KHR: Decimo Primo

The bell rang, signaling the end of Mafia 101, and Tsuna let out a sigh of relief, still trying to process everything he'd learned in the class. As the students filed out of the classroom, Tsuna and Basil made their way toward the next class, with Naito, Pantera, and Lunga trailing behind them. Tsuna couldn't help but feel a mix of exhaustion and nervousness, knowing that what awaited them next was only going to get more intense.

"How'd you do, Tsuna?" Basil asked, glancing over at him with a small smile.

Tsuna blinked, still feeling the lingering effects of the class. "I... I'm not sure. I mean, I don't know what to think about the Sky Flames. It's all so new, and I barely understand it."

Basil chuckled. "Don't worry. You'll get the hang of it. It's just a matter of time." He then leaned in, lowering his voice. "But I gotta say Tsuna... you were incredible when you awakened those Sky Flames. I don't think I've seen anyone manifest them so strongly in a while."

Tsuna's cheeks flushed slightly. "Really?"

"Yeah," Basil said. "And even though your Sun and Mist Flames were a bit weaker, you have some hidden potential. You just need to train and learn how to control them better."

As they continued their walk, Naito suddenly bounded up beside them with an overly enthusiastic grin. "Man, Tsuna! You were amazing with those flames! I can't wait to see what you can do in combat!"

"Yeah, we'll see," Tsuna muttered, his nerves starting to rise again. "I'm not sure how I'll do in a fight."

"Don't sweat it!" Naito continued, slapping Tsuna on the back with a bit too much force. "We're gonna be the best team, you'll see!"

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The group reached the next class the combat strategy lesson.

The room was a large, open space with different training stations scattered around. The instructor, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a stern expression, stood in front of the class, a chalkboard behind him filled with diagrams of battle strategies. He began with a booming voice, "The first rule of combat is to always know the terrain. Whether it's the rooftops of the city, the narrow corridors of a building, or the wide open fields, your environment will influence the way you fight."

Tsuna tried to focus, though his mind kept wandering back to the earlier lessons. How would he ever be able to use his newfound flames in battle? The thought of fighting, much less leading a mafia family, was too overwhelming.

The instructor's eyes scanned the class as he continued, "Your flames are an extension of your mentality. If you're afraid or unsure, your flames will reflect that. You must master your emotions and your abilities to succeed." Tsuna found himself suddenly more interested in his Sky Flames being tied to harmony, but how would that translate into combat?

Naito, sitting beside him, leaned forward, a grin plastered on his face. "Tsuna, imagine this! Your Sky Flames combined with my Storm Flames? A combination that would disintegrate everything in its path! What do you say, huh?"

Tsuna smiled awkwardly. The sheer intensity of Naito's enthusiasm was a bit much, but part of him couldn't help but wonder how their powers might work together. He was snapped out of his thoughts when the instructor gestured for them to form teams for a small sparring session.

"Let's see how well you know your flames in a combat scenario," he declared.

Tsuna was paired with Lunga, the silent boy with the electric guitar. Lunga's beady eyes didn't seem to look at Tsuna, but there was a calm, almost calculating air about him. As soon as the bell rang, Lunga activated his Swamp Flames, enveloping his hands with the flames that shone with a dark green hue with a seemingly muddy texture. 

Tsuna was momentarily disoriented. He reached deep inside himself, calling upon his Sky Flames. The flames manifested in a brilliant blaze, slicing through the mist with ease and illuminating the battlefield. He saw Lunga's faint outline in the distance and moved in. But Lunga was already one step ahead, using the Swamp Flames to cloud Tsuna's senses again.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the room, and the instructor nodded approvingly. "Well done, Tsuna. Your Sky Flames are bright—your ability to create harmony between your surroundings and your flames is impressive." He turned to the class, "But don't forget: if your flames are too focused on one thing, you might miss something crucial."

Tsuna's heart raced. His first real taste of combat strategy had been overwhelming, but it gave him some insight into the depth of his powers.

As he walked back to his spot, Naito clapped him on the back. "Not bad, Tsuna! You've got some serious potential, especially with your Sky Flames. I can feel that harmony vibe you've got going on."

Pantera, who was sitting a few rows ahead, turned to him with a quiet nod. "You're adapting well to your flames," she commented, her voice steady and composed.

