BATTLE OF THE SUCCESSORS – EXTREME OPPONENT
A Boat, Just Arriving at the Mafia Resort
It's approaching the evening, they are late. 9th insisted that Tsuna's group travel with CEDEF and himself on this boat. The Varia also join them on this voyage along with a few surprise guests, Enma for example has come along to watch the contest.
A lounge area has been set aside for the Vongola family, a space for them to socialise, Tsuna is of course the centre of attention, everyone believes he is going to be the next Vongola boss. The Varia do their best to keep away from conversation, past grudges have led to an awkwardness between them and their comrades. Tsuna does his best to encourage them to socialise but has little success, some things not even he can do.
Dino stands alone, smiling as he sees Tsuna interact with all his followers. Tsuna has always been like a brother to Dino, being trained by Reborn has brought them closer together than many siblings ever experience. Dino's prideful gaze is drawn from Tsuna though when he is approached by his subordinate Romario.
"We've arrived" Romario informs his boss.
"I've got it" Dino acknowledges, "Everyone, we're here, Colonello and Lal Mirch are waiting for us outside" he informs the people of the lounge.
Lead by Tsuna and the 9th, the various mafioso pour out of the lounge and head down to meet Colonello and Lal Mirch, two old friends who have been through many tribulations with them. As the smell of salt water fills Tsuna's nostrils he is reminded of the time he spent here with Yamamoto and Gokudera.
'How nostalgic, it seems so long ago now but back then I was just a kid', he recalls, thinking back to when full grown mafia bosses bent neck to that teenage Vongola.
At the bottom of the ramp a man and a woman stand ready to greet the passengers. They look unusual together, one fully grown woman, not dis-similar to when Tsuna met her in the future and one 8-year-old carrying a gun almost the size of himself.
"9th, Tsuna, we're happy to have you back here again" welcomes Colonello.
"It's good to see you're doing well" greets Tsuna, happier than he expected to see his old friend.
"I've prepared the venues for the ring contests, I've been told to prepare for a more explosive contest this time" Colonello chuckles out.
"Vongola Bana has already arrived with his guardians, an odd lot, though they seemed to respect him deeply" observes Lal Mirch.
"Ryohei, it's been a long time since I trained you, I hope you're ready because you are up first" Colonello informs the sun guardian.
"YOSH, I've been training for this to the EXTREME" shouts Ryohei.
"Do a few laps of the island to warm up Ryohei then meet us at the venue" orders Reborn.
Colonello informs Ryohei about a forest full of foliage, where to see the sun must shine the most brightly. With the location of the match firmly memorised the boxing champion runs off to do his warm up.
Tsuna sweatdrops, "I hope he doesn't tire himself out".
"I don't think that guy would be tired if he ran for 7 days and 7 nights" reassures Gokudera.
"Similarly to the last ring conflict we have set up observation areas to prevent interference, they won't explode this time though" comments Colonello as he stares at Mammon out of the corner of his eye.
Mammon snickers, "Don't tell me you still hold a grudge, grudges won't turn into money".
"VOI, let's get this started already" moans Squalo loudly.
With that they begin the long walk across the island. On the walk they encounter, lions, tigers, bears and even a few penguins. Gokudera stares at a lion, correctly noting that this isn't the correct ecosystem to house the big cat. Soon though his thoughts are brought away from the subject as his sister appears before the animal, retriggering his recurring stomach bugs.
The Sun Venue, A forest on the Mafia Resort
Tsuna and his guardians arrived late on the boat but they arrived at this venue first. The ever helpful Cervello repeatedly assuring 'Lord Xanxus' that they had informed Bana the match was ready to begin. Bana and his guardian were on their way to the field was the conclusion everyone drew. Having waited for the family reunion for many years, Ryohei was the most impatient person present.
"Where is my EXTREME OPPONENT?" he screams as if the volume will increase the pace.
"Now now… I'm sure Bana has his reasons" says the 9th, attempting to calm Ryohei down.
"Yeah, Bana seems like a trustworthy guy" comments Iemitsu.
'These guys have no idea, it's best to leave them in the dark for now', decides Xanxus. Telling the other Vongola members present may lead them into stopping the match, if that happened the Varia would be the first place Bana would vent his anger. Even if it wasn't, Xanxus is gradually becoming part of this family again, he has to do his best to protect them.
Bana jumps into the observation area from the bush behind it, yelling boo as he childishly declares his arrival.
"Sorry I'm late" he declares. A slight devious smile can then be seen on his face.
Xanxus frowns at Bana's arrival, where are his guardians, not even the sun guardian is here with him. This man is an incredibly powerful and incredibly dangerous foe, if he is employing a trick or implement a trap, it would be very easy to go along with.
Tsuna observes Bana's emotions carefully, 'is he being sporting by keeping them all away so that Dokuro doesn't have to oppose me here. No, that smile, it was barely visible but I saw it, this is part of his plan, what is your plan Vongola Bana'.
"Where is your sun guardian Bana, could it be he hasn't shown up" questions 9th with the innocence of a child.
Bana twists his body from the waist and swings his head from the neck, "not here yet, it must be because I snuck around".
Bana rushes out of the box and across the field, running past Ryohei as if he isn't there. The neutral members of the audience are all intrigued to see what is going on but the guardians and the Varia are all highly suspicious of Bana.
"Mammon, watch to see he doesn't use any illusions" instructs Xanxus.
"Roger" answers his illusionist.
"What's he up to boss" asks Lussuria.
"I don't know" answers Xanxus honestly, "But it can't be good".
Suddenly a few rustles can be seen in the bush which Bana ran past. A few yells of 'there you are' and 'you came so slowly' can be heard. Bana comically screams before he flies back first out of the bush and into the observation area.
Picking himself up and dusting himself off Bana notes, "Not in a good mood today" as he shakes his head at the spectators.
"However, my sun guardian has arrived" he smiles.
With that Bana's sun guardian emerges from the bush and it is as if a great monster has emerged. Not one person's face doesn't change at the appearance of this new guardian. Tsuna has the worst reaction of anyone as he falls to the floor holding his head and screaming.
"10th!" yells Gokudera as he runs to comfort his boss.
"TSUNA" both Yamamoto and Iemitsu shout as they do the same.
Even the usually calm and collected Xanxus stutters, "Mammon… is it… an illusion".
"It must be but… if it is I can't see through it" replies the illusionist as he focuses his gaze on the newcomer.
"Then… it's real" gasps Xanxus.
"That's right" Bana declares in grand fashion.
"Please let me introduce my sun guardian".
"Sasagawa… Kyoko"