Chapter 2 – And just like the rain, you cast the dust into nothing
"Ciaossu." Reborn greeted back, impressed at his new student's instincts but confused at how well Yamamoto Takeshi can control his flames. But more importantly, he knows his name.
Takeshi dissipated his flames as Ryohei and Tsuna let out their signature shouts.
"HIIIEEE! What's a baby doing here?"
"THAT'S EXTREMELY SURPRISING!!!"
Takeshi glanced at his father who abruptly opened the door to Take-Sushi, knowing his dad tried to ignore Reborn as much as he could but must've sensed his flames because his dad is holding his sushi knife, ready to protect him.
"You must be hungry now kid. Let's go inside for some food and a chat, hm?" He crouched in front of Reborn and held out a hand. Reborn easily hopped onto his shoulder and he rose from the ground, turning to his friends.
"You guys should go home for now. This is famiglia business." He stated with a touch of order in his voice. He stepped inside and slowly closed the door after flipping the sign to closed.
"Tak-kun?"
"Carnivore."
"Takeshi?!"
"I'll see you three tomorrow. I'll explain by then." He called out from inside, opening the door for a bit to reassure the others before closing it again.
Thankfully there's no other customer as he made his way to the bar, his father somber by the counter. He sat down as Reborn hopped on to the table.
"Would you like to start or shall I start explaining things, Reborn?" He asked with a teasing smile at the kid. Reborn had an unreadable expression as he regards both Yamamoto's.
"Alright. You can go first." Reborn acquiesced.
"Yamamoto Takeshi the original was dead at the age of 4 from the kidnapping incident that took Yamamoto Takara. Blood loss, graze to the heart by a serrated knife. Tou-san knows he lost them because the original had Rain flames while I had Sky flames. Thankfully, I'm not sealed by the Nono or else it will cripple my quality of life making me feel like I'm missing a part of me, that I wouldn't excel mentally and physically or worse it could kill me. I am Yamamoto Takeshi now but I was Aldrin Cruzada and I know the storyline from an alternate timeline where Yamamoto Takeshi is supposed to be the Rain Guardian of Sawada Tsunayoshi, the Vongola Decimo. From my world, it is just a manga, a world of fiction from the mangaka Amano Akira and it is my favorite shonen. I know I'll fight in Kokuyo for my Mist Guardians next, that Gokudera Hayato and Lambo from the Bovino are my Storm and Lightning respectively, and it will be the Varia soon and then to the Future— hmph." He was stopped by his dad who put a hand on his mouth, Tsuyoshi then got Takeshi's drawings and notes from under the counter to show to Reborn. His dad handed him his milk and he drank from it as Reborn scanned the papers.
He shot his dad a small grateful smile but his father remained stoic. They've discussed it before that they'll let Reborn know everything Aldrin used to know, up to the point of Shimon and Rainbow Arc where the Curse of the Arcobaleno can be removed.
The hows, the whys, the Eight Flame known as the Flame of the Night used by Vindice, Checkerface and Serafina. Byakuran and the multiverse, Vongola’s sins, how in each arc Yamamoto Takeshi is guaranteed to be hurt to the point of almost dying and is saved by Hibari Kyoya most times.
The Oath Flames, how Daemon Spade is alive still and wanting to continue the bloody history of Vongola and chilling with the Shimon despite slaughtering them. Talbot being the main inventor of the Pacifier Jar, how it worked and the curse is broken when Lal turned back into an adult despite the rest are still babies, the animal boxes and Vongola Gear.
“This… is a lot to take in.” Reborn said after an hour of absorbing every note and drawings in detail.
“But it does make my life easier to tell you all of this, there’s a chance that some won’t come true after all. The role Tsuna and I play reversed, so there’s still the element of surprise on what will happen in this universe. I just hope you can be reassured that you’ll live, I’ll take care of you like I am in your care.” Takeshi smiled as he passed some tuna nigiri to Reborn, Tsuyoshi already grabbed a chair and nursing a sake.
“This is valuable information, Yamamoto Takeshi. You both should’ve burned it despite this being an alternate universe plot. Many would kill for this.” Reborn sighed as he adds some sake to his coffee, keeping the loop device for the Arcobaleno Pacifier close to him drawing along with 7 babies but adult Lal drawings close to him.
