Chapter 16: Battle of Sun

School ends and both Kouga and Ruki return home to rest up as well as prepare for the night. They get ready and run out towards the school. There they see Tsuna, Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei, and even Lambo standing there and walk up to them.

"Yo, Tsuna!" Kouga greets as he and Ruki walk up to them.

"Kouga-san!" The brunette says in surprise.

"Sorry for being late." He apologizes. "We were trying to get out of the house without our Kaa-san and grandparents knowing."

"But there are some who aren't here yet." Yamamoto tells him.

"That holder of the Mist hasn't shown himself." Ryohei says.

"It's so quiet." Tsuna says as he looks around. Was Nami-Middle is the right place?"

"Maybe they are not here yet." The baseball ace replies.

"They've been on standby for quite a while now." A voice says as they all turn around to find one of the Cervello on the roof with some of the Varia with them. "After the official conference, the battle order for tonight's Ring Conflict has been decided."

"The first battle with be between the Guardians of Sun." The other girl adds.

"Guardian of Sun..." Kouga trails off.

"That means..." Tsuna continues and looks at Ryohei. They all look up at the green-haired man.

"So my opponent is that boy." The green-haired man asks.

"So that's him." Ryohei says.

"We will now begin the Ring Conflict over the position of successor." The Cervello tells them as they point to their right. "Please look over there."

They all turn their heads as the light click on and shines at the area, revealing caged boxing ring.

"What is that?!" Tsuna shouts.

"A caged-boxing ring." Kouga replies.

"A special ring that we prepared for the Guardian of Sun." The Cervello explains to them. "This time, we have made a ring that benefits the specialties of the Guardians of Sun. Likewise, we'll be setting up a unique combat area of each battle."

"What?!" Tsuna cries. "That huge thing?!"

"It must have cost a pretty penny." The blond-haired Varia says.

"But since we know who's going to win, it was a waste of money." The baby says.

"These aren't bad conditions for you, senpai." Yamamoto tells his senior.

"The ring is my territory!" Ryohei says proudly as he cracks his knuckles.

"T-The battle is really going to start..." Tsuna says before shaking and grabbing his head in panic. "I'm so nervous!" He then takes a look at Lambo who is lying on the ground. "I'm so jealous of you, not knowing what's going on..."

"Ne~ is boss here yet~?" The sunglasses man asks. "It's my glorious moment on stage!"

"He seems to be absent." The baby tells him. "Aaron is not here either."

"Aaron?" Kouga wonders.

"There's no way those two guys would be interested in another's fight." Squalo tells them. "Better yet, don't accept this pathetic battle that does really not suit us, and let me take them all! I'll cut them apart within five seconds!" He then turns and glares at Levi who is staring at him. "Voi! Why are you glaring at me?!"

"Shut up, Squalo. You're hurting my ears." The black-haired girl lazily says.

"Say it one more time in my face, Allena!"

"There seems to be someone watching us, Mammon." The blond Varia tells the infant, named Mammon.

"I know." He replies as he refers to Reborn, who is staring at him suspiciously. "He's not even a Guardian. I'd like to get a spectator fee from him."

"Now, Guardians of Sun, please come to the center of the ring." The Cervello calls out.

"I'm gonna go play!" The green-haired man waves at his group as he walks into the ring.

"We'll be enjoying ourselves, Lussuria." Mammom says.

"Just get it over with!" Squalo snaps.

"I'm going. Leave it to me!" Ryohei tells them as he walks up to the ring.

"Onii-san..." Tsuna mumbles.

"Na, Tsuna?" Yamamoto asks. "Aren't we going to form a circle or something?"

"Eh?!" Tsuna, Gokudera, and Kouga deadpan at the baseball ace's idea.

"That's great!" Ryohei shouts. "I've always wanted to do that since boxing is an individual sport!"

"Huh?!"

"Idiot!" Gokudera cries at him. "I'm not going to do something that lame!"

"Sounds like fun!" Ruki says.

"Is this really necessary?" Kouga asks gets drag into the circle, along with Tsuna and Gokudera, since Ruki and Yamamoto join in willingly.

"Ryohei, FIGHT!" The boxer shouts.

"OH!/Oh~/Oh..." They all yell.

"Yosh!" Ryohei shouts. "I feel my EXTREME power overflowing!" He then walks into the ring.

"This is why I hate jocks..." Gokudera thoughts.

"He said 'Ryohei Fight' all by himself..." Tsuna and Kouga sigh.

The Cervello then inspects the rings, "There is no mistake." Both girls say. "We have confirmed these are the real Half Vongola Rings."

"As a rule, the Rings are will be hung from your necks." One girl says.

