"What did you do to my friends?"

"Oh, no need to worry about them. They shouldn't be too far." Masaru leaned forward to rest his chin on his gloved hands. A slight, teasing smile stretched over the corner of his lips as his half-lidded eyes stared lazily at the Vongola boss. "And I'm sure they're getting their share of entertainment. My Guardians have been dying to meet them after all. "

Tsuna's brow furrowed slightly as he stared at Masaru. He didn't budge from his spot. "Don't talk about my friends like that," he said, his voice gaining a bit of a stern tone, though his eyes still held that ever-present wariness. "Please. Just tell me where they are. It's me you want, right? You wanted to assassinate me. Don't involve them."

Masaru snorted slightly at the brunette's words. "Don't misplace your own blame on me, boy. From the beginning, my goal has always been the same—to eradicate the Vongola. Your friends' lives are on your own shoulders." His smile turned sharp and ruthless as he stared at the brown-eyed teenager before him. His quiet voice echoed strongly throughout the room as he murmured next:

"You should have thought twice before involving them in matters of the mafia, Decimo."