Now that Vero learned how to guard more efficiently against sword attacks from Yamamoto, got even stronger by training with Hibari, and was able to open his box animal with the help of Gokudera, it was then Ryohei's turn.
His training seemed normal enough from the start as the young Cavallone boss was asked to meet him on the floor he normally sparred with Hibari on. Upon entering the blonde found the sun guardian standing in the middle of the room, throwing straight punches while he waited.
"Hey, Vero!" The white haired male stopped to greet him when he noticed him. "You ready for my training?"
"Yes as you would say, 'to the extreme'." The young Cavallone boss answered, eager to get started. "Am I going to spar with you too, or are you going to teach me hand to hand combat?"
"Nah. I'll be teaching you a technique I learned when I was younger. I thought you might find it useful if you're able to execute it." Ryohei explained before unexpectedly laying down on the floor. "Join me."
Vero hesitated, then did as his mentor said and laid down next to him. After a moment of silence he slowly asked, "So…what exactly is this technique?"
"You lay still for a while to build up the energy, then let it go in one powerful shot! It's the Maximum Cannon!" The sun guardian paused and knowing how clueless and concerned his student was he continued. "Don't worry. Just give me a bit and I'll show you. It might take a few days for you so I took the liberty to ask Hibari if I could take up all the training up until your final test. Funny he agreed to it so easily, saying it was one less burden for him to worry about."
"That…definitely sounds like something he'd say…" the young Cavallone boss mused before the two ultimately laid in silence.
Because Ryohei had grown and matured, it only took a few hours of rest before he got up to demonstrate what he had been talking about earlier.
Vero was impressed by the payoff that resulted from his mentor simply laying still, and put a bit more effort into his own buildup. When he had spent at least a day and a half resting he tried the attack himself. It wasn't quite as strong but the method of preserving his energy by resting was one he would definitely be using again.
And so the young Cavallone boss spent the next few days charging up to refine his attack in preparation for his final test.
-o-
Soon the day came, and Vero felt like he was more than ready.
For his final test he was told to meet Tsuna and his guardians in a different training room. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator the only person he saw standing in the middle of it was Tsuna. He had his Vongola X Gloves on, looking quite imposing and formidable.
Vero looked around and then asked, "Where is everyone else? I was told they'd be here to observe."
"They are. They'll be watching us from the observation room." The Vongola boss answered. "Are you ready for my test?"
"Yes." The young Cavallone boss responded with determination.
Tsuna smirked after hearing his answer, igniting his gloves and adopting his fighting stance. "Then, let's see how you've grown."
Vero followed suit with his tonfa at the ready but paused after realizing something. "Wait," he said. "What do I have to do to pass your test?"
"Ah right, almost forgot. To pass, all you have to do is land one single hit on me."
The young Cavallone boss gazed incredulously at the man standing before him. "That seems almost too easy for a final test."
"I would save my assumptions for later if I were you."
With no warning Tsuna used his flames to propel him swiftly towards Vero, then used the momentum to throw a punch at him.
The blonde was shocked at the Vongola boss' speed but he stayed alert as he dodged out of the way. He then took his chance and made a quick counter, but it was blocked by the brunette as he used his surprisingly strong reinforced cape to shield himself with it.
After a successful block Tsuna stepped things up and started using more powerful attacks. Vero quickly reciprocated by extending the cable whips from his tonfa and coating them with sky flames before swinging them at his opponent constantly.
As soon as he had paused to regain some energy in order to prepare for a second barrage his opponent commented with, "I see you've gained quite a bit of strength in training with my friends."
"And I've still got more to show you!" The young Cavallone boss stated in reply with a determined smirk as he prepared to attack again. "Take this!"
He then wound up and used his reserved energy to hit Tsuna with a Maximum Cannon. Unfortunately it missed and hit the wall instead as the Vongola boss dodged it quite easily. That was the only time he could use that move but Vero didn't give up there as he continued to fight back in earnest.
For a while the battle seemed to be at a stalemate as the two bosses matched each other, blow for blow. Vero tried to gain the upper hand with his opponent but Tsuna was just too elusive and strong to land any attacks on.
