{Namimori, Japan}

"Ah those are my guests," Yuni whispered as she took one last sip of her beverage before standing up. Sending a gentle smile Yucca's way, she bowed slightly excusing herself in the process before exiting the room to the doorway. As the girl left the room, only the two brothers were left an awkward silence enveloping them.

Sipping on his drink, Yucca tried to divert his mind from the teen next to him, his thoughts instead drifting to the "guests" Yuni had gone to greet. Perhaps it was his cue to excuse himself too and take his leave. He couldn't leave them alone for too long, who knew what would happen? No, it was more accurate to say he had a hunch about what would happen and didn't want it to come true. The Varia, because of all of its colorful characters was somewhat predictable, and because they were, they became all the more unpredictable and dangerous to those who couldn't think like them.

It was luck or perhaps chance that Koro had to some extent a derange personality too. Derange, such a strong word the white pondered as he narrowed his eyes in contemplation before acknowledging the term and going back to his musing. He had to face it, someone who had gone through so much and lived through it, couldn't remain what most of the human population called "sane." His mind needed to become the least bit twisted for him to keep the small sanity that kept him leaving.

Anyone who took a step into the underworld, be it male, female, kid, adult or elderly, all of them once they got out of it wasn't quite the same anymore. And Yucca, as someone who had lived his whole present and former life within it had more than one reason to be a little off in his mind, much like the Varia. The thought made him frown slightly in wonder before a small genuine smile crept up his face. Perhaps, he hadn't joined them out of pure wonder and curiosity, as a mean to satiate his boredom. Maybe it was much more of instinctive behavior. A need to be with people like him, similar to him, with whom he would be able to stay as true to himself as possible.

This realization sent him in a semi-dazed state as he absentmindedly sipped on his drink, his sense barely making out the sound of Yuni and her guests in a neighboring room. His purple eyes stared at the wall before him for a few seconds. It was Ran's face sudden appearance that made him blink, repeatedly in mild surprise. He had, almost, forgotten about the teen next to him.

Both purple-eyed males stared into one another's eyes, not breaking eye contact. The youngest wore a bright grin as he awaited the older's reaction who kept an unusually unexpressive expression on his face. One, two, ten then thirty seconds passed until Yucca broke into a smile of his own, breaking eye contact at the same time as he sent the youngest his signature closed eyes business smile.

"What can I help you with, Ran?" the Varia cloud asked, a gentle tilt of his head to the right as his half-lidded purple hues gazed at the beaming teen. Awaiting the other's answer, he was surprised by the word that came out of his mouth. It was unexpected.

"Ran-chan," a lone whisper escaped Ran's lips and, Koro who was less than thirty centimeters away from the teen had to frown, not sure of the world he heard. Humming questioningly, Yucca stared with a raised eyebrow at his brother. "Ran-chan," the teen repeated, determination coating his voice. "We're not fighting, right?" he rhetorically asked. "So why don't you call me that?" he asked poutily.

It is true the answer wasn't what Yucca expected, but it seemed so natural when coming out of the teen's mouth. It made Koro unconsciously relax his guard as a chuckle slipped past his lips, his left hand went to pat his brother's head affectionately, on reflex. It wasn't clear whether the action was something Koro did out of habit, the same way he once patted his students' heads, or if Yucca had repeated an action he once did to his dearest, but it didn't matter. 

Koro and Yucca were one, unique entity. 

"Right, my bad," the white repented as he now ruffled the other's spiky yet fluffy locks of white. "Work was on my mind, Ran-chan," he evasively explained.

The youngest stared at his brother skeptically for a second before nodding and humming in approval, his gaze still dubious. "Mkayyyy," he drawled before leaning into his brother's face, a huge grin adorning his face. "Then we can have some brother bonding time, no?" he questioned, his eyes turning uncharacteristically droppy as he blinked them rapidly. It was clear he attempted to fight with a puppy eye attack, and although Koro felt a tug on his heart, begging to accept the youngest's request, the responsible part of him took his reason's reins.

