Tsuna carried the unconscious taxi driver through the quiet streets, his steps firm and steady. The battle had been intense, but he remained alert, his mind focused on the next task—the exorcist station.
The exorcist station in Karasuma City was an old, traditional Japanese-style mansion that had been repurposed for the Order's use. Its wooden beams and sliding paper doors gave it the appearance of a quaint, historic inn, but the talismans hidden around the perimeter and the faint hum of spiritual energy marked it as something far more significant. Tsuna stood at the entrance, the unconscious taxi driver slung over his shoulder, and took a moment to survey the scene.
The building was eerily quiet, with no signs of activity. The lanterns that usually illuminated the path to the entrance were dark, and the sliding doors were tightly shut. Tsuna's instincts screamed that something was wrong. The air was thick with tension, and the faint scent of burnt paper and ozone lingered in the air.
Aureon, perched on Tsuna's shoulder, let out a soft chirp, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings with unease. Tsuna patted the gryphon gently, his expression grim. "Yeah, I feel it too. Something's not right here."
He shifted the weight of the unconscious man on his shoulder and approached the entrance. The talismans that were usually hidden around the facility—meant to ward off demons and protect the building—were torn and scattered on the ground. Some were still smoldering, as if they had been burned away by a powerful force. Tsuna knelt down to examine one of the talismans, his fingers brushing over the charred edges. The intricate symbols that once glowed with holy energy were now faded and cracked.
"These talismans were breached," Tsuna muttered, his voice low. "Something powerful broke through them. This isn't just a random demon attack."
Aureon chirped in agreement, his wings twitching nervously. Tsuna straightened up and reached into his pocket, pulling out the key he had been given for this mission. It was a standard exorcist key, similar to the ones used in True Cross Academy, but with a few additional enchantments that granted him access to lower and mid-rank exorcist stations. He inserted the key into the lock, and with a soft click, the doors slid open.
The interior of the station was in shambles. Overturned furniture, shattered glass, and scorch marks marred the once-pristine tatami mats. Papers were scattered everywhere, some still smoldering from what looked like a recent firefight. The air was thick with the acrid smell of burnt wood and something else—something metallic and sharp, like blood.
Tsuna stepped inside cautiously, his senses on high alert. The unconscious taxi driver groaned softly, and Tsuna gently set him down against the wall, propping him up so he wouldn't fall over. "Stay here," he murmured, though he knew the man couldn't hear him. "I'll be back."
As he ventured further into the station, Tsuna noticed movement in one of the side rooms. He tensed, his gauntlets materializing on his hands as he prepared for an attack. But instead of a demon, he was met with the sight of a group of exorcists—around fifty to a hundred of them—huddled together in the room. Many were injured, their uniforms torn and bloodied, and their expressions were a mix of fear and exhaustion.
When Tsuna entered the room, the exorcists immediately went on guard. Weapons were drawn, and talismans were raised as they prepared to attack. Tsuna raised his hands in a placating gesture, his voice calm but firm. "Wait! I'm an exorcist from True Cross Academy. I'm here to help."
The exorcists hesitated, their eyes narrowing as they scrutinized him. One of them, a woman with short black hair and a gash across her cheek, stepped forward. "Prove it."
Tsuna nodded and reached into his pocket, pulling out his exorcist key and identification badge. He held them up for the group to see, his expression serious. "My name is Tsunayoshi Sawada. I was sent here on a mission to investigate the demon activity in this area. I was attacked by a possessed human on my way here, and when I arrived, I found the station like this. What happened?"
The woman studied his credentials for a moment before lowering her weapon. The tension in the room eased slightly, but the exorcists remained on edge. "I'm Aiko the Head of Secuirty in this station" she said, her voice weary. "And you're right—something's very wrong in this city."
Tsuna stepped further into the room, his eyes scanning the injured exorcists. "Can someone explain what's going on? Why is the station in this state? And why are there so many injured?"
Aiko sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It started a few days ago. We started receiving reports of strange behavior from the townsfolk—people acting erratically, livestock going missing, and sightings of shadowy figures in the forest. At first, we thought it was just a low-level demon causing trouble so we had someone delegate this tasks as a starter mission for rookie exorcists like youself. But then… things escalated."
She gestured to the room around them. "We were attacked last night. A horde of possessed humans—stronger and faster than anything we've ever seen. They overwhelmed our defenses and breached the station. We managed to hold them off, but not without heavy casualties."
Tsuna's brow furrowed as he processed the information. "Possessed humans? Like the one I fought earlier?"
Aiko nodded. "Yes. But these weren't ordinary possessions. The demons inside them were… different. More powerful, more coordinated. It was like they were being controlled by something—or someone."
Tsuna's mind raced as he connected the dots. The torn talismans, the coordinated attack, the strange behavior of the townsfolk—it all pointed to something far more sinister than a random demon outbreak. His sharp gaze swept over the exorcists in the room, quickly assessing their condition. Most were injured, their uniforms torn and stained with blood. Some leaned against the walls, drained from battle, while others clutched their weapons with shaking hands. The exhaustion was obvious—they had been fighting non-stop against possessed humans and demons trying to breach the station.
