Tsuna woke up on his bed, blinking groggily as he tried to sit up.
“Ouch!”
A sharp wave of pain suddenly shot through his torso, shoulders, arms… every part of his body.
“My whole body hurts!
W-Wait… I’m still alive…?”
Tsuna groaned as he slowly sat up, face twisting in pain.
His muscles felt like they had been beaten and stretched out mercilessly.
He then hurriedly checked his forehead and saw there was no bullet wound!
Meeting Reborn… getting shot in the head… the broken wall… the fight… did all of that actually happen..?
When he observed around, Tsuna saw the wall he remembered being destroyed looking fine.
“I thought I died…?”
Was it all a strange dream?
“No.”
A tiny voice answered behind him, as if reading his mind.
“You!”
Tsuna exclaimed and jerked in surprise, but instantly regretted it as pain exploded across his every joint.
Reborn sat there casually while reading a newspaper.
Seeing him awake, he lowered what he was reading and held up a red bullet engraved with a yellowish-orange flame.
“The bullet that I shot you is called Dying Will Bullet.
It resurrected you by forcefully triggering your Dying Will, igniting your Dying Will Flame before you could die.”
Of course, Tsuna was puzzled after hearing those unknown, metaphysical terms.
“Dying what…?
What the heck do they mean?”
“Oh right, I forgot that these terms are impossible for a dumbass like you to know.
I’ll just explain it as briefly and easily as possible.”
Reborn shook his head as if he had no choice, making Tsuna churn with anger.
“In science, Dying Will or the Will To Live is the most powerful, intense primal drive encoded into every life.
This is what pushes us to survive, to grow, and to fight.”
Tsuna nodded at this sudden science lesson, wondering how it would connect.
“To us humans, Dying Will also refers to our most powerful mental state, either based on our biggest regret before dying or the resolve to accomplish our goal even if it meant dying.”
Reborn then emphasized the Dying Will Bullet with his hand again.
“This bullet forces you to develop a powerful Dying Will by inducing you with intense regret.”
“For what reason?”
Tsuna asked extremely curiously.
“Because a powerful Dying Will is needed to let your brain break the limiter within your body to ignite the Dying Will Flame.”
“Dying Will Flames?
Is that the flame that suddenly ignited in my forehead?
Tsuna could still remember what happened earlier despite barely retaining rationality back then.
The most shocking thing that happened was the flame burning on his forehead, its heat incinerating his entire clothes and filling him with overwhelming strength.
Even now he was still naked except for his underwear.
“That’s right.
The Dying Will Flame is the physical manifestation of your Dying Will, formed into life by your physical body’s energy.”
Tsuna’s eyes light up, nodding in understanding while digesting everything he learned.
According to what he learned… The bullet resurrected him by making him feel intense regret, allowing him to develop a powerful Dying Will which ignited his Dying Will Flame.
Then very slowly, he raised a trembling hand as he realized something.
“W-What if I wasn’t regretting anything?”
Reborn smirked dangerously.
The smile of someone who absolutely did not care.
“I’m a hitman.”
Tsuna’s blood turned to ice.
“I would’ve died…!?
Like permanently?!”
“But you didn’t.”
Reborn shrugged.
“In the end, you entered the Dying Will Mode.”
“You crazy…!”
Tsuna was infuriated, but remembering how he was overpowered by Reborn, he calmed himself down.
He just continued to ask questions that would clear his confusions.
“My next question, what’s the Dying Will Mode you just mentioned?”
Reborn nodded.
“Just like what the name sounds, it’s the state where your Dying Will completely takes over your mind and body, igniting your Dying Will Flame by opening the limiter within your body—allowing you to exhibit a hysterical strength that you couldn’t normally do before.”
Tsuna blinked as he sucked in a cold breath.
“So… like the cases when moms during crises can suddenly lift cars beyond their strength to save their kids?”
Reborn nodded.
“That’s called Hysterical Strength.
Normally, the brain acts as a protective mechanism, limiting humans to use roughly 50% of their total strength to prevent self-harm.
