Family and secrets II

The Dfrök had been placed in the middle of the ballroom, a prize that every known thief wanted to own as it had been stolen by the Rock family — which was the stupidest name Kusanagi Izumo ever heard.

It was a large statue used as a power symbol by the mafia family, it told of the greatest accomplishment they had done. But originally, it was a statue made by a pagan, or more precisely a follower of Dionysus. The Drök at the center of the party was slightly made more powerful with the decoration of the room. The ballroom was magnificent to say at least. It would be wrong to say the contrary. Crimson walls with family portraits, that had all been painted, hung on them. Garlands of light and flowers decorated the room, it almost felt enchanting. Bouquets of flowers brought a touch of nature to the tables. A buffet had been placed strategically near the entrance to a hallway that led to a large kitchen. Musicians had been hired to entertain the party. Bottles of wine filled the drinks table. Servants took once in while empty plates to replace with full ones.

"It's odd." His King and best friend noticed as he stood beside him, watching his close vassals encountering people in the ballroom. The red-haired man was tense, he wasn't at the meeting of different forces of the underworld by pleasure, only because of family matters as he represented his family clan head in his stead.

The King sighed quietly.

The Rock family had invited a lot of clans. However, a few mafia families such as the Vongola or the Cavallone had refused the invitation. The atmosphere was tense as many clans weren't always friendly with others. Mikoto Suoh was a King first and a member of the Sovrano clan second, often the contrary was heard, nevertheless he was very close to his family, blooded or not. Even though he wasn't particularly pleased to spend a night away from his clan, Mikoto was certainly content to be away from Shizume as the Blue King seemed to like being an annoying asshole. According to the blond-haired man, and his best friend, his vanguard was off to visit some family members and would not come back home for a while. It worried him a little but he didn't show it. He was accompanied by Shōhei Akagi, Eric Sōlt, and Rikio Kamamoto while the others were to stay put in their headquarters, to keep a low profile, and to protect Anna as an organization was trying to kidnap strains for their weird experiments.

"Something will happen." Izumo muttered beside his King as he stared at the people on the dance floor, the servants slipping through the crowd — they were almost ghosts as no one seemed to succeed in touching or speaking to them.

"It is happening." Mikoto slightly smirked as he noticed a familiar person squeezing through the vast ocean of people, smiling and engaging in conversations with a lot of powerful people. "Let's just watch."

There were almost no members of the Rock family.

Mikoto started walking after shooting warning looks to his vassals. He kept a neutral expression as he approached the corner in which Akiko, one of the information-brokers of his clan, stood. He pulled a cigarette out of a packet and lit it up. Akiko had been the first person he had come across when he was first made King by the stale. Their partnership was through an alliance between his own clan and her clan.

"I didn't know you were here." Akiko said, looking absently at the drunken crowd on the dancing floor.

The King continued to smoke without responding. The woman didn't say any other words for the next couple of minutes. They both watched as the Head of the Rock family arrived in the ballroom, grinning like a broken doll. Silence was quickly made as people started to clap in joy, others started to sing, and the guests didn't know how to react. The Head of the Rock family introduced himself as Marco Nonso. He spoke of the great party he had planned, of the great announcement he would make at some point in the party, and of his son's wedding.

"Useless. Utterly useless." His best friend mumbled to himself. Izumo had joined him while all attention was on Marco Nonso or Marco Nonsense as the Vanguard of Homra called him.

Akiko didn't speak at all. The dark-haired woman smirked as she looked at the man trying to appear at ease. Something was bothering him. She wondered if Nana was within the compound and if the clan knew about their unknown guest roaming. She also wondered how the woman would rob the Dfrök without not being seen. The woman noticed how tense her long-time friend seemed to be. The Rock family was a threat. Her husband was already taking extra measures after their intel had discovered anomalies about the clan.

"You know something." Mikoto said, pulling her out of her thoughts. He was still smoking, staring at the dancers.

"I know nothing." Akiko mumbled, approaching him as if she was asking him to dance with her. Her husband always let her dance with her friends. He wasn't jealous at all, which was a good thing as she remembered her father being very possessive with her mother. Mikoto chuckled as he took her hand and led her on the dance floor under Izumo's gaze. And they started dancing.

"Something is happening. Don't lie to me." The King muttered to the woman as they danced. His red eyes were focused on the dark-haired person.

"You'll see, dear friend. It'll be great." And they continued to dance, impressing people by their dance skills as dancing was a very important class that their respective clan imposed on their members during their youth. "It'd be a shame to tell you."

