Target 38: First Exorcism 1

The morning air was crisp as sunlight streamed through the windows of Professor Neuhaus's office, casting long shadows across the room. Tsuna stood before the professor's desk, gripping the manila folder that had just been handed to him.

Tsuna sat in the dimly lit office of Professor Neuhaus, the air thick with the scent of aged paper and ink. The old exorcist, ever-stoic, leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he regarded Tsuna with his usual unreadable gaze.

"This will be your first official mission," Neuhaus began, sliding a document across his desk. Tsuna hesitated for only a second before picking it up. "A mid-level demon has been causing disturbances in Karasuma City, a town not far from the academy. There have been multiple reports of livestock going missing, strange sightings, and most recently, the disappearance of a few pets."

Tsuna's grip on the paper tightened. His first mission was real. Not just theory, not just sparring—this was an actual hunt.

Neuhaus continued, "Senior exorcists have already located the demon and classified it as a weak mid-level threat. It barely qualifies above low-level, which is why you are being assigned to handle it alone."

That made Tsuna blink. "Alone?"

"The other Cram School students have already been paired into teams," Neuhaus explained, "and you started your internship later than them. Normally, a first mission is done in groups, but with my recommendation and your experience, you're deemed capable of handling this yourself."

Tsuna swallowed. "I see…"

Truthfully, he wasn't sure how he felt about this. He had trained hard, learned a lot, and his combat experience—thanks to Reborn and CEDEF—was far beyond the average exorcist trainee. But this wasn't a Mafia battle. Demons were different. They weren't rival hitmen or flame-wielding enemies.

"Despite my faith in your abilities," Neuhaus said, interrupting Tsuna's thoughts, "you should still proceed with caution. That is why I suggest you visit Futsumaya before departing."

"Futsumaya?"

"The exorcist armory," Neuhaus clarified. "Unlike your Dying Will Flames, which rely on pure life force energy, demons are naturally resilient to such power. While they can still be burned or harmed physically, it is not the most effective means of combat against them. As a Knight, Tamer, and Aria, you need to use all your training—holy weapons, enchantments, and summons."

Tsuna bit his lip. This was a problem. While his Dying Will Flames were strong, they weren't imbued with holy properties. He had assumed they would be effective enough against demons, but if they were resistant to life force energy, then he'd have to be smarter about how he fought.

"Understood," he said finally.

Neuhaus nodded. "Good. Your mission details are inside the folder. Gather your supplies, make your preparations, and depart by this afternoon."

Tsuna took a deep breath and stood. This was it. His first real step into the world of exorcists.

As he turned to leave, Neuhaus added, "And Tsunayoshi… remember this is not a game. If you fail, there is no restart."

The weight of those words followed him all the way out of the office.

--------------------------------------------------------

Aureon, his small gryphon companion, fluttered onto his shoulder as he made his way toward the armory. The young creature chirped, nudging Tsuna's cheek with its beak.

"I know, I know. I have to stay focused," Tsuna muttered, smiling despite himself.

Aureon had been a great partner in training, but this would be their first mission together. Unlike standard familiars, the gryphon had combat abilities of its own, making it a valuable asset in the field.

Tsuna adjusted the strap of his bag as he stepped out into the open courtyard, the fresh morning air helping to ground his nerves. His first mission. Even though the demon was classified as a weaker mid-level threat, there was still a real possibility of failure—or worse.

He shook his head. No use worrying now. He had been training for months. This was what all the grueling exercises and lessons were for.

He glanced at the ornate key Neuhaus had given him. It was made of silver, its intricate design resembling interwoven vines. A magic key. The exorcists used them to travel between designated locations via any door. It was a standard tool, but one Tsuna hadn't gotten the chance to use much outside of classes.

With a deep breath, he made his way toward the nearest hallway, finding an empty classroom. He stepped inside, glancing around before stopping in front of the door. Holding up the key, he inserted it into the keyhole and twisted.

A soft hum filled the air, and when he opened the door again, instead of the hallway, he was met with the sight of a dimly lit interior. Wooden shelves lined the walls, overflowing with books, charms, and bottles filled with mysterious liquids. The air smelled of incense, old parchment, and something vaguely floral.

Tsuna stepped inside cautiously, the door clicking shut behind him as he took in the famous exorcist supply shop—Futsumaya.

Despite the grandeur of the shop's reputation, it was eerily quiet.

"Uh… hello?" he called out.

No response.

Frowning, Tsuna stepped forward, his footsteps muffled by the polished wooden floor. He had expected to see more exorcists here gathering supplies for their own missions, but the place was strangely empty.

Then, as he approached the counter, he finally spotted someone.

A girl, around his age, sat behind the wooden counter, her arms resting on the surface as she leaned forward, completely engrossed in a thick book. She had light blonde hair, cut just above her shoulders, and wore a simple light green kimono-like outfit. A small potted plant rested beside her on the counter, adding to the cozy atmosphere.

Tsuna hesitated.

"Um… excuse me?"