Finally the Vongola boss had decided it was time to resort to his X Burner, for he had gotten into position in midair. As far as the young Cavallone boss could remember, his opponent had to charge his attack but that wasnt the case this time because he was using his box animal Natsu to forgo the need to do so.
Upon seeing him in Cambio Forma Modo Attacko Vero realized he needed to act fast. He quickly opened his own box and let Ciro out.
'I know I've used most of my reserved energy for my Maximum Cannon…' he thought while gazing at his patiently waiting phoenix partner. 'But I might be able to push out one more with the help of Ciro like Tsuna's doing with his box animal.'
"You trust me, right?" He asked and the regal bird nodded in response. "Let's take him on then."
It was a bit of a risk but the young Cavallone took it head on, combining Ciro with his Maximum Cannon and launching it towards Tsuna. It was a rather weak attack but his box animal made up for that as it only needed a small boost to reach his opponent fast enough before he could release his X Burner.
For a while Ciro struggled against the flow of the sky flames then shot from the X Burner but he managed to increase his momentum just enough to cut through to Tsuna. The Vongola boss quickly dodged just as the mythical bird reached him and he streaked right by and exploded into a burst of flames. The explosion caught the brunette by surprise and knocked him back.
Vero watched this happen with utter confusion and as the two airborne figures fell to the ground he chose to catch the remaining embers of his box animal. Luckily he was quick enough to do so, and found that Ciro had in fact reverted back to a weaker infant form of himself.
"Facing the X Burner must've taken a lot out of you," Vero muttered apologetically. "I'm sorry."
Ciro chirped tiredly in response so the young Cavallone boss allowed him back in his box before finally turning to his opponent. Unfortunately after that explosion Ciro risked his life for Tsuna was left largely unscathed.
The blonde responded to this sight by slowly readopting a guarded stance but quickly found that it was unnecessary to do so, because the Vongola boss' shirt sleeve split open, revealing a fresh wound on his arm.
Tsuna noticed this himself, then smiled at Vero proudly while saying, "Congratulations Vero, you've-."
"Sorry to interrupt, Juudaime but we've just received an urgent message." Gokudera announced urgently over the room's intercom. "It's…from China."
Upon hearing this concerning news, the bosses exchanged intensely worrying gazes and then met the others in the communications room. Once there they authorized the connection and none other than Antonio popped up on the monitor.
"Good to finally be able to hear from you, Antonio." Tsuna started, already in full serious mode. "How is everything over there?"
"It's…more calm but honestly no better than when I'd first arrived." The pseudo Mezzanotte boss replied. "Nero absolutely ravaged this place before leaving but thankfully no one was really hurt. Thanks for sending over some of your men too. They were a real help."
The Vongola boss nodded in response before Vero stepped forward.
"Do you know…where Nero is now?" He asked tentatively.
The man on the monitor hesitated for a minute and looked quite grave when answering. "That is the reason I've made contact with you. I…believe someone may have tipped him off on your origins and recent movements so he's probably on his way to Japan as we speak."
"Damn!" The young Cavallone boss exclaimed in response, looking irritated and upset.
The others were a bit worried and shocked but ultimately kept calm.
Gokudera now stepped forward and asked, "How long ago did Nero leave China?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but my sources say it won't be too long before he touches down in Japan." Antonio replied. "It's a bit risky to continue so I'll end our call here and contact you again when it's safer."
As soon as he finished he hung up and once it had gone quiet Vero softly uttered, "I'm…sorry."
"What are you sorry for?" Tsuna asked in response. "You said so yourself that Nero would possibly end up coming for you and now you're prepared for it."
"I know, but he might end up destroying your base because you're all affiliated with me." The blonde argued.
"And? We all knew very well that would be happening when we agreed to help you." Gokudera responded with a somewhat strict tone this time.
"Since the day you walked in we've been strengthening our defenses to prepare for Nero's arrival to the extreme too!" Ryohei added confidently.
Vero still looked unsure so Tsuna attempted to reassure him by saying, "Don't worry. We've prepared for every eventuality. You just get some rest. You look like you need it."
The young Cavallone boss nodded slowly, but was still quit worried that once Nero found the Vongola base he wouldn't be stopped until he killed him. He quickly pushed those feelings away, hoping beyond hope that he was strong enough to end this…for his mother…and her family too…