Izumo sighed quietly as he sat down on a chair. The party was boring. Soon enough Shōhei, Eric, and Rikio came with drinks and several plates that they put down on the table next to Izumo. The three clansmen had been checking the potential threats for the past two hours. There was nothing to worry about. He pulled out his phone, checking the messages passed between several members of HOMRA. He arched an eyebrow as he read the messages left by the vanguard, wondering what the young man was doing at the moment. Yata — as he didn't like to be referenced by his first name — never spoke of his family. Izumo hoped one day the red-haired vanguard would tell the clan about them. It had been a real surprise when Yata had come to the bar one morning announcing he was going away to visit some relatives for a few weeks at least.

Yata — I'm off visiting my aunt and my cousin. I went to my family clan — it was the birthday of the head clan. Hoshi-sama wants to meet with the King as soon as he comes back from the party.

Izumo — You are part of the same clan as Mikoto.

Yata — Yeah. It surprised me too when I discovered it. King never told you? Weird.

Izumo — No.

Mikoto — Did he tell you why?

Yata — It's about his wayward daughter, and my aunt by the way.

Mikoto — Keep in contact with us.

Yata — Yeah, sure. Will come back in three weeks.

Izumo — Alright. Everything is ok?

Yata — Yeah. Gotta go.

The musicians ceased to play as Marco Nonso stepped once more on the stage, the guests stopped dancing and speaking, looking at the man. All were waiting for him to speak. Marco smiled at the crowd, he opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly, lights went off. Whispers broke the crowd as people took their weapons out, tensing and ready to fight if necessary. Mikoto joined his clan with Akiko. The man glowed slightly, bringing at the same time some relief to the people around HOMRA. The Red King noticed how amused Akiko looked. They all heard Marco Nonso screaming orders to the Rock family.

Around the Dfrök, runes appeared briefly. The object of admiration disappeared in a whirlpool of flames nearly unnoticeable, it was replaced by a copy in mist flames.

Lights were turned on. The servants of the Rock family led all guests out of the ballroom as the clan didn't want to take any risks. Akiko knew at this moment that they knew about their intruder. She overheard two servants speaking of a broken electricity meter, of cut ropes, and a killed electrician. If they knew about a possible intruder, they still hadn't seen past the illusion within the ballroom. Akiko pulled her phone out of her purse, smirking as she taped on the messaging app to read the text her friend had sent.

Wine — You should get out. I'm not responsible though.

The dark-haired woman didn't need to be told twice. She whispered the warning in the Red King's right ear and they both made their way out of the building. The moment they left the property, an explosion was heard. The woman decided to follow HOMRA to the car Izumo had rented at their arrival in Italy. Rikio was in the driver seat, he started the car and quickly left.


The chains hung him to the ceiling. The guard was standing outside of his cell, controlling each person coming to visit him.

The moment Nana and Akiko had taken a flight to Italy, they had been attacked. Tsunayoshi had been first captured to be used as a leverage against Usopp. The green peaches — a rather interrogating name — another group that was only interested in the Vongola heir, had come and bargained with the Yellow sky — again, he wondered how the fuck people thought it was a good name — to get Tsunayoshi. The Yellow sky had decided to make a temporary alliance. Their plan had succeeded. To Usopp's horror. To Tsuna's horror. And now, the sniper was within four walls in a basement.

He hoped that Kensuke was working hard to save the young heir.

Fuck. He thought grimly to himself when he heard the familiar footsteps of his torturer. It had been only one week since the capture. While Usopp was no stranger to torture or pain — he couldn't count how many times his crew had been captured — he certainly didn't like to be tortured for hours until he gave in. Which he would not do. No matter what. The boss of his persecutor wanted him as a bonded guardian. To bond willingly. Torturing someone until they give in is not what I call 'willingly'. He thought as he prepared himself to spend some hours in pain.

"I hope you're ready to bond, Anton." His persecutor, a tall brown-haired man, walked inside of the cell.

"Fuck ya." The man grinned as he took a whip, smirking at the sniper hung to the ceiling like a puppet to its puppetmaster.

"Wrong answer. Last chance." But Usopp shook his head, bracing himself to the pain he soon felt as the man whipped him.

He screamed until his voice gave out. The sniper was biding his time. He knew that the boss of the Yellow sky's patience was running low. The persecutor ceased to whip him two hours later, grumbling against 'annoying asshole that didn't want to give in' and then he called two men to bring him a large bucket of water. Instantly Usopp knew what was happening. The man was changing tactics. Five minutes was enough time for him to rest. Two men entered the cell with a tank and put it in the middle of the place.

"Well, let's use another method, shall we?" The brown-haired man used a key to remove the chains from the ceiling, he signed to the two men to hold Usopp above the tank.

They put his head under water for a whole minute. Then, the main torturer asked one question to the sniper, which he answered negatively. And the circle began. For the next hour, Usopp was put under water from one minute to two minutes every single time he would refuse to submit. As time passed, the pirate slowly plunged into an ocean of memories, he felt like a spectator watching a movie.

"I want to be the pirate king!" His new captain smiled as he put his right leg on the barrel.

