*A/N: All characters belong to Amano Akira.

The Vongola planned for Tsunayoshi's ascension to become the family's boss two weeks after both he and his Guardians graduated from high school. The Ninth Generation, Guardians included, were positively glowing when they received Reborn's confirmation towards Tsuna's acceptance of the position. The obstinate teen had finally yielded to his inevitable future.

It was decided under Tsuna's conditions that the ceremony was to be held in Japan. A break of traditional Vongola procedures, but not an overall large issue in comparison to Tsuna's stubbornness years prior. Because what matters most is that the Vongola had a stable, capable heir. Which is why the entire family had celebrated, along with the CEDEF and other close allied families.

The only ones who refused to celebrate were those directly related to this decision. Them being the Varia, who will soon be an assassination group under Tsunayoshi alone, and the entire Vongola Tenth Generation. Other immediate friends of Tsuna - Enma, Uni, Byakuran, and Dino - also shared their discontent to Tsuna's becoming the new boss. They were also mafia bosses of their own, hence they should have applauded gaining a strong bond with the Vongola Famiglia; they would have, if not for understanding Tsuna's circumstances, and the hatred he had for this prejudiced world.

Tsuna, unlike what the rest of the family believed, did not fully agree to inherit the Vongola family because of its tempting wealth and power. It most certainly was not because he believed that this was his only choice towards his life. It was because he had been forced to take the position. He had seen the true monstrosities of the mafia world within his three years of high school; if he had selfishly turned away and led his own happy life, he would have perished under the guilt. It was in his own self justice and undeniable will that brought Tsuna to the last option he had for his future.

Therefore, it would have been the largest insult towards Tsuna if his most trusted friends had also praised his hard-chosen choice.

Nonetheless, regardless of who is in full support of the decision and who isn't, Tsunayoshi Sawada was to formally become the Vongola's Decimo fourteen days from now.

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"You've finally bent to your future, didn't you, Dame-Tsuna. I had expected at least another five years of resilience, but this outcome is more than favorable."

Tsuna sighed, his hands clasped in front of his face as he bent over his desk.

"Reborn. Don't speak as though I want this path. If I could find a better choice, I would have. I don't see my freedom as anything less than my life. Besides, you knew full well that I wouldn't just turn away when you forcibly showed me "mafia business"."

Reborn, who looked about twelve after the destruction of the Arcobaleno curse, only tipped his fedora.

"I have no intention of denying that. Though I mostly certainly would not say that I did it for the Vongola."

Tsuna looked up, eyes flaring. "Then who did you do it for? Me? Don't screw with me, Reborn. Working for Nono to bring me into the mafia world was your goal from the get-go."

"Perhaps it was. It certainly is one of the reasons now." Reborn hummed, Leon snoring lightly on his shoulder.

"Reborn…"

"However, Dame-Tsuna, I would prefer you put it as I did it for the entirety of the mafia instead. Your presence in the mafia is necessary if the mafia world is to change."

Tsuna snorted. "Are you playing hero now? Because that's some heroic claim you're making there."

"So what if it is? I'm not lying to you. You yourself saw what would happen if any innocent lives are misfortunately found in a mafioso's path. You know full well that there are worse things than death in the underground world. Isn't that why you took responsibility? To change that?"

The sound of Tsuna's palm hitting on his desk rang through the room.

"Yeah, sure, maybe I am trying to change it. But what of it? I don't care that my life is sacrificed, Reborn. I knew full well from the moment I received the Vongola ring that my life is nothing compared to those I can save."

Reborn raised his eyebrow. "Then what is your problem? If you're fully prepared, then act like it!"

The demand was met with silence, save for the small sound of the boy gritting his teeth.

"I can be a sacrifice, Reborn. That doesn't matter. But me becoming Vongola's boss immediately requires me to take the others. It's a necessity for the Decimo to bring his Guardians. If I don't, they'll use force. But I… I can't do that, Reborn. My life is not worth the innocent ones I have yet to meet… but theirs? Theirs is priceless. Their lives are my everything. Their lives will weigh more than the world itself. I'm selfish, Reborn. I would rather take this responsibility alone."

