Chapter 78
Rokudo Mukuro grinned as he looked at Sawada Iemitsu's discomfitured face. "Kufufufu~ Uncle, you'd better leave my house already, I don't even know you~"
Sawada Iemitsu remained silent. Now he didn't recognize him anymore. Who was this guy who said "teasing his son" as soon as they met?
He wiped his face, fully realizing how troublesome Rokudo Mukuro was. He forced a smile, "Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Sawada Tsunayoshi's father—Sawada Iemitsu..."
Rokudo Mukuro looked surprised. "Oh my, Sawada Tsunayoshi still has a father? I always thought his father had passed away. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to curse you." He looked apologetic, as if he was blaming himself for saying the wrong thing.
Sawada Iemitsu: Isn't this kid going a bit too far? And isn't it too late for him to play dumb now?
However, even knowing that Rokudo Mukuro was feigning ignorance, Sawada Iemitsu couldn't say anything. After all, when you need someone's help or are trying to recruit them, you have to be respectful.
"Look at what you're saying, I'm just too busy with work."
Rokudo Mukuro chuckled lightly, "Busy drilling for oil, huh?"
Sawada Iemitsu choked up. Why did it feel so bad to hear this lame excuse coming from someone else's mouth?
"Lord Six Paths, you should know my identity very well."
Rokudo Mukuro blinked innocently. "What's your identity? Aren't you Sawada Tsunayoshi's father?"
Sawada Iemitsu: ...He now completely understands that when dealing with Rokudo Mukuro, a shrewd fellow, you can't beat around the bush or beat around the bush. Being direct is the wisest approach; otherwise, you'll just drive him crazy.
He straightened his posture, opened the box in his hand, and placed it on the table in front of them.
"Rokudo-kun, I am Sawada Tsunayoshi's father, and also the Ninth Vongola External Advisor. You should also know that my son, Sawada Tsunayoshi, is a candidate for the Tenth Vongola."
"I have come here to invite you to become the Mist Guardian of my son, Sawada Tsunayoshi..."
Looking at the half of the Vongola Ring in the box on the table, Rokudo Mukuro sighed inwardly. He had finally met this thing again.
Sawada Iemitsu then patiently explained the current situation to Rokudo Mukuro.
"...In short, I really hope you can accept this ring, become Tsunayoshi's Mist Guardian, and win this ring battle for him."
Rokudo Mukuro, letting the chatter go in one ear and out the other, found Sawada Iemitsu's incessant chatter quite amusing. After all, in his previous life, it was this very person who came to him to make a deal; he accepted the ring, and the Vongola provided protection for his companions—each getting what they wanted.
The situation is different now. In this life, Rokudo Mukuro loves peace, abides by the law, and has not done anything illegal or disorderly. He can be called a model youth in the underworld.
So why did he accept Sawada Iemitsu's offer directly? Even if he really wanted the powerful Vongola Ring, he would only accept it if Sawada Tsunayoshi personally delivered it to him and made repeated requests.
If he agrees outright, he'll definitely seem cheap compared to Little Sparrow!
The best things are always the ones we can't have.
"Is this your idea, or your son Sawada Tsunayoshi's idea?"
Sawada Iemitsu was taken aback, then spoke frankly, "You are the most suitable person to be the Mist Guardian for Tsuna, though Tsuna doesn't know it yet. But, Rokudo-kun, you must understand a father's love for his son, gather the Guardians for him, and pave a bright and clear path for him..."
Rokudo Mukuro curled his lip. What does your love for your son have to do with him? Sawada Tsunayoshi isn't his son.
"Fine, I refuse."
"No, after all I've said, why are you still refusing?" Sawada Iemitsu's usually serious face was starting to crack.
"From what you're saying, you also want me to become Sawada Tsunayoshi's protector, not yours. Then, shouldn't it be Sawada Tsunayoshi inviting me, not you?"
Rokudo Mukuro stood up, walked to the front door, opened it, and then turned to Sawada Iemitsu. "Uncle, please leave quickly, or I'll call the police for trespassing!"
Sawada Iemitsu:......
He really couldn't understand how Rokudo Mukuro, a world-renowned illusionist, could have the nerve to utter the word "call the police."
...
"Ciaos~ Iemitsu, how did your talk with Mukuro go?" Reborn asked Iemitsu a cold question as soon as he returned to his warm home.
Sawada Iemitsu looked a little deflated. "Tell me, why is that kid so difficult to deal with? He's completely unyielding, yet his strength is not to be underestimated."
Reborn pulled down the brim of his hat, a smile playing on his lips. "Hmph, I told you, it would be a waste of your time, but you wouldn't believe me."
"Sigh, it's alright. I'm just taking this opportunity to get to know my son's future guardian." He made no mention of the humiliation he suffered at Rokudo Mukuro's hands.
"So, what should we do about Rokudo Mukuro?" They couldn't refuse such a talented person no matter what.
"Well, what's there to worry about? Leave this to your son." Reborn, recalling the interactions between Sawada Tsunayoshi and Rokudo Mukuro, readily handed the task over to Sawada Tsunayoshi.
