Lightning Before the Storm – The March of Fate Begins

1047 B.N. – August 24

In the tense silence of the Vongola mansion's meeting hall, Giotto observed the map spread before him, his fingers moving decisively over the routes Prince Yaskar would take on his return to the Land of Fire. The candles flickered, casting shadows that seemed to dance across the parchments, but Giotto was not distracted.

—Ugetsu, —said Giotto—, you will be the second escort leader. Your clarity is key to protecting Prince Yaskar. Knuckle will be your immediate support —he nodded as the Sun Guardian stepped beside him—. Haru will go with you; his speed will be essential.

Ugetsu bowed his head:—Yes, Primo. Haru and I will protect the prince at all times.

Giotto turned toward the door, where he heard hurried footsteps. Daiki and Sana entered. Sana held a technical scroll; Daiki, a wooden board covered in notes.

—Here are the planned routes, —said Sana, unfolding the map—. Meru River crossing, nine intermediate shelters, three windy passes: Korin Gorge, the Whispering Forest, and the Hill of Poets.

Ugetsu looked at the map and spoke.—Giotto, the main route is too obvious, —commented Ugetsu, his noble calm unshaken—. The roads through the Lomo River Valley are narrow, but that's where they'll inevitably pass.

Giotto nodded without lifting his gaze. His mind was moving beyond maps, sensing something his instincts wouldn't let him ignore.

—I can't help it, —he murmured—. Something doesn't sit right with this escort. We must anticipate not only direct attacks, but layered ambushes in stealth.

Knuckle, from his spot, could feel Primo's thoughts as if sharing his tension.

—Don't worry, Primo. I can heal minor wounds along the way. Nothing serious will happen while I'm there.

G, arms crossed and wearing a crooked smile, added:—Rain and Sun… together they'll be a wall. But this time, I feel I should go to defend the rear.

Reijiro entered the room with firm steps. Though younger than Giotto, his face showed the maturity earned through years of training as the head of the third hierarchy.

—I've already arranged everything for your departure, and we're under G's orders in case something happens, —he said—. Sana, Takeshi, Daiki, Reijiro, and G will remain to protect the base and maintain order. We cannot allow Lomo to be left defenseless.

Sana, firm and direct, nodded:—The bank and mint require constant vigilance. Financial stability is an invisible battlefield.

Takeshi, proud, expressed:—And we won't let anyone disrupt the peace we've achieved.

Reijiro, shy but determined, added:—I will keep training. When the time comes, I'll be ready.

Daiki smiled.—I'll support Sana so she doesn't drown in paperwork.

Giotto looked at Haru, the youngest of the group, who was eager to join the escort but calm as rain due to Ugetsu's intense training.

—This might be your most important mission so far, Haru, —he ordered—. You won't just be an observer. This journey is crucial. If something happens, support Ugetsu.

Haru nodded with excitement. His eyes shone with determination.

The silence was heavy with solemnity. Each youth understood the importance of the assignment: maintain peace and prevent Vongola's influence from weakening in front of the nobles of the Land of Fire.

…

The night before the journey…

Giotto gathered Ugetsu and Knuckle to finalize details.

—Ugetsu, you'll be Yaskar's guardian. Be careful not to share any information that might expose us in the future. Keep the use of the Dying Will Flames hidden —that goes for you too, Knuckle. I want our powers to remain rumors and fantasies for foreign kings, —he said—. I need you to watch Yaskar's every move. Knuckle, keep an eye on every shadow.

Knuckle nodded firmly, but in his eyes there was pure determination.

Giotto fell silent. Finally, he said:—I'll guide the pace and maintain calm. The prince must feel that his safety is a fact, and my presence will ensure it's no illusion.

Knuckle, with a serious voice, added:—I'll keep my healing hidden and protect as many as I can if battle comes.

Ugetsu looked into the void.—Then... we're not just protecting one man, but the hope of Lomo and the future of us Vongola.

...

Six days before the attack on the Vongola escort...

In a hidden cave near the border of the Land of Lomo, Kaien's accomplices gathered. A rustic table held a single candlestick, its flickering flame casting harsh shadows over faces hardened by a life lived outside the law.

In a small chamber, lit only by an oil lamp, four hooded figures remained silent before Kaien (45 years old): gaunt face, cold stare, and a voice as rough as stone. At his side stood Masanobu (38), calm and elegant, his cane concealing a precise blade.

—Three diplomatic meetings have been held with Prince Yaskar. That meeting was part of Kaien's plan behind the scenes —purred Kaien, his voice echoing in the gloom—. In six days, the prince will return to the Land of Fire. That will be the perfect moment. We will strike at his reputation and shake the Vongola's influence.

Masanobu raised a scroll with surgical precision.

—The gorges he will pass through are already set —he said slowly—. Group A will block routes and trigger traps. Group B will lead the direct attack, then retreat. Group C will infiltrate the escort. And finally, Group D will seal the escape routes, neutralizing possible reinforcements.