A sigh was heard from the receiving end of his words. "So you're saying, Dame-Tsuna, that your stupid anxiety is because you're finding a way to keep them out of it? They won't, Tsunayoshi. If their lives are your everything, then your life is their hope. They'll go with you wherever you go, Tsuna. That's why they're your Guardians."

"Precisely why I'm worrying. I know they'll try to follow me to Italy after the ceremony. I know that they'll just laugh off my anxiousness and worries. And I can't do that."

"Dame-Tsuna. Do not underestimate your Guardians. They are strong. They can weather out whatever the mafia swings at them. They are, essentially, my students too. Don't underestimate my students."

Reborn got up out of his seat, and made his way to the door of Tsuna's room. He didn't stop to comfort his student, whose face was wet with tears and voice croaking with cries of uncontrollable sadness. He only tipped his fedora and walked out, leaving only cold words for the crying teen.

"Don't turn tail now, Tsuna. You've already stepped on this path. They have, too. It won't do you any good to regret. You can only look forward from here."

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Dino looked at his younger brother with concern, wrinkles creasing between his brows as his face contorted in worry.

"Are you sure, Tsuna? It won't be easy. In the end, your Guardians are not all from the mafia."

The boy only smiled in return. Tear marks were still clearly visible on his pale cheeks. "I'm certain. I have to do this, Dino. If I am to drag them into this inconceivable mess, I need their families' consent. Because my Guardians alone are not the only ones receiving the consequences."

The frown on Dino's face only deepened, but he patted Tsuna's shoulder (now the same height as his own), and sighed.

"Alright."

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Tsuna's first, second, and third Guardian families were relatively easy to speak with, to put the whole ordeal bluntly.

Bianchi accepted without any hesitation, claiming that her younger brother would follow him to the ends of the world. Tsuna flinched at that. It was the sentence he least wanted to hear.

Kyoya's family had ties with Fon, being relatives of a sort, so it was simple to arrange a meeting. Of course, being family with one of the former Arcobaleno, as well as the adults behind Kyoya's strength and ferocity, Tsuna was not surprised that to hear that they did indeed have ties with the mafia. Thankfully, or unfortunately, they worked for a close ally of the Vongola, so they were also quick to accept. They were wholeheartedly pledging their loyalties to Tsuna, completely convinced that the Hibari family is in good hands with the Vongola. Tsuna was less than sure.

The same was said for Lambo's family, the Bovino, who lacked a stable partnership with any powerful mafia family. They were more than willing to give their nine-year-old child to the upcoming Vongola Decimo, since it would ensure a bond with the strongest mafia famiglia. Or so they thought, but Tsuna is doubtful that he'll ever be true allies with the people who made Lambo's life a living hell.

From the fourth visit onwards, however, was the true battle.

Yamamoto Tsuyoshi was expecting Tsuna's arrival, apparently, and knew from the beginning that his son was tied to the mafia family. Reborn had long since told Tsuna that Tsuyoshi had a hitman background, so it was expected that the man knew precisely who Tsunayoshi was, and what he came to ask for.

The man had sighed as Tsuna walked into the shop.

"I see that you've finally come here to ask me for Takeshi."

Tsuna dipped his head, eyes solemn. "Yes."

"I can't believe it. I had tried so hard to keep them away, Tsunayoshi-kun. Both my wife and my son. Yet my wife dies because she saw mafia 'business', and my son is warped into becoming the Vongola Rain. Why, Tsunayoshi-kun, why must it be our family?"

Tsuna bites his lip in response, his eyes near tears from the pain of understanding.

"Tsuyoshi-san… I know that I have ruined Takeshi's future. If I can one day give him his civilian life back, I would immediately. I would give it back to all of them. Which is why I came to ask you for your consent."

