The train ride to Karasuma City was uneventful, though Tsuna couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. He glanced around the nearly empty train car, but aside from a few elderly passengers and a family with young children, there was no one suspicious. Still, the lingering unease stayed with him, like a shadow he couldn't quite see.
When the train finally pulled into the station, Tsuna stepped off and took a moment to orient himself. The town was small but picturesque, with narrow streets lined with traditional wooden houses and shops. The air was fresh, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers and damp earth. It was a stark contrast to the bustling, modern cityscapes he was used to.
Tsuna adjusted the strap of his bag and pulled out the mission brief again. According to the report, the demon had been sighted near the outskirts of town, close to the forest. The disappearances of livestock and pets had started there, and the townsfolk had reported strange noises and sightings of a large, shadowy creature.
"Alright," Tsuna muttered to himself, glancing at Aureon, who was perched on his shoulder. "Let's get this done."
The gryphon chirped softly, its golden eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity. Tsuna smiled faintly and began walking toward the line of waiting taxis near the station. He needed to check in with the local exorcist station first before heading to the forest. According to the mission details, the area was restricted to civilians under the guise of a wild animal attack and ongoing police investigations. Without clearance from the stationed exorcists, he wouldn't be able to get access.
After a brief scan of the taxis available, he approached a fairly standard-looking vehicle and leaned down to speak with the driver. "Could you take me to this address?" he asked, showing the location of the local exorcist branch.
The driver, a middle-aged man with an unremarkable face, gave a slow nod and monotone response. "Yes. Get in."
Something about the driver struck Tsuna as odd. The man's expression was blank, his eyes dull and unfocused. His voice carried no inflection, no trace of the casual small talk that most taxi drivers tended to engage in. Tsuna hesitated for a moment before shaking the feeling off. Maybe the guy was just tired from a long shift.
As he slid into the back seat and the taxi pulled away from the station, Tsuna watched the town roll by through the window. Despite its rural charm, there was an eerie stillness about the place, as if the recent disappearances had put everyone on edge. He turned his gaze forward, sneaking another glance at the driver.
Still no change in expression. No humming to a radio. No glance in the rearview mirror. Just hands gripping the wheel, driving in precise motions, as if following a script.
Aureon let out a small chirp, shifting slightly on Tsuna's shoulder. The young exorcist gave the gryphon a reassuring pat, but his intuition was screaming at him now.
Something was definitely off.
--------------------------------------------------------
The ride through Karasuma City stretched on longer than Tsuna had expected. As he sat in the back of the taxi, he watched the cityscape shift from bustling streets filled with pedestrians and shops to quieter, more desolate roads. The further they went, the fewer people Tsuna saw outside. At first, he chalked it up to the time—he had arrived relatively late, around 4-5 p.m., and the sun was already setting. Maybe people were heading home early, or perhaps this small city just had a different pace compared to True Cross Academy.
But as the minutes dragged on, Tsuna couldn't ignore the strange feeling creeping up his spine. Something was wrong.
It wasn't just that the streets were getting emptier—it was the eerie silence that came with it. The liveliness of a normal town, the chatter of pedestrians, the occasional honk of a car—all of it had faded away. The people he did see moved stiffly, almost mechanically, as if they weren't entirely there. Tsuna had seen enough weird things since becoming an exorcist-in-training to recognize that this wasn't normal.
His instincts, sharpened by Reborn's relentless training and his own experiences in the Mafia world, screamed at him. He needed to get out. Now.
He made his decision quickly. He was only a few minutes away from the exorcist station by foot if he ran at full speed. Better to get out and reach the location on his own than stay in this increasingly suspicious vehicle.
Leaning forward, Tsuna spoke up. "Actually, I think I'll get off here."
The driver did not react immediately. Instead, he continued driving for a few seconds before, in a disturbingly slow motion, he turned his head toward Tsuna.
What Tsuna saw sent a chill down his spine.
The ordinary middle-aged man from before was gone. Or rather, his face had changed in an inhuman way. His jaw stretched unnaturally wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth, saliva dripping from the elongated maw. His eyes, once dull and expressionless, now gleamed with a predatory hunger. His voice, guttural and distorted, rasped out,
"Oh? Did you notice, human? Too bad… it's too late!"
The creature lunged at him, its mouth expanding as if to swallow him whole in one bite.
Tsuna had been expecting an attack. He moved instinctively, his arms shooting up in defense. His gauntlets materialized just in time, bracing against the monster's fangs, stopping them inches from his face. The sheer force of the bite made Tsuna's arms shake, but he held firm, his eyes burning with Dying Will Flames as he activated them.
With a powerful burst of energy, Tsuna kicked off the seat and propelled himself backward, smashing through the taxi door and ejecting himself from the vehicle. The force of his escape sent him rolling onto the pavement, his gauntlets dispersing the impact before he quickly sprang to his feet.
