Chapter 2

The ninth's visit

Another milestone of Tsuna's life happened during his 3rd high school year.

On a normal morning at Sawada's residence, everyone was having a delicious breakfast cooked by . It was a relatively uneventful meal, compared to the usual one during Tsuna's middle school because Lambo and I-pin were already 8 years old ,and Futa was 11 while Reborn did not alter in both appearance and character at all. (The truth after the rainbow curse had been revealed to

Tsuna a year before after Reborn considered him mature enough. His mother, however, didn't care about Reborn's age at the least. ) Even so, today Tsuna is deemed apparently subdued so his mother couldn't help asking him what's on his mind.

"It's alright, Mom. Just spacing out," he lied.

In fact, last night he had had a bad dream. It was a replay of 'that' incident almost three years ago. When his friends were hurt mentally and physically because of him.

I just cause them hassle, he thought...

'But why didn't I dream about it before? Why NOW?,' he asked himself.

All of sudden, Reborn stole his piece of fried egg from his dish, leaving him gaping at the sight almost a déja vu of a similar situation four years ago!

"What did you just do!? Blatantly stole others' food?"

"Haven't I thought you before not to let your guard down in the underground world!"

Still, unlike the previous time, Tsuna was even more muted by the statement.

"That's true. I usually let my guard down too much..."

"..."

But to brighten the atmosphere, Reborn gave another try at teasing his tutee, " So you're taking your position more seriously, huh?"

Tsuna was silent for a moment and said in solemn tone," Not really. I'm just thinking of the way... the way to

avoid getting my friends or innocent people involved..."

Reborn signed at his student's idea and thus told him that the ninth had summoned him to discuss a confidential matter ,and he had to fly to Italy after the meal.

Unaware of what it is, Tsuna just wished Reborn a Bon Voyage.

So Reborn finished his meal, informed , who unsurprisingly thought that he was just overstating his visit to his friend's house, of his business trip and set out with Leon shifting his shape as a umbrella (just like Marry Poppins). Lambo, who had just gone to toilet exactly at the time of Reborn's departure, asked Tsuna " Hey, Tsuna! Where has Reborn gone!?" Lambo, more mature, spoke more politely but still

maintain his intimate way of calling others. He was then groomed in a similar fashion to his ten-year-later style.

" left for an important business a minute ago!," said Futa, who was gentle as always but lost his ranking ability then.

"Well, he's just afraid of , no I mean by 'me'!"

"Here we go again. Lambo, you should have grown up enough to quit the habit of boasting!," Ipin, now fluent in Japanese, criticized him.

Tsuna glanced at the clock only to find it was already half past eight.

"Darn! I'm late now! Gotta go now," he took his bag and swiftly put on his shoes. "Ittekimasu! (I'll be going now!)"

While rushing to school, he met Gokudera Hayato and Yamamoto Takeshi at the second intersection as always.

"Good Morning, tenth!"

" 'ning, Tsuna!"

"Morning, both of you!," Tsuna greeted back.

Tsuna started to talk about Reborn's urgent business and the news was received with wonder by the two others.

Tsuna planned to go on a date with Kyoko after school at first but he returned home for a change of clothes only to find the ninth waiting for him in the living room. Thinking of him as her husband's boss, provided him with a feast.

"Oh, Tsuna, you are finally back! Look, who we've today : it's ,your dad's employer! You met him a lot when you're little."

Tsuna was not surprised to see the boss of one of the world's greatest mafia in front of him in a small ,humble middle-class house like his ; it was the third time he was persuaded to take the position as the tenth boss of Vongola.

The ninth greeted with a warm smile "Hello , Tsunayoshi-kun. It has been a long time."

With better manners (than 4 years ago ) imbued in his head by his sadistic teacher , instead of stuttering as before, he replied politely "It's a pleasure to see you again as well."

The ninth turned Mrs Sawada, asking " Could you please let me have a private, heart-felt conversation with my god grandson. It has been ages since we last met."

Mrs Sawada ,blissfully unaware of the ninth's real intent, readily consented and went to resume her cooking in the kitchen.

Suddenly, perhaps hearing mama's footsteps, Reborn turned up out of nowhere and slid the living room door open.

"Reborn!? You've come back!?" Tsuna exclaimed in surprise.

"In this case you should say 'welcome back' ,not 'so-you-have-come-back', Dame-Tsuna! How many times have I had to remind you!?"

