What could have been

Also, I'm going to add the first draft of this story which is completely different from what it is now. You can ignore it if you want as it's not related to the story, but if you're curious, well...

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There is a silence when the man finished talking. Heavy and somewhat uncomfortable. It isn't the tone or the man with the strange mask and unique silver hat that made it stifling. It is more of an instinctual feeling. The foreboding kind that one feels no matter how strong one is. He has never felt it before and now wonders why he's feeling it at all. He can't help but be disturbed by it even if the information isn't surprising, nothing new or world-changing.

Arcobaleno, the man says as he shows them the pacifiers, and Reborn can't help but tilt his fedora slightly up. They're famous, after all. The Arcobaleno are legends—their names are never forgotten even if their faces are. And if he's not mistaken, it's been almost thirty years since the title has been mentioned, almost shrugged off as another myth if not for the solid proof that can be found. Though most don't know how they're chosen, it's always been clear that the title goes to the best of the best as their other title is the Strongest Seven. Both are titles he's only heard in rumors of those that are starting and wish to aim for the highest goal. The ones that are old in the game know it holds certain truth and is related to Flames.

After all, everyone high ranking enough knows the importance of the number seven in the mafia and it's always related to flames.

So why, if it doesn't surprise him, is the dread slowly increasing deep inside his gut?

The renowned Shaman, Luce, is most likely a Sky, the chosen Sky of this little misfit group. They are usually hard to miss, especially powerful Skies. However, aside from her, he doesn't know which flame the people around him have. He only knows that no one but him is a Sun. Or knew. Is not surprising the man in the Iron hat has that information and he didn't sound condescending as he listed their Elements.

The dread doesn't diminish, but it's easy to ignore it thanks to the excitement he feels at the prospect of gaining the title and the respect that comes with it. The difficult missions the man promises are also welcoming, but…

"Isn't it dangerous for her to be part of it then?" The purple-haired male, Skull, says. "She's the Sky, our 'boss', right?"

Luce smiles, her cup of coffee clinking softly against the plate. "I assure you, you don't need to—"

"She won't be your Sky."

Luce blinks in surprise, her head turning to look better at the man. She opens her mouth, but no sound comes from it as a pained frown changes her expression. She rubs the side of her head and almost stumbles when trying to reach the table. Viper, sitting closer, stabilizes her with a hand on her arm.

"Don't worry, she's only having a vision," the man in the Iron Hat says, walking forward and helping her to a seat. "The influx of information must not be a pleasant one."

"I'm fine," she says, shaking her head twice before glancing at the empty wall on her left. "The new Sky…"

The man in the Iron Hat nods as if she hasn't just trailed off. He walks to where she's staring and gives a slight bow, his right hand signaling the empty space next to him. "I should introduce him, shouldn't I?"

Reborn lifts an eyebrow, ready to inquire what this sudden development is about, but a buzz in the air stops him. He's already standing, gun in hand, by the time the portal opens. Not dark and smoke-like as the one the Vindice use, but a clear and bright one. It only takes a second before a figure rolls out. The sound of heavy breathing fills the silence as the portal slowly closes. The person kneeling in front of them lifts his head up, showing the erratic orange flame on his forehead. It flutters with each intake of breath, as if ready to extinguish but managing to stay put by force of will. Gleaming tired eyes inspects everyone, confusion, and surprise growing with each person his gaze meets.

"My apologies for the abrupt trip," the man in the Iron Hat says in Japanese, startling the young man. Globes covered in bright Sky flames are directed at his person. There's a hint of panic in the young Sky's expression mixed with wariness. A string of words leave his mouth in a mumble, but they're too fast for Reborn to catch. He knows the language but hasn't practiced it, unlike others. The word 'uncle' is the only one he recognizes.

The man in tire Iron Hat answers whatever question he's been asked before his kneel touches the ground in front of the other, a clear, slightly orange pacifier cradled between his fingers. Reborn's quick check to the table reveals the empty spot he's sure was occupied a minute ago with seven pacifiers and not six.

"Tsunayoshi," he starts before switching to Italian. "Will you accept the honor of being the Sky Arcobaleno?"

The dread he's been feeling since the man revealed their Flame's types is painfully shown in the young Sky's face. There's no filter in his expression or an attempt to make it blank. The boy looks as if the air has been taken away from his lungs. His face pales in a way the warm color of the flame on his forehead makes it look somber instead of warm.

But there's no fear as his hand moves to meet the pacifier.

"Be the Sky that will change it all," the boy mumbles, his globed hand shaking faintly as it encloses the object.

The way he grabs it—as if it were the most fragile thing in the world collides with the way his shoulders tense like a heavyweight has been placed on him.

"I accept."

The man in the Iron Hat chuckles as he stands up, turning towards them. "Perhaps introductions are in order? Let me introduce you to Tsunayoshi, the new Sky of the Arcobaleno."