BECOMING THE BOSS – I LOVE BASEBALL
The Sawada Residence
A few months had passed since Tsuna had met his mother-in-law. It had been slightly awkward at first but the Sawada family had gotten used to the presence of the Kokuyo Junior High gang. Chikusa had been highly grateful for a warm place to sleep and he did his best to keep his partner's attitude as polite as possible.
Nana took to the newcomers surprisingly well, heartbroken at the sad stories of Ken and Chikusa's pasts. She welcomed them as if they were her own children. It was a good thing when Tsuna thought about it, the Kokuyo Junior High gang were now all members of the Vongola family, it was his duty to protect them.
That day a visitor had come to the Sawada residence, an enthusiastic man who had recently left his job as a sushi chef. This man was Yamamoto Takeshi, flanked as ever by his teacher Byakuran (though nobody could see him).
"Hello" greets Yamamoto as he removes his shoes upon entering the house.
"It's good to see you Yamamoto" replies Tsuna, happy as ever that his easy going friend was dropping by.
"Chrome is living with you now… congratulations" says Yamamoto, happy that his two friends were progressing well with their relationship. "And Ken and Chikusa" he sweatdrops.
"Hello" Chikusa opts to keep his speech as plain as ever.
"Why are you here?" asks Ken
"Ken, he's a guest, you're supposed to greet him politely" remarks Chikusa.
"Oh right" Ken panics, suddenly remembering that he had to be well mannered, "It's nice to see you Mr Yamamoto".
Yamamoto laughs at Ken's attempt to be polite but appreciates the gesture, he thinks back to the beginning when the two of them fought in his first battle. Back then he thought this was all a mafia game, how wrong could he have been?
"So as to why I've come here" says Yamamoto as he walks into the room. "I want to invite you all to my next game".
"Game?" Iemitsu lets the world slip out of his mouth.
"Don't you watch TV dear" Nana questions her husband, "Yamamoto is a hugely successful baseball player".
Since reuniting with his senior, Sasagawa Ryohei, in the ring contest, Yamamoto has thrown himself fully into the baseball world. After showing more dedication to the sport it was only natural, given the rain guardian's abilities, that he would become a huge success. Not only had he done that but he had become a regular in the team, the fastest emerging player in history.
"Thanks for your praise" responds Yamamoto, "The team have made it all the way to the final, I would be really guys came to cheer me on". He hands out the tickets to his friends, knowing they wouldn't miss it. "There's seven tickets".
Tsuna smiles as he holds the ticket, he could never have imagined this before he met Reborn. "Of course we will be there Yamamoto".
Byakuran floats beside his host. "You have such good friends don't you".
"Are any of the others going" enquires the soon to be 10th.
"Well I asked Hibari, he said 'sports don't interest me herbivore'". Yamamoto does his best Hibari impression forcing a laugh out of Tsuna and Dokuro.
"As for Gokudera he said 'I hate sports you damn baseball nut'".
Dokuro probes further, "Will Sasagawa be going".
"Oh he will be there" Yamamoto says, "he loves sports, he's the world champion too so he's a big star".
"I believe his exact words were, 'I'll be there to watch you take baseball to the extreme'" laughs the batter.
Suddenly he recalls, "Oh that's right… I brought some Sushi".
After eating together Yamamoto left the Sasagawa residence. 'It gets crazier every time' he thinks to himself. That house will always hold fond memories for him, unfortunately in future the family would likely be gathering in more formal circumstances. Even mafioso had responsibilities.
A few weeks later, Yamamoto's Team's Baseball Stadium
Excitement was building before the big game. A lot of the home team's hopes were placed on their breakout star Yamamoto Takeshi. Very few people truly knew the depths of his power though. Some of those who did were sat in the middle row.
"It's a good view" says Dokuro causing Tsuna to nod.
The two relax for a moment but Tsuna is used to this situation by now. 'It won't last at a Vongola family gathering, it never does', he was right. A multitude of camera flashes blinded the chestnut haired man. A significant commotion to his left almost disturbing to the peace he had just a moment ago.
What could possibly cause such a racket, only the arrival of one of sport's biggest stars, the world boxing champion. As Ryohei tried to fight through the crowds Gokudera Hayato had an easy job of approaching his boss.
"10th" yells Gokudera as enthusiastic as always.
"Gokudera" Tsuna starts, clearly surprised someone who referred to Yamamoto as a 'baseball nut' had bothered to show up. "What are you doing here" he asked as Gokudera took his seat.
The storm guardian takes on a pained expression, "I've always loved baseball" he says.
'His lying is so obvious but I don't want to tell him' the senior Sawada brother says in his head.
"He's doing his best for his family" says Reborn from behind Tsuna.
"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM" screams Tsuna. Reborn had a tendency of showing up when you least expected him, perhaps it should be easier to anticipate by now.
"We got some free tickets" explains Dino, not bothering to introduce himself as Tsuna notices for the first time that he is sitting next to Reborn.
"You too" mutters Tsuna as he looks to the seats in front of him, "WHY ARE THE VARIA HERE?".
