Chapter Seventy-Four
(Day Forty-Five: Old World)
"I feel like a ghost." Tsuna said with a wrinkle of distaste on his nose. "Why do I have to wear white again?"
"Because it's the representation of your soul." Kawahira answered.
"Oh." Aeturnus blurted before humming in contemplation. "Maybe that's the reason why Papa wore black when he died."
Tsuna laughed while the others stared at his son in morbid horror. It's the day he's going back. Kawahira is there to assist him while all members of the family are present to see him off. They're crowding around his precious garden. Aeturnus suggested it that morning since it is his garden in the first place. He shrugged and agreed, not that he can think of a place he can disappear from.
Ever since they cried, Tsuna noticed how Aeturnus became lax. Even Xelena noticed it. What made it more prominent is when Aeturnus started to call him Dad in public. Now he knows why Shouta splutter and go all blushing mess the first few times he called him 'Dad'. It was awfully heart fluttering and heart warming that he cried a little. Aeturnus teased him about it, but he couldn't help it. And if he was that surprised and flattered, what more of his guardians who gaped at them.
But honestly, he'll miss everything again. The castle, his family, the craziness and Aeturnus. He's just so glad that Shoichi is still alive and was able to get a capture of the whole family including him. They were adamant on taking a picture with him. All of them took copies to put in their offices and photo albums. He even asked Aeturnus a selfie. He edited it and put it as the young man's lockscreen so everytime Aeturnus opens his phone, he'll be greeted by a smile.
"The time is nearing." Yuni sighed with her eyes closed.
"Don't dread it." He waved off as he stood by the red roses. "This is far more nicer than dying without saying goodbye and only some of you saw me go."
"You're always too optimistic." Xanxus huffed, causing a bout of snickers from the Varia and others.
"At least someone is optimistic." Noren, Xanxus's wife, rebutted and the two glared at each other.
"Oh my. Tsuna-kun can really put people together." Kyoko giggled with Haru, Ipin and Chrome while Hana smiled.
"Oi oi. Don't give me all the credits." He chided before going down to a crouch as Nana ran towards him. "Hi Nana-chan."
"You're going?" The child questioned in a somber tone. It entirely changed the light air to a sullen one.
Tsuna took a deep breath before smiling understandingly. "Nana-chan, you're a sun, right?"
"Yes." The girl replied with a curious gaze on him.
"And they're all elements excepts for Xelena-nii and Xanxus-oji-san, right?"
Caramel eyes glanced back to the others before nodding. "Yes."
"In my new world, heroes and villains exist." He took Nana's hands, cradled them between his own and let his flame lit. Not bonding, just dancing. He stared at those eyes that almost (almost) reflect his. "Every country has their own villains and heroes. Every place has their own kind of tragedy in there. People get injuried, die and loses hope. I'm the only vigilante that envisions to keep everyone safe. But I couldn't do that when I'm restricted in one place. So I named myself the Encompassing Sky."
"Encompassing Sky." Nana repeated, blinking.
He nodded. "The sky is always there. Be it when the sun goes down and the night comes or when the sun rises and the day stretches. The sky, in wherever places, is there. And I want to be the sky that gives hope, assurance and safety. That even if you're feeling down, out of breath or in danger, when you look up to the sky or just think of the sky with its ever lasting layers, vast reaches and bluish color with trinkets of clouds, you'll feel that everything will be alright. So when you miss me, think of me as the sky. The sky that hugs you to be okay and be jolly. The sky that saw how you enjoyed our visit to the zoo, and played with you in your games and thought of you, all of you, as his own. Alright, Nana-chan?"
Tsuna caught the child to his arms as the other hugged him so tight with tears. He hugged back, smiling sadly. Yeah. He'll miss them too.
"Tsuna-kun." He looked up to Yuni who smiled. "It's time."
"Come here, Nana." Aeturnus called, taking Nana in his arms.
The brunet stood up and looked at his family. From Dino, to Enma, Byakuran, Yuni, Kawahira, his guardians and his son with the reincarnation of his mother. "This might be the last time I will see you in person. Probably the last time I'll be here in this world. Promise me you'll always come home here, yeah? Remember all of Reborn's teachings and craziness. Always do everything with our Dying Wills." Then he straightened up and bowed. "Thank you. For everything."
