Chapter 19: The Battle of Rain
"This is the Ninth?" Tsuna asks. Both he and Kouga are back at the cliff sight the following morning only at the bottom of the cliff and by the river. Reborn decides to show them the picture of the Ninth, who turns out to be a kind-looking old man.
"He seems friendly old man like Grandpa Dan." Kouga says.
"Oh? I've never shown you before?" Reborn asks innocently.
"Never! Not even once!" Tsuna and Kouga cry.
Basil chuckles at the early comments. "He does not look like the boss of a Mafia Family, does he?"
"Yeah." The brunette nods.
"Out of all the boss who chose to be either combative or moderate, with the exception of the First, the Ninth was the model moderate." The hitman tutor tells them.
"For his sake, we can risk our lives." Basil adds. "Oyakata-sama says that the Ninth has that kind of charm."
"Dad said that?" The brunet asks.
"Hai."
"True." Kouga says. "I don't mind working under such a person."
The brunette looks at the photo again. "This person chose me to be the Vongola Tenth..." He thought. "This person... brought Reborn and I together." "I still don't like him!" He shouts. "It's this person's fault that this kind of battle started!"
"Sawada-dono..." Basil looks at him.
"But there's no point saying that now. What's done is done." Tsuna states. "I'll complain to him later after we defeat Xanxus." Everyone smiles at his speech. "Now," He stands up and stretches, "let's get to training."
"I'm relieved." Reborn says. "After hearing about Squalo from Dino, I was afraid you'd be too worried about Yamamoto to train."
The brunette stops. "Well, I am worried." He looks up to the sky, hoping that his Rain Guardian is all right and then remembers something. "Kouga-san, there was something I was wondering."
"What?" The black-haired teen asks.
"Back at Kokuyo Land, you're hair changed while fighting Mukuro. Why is that?" Kouga looks down at the questions causing Tsuna to fluster. "Ah! You don't have to tell me if it's personal!" He waves his arms.
"No. I'll tell you." Kouga says. "My body, no, my DNA has been passing down through our bloodline, especially the body that withstands the enormous pure energy, Mako, within it. Due to my ancestor's actions and experiences, those who with them appear."
"What do you mean?" Basil asks.
"The blood of my family has faded from history, but because of the DNA we, more specifically my blood, sometimes abruptly reappears. Gold blond hair…" Kouga pulls his hair that was covering his right eye up. "…this sky-colored eye…" He let go of his head and looks at his hand. "…and the body to withstand Mako energy."
"But your hair is black." Tsuna points out.
Kouga turns to the brunette. "This black hair turned blond, remember?"
"You're right…"
"During those times, I tap into the Mako inside of me that causes my hair to go that way."
"Is it because your body is closer to your ancestor's?" Tsuna wonders.
"Yeah. I also thought that too."
"And it's because of that you were able to see through Mukuro's illusions." Reborn says.
"Yeah. But the way I am right now, I can only master half the Mako inside of me."
"Why is that?" Basil asks.
"It's probably that part of me hates this energy in my body."
"Hate it?" Tsuna asks.
"When I was a kid, I was called a freak when my strength spikes up at times, causing others to isolate me because of the Mako."
"Subsequently from that experience, you can't use the full potential of Mako." Reborn summarizes.
"That's basically it."
"Sonna..." The brunette says. "But right now, you're our friend!"
Kouga looks at him with slightly wide eyes. "Tsuna..."
"I don't know what you experience when you were a kid, but the Kouga-san right now is strong, kind, and considerate to others. Maybe that's why you were chosen as the Vongola Knight."
Basil smiles and Reborn smirks at the brunette's words as Kouga simply looks at him before smiling. "Thanks, Tsuna."
The evening has arrived and Yamamoto is lying down on the floor of the dojo that his father took him to teach him the sword stances. He is nervous as he remembers what Dino said about Squalo.
"Yamamoto, I'm going to be honest." Dino tells him. "Squalo has destroyed many sword styles. If you rely on our sword style, you won't stand a chance." Yamamoto's eyes widen in shock. "To defeat him, you'll have to surpass any sword style."
"Surpass sword styles... huh..." The baseball ace thought.
The door suddenly slides open and four figures are by the door.
"Ciaossu." Reborn greets.
"Yo, Yamamoto." Kouga calls out.
"Konichiwa, Yamamoto-san." Ruki greets.
"Gomen, are we bothering you?" Tsuna asks.
"I don't mind." Yamamoto says as he gets up. "What about your training, Tsuna?"
"We already finished, and your dojo was on our way home." Tsuna tells him.
"So, how's it going?" Reborn asks. "Think you can surpass your style?"
"Getting straight to the point?!" Tsuna mentally cries.
"Hahaha... oh, that?" The baseball ace laughs. "Who knows, I won't know 'til I try."
"Surpass style, huh?" Kouga says. "Are you really that desperate, Yamamoto?"
"Well, after what Dino told me, I might as well need to." He tells him.
"Oh..." Kouga says and he and Ruki look around the room. "This is a nice dojo."
"I agree." Ruki says.
"Yo, if it isn't Tsuna-kun." A voice speaks from behind, who turns out to be a man who looks like an older-version of Yamamoto. "And you brought two new friends with you."
"H-Hello." Tsuna squeaks.
"Hello." The two siblings greet.
"What's up, oyaji?" Yamamoto asks.
"That sword fight is tonight, right?" He asks.
"Eh? How did you found out?" Tsuna asks in shock.
"Come on, it's obvious!" Yamamoto's dad says like it is really that obvious. "Actually, I've heard it from your dad."
"Tou-san?!" Tsuna freaks out.
