Upon returning from Twilight Manor, Tsuna immediately told Mikoto what he and Reborn had learned about the Ishtar Familia.
"I know there's a rumor about someone using rare magic, but… they couldn't confirm if it was the Haruhime you're looking for," Tsuna explained.
"I—I see…"
Tsuna shared the intel from the Loki Familia over dinner. Mikoto hadn't expected him to go directly to the city's largest faction just for her sake, and she couldn't hide her shock. The rest of the Familia members were equally stunned, their mouths hanging wide open.
"...What's wrong, guys?"
"What do you mean, 'what's wrong'!?" Lili shouted. "Why are you casually strolling into Orario's biggest faction like it's no big deal!?"
"Well… I just thought they might know something…"
To Lili, the Loki Familia were existences high above the clouds. She honestly couldn't believe Tsuna could just drop by their headquarters as if he were visiting a friend's house.
"I asked about a lot of things, but they warned us it's best not to get too involved with the Ishtar Familia," Tsuna continued. "Apparently, there are some pretty dark rumors surrounding them…"
"..."
Tsuna hated to say it, but he had to convey the danger: there was a real possibility the Ishtar Familia was connected to the Evilus. Mikoto seemed to understand his intentions and didn't get angry, but she couldn't give up on Haruhime either. She cast her gaze downward, a dark expression clouding her face. The rest of the group felt a heavy weight in their chests, knowing full well how much this old friend meant to Mikoto.
"We get you and Haruhime are pals," Reborn chimed in, showing a rare moment of consideration. "But Haruhime is supposedly highborn. If you were friends with someone like that, does that mean you used to serve her?"
"No…" Mikoto replied softly into the quiet room. "I was orphaned at a young age. I was raised at the shrine where the Gods, including Lord Takemikazuchi, resided."
"The shrine?" Tsuna asked, tilting his head at the unfamiliar term.
"Lord Takemikazuchi and the other Gods gathered children who had nowhere else to go and took them in at their shrine."
"So, it was like an orphanage," Tsuna nodded.
"Yes. Chigusa and Ouka are my companions; we grew up in that same shrine together."
So that's how they know each other… Tsuna thought. He had assumed they met after coming to Orario, and was slightly surprised to learn their bond went that far back.
"Haruhime lived in an estate at the foot of the shrine," Mikoto explained. "One day, she heard rumors about us. Unlike her wealthy upbringing, we were barely surviving day to day. She asked her father to share their food with the Gods. When I learned about the girl who saved us, I went to meet her. But she wasn't allowed to leave the estate; she was always just looking up at the sky from inside. Lord Takemikazuchi couldn't bear to see her like that, so he told us: 'You brats, go sneak that girl out of there.'"
"Wait… wasn't that a really bad idea…?" Tsuna asked nervously.
"Yes… We got caught the first time, and our battles with the patrol guards became incredibly fierce after that…"
"I'm amazed you made it out alive."
Even if it was just kids acting out, doing something like that to a noble family could easily result in execution. Tsuna found it a miracle that Mikoto was still breathing today.
"Whenever we were caught, Haruhime's father would fly into a rage," Mikoto said, a faint, nostalgic smile touching her lips. "But every single time, Lord Takemikazuchi would prostrate himself on the ground and beg for forgiveness until he let us off the hook."
He got away with it just by prostrating…? Tsuna thought, a sweatdrop forming on his brow. He couldn't believe they were forgiven time and time again just because a God bowed his head.
"We played together countless times. We ran through the fields, explored the edges of the farmlands, and played by the riverbank… And finally, Haruhime, who had never shown a smile before, genuinely laughed. I felt I was finally able to repay my debt to her. But… the end came so abruptly."
"She was kicked out of her home, right?" Reborn asked.
"Yes… Around the same time, the shrine fell into a severe financial crisis. We had to go out and earn our daily wages, so we couldn't visit the estate anymore. When we finally managed to go back a while later, we found out Haruhime had been disowned and cast out… We searched everywhere for her, but couldn't find a single trace. We eventually came to Orario to save our shrine… We had no idea Haruhime might be here too."
Having finished recounting her past, Mikoto lowered her head once more, her expression turning somber.
"Isn't there anything we can do…?" Bell asked quietly.
"Master Bell. Do not even entertain the thought of saving Lady Haruhime."
"!?"
"What are you saying, Lili!?"
Lili's ruthless words cut through the tension. Bell and Mikoto snapped their heads toward her in disbelief, while Tsuna couldn't hide his confusion at her sudden harshness.
"The War Game just ended," Lili continued firmly. "Do you intend to start another major conflict?"
If Haruhime was indeed in the Ishtar Familia, rescuing her meant war was unavoidable. Lili's logic was completely sound, leaving everyone unable to formulate a counterargument.
"Thanks to the War Game, the Hestia Familia has been left completely exposed," Lili explained. "Everyone who watched the match saw your magic, your attacks, your weapons, and your items. That means our entire hand has been revealed."
The War Game had broadcast the Hestia Familia's capabilities to all of Orario. On the flip side, they knew almost nothing about the Ishtar Familia—and mathematically, they were hopelessly outmatched in combat power. It was clearer than day that challenging them now was a fool's errand.
"Fortunately, Master Tsuna's full capabilities remain hidden, but he does not wish for his power to be known," Lili added. "If he were to use his power against a faction as massive as the Ishtar Familia, all of his secrets would be exposed to the entire city."
"That's…"
It was well known that many worshipped Ishtar, the Familia's patron Goddess. If they were a faction with strong connections—unlike the Soma Familia—Tsuna's existence would become public knowledge across Orario. That was a scenario Tsuna desperately wanted to avoid.
"And above all else, it would place an enormous burden on Lady Hestia," Lili added, bringing up their Goddess who was currently stuck working overtime. "She might not realize it yet, but by forcing her way into the city's power dynamic, she has undoubtedly earned the animosity of several other Gods."
A short time ago, the Hestia Familia was a microscopic, unknown faction. Thanks to the War Game, their name was now famous. If they picked a fight with the Ishtar Familia right on the heels of that victory, it would draw even more negative attention, dragging Hestia's reputation through the mud.
"Stop acting out of character." Reborn smirked, adjusting his fedora. "Just admit that you're terrified of your friends getting hurt."
"Wha—!?"
Reborn saw right through Lili's tough act. She flinched, her eyes widening as he hit the bullseye.
"As a member of this Familia, I agree with Lili's logic," Welf grinned, crossing his arms and showing his resolve. "But if you guys have decided what you want to do, I'll help you out. I'll stick with you till the bitter end."
"Still, you went out of your way to play the villain, and now your cover's blown, Lili-suke," Welf teased, chuckling at her flustered reaction.
"I—I don't think that at all!! Master Reborn is just making things up!!" Lili shouted, her face flushed red as she stubbornly refused to admit the truth.
"Good grief. Kids these days…" Reborn sighed theatrically.
"I don't want to hear that from you, Master Reborn!!"
Lili was absolutely furious at being treated like a child by an actual baby. Watching their usual banter, the heavy tension finally broke, and life returned to Tsuna and the others.
However, they didn't know it yet. They had no idea that the Hestia Familia was about to clash with the Ishtar Familia in a completely unexpected way.
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