The timeline moved forward to Tsuna's middle school years.
By this time, Tsuna had already mastered all of his Bankai. From this perspective, having too many Bankai abilities wasn't necessarily a good thing. It had taken Tsuna nearly three years to fully master his Shinigami powers.
With that amount of time, Ichigo could probably have speedrun his way through defeating Yhwach.
As expected, once they entered middle school, Tsuna still ended up in the same class as Arisawa Tatsuki and Kurosaki Ichigo.
However, something did surprise him.
Ishida Uryū had also been assigned to their class.
"Why are you at our school too? Isn't your house pretty far from here? And you suddenly transferred in," Tsuna asked while dragging Uryū into a corner to talk.
They had already been in middle school for a month, yet Uryū had only just joined as a transfer student.
"As the last inheritor of the Quincy, I naturally want to see what kind of power a traitor like you—someone who abandoned the Quincy—actually has!" Uryū said firmly.
He was still bitter about Tsuna abandoning the Quincy and choosing the path of a Shinigami.
As for his father, Ishida Ryūken, there was no way he would explain the real reason Tsuna left the Quincy. Because of that, once Uryū completed his training, he had always secretly competed with Tsuna.
And now—
he had even followed him into the same class.
"Suit yourself," Tsuna sighed. "But I'll tell you first—Tatsuki and Ichigo still don't know about my identity…"
"What are you two sneaking around doing?"
Tatsuki's voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
"Ah—Tatsuki, Ichigo. Let me introduce someone. This is Ishida Uryū."
Tsuna introduced Uryū to the two of them. The introductions went smoothly, and they exchanged friendly greetings.
They were now officially acquainted.
"Speaking of friends," Tatsuki suddenly said, "I also have a friend I want to introduce to you. Wait here."
She ran off in a flash.
After a while, she returned, pulling someone out from a corner.
It was a girl with long orange hair.
She looked shy and somewhat withdrawn. Her expression lacked enthusiasm, yet she also gave off a slightly airheaded impression.
However, her well-developed figure clearly revealed her identity.
Inoue Orihime.
"This is Inoue Orihime, a friend I just met. And these are Sawada Tsunayoshi and Kurosaki Ichigo…"
Tatsuki introduced everyone one by one.
Orihime politely greeted each of them.
Compared to her polite manners, Tsuna, Ichigo, and Uryū reacted rather plainly.
Which immediately resulted in Tatsuki dragging the three boys aside for a quick meeting.
"Listen up," Tatsuki whispered threateningly.
"Orihime's family has been through some trouble. You guys better act lively. Clap! Be enthusiastic!"
The three of them immediately began applauding to welcome Orihime.
Ichigo even stepped forward and awkwardly tried to comfort her.
Seeing Orihime's slightly flushed face, Tsuna instantly realized something.
This girl had already fallen for Ichigo.
"—Ow!"
A sudden pain at his waist snapped Tsuna back to reality.
"What are you staring at?" Tatsuki glared at him.
"Nothing," Tsuna replied.
"I was just thinking about how an innocent girl has fallen into Ichigo's love trap."
"Oh, right—what exactly happened with Orihime's family?"
"Apparently her older brother passed away," Tatsuki explained.
"She's living alone now. I don't know the details. I just saw her sitting alone in a corner and started talking to her. Before long, we became friends."
"So you want her to make more friends and feel happier?"
"Obviously. She's a young girl living alone all the time. That's not good."
"You're really kind," Tsuna said.
"In that case, why don't we hold a small gathering at her house sometime? It might make things more lively."
Tatsuki narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"What are you planning? Why do you want to go to a girl's house?"
"What are you thinking?" Tsuna sighed.
"She may be cheerful at school, but when she goes home it's still quiet and lonely."
"…You're right."
Tatsuki actually began seriously considering the suggestion.
But Tsuna's thoughts were much simpler.
If Orihime was living alone, it meant her brother had already died.
And Tsuna remembered something clearly.
Inoue Sora, Orihime's brother, would eventually become a Hollow and attack her.
That happened later in the original timeline.
But if Sora would become a Hollow, it meant his soul was currently lingering near Orihime.
Whether he eventually Hollowfied due to loneliness or being devoured by another Hollow didn't matter.
Since Tsuna had already met Orihime earlier than expected—
he might as well remove that hidden danger now.
Otherwise, Ichigo might accidentally lose his future wife.
Tsuna looked at Ichigo, who was currently trying his best to make Orihime laugh.
He sighed inwardly.
If he and Ichigo hadn't been friends for so many years, Tsuna wouldn't bother with so many extra troubles.
Weekend
Tatsuki arranged a gathering at Orihime's house, using the excuse of a study group.
"Tatsuki, you could've come up with a better excuse," Tsuna complained while carrying his schoolbag.
"Do I look like someone who needs a study session?"
Since most of his time was spent training, Tsuna's grades were consistently average.
"You're exactly the one who needs extra studying!" Tatsuki snapped.
"Ichigo and I are only here to accompany you!"
Without her forcing study sessions before every exam, Tsuna might not even pass his classes.