"I heard that your opponent is an insanely strong swordsman." He says to his son.
Tsuna looks down for a moment before Yamamoto speaks up. "Yeah, he's strong."
"Then take this, Takeshi." He then pulls out a shinai from the long bag that he brought along.
"It's a shinai!" Yamamoto exclaims.
"It looks like that on the surface, but it's made of steel."
"Huh?"
"This was passed down through eight
"This was passed down through eight generations of Shigure Souen Ryu masters: Shigure Kintoki." He tells them. "if you use it normally, as you can see," He takes out a cucumber and breaks it with the practice weapon, "it's the same shinai. It can't cut one slice of cucumber. But if you use it with Shigure Souen Ryu techinique," He tosses the cucumber in the air and swings the bamboo sword at it, and the cucumber is slice into many pieces, shocking everyone there, "it'll reveal its blade." He states as a single-edge katana appears where the shinai is. "If it's used with the other styles besides the Shigure Souen Ryu, it goes back to normal." He demonstrates as he spins the sword and it changes back to its bamboo sword form. "It's a sword made especially for Shigure Souen Ryu."
"That's amazing!" Yamamoto says.
"I see, so it's like the shinai version of the Yamamoto's Bat." Reborn states.
"Nice!" Kouga whistles as Ruki claps at the performance.
"But, if it's specialized for Shigure Souen Ryu, you can't use it for tonight's match." The brunette states.
"Huh? What's that?" He says seriously.
"Tonight's opponent is a strong gut who's crushed lots of sword styles." Yamamoto tells his father. "In order to defeat him, I need to move in a way that surpasses any style."
"What are you say, you idiot!" The man roars at his offspring. "Listen! The eight forms of Shigure Souen Ryu are molded in battle by each of its wielders! It's been accumulated and refined, and in all aspects, it is perfect! Surpass that?! Impudence!"
"Complete opposite to what Dino-san said..." Tsuna deadpans.
"Maa maa, I know that you're proud of Shigure Soen Ryu, but..."
"I'm not talking about anything so puny!" The older man "Listen up! Shigure Souen Ryu is perfect, without folly! It is the ultimate and the strongest!"
Yamamoto takes a back at his father's statement and takes his words deeply.
The night comes and everyone at Yamamoto's dojo follows the humming samurai-to-be as he places the Shigure Kintoki lazily on his shoulder.
"Yamamoto... What does he plan on doing?" Tsuna questions to Basil, Kouga, and Ruki beside him. "His dad said he shouldn't aim to surpass the style.
"Who knows." Reborn says.
"But Dino-san said something else." He adds and then ruffles his hair in frustration. "I don't get it!"
"As a swordsman myself, I say stick with one style as he doesn't know any other styles." Kouga tells him.
"That's right. If one sticks with too many styles, their body will be disoriented and fall apart." Ruki adds.
They walk into the school grounds, and Yamamoto just looks around to try and spot anyone. "Isn't anyone here yet?" He asks.
"VOI―!" A loud shout catches their attention. The owner of the voice lands on top of the roof at the entrance. "Good job not running away, katana-kozo! I'm going to slice you up like a sashimi!"
"Superbi Squalo!" Basil cries out.
"Uwa! He really is scary!" Tsuna shrieks.
"It won't end that way, Squalo!" Yamamoto tells him as he swings his shinai and switches it into its katana form. "I'm going to take you down with this Shigure Kintoki!"
Eh... A transforming sword?" Squalo says.
"That means you're not going to surpass your style, but use Shigure Souen Ryu?" Tsuna asks.
"If my old man says it was invincible, it must be." He tells him. "Don't you agree, Kouga, Ruki?"
"Yeah, do as you like." Kouga looks at him with a small grin.
"It is your sword that is being used." Ruki adds.
"Invincible?" Squalo laughs. "I've killed hundreds of idiots who claimed that their sword was invincible!"
"H-Hundreds?!" Tsuna shouts in panic. "Maybe his decision wasn't such a good idea."
"Really dangerous, like I thought." Yamamoto says. "It is thrilling as standing in the batter's box with a chance to hit a home-run to win a game!"
"Yamamoto-dono... Talking about baseball at a time like this..." Basil says in shock. "What in the world..."
"I see, that's it." Tsuna says with understanding as Basil looks at him, confused. "I'd forgotten."
Reborn smirks.
"That's Yamamoto for you." Kouga says with a laugh. "The reason why we both are able to concentrate on our training..."
"...It is because I felt that Yamamoto could somehow pull it off." Tsuna finishes his sentence.
"They're here." Reborn says and two new figures jump next to the Varia member, revealing to be the Cervello.
"Tonight's combat field will be the south tower." They tell them. "Please move to the south tower."
"Inside the school again..." The brunette says. "What kind of field is it this time?"
"Voi! Where is that?" Squalo questions.
"This way." The Cervello lead the way and Squalo follows them.
"Katana-kozo, I'll be waiting!" He says as he follows the pink-haired girls.
"Let us go too." Basil tells the brunette.
"Y-Yeah." He nods and they are about to follow them when a voice shouts from behind.
"Sorry for being late!" They turn behind to find Ryohei with the same goofy grin.
"Kyoko-chan no Onii-san!" Tsuna shouts in shock.
"I brought him with me!" The boxer says as he walks away to show a person bandaged up from head to toe, who seems to be struggling to move and talk.
"A Mummy!" The brunette freaks out.
"No, it's me!" The mummy mumbles as he unravels the bandages on his head to reveal Gokudera. "That Romario-ossan said this is how a man gets treated and wrapped me up!"
"G-Gokudera-kun!"
"Romario-san might overdo with the bandages." Kouga points out.