"To draw a map of the world!" The navigator of the crew said.

And the cook pulled his cigarette out of his mouth, he proclaimed. "To find all blue."

"To become the best swordsman!" The first mate announced with a sharp smile as the newest member of the crew advanced towards the barrel.

"I want to heal every sickness in the world!" He was the youngest of them.

Usopp smiled — not a fake one for once — and put his left leg on the barrel while proudly announcing he would become the bravest warrior of the sea.

"He is not responding—"

Luffy had never spoken of a brother in the little time they had been together. Usopp watched as the dark-haired man with freckles on his face talked with the rest of the crew. The sniper could see the looks of adoration of his captain towards his brother as the pair spoke of their childhood. It had been a surprise to meet three commanders of Shirohige, one of them being Luffy's older brother.

"You're Yassopp's kid." The fourth commander said as he sat in front of him with the sixteenth commander of Shirohige.

"And?" Usopp took a sip of his beer, staring at the blue sea. "We haven't spoken or seen each other in years."

"That's rather pathetic." Thatch mumbled, quietly wondering why the sniper of the Akagami crew had never visited his own son.

"Tell me about it." The younger pirate sighed. "Oh no, he has the same appetite as Luffy."

The older pirates chuckled.

"Let him here."

"Why do we have to hide, mom?" Usopp asked his mother while sitting on her lap.

"We have to. Our time hasn't come yet." The woman answered as she caressed her son's curly hair.

He missed his mother a lot. He felt content in her arms. Banchina chuckled as her hands touched his cheeks. "Oh my dear son… You cannot stay here."

"Mom?"

"Someone needs you."

And he woke up. He was laying on the cold and blooded floor of his cell, shirtless and sore. There was almost no light beside the moon shining in the sky. He sat up and looked at his potential injuries: nothing on his chest, which was a relief, but his back ached a bit too much.

"Those motherfuckers." He growled in a low tone as he stared at the wall in front of him. He couldn't stay any longer in the cell.

Time to act.

He closed his eyes.

He needed to rest enough in order to make his plan work. He would go willingly meet with the boss of the Yellow sky — which he found the name awful — and then hell would rise. Over the years, his negative emotions had been imprisoned behind a seal — as he had to never let his true self appear — therefore, he would let them go free. Usopp could not die there nor bond with someone who would chain him. He still needed to go back to his world — if one day he found the way back. How much time had passed since that awful day? He sighed quietly. His friends would worry if he didn't make it back. The sniper needed to get out, to get revenge on the motherfuckers who had thought it was a great idea to capture him, and to save Tsunayoshi from whoever had him.

His haki suddenly flared up. Someone, a very familiar presence, was approaching the dungeons where he was held. Soon enough, Usopp heard the light footstep of the professional of torture and then, the one-side conversation about penguins and cannibalism. The main door of the dungeons was opened by an electronic card. One minute later, the man appeared in front of his cell.

"You're awake, good. Are you going to be difficult or not?" The man asked with a smirk on his face as if he were expecting a negative answer.

"Take me to him." His voice was hoarse. Usopp wanted nothing but to quickly get out of here. He saw the man's eyes widened in surprise.

"That is a surprise!" He took his phone and called someone. "Boss! He's ready!"

The brown-haired criminal took him to the infirmary to be patched up. His torturer introduced himself as Yellow teeth and told him he had given up his name when he was taken as a teenager in the mafia family. Usopp decided to not comment on the stupidity of the name. He was given water — he emptied the whole bottle — and new clothes as the one he wore were torn apart and there were blood stains. He was escorted through a maze of hallways, guarded by men in similar clothing, and then led to the office of the weak sky. Usopp could feel the sky flames trying to bring out his own cloud flames. He almost snarled as his feet entered the circular office. Those damn flames.

He didn't want to be chained down. He would rather die. He thought of the bright smile of his student, of the adoration in his eyes when he had saved him and his mother, of the friendship between his student and himself. Usopp stared blankly at a bald man wearing a green shirt, he was smirking at him, smug.

"You worked well on him, Yellow teeth." The man complimented as he stood up, facing the sniper.

"Thank you, boss." Yellow teeth bowed slightly, letting go of the curly-haired young pirate beside him.

"But…" The boss turned towards his subordinate, his eyes flashing with anger. "You were not quick enough. You were not good enough."

"Boss, please!" The brown-haired man was sweating, his eyes widened in shock and fear as he begged the other man.

Usopp stood silently. There was no easy escape. The office was located in the middle of the compound, and different barracks surrounded the workplace in which the bald man often was. His haki was sensing a dozen people moving around. The sniper was weaponless, therefore he would have to rely on hand-to-hand combat — which he had good practice with Kensuke as the man had discovered his preference to aim.

