RETURN TO THE HOMELAND – THE EVE OF BATTLE
Gokudera's Hotel Room, Rome
Gokudera's hotel room is nothing special. Unlike his boss, Sawada Tsunayoshi he hadn't had time for sleep up until now. The room is unremarkable; it has wallpaper that probably hasn't been changed in twenty years. Various crevices are filled to the brim with dust, it is a surprise the cleaner still has a job.
Gokudera was back at the hotel room at Tsuna's request because some dire intel had been delivered by the Chiavarone family, the Yakuza were on their way. They had time for some quick sleep before they went into battle tomorrow, it was important they were well rested so the 10th forced Gokudera to promise to get some sleep.
Despite promising it to his boss, Gokudera has not come to the hotel to sleep. The announcement has driven him in a different way. He knows his part in this battle is insignificant compared to Tsuna's. The engineering supervisor is doing his best to find one more thing that can help improve their greatest battle asset.
There is a knock at the door and Gokudera moves to open it.
As the white haired fighter opens the door he is surprised by what he sees, "You" he starts.
"Hello Hayato" greets Haru.
Haru has been exceedingly hostile towards Gokudera ever since he discovered she was still alive. The Haru before Gokudera is giving off signs of being more nervous however, clearly something has changed, perhaps the announcement that the Yakuza are coming, the mobilisation of the Italian fleets.
"What are you doing" Haru asks.
Gokudera calms himself down when he sees how nervous Haru is. He did after all promise to bring the old Haru back, perhaps in this state he will be able to better connect with her.
"I'm just running some tests on the 10th's zero-point breakthrough" Gokudera explains as he gestures Haru in.
Haru comes in and Gokudera shuts the door. He walks over to his laptop and turns the screen so that Haru can see the data he has been looking at.
"The possibilities that come from this technique are truly endless" exclaims the storm guardian. He knows that Haru will understand the data to some degree, he remembers the days when the two of them were considered the most intelligent members of the Vongola family. Some things never change.
"This data" Haru begins, "It's so important, so unique".
"I know" replies Gokudera, relieved that he is finally talking with someone on his scientific level. "It's hard to appreciate it during the day when all I have to think about is making the 10th stronger. Now that it's night however, I can mess around with the data and discover something new".
Haru crosses her arms and nods, still lacking true conviction in her actions. Perhaps she could fool other people into thinking her actions are not abnormal but Gokudera knows her best, they were engaged after all.
"So what brings you here" asks the storm guardian.
"Nothing special" replies his policewoman counterpart.
"I'm not stupid, we were engaged, I at least know you well enough to tell that something is up".
Haru hangs her head as if she is guilty or afraid. "I am… I am… I am…" she stutters.
"I'm afraid of dying" she eventually gets out.
Gokudera starts. He has never considered the possibility that they could actually lose this battle. Unlike their enemies of the past the Yakuza would truly turn the world into a vile place not worth living in. If they were to lose this battle it would be better to die than to survive.
"I understand" Gokudera says as he walks over and hugs Haru.
He waits a second to see what her reaction is. To his great surprise Haru does not pull away from the hug but holds onto him tightly, perhaps it is because right now she has nobody else to hold on to.
"Truth be told I'm the same" begins Gokudera, "The strength of the enemy we are facing in this battle, it's like nothing we have ever faced before".
Haru continues to hold onto Gokudera tightly, tighter with every word that confirms all of her fears about this battle. The latter releases Haru from the hug and grabs onto her shoulders.
"Look at me".
Haru looks at Gokudera.
"The 10th is going to save us, just like he always does, understand".
Haru nods causing the Vongola guardian to smile. "Good, perhaps we're one step closer to getting the real Haru back hey".
Haru doesn't answer the question. "Can I stay and look at the data with you".
"Sure, I have a spare chair somewhere" Gokudera recalls, "You go sit in the comfy one and I'll go get it".
As Haru moves towards the chair Gokudera recalls that he told the 10th he would try to bring their old friend back. He recalls that when he heard that Tsuna called him a good man.
'I will keep working hard and trying to impress you, after all, you calling me a good man is the greatest compliment I have ever been paid'.
A Training Field
This training field is where Sawada Dokuro has been practicing for the upcoming battle. The starry night was special for her, especially tonight because her husband was laying in the grass with her.
The smell was beautiful, Dokuro has handpicked it. In a way this is training, she is using her illusions to fool more senses than one, an integral part of being a true illusionist.
"The sky is so pretty; don't you agree" notes the purple haired woman.
"Yeah".