"Are your wounds all right?" Tsuna asks.
"They're not much to speak of." The silverrette tells him. "They look bad, but they're all scratches."
"It doesn't look like one." Ruki states.
"Actually, he was told to stay still, but he insisted so I gave him a hand." The boxer tells him.
"I didn't get any help!" The bomber shouts. "I follow you here on my own! And you can't even use your right hand, lawn-head!"
"What was that, tako-head?!"
Yamamoto only smiles sheepishly at his friends' argument. "Besides," Gokudera glares at the baseball ace. "I don't want to die without knowing how things went down. I can't stay in bed without seeing this match."
"Hahaha. You're a worrywart." Yamamoto laughs.
"You're too worry-free!" Gokudera yells and switches towards Tsuna. "Juudaime, where is the combat field today?"
"Oh! Un, the school's south tower." Tsuna tells him.
"Understood!" Gokudera yells. "Now, let's go!" He tries to run but then trips over the bandages around his legs. Everyone sweatdrops at the bomber's antics.
"Gokudera?" Yamamoto asks nervously.
"Gokudera-kun?!" The brunette shouts.
"He really is stupid." Reborn states.
"Maybe we should unravel some of his bandages first." Ruki suggests.
After a while of unraveling the bandages around the silverrette, they are on their way and reach the south tower, but then notices the tower has all its windows sealed tightly.
"Are? The windows are sealed!" Tsuna exclaims.
"The entrance too!" Ryohei states.
"What's going on?" Kouga questions.
"It looks like we can get in from here." Reborn tells them, as he stands in front of a huge metal door. They go and open the door and hears something flowing around.
"What's that sound?" Yamamoto asks as he opens the door to find the floors destroyed and water is flowing from the upper floor through the cracks on the ceiling and the floor is covered with a shallow pool of water, shocking everyone.
"What is this?!" The brunette cries.
"This doesn't even look like the school anymore!" The silverrette states.
"This is the combat field for the Rain match: Aquarion." The Cervello standing by the rubble explain. "It features a three-dimensional structure and a massive amount of water that flows without end. The water that is introduced begins filling up the tower from the first floor. Longer the match continues, higher the water level will rise."
"It's like a sinking ship." The boxer states.
"Getting a foothold will become harder as the match progresses." Basil adds.
"The water that has pooled will gain the traits of seawater through a use of a special device." The Cervello continues. "And once a specific water level has reached, a certain ferocious sea creature will be released."
"Eh?! A ferocious sea creature?!" Tsuna freaks out."
"It sounds like fun." A voice says and everyone turns and finds the Varia on the floor above them.
"Ah, Varia!"
"Ushishishi... I woke up this morning and had a Ring." Bel says with his usual grin. "The prince's amazing."
"Damn it, ano yaro..." Gokudera curses.
"Ah!" Tsuna and Kouga find Xanxus and Aaron standing with the Varia. "Xanxus, Aaron!" They exclaim shock that two of the strongest assassination squad are here today since the last time they appear was during the Lightning match.
"The dogs that lose will be erased." Xanxus says smugly. "Either the lot of you," He looks at Squalo. "or this trash."
"Na-! Voi!" Squalo shouts at the Varia boss as he and Aaron walk away to another spot.
"Xanxus is serious." Reborn says as Tsuna and Kouga glare at the top two Varia members.
"Don't scare them too much, Reborn." Dino says as he appears behind them.
"Dino-san!" Tsuna exclaims.
"Yamamoto, I'll be watching your match."
"Okay." Yamamoto nods with his usual smile.
"That guy Kyoya is suddenly paying attention to the Ring Conflict since yesterday so he's probably watching nearby." Dino adds.
"He didn't know until yesterday?!" Tsuna and Kouga exclaim.
"We have one RIng, and they have three." Reborn says. "Our backs are against the wall. In a lot of ways, this is a critical match."
"All right! Now that's decided," They look at the hyperactive boxer, "we're going to pull Hibari into the circle! Where is he?!"
"EH!" Tsuna gaps.
"That's impossible." Gokudera states.
"Hahaha, yeah." Yamamoto laughs.
"He'd punch us..." The brunette pales.
"I think so too." Dino agrees.
"Same here." Kouga agrees.
"Hai." Ruki nods.
"I won't allow exceptions!" The boxer yells.
"Maa maa, not as a replacement, but how about letting Basil-san in?" Ruki suggests.
"Thou canst, too?" Basil asks.
"If she said so, it's all right with me." The silverrette states.
"Our fates are going to be the same." The baseball ace adds.
"Lambo too, of course." Tsuna adds as he holds out the tail that Reborn gave him yesterday.
"Yosh!" They all crowd in the same circle, excluding Dino and Romario. "Yamamoto, FIGHT!" Tsuna cries.
"OH!"
The two just smiles at the sight.
"Then, will the Guardians of Rain please come to the center?" The Cervello tells them. Because the field will be underwater, the spectators' room will be outside the building." A screen outside flicks on and shows the masked judge's face. "The match will be shown on the giant screen mounting on this wall. Everyone except the Guardians of Rian, please exit the building."
"Then, focus, Yamamoto." Ryohei tells him.
"Good luck." Basil adds.
"You better not lose." Gokudera warns him.
"Okay." Yamamoto replies.
"Then... do your best." Tsuna tells him.
"Best of luck." Kouga adds.
"See you later." The baseball ace says with a smile as he walks deeper into the field and the rest exits the area, leaving him to his opponent.
"This battle will have no time limit." The Cervello states.
The rest all looks up on the screen that shows Yamamoto walking along the water.
