BATTLE OF THE SUCCESSORS – EXCITEMENT
The Cloud Battlefield
The cloud battlefield was simple in nature, a large open field darkened due to the clouds that formed around the mountain. The grass was in poor condition, the lack of sunlight clearly had an effect on the growth. These conditions were perfect for an all-out fight between powerhouses which is exactly what is required of a cloud guardian battle.
Once again Bana had brought a familiar face to the battle, unlike previous times no psychological hindrance was caused. Hibari Kyoya wouldn't have cared even if he had to fight against Tsuna himself, he only wanted to enjoy the fight and he intended to do exactly that. His opponent stood directly opposite him sharing his eager smile, this man was Lancia.
"It's not very often someone excites me for a battle, you are one of the few" compliments Hibari. He has only met Lancia on one occasion, after the first ring conflict between Tsuna and Xanxus but that one meeting was enough to teach Hibari that Lancia was strong.
"I will offer you the same praise Hibari Kyoya" returns Lancia. He wields his steel serpent ball as he always has done, a deadly looking weapon that would make any normal man flee in terror. Lancia's training with this weapon is the reason he is revered as the strongest man in northern Italy.
"That's why I am going to go all out from the beginning" he continues as the steel serpent ball begins to condense. With the exception of Bana everyone present is surprised by this act, it's not something that they have seen Lancia do before, increasing the density.
"Oh… condensing it to increase the force with which it impacts" Hibari notes with mock surprise. Showing fear is not something Hibari would do in this situation, or any situation. If the circumstances screamed that Hibari was going to die, Tsuna's cloud guardian would still walk forward with a smile on his face.
Lancia swings the steel serpent ball at Hibari eliciting a block from one of Hibari's tonfas. The block however is ineffective, Hibari's eyes widen as he realises just how strong this attack from Lancia is. Lancia notes Hibari's reaction before increasing the force which he is using, driving Hibari back into the ground.
Hibari takes a moment to refocus himself, noting that dirt has accumulated behind him as he was dragged through the field. Picking himself up Hibari looks at Lancia and lets out a small laugh.
Lancia returns a smile, sharing Hibari's enjoyment of this so far brief fight. The onlookers watch as if Hibari and Lancia are speaking their own language. 'They are speaking their own language' Tsuna thinks to himself, 'a language only understood by those who love to fight'.
"It's been such a long time since I was so excited for a fight" comments Hibari, "Let's do this, if you are going to go all out I really should too, wouldn't you agree".
"Yeah" replies Lancia, waiting patiently to see just how strong the policeman had become in the last five years.
"Then here I go".
Hibari ran straight at Lancia, his running speed unremarkable when compared to the likes of Lambo and Yamamoto but still far quicker than most professional athletes. Lancia was unperturbed by his incoming opponent and swung the steel serpent ball at Hibari once again.
Hibari had expected the incoming attack this time, he leaped into the air above the moving ball and stabbed one of his tonfas through the chain and into the ground, preventing free movement. Hibari threw the other tonfa towards Lancia's head.
Lancia rolled away from the incoming projectile only to have Hibari land right in front of him. Another pair tonfas had appeared in Hibari's hands, 'when did he get those' questions Lancia before he is hit square in the face with one of the weapons.
This time it is Lancia who tumbles backwards, collecting the fields dirt on the back of his previously well-kept suit. Much like Hibari though, Lancia didn't frown but smiled as he got back to his feet, "I'm sorry, I haven't been honest with you" he apologised.
"I was far from going all out" informs the Italian as five condensed steel serpent balls appear above his head, floating in a pentagonal formation. Each ball is covered in purple flames, a clear indication of the cloud attribute present in the flame.
"This is my true power" he explains as he points his finger at Hibari. As if following its masters finger, the first of the five balls flies towards Hibari with great speed. Hibari rolls to the side, just about dodging this attack but he is unable to dodge when the second ball is sent in his direction.
Hibari doesn't get knocked backwards when he is hit by the second ball, he falls to one knee holding his now broken ribs. The smile Hibari was previously wearing has disappeared now, only to be replaced by a frown that was known for intimidating his friends back in Namimori middle school.
"I hoped not to have to use this" he comments, "Of course I was being naïve… things are getting very… exciting" he says as his wide eyed smile returns. Suddenly two new tonfas appear in his hands. These new weapons are entirely jet black and are immediately set aflame by the cloud guardian.
"What are those tonfas?" questions Basil.
Enma shares his confusion, "I can feel some sort of strange radiation from those even from here".
Bana maintains his cool demeanour despite the shock of those around him, "Tsuna, your cloud guardian is truly a fearsome man" he compliments.
"Yeah, yours too" returns the young Sawada.
"Let's finish this" Hibari demands simply as he begins to run at Lancia.
Lancia watches Hibari's run, nothing has changed, his run is quick but only compared to a normal man, for the likes of those present who can manipulate the dying will flame it was very slow. Why then did he feel such an ominous feeling of doom, was it those new tonfas.
Lancia decided not to dwell on the weapons his opponent wielded any longer, he decided to fight. Pointing his finger at Hibari once more, Lancia sent a steel serpent ball hurtling towards his opponent.
Hibari didn't change the path of his run, swinging his right arm, he used the tonfa he wielded to knock the first ball up into the air vertically. 'He didn't look strained at all' Lancia thinks to himself, why is he so different to before?
Lancia launches the second ball towards Hibari only for Hibari to use it as a stepping stone, launching himself 10 feet into the air as he does so. The choice of motion from Hibari seems unjust but he had his reasons. The cloud guardian moves his feet backwards in the air when they suddenly contact the first ball that he sent upwards earlier. Using the first ball as a platform Hibari thrusts himself in Lancia's direction with a new found turn of speed.
Lancia won't wait until Hibari reaches him, he settles on the idea of an all-out offensive and fires the third and fourth balls at the Japanese policeman. 'Try deflecting two at once' Lancia dares in his own mind, 'there is no way your arms can withstand this blow'.
Hibari's arms don't need to withstand the blow though, as he falls towards the ground he throws his two remaining tonfas at the incoming steel serpent balls, sending all four weapons in a direction that neither fighter could intercept.
As Hibari lands Lancia continues to pick holes in his assault, 'You're wide open' he yells in his head as he fires the fifth and final steel serpent ball towards Hibari. An old friend comes to the disciplinarian's aid though, as if from nowhere the hedgehog Rolle appears and hits the fifth ball head on.
Using the new opening created for him, Hibari runs around the collision and heads straight for Lancia.
"You have no weapon" comments Lancia as if praying that Hibari didn't have a plan. The cloud guardian did though, he always had a plan.
On his route to Lancia Hibari runs past the chain that he fixed to the ground right back at the beginning of the fight, a chain he fixed using a tonfa. Hibari picks up this previously discarded tonfa and runs to the behind of his opponent.
Lancia flinches for a brief moment before his weak spot is struck by Hibari. Lancia falls to the ground in a moment of defeat for Bana and a moment of victory for Tsuna. With this the scores were tied at three and three, the sky match would be where everything was decided.
"It seems from the start the outcome was set. I win" proclaims Hibari with a smug smile sent towards his fallen opponent.
"A… amazing" praises Tsuna, happy as always that his family had emerged triumphant.
"This guy… he is really pushing to get into that top-level of power" smiles Enma as he looks at Hibari with admiration.
"He's something else alright" agrees Bana as he turns and fixes his gaze on Tsuna. Soon the two of them would fight, it seemed such was destiny. He had been waiting a long time for this battle, it was inevitable now. Tomorrow would determine the true successor of Vongola Primo. The man who would become Vongola 10th.