The Melancholy of the Pineapple Star People

Including the world’s number one all-powerful assassin, the great Reborn himself, everyone in the room was utterly stunned at that moment. None of them could fathom where Kurama had drawn such an absurd conclusion from, but it didn’t prevent them from understanding, from his tone and expression, the full force of biting sarcasm behind his words.

The chronically dramatic Mukuro Rokudo, afflicted with severe chuunibyou, was instantly enraged!

“Kufufu… What an interesting statement.”

—His anger had reached its peak, yet, true to his nature, the Prince of Pineapple Planet still wore that enigmatic smile on his face.

He narrowed his heterochromatic eyes, gazing at Kurama with a dangerous curiosity. “Who exactly are you?”

Kurama appeared innocent as he tilted his head in thought for a few seconds, then offered Mukuro, who was staring at him intently, a harmless smile:

“My name is Kurama. As you can see, I’m a very ordinary—hmm, just as ordinary as you all—a straightforward young man!”

“………………”

Mukuro didn’t even know where to begin with his retort.

The others, forcibly conscripted as spectators, couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable sense of helplessness rising within them—

Please! Young man, you’re anything but ordinary, and you hardly seem straightforward!

Never mind your dramatic entrance, crashing through the ceiling; you’re holding a hostage, yet you turn around and declare with perfect seriousness that you’re a normal, upright person—how is that even possible? Is that something a human would do?

Everyone’s expressions and gazes perfectly embodied the phrase “awkwardly astounded.”

Kurama paid them no mind.

He calmly shook his wrist, retracting the rose thorn blade that had been binding the brown-haired boy in front of him. When the boy turned to look at him in surprise, Kurama gave him a big, friendly smile—

“Sorry about earlier. Things were urgent, so I grabbed someone at random, but I was careful not to hurt you, right?”

Under Kurama’s gentle, concerned gaze, the boy quickly blushed.

“N-no, you didn’t.” His eyes darted everywhere, unwilling to meet Kurama’s face.

Kurama, well aware of the boy’s shy nature, simply smiled kindly and turned his attention back to Mukuro, who stood not far away.

The Prince of Pineapple Planet, thoroughly ignored, could barely maintain his enigmatic smile.

“Kufufu… It seems you two get along quite well?”

Not giving Kurama another chance to speak, Mukuro forced down his anger and prepared to end the battle quickly—he doubted this seemingly capable youth could maintain that smug attitude once he unleashed his next move!

Hmph, he’d just deal with him and the Vongola together, regardless of his true identity…

With this decision made, Mukuro tightened his grip on his gun:

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Because… no one here will leave alive!”

He curled his lips into a malicious smile, revealing it to the astonished crowd:

“Arrivederci.”

At that moment, a gunshot rang out, and Mukuro’s body collapsed limply to the side.

Apart from Kurama, everyone watched this utterly unexpected scene in shock, and silence fell over the theater.

After a long moment, Gokudera, who had rushed over to stand protectively by Tsuna and had not moved away since Kurama released him, finally spoke with a complicated expression: “He’s dead.”

The soft, bunny-like brown-haired boy—now recognized as Tsunayoshi Sawada, the Tenth Boss of the Vongola Family—finally seemed to comprehend what had happened, his face filled with panic.

“That can’t be…” He shook his head in disbelief, turning to his most trusted home tutor for help: “Reborn, he isn’t really dead, is he?! Because…”

Because, he had no reason to do such a thing, right?

To Tsuna, life was precious; he couldn’t imagine any reason why someone would willingly take their own life.

The baby in a black suit and fedora, whose appearance screamed “cool adult” but whose face could only be described as “adorable,” glanced sidelong at his disciple and remained silent.

It was unclear whether he had already noticed Mukuro’s hidden tricks, or whether he simply didn’t want to give Tsuna an excuse to be weak at such a moment.

Kurama stroked his chin, watching with curious interest.

He had no intention of interfering in Tsuna and the others’ actions.

Having been thrown into this scene at a rather inconvenient moment, Kurama’s sudden intrusion was already unexpected. With his current strength insufficient to erase everyone’s memories, the instant he realized he was in the world of “Home Tutor” and that the people before him were the main cast, Kurama made a quick decision—

He would maintain a relatively friendly relationship with the protagonists until this part of the story concluded.

As for how to handle his relationship with them afterward…

Kurama shook his head; he hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.

At least he needn’t worry about them exposing his abnormal traits. After all, these people themselves possessed unnatural powers; Kurama’s bizarre entrance only served to reinforce the initial bond of trust between them—though, of course, they would still be suspicious and investigate Kurama’s origins.

But Kurama didn’t care.

His strength had been greatly diminished, but was more than enough to handle the dangers present in this world at its current stage.