The sushi shop owner only frowned. "Why you came…?"

"Yes. I dearly do not want you to accept, Tsuyoshi-san. I want you to object. I want you to take Takeshi and keep him away from me, as far as possible. I want you to keep his innocence and his freedom. Because I'll never be able to give him either of those. And he won't let me stay out of his view. So I want you to help me do that, Tsuyoshi-san. I can no longer refuse the Vongola's plans for my future. I can't change the fact that my Guardians will be forced to come with me. But you can, and I want you to do just that."

A wash of orange burst into the room, enveloping the atmosphere. Tsuyoshi is more than astonished at the brunet's willful words. There was so much desperation in them, so much guilt and sorrow.

"Tsunayoshi-kun…"

"I know what I'm asking of you is selfish. I know that it wouldn't be easy, either. But all of you, as their family, are my last hope. Please, take Takeshi away. Stop this inevitable fate."

The man only looked back down into his palms. His fingers curled and uncurled, thoughts and possibilities swirling into his brain.

"... No, Tsunayoshi-kun. I… I don't want Takeshi to go to the Vongola. That's true. But I can't force him to stay away from you and the rest of his friends. He's my son, but I'm not his king. I can't tell him to do anything. And I know full well that he's chosen to stay with you. To be honest, I hated you when he told me that he wants to go to Italy. I doubted that you ever will deserve his loyalty, even when I saw how close he was to you all these years that you've come here."

Tsuyoshi inhaled sharply. Tsuna closed his eyes, unable to look the man in the eye anymore.

"Now, though, after what you've said to me, I'm going to choose to trust Takeshi's judgement. You truly treasure my son and your Guardians, and I couldn't ask for more from a mafia boss… no… a high school boy. You are kind, unbearably so, and I despise you for it. Had you been a selfish, arrogant, and hateful child, it would be so much easier to refuse you. However, there is so much love in you, my boy, that I cannot say no. So I will give you my consent, even if it means crushing your hopes along with it."

Tsuna dropped to his knees, and he ran his fingers through his hair.

"Tsuyoshi-san… I… Please…This is… so cruel..."

"Stand up, Tsunayoshi-kun. Please stand up. Don't be clad with guilt. This was not because of you alone. I allowed you this, remember. And this is Takeshi's own choice too."

Tsuna only buried his face into his hands further.

Tsuyoshi smiled gently. "Tsunayoshi-kun, this is the path that you have chosen also. Do not fear it. If this is your decision, then it is in your requirements to continue walking it. With your kindness, and your endless love, you will be a fine leader."

The future boss did not respond, once again unable to hold the tears in any longer.

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Mukuro doesn't have family anymore, nor does Chrome, so Tsuna compromises and meets with the other Kokuyo members instead. It takes him longer to find a time when both illusionists are away than to have Ken and Chikusa willing to talk to him, but he manages.

"Ken… Chikusa… will you accept?"

Chikusa snorts, and pushes his glasses up. "That's a joke of a question. If you're asking if we accept, then you're saying that we won't comply to Mukuro-sama's wishes. You're questioning our loyalty."

"Yeah! We are completely loyal to Mukuro-sama! If he chooses to go, then we can't say anything!"

Tsuna sighs. "Alright. Then if you won't refuse, I'll have to take you to Italy as well."

The two are speechless at his proposal.

"What!?"

"Exactly as I said. If you won't force Mukuro and Chrome to stay, then I'll bring you with me. Myself alone will not be enough to watch over the two of them. And the two of you are their family now."

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It takes several minutes before Tsuna can even bring himself to ring the doorbell. His index finger shook whenever it came close to the door. The Sasagawa couple were on the other side of the door, clueless and living carefree lives, far away from the mafia underworld. Living life in a melody of perfected peace. And Tsuna was there, shaking as he stood outside, about to destroy their peaceful days.