"Yellow teeth, you have failed me. Twice. I can't forgive you anymore." The bald man said, taking his gun from a drawer.

For failing to make me give in fast? That's so stupid. Usopp thought to himself as the man actionned the trigger and shot in the head of his former torturer.

"Finally." The bald man muttered to himself before turning towards the silent sniper. "Well, let's bond."

The weak sky was eager to bond with a strong cloud. Usopp however didn't let the sky flames touch him.

"And the courting?" He asked, wishing to be anywhere else but not there.

"You're a traditionalist." The western man emptied his cartridge clip on the dead body on the floor, chuckling. "I don't have time for this shit."

"I won't bond with you then." Usopp answered, watching how he threw out the gun as if it were trash.

"Well, if you insist on being difficult, I'll force you." The scarred man lunged forward and grabbed him by the neck, Usopp sent immediately his knee into his chest.

Sky flames surged forward, filling up the air. They wrapped themselves around Usopp, forcing him to bring out his own flames. As the bald man tried to forge a bond between them, the sniper was slowly losing his shit. His mist flames appeared, starting to cause chaos around the office (due to the number of screams, it was evident that Usopp was a dangerous mist as well as being a dangerous cloud). That fuckin' motherfucker. The sniper was choking because of the orange flames trying to break his defenses. His black eyes became dark purple as his flames full of anger surged forward towards the man. I'll destroy him. The pirate didn't lose time, he grabbed the nearest object and threw it at the scarred man.

"Connard ! Figlio di puta…" The man was swearing loudly in the different romance languages.

Usopp didn't pay him any attention as his eyes searched for a sharp weapon. He quickly found it on a shelf. He moved as if he were Sonic, snatching it off the shelf. Usopp's eyes were cold, full of hatred. As a pirate, he was no stranger to horror. As a pirate, he was no stranger to revenge. He snarled at the approaching sky flames. His cloud flames wrapped themself around the weak sky, almost letting him think he won, and then they started burning the skin, crashing bones, and spilling blood. The bald man screamed until his voice gave out, until his body fell dead on the floor. But the raging flames didn't stop there, they continued on a path of destruction, burning lives, and—

"Anton?" The sniper slowly turned around. It was a dark-haired man standing on the doorstep, watching him with wary eyes. He wasn't alone, the pirate absently noticed. There was a red-haired man, a blond-haired man, and another redhead with him.

"Anton? It's me, Kensuke." The name was familiar for some reason. He didn't let go of his weapon — a katana — and started walking towards the group, without answering to the black-haired man.

"Anton. I know where Tsunayoshi is." The words worked like magic. The sniper focused once more on the man, asking silently the answer. "Let's go together. To save him. You can destroy the people who kidnapped him."

It convinced him.

Kensuke watched his friend with worry in his eyes. His flames had calmed down a little. Locating him had been rather easy with his clan's and his friend's clan's network. But they had arrived a little bit too late. The young man was full of fury and would not back down until his student was safe. He wondered what the burning corpses had done to him when they were still living.


Akatsuki Hoshi narrowed his eyes, recognizing the distinct handwriting of his wayward daughter. He had many questions. The letter was in front of him, there was a set of photos beside it, which made him curious. He frowned as he picked up the paper to read it. He read the letter twice to make sure he understood everything. His daughter, Nana, obviously omitted a few things. But he could feel her anger, rage, and sadness in those lines. She wasn't begging for forgiveness, she was only reaching him to not regret for not trying to mend their relationship. He missed her. His wife missed her completely. So did all her siblings. He sighed, perhaps it was time for him to act like a clan head towards his wayward daughter.

If not for Anton, I'd have died, so would have my son.

The line was hard to digest. Hoshi ordered one of his servants to summon his wife and his children. He needed to talk to them about the letter. As he waited patiently for them, he looked at the set of photos. The first picture showed an unknown boy with his daughter Nana, both were smiling, they seemed happy. The next pictures showed Nana and the boy — he didn't even get the boy's name from his daughter, which he understood why.

…with my own flames sealed.

Anger. Sealing someone was dangerous. It was taboo. The knowledge of seals had been passed down for generations. Sealing someone was equivalent to giving them a slow and painful death. His hands shook as he tried to reign his anger.

We're fine now.

You are not, foolish daughter. Hoshi thought as he put down the set of photos. He had to plan a visit to his wayward daughter, to meet her son, and to make sure that everything was well. Nana had mentioned that his son was now homeschooled but she didn't share the reason behind it.

I've so many things to tell you.

He folded the letter and put it back in the envelope as his family entered the circular room. He immediately started the meeting once everybody was seated.

"Hoshi. Is it what I think it is?" His wife, Emiko, asked in hope. He nodded and she grabbed the envelope.

"Nana reached me out." He announced quietly to his silent children, watching their reactions.