By the time the story entered more perilous territory, Kurama figured that he and Mokona would have stored up enough energy to depart for the next world, so there really wasn’t much to worry about.

In the span of a few dozen seconds, Kurama had sorted through these thoughts and resolved to be a dutiful bystander.

Yet, sometimes, things don’t go as one wishes.

As Kurama stood with arms folded, enjoying the spectacle of Mukuro, supposedly “dead,” repeatedly resurrecting by possessing others, brazenly declaring “I have returned from the ends of hell!” and constantly setting up his own flags as the arch-villain—and, oddly, repeatedly expressing his desire for Tsuna’s body (wait, something strange seems to have slipped in…)—suddenly, Mukuro, who had been pursuing Tsuna, spun around and, without warning, drove his trident fiercely toward Kurama!

The fox spirit, seasoned by countless battles, was never going to be caught off guard.

With a simple shift of his body, Kurama easily dodged Mukuro’s attack.

“Hey, hey, you’re targeting the wrong person, young man.”

His smile was impossibly innocent, but the teasing undertone in his voice was unmistakable. Kurama looked smilingly at the Prince of Pineapple Planet, currently inhabiting Gokudera’s body, his relaxed demeanor so infuriating that Mukuro wanted nothing more than to punch him.

So, without a word, Mukuro turned back and continued his assault on Kurama.

The fox spirit was genuinely helpless now.

Dodging Mukuro’s strikes, Kurama glanced sideways at Reborn—after all, this was a golden opportunity to train Tsuna, to temper his mind and power. He couldn’t believe the sadistic tutor would let such a chance slip away because of Kurama’s presence.

Sure enough, as Mukuro launched another fierce attack at Kurama, Reborn intervened.

Poor Tsuna was kicked by his own teacher into the center of the battlefield, and before Mukuro could reach Kurama, Tsuna found himself standing protectively in front of Kurama!

In close proximity, Kurama could see clearly: the bunny-like, soft and adorable boy was so startled by this sudden turn of events that he was on the verge of tears! Yet, with Kurama behind him, even though he was trembling in fear, he didn’t let terror dictate his actions and didn’t retreat.

“Tsuna, tell me—right now, what is it you most want to do?”

From afar, Reborn’s voice rang out strangely clear.

Tsuna looked up, his gaze pure and determined:

“I want… to defeat Mukuro!” he declared loudly.

And thus, Kurama witnessed with his own eyes the most important turning point in the life of Tsunayoshi Sawada, future Tenth Boss of the Vongola Family.

Leon’s metamorphosis, the appearance of the 27 gloves and the special bullet, Tsuna’s first transformation…

Although Kurama had seen all of this in both the anime and manga, being present in person was a different experience altogether…

It was much like the feeling he had the first time he participated in the Dark Tournament—a blend of two-dimensional fiction and real life, a profound realization from deep within: “Ah! This truly is reality…”

Kurama narrowed his eyes, watching as a dazzling orange flame burned warmly at the center of the little boy’s forehead, and suddenly, without warning, he smiled.

“Hey, Mokona, I think we might have found one of your ‘snacks’…”

He turned his head and nuzzled the white fluffball that had somehow leapt onto his shoulder and settled there, speaking softly and happily.

Author’s note: Covering my face—if I said Kurama wasn’t deliberately “bullying” Mukuro, would anyone believe me? →_→

It’s just that Mukuro’s attitude toward Tsuna subtly reminded Kurama of Crow back in the day, so… [Though there are still significant differences between the two ╮(╯▽╰)╭]

Also, you all think “Home Tutor” isn’t gentle… Compared to Naruto, Hunter, Bleach, etc., “Home Tutor” before the Ring Arc is extremely gentle! At most, shirts get ripped and underwear flashes, and the class rep smacks people—there’s absolutely no danger to life! How gentle is that! [What exactly is your definition of gentle, hey ==]

Ahem, anyway, this chapter’s illustration is of the legendary “Tsuna in special mode”—

Covering my face, this special state is simply gorgeous! His gaze, expression, presence—all transformed! He looks so… dominant… Tsuna, they’ve always underestimated you! [Who are “they,” anyway ==]

And finally, as always, a preview for next chapter: Mokona’s emergency rations. The Kokuyo battle nears its end! After everything wraps up, Kurama and Reborn face off! Is this world… truly as “gentle” as Kurama believes? Look forward to the next chapter of “Fox Spirit Kurama”: Mokona’s Emergency Rations!

Kurama: …The only one who’s called this world gentle from start to finish is you…

→_→ Anyway, finally, a little aside: Tomorrow is the college entrance exam! I wish all examinees extraordinary performance and excellent results! Keep fighting, everyone! [Waving little flag~]