Tsuna sighed, fingers cold as he rings the bell. It feels like eternity before someone answers the door.

A women, who looks so much, so much, like Kyoko faces him beneath the doorframe. She's a good ways shorter than him, so he bows slightly to greet her.

"Hello, Sasagawa-san."

"Oh my! You must be Sawada Tsunayoshi-kun. Please, come in. We were expecting you." Kyoko and Ryohei's mother is smiling ever brightly at him. But Tsunayoshi knows right away that it is fake; a saccharine, plastic smile made to fool any other man. He can catch the act immediately; he's seen his mother wear that smile for eighteen years of his life, after all.

"Thank you."

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"We don't want our son nor our daughter to be with you any longer. Please leave, Tsunayoshi-san."

Ryohei's father is holding his anger in, his words barely controlling the rage and fear held within.

Tsunayoshi closes his eyes, letting out his breath slowly. "I understand. If it is in your will to refuse your children coming with me to Italy, I shall break my ties with them today."

The couple look at him in surprise.

"Are you mocking us? There's no way you would just let us off with just that! You're mafia royalty! Crime and savagery is in your blood!"

The Sasagawa wife bit her lip, unable to disagree with her husband's sudden outburst.

Tsunayoshi remained unwavered, his eyes still calm as he allowed the Sasagawas to release their anger at him. This was, essentially, what he was hoping for anyway.

"Sasagawa-san, if I do not have your consent, I will not bring Ryohei nor Kyoko with me. Yes, I will not deny that I am of the mafia or that I come from a bloodline of sin and death. But I will not lie to you that I am willing to break ties with your children now had you disagreed with my proposal. It is the sole reason I am here."

"The sole reason…?"

"Yes. The sole reason. To have you disagree with me."

Tsunayoshi's words left the Sasagawa couple entirely slack-jawed. There was still a great amount of doubt in their eyes, but Tsuna knew that this was what would happen. He exhaled, trying hard to keep his voice steady as he said the words.

"This is my only chance to let them return to their normal, innocent lives. I cannot stop the mafia from tainting them once they leave with me to Italy. But here, in Japan, where their family is, I am still able to change this irrevocable fate. And since you've refused, I will do just that."

The male Sasagawa grit his teeth further. "But, now that they've come into contact with you, the head of the greatest mafia family, they won't ever be able to return to their former lives! The mafia will definitely come for them! You've ruined them!"

"Dear…"

The Sasagawa were both standing now, tears visibly flowing down their faces. Tsunayoshi clenched his fist, tensing his muscles to keep himself from doing the same.

"Ma'am, sir, I promise… I will do all I can to keep them safe from the mafia. Even if it takes me using my wealth recklessly, that's what I'll do. As long as they stay far from the battlefield."

"Why…? Aren't they your best friends? Don't they mean anything to you, Tsunayoshi-san? Why are you so willing to keep them away from your side? I know full well that you've been through hell and back with them. Don't tell me… they were your pawns all along…?"

"No! No, they were never my pawns! They won't ever be! It hurts terribly, ma'am, sir, to leave them. To realize that our paths can never be the same. That if I keep them by my side, they will only be sacrifices for a cause too horrible for them. I despise the fact that I cannot… I cannot return to those days of fun and laughter. So please… believe me when I say that I want them to stay here. That… I want them to lead the lives they should have led."

Before he is even finished, Tsunayoshi is already racked with tears. His cheeks are wet, and the three of them in the room are visibly breaking down.

"Tsunayoshi-san…"

"Please, ma'am, sir. Take them away from me. Take them away from my evil and my selfishness."

However, Tsuna does not receive a response. The couple are too busy crying to be able to muster the strength to refuse him again.

Several hours later, Tsuna leaves the house with his first, and final, refusal.

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"Mom."

"Tsu-kun. Welcome home."

He gives the woman a small, sad smile. His mother's aged little within the years from middle school to high school, but the tired lines carved into her face keep her beauty from shining.