Tsuna straightened his posture as he felt himself disappearing. He took some steps forward to see Nana and Aeturnus. Especially Aeturnus. He could see the stiff posture and the trembling hands, not from the child's weight in his arms. As if knowing what's happening, Lambo took his daughter away. The brunet flashed a grateful smile to his ex-lightning before cupping his son's cheeks with his hands. Aeturnus leaned on them, basked on them. Tsuna let his sky flames wonder around the sun ones. He filled them with so much warmth.
"I love you, Aetu." He whispered.
Grey eyes stared at him, studying him. "I know."
"You know, you have the family." He can't resist supplying, knowing how bright the child he nurtured. The child who looked up to him with so much intelligence since he was a baby. "Ask the right people, have the good amount of patience and you'll have what you want."
Grey eyes stared at him in curiosity.
Tsuna sighed as he can feel his flames snuffing. He pulled his son's down and kissed the offered forehead. "Take care of yourself, and I'll see you soon."
The last thing he saw was Aeturnus' grey eyes wide in realization.
(Day Forty-Five: New World)
"Is this really okay, Reborn?" The brunet asked him with waves of anxiety radiating from him. The usual bright caramel are little dim. "I-I just..."
"It will be fine, Dame-Tsuna." He assured, adding the usual nickname for a good measure. "You know you're the only one who could pull off a crazy plan like this."
"It's just that I'll be missing a lot of people if it doesn't work. I don't want to lose Twice, Nemuri-nee and Dad. Especially Dad."
Reborn sighed, earning a flinch from his endearingly stupid student, before reaching out and gave a strong flick on the forehead. A loud 'ow' came out of Tsuna's mouth. "What have you been doing since you started this plan, Idiot?"
"Uh scheme?" The brunet answered unsurely.
"With what?" He pressed.
Caramel eyes blinked before they flashed orange. "With my Dying Will."
"There you go." He smirked before resting back to the flush seat his perched at, just beside Tsuna.
It has been three months since Tsuna listened to Nighteye's prediction about his future. The brunet has been silent about it for three weeks before he came with and started to voice his plans. Reborn listened thoroughly and noted all the points that is needed to be acknowledged.
First of, they needed to persuade Verde to make something that can condense flames into small balls. The mad scientist got intrigued with the notion after Tsuna explained to him that they did the same thing back in the past. In the past, they were candies. In here, Tsuna wants those balls to react due to desperation and resilience. As it interested Verde, his minions that composed of Shoichi Irie, Hayato Gokudera, Spanner and Gianini got into work for the machine. Tsuna volunteered himself for the flames, lacking lightning and cloud. He gave the right amount to those he deems needed it.
Second, they needed to pre-assemble the people Tsuna needed for the plan before they brief them of what to come. Both of them don't have any idea what really happened during that time, so the best case scenario is be prepared. With the fact that Nighteye only caught glimpses of what happened, it's a plausible thing to do.
And third, slowly do the plan. Reborn, regardless of how opposed his little sky is to the notion, already scoured the brunet's tight circle to see if there are any good elements. There are some, but the most problematic conclusion is the fact that Tsuna has two storm in the villains' section. However, what he saw when they last visited, Tsuna has the two in control, probably with enough influence to sway them if he wants. Yet knowing how his 'son' works, he knows it will be a last resort. Hell, even this plan of Reborn's is a last resort. An endeavor to keep his family safe.
Right now, he and Tsuna are in a hotel room, rented for a day. It was for a meeting for those people Tsuna deemed needed the protection. Especially those who can still be saved. He craned his neck languidly to the door when it opened and the Arcobaleno came in with their usual noise. Colonnello was the first one to give them a smile as he made a beeline and sat on the couch in front of them. He was followed by others. The only ones missing are Aria and Yuni, but Gamma is there to be their representative. The man knew enough what kind of request the brunet wants. If... They know how much Tsuna wants to keep their freedom warrant free.
"It's good to see you again." Tsuna greeted with his warm smile.
"Same here." Skull quipped back, own lips forming a small smile before they became a little strain. "Are you okay though, Tsunayoshi? You're extremely pale."
Tsuna chuckled, probably remembering Ryohei with his usual catchphrase. "I'm fine. Just exhausted. Not that Reborn doesn't keep me updated, but how's life?"
