Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

"...Eh… Eh!!!?"

"What… what's going on here!?"

Seeing a wounded member of the Discipline Committee being wheeled into the ward, Tsuna's face was instantly filled with shock and confusion.

He quickly bent down, turning to Reborn with a voice full of panic:

"Why… why are they targeting me!?"

"Do I really need to explain?" Reborn shot Tsuna a glance, cradling the now-ball-shaped Leon in his arms as he slowly replied, "It seems this time the enemy's not just after Namimori Middle School."

"If I'm right, the students attacking Namimori might also belong to an underground mafia family."

"M-mafia!?"

Tsuna's legs wobbled as fear gripped him, causing him to take a few steps back while staring at Reborn's serious face.

"Why… why is this happening!?"

For Tsuna, who had been just an ordinary junior high school student barely ten days ago, everything Reborn said felt overwhelmingly heavy. He couldn't process it all at once.

And what was even harder for Tsuna to accept was...

If what Reborn said was true, didn't that mean Kyoko's brother, the members of the Disciplinary Committee, and all the other students who had been attacked...

Were hurt because of him!?

Plop!

Tsuna collapsed to the ground, burying his head in his hands, curling up as if trying to shut out the world.

Kind and gentle by nature, Tsuna clearly had not yet grasped the full meaning of becoming Jūdaime Boss of the Vongola family.

Let alone bear such a heavy burden.

However…

Reborn didn't seem fazed by Tsuna's weakness. It was as if he hadn't even noticed it.

He simply looked down at Leon in his arms with a small smile.

Then, his expression suddenly hardened as he addressed Tsuna sternly:

"I don't know the full details of the situation yet, so I'll be disappearing for a while to investigate who's trying to sabotage the Vongola."

"Until then, you'll have to handle the rest on your own."

"W-what!? Reborn!?" 

Hearing that Reborn was about to leave, Tsuna's face turned pale with desperation.

Up until now, every challenge he had faced in the last ten days had been solved with Reborn's unique methods.

The thought of Reborn leaving left him feeling lost and without support.

But Reborn had no intention of giving Tsuna a chance to protest.

Without another word, Reborn turned and transformed into his signature Sherlock Holmes look.

He began walking towards the hospital exit.

But as he passed by Tsuna, for reasons unknown, Reborn leaned down and whispered in a low voice:

"Don't panic."

"Remember, I'm not the only one who's been assigned as your tutor."

With those parting words, Reborn walked out like a lone traveler heading off into the distance.

Tsuna remained seated on the ground, Reborn's words still echoing in his mind, as his eyes shifted toward the approaching figure.

"Ace... Ace-sensei!"

Desperate for help, Tsuna cried out like a drowning man grasping at a lifeline.

Because Ace had always been in charge of his physical training, Tsuna wasn't used to seeking him out for advice.

However...

That just showed how well Ace had managed his relationship with his mission target.

After Reborn left, Ace calmly approached Tsuna, looking down at him sitting on the ground.

But unlike the tense atmosphere surrounding them, Ace's face was still bright with a smile, as if everything that was happening had nothing to do with him.

"Hey, Tsuna, how long are you planning to sit there?" Ace asked with a playful grin.

"Huh?"

Startled, Tsuna quickly scrambled to his feet.

Like a lost child, he immediately turned to Ace and asked, "What should we do now, Ace-sensei?"

"What should we do?" 

Ace raised his brows with a smile and asked, "Isn't that something you should be asking yourself?"

Seeing Tsuna's bewildered expression, Ace's deep gaze locked onto Tsuna's as he continued:

"Tsuna, I understand how you're feeling right now."

"But before you start looking for answers, take a good look at the situation around you."

Ace pointed to the injured students in school uniforms scattered around the hospital.

"No matter what the enemy's goal is, they've hurt your friends."

"Whether or not you're the target…"

"Whether or not you're the Vongola Tenth…"

"At this moment, are you really okay just doing nothing?"

"I…"

Under Ace's piercing stare, Tsuna's hands began to tremble.

But his usual timid nature kept him from voicing what was really in his heart.

At that moment, a pair of warm, rough hands suddenly rested on Tsuna's shoulders, snapping him out of his daze.