—Everything is ready —Kaien nodded, biting his knuckles—. When Yaskar crosses that border, everything will fall. And Lomo will be at our mercy.

The air grew heavier. This wasn't just conspiracy; it was planned poison.

The four lieutenants listened intently:

Kazumori (from the Land of Ka), wearing a curved mask, was the first to speak:

—I'll place camouflaged traps along the passages. False signals… I'll confuse the escort.

Ayokuma (from the Land of Hi), burly and disturbing in appearance, growled:

—When we strike, there'll be no hesitation. I'll pull the escort away with crushing attacks and shadows...

Inari-han (from the Land of So), with a cunning gaze, added:

—I'll be in the second line. I'll use fire and wild beasts.

Chōjin (from Black Iron), silent, simply nodded while sharpening a dagger under his cloak.

Kaien raised a hand to stop them:

—Wait, comrades. None of you will take part directly in the ambush. Only your subordinates will be involved in the plan. I have prepared something else... someone the same age as our enemy. A weapon I raised myself.

They all looked at each other, surprised. Not being directly involved visibly unsettled them.

The heavy oak door creaked open. In the gloom emerged a child with features half-human, half-monkey. His eyes, too bright and aware, scanned the room with stealth. Golden fur, a nimble tail, and a staff adorned with tribal symbols. As he approached, his serenity gave him an unsettling air.

Silence fell completely. Everyone tensed their muscles, ready to fight. Chōjin was the first to do so.

Masanobu broke the tension with a calm voice:

—Relax. The boy has arrived, boss.

Kaien stood, his cloak brushing the floor.

—I present to you the strategist of this operation —he announced—. This is Saruo, my son. Born and raised under my teaching. He will lead the ambush.

A murmur of disbelief sparked.

—A monkey... is your son? And you're putting him in charge of this crucial mission? You're mad, Kaien —growled Kazumori, his voice trembling—. This... makes no sense.

Furry Saruo lifted the staff over his shoulder and spoke with a clear, confident voice:

—Anyone who has a problem with how I look, speak now —he said with a mocking tone, though not aggressive.

Ayokuma touched his nose:

—A... talking monkey? Should I be scared? This world gets weirder every day —he spat with sarcasm.

Inari-han stepped back, perplexed:

—He walks like a human... What trick are you hiding, Kaien? Is he an experiment? Did you break some natural law?

His eyes, however, gleamed with fascination.

—Tell me your secrets, Kaien… —he murmured.

Chōjin frowned. He ignored the others' comments.

—If Kaien vouches for him, that's enough for me —he declared firmly.

Masanobu approached Saruo, placing a hand on his shoulder:

—He's smarter than you think. He has discipline, strategy, and no mercy. My training... and something more: his strength is unmatched for his age.

Kaien held Saruo's gaze, who stared coldly at his father's allies. Then he spoke firmly:

—Saruo will lead the attack in six days. The final simulation will be his trial by fire. If he succeeds, Vongola will have a problem with the Land of Fire. And soon, they'll fall.

Saruo looked down, crossing his arms.

—I'll do what I must, Father. I won't fail.

Then he turned his attention to Kaien's three allies and said, in a soft, almost mocking voice:

—All I see here are idiots you brought as allies, Father. My mission will succeed. You'll see —he said with a childlike, confident tone.

Everyone reacted. Even the hardened Chōjin bristled at the insult.

Saruo stepped toward them lightly.

—Imagine I'm just a normal boy —he said with a crooked smile—. But one with a sense of revenge. And if I kill the prince... war will have begun.

Kazumori frowned.

—Are you sure you can do it? If you fail, Kaien... this will start a war with the Vongola.

Saruo calmly touched his chin:

—Who said they'll know it was us? They have no idea we're planning their fall. Don't trust me? Fine. I'll prove it —he looked directly at Kazumori—. If I fail to spark the conflict, I won't return.

Ayokuma snorted:

—Stupid monkey... You think the Vongola are weak children? They're strong and cunning. That's why we want them gone.

Saruo shook his head calmly:

—I don't underestimate them. But they haven't seen what I can do yet.

Masanobu backed him:

—We trained him hard. If he falls... there'll be no room for doubt.

Kaien stood tall, his shadow stretching across the cave.

—The day after the attack, Saruo will be a hero or a victim. Choose a side.

Kaien repeated gravely:

—It's settled. Everything will happen in six days.

Kazumori thought through gritted teeth:

If this brat fails, Kaien will have to step down. I want to see how the legend reacts.

Ayokuma lowered his gaze, uneasy:

A talking monkey... interesting? If it works, I'll be happy and maybe retract my fury. If he fails… I'll seek primate vengeance.

Inari-han shrank back, then breathed:

An unexpected weapon I must study to learn its secrets. But if he kills a Vongola... I'll join Kaien without hesitation. He might even help with my animal research.

