THE WEEK BEFORE"You know, even after ten years you still look creepy with that smirk of yours, Tsuna.""You're still lacking on the Italian department, as well. Let's just speak Japanese like back then."Across the mahogany table sat Tsunayoshi Sawada, the tenth generation boss of the Vongola Famiglia and sworn successor to Giotto, otherwise known as Primo. It had been nearly two decades since Hajime departed from the mansion and set his destination for Japan, with a mission now lost and failed from the corruption that led him into the heart of the Yakuza.
Having arrived before the sun greeted them, Hajime had feared the verdict of his Boss as he was shocked to see his old friend in such a condition; barely able to walk on his own, his health deteriorating. It struck the leader of CEDEF heavily, pushing him to a tearful regret and plea for forgiveness, of which his friend had accepted to his surprise. Quietly, the man had sworn his eternal oath of loyalty. After catching up for hours and hours, the one topic that he had sought to rid of surfaced.
"In my opinion," Hajime started, cupping his hands together as he stared down at his ghastly reflection, the embers of the cigarette in his mouth dancing across the tabletop like snowflakes.
"Naoto Alato is not a candidate of Sky. The boy isn't even related to you; you've never had any siblings or relatives.""That is a chance that we'll just have to take," Tsuna replied, closing his eyes briefly with an expression of apathy before re-opening them to look at Hajime.
"If it's true that he possesses Vongola Blood somehow, then there's no question of it."Hajime scoffed, exhaling a puff of smoke from the opposite end of his mouth.
"I haven't sensed a single hint of a Sky Flame in the boy since I came here to observe all of the candidates," the man sighed.
"Every other candidate has, or can use Flames, though.""Maybe he is related to one of the other previous Vongola bosses?" Tsuna suggested.
"Or, perhaps, he may be like Xanxus-"Hajime shook his head.
"Don't even bring up that man's name," he seemed frustrated at the mention of Xanxus.
Tsuna nodded.
"Regardless, once Sonya arrives in Trespiano, I've ordered her to shoot him with the Dying Will Bullet like Reborn did to me twenty years ago.""I can't say I agree with you when it comes to picking Naoto Alato, Tsuna, but I refuse to elect a fake. I'm sorry."Tsuna seemed to understand as Hajime finished the cigarette, gently twisting the burning end into the ashtray.
"Why did you choose Vincente Cleto, Tsuna? Surely, you've heard of all those rumors...""I have," Tsuna interrupted him.
"But with the family at its weakest point right now, I need a strong Storm candidate like Vincente to uphold the Vongola and be a worthy successor to Gokudera." the Boss paused for a moment, frowning as his eyes trailed down to his lap.
"You know, he's also..."Hajime cringed at the mention of the name.
"Damn, even he's sick, too?" he shook his head, wondering what was going on with the tenth family.
"Vincente Cleto is said to work as a hitman behind the scenes, not just killing mafioso, but also innocent civilians. Do you really want a murderous person like him to be a Guardian?""Explain to me what you have done for the last two decades as a high-ranking member of the Yamaguchi-gumi." Tsuna suddenly snapped, realizing his outburst and calming down quickly.
"Sorry, Hajime. I lost my temper..."Hajime shrugged.
"No need to apologize, Tsuna. I deserve all of what the world has to offer when it comes to ridicule, and I'm grateful that I'm still able to be your friend after all the trouble I've caused.""Now, for your pick," Tsuna smiled warmly.
"Cyril Leggieri, was it?""Yeah..."
Member
Marlowe
Foster
Hos
sandstorm
Carlyle