Twelve Vaults and the Opening Ceremony

Kurama’s appearance here was certainly no coincidence. In fact, he was slow to realize that Tsuna might be under attack, and had hurried over only after the danger dawned on him. Yet, when he arrived—

The battle was already over.

He gazed at Tsuna, who was covered in wounds large and small, yet still trying his best to smile at him. Kurama’s expression remained stern as he regarded him from a distance. After a long pause, he finally sighed in resignation.

“Tsuna, really…” Why is it you always think of others first, never considering your own condition?

He wanted to chide Tsuna, but when the boy looked up at him with those clear, brown eyes so pitifully, the fox spirit felt helpless and a little sorrowful, realizing that in that moment—he truly couldn’t muster any anger.

So, maintaining a serious face, he strode up to Tsuna and, under the curious and slightly wary gazes of Dino and the others, took off his own coat and wrapped Tsuna tightly in it—

“Why are you just standing there? Aren’t you cold? Enough, whatever needs to be said can wait. For now… isn’t it better to leave here?”

Most of the buildings around them had been destroyed in the fierce battle that Kurama had missed. The street, aside from Tsuna’s group, had long since emptied of all other pedestrians. With such commotion, the police were certainly not idle; Kurama could already hear the distant wail of sirens.

Clearly, this was not the time or place for conversation.

Kurama’s reasoning won Dino’s approval.

“This gentleman…” Having never met Kurama, Dino didn’t know his name, but his manner suggested familiarity with Tsuna. Even their eccentric teacher had tacitly allowed his actions when he rushed over. While Dino remained somewhat cautious toward Kurama, his tone was friendly.

“Kurama.” Kurama volunteered his name and offered Dino a polite nod.

The handsome blond man, whose looks rivaled those of certain professionals, turned to Kurama with a radiant smile.

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Dino.”

Then he turned back to Tsuna. “Mr. Kurama is right, Tsuna. Whatever you want to say, save it for later. Romario and the others have already found a closed hospital. Let’s bring Basil there first.”

Tsuna looked from Kurama to Reborn, seeing neither object, so he nodded to Dino. “Thank you, Dino.”

The blond man laughed and ruffled Tsuna’s hair.

“You’re still so polite with your senior!”

Tsuna’s face reddened beneath his hair, now tousled into a rabbit’s nest.

Kurama watched him with a smile, uncharacteristically silent, then turned and took the lead, following Dino and the others—he remembered the upcoming scene where Reborn would “motivate” Gokudera and Yamamoto, and since it was an internal matter for the tenth-generation family, Kurama tactfully refrained from interfering.

Soon, Tsuna caught up, carrying Reborn in his arms, and, guided by Dino’s subordinate Romario, they arrived at the hospital.

The wounded, unconscious youth whom Reborn and Dino referred to as “Basil” was settled in and, after emergency treatment, his condition stabilized.

Meanwhile, Tsuna, having changed clothes and received basic treatment, learned preliminary information about the Vongola rings from Reborn and Dino.

As in the original story, Tsuna refused to accept the genuine, half Vongola ring brought by Dino, instead fleeing the hospital at breakneck speed.

Kurama, who had been watching throughout, offered Dino an apologetic smile, exchanged a glance with Reborn, then calmly chased after Tsuna.

Dino, watching Kurama’s receding figure, finally seized the chance to ask Reborn about him:

“Reborn, who is he? Is he another member of Tsuna’s family? Letting him know about all this… is it really okay?”

The black-haired infant pressed his hat brim down.

“He’s Tsuna’s friend. As for his origins, don’t worry about it—just know he can be trusted.”

Dino nodded without hesitation—Reborn was always the most trustworthy person. If he said it was fine, there was no doubt.

Still, “Does Tsuna really think he can escape? ‘That one’ has returned to Japan especially for him, you know.”

“Not only that, he even let his only disciple Basil act as unwitting bait. That guy… has finally made up his mind.”

Reborn spoke with his usual calm expression, but his thoughts were already drifting far away.

Meanwhile…

“Tsuna.”

Kurama didn’t rush to catch up, but waited until they were a fair distance—neither too close nor too far—from the Sawada household before falling in step with Tsuna, who turned toward him, his face full of dejection. Kurama sighed and pinched his cheek.

“What’s got you so down? Is it what Reborn and Mr. Dino said at the hospital?”

Tsuna nodded spiritlessly. “That Vongola ring thing is just too dangerous, isn’t it? I almost got killed by someone from the same family! I never even planned to inherit any mafia family; if only Reborn would give up…”

“You know that’s impossible, Tsuna.” Kurama interrupted his increasingly unrealistic fantasy with a smile. “If Reborn were that easy to shake off, would you still be under his thumb now?”