VOI! So still haven't had enough!" Squalo yells as he readies his sword. "I'll make you regret not running away a week ago!"
"Hahaha, you never know until you try." Yamamoto says confidently.
"Then without further ado, the Guardians of Ring of Rain, Superbi Squalo vs. Yamamoto Takeshi. Battle Start!"
"Gonna let it fly!" Squalo shouts as he runs and swings his sword at him. The baseball ace sees this and dodges it, but then the shark smirks as he swings a few plates of explosives as of before at him.
"Oh yeah, that weapon!" Tsuna cries. "From the edges..."
"Hidden explosives!" Gokudera states.
The baseball ace sees the flying metal plates at him, but he dodges it with ease.
"Oh? You dodged?" Squalo says.
"That was close!" Yamamoto wipes his sweat. "It's all thanks to the image training I've done every day since I lost to you."
"Image training?! You trash!" Squalo shouts. "Could you imagine this?!" He dashes forward and leaps out of the water and away from Yamamoto's sight.
"He disappeared." The baseball ace mumbles but then the Varia swordsman comes out from behind him and slashes him down. Yamamoto spins around and blocks with his sword.
"What was that?!" Tsuna exclaims.
"Hayai!" Basil adds.
"You've made a big mistake of you assumed you saw all my strength in the last fight!" The ravenous swordsman yells as few more plates appear from the blade yet again from that distance.
"Ah! From that distance...!" Dino cries.
An explosion is heard from the area it was hit, shocking everyone.
"Yamamoto!" Tsuna cries out.
Squalo smirks but then he notices the explosion suddenly bursts out into weird smoke.
"Eh? W-What's will the shape of that cloud?" Tsuna exclaims.
"Yamamoto drew." Reborn states.
"Huh?" Tsuna and Kouga look at him.
"That's the Shigure Souen Ryu, the defensive Seventh Form, Shibukiame (Spraying Rain)."
Yamamoto takes a different stance as he holds the sword backward and then Squalo lands on the water.
"What was that?!" He says in shock.
"S-Sugoi..." Tsuna exclaims in awe. "He avoided the explosion!"
"So that's the Shigure Souen Ryu..." Kouga says.
"It looks rough around the edges, but for him to perform such a feat in this short time. He really is suited for the sword." Ruki states.
"No kidding." Reborn agrees. "This week, except during matches, I knew Yamamoto was training without getting much sleep. No matter how good his stamina or reflexes are from playing baseball, there is a huge difference between learning a style and using it in battle. And it's a battle of life and death. When a man can suddenly fight without fear like this, he's either an idiot or a natural born hitman."
"Yamamoto's a hitman?!" Tsuna cries. "What are you saying, Reborn?!"
"Maa, either way, I'm the most amazing for picking out Yamamoto."
"So after all that, you're just bragging?!" Tsuna and Kouga cry.
"However..." They look at Dino who has a serious look. "continuing to rely on the Shigure Souen Ryu is dangerous."
"Dino-san, that again?" Tsuna says. "But his technique was actually successful." Dino's eyes still have a serious feeling in them.
"VOI! Don't be too elated, little birdie!" Squalo shouts as he runs and swings few more explosive plates at the baseball ace's feet, and the explosion created a water wave that hits on him hard.
"Yabe, he got me cornered!" Yamamoto thought in panic as the Varia swordsman runs towards his opponent. "Eto... at a time like this..." Yamamoto mumbles as he panics for a bit but then calms down as he places his sword down into the water. "This one!" He swings his sword up from the water creating the water wave up into the air.
Tsuna looks at Yamamoto's feat in disbelief as he dips his sword in the water and creates another water wave that covers him fully. Squalo stops at his tracks as he sees the water barrier.
"What is that?" Gokudera asks.
"Shigure Souen Ryu, the defensive Second Form." Reborn states as the swordsman slashes down on the water but misses as the rain warrior who is squatting down. "Sakamakuame (Rolling Rain)."
"He not only hid in a wall of water, but he has made himself smaller to defend themselves!" Basil states. "What that, he canst not be hit!"
"With this, he'll be fine." Tsuna thought as his face lights up. "He'll be just fine!" "See, Dino-san? It's amazing! Yamamoto and Shigure Souen Ryu!"
"I hope so." Dino says with the same serious tone.
"Eh?"
"Squalo..." He states. "He looks like he's happy."
"Voi! Kozo, why didn't you attack after you defended yourself?!" Squalo shouts, shocking them a bit. "Foolish idiot! You missed your last chance to actually hurt me! But that old man is different. He is all that every swordsman desire to beat! It was satisfying to just fight him!"
"Hm?" Yamamoto looks at him confused.
"Eh?" Tsuna looks at him confused.
"Last chance?" Basil asks.
"Old man?" Kouga repeats.
"Ushishishi..." Bel chuckles.
"Looks like Squalo has figured it out." Mammon states.
"What a sore loser!" Ryohei states. He's bluffing!"
"Hahaha." Yamamoto laughs. "Last? That's a little harsh." Yamamoto says and his eye sharpens. "I'll tell you now; that's not all the Shigure Souen Ryu has."
"That's right." Reborn states. "Shigure Souen Ryu has four defensive forms and four offensive forms. Eight different forms exist for all sort of situation." The baseball ace gets ready and takes another stance.
"Yamamoto..." Tsuna stutters as he runs forward. "He moved forward for the first time!"
The Varia smirks as he dashes forward and slashes at him, which he raises his swords up in defense but then realizes that it was just his hand that swipes past him, shocking Squalo.
"The sword is not in Yamamoto-dono's hand!" Basil exclaims.