But during crises, humans can sometimes burst with Dying Will to partially unlock their limiter and briefly access Hysterical Strength, using their body’s full potential at the cost of breaking it down.”
Reborn explained.
“On the other hand, the Dying Will Mode uses an external pressure like the Dying Will Bullet to trigger your Dying Will to fully unlock the limiter, igniting the Dying Will Flame to fuel your Hysterical Strength for a longer period without your body breaking down.
But it’s uncontrollable, that’s why your personality got altered and your clothes got incinerated.
”
Tsuna nodded in understanding.
I really thought my clothes being incinerated was part of the transformation sequence…
If he imagined it similar to super saiyan forms, then Hysterical Strength was pseudo super saiyan and Dying Will Mode was the true super saiyan.
“Also, the limiter I keep mentioning is known as the Dying Will Limiter.
It prevents humans from using Dying Will Flame as it can only be forcefully opened if you have enough Dying Will and experience, preventing normal people from using it.”
Reborn stopped.
“Hey, are you listening?”
“Of course!
I even realized the Dying Will Bullet is specifically created to open that Dying Will Limiter…”
“Good, so you were listening.
If you didn’t, I was prepared to slam you with my hammer to keep you awake and start from the beginning.”
Reborn smiled, returning the green hammer he was pulling out.
Tsuna was able to read the hammer’s weight which weighed approximately a many tons.
“…”
Now that the hammer was gone, Reborn gazed deeply at Tsuna.
“The Dying Will Mode.
It was the Vongola Family that first discovered and pioneered it.”
Tsuna listened in awe.
This was like a whole new world to him, expanding his horizons and curiosity.
“Wait, what’s the Vongola Family?”
Tsuna didn’t know why, but the moment he heard the name, something in him pulsed hotly.
Like he was faintly attracted to that name.
Reborn smiled.
“Of course, it’s the family you’ll lead as the boss in the future.
The greatest and most powerful mafia family in Italy—The Vongola Family!”
“What…!?”
Tsuna was so stunned he couldn’t process anything.
“I was assigned by the ninth boss of the Vongola Family, Vongola Nono, to raise you into becoming a worthy mafia boss.”
“But why me?!
I’m nothing special!
I’m not even qualified!
There must be others—!”
Reborn crossed his arms.
“The boss was planning soon to pass down his position to the next generation.
But the first candidate was recently killed in a battle.
The second was assassinated.
The third…”
Reborn shrugged.
“…was found as a sack of bones.”
Tsuna turned pale..
“S-So the only left is… me?”
“Yes.”
“How?!”
Tsuna practically screamed.
“Do I have any relation with the mafia!?”
I don’t remember buying drugs…
Tsuna pondered deeply.
“The founder of the Vongola Family retired early and moved to Japan.
Since then, his descendants continued living in this country.
You are his great-great-great-great grandson.
Which means you’re the last successor with Vongola Blood capable of inheriting the Family.”
Tsuna felt like the world had tilted.
This was way too much to digest in a single day!
“Even so… I’ll never accept being one!”
Tsuna remembered the dead candidates and shivered violently.
“If I become the successor, I’ll end up just like them!”
Reborn shrugged.
“You don’t have a choice.
As long as you carry the Vongola Blood, you’re a hot target to the entire underworld.
Once the assassins and hitmans who killed the other candidates learn about your existence, you’ll be in danger.”
Tsuna stiffened.
“But… it’s fine as long as they don’t know, right?”
Tsuna forced a weak laugh.
“Like… who would look for me… a nobody in Japan…”
“Never underestimate the underworld’s network.
If you do, you won’t even realize how you died in heaven.”
Tsuna’s soul left his body.
“And you will not be the only one in danger.”
Tsuna’s face darkened.
“…Mom…”
His voice shrank as his hands trembled.
Reborn’s tone softened.
“Don’t worry.
I’ll raise you into a boss that can protect yourself and those close to you.”
Tsuna’s voice cracked.
“Does it really have to be me…?”
“Only those with the Vongola Blood can inherit the Vongola name.”
“I will never agree…”
Tsuna didn’t want to accept the fate of being the boss of a criminal syndicate.