"Mother… I…"

"I know, Tsu-kun. That you'll be going to Italy. To become the next Vongola head. I know, Tsu-kun. I knew for quite some time now."

"Of course you did. There was no way dad could have kept you in the dark for so long."

"You're right. And he didn't. The moment Reborn-san's letter came in, I realized that you've been chosen to be the next Vongola leader."

"I'm sorry, mom."

"Don't be. I signed your fate the moment I married your father. I knew of his background before he proposed, you know. I knew that I would be putting myself and my children in danger if I kept loving the man. But…"

"I understand, mom. It's not your fault. I'll have to walk this path of my own accord. I chose this. So don't give me that smile, mom. Please, don't give me the look of hidden sorrow."

"Tsu-kun…"

The woman ran into his arms, and cried into his chest. He was much bigger than her now, years of growing up making his body stronger and larger.

"Mom, I'll be going soon. So don't cry. I'll be okay."

"Please… be safe. I can't… I can't go with you. Your father…"

"I know. And I don't want you to either. I'd rather you wait with open arms for me back here, in Japan. In my home."

"Mmm… take care… my dear boy."

"I will, mom."

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"Kufufufu, Vongola. Getting nervous, are we? Going to get our 'family's' approval?" Chrome nodded in agreement.

"Mukuro, please. You know full well why I did that. Besides, both you and Chrome have absolutely no reason to walk back into mafia life. It took you this long to get out of it, and now you walk right back in."

"Boss, that doesn't mean anything. We'd stay with you even so."

"Exactly, Tsuna. You didn't have to do that. You know we would follow you to Italy regardless."

"Tenth! We'd follow you to the ends of the world!"

"Takeshi, Hayato, I went to your families precisely because I knew that. I don't want you coming with me to Italy."

"If you're afraid of us dying in Italy, you're underestimating us way too much, little animal. I'll bite you to death if you say that again."

"Kyoya… I'm surprised you're here. I thought you'd refuse everything just to stay in Namimori. I know that Namimori is your pride and joy."

The said boy only scoffed. "Little animal, I will come back. Following you now is only to reap you of the wealth you have. That wealth I will then take back here, to Namimori."

"Hmm… Thank you, Kyoya."

"Little animal…"

"Dame-Tsuna… I'll come with you too. Lambo-sama is your favorite Guardian, after all!"

"Of course, Lambo. Alright, all of you. Even if I sat here and yelled at your poor choice of life for the rest of the day, I doubt you'd all listen."

Kyoya huffed. Takeshi smiled.

"Come on. The ceremony's about to begin."

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Tsuna scans the room from his seat as he waits for Nono's speech to finish. His father is standing proudly behind the Ninth, grinning ear to ear. His mother sits in the front row, her smile sad but accepting.

He tries hard not to run straight into her arms.

His Guardians stand behind him, with Lambo seated in the chair beside him. The boy is close to falling asleep, but forcibly tries to stay awake. Tsuna smiles at his loyalty.

There are six of them standing behind him in total. His Sun Guardian remains absent.

Tsuna scans the rest of the audience. Dino, Enma, Uni and Byakuran are sitting in the front row as well, their faces solemn. They know exactly what their friend is about to face.

The Varia are missing, but Tsuna is unexpectedly grateful for Xanxus' anger with this ceremony. At least someone other than him is disapproving of this choice. He'll have to find ways to speak with Xanxus after, but that will be a problem for another day.

The Ninth calls his name.

Tsuna gets up from his chair. The room applauds: eyes of pride, joy, greed, and envy shine as they welcome him to the platform. The Ninth lights his cane orange, the warm orange flames burning at the top. Tsuna lights his own hand in flames, touching them with the Ninth's. He holds the Vongola ring high above his head, presenting his inheritance of the Vongola leader's seat.

At eighteen, Sawada Tsunayoshi takes the mantle to becoming the Vongola Decimo. And so begins his reign of redemption and change.