"Okay. We will try contacting him again. The last message got through, and with luck, the firewalls will be down again. Maybe you should try too."

"Hai, Nono."

There was only one reason why Tsuna was even going along with his new plan, was to buy some alone time to do certain things on his computer without someone standing over his shoulder. Watching. Staring. Sadly, his plan back-fired. A lot.

It began with him stealing Reborn's wallet. He didn't know how he didn't get caught, but it was for the better. He then made sure that Kyoko was in the exact place at the right time, which resulted in her coming to his house to be payed (since Reborn had no money). She was then directed to Takeo's room, which would keep Takeo, Kyoko, and Reborn busy. Apparently, Reborn had the idea of playing party games, as in Russian Roulette. Kyoko went first.

Tsuna heard the gunshot from his room, and was certainly surprised when he opened his bedroom door to see Kyoko, in nothing but her underwear and bra, with a yellow dying-will flame on her forehead. This is one for the history books.

It all worked out well in the end, though, because Reborn had a one-ton hammer (which he could somehow carry against probably most of the laws of physics) that reversed the effects of the dying-will bullet. Tsuna ended up getting no time to himself, for it was just too amusing to watch this comedy gold.

He had another plan the next day, but he couldn't do anything. The reason: Explosions. And possibly a little kid in a cow suit who he guessed to be Lambo from the Bovino famiglia. So, yet another day passed without Tsuna being able to check his computer due to Reborn coming into his room every five minutes.

It was the weekend before he could do anything. Come to think of it, he still hadn't put the firewalls back up, either! He would surely have a lot of messages from random Mafia famiglias and various governments who were trying to figure out who he was.

Tsuna logged onto his computer for the first time in a week. He was about to put the firewalls up again, along with making them stronger, but a certain message caught his eye.

MESSAGE FROM: TAKEO'S COMPUTER

.....

Reborn sat in Takeo's room with Takeo. They both stared at a computer. Reborn had told Takeo that they would be attempting the impossible: To contact Hakka 27, the greatest hacker the world has ever known (Key word being "known"). Naturally, he was curious. Almost curious enough to invite his idiot brother to watch. Almost. Nevermind, he didn't care if Tsuna was in the dark. Takeo would find out who Hakka 27 was today, and nothing would stop him.

Reborn sent the first message.

Takeo: Hakka 27. Who are you?

.....

Tsuna had no idea how to respond, or even if he should. His brother, or Reborn, was trying to find out who he was! And he was in the same house!

He went over the multiple scenarios that might happen. Worst case: They could track him and find him in this house. Best case: They wouldn't be smart enough to do the worst case. Another possibility: He could just go outside and act like he has teleportation powers, but that seemed a bit too far-fetched. Maybe, there was another way...

.....

Reborn and Takeo waited for twenty minutes. It was clear to them that DH27 was not going to reply. Reborn started walking away from the computer when, "DING!"

A new message was shown on the screen. Takeo whispered, "He-he actually sent something back. The conversation went as follows.

Hakka 27. Who are you?

DH27: Who's asking?

The strongest hitman. And a little boy.

"Hey!" Takeo yelled.

DH27: That may be the funniest thing I've heard all day. Well, arcobaleno, what business do you have with me?

"How does he know you're an arcobaleno, Reborn?" Takeo asked. Was this boy not paying attention, or was he just that dumb? They were talking to one of the world's greatest hackers!

I have no business.

DH27: Is there even a reason to believe that? The day I start putting trust in hitmen is the day I'll get caught.

Smart words, Degli Hacker. But aren't you tired of hiding?

DH27: I'll never stop hiding from you idiots. If I never stop, then that means I must not be tired, Hm?

Did you even acknowledge Nono's request?

DH27: I considered it briefly. There's no way I could ever accept, though.

And why would you consider? Are you in trouble of some sort?

DH27: You could say that. But then again, my killer will be the one who knows who I am. Are you any closer to finding me?

No. What trouble are you in? We don't wish to kill you.

DH27: It's none of your concern. Nothing I won't be able to live through. However, your student might die if you aren't careful. He's a skilled hitman. Knowing you, you'd want your student to defeat him himself. It may be something you or I could handle, but not Takeo.

How do you know my student? There shouldn't be any digitalized files yet. Just who are you?

DH27: Ah, the questions. The never-ending questions. The answer will never be known. But maybe I'll give you a hint: I am hidden in plain sight.

What's that supposed to mean?

DH27: That's only something you can find out on your own. Go ahead. Try to trace these messages. I dare you.

Reborn grit his teeth as he set up the tracer.

Loading...

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Location: Japan, Namimori

DH27: Look outside.

The two looked out Takeo's window. They saw a shadowed figure that seemed to be male. The man was just so perfectly hidden in the shadows, that the pair could not tell who he was, let alone what he was wearing.

"So that's the famous hacker. Degli 27. Rumored to be a strong Mafioso as well. He will have no choice but to accept our offer eventually," Reborn stated.

"Does that mean he'll be my subordinate? Hahaha, I'll make him do all the dirty work!"

"Way to ruin the serious moment, Bakeo!" With that, Reborn kicked "Bakeo" in the head. The figure disappeared unnoticed into the night.

.....