“Think over it patiently.”
Ignoring Reborn’s words, Tsuna decided to clear his head by taking a walk outside his home.
Of course, he was clothed.
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Tsuna returned home.
“Welcome home, Tsuna.
Come and have your breakfast.”
Nana greeted him warmly.
“Your tutor is here.
He said that both of you already met earlier?”
“Yes…”
He sighed, making his way to the dining room.
“Ciaosu,” Reborn said, already sitting at the table, eating like he owned the place.
Tsuna couldn’t decide if he was impressed or terrified.
Tsuna took a seat, glaring at the baby.
“Why does it seem like you’re part of the family now?”
“Because I am now.
Right, Maman?”
Reborn turned to Nana, who smiled happily, completely unbothered by him.
“Reborn’s right.
He’ll live here with us until you became a leader with excellent grades and lots of friends.”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me…”
Tsuna groaned.
His mother had completely misunderstood the situation.
After breakfast, Tsuna headed to school.
“Why are you following me to school…?”
Tsuna asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Don’t you go to nursery or something?”
“Stupid”
Reborn jumped and smacked Tsuna on the head.
“Ow!”
“Hitmans don’t go to nursery.”
He’s really pissing me off… It was just a joke.
Tsuna thought, massaging his head.
“Hey,”
Tsuna said, changing the subject.
“You said danger is coming for me soon, right?”
“Yup.”
Tsuna looked at him seriously.
“You’re strong.
So when the danger comes, protect my mom at all cost.”
Reborn met his gaze.
Tsuna’s eyes were full of fear… but also the resolve to protect those he loved.
“That’s why I was sent here.”
Reborn simply replied.
“Though it’d be better if you grow strong enough to protect your family yourself.”
Tsuna looked down at his hand, but his attention was quickly diverted.
“Hey, Tsuna.”
They arrived at school.
A familiar voice called out to him as he approached his classroom.
When Tsuna looked beside him, he realized Reborn had vanished before he could notice.
“What are you looking so serious about?”
Mutsumi leaned in, curious.
“Just some silly stuff!
Good morning…!”
Tsuna said quickly, hoping she wouldn’t suspect anything about his mafia connection.
“Oh, okay.
Good morning too, Tsuna!”
Mutsumi nodded suspiciously before heading to her seat.
Tsuna didn’t want Mutsumi to learn he was supposed to be mafia boss successor.
If the truth came out, she would definitely avoid him.
After all, mafias were known for their illegal criminal activities in the underworld.
Another reason he didn’t want to be a part of it.
“So you like her?”
Reborn abruptly popped out from nowhere, appearing from a spot on the wall camouflaged by something unknown.
“W-what?!”
Tsuna sputtered, nearly choking.
“How did you hide there…,?”
“I’m a master of camouflage.
Using Leon, my shape-shifting chameleon, I can hide anywhere.”
Reborn said matter-of-factly while showing him a glowing green chameleon.
It was the same animal that transformed into a gun and a hammer earlier in the morning.
Tsuna was at first stunned to learn about such a strange mystical animal.
But considering Reborn’s strangeness, he wasn’t that surprised anymore.
“When did you come here…?”
Tsuna asked.
“Since the start.”
Reborn replied.
“Also, Tsuna, you have a misunderstanding.
The Vongola Family is not as bad as the mafioso portrayed in rumors or fictions.
At least, originally.”
“How do you always know what I’m thinking!?”
Tsuna asked, horrified.
“I’m also a master of mind reading,”
Reborn smirked.
Sighing, Tsuna asked.
“What do you mean earlier by those words?”
“That will be my first lesson later.
I will teach you the history of the Vongola Family.
Only by knowing its history can you truly understand and accept the Vongola name.”
“Well, I’m not that interested since I have no plan to inherit it.”
Reborn smiled faintly, then turned to Mutsumi.
“Your crush… she has no normal background.”
“Well yeah.
She comes from a rich family.”
Tsuna admitted.
“The Yozakura Family is much more than that.
Soon, you’ll learn more about them.”