Kenshi was shocked. He was Nana's twin after all, he had been the most hurt of her departure, of her words to them, and of her behavior in general against the clan. Izuna and Makoto were showing looks of disbelief while Reina, Rin, and Naomi were surprised. Nanako, or surnamed 'Nana', had always been a taboo subject for all of them.

"Unbelievable. Always late to everything." Kenshi finally scoffed, his fists trembling as he remembered all the memories with his twin.

Makoto put his right arm around his shoulders. "Father, we should not respond too fast. It'd be too easy. I won't forgive her."

Hoshi nodded, understanding his reasoning. Then, his eldest son continued. "We can take her back in the clan but she would have to work for our forgiveness."

"She doesn't ask for forgiveness." Emiko's voice was soft and full of sadness despite the hint of anger.

"Then, why did she write us a letter?" Izuna asked, frustrated by his sister's behavior.

"Guilt, perhaps." Naomi, the youngest of all siblings, answered. She took the letter from her mother's hands.

"Forgiveness or not, we cannot allow her to be out of the clan any longer." Hoshi finally said, firm as he needed to be.

"Father…? What did she say in the letter?" Reina spoke for the first time, eying her little sister reading the letter in silence.

"Naomi, read the letter." Emiko ordered her daughter as she straightened her back while her eldest children sealed the room for privacy.

Head of clan, Hoshi Akatsuki,

I do not deserve using the title 'Father' as much as it pains me. It is truly a truth I accepted a long time ago.

I wanted everything. I wanted to travel through the world, to learn about foreign cultures, and, I supposed, be independent from the clan. Nobody ever supported me. They were my dreams, and now, they are only dead dreams. I did many things, but half of them had led me into a nightmare for a while, and I never wanted to tell you about my problems. Perhaps, I should have told you. At that time, I was a mere runner, paying off some debts that the clan would resolve in one go because I didn't want any of you thinking less of me. I'm not trying to be excusable. When you forbade me from leaving the compound, I was pissed, full of anger… and hatred. All my problems were settled, I had my own money as I worked for it (by any means, and now I'm not really proud of them), I planned my travel, and… you forbade me from leaving.

It exploded. We fought, and I ended saying horrible things to you, to all of you. The guiltiness has been eating me alive for a long time, for all these years away from you.

Perhaps, you're asking why I'm saying it only now? Well, a few months ago I was an empty shell. The shadow of my former self. A walking corpse. I'm not asking for forgiveness, or anything, I just wanted to tell before it's too late.

I've so many things to tell you.

I met a blond-haired man after our fight, I thought I fell in love with him, but instead he trapped me with his treacherous sky flames. When I realized it, it was too late. I was a forced-bonded guardian with my own flames sealed. And I was pregnant. All I was to his eyes… a breeding bitch. He came for a few years, the first years of my son, and he was never pleasant with me or my son. Vongola sealed my son's sky flames. And the seal was done by Vongola Nono.

And if you think that I could have reached you for help, Hoshi-sama, then you're wrong. I was too far gone until an accident last year. We got help two months later. If not for Anton, I'd have died, so would have my son. Anton was the miracle we needed. We're fine now. My son is homeschooled for now. He still has a long way to deal from the damage.

I do not want forgiveness. I do not want to go back to the clan — I hurt you too much.

I'll never forgive myself.

May the gods watch over you,

Y. Nana.

As Naomi finished saying the last words, Hoshi stood up and went to the large window facing the garden of light. Hearing it from Naomi was almost like hearing it from his wayward daughter.

"She doesn't want to go back." Izuna stated, his head pounding from all thoughts going through it.

"She's punishing herself." Reina softly said, leaning towards her older brother, Makoto.

"What do we do?" Makoto was hesitating. Despite being hurt by his sister's behavior and words, he deeply missed her.

"It's simple." Emiko's voice was full of determination. "Years of hurting will not disappear, but I do want my daughter back. She'll return to the clan whenever she wants it or not. As Makoto suggested, she will work for the clan's forgiveness whenever she wants it or not. And she will finally take her rightful place."

"I agree." Hoshi said, turning towards his family.

"How about her son?" Naomi asked with worry.

"We will welcome him into the clan, of course." Hoshi answered with ease, smiling at the thought of meeting his second grandson.


The deserted town was no more.

No souls had escaped the blasting flames of an enraged cloud. Kensuke had witnessed Anton's rage destroying everything and every person coming to stop them. It was quite terrifying. His power was much more different than any other person. Questions flooded his mind. No answer yet. He wondered who Anton really was.

Mikoto and his vassal had retrieved Tsunayoshi from the clutches of his captors. The teenager was mostly unharmed, which was a good thing. The Vongola heir however told them that his captors wanted to know all secrets of Vongola. It seemed that the green peaches — Kensuke wondered why such a name was chosen — were part of a much larger group. They would keep an eye on the young heir now on.