“It won’t be destroyed yet. I’m planning to come clean to my guardians once they’re all complete, and I can recreate them anytime as I have some pretty good memory. I accept to be the future Vongola Boss, I already have plans for it and I aim to still lead it even in my 70s. There’s so much work to do, revisions of the laws, tweaking some traditions, going back to vigilante instead of mafia, ruling my piece of the world maybe to the point of world domination before Byakuran gets to it but I’m too lazy for the world but a country would do like the whole of Japan and Italy and maybe Norway because I needed their salmon. Private companies to buy, create social change, clean the corrupt or at least bend them to my will. Create some damn good teleportation device because I want to travel tax free. Fund Tsuna’s robot dreams and gift Kyoya an aviary zoo in Africa, get Haru into CEDEF and have Kyoko be my legal right hand once she’s a policewoman working with Hana who’s into law, support whatever the others want. You know, those kind of things on a surface level but if you ask me on a deeper level. I’d let Xanxus lead the Varia in an independent state with some terms and conditions in place that’s mutually beneficial. Befriend Byakuran so he doesn’t turn into a megalomaniac wanting to kill people and how to properly make people want him in power to be able to dominate the world. Let Reborn and the other Arcobaleno not be cursed anymore. Actually, help Enma and the Shimon beat up Daemon Spade. Get the Vindice live for a much noble reason but not going to lie I’d want to punch Checkerface. Would also punch the Nono too for sealing Tsuna in the other world and for wanting to seal me in this world.” Takeshi ranted passionately which thankfully got a fond smile out of his dad. He doesn’t like his dad is so tense in their own place.
“One at a time then, Decimo. What I’m curious about is when have you two been preparing for this?” Reborn asked, biting into the nigiri.
“Since he was 7. I am honestly against it, but unfortunately Takeshi doesn’t have a choice. So, I’ll compromise with some conditions instead.” Tsuyoshi piped up, Reborn listened as the older Yamamoto continued.
“First, train his guardians on medical emergencies regarding on first aid not only for wounds and resuscitation but on how to deal with calming Takeshi down and what to do when his heart constricts.” Tsuyoshi started.
“Dad! I can do it myself.” Takeshi protested, embarrassed at being babied but he knows his dad just wants what’s best for him.
“Secondly, don’t put too much stress on him unless necessary. His heart may have healed but it can grow weaker anytime, we’re fortunate he doesn’t have any maintenance yet but the Shimon…” Tsuyoshi grimaced as he finished his sake, Takeshi couldn’t help but be silent even if he wanted to protest some more.
“Lastly, work on their teamwork. I know Takeshi will fight but he shouldn’t be fighting alone, have someone pull him out of the battle and keep him safe when his heart can’t take it. Let him rest before he fights again, I know it’s unrealistic but it wouldn’t hurt to get him more protected.” Tsuyoshi said with finality as Takeshi looked back in their training and saw that his dad didn’t go easy on him and Tsuna but he made Tsuna bore the brunt of it lately especially on their new teamwork training. Tsuna defended and attacked more while he catches his breath, but Tsuyoshi will find ways to get him back on the floor and he’ll do his best to stand back up and fight with Tsuna.
“Dad…” He said weakly, the unsaid ‘You can’t protect me forever, anyone can’t protect me forever so I have to protect myself’ is left unsaid.
“Don’t be too self-sufficient, Takeshi.” His dad ruffled his hair as Reborn finished his coffee.
“I accept those terms, it’s also in the best interest of the Vongola for him to be alive. It is also in my interest now too.” Reborn agreed, pocketing the 2 drawings he was holding on and giving everything back to Tsuyoshi. “I also think it would be best if you only tell them up to the Future for now. The rest can be revealed much later.”
“… I understand Reborn. But why is it in your interest now too? As far as I know you already got the valuable information for the curse, the Pacifier Jar and the drawing.” Takeshi tilted his head in confusion.
“As much as it pains me to admit it, I owe you a debt now Yamamoto Takeshi.” Reborn stated as Takeshi immediately brushed him off with a startled laugh.
“Haha, no need really. I’m just someone who remembers the solution the mangaka herself did in canon, it’s nothing really. You can have it though, but if you need more copies I can draw more. And no debt, it makes me uncomfortable. If you want to make it up to me though, well… I don’t know. But no debt.” Takeshi stated as he cleared their plates and cups, pointedly ignoring the two other’s stares as his ears reddened.
“He has some confidence but he’s a bit more humble than I’d like him to be.” Tsuyoshi said to Reborn.
“I can work with that.” Reborn smirked as Takeshi washes their plates and ignores them some more.