The katana drops down for a second and then is taken by the swordsman bt the back "Shigure Souen Ryu, the offensive Fifth Form." Reborn states as the baseball ace swings him again and slicing the swordsman. "Samidare (Early Summer Rain)."
The long-haired Varia falls down from the attack and lands into the water. Everyone all gawks at the skill of Yamamoto.
"T-That was..." Basil manages to stutter.
"Samidare: by changing hands in mid-swing, its course and timing become off. It becomes a malleable attack form." Reborn explains.
"N-Not bad..." Gokudera twitches, not realizing that the baseball idiot is that powerful.
"Sugoi, Yamamoto!" Tsuna exclaims.
"What a cheery bunch." Bel states.
"They don't understand the strength of a Varia boss candidate." Mammon says.
"VOI–!" A voice shouts as he jumps out from the water and lands in front of Yamamoto. "It didn't work." Squalo smirks.
"Are?" Yamamoto looks really surprised.
"Squalo is unhurt..." Dino says nervously."
"W-Why?!" Tsuna exclaims. "It definitely hit!"
"No, it didn't." Kouga states.
"Within a moment," The Cavallone says, "he moved his body back along Yamamoto's sword's course. Squalo didn't get knocked back. He leaped back."
"That's..." The brunette says.
"I can only assume that Squalo saw the attack coming." The hitman tutor states.
"But as far as I can tell, there is nothing unusual in Yamamoto-dono's motion before changing hands." Basil states.
"T-Then how?" Tsuna says nervously and confused.
"Voi! Is this your invincible sword style?" Squalo questions.
"This isn't good." Dino thought. "This is what I was afraid of..."
"Yamamoto..." Tsuna looks up at his friend worriedly.
"Besides that, there was something I didn't like." The shark adds. "Why did you use the back side of your sword?!"
"Eh?" Gokudera stiffens.
"He used the backside?" Tsuna looks up, confused.
"That's right." Reborn confirms as the brunette look at his tutor. "Right before the last attack, he spun his sword around to use the edgeless backside against Squalo."
"He did that in the middle of that amazing attack?" The brunette looks back up at the screen, shocking of his friend's skills with the sword.
"That's because..." Yamamoto starts. "That's because I'm fighting to beat you, not to take a life."
"That Yakuu-Baka!" Gokudera shouts. "That's too soft!"
"Even if he didn't want to take a life," Kouga starts. "It is an insult to use the blunt side, Yamamoto."
"Nonsense." Bel says.
"He's messing around."
"VOI―!? ARE YOU INSULTING ME?!" Squalo shouts and dashes forward at Yamamoto with his sword ready. "You don't seem to understand your situation! I'll slice open that impudent mouths!"
Yamamoto swings his sword up and redoes the water wave technique to perform Sakamakuame again, but the Varia grins evilly as they perform the same technique, clashing with the water wave. The baseball ace widens his eyes in shock as do all the others outside.
"T-That long-hair, too...!" Tsuna exclaims.
"A tower of water at the same time?!" Basil exclaims.
"Now their field of vision are blocked!" Dino shouts.
"The one who finds the other first wins." Reborn states.
Yamamoto scans around, trying to find his opponent, but then he senses someone behind him and spins around to find Squalo with his sword ready. A slice cuts through the water.
"Yamamoto!" Tsuna shouts as a huge cut is shown on from their chest to his left shoulder as a line of blood gushes out. Everyone is stun of the deep wound on the baseball ace.
"How is it?" Squalo asks sadistically. "Does it hurt? I'll give you hopefully bad news. I can see through your attacks!" Tsuna is shocked beyond anything he had before. "Why? I once crushed that Shigure Souen Ryu!"
The teen stumbles and falls to the floor with his hand on the wound and eyes widen in shock of the news.
"He crushed the Shigure Souen Ryu before?" Tsuna questions in shock.
"A long time ago, I defeated the man called the Sword Emperor and searched for strong opponents in order to test the style I'd mastered, including the Ninth Vongola Knight." The shark says. "Then, I heard that a perfect, flawless sword of assassination exists in the east, which has been passed down each generation. That was the Shigure Souen Ryu. I found them: the successor and his three students. They all used the same eight forms you did. However, they were just aging styles! I took on all their eight forms! I saw them, and I cut them down!"
"T-That's...!" Tsuna shouts.
"That's probably true." Reborn states. "Squalo's movements are more than just reflexes."
"Eh?"
"What a terrible man..." Basin says. "Even Yamamoto dono's Shigure Souen Ryu..."
"Squalo..." Dino thought. "Saying that he defeated the Sword Emperor wasn't just for show."
"D-Does that mean none of Yamamoto's attacks will work?" The brunette stutters.
"After defeated them, I got information about that retired Vongola Knight's location!" Squalo shouts. "That man was fearsome! Possessed a sword-style that surpasses all other sword-styles that I had faced! That man is more or less worthy for me, even if I lost to him!"
"I haven't heard that story." The baseball ace says.
"Yamamoto!" Tsuna cries out.
"That guy..." Gokudera looks up at the baseball idiot.
"The Shigure Souen Ryu I've heard about..." Yamamoto pants as he gets up with his wound bleeding profusely, "was perfect and flawless, the strongest, and invincible."
Yamamoto-dono intends to fight with the Shigure Souen Ryu to the very end!" The CEDEF personnel states.
"He can't!" Dino shouts.
"VOI! Are you an idiot?!" The shark yells.
"You don't know until you try!" Yamamoto says.
"I can't hold back anymore!"
"Squalo's going to bare his fangs." Mammon states.
Squalo dashes forward at the baseball ace with his eyes full of bloodlust.
"Here I come!" Yamamoto states as he runs forward as well.