Chōjin, unfazed, looked at the boy:

Success is measured by results. If he delivers, that's enough.

Kaien bit his fist:

—Everything is ready. When the prince crosses that border, all the pieces will move. The first step of my plan... and the Vongola brats will begin to fall, little by little...

…

At DawnThe escort departed. Horses neighed, and the wind stirred the flags bearing the Vongola colors.Haru trotted on horseback beside Giotto, her perceptive eyes reflecting the surprise of what they might encounter on the road.On the first night, the camp was set up near the river. Knuckle stood guard in the darkness, senses sharpened, while Ugetsu and Haru prepared the food and reviewed the route.Although nothing happened, the tension was palpable.

As they advanced…Giotto noticed a change in the air. His instincts were on alert.—100 percent sure something is going to happen —he said in a low voice.Knuckle nodded, taking a higher position.—We're not the only ones with plans.Knuckle felt a tingling in his skin, while Haru kept her gaze fixed on the nearby forest.Ugetsu began moving closer to Prince Yaskar, ready for any stealthy attack meant to take the life of the escorted one.

Yaskar thought Giotto was paranoid. He was sure no one would dare mess with the brother of the king, who ruled a powerful country —the Land of Fire.

As night fell…The early hours of the journey passed without incident: forest, plains, river. Until, during a stop in the Sol Forest, the rumble of thunder echoed in the distance, and the alert came:System: "Alert: You are moving away from the largest lightning storm of the year. Possible loss of the Lightning Guardian summoning. Opportunity: next year…"

Giotto shivered and turned toward Ugetsu and Haru:—System, can I still summon the Lightning Seed if I run toward the storm now?The system's voice was clear:System: "Confirmed. If you act immediately, you can reach the storm's center and activate the seed."

Ugetsu raised an eyebrow, sensing internal conflict in Giotto, while Haru looked confused and uneasy.—Is something wrong? —Ugetsu asked calmly.Giotto looked at the group with restrained intensity:—That storm in the distance will summon Lampo. Ugetsu, Knuckle, and Haru, continue with the prince. I'll return soon.Ugetsu sighed but nodded, resigned:—Alright… but come back!—I will —Giotto promised—. Watch over Yaskar.

Without another word, he ran in the opposite direction, quickly vanishing into the forest.Thus, Giotto, determined to go… left Ugetsu in charge of the prince's escort and dashed straight toward the lightning storm.

Giotto felt the wind striking his face. Each stride trembled between emotion and awareness of his actions: his eight-year-old body, without flaws, but vulnerable. He accelerated; the air turned cold, damp.

He felt someone watching him, and from the corner of his eye, he saw it. A monkey-shaped figure leaning against a tree with a powerful aura caught his attention: coppery fur, alert eyes, and his height —but slightly taller. A premonition lit up… but Giotto ignored the distraction and pressed forward. For now, summoning Lampo was more important.

He moved farther from the escort, deeper into the woods. He dodged fallen logs from old accidents. The sky darkened into a deep gray —a sign of storm. Gusts and the scent of ozone intensified.

With each branch he passed, he recited to himself:Just a minute and a half… if I fail, I'll be without lightning for the whole year…His chest tightened, but he chose to persist.

In the distance, the storm roared. Giotto halted and focused. He activated his Dying Will Mode with determination: his shirt tore. From his forehead, a jet of Sky Flame erupted, and his hair stood on end. His face, fierce and focused. His body advanced."I will reach the lightning storm —that's my dying will." Giotto shouted while in Dying Will Mode.

The wind rose sharply. Blades of grass lit with passing electricity. The shape of lightning became tangible. Giotto ran faster than ever, breaking branches blindly, a vibrant tingle dancing through his fingers.—I'll reach the storm! —he roared again, transformed.

The lightning began to fall in the west. Giotto plunged into a torrent of flashes. The rain beat against his skin, but he barely slowed. The thunder was deafening; his heartbeat seemed to outpace it.

At the epicenter: a glowing eye of wind and lightning. Giotto advanced, and suddenly, he felt himself pulled into the descending current of electricity.

A lightning seed —pale green and spinning— appeared on his forehead. The seed floated and floated, forming a bridge between the sky and the earth, just like the Storm and Rain seeds before. The seed absorbed the dark clouds that roared with thunder and lit with bolts. The storm and the Guardian fused.

The seed grew in size, devouring all the lightning until none remained. The seed took shape —but it was smaller than Giotto himself. It shot toward him.

A figure flew into his arms and clung to him. The sky broke into dazzling flashes of light. It was Lampo —Lampow, the youngest of the Guardians. As Giotto remembered, Lampo's childhood hair was a notable medium-length light green afro. Without a defined style, the bangs parted near the middle of his nose, framing his eyes.

This partially obscured his eyebrows. His electric blue eyes —often with the right one closed— stood out. Below his right eye, a small black lightning symbol.

Lampo opened his eyes and said:"I missed you, Primo…"

To be continued…