clashed in a flurry of flames. Tsuna's movements were sharper now, his training evident in the way he dodged and countered. His flames grew brighter, overwhelming the leader's attacks and forcing him to retreat.

Across the battlefield, Naito and Pantera executed a flawless combination attack. Naito's Sky flames created a blinding diversion, while Pantera's Cloud flames struck with surgical precision, taking their opponent out of the fight.

"Tsuna, now!" Pantera shouted.

Taking the cue, Tsuna poured all his energy into one final blast. His flames erupted in a powerful wave, engulfing the leader's defenses and forcing him to yield.

As the smoke cleared, the examiner's voice echoed through the arena. "The winners: Tsuna's team!"

Tsuna collapsed to his knees, panting heavily. Naito pulled him to his feet, grinning from ear to ear. "We did it, man! That was awesome!"

Pantera gave Tsuna an approving nod. "You held your own. Well done."

For the first time in a long while, Tsuna felt a sense of pride—not just in himself, but in the teamwork they had displayed. He looked at his friends and smiled. "We did it... together."