RETURN TO THE HOMELAND – THE BACKUP PLAN
A Military Training Yard, Rome
The Italian military have received instructions from General Donato Gallo, they are to help the mafia in any way possible. As such the sergeant was happy to provide Tsuna and Gokudera with their training yard.
The yard is mostly constructed from concrete and tarmac, and to one side there is an assembly that Gokudera believes to be an obstacle course of some sort. The duo elects not to spend much time focusing on it and instead concentrate all their efforts on researching the zero-point breakthrough. As a result, the 10th is performing the zero-point breakthrough repeatedly while the engineering supervisor collates information.
As the day rolls on the sun begins to set but the pair continue their training, unwilling to use the stellar body as their standard. As the yard is basked in an orange tinge, another of Reborn's students approaches the 10th and his right hand man.
"Tsuna, you wanted to see me" greets Dino. Normally the Chiavarone boss would enjoy sharing formalities with his juniors. The bucking bronco treats the Vongola family members as if they were his own but right now there is no time to stand on ceremony.
"Yes, I have an important job for you Dino, it's the most important job of all" replies Tsuna, as he again begins to go through the motions of the zero-point breakthrough. The Vongola boss affinity to the move has only grown as time goes on.
"You are going to be organising the mafia for this fight" Tsuna says matter-of-factly.
"Organising it" starts Dino, "What do you mean?".
Tsuna continues to perform the technique, not stopping his speech as the dying will flame begins to flicker, "I want you to distribute our strength amongst groups, come up with a core fighting force and a plan of attack".
While everyone is busy training themselves for the arrival of the Yakuza it has been easy for them to forget that they must collaborate with the military. Coming up with a plan of attack which takes their supernatural abilities into account is something only a fellow mafioso can do, therefore Tsuna has chosen Dino for this responsibility.
"Most importantly of all" Tsuna begins with a sombre tone, "I want you to make a plan of escape".
"A plan of escape" exclaims Romario, Dino's second who follows him everywhere he goes.
"Why are you putting any thought into that, we can't afford to fail in the first place" shouts Dino, knowing that Tsuna's state of mind is crucial to the future of the mafia and the world.
"No, as long as one person with knowledge of the dying will flame escapes, there is still hope" explains Tsuna as he smiles at the flickering flame in his hands, "As long as the flame does not quietly die in this upcoming battle, the fight is not over".
"Why me" Dino asks hesitantly, doubting his own ability to fulfil such an important role.
"You are one of the few mafia bosses I truly believe in and trust with all my heart" Tsuna compliments his brother figure. "Enma is on the verge of mastering the ultimate dying will flame, we can't afford to divert his attention so I need your help".
Dino perks up when he hears the calm explanation of his leader. "I understand; I will immediately commit all Chiavarone family resources to this task". Acknowledging the request of his leader, Dino hurriedly returns to his car with Romario, resolutely deciding to produce a high quality plan as soon as possible.
Inside the Car
As Romario begins to drive the car back towards the Chiavarone HQ he notices how quiet the roads are. Normally this time of day delivers quiet driving conditions, however it has never been this quiet before.
'It's because of the incoming threat' Romario concludes to himself, 'Everyone is spending as much time with their family as possible, they know this could be it for them'. After concluding this Romario casts his eyes to his mirror where he observes the agitated state that his own boss is in.
"Sir, you are good friends with that boy" begins Romario, "Tell me, did you not want to say a few more words to him".
"Tsuna is far too busy for that right now" replies Dino, "We have to make use of every second available to us". As Dino speaks he realises that he too has to adopt this philosophy to the maximum. The Chiavarone boss picks up his mobile phone, "I'm going to phone ahead and have the family prepare some space to make the plans".
Romario takes note of his boss' enthusiasm, "I understand sir" he concurs, "I will make full haste". Romario takes advantage of the ideal driving conditions and puts his foot to the floor, who cared if he got a fine for speeding now.
The Coliseum, Rome
At the apex of the coliseum one can see for miles around, Rome is a beautiful city from atop this structure. Once Sawada Iemitsu sat not far away in a coffee shop and questioned if a Vongola would ever fight in the gladiatorial venue. A short while ago the closest thing possible happened, a Vongola family member fought through the security guards then climbed atop the structure.