The girl yelped, nearly toppling off her stool as she snapped her book shut. Her bright green eyes widened as she looked up at him.

"O-Oh! I—I didn't hear you come in!" she stammered, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

"Ah, sorry for startling you," Tsuna said quickly, raising his hands. "I, uh… I'm here to buy supplies for a mission."

The girl blinked before quickly straightening. "Oh! Right! Of course!" She scrambled to her feet. "Welcome to Futsumaya! My name is Shiemi Moriyama! How can I help you?"

Tsuna relaxed slightly at her enthusiasm. "Nice to meet you, Moriyama-san. I just need a few things for my first mission."

Shiemi tilted her head. "First mission?"

Tsuna nodded. "Yeah, I just started my internship. Professor Neuhaus sent me."

Shiemi gasped. "Oh! That must mean you're a strong exorcist already, right?"

Tsuna chuckled nervously. "Ah… I wouldn't say that. I'm still learning."

Shiemi beamed. "That's amazing! I'm still learning too! My family runs this shop, and I help out when I can. It's really nice to meet someone my age who's actually going out on missions!"

Tsuna scratched the back of his head, unsure how to respond. She seemed really friendly—almost like Haru, in a way.

Shiemi quickly pulled out a notepad. "Okay! What kind of supplies do you need?"

Tsuna glanced at his list. "I'll need some exorcism talismans, holy water, and… some special bullets."

Shiemi's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Oh! What kind of bullets? We have Holy Silver bullets, Demon Tranquilizer bullets, and even some special anti-curse rounds!"

Tsuna considered it. "Holy Silver bullets and Demon Tranquilizers should be enough."

Shiemi nodded eagerly. "Great choice! Holy Silver bullets are infused with purifying energy, perfect for damaging demons. Demon Tranquilizer bullets don't kill, but they suppress a demon's movements and abilities temporarily. Really useful if you need to weaken one before finishing it off!"

She motioned for him to follow as she walked toward the shelves.

Tsuna glanced around as he followed her. The sheer variety of tools and weapons available was staggering. It reminded him of the hidden supply caches in Mafia hideouts—but here, everything was catered toward exorcism.

As they moved through the aisles, Shiemi occasionally stopped to explain different items. "These talismans are pre-enchanted for easy use! Just stick them onto a demon, and they'll activate instantly!"

She handed Tsuna a small pack of them, which he added to his growing collection.

"Here's the holy water!" Shiemi continued, grabbing a set of small glass vials. "They're really strong against minor demons and weak to mid-level ones. You can throw them directly or coat your weapons with them!"

Tsuna nodded, storing them in his bag.

After gathering his main supplies, he looked over at the firearms section. While guns weren't the most effective against powerful demons, they were still incredibly useful in combat—especially in the Mafia world, where they were a necessity.

Tsuna reached for a fresh case of special bullets, weighing them in his hands before slipping them into his bag. He made sure to grab a few spare magazines as well—better to be overprepared than underprepared.

As he turned back, he found Shiemi watching him with fascination.

"You're really used to handling weapons, huh?" she asked.

Tsuna hesitated. He wasn't sure how much he should say. "Yeah… I guess you could say I've had some experience."

Shiemi smiled. "That's amazing. Most students don't really use guns that much unless they specialize in them."

Tsuna chuckled. "In my world, they're kind of a necessity."

Shiemi nodded in understanding before guiding him back to the counter. "Alright! That should be everything! Would you like me to wrap them up for you?"

Tsuna shook his head. "No need. I'll just pack them in my bag."

As he sorted through his purchases, he noticed Shiemi hesitating slightly.

"Something wrong?" he asked.

Shiemi fidgeted for a moment before shaking her head. "No, it's just… it's really cool that you're going on a mission. I kind of envy you."

Tsuna blinked. "Envy?"

Shiemi nodded. "I've always wanted to become an exorcist, but… I don't think I'd be very good at fighting."

Tsuna thought about that for a moment before offering a reassuring smile. "Everyone has their own strengths. Even if you're not on the front lines, running a place like this is just as important. Without Futsumaya, exorcists wouldn't have the tools they need to fight."

Shiemi's eyes widened before she smiled brightly. "You're really nice, Sawada-san."

Tsuna laughed lightly. "You can just call me Tsuna."

Shiemi beamed. "Then you can call me Shiemi!"

With that, Tsuna finished packing his supplies and paid for everything. As he slung his bag over his shoulder, he took a deep breath.

Just as Tsuna adjusted the strap of his bag, a door behind the counter creaked open.

A woman stepped out, brushing off her sleeves as she entered the shop's main area. She had a strong presence, her light-colored hair tied up neatly, and her sharp eyes immediately locked onto Tsuna. Then, her gaze flickered to Shiemi, and her brows furrowed.

"Shiemi! What are you doing behind the counter?" she scolded, striding forward.

Shiemi flinched, her hands tightening on the notepad she was still holding. "Ah—! I was just—"

"I told you to wait here and not touch anything while I was in the back!" her mother continued, crossing her arms. "What if you gave the wrong supplies? You know better than to handle store business without asking me first."