Then Ryohei takes off his upper clothing, revealing a bare well-toned chest underneath.

"Oh my~! Lussuria coos as he looks down on Ryohei's body. "Now that I have a closer look, you have pretty nice body~! You're just my type~"

"What?"

"What did he just say...?" Gokudera says in shock.

"W-Who knows..." Tsuna replies.

"Ruki... Don't talk to men when they act like that." Kouga tells his sister.

"Okay." She nods.

"I've decided." The green-haired assassin says. "I'm taking you home with me."

"What are you saying?!" Ryohei yells at him.

"There's aren't many who fit under Lussuria's taste." Mammon says.

"That kid's unlucky." Levi adds.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ryohei adds as he takes his boxing stance. "I'm just going to fight fair and square."

"That pose must be for boxing." Lussuria says. "Not very trendy..." He takes off his trench coat to reveal a black undershirt with his black pants and boots, one of his legs is kneeled up. "I, Lussuria, will play with you with the ultimate standing fighting style, Muay Thai!"

"What?!"

"As expected, Varia's Guardian of Sun is a martial artist." Reborn says.

"As expected?" Tsuna asks.

"Looking back through history," The hitman starts, "the Guardian of Sun always has powerful fists and legs. Breaking down adversity against the Family with their bodies and becoming the Sun itself: these are the duties of the Guardian of Sun."

"Comparing to the beauty of my Muay Thai, boxing is nothing more than a game." Lussuria tells the boxing captain.

"You bastard! I won't allow you to mock boxing!" Ryohei yells at him.

"Then, the Sun Ring, Lussuria vs. Sasagawa Ryohei, Battle Start!"

More light from above shines on the ring, blinding the two competitors.

"W-What is this?" Tsuna cries. "The ring is shining!"

"This ring was created for the Guardians of Sun." The Cervello woman explains. "It is a solar coliseum created by faux sun."

"What is that?!"

"I can't see anything!"

"I'll loan you my sunglasses." Reborn tells them as he passes sunglasses to them.

Ryohei struggles as the light forces to shut their eyes.

"I can't open my eyes!" Ryohei thought. "I can't fight like this!" He squints his eyes to find a silhouette heading towards him, to only find that it is the knee of Lussuria that knocks the air out of him.

"Ah! The person from Varia is wearing sunglasses, so can act freely!" Tsuna cries. "He can't put up a fight!"

"Give them sunglasses too!" Kouga tells the Cervello.

"We cannot allow contact with the Guardian in combat." She tells him. "If you do that, he will be disqualified, as we will take the Ring."

"Sonna..." Tsuna trails off.

"That's dirty!" Gokudera yells.

"This feeling..." Lussuria says as he steps back. "You have a better body than I thought. You're even more my type."

"Where is he?" Ryohei says as he punches the air. "Over there?"

"Over here!" The Muay Thai expert says as he punches him, knocking him down to the ground.

"Onii-san!" Tsuna cries.

"Mm~" Lussuria coos as the boxing captain tries to get up. "You're getting close to my ideal body. My favorite is the wasted, cold, and unmoveable body."

"Isn't that a dead body?!" Tsuna says in shock.

"What a pervert!" Gokudera growls.

Ryohei finally gets up on his feet and rushes at the sunglasses man. "Don't screw around with me!" He cries as he lands an uppercut at him, surprising everyone there.

"It hit!" Tsuna cries.

"Lussuria really is playing." The blond Varia comments.

"He didn't 'get hit'. He wanted to get hit."

"Don't pick on me~" Lussuria says as he backflips and lands on his feet.

"That feeling..." Ryohei mumbles. "He's in mid-air." He gets ready to strike. "I won't let you get away this time!" He shouts as he throws a left straight, but hits a metal cap, injuring his left hand. "My hand!" He cries, to everyone shock, as he bounces off the steel spring ropes and lands on the ground.

"Like the Guardian of Sun should, I reflect adversity back at you." Lussuria says to him. "My left leg has a metallic knee composed of steel. You won't be able to use that fist anymore."

"What?!" Gokudera cries.

"Onii-san's hand!" Tsuna cries.

"That's not all." Reborn adds. "Ryohei's body is dehydrated due to the heat radiating from the lights."

Ryohei lies on the ground panting then remembers back to the time that he got beaten up by the middle school students, and his sister crying. He clenches his teeth as he struggles to get up on his feet.

"At this rate..." Kouga trails off.

"Stand up, kora!" They all turn around to find a baby in an army outfit and floating in the air by an eagle, with both wear sunglasses.

"Colonello!" Tsuna cries.

