Tsunayoshi Sawada instinctively clutched the fabric over his chest. He could barely breathe, a suffocating sensation engulfing him like a drowning man unable to grasp a single lifeline.
Yes.
He told himself this was the end.
The end of Homo sapiens, and the end of Tsunayoshi Sawada.
It was too tragic. Even through the screen, Tsunayoshi Sawada could feel the darkness weighing on his other self's heart, more oppressive than the ocean depths. The mere fact that he could stand there was enough to make Tsunayoshi admire his strength.
After all, merely imagining that future nearly broke Tsunayoshi Sawada, let alone the version of him who had lived through such hopelessness.
So, no matter what, he could not let that future unfold in his world.
Even if he had to bear the sin of destroying an entire race.
Tsunayoshi Sawada swore that oath, his eyes filled with an unwavering resolve to press forward and never turn back.
Even if what awaited him at the end... was hell.
But then he looked at the companions around him and smiled. He could never let them down. He would protect them.
Even if he never said what he truly felt, he was their boss. As their boss, how could he fail to protect his own family?
Hayato Gokudera noticed Tsunayoshi Sawada's gaze and was the first to declare his stance. "I'm the Tenth's right-hand man! Wherever your will leads, I'll follow!"
Takeshi Yamamoto scratched the back of his head and laughed cheerfully. "Hahaha, Tsuna's the boss, so of course I'll listen to him."
Lambo sniffled. "Gotta hold it in... waaah-don't you dare leave me behind!" He threw himself straight at Tsunayoshi Sawada, smearing tears and snot all over him.
Chrome rallied herself. "I'll do my very best!"
Mukuro Rokudo kept up his snide