The court echoed with the screech of sneakers and the constant thud of the ball until the referee finally blew the whistle, marking the end of the match.
As the whistle sounded, the Fukuda Sogo players, completely exhausted, collapsed onto the court. They couldn't hide their fatigue and frustration as they gazed at the scoreboard, which displayed a lopsided score of 10 - 65.
It had been a short game, but the Jabberwock had effortlessly dominated them. Without Tsuna, who had single-handedly scored all of their points, their side of the scoreboard would have remained blank.
Tsuna stood alone on the Fukuda Sogo side while all players from the Jabberwock stood strong as they fixed their gazes on him with a mix of astonishment and determination.
Nash walked over to Tsuna, gazing at the exhausted Fukuda Sogo players strewn across the court. They were all trying to catch their breath after the intense match.
Nash remarked, "...I did mention they wouldn't stand a chance."
"I know the Jabberwock is formidable," Tsuna responded.
He shook his head as he inquired, "What's your plan after this?"
Nash scratched his head and glanced at his team members before refocusing on Tsuna. "I think we're done with today's training, so I'll stick around for a bit, maybe chat with our coach and the manager."
"I appreciate the game," Tsuna expressed his gratitude.
Nash chuckled, "No problem, we had a 'fun' time..."
"Alright, they'll be hanging around for a while. Make sure they're comfortable," Tsuna instructed, gesturing toward the Fukuda Sogo players. He strolled away from the court, adding, "I've got another meeting to attend. Catch you later..."
Nash nodded, rejoining his teammates, and they headed back to their accommodations, conveniently provided since Tsuna had taken charge of their team.
Tsuna directed Nijimura to assist the others in getting settled before departing with Sebas.
As he peered out of the car window, Tsuna's eyes locked onto the well-known cityscape and streets of Los Angeles.
A nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Even though it might not be considered the finest place, this city held the essence of his hometown, and that alone filled him with a sense of comfort and warmth.
Sebas smiled as he glanced at Tsuna through the rearview mirror of the car. "You appear to be in good spirits, Young Master."
Tsuna smiled back and replied, "You caught that, huh?"
Shaking his head, Sebas, who had been with Tsuna for a long time, could distinguish between Tsuna's genuine happiness and his professional demeanor.
Sebas inquired, "I'm curious, Young Master. What brought about this cheerful mood?"
Tsuna chuckled at Sebas' curiosity and turned his gaze to the passing cityscape outside the car window.
He relished the view before answering, "Let's just say I hit the jackpot in my little gamble this time..."
Finishing his sentence with a smirk, Tsuna's expression hinted that everything had gone exactly as he had planned or even better. Sebas joined in the laughter, recognizing that this confident grin meant that Tsuna's scheme had been a resounding success.
Inside a lavish mansion, the luxurious furnishings and ornate decorations were clear indicators of affluence and power.
Seated in this grandeur, a well-built and commanding middle-aged man sat across from another man of similar age, both gathered around a round table in an elegantly adorned room.
Laughter resounded from his companion, filling the room.
Hirutora furrowed his brows as he took a sip of his wine and inquired, "What's so funny, Bill? Why the sudden laughter?"
Bill, also known as Mr. Door, halted his laughter and fixed a smile on his face as he looked at Hirutora. "Tora, you really have an exceptional son."
Hirutora's brow furrowed even more as he struggled to comprehend the situation. Orange Company and Macrohard Corporation had been locked in rivalry for an extensive period, long before their child's marriage united them.
Their rivalry had been enduring, and their familiarity with each other exceeded that of even their closest friends and family.
So Mr. Door's unexpected appearance was baffling. He had arrived at their doorstep, claiming that his youngest child had urged him to do so, which, considering their standings, seemed highly improbable.
"You must be perplexed, but isn't it fascinating?" Mr. Door chuckled heartily, finding amusement in the situation. "Many folks approach me seeking a slice of the pie, but your son had the audacity to invite me over while offering a whole pie!"
Mr. Door's laughter continued as he commented, "Hahaha, not even your eldest displayed such audacity!"
It had been quite a while since Mr. Door had encountered someone as intriguing as Hirutora's youngest son, so he eagerly anticipated hearing what the young man had to offer.
Hirutora studied Mr. Door attentively.
"To pique Bill's interest, Tsuna must have offered something substantial," Hirutora contemplated quietly as he observed Mr. Door.
For a person like Mr. Door, being intrigued by something meant it could bring significant advantages to the company. This left Hirutora puzzled, as he couldn't fathom why Tsuna would present it to Mr. Door instead of keeping it within the family.
Even though they were connected through marriage, family should always come first, and Hirutora firmly believed in this principle. Tsuna, not being your typical heir to a conglomerate, was expected to understand this well. Hirutora looked forward to hearing Tsuna's explanation for his actions this time.
The two engaged in some small talk until the door swung open, and their faces lit up with anticipation as they saw who was entering.
It was Tsuna, dressed in formal attire.
"Ahaha, the star of today's meeting has finally graced us with his presence," Mr. Door remarked with a jovial laugh.
Tsuna greeted them with a smile, followed by a respectful bow towards his father, who acknowledged it with a nod. He then took a seat at the round table among these influential individuals.
Hirutora observed Tsuna's calm demeanor and noticed the confidence radiating from him. This filled him with satisfaction, and a subtle smile formed on his lips.
"Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Door. I assume you're intrigued by my proposal," Tsuna said calmly.
Mr. Door's eyes brightened as he noticed Tsuna's deliberate choice, not to mention being late, recognizing it as a subtle power move in the negotiations. He thought, "Impressive, a way to assert your dominance at the negotiation table, indeed. Quite thoughtful."
Mr. Door smiled slightly and responded, "No need for such formality, Tsuna. You're practically family..."
Tsuna maintained a polite tone but added a touch of slyness, "Oh, Mr. Door, I wouldn't dream of it. I'm not on your level... yet."
His eyes sparkled with confidence.
Mr. Door burst into laughter. He tried to establish a hierarchical advantage by saying these words, but Tsuna had skillfully sidestepped it, retaining the upper hand.
"And not on the same level yet, you say?"
Mr. Door's eyes gleamed at this.
The audacity! The confidence!
Mr. Door recognized that Tsuna was not a fledgling dragon.
He was a fully grown dragon!
As Hirutora couldn't conceal his satisfied grin, Mr. Door couldn't help but envy the man's blessed luck to have such a child. If only Tsuna were his own child, life would be much easier.
After a hearty laugh, Mr. Door became solemn, resting his chin on his hand, and asked, "Let's find out if what you've brought to the table is worth my precious time."
Tsuna smiled as he reached for a folder, catching everyone's attention, and its title read, "Macrohard Surface Concept!"
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