This left the woman feeling very confused. "Why did you stop talking?"
I just find it boring; I feel like none of this has any meaning.
The woman was puzzled.
Gokudera Hayato suddenly laughed, not a laugh of excitement, but a very gentle one: "Ma'am, what I want to say is, I am doing very well; I have found the person I will follow for the rest of my life."
Actually, I can accept all those things from the past with composure now. I have a very good relationship with my sister, I send you many flowers every year. As for friends, I have a few; although none of them can compare to me, I feel I am already happy enough.
As I am now, I can say the word 'love' to you with a clear heart.
I love you.
】
Gokudera Hayato was suddenly struck by a bolt from the blue, standing dazed on the spot, his brain turned into mush.
Is the word "love" something that can be said so easily?
Is a promise to follow someone for a lifetime something that can be said so easily?
The woman's stiff face slowly softened. "Why say such things? Mom loves you too. Let's just have a nice talk together."
Gokudera Hayato shook his head. "No need."
Why.
The woman stared in horror at the violently reacting flames and into those cold, icy emerald eyes.
Because of my precious memories with the Tenth Generation, I don't need an outsider interfering. Being able to hear this is your greatest blessing. Now, you can die.
Not wanting to hear another word, Gokudera Hayato eliminated the Phantom in a single move. At this moment, dawn had broken outside.
He pressed his hand to his forehead, blinked his stinging eyes, pulled out his phone as he prepared to head outside.
He thought about having his subordinates bring a boat over. A call came in from a contact named "Most Respected Tenth Generation," and he answered it within half a second. Gokudera Hayato respectfully held the phone to his ear while simultaneously turning on the recording function, his tone becoming lively.
Tenth Generation, good morning. Because of your presence, Sicily is a little more beautiful today as well.
That's an exaggeration, Hayato, I don't have that much power.
No, no, no, please don't underestimate yourself; you're just being too modest.
.. It's really not a matter of modesty anymore; it's becoming something metaphysical. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to say. Hayato, are you sleeping right now?
Gokudera Hayato immediately said, "I'm sleeping, don't worry, I slept for ten hours last night, I'm getting up now to exercise."
Really? Hayato, don't lie to me.
".. It's a lie." Damn it, he couldn't bring himself to lie to the Tenth Generation.
I knew it, Hayato must be so busy with missions that he isn't sleeping. This won't do; what will happen to his health if he doesn't sleep?
Gokudera Hayato shouted, "Yes, I fully realize my mistake! The Tenth Generation is right; I need proper rest so that I can serve you with my peak spirits. Dammit, I actually forgot about this and still required the Tenth Generation to remind me. As your right-hand man, I have been too negligent!"
Sawada Tsunayoshi's voice sounded somewhat indifferent and speechless: "It doesn't have to be that extreme."
In any case, Hayato, you need to get some proper rest. As for that bet, the most suitable person is already on their way.
"But.." Gokudera Hayato wanted to say something more.
"No 'buts,' this is an order." Sawada Tsunayoshi's voice was final. After following up with some words of concern, he hung up the phone.
Gokudera Hayato was left standing there alone. After a long moment, he took out his phone, opened the recording, repeatedly listened to the last sentence, a mysterious flush appearing on his face.
Finally, his face turned beet red, his eyes grew hazy, he clutched his phone with both hands: "I love it so much. Such a magnificent, such a powerful, such a beautiful voice. As expected of the Tenth Generation, so majestic—it's as if a god has descended to this world, the greatest creation in this world. I love it so much."
I love it so much! I have to set it as my alarm clock, so I can fall asleep and wake up to the Tenth Generation's voice every single day.
Chapter 20: 20 Days of Live Streaming
What the hell is he blushing for? Why is he blushing, why is he recording other people's voice messages to listen to them over and over again? He even set them as his alarm clock—is he a pervert?
Not only did the Gokudera Hayato inside blush, but the Gokudera Hayato outside blushed as well; however, one was from shame, while the other was from anger.
Gokudera Hayato gritted his teeth, seeing that person's cheap behavior inside. Did he think Sawada Tsunayoshi's words were gospel? He truly felt more and more irritated the more he watched.