"Juudaime!" Tsuna flinched as he heard the yelling voice. Currently, he is walking behind his brother, as per usual, to school. Gokudera ran up to them.

"Juudaime," Gokudera panted, "I..."

"Oi, No-Good Tsuna. How long are you going to keep talking to Bomber bastard?" Takeo asked.

Tsuna let out a sigh as he held Gokudera back from trying to kill his brother. This would probably happen a lot more often now.

They ended up walking to school quietly, once Gokudera was calmed down, of course. When they got there, Yamamoto was waiting. Takeo couldn't care less, but to Tsuna, well, it was good to know he was doing better.

School got out quickly, mostly because no one paid any attention whatsoever to the sensei. Tsuna walked out of the classroom with Yamamoto and Gokudera, when all of a sudden Reborn jumps out of nowhere (and he had an unconscious Takeo with him... Did Reborn drag him?!).

"Yamamoto Takeshi. " Reborn said. "It's time for you to take the family entrance test."

Oh no... This couldn't end well. If he took the entrance test, not only would he be part of the Mafia, he would be Takeo's subordinate! Nothing good would come out of being his subordinate. Not that Takeo would ever accept him, although it didn't seem to be his choice. Reborn was the one who was doing the subordinate-gathering. Takeo just didn't care.

As usual, or what would become usual, Gokudera somehow directed the whole fight to getting Tsuna into the Decimo position instead of Takeo. Yamamoto, having the senses of a skilled hitman, dodged every attack that Reborn or Gokudera made, effectively getting him into the family.

In the end, everything was fine, despite the fact that Takeo now had a death wish, with Yamamoto of all people holding a grudge against him. It annoyed the baseball star to no end how rude Takeo is. Especially to Tsuna, his only 'real friend' who had saved his life. And of course, there was also Gokudera, who let off killing intent towards the Decimo-to-be.

It was obvious that if they ever absolutely HAD to team up, as they would soon have to to be guardians, they wouldn't get anything done, and would most likely end up killing each other. When the time comes to work together, either Tsuna would have to make them believe that it was an infiltration plan to make him Decimo, or Reborn could just scare them into doing what he says. You never know what could happen.

.....

Unknown: Oh, Tsu-na-yo-shi-kun! You're going to need allies soon~

The man in gray sent the message to warn the young hacker of his impending doom. He sat back with a urgent look in his eyes. By telling Tsuna that he would die soon, the man in gray (Codename: Uomo Grigio, meaning "Gray Man") would make the boy paranoid, meaning he would have to start gathering allies. Mainly, Vongola. This was absolutely necessary. Saving the world and all.  

He smiled as he thought of the message that travelled through time. Maybe if he did this, he'd actually gain a friend? Albeit, a friend through camaraderie. Though he was sort of threatening to kill the guy at the moment.

D27: If you're going to rant on how I'm going to die by your hands, then go ahead. I'll just delete this conversation.

Unknown: Well, maybe just this once, I will spare you.

D27: How kind.

Unknown: Yes, I truly am a very kind person, aren't I?

D27: That's called sarcasm.

Unknown: Yes, I know. I'm not actually as stupid as you think I am. How else would I have gotten through your firewalls?

D27: Those aren't up anymore. I found a way to answer undetected.

Unknown: Ah, you rerouted the signal through a randomizer. If done by an expert, even the best tracking devices in the world are useless. Well done, Switzerland man.

D27: Is that where it says I am right now? Interesting.

Unknown: Getting back to the point, I wanted to warn you about upcoming events.

D27: What's the point if I'm going to die by your hands?

Unknown: Well, if you die before I can kill you, it doesn't count, now does it? I, Uomo Grigio, will kill Decimo.

D27: Uomo Grigio, huh? You have it wrong, Grigio. Decimo is my brother.

Unknown: Maybe, maybe not. It's a matter of whether or not I intervene. By the way, that's my codename.

D27: We'll see. I'm willing to bet that you will meddle in some way. Just don't hurt anyone I care about.

Unknown: No promises~

Now satisfied, Grigio sat back in his chair. It shouldn't be long now.

"Dinner!" A voice called from outside the door.

Grigio stood to go downstairs. "Coming, Mom!"

.....

Tsuna grit his teeth. This "Grigio" was just waiting for someone to come and kick his teeth in! He calmed himself down; he was about to answer Vongola Nono.

Vongola: Degli 27. Have you seen our last message?

D27: Yes.

.....

Nono was ecstatic! Degli 27 had finally written back! Now they could track him! With what Reborn told him, the hacker was a young man. There was no age specification, as the man was in the shadows. It also seemed as if he was letting himself be tracked? Why would he do that when he had already made such an effort to stay hidden?

The thing that bothered Nono the most about the mysterious Hacker, was what Reborn had reported as the Hacker's clue: He was hidden in plain sight? What was that supposed to mean? He would just have to find out.

Vongola: Have you considered the offer?

D27: Sort of. I doubt I will accept any time soon.

Vongola: I heard you talked with Reborn. What did you mean by hidden in plain sight?

D27: Oh, you get straight to the point, don't you? Well, I mean exactly as I say. You can see me. But I'm hidden. I'm right under your noses, but you don't know I'm there. You will never find me, for I am hidden in the best place: Plain sight.

.....

Yeah. Tsuna had practiced that.