Lunga, who had barely reacted the whole time, finally spoke. "Not bad, but you're too predictable."

Tsuna blinked, his face flushing slightly. "Predictable?" he echoed, unsure what Lunga meant.

Lunga glanced at him, his beady eyes never fully focusing on anyone. "The way you use your Sky Flames... it's not unpredictable. If you don't change it up, your enemies will adapt too quickly."

Before Tsuna could respond, the instructor raised his hand, signaling for the class to settle down. "Now, before we move on to the next exercise, let's review some key points." He turned to the chalkboard and wrote a few quick notes. "Remember, in battle, adaptability is crucial. Your flames are versatile, but if you rely on one form too much, you'll be outplayed. Each of you has a unique flame attribute, and your enemies will be looking for patterns in your attacks."

The instructor continued discussing strategies, but Tsuna couldn't help but be distracted by Naito, who was already raising his hand, grinning like he was about to ask an absurd question. "So, is it true that in combat, the Sun Flames can make people burn brighter—like, they could literally light up a room?" Naito asked, his voice brimming with his usual loud enthusiasm.

The instructor sighed, rubbing his temples. "That's... a bit exaggerated, Naito. But yes, Sun Flames are incredibly powerful. They're tied to activation—igniting your inner strength and unleashing a surge of energy. But using them recklessly could lead to unpredictable outcomes."

"Ah, gotcha! So if I ever light up the room in a fight, I should aim for the enemy's face!" Naito joked, earning a few chuckles from the class.

The instructor didn't bother responding to Naito's antics, instead focusing on another question. "What about Storm Flames? Can anyone explain their use in battle?"

Pantera raised her hand, her voice soft but confident. "Storm Flames are linked to disintegration. They're used to break down things at a molecular level destroying structures or weakening opponents. It's an aggressive flame."

"Exactly," the instructor said, nodding. "Storm Flames are perfect for an offensive strategy. Now, let's talk about Cloud Flames. Can anyone tell me their key trait?"

Basil, sitting next to Tsuna, answered this time. "Cloud Flames are used for propagation, right? They help spread or enhance other flames. So they're often used to boost your own powers or those of your allies."

"Correct," the instructor said with approval. "Cloud Flames are supportive but can be incredibly potent when used correctly."

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After Combat Strategy, the class transitioned to Family Leadership. Tsuna took his seat again, his mind still racing with thoughts of the combat session. He glanced over at Basil, who gave him a reassuring nod.

The instructor, an older man with a deep voice that commanded respect, stood at the front. "Today, we will discuss the responsibilities of a family leader. Leadership is about much more than making decisions. It's about earning loyalty, trust, and respect."

Naito, sitting near Tsuna, raised his hand before the instructor could continue. "Does this mean I have to act like a boss? You know, be all tough and stuff?" he asked, leaning forward in his seat.

The instructor gave him a deadpan stare. "If you want your subordinates to respect you, yes. You'll need to show strength. But true strength comes from knowing when to be tough and when to show compassion. Being a leader means knowing how to balance both."

Tsuna couldn't help but wonder if he was cut out for this. He wasn't exactly the tough, intimidating type. Could he be a leader in this dangerous world?

The instructor continued, "As a leader, you will be constantly tested. Your family will look to you for guidance. If they believe you are weak, they will falter. If they believe you are strong, they will follow without question."

Pantera raised her hand, speaking up for the first time that day. "What happens if you fail them?"

The instructor's gaze hardened. "Failure can mean death. A weak leader will lead their family into disaster. That's why you must constantly learn, adapt, and grow. Leadership isn't a skill you're born with. It's something you build every day."

The class went silent at his words. Tsuna couldn't deny the weight of those words. The idea of leading people into danger, the responsibility of it—it was almost too much to bear.

Naito, trying to lighten the mood, nudged Tsuna. "Hey, Tsuna, don't worry. You've got your Sky Flames, right? You'll bring harmony to your family. You'll be fine!" His grin was infectious, though Tsuna still wasn't entirely convinced.

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Finally, the bell rang, signaling the end of the Family Leadership class. Tsuna slung his bag over his shoulder, feeling the weight of the day's lessons pressing on him. As he made his way to the door, a small, sharp whistle caught his attention.