His anger masked the inner turmoil and panic he felt.
Belphegor and Shamar were not far away; he only needed to change his angle to see them.
He heard himself making a soulful confession; the person inside had come to terms with everything, but he had not.
Gokudera Hayato also didn't know how to face them. So he chose to just look up instead.
That would have to do; he could still avoid it for a little while.
After the excitement subsided, Gokudera Hayato regained his composure, wondering who the Tenth Generation would entrust the mission to.
The phone rang again. He picked it up, a look of annoyance crossing his face.
"Hey, if you have something to say, say it. I'm not paying for the property damage you caused for no reason; you'll have to settle that yourself," Gokudera Hayato said, his tone extremely unpleasant.
Hey, Gokudera kid, are you still alive? What, so you haven't died yet? When that Tsunayoshi kid called us, I thought you were dead. What a shame, tsk.
A roar erupted from the phone, deafeningly loud, Gokudera Hayato couldn't help but cover his ears.
You're the one who's dead! Even if all of you Varia are dead, I'll still be by the Tenth Generation's side. By the way, why are you calling? Don't tell me the Tenth Generation assigned the mission to you guys!
Hahaha, that kid Tsunayoshi is very sensible. We Varia must intervene in this matter. The Lati Family has held onto things that do not belong to them for too many years, they have already forgotten the terror of Varia. I will make them remember right now.
Tsk, enough talk. You just listen to what Tsunayoshi says and be a good little boy by sleeping peacefully. Haha, once you wake up, control of the harbor will belong entirely to Vongola.
Thud, thud, thud. A series of ominous sounds came from over there, making Gokudera Hayato's brow twitch repeatedly.
Hey, tell me where you are right now.
Ah, the Lati Family's headquarters, of course. I can't talk much more, I'm currently in hiding. Stop making noise.
An angry symbol appeared on the edge of Gokudera Hayato's forehead: "Is this what you call 'lying low'—just barging in openly and killing everyone, then the house collapses?"
"That's right, you brat are pretty smart." Squalo's coarse voice boomed brazenly through the Lati Family gates.
The people inside rushed out, facing the ill-intentioned Squalo, every one of them was tense and on guard.
Lati walked out, her face cold as frost: "I wonder what business the Varia has here? My deal with Vongola is not yet complete; don't tell me you intend to break the contract."
Levi walked in from behind, his hands gripping his weapon tightly: "Hmph, standing before you now is Varia, the Ninth Generation's direct assassination squad. What does that have to do with his Tenth Generation? We have never recognized Sawada Tsunayoshi and the others."
Squalo irritably scratched his hair. "That's it. I'm done talking; I'm going to start fighting."
"Don't listen to Gokudera Hayato, don't make too much noise while fighting," Squalo said before hanging up the phone.
Hey, Lati, if you know what's good for you, hand over what we want, otherwise don't blame us for being impolite.
Lati's eyes rolled around incessantly as she thought, attempting to build a rapport with the Varia members: "I know you are the Ninth Generation's assassination squad. This is a matter between me and the Tenth Generation. You don't have to get involved. Wouldn't it be better if Varia had more say within Vongola when the time comes?"
She tried to reason with them and appeal to their emotions; seeing that the Varia members were about to take action, she intended to use interests to resolve the conflict.
Heh, they say an enemy of my enemy is my friend. The Tenth Generation losing a right-hand man is a win-win situation.
Hmph, the fact that Varia and the Tenth Generation's forces are at odds is a recognized fact in the Hidden World. Back then, when they went to Japan as a group for the Ring Battle, it caused quite a stir and sparked much debate. Although the members of Varia returned in disgrace, no one dared to look down on them; the strength of the Hidden World's number one assassination squad was not just for show.
It was carved out through slaughter.
Lati gritted her teeth in secret. What a pity; the Tenth Generation is an upright person. She had hoped to take the opportunity to take out Gokudera Hayato, but Varia came out and ruined her plan.
"Oh my, what a tempting plan. You're so amazing, little Lati, I'm almost convinced by what you're saying." Lusuria, dressed in colorful clothes, shyly cupped her face, causing Squalo's mouth to twitch.
