COLLISION COURSE – TRAINING
Two Weeks Later, In the Varia Headquarters, Near Rome
An alarming sight can be seen in the Varia Headquarters, specifically the interrogation room. If Tsuna's guardians knew that he was in here they would likely rush to his aid, that's why he specifically avoided telling them. Tsuna is chained to an interrogation rack, firmly secured by Squalo at the command of his boss.
"VOI, he won't be getting free now" yells Squalo with his usual enthusiastic demeanour.
'He's more like Gokudera than he realises', Tsuna thinks to himself. He looks around the room he is in, the only thing it can be compared to is an old uncared for cellar. The room not only smells damp but water can occasionally be heard dripping from the ceiling, the lack of fresh air or even light from a window focuses Tsuna's attention on what is happening before him.
During these past two weeks Tsuna has learnt from each of the Varia, some basic power techniques from Lussuria, the principles of electrical attacks from Levi, how to throw projectiles from Belphegor, how to use a blade from Squalo and even how to cast weak illusions by Mammon. These two weeks of training have brought Tsuna closer to the members of the Varia, reaffirming their status as Vongola under his protection in his mind.
As to what Xanxus has in mind at the moment Tsuna is unsure. 'Perhaps he intends to torture me', postulates the young boss. If the Varia decided to turn on him at this moment, there would be nothing he could do.
"Do I have to be tied up like this?" asks Tsuna.
"It's vitally important" says Xanxus in a near tone of voice as he nods to Mammon.
Mammon has grown up along with the rest of the arcobaleno but his choice of clothing hasn't changed, he still adorns the same face paint and wear's the same reclusive robe. Placing his hands together Mammon gestures to create a powerful illusion.
As Mammon's abilities kick in a young golden haired woman appears before Tsuna. This young woman turns to him and her vacant expression changes into an energetic smile. An important woman from Tsuna's past has appeared, his former fiancée Sasagawa Kyoko.
"Tsuna" says Kyoko with a cheerful expression.
"Kyoko?" stutters Tsuna, "No it's only an illusion of Kyoko, a fake".
Tsuna admires the woman before him, although she is an illusion she is still very realistic. The emotions within the young man's brain are strong at this moment, not many people could identify this woman as in illusion, as she reaches out to touch him, a small part of him wishes they could touch again.
Suddenly a huge array of flames sideswipe Kyoko, Tsuna listens to her screams in horror as she disappears slowly from his vision. Laboured breathing can be heard by the members of the Varia observing Tsuna, it's easy for mafioso like them to judge that he is in a state of panic.
Tsuna turns his head to the side to look at a smiling Xanxus.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Tsuna demands of his teacher.
"Nothing…" comments Xanxus with a slight sigh, "Fine, again Mammon".
"Stop" begs Tsuna as Mammon begins to conjure another illusion.
Tsuna's plea falls on death ears though. For several minutes a continuous cycle occurs, Mammon generates an illusion of Kyoko and one of the Varia members brutally murders her. The torture that crossed Tsuna's mind earlier wasn't far from the mark, this a deep psychological torture.
Once more the boss candidate witnesses his loved one die before him at his teacher's hands, however this time something changes, a flame begins to appear around his body as his anger grows. In a showing of pure fury Tsuna drags his wrists through his constraints as the flame continues to build. All of the Varia members step away from Tsuna with wide faces, all except Xanxus who simply smiles at his choice of boss.
The flames gradually disappear from around Tsuna's body as his breath rate slows. Tsuna continues to calm himself down by holding his head in his hands and humming a tune from his childhood.
"What do you hope to accomplish, by making me angry" questions Tsuna as he continues to hold his head.
"You are an idiot" Xanxus insults Tsuna, "You depend on love and compassion for your strength, that's not nearly enough, you need to learn to drag power out of all your emotions, to facilitate that I'm putting you through this emotional pain".
Mammon begins to generate another image of Kyoko to continue Tsuna's training before Xanxus stops him. 'What is he up to now', thinks Tsuna.
"That won't be enough Mammon, move to plan B" commands Xanxus as Mammon begins to generate a new illusion, an illusion of Tsuna's mother.