They talked a little. He even took the room service as they talk about funny things. In Reborn's mind, he can't help shaking his head fondly with how good Tsuna had became in making people relax around him. It's Tsuna's trait. Something he rarely exploit and comes naturally since he stepped on the mantle. Dons and Donnas will be so comfortable that they spill everything even without Tsuna asking.
"Now let's get down to business." Tsuna mentioned as he put his tea cup down to the table. He eyed the people in front him before sighing. "I know Reborn had briefed you of my problem and I'm personally asking for your help. According to the future that an acquaintance of mine saw, the heroes will raid the hospital that is trusted by the League of Villain. In that day, some of my loved ones will die."
Reborn watched their varied expression.
"With Reborn's communication to insects, we were able to scout the hospital's facilities and capability. But all I want you to do is keep an eye out for the people I will mention." Tsuna continued.
"Wait." Skull voiced, a little taken back. "You sound like you're not going to participate."
Tsuna grimaced, glancing up to him before nodding in confirmation. "I can't participate because I will wake up that day after a month and a half coma."
"What?!"
"My flames-" Tsuna put a hand on his chest and sighed. "-are eating me. It's growing smaller with every flames I use. I suspect it's the lack of bond on my part since as they said it, the sky is what balances the elements and the elements balance the sky."
"Then why don't you?" Viper questioned. "You have a lot in your disposal."
"I can't pull more people in my troubles." Tsuna relied and put a hand on Reborn's knee as if to assure. "Back in my old life, I pulled civilians to mafia and made them leave their lives. And regardless the deaths, there's a positive outcome in this future that I want to see. It will change a lot of people, but I just want to tweak a little in order for us to at least minimize the casualties." Caramel eyes surveyed them. "I'm asking you a lot, probably exposing you to danger that is beyond of our control. I am even asking you to become vigilantes, but it's all I could do to help them."
"No problem, Tsunayoshi." Fon smiled with his hands cupping his cup of tea. "I will help."
"We all will." Lal nodded in a determined cool. "Just give us the instruction and we will follow."
Tsuna smiled widely. "Thank you."
Reborn dragged the chair closer to the bed and sat there with a sigh. He crossed his legs and stared at his slumbering student. He can feel the slowly building sky flames in the room. Man. He'll just know he'll keel once Tsuna wakes up and the bonds get enforced and reciprocated. Given how powerful it is now even if it at small dosage, it will be hard for them to take it on without fainting.
*zzzt*
"They're moving in, over." Viper's voice resounded from the earpiece on his left ear.
"In position, over." Lal informed.
"In position, over." Colonnello confirmed.
"We are half way in evacuating the civilians from the hospital, - We have to go! There's trouble in there! - You're a civilian! - I'm a friend of- - over" Fon confirmed with Skull shouting at the background.
"I'm already sending out the robots in case. The trucks are on the way, over." Verde said on his side.
"We are helping the heroes evacuate the civilians at the moment, over." Gamma reported.
Reborn sighed before pressing the button. "Good. Keep in touch. Move if anything bad happens. You know when."
"Roger." All of them answered.
"Over and out." He said before leaning back.
It's already starting. The raid they're anticipating. The mission of the Arcobaleno is pretty simple. Gamma, Fon and Skull will help the evacuation to lessen the burden and the casualties. The civilians are knowledgeable enough to not be stubborn for their own sakes. With Gamma's leadership, Fon's calming presence and Skull's entertaining quirk, they could do it. Verde will help with his robots. There are trucks with Giglio Nero's men driving them and are stationed to take civilians away. There will be other robots with thermal scans that will help save the trapped civilians if ever something happens. It is programmed to get the nearest hero and give direction to where the breathing life is, all controlled by his four assistants. Good thing Verde's quirk is a little like Nezu, but more on the scientific side.
Colonnello's mission is to keep an eye on Aizawa. The brunet especially put the Rain Arcobaleno there for his far sight three-sixty quirk. He could see all sides and angle, and is perfect to be a back up with how good of a sharpshooter he is. Tsuna speculated that if they wake up Shigaraki, his Dad will really be there to help the other heroes to subdue the villain since his quirk is majestically 'troublesome'. There is also a projection that once Shigaraki wakes up, he will search for the inheritor of One for All, which is Midoriya. Tsuna didn't say it, but Reborn was able to piece that the greenet is a self-sacrificing idiot. Add the fact that there is a Bakugou trying to amend his past doing to his childhood friend and wanting to prove himself, he will be there to at least show off (more of help). Then there will be Endeavor and Todoroki. The least Colonnello can do is keep Aizawa out of permanent harm's way. Reborn did ensure that the pendant Tsuna made with his mist flames and filled up with his own colorful flames is on the hero's neck. The least it can do is to heal up wounds.
