".. Tomaso Famiglia assured their allegiance to us and gladly join the hunt." the subordinate finished their report.
"VOOOOIIIIII! What kind of shit is this?! After generations of war between their family and ours, and now they want to pledge their loyalty to Vongola? Even an idiot could call out this ruse!" the poor subordinate shuddered at the point of Squalo's sword. "Stop it!" Lal Mirch ululate. "I was there myself during the conference. Are you questioning my ability to discern truth and lies?" Squalo retract his sword grudgingly. "Technically, the one Tomaso Famiglia swore their allegiance to isn't Vongola, but to Sawada himself." the entire room starts to murmur to each other. Lal Mirch turns towards the said young don, sitting comfortably at the end of the table with unreadable smile. By his side, sat a toddler in a suit and fedora whose face is as grim as her own. She only saw Reborn makes that kind of face once; on the day Luce died. She lets out a heavy breath before continuing, "They swear to fight by our side for as long as Sawada continue to act as the head of Vongola." the room turned silent.
"Ushishishi.. on that awkward note.." Belphegor chime in, "It seems like there's a rumor that has been going all around about our beloved Neo Primo." When he was sure that he had everyone's attention, he continued. "Sawada Tsunayoshi, Neo Vongola Primo has lost control of his Guardians and his Vongola gear no longer respond to his will, is what they sai.." he got interrupted by the sound of metal hitting the floor. "Aramaa Belphegor.. it seems you have angered our tactical advisor.." Lussuria said in a teasing tone. "Ushishi.. seems so.." Bel replied just as nonchalant.
"Sorry that you have to witness that ugly scene.."Squalo apologized but his words seems to be directed towards Vongola's executives rather than to Tsuna himself. Tsuna let out a chuckle, "I guess I need to address this issue." everyone starts whispering to each other. "As you can see, none of my Guardians are here today. It is under my assumption that as the Don of our famiglia, I don't need to inform or ask anyone's permission every single time I send my Guardians on missions." he spoke in such a calm manner that it send chills to every person's spine. "As for the second rumor, I welcome anyone who'd like to test the theory."
"How scary~" Belphegor chimed, earning him a sharp glare from Squalo. Xanxus stands up abruptly and start walking towards the exit. He stops as he passed Tsuna and in a voice that only the two of them can hear, he said "If the ring no longer respond to your flame, maybe this time it will accept me." and promptly leaving, followed by the rest of Varia members. Everyone else starts to look around, unsure of what to do. "The meeting is adjourned. You may leave." Reborn spoke for the first time. "It's fine, right Tsuna?" Reborn added when they all seems to look at Tsuna for affirmation. Tsuna nodded grudgingly. They all hurriedly scattered out of the room.
"Sawada!" Lal called out when the room is empty except for Tsuna, Reborn and Basil. "I heard about what happen in Japan.." she started. "I had to disagree with the way you deal with the aftermath. If its not childish enough to erase Kyoko and the other innocents memory, you had to go and foolishly erase your guardians memory save for Chrome Dokuro and Rokudo Mukuro. What were you thinking?"
Tsuna chuckled. "Childish? Foolish? No! Childish is thinking that its okay if I return home and have a normal life! Foolishis thinking that I am enough to protect everyone! Trust me, this is the best I can do for them. They would be safer, happier without me in their life." "But why did you erased your own mother's memory?!" Lal argues back.
"My mother is better off not knowing that her husband is dead. She's be better off not knowing that such a tainted soul like me is her son." His golden eyes flared with determination, but Lal could've swear that his voice faltered on the last sentence, as though he didn't believe his own words. Lal Mirch sigh in defeat. After all is said and done, behind this cold facade is stillthe same boy she met 3 years ago. What am I to do with your boy, Iemitsu.