Shiemi's shoulders slumped, and she lowered her head. "I… I just wanted to help…" she mumbled.

Tsuna, seeing the dejected look on her face, quickly stepped in. "Actually, Moriyama-san helped me a lot," he said, straightening up. "She gave me exactly what I needed, and she knew all about the supplies. I would've been wandering around forever without her."

Shiemi's mother turned to him, surprised. "Is that so?"

Tsuna nodded firmly. "Yeah. She was really helpful."

Shiemi peeked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise, before a small smile formed on her face.

Her mother studied Tsuna for a moment before sighing. "Well… if you say so. But next time, Shiemi, you call me first, understand?"

"Yes, Mom," Shiemi said quickly, relief washing over her.

Her mother shook her head before glancing toward the back of the store. "Honestly… I leave for just a few minutes to speak with your grandmother, and you're already handling customers?" She sighed but didn't press the issue further.

Tsuna glanced between them, now understanding a little more. It seemed like they were discussing something about Shiemi's health. That explained why her mother had been so worried.

Shiemi, however, looked content—relieved that the scolding hadn't lasted longer.

Tsuna gave her a reassuring smile before adjusting his bag once more. "Well, I should get going. Thanks for the help, Shiemi."

Shiemi brightened. "You're welcome! And good luck on your mission, Tsuna!"

With a final nod, Tsuna turned toward the door, stepping through as the magic key returned him to the academy halls.

--------------------------------------------------------

Tsuna stepped through the door, and in an instant, he found himself outside the protective barriers of True Cross Academy. The sudden change in atmosphere was jarring. Gone were the towering gothic spires, the bustling academy streets, and the ever-present aura of magic that lingered in the air. Instead, he was met with the sight of a quiet suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Tokyo.

The house he had stepped out of looked completely ordinary—an old, two-story home with weathered wooden panels and a small front yard overgrown with weeds. There was nothing about it that suggested it was anything other than an abandoned property, yet it had served as a gateway for his teleportation.

Tsuna turned back and glanced at the door.

"Magic keys, huh?" he murmured, running a hand through his hair. "That's seriously convenient… and kinda creepy."

The thought of being able to step through any door and end up miles away was unsettling, but at the same time, he had to admit that it was impressive. The sheer distance he had just traveled was something that even the Vongola's best technology couldn't achieve so effortlessly.

He took a deep breath, letting the crisp air of the outskirts fill his lungs. The sky was a soft blue with a few wispy clouds drifting lazily overhead. Compared to the suffocating tension of True Cross Academy, being out here felt… freeing.

"Outside at last," he muttered to himself, stretching his arms above his head.

Despite the excitement of training, the academy wasn't exactly his kind of place. Too many people, too many expectations, and always the lingering pressure of proving himself. Out here, at least for a little while, he could breathe.

But his moment of peace wouldn't last forever.

After a few minutes of enjoying the silence, Tsuna checked his mission details once again and headed toward the nearest train station. His destination was Karasuma City, a small town nestled in the countryside. According to the mission brief, livestock and pets had been mysteriously disappearing, and there were reports of strange beasts lurking in the forests nearby.

Arriving at the train station, Tsuna found it relatively empty. He took a seat on one of the benches and pulled out the map provided in his mission packet. The layout of Karasuma City was simple—it had a mix of old-school districts and more modern areas, but it was mostly a quiet place.

The mission details also mentioned a potential second demon.

"Sightings of another unknown entity in the surrounding forest," Tsuna read aloud to himself, frowning. "So it's not just one demon… If it's above mid-level, I'm supposed to report back immediately."

That wasn't reassuring.

Dealing with one mid-level demon was already pushing it. If there was something else out there, something stronger, then this job might turn out to be more complicated than he expected.

With a sigh, Tsuna folded the mission brief and tucked it away in his bag. He wasn't about to get ahead of himself. First, he needed to handle the demon he was sent for. Everything else could wait.

The train pulled into the station with a low hum, and Tsuna boarded, finding a window seat near the back of the car. As the train started moving, he let his eyes wander over the scenery outside—endless stretches of green countryside rolling past, broken up by the occasional cluster of buildings.

It was a far cry from the urban sprawl he was used to, but it had its own quiet charm.

Leaning back in his seat, Tsuna picked up a magazine from the rack in front of him, flipping through the pages idly. He wasn't really interested in reading, but it was something to pass the time.

Unbeknownst to him, at the far end of the train car, a shadowed figure sat hunched over, their face obscured by a hood. Their gaze flickered toward Tsuna, eyes gleaming with interest.

"An exorcist from True Cross, huh?" the figure mused under their breath. Their voice was barely audible over the low rumble of the train.

A slow, twisted smile crept onto their lips.

"Could be a useful product for the experiments… Pretty young too."

Tsuna remained oblivious to the silent observer, his focus drifting between the passing scenery and the magazine in his hands.

As the train continued its journey toward Karasuma City, the air inside the car grew still, an unspoken tension creeping through the space.

And the real mission had yet to begin.