The taxi, now missing a door, swerved violently from the sudden commotion. Without Tsuna's weight keeping it balanced, the vehicle spun out of control, crashing into a nearby street pole. The impact ignited something in the engine, and within moments, the car was engulfed in flames.
Tsuna barely had time to process what just happened when he saw movement from within the wreckage. The burning taxi shook, and a monstrous figure emerged. The flames licked at its dark, grotesque form, but the creature didn't seem to care. It no longer resembled the man it once was. Instead, a towering demon with elongated limbs and pulsating veins crawled out from the wreckage, its twisted mouth curling into a sick grin.
"So much trouble for a mere exorcist…" the demon sneered. "But no matter. You'll make a fine first meal before I move on to my true prey."
Tsuna steadied his breathing, his hands clenching into fists as his Sky Flames flickered to life. He didn't need to ask what the demon meant. If it had been hunting exorcists, then this situation was even worse than he thought.
Aureon, who had been hidden within Tsuna's coat during the taxi ride, now took flight, landing on Tsuna's shoulder in his smaller form. The little gryphon let out a sharp cry, wings twitching in alarm.
"Yeah, I know," Tsuna muttered, exhaling. "Looks like I'm not getting an easy mission after all."
The demon charged.
Tsuna reacted instantly, dodging to the side as the creature's massive clawed hand slammed into the pavement, cracking the concrete. He countered with a burst of Sky Flames, launching himself upward before twisting midair and delivering a flaming kick straight to the demon's head.
The demon's grotesque form loomed over Tsuna, its elongated limbs twitching with unnatural energy. Its mouth, still stretched into a sick grin, dripped with saliva as it lunged again, its claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Tsuna dodged to the side, his Sky Flames flaring as he propelled himself out of harm's way. The demon's claws gouged deep furrows into the pavement, sending chunks of concrete flying.
Tsuna's mind raced as he assessed the situation. This isn't just a regular demon. It's possessing a human body. He recalled his lessons at True Cross Academy about possessed humans—how the demon's presence enhanced the host's physical abilities, including strength, speed, and regenerative capabilities. But it also meant that the human's body was still vulnerable. If Tsuna wasn't careful, he could end up killing the innocent man trapped inside.
Aureon, perched on Tsuna's shoulder, let out a sharp chirp, his golden eyes narrowing as he focused on the demon. The little gryphon's wings twitched, ready to assist in the fight.
"I know, Aureon," Tsuna muttered under his breath. "We need to exorcise it without hurting the host too much. But this guy's not making it easy."
The demon lunged again, its movements erratic but fast. Tsuna barely managed to block the attack with his gauntlets, the force of the blow sending him skidding backward. His arms ached from the impact, but he couldn't afford to falter. He needed a plan.
Think, Tsuna. What's the best way to handle this? He ran through his options. His Dying Will Flames were powerful, but they weren't imbued with holy energy, making them less effective against demons. He had his exorcism tools—holy water, talismans, and Holy Silver bullets—but using them recklessly could harm the human host. He needed to weaken the demon enough to exorcise it without causing irreversible damage.
The demon let out a guttural laugh, its voice distorted and grating. "You're wasting your time, exorcist! This body is mine now. You can't save him!"
Tsuna gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."
Tsuna darted forward, his Sky Flames propelling him with incredible speed. He aimed a punch at the demon's midsection, his gauntlets glowing with fiery energy. The blow connected, sending the creature stumbling back, but it quickly recovered, its regenerative abilities already healing the damage.
Aureon took to the air, his small form shimmering as he unleashed a burst of Sky Flames. The golden flames engulfed the demon, forcing it to shield its face with its elongated arms. The creature roared in pain, but the flames didn't last long enough to do significant damage.
"We need to keep it off balance," Tsuna muttered, his eyes narrowing as he formulated a strategy. He reached into his bag and pulled out a handful of exorcism talismans. "Aureon, distract it!"
The gryphon chirped in acknowledgment, diving toward the demon with another burst of flames. The creature swiped at Aureon, but the little gryphon was too fast, darting out of reach and drawing the demon's attention.
Tsuna took advantage of the distraction, darting around the demon and slapping the talismans onto its back. The papers glowed with holy energy, and the demon let out a shriek as the talismans began to burn its flesh.
"You little—!" the demon snarled, twisting its body to try and dislodge the talismans. But Tsuna was already moving, pulling out a vial of holy water and splashing it onto the creature's face.
The demon howled in pain, its movements becoming more erratic as the holy water sizzled against its skin. Tsuna didn't let up, pressing the attack with a series of precise strikes aimed at weakening the demon's hold on the human body.
As the battle raged on, Tsuna's two years of rigorous Mafia training under Reborn began to show. His movements were fluid and precise, a testament to the countless hours he had spent honing his combat skills. He used his speed to his advantage, darting in and out of the demon's reach, landing quick strikes before retreating to safety.