Not bothering to answer the boss' question, Belphegor simply turns to Mammon, "Mammon, those illusory tickets were genius".
"Your praise humbles me" replies to Arcobaleno.
"Do I look alright" asks Lussuria.
Unbothered by what his subordinates are doing, Xanxus turns to Squalo, "You are supposed to know the rules to baseball right, isn't it supposed to be entertaining".
"Well Yamamoto explained the rules to me, it seemed alright" responds the swordsman.
Tsuna is horrified as he notes that the assassination squad are wearing their uniforms. 'They all look really out of place'.
"EXTREME HIT, EXTREME HIT, EXTREME HIT" yells Ryohei repeatedly, getting into the game as only a sports enthusiast could.
'At least he belongs in this environment' Tsuna realises, taking a sigh of relief. His relief didn't last long however.
Ryohei had turned his attention to his fellow guardian, "That's it Gokudera, EXTREME HIT".
"EXTREME HIT, EXTREME HIT, EXTREME HIT" Gokudera joined the sun guardian in the chant.
The boss cringed watching his out of place right-hand man, 'Please don't encourage him big brother'.
In the changing rooms
Yamamoto is getting into his uniform, ready for the most important game of his young career. Years ago Squalo told him that he would have to choose between mastering the sword and mastering baseball, the most difficult choice he would ever have to make. Currently though, Yamamoto was perhaps the most revered swordsman on the planet and was a famous baseball player. He had proven Squalo wrong.
"All your friends are here to watch you know" Byakuran emerges next to Yamamoto and informs him.
Horrified by the presence now of all times Yamamoto can't hold himself back, he yells aloud, "DON'T WATCH ME GETTING DRESSED".
It takes a moment for the former chef to realise what he had done. The entire room was looking at him, yelling at nothing, right before the biggest match in his life.
"Sorry, I'm a bit nervous for the big match" apologises Yamamoto, causing everyone to go back to what they were doing.
"Stop making such a fool of yourself" chastises Byakuran.
"Honestly, when do you get your own body" asks Yamamoto. For Byakuran to return to a body would first require one to be available. The only chance that had presented itself was to take Mukuro's body and that would have simply been disrespectful.
"I don't know" Byakuran honestly replies, "You could always kill someone and then I could…".
"Of course I can't do that" interrupts the rain guardian, shuddering at the thought.
"Then in the meantime, I get to watch you dress" giggle the Millefiore family boss.
"You're such a pervert" moans the batter.
"I know when to avert my gaze" Byakuran assures his host with a voice that implies his previous jokes should have been taken in better spirit.
"I wish I had as much confidence in your gaze as you do" replies Yamamoto as he began to wonder just how often Byakuran had been looking at him.
"Come on, the game starts soon, I want to see a big hit every time" demands Byakuran. He never understood the rules of baseball before. After spending three months trapped in the body of a professional player you learn the rules whether you want to or not.
"Of course" promises Yamamoto, "Big hits are my specialty".
Yamamoto is at bat
The game had progressed tightly until this point; the home team was doing well in keeping up with the away team. The emergence of Yamamoto was what everyone had been waiting for. Cheers and chants filled the stadium at the emergence of the star.
Yamamoto reached the batter box and loosened his shoulders a bit before squaring himself to the batter. He had to at least look like he was struggling, so he opted to deliberately miss the first strike and tactfully avoid the succeeding pair of balls.
"Here he goes" yells Nana as the fourth ball looks like a golden opportunity for a big hit.
"Hit it to the extreme" yells Ryohei.
As the pitcher threw the ball it confirmed everyone's suspicions, the ball was heading straight for the strike zone. Yamamoto had expected this more than anyone else, he swung his body and the bat in perfect unison, a trick he picked up while studying the sword. The ball flew into the crowd; it was a home run.
The crowd erupted at the spectacular hit, they had become used to seeing this from their star player but it never became less special. "He did it" says Tsuna as he punches the air.
"Another home run" Dokuro smiles, happy for her fellow guardian and good friend.
"Yamamoto is so cool" Lambo declares as he leaps about.
"EXTREME HIT" yells Gokudera, not quite knowing how to fit in.
"Unlike someone" says Lambo as his face sours following the chant.
"Ah, I'll kill you, stupid cow" Gokudera announces as he wrestles with the youngster.
'How embarrassing' Tsuna says to himself as he looks at his family. It would be nice if for once someone shared his embarrassment, then he noticed that someone did. Dokuro was hiding herself in the same way he always did. It shouldn't be a likeable habit but Tsuna couldn't help but feel close to his fiancée seeing her do this, he was truly happy.
"Is that a good thing Chikusa" Ken asks, seeming genuinely interested in the workings of the game.
"Yeah, it means the local team have tied it up" explains Chikusa.
"The game is a bit boring at the moment, Mammon, spice it up a bit" orders Xanxus of his illusionist.
"Yes boss, I'll make at interesting watch" promises the money obsessed youngster.
Tsuna cries in shock, turning to Reborn he asks, "What is he going to do?".
Not bothering to answer Tsuna's question Reborn replies, "As boss it's your job to stop it" before he returns to watching the match.