"Wow, you have grown since the last time!" Yata — as the young man liked to be called — said to the brown-haired teenager.

Yata was Tsunayoshi's cousin. Which only meant that Tsunayoshi and his mother were part of Yata's and Mikoto's clan.

"Thanks for coming." Tsunayoshi bowed slightly.

"Everything for the family." Yata muttered in response while Mikoto smiled as he took a cigarette out of his pocket.

"Is Anton well?" Tsunayoshi frowned as he recalled how odd the man had appeared.

"Oh, don't worry. He's raging. He'll calm down." Or he hoped he would.

"Where is he?" Yata asked, looking around them for Tsunayoshi's tutor as no one had seen him for more than an hour.

Kensuke lifted his head towards the sky. The sun was slowly dying behind white and light grey clouds. The man saw in the distance dark flames eating the last of the standing buildings. Smoke rose from those parts.

"I'm going to fight him." With those words, the Red King left. It was probably a good thing, a fight would tire out Anton.

"Hibari-san, it'd be preferable for you and Tsunayoshi to come back to Namimori. I'll stay here and wait for my King." Yata suggested, watching his King disappearing in the distance.

Kensuke nodded. He led Tsunayoshi to the car. He drove the teenager home, and it was surprisingly a short journey — one hour drive to Namimori. It was night when Mikoto came back with an unconscious cloud on his back. He nodded to his vanguard, who had been texting to the members of HOMRA, and they both made their way back. Kensuke had come back after dropping off to his compound.


"Your name is Skodde." Mammon declared, staring at the young assassin in front of him.

Skodde was odd. But all mist users could be strange, Skodde was even stranger than any person he had encountered. The young man had abilities that no one, even his own boss, had. According to Kensuke, he had been the one who had succeeded in unsealing Yamada and her son, the Vongola heir. No one had the knowledge of sealing anymore except Vongola — but they didn't really count as they didn't know what damage they had done to the solo heir of their Empire. Skodde was perhaps the best hider in the world, always facing people with a mask, something so ingrained to him that it was impossible for other people to discern the truth from the lies. And yet, Mammon could see some fissures.

It was only a matter of time.

Skodde had become highly protective of the Yamadas. Which was a good point as he was to remain as his bodyguard until the young Yamada became the Vongola Tenth.

Kensuke found him odd too. He had been keeping an eye on him since the night he had felt the freeing of two broken souls. Mammon had found out that Yamada Nana was a member of the largest and one of the most powerful clans in the world. The Arcobaleno decided to keep this information to himself, the Varia needed to secure a good and competent heir for the title of Vongola Tenth. The current boss of Vongola and his advisor were ill individuals that did no good to the Empire. In fact, Vongola was crumbling.

"He's a caged cloud." Kensuke, his sort of friend, said after Skodde left the room.

"Hm.. Is it worrying?" Mammon asked, his mind trying to find the answers he was looking for.

"Yes. While he raged one week ago, he certainly needs to act more like the cloud he is. His behavior acts like poison." The Hibari responded, taking a sip of tea.

"I'm going to search his past then." Nothing escaped Viper. The adult in a baby's body began to plan his next moves while his friend continued drinking tea.


The origins of the Akatsuki clan was unclear to the entire world, only clan members knew the history behind the Akatsuki clan. And yet, some secrets had been kept by Librarians keepers. The clan was neutral. It wasn't a civilian clan, nor a military one serving a country. They were no criminals, and yet they were living in the Underworld. They were much more than only a clan. A large family. Her former family.

Nana breathed in then breathed out as a familiar number had appeared on her phone. It was ringing, and yet she wasn't picking up as she feared what her interlocutor might say. However, as she was the one reaching out, she had to answer. "Hello, Yamada residence."

Silence.

"It is not your family name." The cold voice of her former head clan broke the silence.

Nana didn't respond for a few seconds. "It is the name I had to take for the sake of 'existing'."

"You are foolish."

"So I am." What was the point of denying the truth? The woman sat down on her couch, looking anxiously at the garden in front of her.

"I received your letter." A pause. "You'll receive in three weeks or so an invitation to the Dfräk festival. You will go with your son and the bodyguard of your son."

"I.. I… " She trailed off, not knowing how to word her confusion.

"You hurt us." The words were icy. His voice was full of anger. "And yet, I missed you all these years of silence. We could have handled it better. You could have acted better. This letter was a real surprise for all of us. I'm not losing my daughter again."

I'm not losing my daughter again. The words resonated in Nana's mind as she tried to comprehend why he didn't disown her.

"Therefore, you will take your rightful place as a punishment. Ten years. And after that time, if you still wish to, you can go traveling and do whatever you wanted back then."