"VOI! That brat is Colonello, once of the Arcobaleno. Why is he here?"

"Kyoko caught me and made me late, kora." He tells them.

"We're you playing with Kyoko-chan again?!" Tsuna cries.

"It's about time." Colonello calls out. "Show him your true strength, Ryohei!"

"No matter who says what at this point, it's useless." Lussuria tells him. "This boy is done for. I'll be taking him."

"Colonello-shishou..." Ryohei smirks. "I've been waiting for those words!"

"Ryohei-san got up!" Ruki yells out.

"Yosha!" Gokudera cheers.

"B-But, is he all right?" Tsuna asks worriedly.

"His sweat's evaporating." Yamamoto comments.

"Between you and me, our bodies are sculpted differently." Lussuria tells him. "You won't hold out much longer under these burning lights. Hurry up and join my collection."

"No," Ryohei says, "not yet."

"Nothing good will come from standing up." The Muay Thai master said. "Your punches won't work on me."

"Yeah, it didn't work." Ryohei says. "Me left didn't!"

"Now that he mentioned it," Reborn says, "he's been only using his left hand since he saved Fuuta."

"Huh?"

"That's right." Colonello tells him. "he hasn't used his right hand even once, kora."

"But why?" Tsuna asks.

"First, it's to let his cells rest and get them into their best condition." The army infant explains. "Second, it is because he is the Guardian of Sun!"

"This right hand is here to reflect overwhelming odds!" Ryohei tells him.

"Mm~" Lussuria coos. "That's perfect! That's so hilarious! Hohohoho!"

"What's so funny?!" Ryohei yells at him.

"I don't know how powerful the punch you've been storing up could be, but it is pointless if it doesn't connect." He then starts circling him at an incredible speed, all while laughing.

"That's some amazing footwork!" Gokudera says.

"Onii-san!" Tsuna cries. He already couldn't see!" Ryohei looks around in desperate attempt to locate his opponent, but then a punch sends him flying into the air and bounces off the cage and onto the floor once again. "Onii-san!"

"I'm fine." He tells him as he rises on his feet and takes a stance. "Here I go!'

"Heh...?" The blond Varia hums.

"He's building up the mood." Mammon says.

"That's his right hand." Gokudera says.

"The moment you miss will be your last." Lussuria says as he circles him once more.

"There!" Ryohei steps in front of the Muay Thai expert as he swings an uppercut onto his chin and sends him airborne. "Maximum Cannon!"

"He did it!" Tsuna shouts in joy.

"No." Kouga counters.

Lussuria backflips and lands with no visible signs of the punch hitting him. "That would have been bad it was a solid hit."

"Sonna... He was so close!" The brunette says.

"No." Ryohei says. "I did hit it."

"What?!"

"Look up, Juudaime!" Gokudera tells his boss to look up, which he did as he seeds cracks on the lights.

"He couldn't have!" Lussuria says in shock.

"The light!" Tsuna cries as he lights cracks and shatters. Ryohei yells as he carries on punching into the air, cracking and destroying the lights, as one by one, all the lights break and shatter, leaving the place dark as it first is.

"Now I can finally fight on even terms." Ryohei says as he opens his eyes. "Behold!"

"he can see now!" Tsuna cries out as he takes off his sunglasses.

"That lawn-head..." Gokudera smirks.

"He was going for the lights from the very start." Reborn says.

"It doesn't matter if his eyes are opened or closed." The sunglasses Varia says. "I just can't believe that the pressure from his punches broke the lights!"

"Lussuria." The blond Varia calls out.

"What?"

"Take a good look at his body."

"Eh? What?" He looks closely at the boxer's body, to see shiny little grains dropping off his body. "Sand? No, it's salt, salt crystals?!"

"Salt?" Tsuna asks.

"Right." Reborn tells his student. "That's the trick which destroyed the lights.

"I see." Lussuria realizes. "The sweat from the dehydration... Only the liquid on it is evaporated from the heat, leaving only the salt behind. And you put that salt on your fists and shoot it like a shotgun."

"it's too late, even if our figured it out!" Ryohei yells as he runs up and punches him, but hits the air before Lussuria appears on his head.

"Hohohoho!" He laughs. "Don't make me laughs too hard. My abs is going to split even more."

"What?!" The boxer shouts as he tries to hit him but he flashes back on the ground.

"What made me shiver was the force of your punches, because I thought you broke the lights with their pressure." He tells him. "The only one who have done something like this before, the one who launches punches shining with light, the original Guardian of Sun! But I can do such a low-level thing as that." He flashes behind him and punches past his cheek, and destroying the lights even more.