Dokuro turns her head from the sky and looks to her husband. He is behaving unusually this evening, "You're worried aren't you, that what you have done may not be enough".
"Dokuro" he begins, "So many people are relying on me. Not to mention our friends and our family".
Dokuro understands Tsuna's frustrations. While everyone else is losing their cool about the upcoming battle it is his job to remain strong, tough, their leader. He can't show any weakness no matter what, he can't let them lose morale. Understanding his frustrations is her job.
"All of those people who came to the Vatican, their families, everybody who prayed for me" Tsuna continues, "They are all depending on my victory as well, what if I can't do it, what if it all ends with my defeat".
"One defeat doesn't make you no-good Tsuna again, you have already accomplished so much" Dokuro explains, "You have given so much to this fight, nobody will ever forget what you have given them".
"All the bonds you have formed" she continues, "The Varia, the Millefiore, the Shimon, the Arcobaleno, the Mafia Police, only you could have united us for this fight, so stop worrying. Win, lose or draw, you've done your bit".
"Yeah, I guess you're right" smiles the elder Sawada brother.
The bushes near the duo rustle and Tsuna shakes his head and laughs. Dokuro joins him in doing so, they both know who is there, it is Ken and Chikusa, fulfilling their promise to Mukuro to keep Dokuro safe.
"So why Kokuyo Junior High school, why stay there for so long" Tsuna asks loudly, trying to provide the duo with a hint.
"Lots of places to hide" the mist guardian replies with equal volume, "Lots of places you won't be seen when that is your wish".
The bushes rustle again, indicating that the Kokuyo Junior High pair have left.
Upon their departure Dokuro kisses her husband gently. "You know we haven't been together since we've been married".
"Been together?" Tsuna looks at his wife questioningly before his whole face turns red, "Oh right, been together, I see what you are getting at".
"Right now might be our final chance" Dokuro points out as she herself becomes increasingly red, "The scene is pretty good and well… we're never going to get a better chance".
Tsuna smiles as he realises that Dokuro is just as nervous as he is, that makes things easier for him. "I agree" he replies, "But you know Ken and Chikusa haven't left right, I don't want to do it with them watching".
The mist guardian gives a small smile as a pair of illusions appear behind her. Ken and Chikusa scream and run away as the foul looking creatures chase after them. Once more the husband and wife pair share a laugh at the situation.
Dokuro turns back to Tsuna, "Now you don't have anything to worry about" she points out. She embraces Tsuna in a deep kiss, breaking it for a short moment to say, "Let's just lose ourselves in this moment".
Early Next Morning, An Italian Naval Base
It is at this Naval base that Dino has gathered the largest combined military humanity has ever produced. While this may be a battle for Italy in name it is in fact a battle for the world. With the prime-minister's announcement the world leaders finally understood just how dire the situation was. The navies from many countries such as France, Russia and the United States had all come to lend their support.
As Dino gets people into appropriate groups to match his plan, the seven great mafioso meet the political, military and philosophical leaders of Italy.
"It's time everyone, no restrictions on those below us in rank" instructs Tsuna, "Tell them to go where the fight demands, to fight according to their own strengths".
"If something goes wrong today, if I die you run" the 10th continues, surprising his subordinates, "You have to think of the long game, somewhere out there if I am incapable of winning today, there will be somebody who can eventually defeat the Yakuza".
"The hope of humanity is what is most important here today" he finishes. "Let's go".
"Hold on one moment" a voice stops the seven from leaving. The voice belongs to the military leader Donato Gallo.
"I had my doubts about your capabilities at first, especially when I found out you were in critical condition" the general says to Tsuna, "But let me say to you now that I firmly believe that you are the greatest hope for humanity".
"May god protect you all" the pope reinforces.
Gallo speaks again, "The prime-minister would like to address you all, all of the mafia".
A few minutes later all of the mafia members who have trained for this battle gather, everyone from those right at the top to the weak guys who helped Dino to organise the strategy. Even the cooks the mafia have provided the war effort with are gathered, some of them intending to go into battle to support their families, Sawada Nana is one such woman.
The prime-minister looks at all the people gathered before him and begins his speech.
"Yesterday the mafia were criminals, some would say that was fair, some would say that was harsh".
"All that matters today is that you have put that behind you and contributed everything you have to this war effort".
"I have made pain-staking efforts to collect every one of your names, they will go down in history as our glorious protectors from this day on".
"I want you to know that the world is so incredibly grateful, for you are doing a great thing by putting your lives on the line".
"You are doing a great thing not just for yourselves or the mafia, not just for Italy but for all of humanity".
"The prayers of the nation, no, the prayers of the world are with you, good luck".