Reborn grinned.
“Once you do, you’ll accept being part of our world.”
Tsuna felt a sense of dread at those words, wondering what exactly Reborn meant..
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That night, the first tutor lesson between Tsuna and Reborn began.
“Yeah right.
How ridiculous it is to be taught by a baby.”
“Don’t blame me, that’s just how pathetic you are right now.
You’re so pathetic that only a baby could teach you how to take baby steps on how to change.”
“You!
How could you say mean things so easily!?”
Tsuna was enraged.
“Fine, let’s see how you can teach!”
“I said I’ll teach you about the history of the Vongola Family, so let’s start with that.
First, read that book aloud.
To navigate the present and seize the future, it’s important to understand and learn from your past.”
Reborn leaned casually on Tsuna’s desk as the boy read aloud from a mafia book.
Though, he was forced to read with a gun pointed toward his head.
So this is how mafias teach…!?
Tsuna cursed.
“Now, the first lesson.
What is a mafia boss?”
“A leader of a criminal organization.”
Tsuna began cautiously.
“They move hundreds of trusted members… risk their lives for their family… and get respect?”
“Exactly.
But there’s more.
A mafia boss is also a hero in his own way.”
Reborn added, smirking.
“Some of the people he protects… wouldn’t survive without him.”
Tsuna raised an eyebrow.
“Hero?”
“Yes.
That’s exactly how the Vongola started.”
Reborn began to recount the oldest history of the Vongola Family.
“The Vongola Family didn’t originally begin as a criminal syndicate, but as a group of vigilantes.
The law failed the people, so they stepped in to protect the powerless.
They wore suits because… well, you gotta have style, right?”
Tsuna blinked as he scanned Reborn who wore a black suit and a fedora.
So it was a trend…
“They fought corruption, humbled the strong, and made sure people could smile and live peacefully even during chaotic times.”
Reborn stood, looking serious.
“And the founder of of Vongola Family left behind a famous motto, Vongola Primo’s motto: Ad Flamma Omnium Protegendas.”
Tsuna tilted his head.
“Ad what?”
“To Protect the Flames of All.'”
Reborn explained.
“It was fine at first…
But the motto was soon twisted by the second Vongola boss, Vongola Secondo.
He made it about control, domination, and crushing anything outside of Vongola’s flame.”
Tsuna shuddered.
“Vongola turned into violence and organized crime under Secondo’s reign…”
Reborn’s voice drifted.
“But the later generation remembered the original ideals.
The current boss, Vongola Nono, is trying even now to bring Vongola back to its roots.
But the darkness of the family’s past…
they still run deeply.”
He looked directly at Tsuna.
“You, who carry the blood of Vongola Primo, were chosen to restore Vongola to its original purpose.
To make sure its flames return to its purity.”
Tsuna’s chest burned.
“Restore Vongola…”
He could feel the pride and the weight of responsibility.
At the same time, his view about Vongola began changing.
But…
“I still don’t plan on being a Mafia Boss.”
In the end, it was still nothing more than a criminal organization.
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Tsuna silently read Vongola Primo’s excerpt about the family’s motto.
Ad Flamma Omnium Protegendas.
In english, To Protect the Flames of All.
“A flame is not born to rule, but to bear the weight of its power.
For strength is not a privilege, it’s a responsibility.
The greater our flames, the greater the lives we must protect.
We do not fight for glory, but because we must stand where others cannot.
And like a light in the dark, we shall guide those led astray back into the warmth of the flame.
Where darkness rises, we will answer.
Not as rulers, but as guardians bound by duty.
For the world, for the innocent, the Vongola Flame shall never waver.”
— Vongola Primo.
“With power comes great responsibility, huh…”
Tsuna smiled faintly.
…
To summarize, the Dying Will Limiter has different levels and serves as a benchmark:
The partially unlocked level where humans can unleash superhuman strength in a short period of time—Hysterical Strength.
The unlocked limiter level where your Dying Will manifests a Dying Will Flame that fuels your Hysterical Strength for a longer period without your body breaking down—Dying Will Mode.”