Lati automatically filtered out his flirtatiousness, wearing a smile of shared understanding. "Right? I actually support Varia, but.." She didn't say it outright, merely sighing, leaving them to imagine the rest for themselves.
At some point, a burst of eerie, giggling laughter rang out from the surroundings, giving Lati goosebumps. She complained inwardly about what kind of weirdos the Varia were, each one more eyesore than the last.
Xanxus has terrible taste.
The Prince doesn't want to listen to you all talking; the Prince's blade can no longer restrain itself, hee, the Prince is striking first!
Bell picked at his ear; he had no patience to listen to them rambling on here. Missions were meant to involve bloodshed, seeing so many people inside made him unable to resist the urge to strike.
The Prince went first.
Lusuria was shocked: "Bell, you actually ran off ahead!"
Levi charged forward with a muffled shout, "For the boss!"
Squalo roared at the top of his lungs, "All of you, settle down and calm down! That Tsunayoshi guy said if you break the house again, he won't approve the funding and we'll have to pay out of our own pockets!"
The members of Varia were all of such temperaments that not a single one of them would listen; they just charged forward with their ears plugged. When they saw an enemy, they were like hungry wolves seeing a fat sheep, howling and snarling.
Before long, the Lati Family's headquarters was engulfed in flames, with the sounds of clashing weapons and the scent of blood and gunpowder continuously spreading outward. The surrounding forces remained motionless, as if they had collectively taken sleeping pills; not a single person even came to investigate the situation.
The Lati Family's eyes reflected the tragic scene as they roared like madmen, "You, why you! What is so good about the Tenth Generation? Wouldn't it be better if Varia's strength reached a new level?"
Squalo's silver hair flew wildly, a drop of blood fell onto his face. He licked it into his mouth, grinning with a mouth full of blood-red, "Trash, hey, everyone around here, listen up, I'm only saying this once."
Vongola is one at all times; no one can ever hope to divide us.
Lusuria was the first to scream, "Squalo, you're so cool! To actually say such a handsome line, let me say something that cool next time."
Squalo laughed loudly, feeling incredibly smug: "Haha, you loser, you're no match for me."
[Scene transition. The Vongola headquarters was still surrounded by flowers, a lush and colorful display that exuded a romantic atmosphere. It was hard to imagine that this was the headquarters of Sicily's largest Mafia.
Sawada Tsunayoshi put down his phone. The Tenth Generation was like a bottle of fine wine that had been aged for a long time, mellow and profound; his once youthful lines had become mature, his slender body had become firm, his child-like legs had become long and straight. Clad in a black suit and sitting in a magnificent chair, he looked like a little prince.
Further up was a waist that was more slender compared to others, above that was an exquisite brooch pinned to his chest, his fair, slender fingers were interlaced upon the table, topped by that gentle and handsome face.
It was still that same spiky hair, but it lacked any sense of sharpness; instead, it made this person seem even softer, his eyes, like honey, were filled with a thick warmth.
Sawada Tsunayoshi spoke with intimacy and gratitude: "Xanxus, thank you all so much for being willing to help this time. There have been too many things going on lately, the Guardians have all been sent out. Gokudera Hayato hasn't slept for several days; if it weren't for the fact that we truly had no other choice, we wouldn't have let you end your last mission early to come here."
“Xanxus, thank you all.”
Sitting opposite Sawada Tsunayoshi was a wild man wearing a black cloak with red fur trim around the neck; a rugged scar on his tough face added to his primal appearance.
The man had an extremely ferocious appearance and crimson pupils, looking as if he carried an aura of terror.
Sitting boldly in the chair, he shot a sidelong glance at Sawada Tsunayoshi and sneered, "Don't get carried away, Sawada Tsunayoshi. This isn't for your sake; the hatred between the Lati Family and our Varia is not something you can easily interfere with."
After years of being together, Sawada Tsunayoshi had long ago developed a thick skin, since he knew Xanxus's personality, he wouldn't misunderstand.
Oh, come on, Xanxus, we've been old friends for so many years, don't be shy.
He spoke teasingly.