The long-haired swordsman swings his blade which many of the same explosive plates shot out, exploding the water and blocking Yamamoto's line of sight. Squalo then slashes at a pillar sending little debris at the baseball ace with one impaling into his left eye before falling into the water with a splash.
"Ah! The piece of the pillar!" Basil exclaims.
"How underhanded!" Ryohei shouts.
"I won't stop once I start moving!" The shark shouts as he dashes forward at the baseball ace, whose left eye starts to bleed but Yamamoto immediately spins and swings his sword, but only swings his hand as the sword vanishes from his grip once more.
"That technique!" Gokudera cries.
"Samidare!" Yamamoto catches and swings his sword in his other hand, hoping to surprise the long hair who smirks as he brings down his sword onto Yamamoto's katana. Consequently, the baseball ace suddenly freezes as the shark gets ready to swing again.
"Eh?"
"Yamamoto?" Tsuna calls out in confusion.
"Yamamoto-dono, why thou do not move?" Basil questions.
"Voi! What's the matter?" Squalo asks, full of sarcasm as Yamamoto looks at him in shock but manages to punch his left arm, and manages to dodge the other swing from the shark as he falls into the water once more.
"Yamamoto!" Gokudera shouts.
The long hair dashes forward, swinging his sword like crazy as the baseball ace gets ready to defend but then notices his sword changed back to its bamboo version and paddles back through the water to avoid the second swing.
"Yamamoto's acting funny." Tsuna points out.
"It looks like he stopped for a moment." Basil states.
"That's..." Dino says.
"It must have been that sword strike from before." Ruki states.
"That's right." Mammon says. "That move that Squalo unleashed a moment ago was Attacco di Squalo (Attack of the Shark), a shockwave attack which turns a powerful blow into an oscillating wave that stuns his opponent's muscles."
"But striking his own arm to undo it..." Bel adds. "That other guy is impressive too."
"However, Attacco di Squalo's shock is stronger than being hit by a bat." The hooded baby says. "He won't be able to use his left arm for some time."
"What's the matter?!" Squalo yells as he dashes towards the panting opponent. "You're not looking so good!" Yamamoto looks around and notices rubble that leads up to the upper floor before running and leaps up onto the debris. "VOI! I won't let you get away!" The teen leaps up to the floor above as Yamamoto blows his left hand, but is interrupted when a huge vibration from him shakes the entire ground and the entire floor collapses. Below, the shark stabs the upper floor at an incredible speed. "Die!" He states as the teen stares down in shock.
Everyone else outside are shocked as he crashes down onto the watery floor below, many wounds on his body and the Varia swordsman smirks in victory.
"Y-Yamamoto..." The silverrette stutters.
"Yamamoto." Tsuna says.
"What a sword attack..." Basil exclaims. "No, rather than that, it was chewing away at the air ahead of them."
"That attack is called Zanna di Squalo (Fang of the Shark)." Levi says. "Boss, our win is assured now."
"Hn, no matter how many years pass, he never changes." Xanxus states from his leather seat as Levi looks at him confused.
"I should say this is expected from Squalo." Mammon says. "In the end, he personifying the duty of the Guardian of Rain: the requiem rain that cleanses the battlefield and washes everything away."
"That's..." Tsuna trails off.
"Yamamoto-san..." Ruki mutters.
"Saa, kozo! I'll finish you off now!" Squalo tells him.
"Damn it..." Yamamoto swears as he gets up and turns to lie on his back. "It's so one-sided... If he found out I lost, the old man'd sure get mad."
"Voi, do you still want to go at it, using your beloved Shigure Souen Ryu?!" The shark taunts him. "What's the matter, kozo? The successors showed me all the eight forms, though they died pitifully after unleashing their eighth form, Akisame (Autumn Rain)!"
The Rain warrior widens his eyes in confusion. "The eighth form, Autumn Rain? What is it? I've never heard of it." He thought and realizes. "I see how it is, oyaji." He mumbles.
"VOI! Gaki-domo!" Squalo yells out to them outside. "Just still and watch the katana-kozo ugly end!" He then notices Yamamoto standing up with his Shigure Kintoki in his hand, panting as the blood flows down from the wounds around his body. "Voi. Just stay asleep!" He calls out to the heavily wounded swordsman. "I'll fillet you where you lay!"
"It won't end that way." Yamamoto states confidently. "Shigure Souen Ryu is perfect and flawless."
Squalo can only look down in surprise of the boy's confidence.
"He's so stubborn." Bel laughs.
"He bluffs, but there's nothing he can do in that state." Mammon adds as the screen shows the panting baseball ace, barely standing on his feet.
"Yamamoto/-san!" Tsuna and Ruki cry.
"He's hardly standing!" Gokudera exclaims.
"Trash!" Squalo yells. "I'll start by cutting that back-talking mouth!" He swings his sword, sending huge air strikes at the running Rain warrior, who dodges all of them as he runs forward towards the Varia as each strike creates a water wave.
He then remembers the conversation they had for the eighth form. "You see devoted, Takeshi." Tsuyoshi comments.
"Yeah, oyaji!" Yamamoto replies cheerfully.
"I brought you something." Tsuyoshi shows a cloth covered lunch box. "Do you think you can master all eight forms?"
"We'll do what we can." He tells him. "But I think I got one down, the eighth form, Shinotsukuame. I don't really understand, but it's the easiest to whip out. It feels natural."
"Oh...?!" Tsuyoshi chuckles, drawing the attention of his student. "Sokka, sokka."
"What? You seem really happy." The baseball ace asks curiously.
