Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn - The Heart of Darkness -

Chapter 8

The whole compound lighted up. Alarm was sounded. Footsteps were heard. In just a while, Shiho was surrounded by hundreds of Segreto members. She could recognise a few of them, those who usually guarded her when she was young.

She was totally surrounded. "... Now I know why they say I'm so reckless... But no turning back this time..."

Slowly, the balcony on the upper floor was opened. A big man, almost 2m high, came out along with a young woman, only dressed in yukata. That man's face has an old scar along his cheek. He was the same man as the one in Shiho's memories.

".... Who are you, little girl?"

That rough voice was no more filled with gentleness nor care. "... You have forgotten about me, Luciano?"

"... You are definitely not her..."

"... Sorry but I am her. I am the Katsura Shiho from the Segreto family that you betrayed!" She shouted in deep anger, "I will make you pay for whatever you have done to my family!!"

"What proof do you have that you are the real one?" He said, still in total calmness, "The real daughter from the previous boss was declared as dead long ago."

"Yeah... It was 10 years ago to be exact. But this tattoo of mine," she lifted up her hair to show her left neck, "... Is a definite proof that I belonged to Segreto family. Every descendant was given this tattoo since they were born."

Many of the members that surrounded Shiho lowered their guard. After 10 long years, the real successor was appeared. There were murmurs among them. Strangely, Luciano was still calm and looked at Shiho with total coldness.

"... Do you think you can influence them with that fake tattoo of yours?"

"... What do you mean?"

"I was the one who saw boss' daughter since she was born. Her tattoo was not at her neck, it was at her chest."

"That's a lie." Shiho was still firm. She was absolutely sure he said that just to influence the members. But several of them had gained confidence in their current boss and back on their guards. It looked like his method did work after all. "... I don't care how many of you that actually believes in me rather than him... But..."

There was a silent for a moment, "... As long as there are those who believe in me, even if there is only one person, I will fight to get this family back!"

There were some of them who actually showed the signs of belief but, "However, those who wish to join me please conceal yourselves... If you come out now, you are an easy target as I'm sure his followers would be more than mine."

"... That's a good judgement. But nobody will believe you little girl... They are all handpicked by me. None of them will follow you."

"... Even so, I request for one-on-one fight."

Luciano just jumped down from the second floor easily. Now standing in front of her, Shiho then realise how big he was. The aura he gave was strong as if sucking her in. Shiho took out her daggers. Cold sweat was flowing out. Yet she couldn't give in, not after she had come this far. Losing wasn't an option.

He had changed. His face was full of scars. His hair had grown longer. From what Shiho remembered, he was using bare hand to fight. It seemed like that's the only thing that didn't change. His hands were once said, as hard as diamond, as sharp as blade.

"Don't regret it." His low and rough voice echoed. Shiho was pushed back a bit. But she didn't want to lose. She can't lose. She got ready with her stand and released her murderous intent.

This will end in one move. Both of them were staring at each other for a long time. They were waiting for a good time. Neither move nor lower their guards. Not until someone dropped something. That tingling sound made both of them moved towards each other. It happened in a split seconds.

It seemed that everybody there stopped breathing. The force was too great when the two clashed. Nobody had seen what the attack is or who was attacked between the two. Suddenly, blood was spurted out from Shiho. She was slashed from shoulder to waist. It was deep. She fell face down on the ground.

"... Why did you hesitate?" Luciano asked without looking at Shiho who was lying on a pool of blood.

"... I...didn't... It's just...side effect that...kick in..." She couldn't continue and coughed of blood.

"... Your heart failure... In that case, it's your...win..." Several cuts opened up from his body and the amount of blood was almost as much as Shiho's. She managed to land tens of her attacks on him despite her heart failure.

Both of them couldn't move and in critical conditions. All the subordinates didn't know what to do. Shiho couldn't stay conscious anymore.

*... It should be fine if... I die... But... Why does everyone appear in front of me...? Especially...him... Is this because I can't see them anymore...?* Shiho couldn't stay alert. Her wound was too deep. Darkness started to seep into her consciousness and then everything was silent.