"Can Tsuna handle this?" Sawada Iemitsu asked with some concern. He had only spent a short time with Rokudo Mukuro, yet he already clearly recognized the boy's mysterious and unfathomable nature. He recognized Rokudo Mukuro's identity at first glance, which showed just how extensive the boy's intelligence network was and how powerful his abilities were.
"Iemitsu, don't underestimate your son. Just wait and see."
...
When Sawada Tsunayoshi returned home exhausted from training, he lay on his bed counting the whereabouts of the rings. "The Sky Ring is with me, the Storm Ring is with Gokudera-kun and Yamamoto-kun, the Sun Ring was given to Taira-nii, the Lightning Ring..." Thinking of the ring hanging on the little cow's afro, Sawada Tsunayoshi's lips twitched, and he couldn't help but turn over.
Thinking of the terrifying enemy they were about to face, and the image of XANXUS's menacing gaze flashing through his mind, he silently pulled the blanket tighter around himself. Why was he going to encounter something like this? Why couldn't they just run away?
"...The Cloud Ring is with Hibari-senpai... So, what about the Mist Ring?!"
He couldn't help but throw off the blankets that were wrapped tightly around him, jump out of bed, and rush to Reborn. "Reborn! Where's the Mist Ring?! Who did you give it to?"
Sawada Tsunayoshi and his companions were now fully aware of Varian's power and terror, as well as his malice towards them. He knew he had no way to retreat; if he couldn't achieve victory, what awaited him would be…
He felt he couldn't bear the consequences. Since there was no way to retreat, he had no choice but to fight to the death... But he was terrified. He was afraid that his friends and companions would suffer because of him. He wanted to escape, to flee from the unknown dangers.
However, his companions were all fighting tooth and nail for the ring, for the upcoming battle to claim it, even against unimaginably powerful enemies. They constantly encouraged him, hoping to achieve victory alongside him.
He couldn't let them down, nor could he refuse his comrades' desperate efforts for him. So he could only fight harder and harder, striving even as his heart pounded with torment...
Only now did he suddenly realize that the Mist Guardian seemed to have not appeared, which made him very worried.
“Oh, the Ring of Mist, you need to deliver it to someone yourself~” Reborn took out a ring from somewhere and handed it to Sawada Tsunayoshi. “Iemitsu originally gave it to Mukuro, but Mukuro wants you to deliver it to him personally.”
"Tsuna, go and give it to Mukuro, and invite him to become your Mist Guardian."
Sawada Tsunayoshi snatched the ring, then said with a determined look, "No!"
Gokudera and the others accepted the rings and have been drawn into this dangerous vortex. For themselves and their comrades, they train hard, strive to become stronger, and then go to participate in a dangerous battle. He cannot stop them; he can only fight alongside them.
However, Mukuro was different. He didn't accept the ring, which meant he wouldn't be drawn into the battle. He also didn't want to involve Mukuro.
"Are you sure? If you don't give this ring to Mukuro, then Varian will win the Ring of Mist match without a fight. If you're just one victory away from winning, then Gokudera, Yamamoto, Ryohei, and the others..."
Reborn didn't finish his sentence, but Sawada Tsunayoshi understood what he meant. Mukuro was powerful, and his participation was a guarantee for their victory. But... but he really couldn't bring himself to drag the innocent Rokudo Mukuro into danger.
"...Let me think about it, let me think about it carefully..." What should he do...?
...
Meanwhile, Rokudo Mukuro was in a great mood lately, watching Gokudera Hayato and the others train in a sorry state while waiting for Sawada Tsunayoshi to personally deliver the ring to him.
He had already planned it out in his mind. He would definitely make a few more demands, such as: all expenses reimbursed by the Fog Department must be paid in full from now on, without any delays; all the work he didn't want to do should be dumped on other Guardians; and he shouldn't be forced to attend meetings he didn't want to attend...
He had already figured out how to refuse Sawada Tsunayoshi, but after Sawada Tsunayoshi's repeated requests and after enjoying his pitiful appearance, he mercifully agreed.
But to his surprise, the first battle for the rings—the Battle of Sunshine—had already begun, yet the Ring of Mist still hadn't been delivered!
Rokudo Mukuro hid on the rooftop of Namimori School, his face grim. What on earth is going on with Sawada Tsunayoshi?!
Could it be that Sawada Iemitsu found him a new Mist Guardian? That doesn't seem likely...
After watching Ryohei win the first battle for the Ring of Sunshine, Rokudo Mukuro gave Sawada Tsunayoshi a deep look before his figure gradually disappeared from the rooftop of Namimori School.
He suddenly remembered that, given Sawada Tsunayoshi's personality, would he simply give him the ring? No. Because in Sawada Tsunayoshi's eyes at this age, wearing the ring meant danger, and he wouldn't bring danger to his companions.
Tsk, miscalculated! Now it depends on whose willpower they have, he definitely won't back down!
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The author's note: If the ring were really given to 27, and 27 were to give the ring to his companion, given his personality, would he really give it to him?
So, Mukuro miscalculated. He wanted Tsuna to give him the ring himself, but Tsuna couldn't go directly because he didn't want to bring danger to Mukuro.
So, in the end—who will be the first to back down?
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