Ace stepped forward, looking directly into Tsuna's eyes. His gaze burned like fire, yet was as calm as the sea.

"If I remember correctly…" Ace said, "School should be ending soon, right?"

"If Reborn's guess is accurate, then before you're attacked, the number of injured people will definitely keep rising."

"And those injured will only get closer and closer to you…"

"What?!"

Ace's last words made Tsuna's face drain of color. His eyes flickered with fear as he glanced at the clock in the hospital corridor.

For the first time, Tsuna stopped hesitating. His fists clenched tightly as he lifted his head, meeting Ace's gaze with newfound resolve.

"I understand now!"

"First it was the regular students, then Mochida-senpai from the Kendo Club, Ryohei-senpai from the Boxing Club, the Discipline Committee members…"

"They're attacking people in Namimori Middle School, starting from the weakest and working their way up in strength."

"That means… the next targets are likely Yamamoto-kun, known for his athletic skills, or Gokudera-kun, who's also involved with the mafia!"

In the rankings of Namimori Middle School's strongest fighters, according to Futa's list, Gokudera and Yamamoto ranked right below Ryohei and the Discipline Committee.

"Oh? You're thinking pretty clearly for once!" Ace said, his eyes flashing with approval at Tsuna's deduction.

He hadn't considered that angle, but after seeing Futa's ranking and the pattern of the attacks, Ace quickly agreed with Tsuna's assessment.

"So, what's your next move?"

Ace smiled at Tsuna, watching him closely, like a craftsman observing a gem being polished.

"I…" Tsuna lowered his head, his clenched fists trembling slightly before he steadied himself.

He muttered quietly, "I won't allow this…"

A soft breeze seemed to stir from Tsuna's body—weak, but noticeable.

Ace, with his keen observation skills, picked up on it immediately.

It's happening!

Ace's eyes widened with surprise. Having already seen similar changes in Hayato, Takeshi, and Ryohei, he instantly recognized what was occurring within Tsuna.

Though faint, this new power signaled something significant: Tsuna was beginning to break through the seal placed on him by the Vongola Ninth, just as Reborn had hinted!

"I won't allow it…"

"I won't let them hurt my friends!!!"

Tsuna raised his head, and for the first time, a fiery anger flashed in his normally gentle eyes.

"And I can't stand…"

"…That everyone is getting caught up in this because of me!"

"Ace-sensei, I don't know why…"

"…But right now, I'm really, really angry!!!"

Boom!

Though his voice was soft and trembling, almost on the verge of tears, it rang in Ace's ears like the tolling of a bell.

It was a sound that resonated with those who understood the power of emotional bonds and spiritual strength.

"Hahahahaha…"

Ace burst out laughing, his hand clapping firmly on Tsuna's shoulder.

"As expected of you!"

"In that case, you decide what to do next!"

"After all, there's no time to waste."

Ace pointed to the clock on the wall, reminding Tsuna, "If you don't act soon, it might be too late."

"No! Gokudera-kun! Yamamoto-kun!"

The thought of Hayato and Takeshi being in danger jolted Tsuna into action. His body twisted with urgency as he sprinted out of the hospital, not even stopping to call for Ace, who he still regarded as incredibly powerful.

Ace watched Tsuna disappear, a small cloud of dust stirred up by his frantic footsteps.

A satisfied smile slowly spread across Ace's face.

"A guy who only awakens when his friends are in danger?"

"I think I'm getting the hang of this mission, Brother Leo."

  ...

  ...

  At the same time.

  As the melodious school bell rang, students from Namimori Middle School began to go home one after another.

  The large-scale attacks that occurred in the past two days have already caused panic in the entire Namimori Middle School.

  Especially today, they didn't see a single disciplinary committee member in the school.

  Normally, the Disciplinary Committee is something they fear.

  But when the real crisis comes, the first thing people think of is still those tall and sharp figures.

  "Hey? Gokudera, do you want to go home alone?!"

  in Tsuna's class.

  Seeing Hayato packing his schoolbag and preparing to leave the classroom, Takeshi quickly stopped him with a smile:

  "Didn't the teacher tell us to go together?"

  "Anyway, we have to train together in the evening, so you can go to my house for dinner first. What do you think?"

"You idiot! Who wants to go to your house with you?!"

"I'm going to the hospital to check on Jūdaime!"