"Tsuna, didn't you invite the new student?" Ichigo asked.
Uryū was nowhere to be seen.
"He's a top student," Tsuna said casually. "He doesn't need extra studying."
In reality, Tsuna had sent Uryū to patrol Karakura Town for Hollows since he didn't have time himself.
"Stop talking already," Tatsuki said.
"Orihime is already waiting for us. Let's go!"
She pushed both Tsuna and Ichigo forward like two boulders.
Inoue Residence
Orihime happily welcomed everyone inside.
She busily prepared drinks for the guests.
Meanwhile—
Tsuna, Ichigo, and Tatsuki all stared at the same spot near a cabinet.
More precisely—
the space beside it.
A man wearing a suit with short hair sat there quietly.
He smiled happily when he saw Orihime welcoming the visitors.
But a moment later, his expression became lonely.
He seemed worried that these strangers would replace him in Orihime's heart.
He was—
Inoue Sora.
Orihime's brother.
And now—
a wandering soul.
"So this is why you insisted on coming to Orihime's house?" Tatsuki whispered beside Tsuna.
"What's the problem?" Ichigo asked.
"It's just a soul."
Ichigo had seen plenty of wandering spirits at his own house. He was completely used to it.
"Idiot," Tatsuki scolded quietly.
"That's Orihime's brother. Look at the photo on the cabinet!"
Only then did Ichigo notice.
The photo frame showed the exact same man.
It was clearly a memorial portrait.
Ichigo immediately wanted to do something, but Tsuna grabbed his arm.
"Wait until the study session ends," Tsuna whispered.
"Don't bring up something that might upset Orihime."
Ichigo reluctantly turned away.
Soon, Orihime returned carrying drinks, and everyone began their so-called study session.
After leaving Orihime's house, Ichigo immediately grabbed Tsuna.
"Tsuna, what's going on with Orihime's brother?"
"Just like you saw," Tsuna replied.
"Orihime's brother died in an accident. Because he's attached to her, his soul hasn't passed on and is lingering around her home."
"So… that soul could become dangerous?" Ichigo asked.
Sometimes Ichigo displayed surprising intuition.
"You could say that."
"What should we do?" Tatsuki asked.
After two years of secretly observing Tsuna, she was certain he possessed special powers.
She just hadn't caught proof yet.
"I'll drag Orihime's brother's soul out tonight," Tsuna said calmly.
"Then I'll send him on with a Konsō."
"Wait!" Tatsuki immediately objected.
"You're planning to break into Orihime's house at night? Absolutely not!"
"She's a girl living alone! At the very least—at least take me with you!"
"Hold on," Ichigo interrupted.
"You two just decided Orihime's brother's fate like that?"
"Even if he passes on, shouldn't Orihime decide?"
"Ichigo," Tsuna said seriously.
"Watch your wording."
"Orihime's brother is a soul. He's already dead."
"But how do you know he'll become dangerous?" Ichigo asked.
For him, wandering souls were normal. Aside from occasionally causing minor trouble, he had never seen one become dangerous.
Tsuna sighed.
Explaining the Hollowfication process to Ichigo logically would be difficult.
Sometimes the best way to convince Ichigo was simply to show him reality.
Just as Tsuna was thinking—
his phone rang.
It was Uryū.
"Uryū," Tsuna answered immediately.
"Did you encounter something you can't handle?"
Uryū went silent for a moment.
He had wanted to prove the strength of the Quincy, yet on his first day of patrol he was already calling Tsuna for help.
After a long pause, he said:
"There's a soul here whose Chain of Fate is about to disappear."
"If you get here quickly, you can still send him to Soul Society."
That kind of task could only be done by a Shinigami.
It wasn't Uryū's fault.
"Alright, I'll be there—"
"No need," Uryū interrupted.
"The Hollow Hole has already appeared."
Once a soul became a Hollow, there was only one solution.
Destroy it.
"Wait," Tsuna said quickly.
"Keep it contained. Don't let it hurt anyone. I'll be there soon."
He hung up and looked at Ichigo and Tatsuki.
"Well."
"Looks like the opportunity has arrived."
"Are you two interested in seeing the true world?"
Tatsuki's eyes lit up.
She had chased Tsuna's secrets for more than two years.
Now she finally had a chance.
Tsuna raised a hand to stop her before she spoke.
His tone turned serious.
"Think carefully."
"Once you learn the truth of this world…"
"…your lives may be put in danger."
Tatsuki answered without hesitation.
"I'll walk the same path as you."
"This time, no matter what, I won't let you leave me behind."
Since childhood, Tsuna had been the only boy who could defeat her.
And she had always liked him.
Although they were friends, Tatsuki felt the distance between them slowly growing.
Ever since she began seeing spirits, that feeling only intensified.
She had followed Tsuna countless times—
yet never managed to catch up.
But this time—
she wouldn't let him slip away.
She would stand beside him.
Ichigo looked surprised by Tatsuki's decisiveness.
But thinking about Orihime—
and seeing Tatsuki step forward first—
he nodded firmly.
"I'm going too."
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