Sending a sheepish smile the youngest way, Yucca shook his head in denial, standing up in the process. "Sorry, I have other things to attend today, maybe later?" he proposed as he sent the boy an apologetic look. He couldn't afford to be absent any longer than he already was. The battle between the Arcobaleno's respective team had yet to be over, and he didn't know when the next one would occur.

The fact that he wasn't with his team wasn't detrimental. They could fair without him, at least 99% of himself believed so, the remaining 1% couldn't help being dubious of the colorful bunch. Though the real problem resided with himself. Although Ran was his brother, Koro was in enemy territory and from the voices he heard Yuni's team wasn't the only one on the manor ground. If another round began while he was still there, no matter how skilled or how many cheats he had thing would get complicated quickly.

Byakuran gave a resigned sigh before standing up and walking to his older brother. Letting his signature smile bloom on his face, he led the way out of the saloon. It wasn't very apparent, but to Yucca who knew the teen like the back of his hand, the smile he wore held a disguised bitterness he couldn't help but notice. It made him feel slightly guilty, but he shook the feeling off as quickly as it came instead calculating how long it would take for him to go back to the hotel room. 

Should he walk back or call a taxi, suffer from a severe case of motion sickness and get back to them quicker? Such a dilemma.

"Ah! Byakuran, we were talking about you!" Yuni's voice rang out, stopping the two white heads in their track. While Byakuran turned to face the sky and her guests, Yucca only spared them a side glance, his purple pupils stopping on each guest before an unnoticeable sigh escaped his lips. The teens' reactions were a bit out of proportion. Why would they look at him as if he was a kind of evil ghost who came back from the dead when he was only passing by?

"What is it Yuni-chan?" Byakuran answered, pulling the group of teens out of their stupor as they stared at the two brothers, unintelligible onomatopoeia slipping out of their gaping mouths. "Do you need anything?" The teen gentlemanly asked as he went to refill his Arcobaleno's teacup. The irked Gama beside him didn't go unnoticed, but the sky paid him no mind.

Yuni shook her head, her eyes briefly falling on Yucca as she sent him a smile before she looked up to the tattooed male. "Nothing of the like, I only wanted to introduce you to team Reborn once more," she explained calmly, only earning a low hum from the teen. "Is Yucca going back?" She asked as she spotted the male waiting near the exit, most probably for his brother. The thought made the girl smile as a small giggle went passed her lips.

The mention of his brother made Ran's eyes flicker the older's way, noticing the other had waited for him he beamed before nodding enthusiastically. "Yep, I'll be back in a jiffy. Don't sweat it Yuni-chan!" he said before turning to face the Arcobaleno's guests, a slightly mischievous smirk on his face as he stared at their lightly unnerved features. "I'll see you later, Tsu-chan!" He told in a sing-song voice as he waved at the future Don.

::

Walking down Namimori's streets, Yucca's casual pace seemed unusually quick. Although he didn't know all of the things Yuni and team Reborn spoke about, he guessed it was to gain an ally. What bothered him was what she had said, or at least what he thought he heard her say. Two teams would lose tonight. Therefore, a battle would unquestionably occur by the end of the day. Now the matter was, which teams?

The probability of team Mammon losing, from the start was low. Out of all the present teams, objectively speaking, they were anything but the weakest. If Koro had to rank them, from the small bits of info, he gathered on each of them team Skull was the most vulnerable. Not that the Simon Boss was weak, he wasn't. But Enma, alone against any other team had almost no chance of winning.

The second weakest would be team Fon, with only Kyoya as its member things were bound to get complicated. The teen was strong, surely one of the strongest of his generation that was a fact, but he was too hot-headed. His will to fight was something that would bring him to somehow self destruct as the battle progressed, Yucca was nearly sure of it. Though Fon, as an Arcobaleno, shouldn't be underestimated.

Then as third- Beep, Beep.