But speed alone wasn't enough. The demon's regenerative abilities made it a formidable opponent, and Tsuna knew he needed to be smarter. He reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial of Mist Flames, a rare and versatile type of Dying Will Flame he had learned to use during his time with the Vongola.
With a flick of his wrist, Tsuna activated the Mist Flames, creating an illusion of himself that darted toward the demon. The creature lunged at the illusion, its claws passing harmlessly through the mirage. Tsuna used the distraction to close the distance, landing a powerful kick to the demon's side.
The creature roared in frustration, its movements becoming more erratic as it struggled to distinguish between Tsuna's real attacks and the illusions. Tsuna pressed the advantage, his Sky Flames flaring as he delivered a series of rapid strikes.
Aureon, sensing the intensity of the battle, transformed into his gryphon form. His small body shimmered with golden light as he grew in size, his wings spreading wide as he unleashed a burst of Sky Flames. The flames engulfed the demon, forcing it to retreat.
Tsuna glanced at Aureon, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, buddy. Let's finish this."
The gryphon chirped in agreement, his golden eyes narrowing as he focused on the demon. Together, they pressed the attack, their combined strength and speed overwhelming the creature.
As the battle raged on, Tsuna couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come. The boy who had once been unsure of himself, who had struggled to believe in his own abilities, was gone. In his place was a confident young man, one who had faced countless challenges and emerged stronger for it.
He thought back to his early days as the Vongola heir, when every battle had been a struggle, when he had doubted himself at every turn. But now, as he faced this demon, he felt a sense of calm determination. He knew his strengths and weaknesses, and he trusted in his abilities.
"I'm not that scared kid anymore," Tsuna thought, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the demon. "I've faced worse than you, and I'm not backing down."
The demon staggered, its movements slowing as the holy energy from the talismans and holy water took effect. Tsuna could see the strain in its eyes, the way its form flickered as the human host's consciousness fought against the possession.
"Now's my chance," Tsuna thought, his mind racing. He needed to exorcise the demon, but he wasn't confident in his ability to perform the ritual perfectly. Exorcism verses weren't his strong suit—he had always struggled with the precise incantations and gestures required. But he didn't have a choice. He had to try.
He stepped back, raising his hands as he began to chant the exorcism verse. His voice was steady, but his heart pounded in his chest. If he messed this up, the demon could regain its strength, and the human host might not survive.
The demon let out a guttural laugh, its voice strained but still mocking. "You think you can exorcise me? You're just a child playing at being an exorcist!"
Tsuna ignored the taunt, focusing on the words of the verse. The air around him seemed to hum with energy as the holy power built up, the talismans on the demon's back glowing brighter.
Aureon landed on Tsuna's shoulder, his small form radiating Sky Flames as if lending his energy to the ritual. The gryphon's presence was a comfort, a reminder that Tsuna wasn't alone in this fight.
The demon's form began to waver, its grotesque features flickering as the holy energy forced it out of the human body. The man's face briefly appeared, his eyes wide with fear and confusion, before the demon's visage returned.
"No! You can't do this!" the demon screamed, its voice desperate now. "I'll tell you what's happening in this city! Just let me go!"
Tsuna's resolve didn't waver. He had seen this before—criminals pleading for mercy, offering information in exchange for their freedom. But he knew better than to trust a demon. His experiences in the Mafia had taught him that much.
"I'm sorry," Tsuna said, his voice firm. "But I can't let you go."
With a final burst of energy, he completed the exorcism verse. The holy energy surged, enveloping the demon in a blinding light. The creature let out one last, ear-piercing shriek before its form disintegrated, leaving behind only a faint wisp of smoke.
The human host collapsed to the ground, unconscious but alive. Tsuna let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his body trembling with exhaustion.
Tsuna knelt beside the man, checking his pulse. It was weak but steady. He would survive, though he would likely need medical attention. Tsuna carefully lifted the man onto his back, his enhanced strength making the task easier than it would have been for a normal person.
As he stood, Tsuna glanced around the deserted street. The battle had been loud and destructive, but no one had come to investigate. The eerie silence of the city was even more pronounced now, and Tsuna couldn't shake the feeling that something much larger was at play.
The demon's final words echoed in his mind. "You should have felt the weirdness around this city." Tsuna had felt it from the moment he arrived, but now he was certain. This wasn't just about a single demon. Something was wrong with Karasuma City itself.
He needed to get to the exorcist station. If anyone could shed light on what was happening, it would be the local exorcists. But first, he had to get this man to safety.
With the unconscious taxi driver on his back, Tsuna set off at a run, his Sky Flames propelling him forward with incredible speed. The streets blurred around him as he moved, his mind racing with questions and concerns.
What was happening in Karasuma City? And why had a demon been so desperate to escape?
Tsuna didn't have the answers, but he was determined to find them. Whatever was going on, he wouldn't let it endanger innocent lives. Not on his watch.