"It doesn't sound like a punishment." She huffed. "It's better for me to…"

"—stay away? Ha! I won't allow it nor will your mother or siblings. And it is. You don't have the choice. If you don't present yourself at the Dfräk festival, I will take extreme measures you won't like at all."

The threat was there. Nana sighed as she thought of her son. In his childhood, she had always wanted to teach him all the things she had learned as a child, however, as both of them were imprisoned, it had been impossible.

"Very well, we shall see you at the Dfräk festival, Hoshi-sama." Perhaps, she had given in too quickly, perhaps not. But being welcomed back in the clan filled her with joy.

"Don't call me like that, I'm your father." Her father scolded her through the phone.

Nana shook her head even though he couldn't see her. "No, I'm sorry Hoshi-sama, but I'm unworthy of doing so."

He didn't insist. They spoke for a couple of minutes before hanging up. Nana stayed in the garden for the next few hours, lost in her thoughts, doubts, and fears.

It had been only two weeks since her coming back as a thief — she only robbed stolen artefacts — the kidnapping of her son, and the capture of her son's tutor, and one week since their return to Namimori. Her cousin, the Red King, Suoh Mikoto had gone with her nephew back to Shizume due to an emergency while Anton's boss had come by a few days to observe his subordinate. Her son had harmonized with Kensuke's son as soon as he had come back to Namimori. With the bond to a growing cloud, his sky flames had settled a bit.

"Mom! Mom!" Tsunayoshi came into the garden, holding the hand of a girl of his age. "Mom, this is Chrome! We met, and.. We harmonized on the spot."

"Oh! That's great!" Nana congratulated her son for finding another guardian, or most likely a friend.

"But we need to get out of her parents' clutches." It was only one sentence but Nana understood the meaning and called Akiko.

Within the two next hours, Chrome was free from her parents, she was put under the Hibari clan protection. Akiko had decided to take the little mist under her wing.


From time to time, Usopp would find himself dreaming for a long period of time. The few people truly knowing him called him a dream walker. Such a name was not easily given. As a dream walker, he would sometimes fall asleep and walk through dreams and nightmares for a long period of time. As a child, it had been an uncontrolled ability. As a young adult, he had more control even though he did not know everything about his ability.

There was a path leading Morpheus knows where. He was standing, alone. There was no sight of dream folks or nightmare folks. As the pirate started his journey, he witnessed nothing in particular. Dead trees followed the old way. In the distance, he could see the dying moon. As he walked, he went past skulls and bones, sentimental objects and bubbles of emotions, and memories and doors. Endless path, nowhere to go. He was quite stuck but it didn't let it phase him. As time passed, with echoes of muted and familiar voices, he arrived at the bottom of a high mountain. He saw no top. Nothing really concerning. Usopp followed once more the path as it led him behind the mountain, in front of the sea he deeply missed. But he could only find carcasses of ships, torn apart pirate flags, and… To his dismay, the landscape changed.

He stood on an island. There were trees surrounding a deserted city in ruins, traces of its history were hidden by the shadows he couldn't even approach. As he passed through the city, he heard old melodies of his childhood, familiar voices singing as if he were back in his old bed listening to his relatives before going to sleep. But he was no child anymore. He never had the chance to be truly himself. Never let them see you, his mother had often said. Usopp arrived in the solo building still standing. Cobwebs in every corner, there were stacks of books, and he could hardly pass. As he walked into the darkness, he heard numb voices calling him further. He didn't stop, and he didn't think he could even stop, as his body moved forward. Usopp entered a large room in which he could see his mother standing and chanting. He slowly approached her trying to hear her words, but nothing. No words escaped her mouth. And… He groaned as the dream changed.

The smell of Grandline hit him. He was sitting on a familiar bench under the mat. He could see a green-haired young man sleeping with empty bottles of rum, his three swords at his side. A reindeer was playing badly at a game of hide and seek with a dark-haired pirate wearing a straw-hat. A redhead was sunbathing while a woman of a certain age was reading. Near the railings, there was a blond-haired man staring at the endless sea. Music flowed through his dream, interrupting his observation. A skeleton was standing beside him, he played violin well. Another person, wearing nothing but a slip, was working on things Usopp couldn't even see. His crew looked unchanged. But nobody seemed to perceive his presence. He could not move as much as he wanted to do so, he could only be the silent spectator. Nevertheless, the young man found himself smiling at the scene. He deeply missed them and wished to see them again.

"You are the dream walker I've been searching for years."

His friends disappeared as he found himself standing in the middle of a palace. There was a person; he was a tall man wearing a long black coat descending to his heels. He had a mask on his face, it looked like a mask of a plague doctor. A raven, commonly mistaken with a crow, was perched on his right shoulder.

"Who are you?" Usopp asked as he almost fell into a battle stance.

"My name is not important for you, dream walker. You are born with a particular ability that could kill you if not controlled." The stranger answered without really giving an answer.