"He scraped lawn-head's salt and..." Gokudera trails off.

"Did the same thing!" Tsuna finishes.

"No, it requires more technique than that." Reborn tells them. "The pressure from his fists blew away the salt on Ryohei's body. He is, indeed, Varia quality."

"Varia quality?" Kouga repeats.

"What is that?" Yamamoto asks.

"Varia is an assassin group that has perfectly accomplished missions that have perfectly accomplished missions said to be impossible for mere humans." Reborn explains. "No matter when or where... And these abilities used in assassination, the devil's work... People call these the 'Varia quality' with fear and awe."

"As expected from Reborn Well said!." Lussuria says. "Do you understand now? Between you and us, the difference in skills is so great that this is becoming a game, not a fight."

Tell me if this is a game after you take this right fist!" Ryohei yells.

"You just don't get it!" The Muay Thai expert whines as he stomps his feet like a crying baby. "I copied that punch you just threw! I know all about it."

"What? You never know until you try."

"Well said, Ryohei." Colonello says. "That's why you're my student, kora."

"Sonna! Are you all right with this, Colonello?!" Tsuna shouts at the army baby.

"Maximum Cannon is an attack that unleashes the power of all his cells." Colonello explains. "However, the energy hasn't complete transferred into his fist."

"Shishou..." Ryohei looks at his master.

"If there is a chance, that's it. Condense all your energy into your fist, kora."

"Yes! Here I come!" Ryohei says as he rushes up to Lussuria. "Extreme!" He cries out as he punches him but misses before the Sun Varia circles around him again.

"I'll show you an obstacle you cannot overcome." Lussuria says.

"He's faster than before!" Tsuna says.

"It almost like a Bushing no Jutsu." Yamamoto comments.

Ryhei closes his eyes and then found his opponent. "I see him!" He says as he gets ready to punch. "Maximum Cannon!" However, he punches into the metal knee guard again, injuring his right hand too, causing him to yell out him pain and falls on the ground, holding his injured fist.

"Mm~ That sounded wonderful." Lussuria coos.

"Lawn-head!" Gokudera cries.

"Oh no, his right hand too!" Tsuna cries out.

"This is bad." Kouga comments.

"His cell-energy transfer rate is only about 90%." Colonello thought. "With his current training, this must be his limit."

"Voi! How long are you going to make us wait?!" Squalo yells at his comrade.

"So impatient~…" Lussuria whines. "You don't have to tell me. I'm about to!"

"W-What do we do?!" Tsuna asks his tutor. "What can we do?! Reborn! Are you going to leave him like that? Colonello!"

"This is the end!" Lussuria tells him as he spins his arm.

"N-No!" The brunette cries out.

"Onii-chan!" They all turn around to find Kyoko and Hana standing behind them.

"Kyoko-chan?!" Tsuna cries then notices I-pin by her legs. "I-pin too?! Why are you here?!" He steps back and hits something and jumps back to find his dad. "Tou-san!"

"These little ladies were looking for Colonello, so we escorted them." He tells him.

"Eh?!"

"Ne, Kyoko." Hana whispers to her friend. "This seems dangerous."

"Onii-chan..." She runs over to her brother, ignoring Hana's call for her. "Onii-chan, why?! You're hurt all over!"

"Are you this little boy's imouto?" Lussuria asks. "You came at a good time. Your brother is about to lose to me, and I'm about to deliver the finishing blow."

"What do I do?!" Tsuna mentally cries. "Kyoko-chan found out!"

"Stop, Onii-chan!" She cries. "You promised that you wouldn't fight!"

"Eh?!" Tsuna and everyone sweat drop. "She thinks it's an ordinary fight!" Tsuna and Kouga thought.

"Onii-chan!" Kyoko shouts.

"Stop, Kyoko!" Hana calls out. "It's dangerous!"

"Onii-chan!" Ryohei then looks back at his sister.

"Ah!" Tsuna cries.

"He moved." Yamamoto shouts.

"Yeah, after those delinquents spit my forehead in elementary school, I did promise to stop fighting." He tells her. "But I also said this: Even so, I'm still a man! There may come a time when I have to fight. If it's going to make you cry, I... I won't lose again!"

"H-He stood up!" Tsuna cries.

"RA―H!" He yells at the top of his voice.

"His feelings to his sister have raised his energy transfer rate to 100%, kora!" Colonello calls out.

"What a persistent child." Lussuria sighs as he jumps and strikes his knee down at him. "Let's end this!"

"I'll show you!" Ryohei shouts. "This is the real, Maximum Cannon!" He strikes at him, with the force is too great, it breaks the knee guard and the skin underneath."