Lal's mission is to ensure that Midnight will live. It is suited since her quirk is her infinite arsenal of weapons, and the fact that she is a military trained woman. From what Nighteye said, the heroine died out of being outnumbered by villains. Tsuna and him soured at that and typically uttered 'cowards'. She was one of those people the seer saw Tsuna attending the funeral. As much as Tsuna doesn't want to intervene in the future, he can't help wanting to be selfish. And Reborn deems it fine. It's not like Tsuna is selfish everyday. It's good for his student.
Viper, on the other hand, is tasked to save as many heroes as she could. Her veil quirk can move and transport people three towns away. She doesn't need to be on the site, just as long as she knows the layout of the building. It is to minimize the society damage. Tsuna and him won't be paying anything since Viper had established that this is her kind of payment to the brunet for freeing her from their curse. Tsuna took it.
Now, his job is to regulate as he waits for Tsuna to wake up. Their task is to heal as many people as possible. Tsuna will risk it and will stretch his influence under Recovery Girl's name. No one said Tsuna didn't help Chiyo in the clinic in his free time. For Reborn though, who is he to defy his boss's order? In whatever world, as long as his Tsuna is there, he'll follow him to the very end.
Taking hold of Tsuna's hand, he gripped it. "Wake up already, dummy. We need you here." He sighed.
(Sky flames rebuild: Eighty percent)
(His flames started to protect.)
The moment Twice saw Hawks aiming to kill him with his feathers and Dabi has no time to react, his will became desperate. His magnetic earring twinkled before it glowed with a mix of indigo and orange brightly. Twice felt the warm before he felt the world go slow.
He blinked his eyes on Hawks, who is swinging so slow. Then he felt a pull. His brain started to instruct him of what to do. He let himself fall from the floor and watched as something akin to him remained in his spot. With a quick maneuver, he was able to land safely and went for hiding. He spied what happened. The 'him' in there got slashed and blood rain down before Hawks' wings got burned by Dabi. His brows furrowed as he thought of what happened.
How the hell?
Then slowly, he felt good. He looked down to his body to see it glowing yellow. His aches started to go away, like that one time Tsuna healed all of them with the same flame colo- Oh wait! Tsuna! Now he remembered. Dabi once talked to him about the colorful balls that the brunet gave them. They were variation of Tsuna's flames, 'so far', as Dabi stated. If he remembered right, indigo for illusion and yellow for healing. Dabi didn't give him any of the balls because he has the earring already. He didn't know what that meant, but he accepted anyway since Tsuna gave it to him.
Then he made a thinking face. What do he do now? Join the battle? His clone already saved Toga and vanished. His gut is telling him to hide so he can help later. Maybe he should make a clone later to inform Toga that he's okay. He nodded to himself as he turned around. He needs to hide and make arrangements on how he can help later. Surely, they'll have troubles once everything ends.
(The earring glowed orange and blue.)
'Look out for the green head.' He remembered his sempai instructing him. 'He's Tsuna's lightning. A little brother in a sense. He's mostly the target. I want you to encourage him.'
"Just say the right words, he says." Skull mumbled to himself as he watched all of the people ran towards the safe place and away from the mountains where the hospital is.
Skull had it hard. His team mainly. The heroes are hard to convince. They even had some shouting that Fon had to mediate. Good thing Reborn had a solution. Mention Vongola Decimo and Tsuna's name. The moment they said it and they're vigilantes allied with Tsuna, the heroes' faces lit up and never dallied. They moved as fast as they could, moderated the traffic and made the people within the three kilometer perimeter of the hospital start to evacuate. The influence of saying 'Tsuna thinks...' was so great and wide that they listened. Verde's truck was pretty useful too.
Apparently, the brunet's name is so widespread. If he was a literal hero, Tsuna would've been one of the top ten heroes for his approval rating specializing in Disaster Risk and Reduction Management. Skull couldn't really believe it that the greatest sky's intuition is so powerful that he could detect anything underneath the rubble. It's the reason why they believed them. Tsuna's priority is always the civilians.