The pirate resigned himself. Dream or nightmare folks never talked about themselves, they always pulled him in dreams and nightmares.

"It seems you're… Next time, we will talk…" And the dream disappeared.

He opened his eyes. He sat up on his bed as he ignored Nana's worried voice washing over him. Usopp had explanations to give, perhaps a lie would benefit him better than the truth. As if someone would ever believe him. And he had to never reveal himself. As he properly woke up, several people entered his room, looking worryingly at him.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." He repeated as he stood up, but he staggered. He grabbed the nearest furniture to stabilize his position.

"You are not well, Anton." Kensuke's cold and stern voice resonated through his bedroom.

"I'm fine! Leave me the fuck alone!" Usopp said, glaring at the people — some of them were doctors — as he made his way to the bathroom.

"You slept for one week!" Nana's voice was full of despair and full of incomprehension.

It's not the worst. Usopp turned towards the group, glancing at all the people showing signs of worry. "It's an incurable sickness. It's not deadly, do not worry."

And he closed the door behind him. He put music to drown the voices of the others as he turned on the tab.


Yamada Tsunayoshi, solo child of Yamada Nanako, Vongola heir. Former bullied kid, has been homeschooled since the arrival of his tutor — hired by his mother — and bodyguard — sent at the demand of Vongola Ninth.

It was the minimal information he had gotten from the Vongola Ninth, the person who had hired him for preparing his heir to take the mantle. Reborn felt like he was missing information. The file from CEDEF didn't help at all, it was full of bullshit, and it made him wonder how Sawada was still head of the branch with its incompetence. It seemed that the idiot and Yamada Nanako had never married, their relationship was non-existent, therefore it suggested a one-night stand. He didn't like beginning a mission without information. He needed every element in mind before planning. For that reason, he would observe his student — and his tutor in mundane but essential courses — in order to plan a course of actions. Reborn had only taught one person, and it was an heir that had lived all his life in the Underworld. Consequently, he could not act the same way.

"Reborn, what a pleasure to see you." Viper appeared behind him. "Are you looking for Skull?"

The Sun Arcobaleno looked at his fellow Arcobaleno and shook his head. "I don't have to see the lackey."

"Do not call him that horrible nickname." Viper hissed as he always had a liking to the Cloud Arcobaleno.

Reborn didn't respond. Instead, he asked for information on his new student. The Mist Varia Officer looked at him with surprise before demanding a payment. Rolling his eyes, Reborn took his phone and transferred one thousand euro to his friend.

"We discovered a while back that the heir was under danger because of rivals searching for a way to make Vongola crumble, so we sent one of ours to protect him. He now acts as his tutor. He did more than anyone had done in the past. Somehow, he succeeded in unsealing both Yamadas. Their seals were slowly leading them to their death. A painful one. As far as I know, they're still healing. Skodde is homeschooling the heir because of the toxic environment of Namimori as a whole." Viper told him in one breath.

"Anything else?" Reborn asked, his current plan had not changed with the new information. He would make his own opinion.

"I have the feeling you want to find it yourself. Be aware, I'll come by to check on my subordinate." And with a dark chuckle, the assassin disappeared in the mist.

Then, he booked a flight to Tokyo. He left Italy that evening, slept through the whole journey on a plane, and arrived in the capital of Japan. Reborn, using a particular amulet made by Viper, could pass as an adult — as his child form often caused problems — and asked for a taxi. The Japanese worker drove him to Nami, a town located on the coast side. He stayed in an inn for two whole days then he embarked on a ship to the Japanese island not far away from Nami, on which Namimori had been built eight hundred years ago.

Reborn decided not to approach the Yamadas for the first week. His new student wasn't going to any schools of the island, proving Viper's information. He didn't get the chance to have a glimpse of the teenager until the end of week, he saw a young and yet broken sky spending time with two friends and bonded guardians. Which was a good thing. The man frowned, wondering if calling someone to Namimori would be a good idea as the town seemed to be under reformed. And that person was too impulsive. In the end, he decided against it.

Tsunayoshi had two full-bonded guardians and friends. The first one was usually the hardest element to get, a cloud. He was older than Tsunayoshi or the female mist. He was part of the Hibari clan, a clan governing over Namimori. The second guardian was a mist fostered by the Hibaris as her parents had been deemed unfit. The tutor, Anton, was stronger than expected. It wasn't a bad thing. But there was no information on the man. The assassin was a good tutor, Tsunayoshi's knowledge had improved in the span of several months. The teenager seemed better than in the rare photos he had gotten his hands on.

"You're the other tutor." The man was standing in front of the house, or perhaps a manor as it seemed to get larger as he approached it. Reborn took a good look at the man.

Tall, curly black hair, black eyes. The description matched.

"Let's go inside. We were waiting for you."