"Onii-san's punch...!" Tsuna cries in joy. "It hit!"

Lussuria lands on the floor with a thud. "I don't believe it!" He says in shock. "The metal knee is shattered?!"

"The battle's over." Mammon says. "Lussuria's no longer has a way to stop that punch."

"It makes me laughs, that pervert." The blond Varia says.

"I saw your right fist shine, kora!" Colonello praises his student. "Good job Ryohei."

"Shishou..."

"Now, let's go home, Kyoko." He flies down to her.

"Colonello-kun!" Kyoko says in surprise.

"W-What's with this baby?!" Hana questions in surprise.

"Wait! Onii-chan is..."

"It's over now." He tells her as he drags her away." And I'm sleepy, kora."

"Kyoko!" Hana shouts as she runs after her.

"That was a good fight, full of tension." Ryohei tells Lussuria. "Now, hand over the Ring."

"No, no!" Lussuria shutters. "I'm Varia! Even with one leg, I'll win. It'll be easy!"

"What tenacity..." Tsuna says.

"That's not it." Reborn tells him.

"Eh? It isn't?"

"It's like he's afraid of losing." Kouga says.

"Let's go!" The Muay Thai expert shouts. "Let's continue!"

"Why are you so nervous?" Ryohei asks.

"Hurry!" Lussuria cries before a blow hits him from behind, shocking the boxer.

"You pulled it off when necessary." Mammon says as they all see the fingers of the huge man smoking. "As expected from the boss' assistant, Gola Mosca."

"he shot his own comrade..." Tsuna says.

"What's going on?!" Yamamoto questions.

"'Kill the weak'. That is one of the reasons why Varia is one of the most powerful organizations." Reborn explains. "Lussuria panics because he was afraid of that."

"S-Sonna..."

"Oi!" Ryohei calls out to the fallen Varia. "Hang in there!" When he's about to run over, he is blocked by the Cervello women.

"Please stand back." She says.

"What?!"

"We confirmed that Lussuria is unable to fight." The one near Lussuria says.

"Thus, Sasagawa Ryohei is the victor in the battle over the Rung of Sun, This is the end of the battle tonight," She announces, "and starting tonight, we will regularly announce the following night's battle."

"Eh?! We get to find out about it already?!" Tsuna cries.

"Voi! Let me fight next!" Squalo yells.

"We will now announce it." The Cervello says. "Tomorrow's night's battle will be... Lightning. The battle will be between the Guardians of Lightning."

"Lightning?!" Kouga shouts. "That would mean Lambo!"

"Can this guy fight?" Tsuna cries.

"We shall see you tomorrow night." The Cervello says before they jump off and the battle ring exploded. All of them protect themselves from the falling debris. Ryohei stays there as he sees Gola Mosca lands in front of him with Lussuria in his hands. He takes out the half-ring around Lussuria's neck and then tossing it at him before taking off.

"The Ring of Sun..." Ryohei says as he looks at the ring in his hand.

"They're terrible." Gokudera curses.

"I can't believe it." Yamamoto says.

"Tsuna-kun!" They all turn around and see Kyoko running back with Hana.

"K-Kyoko-chan!" Tsuna says in shock.

"Tsuna-kun, tell me the truth." She says. "What was Onii-chan doing?"

"Eh... Ah... Ano... Eto..."

"What do I do?" Tsuna thought. "I can't tell her that it was a life-and-death battle."

"T-That's-"

"It was a sumo contest!" All the guys say at the same time.

"Eh?" Tsuna looks back at them.

"It's a hybrid sumo contest that's held in ring." Gokudera says.

"It's actually pretty popular." Yamamoto adds. "That's was a good match, kid."

"Yeah." Reborn says.

"That's right." Kouga adds.

"Then it really was..." Kyoko says.

Ryohei places his hand on her shoulder. "I told you it was a sumo contest." He tells her. "We're going home, Kyoko." She is a little shock at first but then smiles and nods.

"Sawada, I'm giving this to you!" Ryohei shows the two piece of the Ring of Sun.

"T-The Ring?" Tsuna asks.

"You put these two pieces together, right?" He says as he joins them together.

This is the true Vongola Ring of the Sun." Tsuna says as he puts it in the box.

"That's one out of nine." Kouga says.

"Yosha! We're going to win them all!" Gokudera yells out. "The future's looking bright!"

"Let's keep this up!" Yamamoto says.

"That's right!" Ryohei yells out. "Let's go, Sawada!"

"Then, let's go, Ruki." Kouga says.

"Hai!"

A/N: That's it for this chapter. Also, I want to make a request to help me with ideas with Ruki's battle.