Tsuna’s ears drooped at that, saying nothing.

Kurama suddenly felt the urge to ruffle his hair.

But seeing him so dispirited, he couldn’t bring himself to tease him further.

So instead, he took Tsuna’s arm and, with a gentle motion, placed a warm, soft white creature in his arms.

“Here, you can hold Mokona for a while.”

Tsuna stood there, dazed.

Mokona, nestled in his arms, looked up with crescent-shaped eyes, beaming. “Hi, Tsuna! Good afternoon!”

Tsuna, infected by Mokona’s adorable manner, unconsciously smiled back. “Good afternoon, Mokona. You didn’t get dragged off to drink by Reborn today, did you?”

The white creature snuggled into his palm. “Just a tiny bit~” He held up a little paw, trying to show a minimal distance. “Can’t help it, Reborn’s collection is just too tasty!”

Tsuna sighed and gently rubbed Mokona. “That won’t do. Mokona, you said you’re not a little alcoholic—prove it to me.”

“Che~ Tsuna, you’re so stingy~”

With that, Mokona hopped back onto Kurama’s shoulder, sounding a bit miffed, though his overjoyed tone made Tsuna smile in spite of himself. Kurama watched him with a grin.

“Feeling better now?”

Tsuna seemed to realize it, flushing again.

“Kurama… thank you.” He whispered shyly, “And Mokona. You both just wanted to cheer me up, right? Thank you, I feel much better now.”

He lifted his head and gave Kurama a small, sincere smile.

Kurama finally reached out and ruffled his hair.

“Anyway, let’s go home. Take a bath, eat your fill, and tonight… I’ll listen to all your complaints, as much as you want.”

“Kurama, will you sleep with me tonight?” Tsuna’s eyes lit up.

The fox spirit nodded with a smile.

The future boss’s spirits soared, and the two walked home, chatting and laughing, but as they approached the yard, they abruptly stopped—

Because Tsuna noticed an entire row of work uniforms drying in the yard, at some unknown point…

“...Could it be?!”

Suddenly recalling something, he dashed inside, forgetting even to say goodbye to Kurama.

Kurama didn’t mind, since he himself had only realized Sawada Iemitsu’s return after noticing the house’s lights, and today was indeed the day Tsuna had clashed with Basil and Squalo in the streets.

Still…

“To be so shocked just seeing his father return—how will Tsuna react when he learns his true identity?”

—Though he’d seen it in the anime and manga, surely the real-life version would be even more interesting?

Amused by his own irresponsibility, Kurama followed Tsuna into the entryway.

That night, the planned heart-to-heart was, of course, postponed.

Tsuna, overwhelmed by his father’s return, ate his dinner quickly and went to bed early.

The next morning…

As expected, Tsuna’s snarky skills evolved rapidly thanks to Iemitsu’s antics.

Soon he discovered that the Vongola ring he'd refused yesterday had been forcibly put on his finger, and from Reborn he learned more details—like the impending death (or so it seemed) match against the Varia…

The future boss nearly despaired.

Yet, no matter how much Tsuna resisted, he never truly managed to defy Reborn’s decisions. So, from that day on, he began grueling special training in preparation for the ring battle ten days hence.

After completing the first phase of basic physical training, Reborn informed Tsuna that the next stage of training would begin.

When Tsuna followed Reborn to the training ground, he was startled to find the person waiting there was—

“Kurama?!”

Author’s note: The monthly agony has struck, feeling all kinds of miserable… [teary-eyed, rolling on the floor, begging for comfort]

So the fox spirit just couldn’t resist the adorable attack of the rabbit—Is it really okay to compromise like this, young man?

Scratching my head, the plot seems to be progressing a bit slowly? Covering my face, I admit my chatterbox tendencies flare up unexpectedly, but I’ll try to pick up the pace. The first stage of the home tutor world conquest (whatever that is!) will soon be completed XD

This chapter’s illustration features the debut of the host (not really) boss Dino—

Honestly, the early anime design for the senior is a bit rough—his waist, his arms, his legs, none of it really shows (what do you want to see ==), so I picked a colored manga cover. Look at the lines of those arms and the waist obscured by the title! Waist!! [self-restraint ==+]

As usual, here’s the preview for the next chapter: Fox Spirit Special Training. What unexpected changes will Tsuna’s second-phase training bring with Kurama’s involvement? Meanwhile, the Varia’s pursuit is drawing near. Stay tuned for the next chapter: “Kurama the Fox Spirit”—Fox Spirit Special Training!

Update finished, rolling away to lie down. Monthly misery is the worst, sob sob!