Leaning casually against the frame, wearing his signature fedora and with Leon perched lazily on his shoulder, stood Reborn. The world's greatest hitman looked completely at ease, his expression smug as ever.

"Reborn?" Tsuna blurted out, his voice a mix of relief and frustration. "Where have you been all day? You said you'd be keeping an eye on me!"

Reborn smirked, tipping his hat slightly. "I was keeping an eye on you. Just not from close up. You did better than I expected, Tsuna." His tone was somewhere between a compliment and an insult, which didn't help Tsuna's mood.

"Better than you expected? I thought I was going to collapse from stress!" Tsuna complained, slumping dramatically. "And what do you mean, 'keeping an eye on me'? Were you spying on me again?"

Before Reborn could respond, Naito practically shoved Tsuna out of the way, his face lighting up like he'd just seen a celebrity. "Yo, you're Reborn, aren't you? The great hitman? The baby assassin of legend?! Man, I've been dying to meet you!" Naito leaned in, his enthusiasm somehow both endearing and overwhelming. "Do you do autographs? Wait, wait can I get a selfie with you? Oh, wait, do they even allow selfies in mafia schools?"

Reborn raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I don't sign autographs for amateurs," he said flatly, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes.

Naito wasn't deterred. "Oh, come on! I'm gonna be the greatest Storm Flame and Sky Flames user of all time! You're looking at the future of the mafia right here!" He puffed out his chest dramatically, nearly knocking over Basil, who was trying to edge away from the chaos.

Reborn looked at Tsuna, ignoring Naito entirely. "You've really attracted an interesting crowd, Tsuna. A loudmouth, a guitar-playing introvert, and… her," he added, gesturing toward Pantera, who stood silently with her arms crossed.

"Don't lump me in with them," Pantera said coolly, narrowing her eyes at Reborn. "I don't cause trouble."

Reborn's smirk widened. "Sure you don't."

Before Pantera could respond, Lunga finally spoke up, his voice quiet but pointed. "So, where were you all day? You expect us to believe you weren't just napping somewhere?"

Reborn's grin grew sharper. "A true hitman never reveals his movements," he replied cryptically, leaving them all guessing. "But let's just say I was preparing something special for Tsuna."

Tsuna paled. "Special? What do you mean by that? Please tell me it's not another one of your crazy training ideas!"

Reborn ignored him, snapping his fingers instead. Leon shifted shape, transforming into a small megaphone, which Reborn used to amplify his voice. "Alright, listen up! Your final class of the day is Combat Practice, and you'd better be ready because I'll be overseeing it personally."

Naito practically vibrated with excitement. "YES! Combat practice! Time to show everyone what I'm made of! Tsuna, you and me let's team up and dominate!"

Tsuna waved his hands frantically. "No, no, no! I don't want to dominate anything! Can't I just sit this one out?"

Reborn hopped onto Tsuna's shoulder, his weight somehow heavier than it should have been. "Sit out? Not a chance, Dame-Tsuna. You've got some of the brightest Sky Flames in the class. It's time you learned to use them properly."

Basil chuckled nervously, trying to diffuse the tension. "Don't worry, Tsuna. I'll be there to help. Combat practice is tough, but it's also a good opportunity to grow."

Pantera raised an eyebrow at Reborn. "And by 'overseeing,' do you mean you're going to make things harder for us?"

Reborn's smirk was all the confirmation they needed. "Of course. How else would you learn?"

Lunga sighed, already resigned to whatever chaos was coming. "Great. Just great."

As they made their way toward the practice arena, Naito kept pestering Reborn with rapid-fire questions. "So, Reborn, what's your favorite weapon? Do you really shoot people with that pacifier thing? Can you teach me how to do the spinny hat trick?"

Reborn finally turned to him, his expression as deadpan as ever. "If you survive combat practice, I might consider it."

Naito's face lit up. "Challenge accepted!"

Tsuna, walking at the back of the group, groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm about to have the worst day of my life?"

Reborn glanced back at him, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Oh, Tsuna, don't worry. It won't be the worst day. Not yet, anyway."

The others couldn't help but laugh, even as Tsuna let out a defeated sigh. Whatever Reborn had planned for combat practice, Tsuna knew it wasn't going to be anything close to normal.

And with this group, normal was probably never an option to begin with.