Purple eyes went to a certain green head who is staring at the mountains. The people are already running. There only a small amount of people they needed to evacuate. So he approached.
"You're Izuku Midoriya, right?" He greeted, gaining a pair of electric green eyes.
"Yes. How may I help you?" Midoriya questioned.
Skull looked over the hospital then down to the kid. "I'm a friend of Tsuna."
Green eyes widened.
"He kinda knew something like this will happen so he sent us here. He's going to wake up today so," Skull cringed a little. "do the right thing and do it with your Dying Will."
Midoriya blinked before smiling widely. "Thank you, Sir."
"Skull is fine." He smiled before turning serious again. "Don't put yourself in harm's way though. Of what I know from Reborn-sempai, Tsuna is a ugly griever. He cries for days."
The greenet paled a little before laughing. "I'll do my best."
Skull nodded. "See you later." And he escaped.
Just then, the mountain went to dust. Skull's mouth opened and he screamed at them to run so loudly that it was heard miles away. God. He is so happy he had an entertainment quirk with so much variables.
*zzzt*
"Incoming!" Colonnello shouted with some rustles.
"Don't fucking die, Idiot!" Lal bit back.
"I won't!"
"Viper!" Reborn's tenor called.
"I got most of them out. The TV crew too and that Washing machine guy." Viper reported. "You are so lucky I have Tsunayoshi's sky flame balls. This is fucking insane."
Skull yelled louder for the civilians to run more. With the help of Midoriya and Todoroki, Tsuna's mist, they were able to stop most of the crumbling. He can hear the others talking in the earpiece. Skull couldn't careless as a vehicle came and a girl with long brown hair and wearing the variation of the Pussycat heroes' costume. She started to direct others where to find the civilians under the rubble. Skull approached.
If he could do much with his quirk, become a hero as a vigilante just for a while, why not? He was dragged to mafia and became a baby for decades. He can be a hero now. The amazing Skull de Mort.
"I'm Skull." He introduced himself to the lady. "I'm a friend of Tsunayoshi Sawada and we're here to help in his behalf. Please instruct me what to do."
"Okay." The lady nodded. "I'm Ragdoll. I'll use your full capacity as a help. Thank you."
Skull smiled.
Shouta felt almost as helpless as he was when Shirakumo died. It didn't help that Crust, the number six hero, kept him alive. Well, almost. The pendant inside his shirt is so warm, it can almost burn his skin. When he looked down while being assisted by Rock Lock and Manual, he can see all of them lighting up. The flames have minds of their own, like programmed to do stuffs for him. He can feel his injured leg healing up with a tingle, slowly snapping into places. He can't even feel the pain because of the rain flames. He even saw the Nomu's hand that took hold of his leg disintegrate with storm flames, much faster than Shigaraki's when he felt the first spike of hurt. And right now, he feels so calm, like the calm he feels whenever he's with Tsuna.
And as Shigaraki comes for him, Rock Lock going in front of him to at least defend him, he can't help grinning madly. He can't help remembering Reborn's remark on him this morning. How troublesome his quirk is, which makes villains want to eliminate him first. Even Tsuna said the same thing. How fitting.
Don't get him wrong. He's not ready to die. He has priorities to think of. He has a class to teach and watch them graduate. Two of his students are there in the battlefield with them, with Midoriya as the 'target' from what he gathered. There's also Eri. Reborn will kill him, with Mic. And Tsuna. His precious son who will anticipate him later to be there since he's going to wake up. He rather die in Tsuna's suffocating hugs than here.
Brandishing his knife out of its hiding, he anticipated Shigaraki's approach. The villain dodged Rock Lock. His grin widened, taking the other by surprise.
"Not this time, Shigaraki." He uttered, just as Midoriya came flying in and pushing the villain away with Bakugou in tow.
'If you trust Tsuna, trust your fellow elements.' Reborn said to him that morning before he departed. Onyx eyes were glinting with the lights. 'They maybe kids, but they experienced far worse. Do not underestimate how you raised your brand of problem children, Aizawa. You are also a problem child to us.'
"Spoken like an old man." He mused as he kept his eyes on Shigaraki.