The man in question is Xanxus, who is sitting with his legs dangling over the edge as if he were a child once again, using gravity to swing his legs for entertainment. His cape flutter gently in the wind, though not enough to impair his hearing, he still hears the arrival of his subordinate.
"You're a difficult man to find in these situations, boss" moans Squalo as silently walks to the edge and joins Xanxus in dangling his legs.
"The old man, he died back there didn't he" Xanxus asks as he looks down into his lap. He hasn't been crying but as far as Squalo is concerned it's the closest he has ever come to it.
"Yeah" replies Squalo gently, "he died".
"I'm not angry" declares Xanxus much to Squalo's surprise.
Squalo has followed this man for many years, assassinated so many people for him that he has lost count. All along Xanxus had one defining characteristic, rage, anger, hatred, spite, all different names for the same burning fire that could be seen behind his eyes. Yet now in his darkest hour, Xanxus proclaimed not to be angry.
"I'm just… I'm just" whimpers Xanxus.
"Boss…" starts Squalo.
Xanxus sniffles, "You followed me because of my rage, my anger".
"I followed you because I believed you had what it took to accomplish your goals" Squalo contradicts his friend, "Rage was a part of that but not all of it".
"Squalo is it wrong… is it wrong just to be sad that he is dead" asks Xanxus as he sheds the first tear Squalo has ever witnessed him shed.
"Of course it is OK" shouts the sword-master, "You're the boss, it's OK for you to do anything".
"You can feel rage; you can feel pain".
"You can feel happiness; you can feel serenity".
"You can feel all of those things because you're a human being".
"So you have to do what any other human being would do under these circumstances" Squalo says as if giving parental instruction to his boss.
"What do I have to do" asks Xanxus.
"You have to stand up, you fight, you make the Yakuza regret the day they touched our family" yells Squalo.
"Yeah" replies Xanxus, "I will make those bastards pay, I will make every last one of them pay for what they did to my father". As Xanxus clenches his fist and ignites the flames of rage, they burn brighter than ever before, not because of his anger, not because of his hatred but because he is finally acknowledging his emotions as those of a human.
So Squalo and Xanxus follow the lead of Gokudera and Tsuna, an alliance to end the Yakuza. Never in history has one group provoked so much rage from so many and that rage is being reflected, in the palm of Xanxus hand.
The Yakuza HQ, Japan
Entering the dining room used frequently by Honda, the mysterious Yakuza Kara doesn't bother to take in the incredible decor surrounding her. The only thing that concerns Kara now is the same thing that has always concerned her, the satisfaction of her master, Honda.
"Master you have called me" calls Kara as she respectfully bows her head, not daring to upset the man who referred to himself as a god.
"Tell me, how many slaves have died by my hand since we have taken Japan?" asks Honda.
"By your hand, just over 200 master" Kara instantly recalls, as if it has been taught to her since birth.
Honda simply nods, "How many slaves have fallen to your sabre?".
"50 master" Kara recites.
"How many has Lucy killed with that glass of hers" Honda asks with a smile expectant smile.
"She has been overawed by your example master" claims Kara, "She has killed nearly 400 slaves".
Honda laughs a sadistic laugh, ignoring the food falling from his mouth as he enjoys the feeling of having influence over his subordinates. "That's good, she's a good girl indeed" claims the Yakuza leader.
"And what about Yaru?" Honda questions, "How many has he killed with his boots?".
"None master" Kara replies in a move that silences the room. She questions if she has upset her master, truly it is not her fault however she recognises that delivering bad news to god means he has the right to lash out at you.
"That's not very good" Honda says calmly, relieving Kara of her fears, "The boy has not done enough to kill the weakness that is morality".
"Shall I dispose of him master?" Kara quickly questions.
"No, no, nothing like that" Honda replies quickly, "I am going to force him to do it".
Kara sighs internally, she has been down this road before, if the master is determined to change someone's nature, it always works. Never before has someone been better off for his conditioning, if you value your sanity, you should just aim to obey him.
"And at the same time… well I will improve two assets at once" Honda smiles cruelly.
"What action would you like me to take master?" Kara asks before Honda gets impatient.
"The slave quarters, bring both Yaru and Lucy there" demands the Yakuza boss.
"I will do so at once master" nods Kara as she departs to round up her fellow Yakuza members.
"This is going to be an interesting little experiment" decides the self-proclaimed god, his intentions as malicious as ever.