"Don't push me too far Xanxus, I will kill you if you keep on going" threatens Tsuna.
Xanxus laughs as he kills Tsuna's mother before him, "I said I would acknowledge you as boss if you got through this and look at you, it's going perfectly".
CEDEF HQ, Italy
On the top floor of CEDEF's headquarters one can see for miles, thousands of people, tens of thousands walk below each day on their commute to work. On a rainy day a colourful consortium of umbrellas is pleasing to the eye even from this height. This is not a rainy day however; it is a sunny day in this part of Italy. The 9th boss of the Vongola family smiles as he looks down from the window, excited to meet Bana, his second potential successor.
"So Basil, are you ready to take over" asks 9th of the young Italian.
"Yes 9th, I'm excited for the challenge" replies Iemitsu's apprentice.
Basil is a good friend of Sawada Tsunayoshi, he has stuck with him through thick and thin, something he hopes will continue after the upcoming ring contest. Basil has no quarrels with the newcomer Bana, he just isn't Sawada Tsunayoshi and that's a mark in the wrong box.
Everyone's head turns to the door as it opens to reveal a blonde spiky haired man. Everyone draws the same conclusion, this can only be Tsuna's competition, Vongola Bana.
"Oh, here he is" smiles the 9th.
"Yeah, you can see the resemblance" comments Iemitsu.
Bana bows upon entering the room, "I respectfully greet the 9th boss and 9th CEDEF leader" he politely declares.
Basil observes Bana from afar, 'his power is similar, you can feel it, it's just like Tsuna's', he thinks to himself. Then he decides to approach his potential boss and shakes his hand.
"Nice to meet you Bana, we may be working together in future" greets Basil.
"Oh the CEDEF successor, nice to meet you" replies Bana, "Is Tsuna not here?" he asks.
"We sent a message to Tsuna asking him to come but he seems to have disappeared" responds Basil, unaware of Tsuna's Varia training.
Iemitsu and Basil have prepared a nice table which the 9th and Bana sit at, this is where they will decide upon the ring contest with Tsuna, if he shows up. The door opens again and surprisingly the man who walks in is Xanxus. Not standing on ceremony Xanxus flops into Tsuna's chair and places his feet up on the table.
"I'm here to negotiate, on behalf of the trash" explains Xanxus.
Everyone in the room is surprised at Xanxus presence in this meeting but none more so than Vongola Bana. 'Why', he asks himself, 'why is he here, was he not intimidated by my power, how can he dare to show his face'.
"You… why should we believe you" Basil questions Xanxus.
"Huh, are you stupid" mocks Xanxus, "We are the two highest ranking people in the 10th generation behind the boss, shouldn't we trust each other".
"Besides, when I know Tsuna wouldn't harm me regardless, what do you think I have to gain by making Bana my enemy, you can trust me can't you" reasons the Varia leader.
A huge smile springs to the face of the 9th, Xanxus has said something that he has been waiting a long time to hear. 'He acknowledged Tsuna as the boss, Xanxus is back on our side'.
"The 10th says he is ready for the contest; can you say the same?" Xanxus questions Bana.
"Of course" Bana quickly answers.
"Same format as my battle against him, the Mafia resort" poses Xanxus.
"I look forward to the challenge" says Bana as he gets to his feet. "If you will excuse me, 9th generation, Basil, Xanxus".
"You're a frog at the bottom of a well" taunts the 9th's son. "The boss is going to show you… just how big the world really is".
"Maybe I'm a frog, I hope that my rival can enlighten me at the very least but I fear… I fear that it will be me showing him just how far the dying will flame can go" Bana states with confidence as he looks straight into Xanxus eyes.
Xanxus smiles, "The Varia will be seeing you again".
Bana opens the door, "Yeah" he mumbles as he walks out.
Xanxus turns to look at his father, "You always set these things up all officially, they never last long".
"Xanxus, you accepted Tsuna as your…" starts the 9th.
Xanxus interrupts him, "Sorry but I'm in a rush, the 10th needs training that only I can provide, I will be going now, if that's alright with you… 9th".
"Forgive me" 9th closes his eyes and enjoys the nostalgic feeling, "Of course it is, go do what you need to do Xanxus".