"Shinotsukuame are the last of the forms to be created." The sushi chef sighs as he reminisces the past. "Apparently, it's a technique that was born when a young successor needed to save a friend."
"He-h. So there was an order in which the forms were developed?" Yamamoto asks in surprise.
"Everything has an order. When the Shinotsukuame was developed, a typhoon was approaching. They say the rain was fierce, and it felt as if you were being stabbed."
Back to the present, Yamamoto runs forward and jumps from the rubble and leaps up behind the Varia swordsman. "Here I go." He says.
"What did you come to do?" The shark questions.
Yamamoto takes a stance as he holds his sword in his left to draw. "Shigure Souen Ryu..." He chants.
"Yamamoto!" Tsuna cries.
"He's going to do it again!" Gokudera exclaims.
"He can't! It won't work against Squalo!" Dino says.
"Voi... It seems like you have any brain cells." Squalo smirks as the rain swordsman run towards him in a similar manner. "I know that stance. Now unleash it! Akisame!" He yells out as he runs towards him when Yamamoto draws out his sword. "It's over!" Squalo thought.
"Shigure Souen Ryu, the eighth offensive form," Yamamoto thought as he swings his blade, slicing anything around him. "Shinotsukuame!" The strike manages to slice the shark.
"What...?" Squalo grunts out in pain as he tumbles a few meters behind him.
The audience outside all widens their eyes in shock.
"Hahaha. I thought so." Yamamoto laughs his usual cheerful laugh.
"Urg..." Squalo manages to get onto his feet, grunting in pain from the strike. "You bastard! You can use a style other than the Shigure Souen Ryu?!"
"Oh? Nope. That was also Shigure Souen Ryu."
"What?!" He shouts.
"The eighth form, Shinotsukuame was developed by my old man." The baseball ace smiles confidently.
"Eh? Yamamoto's dad developed it?" Tsuna asks.
"I see." Reborn says and everyone looks at him. "That's why there are eight forms in eight generations." The hitman tutor explains. "For the Shigure Souen Ryu, succession means change."
"Change?" The brunette looks at him.
"My guess is that the man Squalo defeated and Yamamoto's father, learned the same seven forms from the same master, and each developed their own eighth form."
"Whilst referring to their styles by the same name?" Basil asks.
"The successor to Shigure Souen Ryu inherit their predecessors' form while creating a new one, and then pass them on to their pupils." The Arcobaleno tells him.
"But does that not mean there are new split and a new style for each successor?"
"You got it backward." Reborn adds. "It's a miracle that it didn't come to an end long ago. At only one time was there a severed successorship. It inspires evolution, as well as regression, and it calls itself the 'strongest' all the while, making it a target for strong opponents as if it boxing itself on purpose. Thus, Shigure Souen Ryu is called the sword of destruction; once those with the devotion to killing are gone, it will die out."
"Voi... Gaki!" Squalo wipes the blood off his lip. "I honestly didn't think that you can do this well. That's why I don't understand your use of the blunt edge! Are you mocking this fight?!"
"Yamamoto..." Kouga says.
"That idiot, he's still being too soft!" The silverrette grumbles.
"Yamamoto intends to fight through this battle using the blunt side." Tsuna thought.
"Or is it there still a form that I haven't seen yet?"
"Hm? Hahaha." Yamamoto laughs. "Unfortunately, forms one through seven are the ones you already know."
Dino deadpans at this. "That honest idiot gave himself away..."
"So dying is your only choice! I know all about your Shinotsukuame now that I've experience it!" The shark shouts.
"As expected. It's gotta be this way. Time to give it a try." Yamamoto takes another stance that is his usual baseball stance. "Shigure Souen Ryu, the ninth form..."
Hm?!"
"The ninth form?" Tsuna repeats.
"That means..." Basil trails off.
"Yamamoto intends to unleash his new form." Reborn states.
"I see, styles continuously try to surpass themselves..." Dino says in understanding. "If he can pull it off, then Shigure Souen Ryu would indeed be perfect and flawless, the strongest and invincible. But can you, Yamamoto?"
"What's with that messed up stance?!" Squalo laughs. "Do you think you're playing baseball?!"
"Baseball is all I'm good at." Yamamoto states.
"This one blow will end this match." Reborn says.
"Yeah..." Dino nods.
"I thought you can only use that shinai when using Shigure Souen Ryu!" Tsuna exclaims.
"That's why Yamamoto's father gave it to him." The hitman adds. "It means that Yamamoto has no rights to succeed the style if he can't transform it into a sword."
"Eh?! That's such a dangerous bet!" Tsun exclaims.
"Oi, oi, that's pretty risky." Kouga pales.
"VOI! Don't get too elated, gaki!" Squalo yells. "Know the true power of my sword!" He starts swinging his sword and tearing the water away as he dashes forward.
"Ah! The water is being torn away!" Basil exclaims.
"Scontro di Squalo (Charge of the Shark)…" Mammom states. "I didn't think we'd be able to see Squalo's secret technique that defeated the Sword Emperor."
"Here it goes." The baseball ace mumbles with the long hair running towards him as he swings up a water wave in front of him before vanishing.
"Ah!" Tsuna cries.
"He vanished!" Basil adds.
Behind the water, Yamamoto kneels down with his sword ready. "Shigure Souen Ryu, the ninth offensive form." Squalo dashes forward as he moves under the water ark, completely not noticing the baseball teen behind the water.
"Ah! He moved over there!" Tsuna exclaims.
"He dodged it!" Basil shouts.
"It's not over yet." Reborn says.
"What's the matter?!" Squalo turns and speeds towards his opponent as he swings at the baseball ace who barely manages to block each strike.