His gaze settled on Aiko. She stood firm, her weapon still in hand, but the tension in her posture and the faint tremble in her fingers told him enough—she was just as drained as the others.
"You're all in bad shape," Tsuna stated, reaching into his coat. He pulled out the supplies he had brought from Futsumaya—exorcist-grade talismans, medicine, and spare holy water. "Here. You've probably burned through most of your own already."
The exorcists stared at him in surprise as he handed out the supplies. Some hesitated, clearly unsure how to react to a kid giving them aid, but desperation won over, and they accepted them.
Aiko narrowed her eyes as she took a talisman, scrutinizing him. "Where did you get all this?"
"Futsumaya," Tsuna answered simply. "I stocked up before coming, but you guys need it more."
Aiko's expression darkened as she grabbed his wrist, her grip firm. "Alright, enough. Just who the hell are you?"
Tsuna blinked. "Huh?"
"You said you were a rookie, right? Just some fresh exorcist on his first solo mission. But I don't buy it." Her eyes flickered with suspicion. "You act way too composed for a kid. Even noble heirs who start training young don't move like you do. You carry yourself like someone who's been trained for war."
Tsuna remained silent, meeting her gaze without flinching. Of course, she'd notice. After all, he wasn't just some rookie exorcist—he was a trained Mafioso, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the underworld. He already knew his status as a future Vongola boss, and even if he didn't flaunt it, his upbringing under Reborn had shaped him into someone who could hold his ground in situations like these.
"I've dealt with worse," he finally said, his voice calm but firm.
Aiko's grip tightened slightly before she exhaled, clearly frustrated but unable to argue.
Before she could push further, a loud crash echoed from deeper within the station. The exorcists immediately snapped to attention, their weapons raised.
Tsuna turned toward the source of the noise, his Sky Flames flickering to life. "Stay here. I'll check it out."
Aiko's grip on his wrist tightened again. "Are you crazy? You can't go alone!"
Tsuna met her gaze, unwavering. "I'll be fine. And if there's something in this station that can give us answers, I need to find it."
Aiko clenched her jaw but reluctantly let go. "Be careful. And if you find anything—anything at all—come back immediately."
Tsuna nodded before heading toward the dark hallway. Aureon fluttered off his shoulder, the gryphon's golden eyes glowing as they ventured deeper into the station, their footsteps echoing ominously.
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The further Tsuna ventured into the exorcist station, the more evident it became that the place had been thoroughly ransacked. Doors hung off their hinges, walls were scorched with claw marks and burns, and the floor was littered with broken equipment, shattered glass, and torn talismans. The once-pristine tatami mats were now stained with blood and ash, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of burnt wood and something metallic—like iron. The faint hum of spiritual energy that usually permeated the station was gone, replaced by an oppressive silence that made Tsuna's skin crawl.
Aureon, perched on Tsuna's shoulder, let out a soft chirp, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings with unease. The little gryphon's wings twitched nervously, and his tail flicked as if sensing something Tsuna couldn't yet see. Tsuna patted Aureon gently, his voice low. "I know, buddy. Something's not right here. Stay close."
As Tsuna moved deeper into the station, his instincts screamed at him to be cautious. The talismans that were supposed to protect the station had been ripped apart, their holy energy drained. Whoever—or whatever—had done this was powerful. Far more powerful than the average demon Tsuna had faced during his training at True Cross Academy.
He approached what looked like the station's command center, a large room at the heart of the building. The door was partially ajar, and Tsuna could hear faint sounds coming from inside—muttering, the rustling of papers, and the occasional clink of glass. His heart pounded as he pressed himself against the wall, peering through the crack in the door.
Inside the room, a figure was rummaging through the wreckage. The individual was tall and lean, dressed in a tattered exorcist uniform that hung loosely off his frame. His movements were jerky and unnatural, as if he wasn't fully in control of his body. Tsuna's eyes narrowed as he noticed the faint aura of demonic energy surrounding the man—a clear sign of possession.
But this wasn't like the taxi driver Tsuna had fought earlier. The demonic energy radiating from this individual was on a completely different level. It was dense, almost suffocating, and it carried an air of malevolence that made Tsuna's stomach churn. Even from this distance, Tsuna could tell that this demon was far stronger than anything he had encountered before—stronger than the high-level demons he had faced during training exercises at the academy.
The possessed individual muttered to himself as he searched the room, his voice low and guttural. "Where is it? Where is it? It has to be here… the map, the book—something that leads to the Maken. They couldn't have hidden it that well…"
Tsuna's brow furrowed. Maken? The term was unfamiliar to him, but from the way the demon spoke, it was clearly something important. He strained to listen, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.
"That cursed weapon… hidden by the exorcists years ago. A Maken possessed by one of Gehenna's most powerful demons. If I can find it, this city will be the perfect testing ground. No, more than that—it'll be the key to our domination of Assiah."