The ninth laughed at the sight of this bittersweet student-teacher relationship ," I see ,so Reborn has trained Tsunayoshi-kun pretty well."

Reborn was about to smirk before changing his tone into a solemn one "Nono, so you are concerned about the rise of the new mafia family, the Millefiore ,huh?"

The ninth's expression became serious as well ,making Tsuna start to question mentally "what? Mille- a new mafia gang!?"

"I am ,but that is not the main reason for visiting here," the ninth said.

He pondered something for a moment before continuing " I have a premonition. I dreamed about reuniting with my late parents last ni-"

Reborn interrupted "do you mean that...?"

"Yes, I'm going to die," the ninth admitted simply.

"That can't be!," Tsuna exclaimed in shock, remembering his dream last night. "It may be just a bad dream ,Ninth," he said to comfort the elder.

"Considering the fact that I possess the Hyper-intuition, I don't think so ,Tsunayoshi-kun. That's why I have to talk to you."

"Me..!?"

Then, Tsuna remembered his appointment with Kyoko ,so he excused himself to phone her to apologise and cancel it, making up a story that he had to attend a relative's funeral in another town.

When Tauna got back, the ninth continued in a straightforward manner,

"You are our only true candidate for the tenth ,Tsunayoshi-kun."

Of course, Tsuna was aware of that better than anyone else. Still, he took

pains to deny the truth.

"N-No, I have never agreed to this."

Before Reborn could give him a piece of his mind, the Ninth kindly told him "We have no intention of forcing you ,but please just listen to this : our Vongola Famiglia was originally founded as a vigilante group."

"But things start to change after the secundo's rule. "

"Why are you telling me this?," Tsuna cut short.

The ninth signed and went on " I deem you as my eligible successor ,for you have qualities obviously unsuitable for a mafia boss ,kind, soft-hearted and generous. Therefore, you have the potential ,no, you are the only one able to destroy the present Vongola."

A sense of shock coursed through Tsuna's and Reborn's head. The ninth wanted to have his Vongola crushed? As a result, it became an awkward situation with a long silence before Tsuna started to speak again eventually "It's true that I hate the present Vongola ,and I must admit that all this terrible middle-high school years have been a precious time in my life. My life has been bettered ; I can make friends and receive some expectations from others thanks to Reborn's spartan training. S-still, I love my friends, including who you may say are my guardians ,and I can't just involve my dear friends in this dangerous world."

"You can still say that ,huh?," scolded Reborn furiously and seriously, " You've not heard that? : the ninth is dying!"

"B-But..."

"He don't even have to BEG you; he's a mafia don,able to coerce you into accepting the responsi-"

"STOP !, you two," the ninth cut.

He said to Tsuna kindly "I'll allow you to decide by the next Friday , but remember : this is your last chance."

Tsuna said nothing , apparently deep in his thought. The ninth grinned and walked out of the room " Let us meet again at Namimori Grand Palace Hotel this Friday. One of my guardian will pick you up here. Hope to hear a good answer."

Nana and he then led the ninth to the entrance hall and said goodbye.

"See you later. I'm looking forward to good answer, Tsunayoshi-kun."

"See you later, ninth."

He then turned to Nana "Thank you very much indeed for your hospitality."

"Not at all, sir- considering all assistance and support you have given Iemitsu..."

The ninth got into his car and drove away out of sight. Tsuna, realising the intensity of the situation, started to take the decision more seriously then ever. Tsuna become pensive and subdued ever since. Even his friends and Kyoko noticed this unusual behaviour.

Friday, the end of weekdays in Namimori High. Every student seemed to be in a light-hearted and cheerful mood except one- our Dame-Tsuna.

"Tsuna?"

"..."

"Hey, Tsuna'"

"Ah, Yamamoto!?"

"You have been sullen like this since Tuesday. What happened?"

Tsuna hesitated. Should he tell them. Better not. He has decided it, and he believes his decision is justifiable.

"Nothing, Yamamoto..."

"Juudaime! You can tell us anything! I am here to help you out! If it's Maths or Science test, we can get a 100 for you from those bastards (teachers) by force!," said Gokudera.

Tsuna sweatdropped at the hearing of this before replying "No, thanks, Gokudera-kun. After all, under no circumstance shall we use force to take advantage of others."

"As expected from the future if our Vongola!"

Those words were like a stab in Tsuna's heart. Or should he take the position to save the family's future?

How was it? Hope you like it ;)!

Sorry for the extremely overdue update. School work is overwhelming :(!

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