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A familiar presence, even after so many years he last sensed it, wakes Enrico.
Enrico greets, sitting up from the sofa, “Hello Zio.”
“It's been a while, Rico,” nods the Will of Vongola Primo, Giotto.
Enrico frowns, “Not that I am ingrateful to see you again, but I'm not wearing the ring to link with you anymore.”
The ghost of the first Vongola boss is slightly more faded than Enrico is used to seeing him when he was Vongola heir. Yet the lingering Will still takes in his surroundings curiously as he always appears to him.
He turns to Enrico to respond.
“True, but currently, you are the closest that I trust to show myself,” then he shrugs, “and who had a connection with me before.”
Enrico gives a grim smile, “So if Federico had the ring…”
“He wouldn't be in that situation and be inaugurated then and there.”
A quick intake of breath responds to the lingering Will’s nonchalant serious statement.
“Zio?” Enrico asks when Primo swipes his hand through the TV flickering on and off.
Then it stays on and a blurry image appears on the TV. Except the words are crystal clear.
“... you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain .”
Primo hums to himself and swipes the TV off.
He gives Enrico a grim smile, “A little in the nose is it not?”
Yet there is some tension on the ghost’s shoulder.
“Why are you–?”
“You command yourself so dignified despite how cruelly I rejected you.”
Enrico looks down and shrugs, “It's not meant to be. I must have failed you in such a way…”
“No…I understand now, I was just selfish and you and your brothers showed me how.”
Enrico looks up.
“It's almost 10 years since we've seen each other,” he looks at Enrico with a strange glow, “And my descendant that wields and holds the most compatible ring was born.”
Enrico pales. That's right, Iemitsu did mention missing his son's birth. So the rumors are true, The Lion of Vongola is a direct descendant to Vongola Primo.
“The ring is going to reject us then?”
He becomes offended at Primo.
“If you asked me after your next brother’s inheritance ceremony or even last month…yes.”
Enrico stares down at his tight fists. It didn't even matter then.
His voice was quiet, but no less sharp.
“So what? We are dragging in an ignorant civilian to what? To become the Boss of all bosses to the whole Mafia in the world?”
“Foolish, I am. Still am,” Primo mirthlessly laughs, “Fortunately unlike the Ninth, I saw another path: Xanxus.”
Enrico looks up, “No offense, Zio, but he never wants to be Vongola boss.”
Primo lets slip a secret smile before quickly shaking his head.
“This time, no he does not. I meant despite of no blood connection in a medical sense, he is still Family. And as your brother solidifying the bond that your father started, but didn't commit, showed me you are going to be alright.”
Enrico stares at the regret of his predecessor.
He remembers Secundo and the growing strain between the two until Primo just left.
“At first, bringing you back wasn't just a loving gesture toward you…especially not toward Timoteo. Especially not for him.”
“Understand,” chokes Enrico, hurt but understands. Especially now how his father is acting more like boss and less than the loving father who had time for them.
“Would you have rejected my father even after you had approved him in the inheritance ceremony?”
Primo floats about Mimi's living room. He eyes the bedroom, but didn't dare to venture there. He looks up as if he just processed the question.
“I approve of Timoteo from then. But now, especially now,” Primo’s eyes flashes cold, so close to the Zero Point Breakthrough.
Enrico whispers an old fear, “If you let me die, what would have become my brothers?”
The Vongola Will ghost turns to him, “Knowing what I know now, my civilian grandson would have stained his hands as Vongola gets purified.”
His face turns a mixture of grief and regret and shame, “I cannot accept that price.”
He looks beyond Enrico, “There was a time that I would even approve of him outside of the ceremony for his wish to burn her down.”
“What?!” Enrico stands up. Everything? The servants, the smaller Famiglias, the civilians in between, everyone?!
“You see it don't you? How far Vongola has fallen,” Primo’s eyes focus again then he stares into Enrico. For a moment, he saw why he wouldn't be able to shoulder the weight of Vongola's sins. Not without breaking and he too falling to be part of the repeating bloody cycle as well.
“Protect your brothers and my grandson will be safe from inheriting Vongola's sins.”
Enrico lets out a surprised snort, “That was, is not will ever be a forced choice for me.”
Primo's eyes flashes merrily, “I know.”
As he fades, Primo whispers, “For what's it worth, I am pleased to have given you a second chance to do what's right.”
Enrico and Romeo, his brother's Lightning guardian and Genkishi, the Mist Guardian (and right hand man) went through the paperwork and found his cousin’s safety is in jeopardy.
If Iemitsu isn't going to protect him correctly, then they will.
“Voi!!! You want to what?”
“Priority mission, Xanxus has been cleared for this mission only by the Ninth,” Enrico states. Not exactly lying. But he and his father had a blow up that no one needs to know.
It isn't their first nor it was their last.
“Sooner than later. And the less said out loud the better.” He gives his youngest brother's right hand man a severe look.
Squalo nods just as severely. He gives a nod and steps out.
Once news broke out that Federico woke up. Enrico stands before his father and prepares the future training for his brother.
Things need to change and they cannot be stagnant. Times are changing.