"Don't worry Tsuna" offers Dokuro, "I will even out any affect he has on the game".
"Please try to do it subtly Dokuro" asks Tsuna, knowing that there is very little chance of that happening.
Yamamoto is at bat once again. Second base and third base are loaded, two runs down, if he hits a home run here then they win the championship. 'No pressure then' Yamamoto thinks to himself in an unusual sarcastic manner.
"Good luck" says Byakuran, offering a thumbs up to his student.
"Thank you" replies the batter, "All my hard work has been for this moment, I will give you a good show".
"Be sure you do" requests the white haired ghost.
As the pitcher winds up to throw it could be understood if he was nervous. If he lets a home run go here it's all over and his opponent is Yamamoto Takeshi, the best hitter around. As he steps forward to prepare to throw he suddenly sees something he never expected, a monster.
"AHH MONSTER" yells the pitcher as he stumbles backwards.
Suddenly looking down into his hand the pitcher witnessed something else he never expected to see, the ball was gone, instead was a grenade. Desperately trying to discard the weapon the pitcher threw it towards Yamamoto. The grenade was an illusion though, what he had actually thrown was the ball.
This was an easy hit, it would go out of the arena, Yamamoto had this. It was a ball he could hit every time under normal circumstances, but these weren't normal circumstances. The image of the ball his eyes delivered to his brain was replaced, instead what he was looking at was the face of Sawada Tsunayoshi.
"Tsuna?" Yamamoto asks comically.
Seeing no other way to make him hit the ball, Dokuro opts to possess Yamamoto using the powers left to her by Byakuran. Despite having a melee weapon, Dokuro is far from adept at the use of it, as a result she only manages an outfield fly, thankfully away from any fielders.
"I hit it?" questions Yamamoto.
"RUN YAMAMOTO" screams Ryohei, who has a few suspicions about what is going on.
"GO FOR IT" yells Nana, who has absolutely no idea.
As Yamamoto runs Xanxus stands up and laughs, "Now this is entertainment" he says as he spreads his arms out before him as if presenting the match.
As Mammon projects various obstacles to the running rain guardian, Yamamoto dodges them one at a time, going through the most turbulent run of any batter in history. The former chef had one advantage though, he was fast, faster than should be possible for a baseball player.
As Yamamoto approaches the home he spots a fielder who is running to the mound ahead of him. 'Crap, I'm not going to make it' he thinks to himself.
A pleasant surprise awaited Yamamoto though as the fielder tripped on his path to the home plate. The runner smiles and says 'Thank you' in his head as he spots a vine retreating into the ground, Dokuro was behind this.
Thanks to the interference from the mist guardian, Yamamoto had made it around all the way to home. "WE WON" he cheers as he throws his hat into the air and joins his teammates in celebrating. He had just caused the biggest turn around for any team in baseball history.
"Lambo is confused but that was cool" remarks the younger Sawada brother.
"What happened just there" asks Gokudera.
Reborn leans forward to speak in Tsuna's ear, "Yamamoto won Tsuna".
"Yeah, they are champions of Japan" replies Tsuna with a smile wide across his face, "they won somehow…".
In the streets of Outer Tokyo
Tsuna and Dokuro were walking home hand in hand, laughing about a story he had told of little Tsu's adventures. They had separated from the others after the game and had instead opted to go out for a meal, true to her word Dokuro had paid this time.
There evening was interrupted though when Kyoko stepped into their path. "I had to see it to believe it" she commented, removing the smiles from the couple's face's. "Was that all it took, a pretty face to make you move on from me?".
"Kyoko…" begins Tsuna.
"I knew you were a bastard; we were engaged" began the kickboxer. "And then the next thing that is pretty comes along and…".
"THAT'S ENOUGH" yells Tsuna, angrier than either woman was used to seeing him.
"You don't have to" says Dokuro.
"Dokuro is someone important to me, just like you were back then" explains Tsuna, ignoring Dokuro's warning and deciding to justify their relationship. "I love Dokuro and I'm going to get married to her, if you don't like it then it's too bad".
"You're just going to have to live with it" says Tsuna as he lowers his voice.
A moments silence passes before a gentle gust of wind seems to blow in the sheltered area. Naturally this couldn't have been wind, it was the high speed movement of Tsuna's last opponent, Vongola Bana.
"Kyoko, leave them in peace, your circumstances are not their fault" says Bana, reminding his subordinate that the stories differed depending on who you asked.
"Where is my justice" asks Kyoko, "That's all I care about" she says before walking, hand in pocket, in the opposite direction.
Looking at Tsuna, Bana adopted an apologetic expression before chasing after his friend. At the end of the day they had hurt Kyoko, intentional or not and as her boss that meant he couldn't apologise to them.
"Tsuna, you said you loved me, you don't say that enough" remarks Dokuro.
"I always thought it was fairly obvious" smiles Tsuna.
"It just feels really nice to hear you say it" Dokuro shyly remarks, clearly looking for him to say it again.
Tsuna was more than happy to oblige his fiancée, "I love you Chrome Dokuro" he says before gently kissing her.
"I love you too Tsuna" she replies.