Hearing Takeshi's invitation, Hayato's expression changed instantly. He reacted as if something struck a nerve, angrily refusing:

"And you, you idiot!"

"Don't act like we're close or something!"

"Sooner or later, I'll surpass you!"

"I'll prove to Jūdaime that I'm the best candidate to be his right-hand man!"

Ever since Takeshi unlocked the power of the Dying Will Flame under Ace's guidance, the gap between their physical abilities had widened. For Hayato, who took immense pride in his strength, this was a bitter pill to swallow. 

In Hayato's eyes, Takeshi had become his greatest rival. Especially since this guy, who barely seemed to understand anything, clearly intended to compete with him for the role of Tsuna's right-hand man in the mafia.

There was no way Hayato could stand such a vexing person!

Yet…

Despite Hayato's outburst, Takeshi remained unfazed, his usual carefree smile plastered on his face.

"Hahaha, so you're heading to see Tsuna, too," Takeshi laughed. "Looks like we're on the same route. I'll walk with you since I'm passing by the shopping street on my way to the hospital!"

As he spoke, Takeshi casually slung his bag over his shoulder and stood beside Gokudera, as if determined to tag along.

"You idiot…"

Hayato felt like his anger had just hit a wall of cotton—completely ineffective. 

But then, an even more frustrating feeling crept in.

Although Takeshi was usually airheaded, Hayato couldn't shake the feeling that he suggested walking together because he was worried they might get attacked on the way. Reluctantly, Hayato couldn't come up with any reason to refuse Takeshi's good-natured offer of protection.

So, the two set off together towards the hospital after school.

And it turned out Takeshi's concern wasn't unfounded.

Halfway there, a shadowy figure stepped in front of them.

"Namimori Middle, first-year, Class A—Hayato Gokudera and Takeshi Yamamoto."

"Let's make this quick. I hate sweating."

"Huh?"

Hayato and Takeshi spun around in shock, finding themselves face-to-face with a man who had narrow, square-shaped glasses and a slightly hunched posture. He was dressed in a worn-out Kokuyo Junior High Gang uniform.

"Who the hell are you?" Hayato scowled.

"Me?"

The man pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, speaking slowly as if every word pained him.

"Chikusa Kakimoto. First-year, Kokuyo Junior High Gang."

"I'm here to crush you."

——

BOOM!!!

The usually bustling shopping street was rocked by a sudden explosion.

In the shadowy corner of the street, Hayato shot a worried glance at Takeshi, who was clutching his bleeding arm.

"Hey! You idiot! Are you alright?!"

Just moments earlier, Chikusa had launched a sneak attack, right after introducing himself. 

Takeshi, still clueless, had assumed it was just a fight between regular students, so he hadn't been on guard. If Hayato hadn't acted fast, Takeshi would've been hit by more than just a strike to the arm!

"I'm fine," Takeshi said, still managing to flash a smile, even in such a tense situation. He scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, I didn't expect him to attack out of nowhere."

Then, looking at his injured arm, he sighed in frustration.

"This is bad. There's a baseball match next week. If my arm's hurt, I won't be able to play…"

"Hey! Can you stop thinking about baseball for one second and focus on the situation?!"

Shouting in exasperation, Hayato hurled a handful of dynamite towards Chikusa, creating a smokescreen to buy them some time. He quickly grabbed Takeshi and dragged him behind the corner of the next street.

Furious, Hayato cursed under his breath as he glanced at Takeshi, injured yet still smiling.

Despite being physically superior, Takeshi was always so careless in real combat.

"Damn it!"

"Why am I competing with an idiot like this guy for the role of Jūdaime's right-hand man?!"

Hayato scanned the area, trying to find a safe spot to hide Takeshi. From the ruthlessness of their attacker, it was clear that Chikusa wasn't just some regular student—he was a professional assassin.

Hayato couldn't bear the thought of Tsuna being heartbroken if Takeshi died, so he knew he had to get him to safety.

Yet, despite the danger, the grinning fool with an injured arm still treated it all like some sort of game.

"Hahaha, is this a mafia escape game? This is fun!"

"…"

Hayato ground his teeth together in frustration.

Aaaahhh!!!

This guy…

Is so infuriating!!!

_________

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