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Chapter 46: Detoxification
"I might be able to neutralize the poison."
"What!?"
Finn, Gareth, and Riveria were unable to conceal their sheer disbelief. It was common knowledge in Orario that only Airmid, the city's top healer, could cure the venom of a Poison Worm.
"Back when we fought, Finn... I snapped you out of your berserk state, didn't I?" Tsuna asked.
"That's right!" Finn's eyes widened as the memory clicked into place.
"My flames possess the characteristic of Harmony. That's why I was able to return your berserk state back to the way it was before," Tsuna had told him. Finn now realized just how versatile that characteristic truly was.
"If I focus my flames solely on purging the venom, I think I can do it without burning anyone," Tsuna explained.
I knew his flames possessed the power of Harmony, but to think they could actually act as an antidote... Finn thought, thoroughly astounded.
To think I lowered my guard, assuming the battle was over... Riveria mused.
Who would have thought he'd astound us in matters of healing as well... Gareth marveled.
Up until now, the trio had only been shocked by Tsuna's overwhelming combat prowess. It had never crossed their minds that he possessed such miraculous healing capabilities, leaving them utterly speechless.
"Understood. I know you must be exhausted, but can I ask this of you?" Finn requested.
"Yeah."
Knowing from past experience that Tsuna never made claims he couldn't back up, Finn entrusted him with the lives of the Familia members suffering from the Poison Worm's venom.
.....
Having received Finn's permission, Tsuna walked over to the afflicted adventurers.
"Sawada Tsunayoshi will now begin detoxifying the Poison Worm venom," Finn announced to the agonizing victims and the members nursing them.
Hearing Tsuna make such an outrageous claim, the surrounding adventurers were left with their jaws hanging open.
"Please," Finn said.
"Got it."
Igniting his Hyper Dying Will Mode, Tsuna approached the nearest afflicted member.
"Ugh..." the female adventurer groaned.
"It's going to be okay now," Tsuna said gently. He placed his right hand on her forehead and ignited his flames. In an instant, his Sky Flames enveloped her entirely.
"H-He's setting her on fire!?"
"A-Are you trying to cremate her!?"
"What the hell are you doing!?"
The surrounding members erupted into a panic. He had said he was going to cure her, but from their perspective, he was mercilessly setting her ablaze.
However—
"It's warm..."
Instead of screaming in agony, the female adventurer's expression softened into one of comfort, and her pale complexion rapidly returned to a healthy hue. Hearing her words, the panicking members fell dead silent, watching the miraculous treatment unfold.
Tsuna slowly pulled his right hand away from her forehead. "How do you feel?"
"My body feels so light..." she whispered.
Tsuna checked her condition. Her complexion had drastically improved, her ragged breathing had steadied, and she was even able to sit up. Seeing a woman who had been writhing in agony just moments ago completely revitalized, the onlookers were struck speechless.
"You still need to rest," Tsuna advised. "I've only purified the toxins in your body. I haven't healed the physical damage the venom caused, nor have I restored your stamina."
"Understood..." she murmured, slowly lowering herself back onto her back.
"Alright, next..."
Having successfully treated the female adventurer, Tsuna moved on to the next agonizing patient. One by one, he purified the lethal Poison Worm venom with his Sky Flames.
Forty minutes after he began, Tsuna finished detoxifying every afflicted member.
"That should do it," Tsuna sighed, wiping his brow.
"Thank you," Finn said warmly. "I truly cannot thank you enough for this."
"What's all the racket?" Bete grumbled, strolling over after hearing the commotion of cheering adventurers.
"Tsunayoshi just cured the Poison Worm venom," Finn explained.
"Hah!?" Even Bete couldn't hide his disbelief. A lethal toxin that supposedly required specialized antidotes or Airmid herself had just been neutralized by a single boy.
"Though, he only cured the poison," Finn clarified. "Their injuries and stamina haven't recovered. They'll need to rest here for a while."
"So even if the poison's gone, we still gotta babysit 'em here, huh?" Bete scoffed, crossing his arms. "Give me a break. What a massive pain in the ass. This is all because these small fry got themselves poisoned."
His harsh words instantly shattered the celebratory mood, replacing it with a tense, heavy silence.
"Bete. Watch your mouth," Riveria warned sharply.
"I'm just stating facts," Bete shot back, completely unapologetic. "We're stuck in this dump because these weaklings couldn't handle a little poison."
Despite the Vice-Captain's reprimand, the werewolf showed no signs of remorse.
"You really are a difficult person," Tsuna said, looking at Bete with a gaze full of pity. "To be unable to control yourself, only capable of spitting out words that hurt others."
"Tch—!?"
Bete gritted his teeth, entirely unable to retort. Seeing the usually aggressive Bete silenced so easily, the surrounding members exchanged bewildered glances.
"Perfect timing," Finn interjected, stepping in to diffuse the volatile atmosphere. "Bete, if you hate being stalled here so much, head back to the surface first and report the results of our expedition to Loki. We'll follow as soon as everyone is ready to move."
"Tch."
Realizing Finn's intent, Bete clicked his tongue and stormed off, heading toward the surface alone.
"I apologize for showing you such a shameful display," Gareth sighed.
"Don't worry about it," Tsuna replied.
"Still," Gareth rubbed his chin, "to hear Bete hurl such awful insults at his poisoned comrades, yet not show a hint of anger or disgust... you handled that rather calmly."
"I used to know a guy a lot like him," Tsuna said softly. "A man who was truly kind, but fought while lying to his own heart."
Tsuna's mind drifted to Lancia—the man he had fought during the battle against Mukuro Rokudo, who had tried to instigate a world war to wipe out the mafia. Lancia had originally been a gentle soul. But after being shot by a forbidden Possession Bullet, he was manipulated by Mukuro and forced to slaughter his own Familia. Reduced to a tragic puppet of murder, he was finally freed from the curse when Tsuna defeated Mukuro. Now, Lancia wandered the world, seeking out the families of the members he had killed in an endless journey of atonement.
"Besides, a guy who truly feels nothing for his comrades wouldn't go out of his way to say something like that. They wouldn't even care enough to be interested."
An image of Xanxus flickered in his mind—the ruthless boss of the Vongola's elite assassination squad, the Varia, and the adopted son of Vongola Nono. Xanxus was the polar opposite of Tsuna. He was a man who felt absolutely nothing for his subordinates. If they outlived their usefulness, he executed them without hesitation. He was a madman who could watch his own men be devoured by a shark and simply laugh. Even after losing the Ring Conflict to determine the next Vongola Boss, Xanxus's vicious nature hadn't changed, and he still harbored a deep desire to murder Tsuna.
"He tries to act indifferent, but he just can't pull it off. On top of that, he's hopelessly clumsy when it comes to interacting with people. That's probably why he always comes off as a villain looking down on the weak."
Tsuna's Hyper Intuition had laid Bete's true feelings bare. Hearing this profound analysis, Finn, Gareth, and Riveria stood in stunned silence.
.....
Meanwhile, halfway up to the surface...
Damn it!! Just what the hell is up with that kid!? Beast-People possessed incredibly acute senses. Bete had heard every single word Tsuna had said. Knowing that his innermost thoughts had been completely seen through, the werewolf gritted his fangs in utter frustration.
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