The sound of his battle watch ringing made Yucca suddenly quicken his pace. Now almost running, he hurried to the hotel. He supposed they would still be there. Lussuria hadn't sent any messages stating otherwise while he was at Byakuran's. Now practically running, the usually calm and smiling white head seemed frantic to regroup with the other members.

It was uncharacteristic of him to seem so out of control. Unlike his composed attitude which made it clear he controlled how people looked at him, he dismissed the strange looks sent his way. Mammon's request was his top priority, as a fellow Varia member and as someone he wanted to redeem himself to, he couldn't afford to let them down. For a split second, he regretted not taking a taxi, but the thought was quickly chased away as he jumped over a speeding car, too preoccupied to respect the traffic light and circulation.

Barging into the hotel, Koro didn't bother greeting the receptionist like he used to. His blood was pumping, and his guts told him things weren't going to be pretty. Barely entering the room, he was greeted by the sight of his team in combat formation against a calm Fon and pumped Hibari. Well, his rematch would occur sooner than anticipated.

"Voii, there you are small trash!" Squalo shouted, his voice tinged with a bit of impatience, probably from the fact that the cloud had been out all day.

Barely evading Hibari's tonfa, Yucca regrouped with the other Varia members. With a quick scan, he noticed his Boss wasn't present. Not dwelling over it, he concluded he should be asleep. Exhaling from the adrenaline he previously held as he ran to the hotel, he let his perfect business smile bloom on his face. "How nice meeting you again Fon," he greeted, his voice dripping with sweetness as he gave the martial artist a small but respectful bow.

The martial artist simply smiled back, with a nod of his head before the count down stopped. The second round began. "Then, if you will allow me," with these words Fon removed his curse, turning into his adult form he stood before his representative. "I will be your opponent."

Yucca felt his grip on his dagger tighten, as his right hand went to reach for his handgun which wasn't in its place. Shit. Since he went to Ran's, he had left it in his cupboard this morning, only taking his daggers. Taking a cautious step back he eyed the Arcobaleno warily. His purple eyes flickered to his comrades who all seemed strangely eager to fight the Chinese adult. Koro frowned, remembering the fear the fighter had instilled in him while in his baby form. "You should be care—"

His voice was cut off by Fon charging at them. Clicking his tongue, Yucca evaded the kick aimed at him by jumping back.

::

Panting, Yucca gripped Bel's collar, pulling him back both evaded another one of the Arcobaleno's attack. "Shi, Yu let go of me!" the prince yelped as they steadied their position. Lying on the ground not far from them was Lussuria, a bit further planted in the wall was Leviathan.

Not answering the teen's complaints, the white easily let go. He supposed his previous encounter with the Arcobaleno was an advantage, he knew a few of his quirks already, which made it easier for him to dodge and evade. Though he had to admit compared to his baby form, the adult form was more graceful and held much more power.

Silently thanking himself for his quick reaction and reflex, Koro narrowed his eyes once more as he regulated his breathing. Lussuria and Leviathan were down their watch with them. Glancing at his wrist and Bel's he concluded both were still in the game. As for Squalo, his purple eyes flickered to the silver-haired strategist before a small smile bloomed on his face. Right, he wasn't the vice-captain for shows.

Zeroing his pupils on his targets, Koro breathed. Mammon was out, probably waking Xanxus up. Kyoya was behind Fon, as irked as one could be. The storm Arcobalenno seemed unruffled by his exchange with the Varia. Squalo was as eager as one could be to fight a strong opponent. Bel was glaring some mild dagger at him for gripping his collar earlier.

Anyway, the fastest way to end this mess was to take Hibari out. With these thoughts, Koro slowly infused his ring with cloud flames. His eyes glowed a light purple which went unnoticed in his violet pools as he tried to gather some sky flames. The quickest way to deal with Fon (and his "team" as a whole) was to summon his biggest's fighting cheats.

Namely: Metsu.

To those who don't know Metsu, Metsu is Yucca's sky box weapon in the future arc. It is introduced in the bonus chapter. You could say it's his biggest cheat when it comes to fights because it's just that OP.

Question: Also, how would you rank each team in terms of fighting powers?