Tsuna's eyes widened. A weapon possessed by a powerful demon? Hidden in this city? His mind raced as he tried to piece together what he was hearing. The demon's words suggested that the exorcists had hidden something incredibly dangerous in Karasuma City—something that could tip the balance of power in favor of the demons.
Before Tsuna could process the implications, the possessed individual suddenly froze. His head snapped toward the door, his glowing red eyes locking onto Tsuna's. A slow, twisted smile spread across his face.
"Well, well, well… what do we have here?" the demon said, his voice dripping with mockery. "A little exorcist, sneaking around where he doesn't belong."
Tsuna's heart raced as he stepped into the room, his Sky Flames flickering to life. Aureon fluttered off his shoulder, transforming into his gryphon form as he landed on the ground beside Tsuna. The little gryphon let out a low growl, his golden eyes narrowing as he focused on the demon.
The possessed individual tilted his head, his expression one of mild amusement. "A familiar, too? How quaint. But you're a bit out of your depth here, boy. This isn't a training exercise."
Tsuna clenched his fists, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "Who are you? And what are you looking for?"
The demon chuckled, a low, guttural sound that sent shivers down Tsuna's spine. "Who am I? Just a humble servant of Gehenna, carrying out my master's will. As for what I'm looking for… well, that's none of your concern. But since you're here, I might as well deal with you."
The demon's eyes flickered to Tsuna's exorcist badge, and his smile widened. "A low-ranked exorcist? How adorable. I thought I ordered my puppets to keep all of you busy in the resting room. Seems like they let one slip. How annoying."
Tsuna's grip on his sword tightened. "You're the one behind the attack on this station?"
The demon shrugged, his movements unnaturally fluid. "Guilty as charged. Though, to be fair, it wasn't much of a challenge. Your little exorcist friends put up a fight, but they were no match for my… enhancements."
Tsuna's eyes narrowed. "Enhancements?"
The demon's grin widened, revealing rows of jagged teeth. "Oh, you'll see soon enough. But first, let's deal with you. I can't have a pesky exorcist ruining my plans."
Without warning, the demon lunged at Tsuna, his movements impossibly fast. Tsuna barely had time to react, dodging to the side as the demon's claws slashed through the air where he had been standing moments before. The force of the attack sent a gust of wind rippling through the room, scattering papers and debris.
Aureon let out a sharp cry, unleashing a burst of Sky Flames that engulfed the demon. The creature roared in pain, but the flames didn't last long enough to do significant damage. The demon's regenerative abilities were already healing the burns, his body flickering with dark energy.
Tsuna gritted his teeth. This guy's on a whole other level. I can't hold back.
He activated his Mist Flames, creating an illusion of himself that darted toward the demon. The creature lunged at the mirage, his claws passing harmlessly through it. Tsuna used the distraction to close the distance, landing a powerful kick to the demon's side.
The demon staggered but quickly recovered, his expression one of mild annoyance. "Tricky little brat, aren't you? But tricks won't save you."
The demon's body began to change, his limbs elongating and his form twisting into something even more grotesque. His aura grew stronger, the demonic energy in the room becoming almost suffocating. Tsuna could feel the pressure bearing down on him, but he refused to back down.
Aureon transformed into his gryphon form, his golden fur shimmering as he unleashed another burst of Sky Flames. The flames engulfed the demon, but the creature simply laughed, his body regenerating almost instantly.
"Is that all you've got?" the demon sneered. "Pathetic."
Tsuna's eyes narrowed. He knew he couldn't win this fight through brute force alone. He needed to be smarter, to use his skills and knowledge to outmaneuver the demon.
As the demon lunged again, Tsuna activated his Mist Flames once more, creating multiple illusions that surrounded the creature. The demon hesitated, his glowing red eyes darting between the mirages as he tried to determine which one was real.
Tsuna used the opportunity to strike, landing a series of precise blows that weakened the demon's hold on the human body. The creature roared in frustration, his movements becoming more erratic as the illusions confused him.
Aureon provided crucial support, using his Sky Flames to create openings for Tsuna to attack. Together, they managed to land a few hits on the demon, but the creature's regenerative abilities made him difficult to defeat.
The demon's frustration grew, his attacks becoming more desperate. "Enough of this!" he snarled, his voice echoing through the room. "I don't have time to play games with a child!"
With a burst of dark energy, the demon dispelled Tsuna's illusions and lunged at him with terrifying speed. Tsuna barely managed to block the attack, his gauntlets absorbing the impact but sending him skidding backward.
The demon's eyes gleamed with malice as he prepared to deliver the finishing blow. But before he could strike, Tsuna's Sky Flames flared to life, creating a barrier that pushed the demon back.
The creature snarled, his expression one of pure rage. "You're more trouble than you're worth, brat. But don't worry—I'll make sure you don't interfere with our plans any further."
Tsuna's eyes narrowed, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "We'll see about that."