"So it was impossible..." Dino thought grimly as Yamamoto stumbles back and retreats behind a pillar.
"This is the end!" Squalo shouts but then notices Yamamoto has moved behind him and gets ready to strike him down. "The other side?!" I didn't think he'd do this well. However," His left hand opens and bends back causing the sword to point backward, "my sword has no blind spots!"
"An artificial arm?!" Dino exclaims.
The blade stabs the baseball ace, but a huge water wave hits him. "Don't tell me?! The one I cut is..!"
"The shadow of the pillar." Reborn states.
The baseball ace appears behind Squalo and strikes down on the long hair. "Utsushiame (Duplicate Rain)."
"This is... defeat?" Squalo thought in shock as he collapses to the floor the Half Rain Ring swings up from the Rain warrior's sword and into his hand.
Everyone is shocked at the swordsman new technique.
"W-What..." Tsuna and Kouga start.
"...was that?" Gokudera finishes their sentence.
"He used Sakamakuame." Reborn explains. "Yamamoto has already made a wave with his first swing to reflect himself behind Squalo, who he baited."
"He just came up with that amazing technique on the spot?!" Tsuna cries.
"That's why I told you; he's a born hitman."
"D-Don't say something unsettling!"
"Look." Tsuna and Kouga look up at the screen, showing Yamamoto showing the complete Rain Ring.
"I won!" He says with his cheerful smile.
"That guy..." Gokudera grumbles.
"Yamamoto." Tsuna says in relief.
"He did it." Basil exclaims.
"Way to go, Yamamoto-san!" Ruki cheers.
"He manages to win in the end." Kouga sighs.
"I'm shocked." Bel states. "I never thought that would happen." Mammon states.
Levi smirks and turns. "Boss." He calls seeing Xanxus who has a passive look on his face. "Boss?"
"Squalo..." He says as he remembers the reason why the shark has long hair. "Pft-Hahahahahaha! Too bad, he lost! Trash!" Everyone all turns back to the look at their boss with Aaron with a passive look. "I'm done with you." He raises his hand up.
"Boss, you don't need to raise a hand." Levi tells him.
"Shall I? For a special fee." Mammom asks.
"Please wait." The Cervello says as she jumps in front of them. "It's dangerous to enter the Aquarion right now. It was reached the designed water level, and a ferocious sea animal has been released."
"Sonna..." Tsuna says as the screen shows under the water, a gate opens and a huge shark swims out of it. "A-A shark?!"
"Chotto matte!" Yamamoto shouts. "What are you going to do about Squalo?!"
"Squalo has been recognized as the loser, so we cannot guarantee his life."
"I thought as much..." Yamamoto says as he lifts up Squalo by his arm.
"Ah!" Gokudera breathes out.
"Yamamoto!" Tsuna cries.
"What's with him?" Bel states.
"He doesn't intend to save Squalo, does he?" Mammon questions.
"Are you an idiot?!" The silverrette shouts.
"Wouldn't you normally save someone?" The baseball idiot asks.
"This isn't the time for that?!"
"In your condition, you cannot carry Squalo!" Basil yells.
Yamamoto gets his opponent and gets ready to move only to find a floating fin, gliding along the water surface.
"The shark has found its prey and is moving!" Ryohei shouts.
"It's huge..." Gokudera says.
"Hahaha, scary..." The baseball ace laughs sheepishly. "But it can't reach us yet." He speaks too soon as the shark hits the pillar under him, causing the floor beneath him to crash into the water.
"Yamamoto!" Tsuna cries as everyone looks at the shark coming at them.
"Yabe..."
"Let me go."
"Huh?" Yamamoto looks at the fallen Varia.
"Don't taint my pride as a swordsman." He says.
"Demo..."
"You're annoying!" Squalo kicks the Rain warrior away from him and onto the rubble. "Brat, your skills as a swordsman aren't too bad. Just get rid of that softness." He turns and faces his death as the shark rises up from the water and destroys the entire floor, leaving no trace of the Varia swordsman.
"Squalo!" Yamamoto shouts but receives silence as there is no ghost of the person left behind. All of them all stare in the silence of the scene at just happened, even the usual loud boxer is silence.
"Hahahahahahahaha!" Xanxus bursts into laughter. "Fish food to the end! That piece of trash! Hahahaha..." He stops and looks at the scene, smirking. "I've managed to wash away one piece of the past."
"Yamamoto sits on the rubble as his grip on his Shigure Kintoki tightens. "Damn it..." He curses under his breath.
"What's with that?!" Gokudera swears.
"The Rain battle has concluded with Yamamoto Takeshi's victory." The Cervello announces.
"C-Can it really end like this...?" Tsuna stutters.
"H-How can this be...?" Ruki sobs with tears overflowing her eyes and Kouga wraps her shoulders with his arm, trying to comfort her. Dino looks at all the middle schoolers, understanding their feelings right now. They're still kids, after all, seeing someone die in front of their eyes for the first time must be really stressful.
"I'll announce the next match." The Cervello adds. "Tomorrow's match will be Snow."
"Snow? Then that means..." Tsuna looks at the white-haired girl.
"Ruki, it's your turn." Kouga tells her as she calms down a bit.
"Un..." She nods.
"It's Allena's turn now." Mammon says.
"Shishishi. I'm looking forward to it." Bel says.
Ruki looks at her opponent as Allena looks coldly at her before she and the Varia leaves.
A/N: I haven't gotten any reviews from the last note so I'm asking you one more time; please help me with the battle of the Snow (kneeling down with head bowing)! As I explain from the last note, I'm bad making the fight scenes so I'm asking you, readers/authors, to help me build the next battle coming up in the next chapter!-!