Undying Devotion (5927)
Title: Undying Devotion
Author: Garnet (bubblebeam)
Fandom: Katekyo Hitman REBORN!
Pairing: Gokudera Hayato x Tsunayoshi Sawada (or 5927)
Spoilers: Up to chapter 182.
Author Notes: I realize that there are quite a few moments between these two characters, and I hope I at least point out the most important things that make this pairing have as large of a fanbase as it does.
Undying Devotion
Series Information: Katekyo Hitman REBORN!
Katekyo Hitman REBORN! (otherwise known as Home Tutor Hitman Reborn!) is a manga series in Japan that began to serialize in Weekly JUMP in the year 2004 as a comedy shounen series-the anime airing only two years after the release of it's first chapter.
Katekyo Hitman REBORN! follows the story of the boy Tsunayoshi Sawada (otherwise known as Tsuna) and the baby hitman tutor, Reborn.
Tsuna is a young boy with low self-esteem; who fails at academic subjects and physical sports--with no ambition to do anything at all with his life.
His once normal life becomes hectic once he meets Reborn-an Infant Hitman that travels from Italy to Japan in order to meet Tsuna in order to tutor him into becoming worthy to become the Tenth leader of well-known Vongola mafia family.
Of course, despite the disagreement from Tsuna, Reborn begins to live with him anyways; thus setting up the background of the story. Reborn even goes as far as to find individuals from Tsuna's school in order to help him start to build a future family for the tenth generation for the Vongola Family.
But, there's more to this story than what meets the eye at first--during just about every chapter, Tsuna is shot with a bullet only used in the Vongola Family--better known as the "Dying Will Bullet". This said item will resurrect an individual after being shot, so they can fulfill whatever dying will they might have had before their death.
Vongola Decimo
Tsunayoshi (Tsuna) Sawada
AKA No-Good Tsuna; which is exactly as the name implies. As said earlier, he isn't good at much of anything; whether it's physical sports, or academics. He's always gotten low test scores; never succeeded in doing well at anything at all--which affects his low self-esteem. The only reason he still goes to school, as according to the manga, is because of his crush (who is also known as the school idol)--Kyoko Sasagawa.
Fed up with his low test grades and lethargic attitude towards school--his mother agrees to have a home tutor come and teach him; as advertised in a letter she had received in the mail.
This home tutor, again, as said earlier, turns out to be an infant tutor hitman named Reborn--someone whom had traveled from Italy to Japan as a request from the Ninth Vongola Boss to tutor Tsuna in order to make him worthy enough to succeed him as the next boss (Tsunayoshi descending from the Vongola Primo (the first) as his Great-Great-Great Grandson).
Of course, with someone whom doesn't even have an ambition for anything, much less to be a Mafia Boss of all things; he refused to do as Reborn had wanted him to do.
... Not that he had much of a choice in the matter.
Tsuna is an only child who lives with his mother-Nana Sawada. His father, Iemetsu Sawada, is first shown to be an employee who works in the oil fields (and never at home). He’s someone that Tsuna views as a “loser father”.
Though, in actuality, he’s part of the CEDEF (Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia). unofficial members of the Vongola Family: an important position in the Vongola’s family's structure; the CEDEF leader helps the Vongola's current boss choose the family's next boss. During the Vongola Family's times of crisis, the CEDEF leader becomes the family's second-in-command.
Over the course of the series, we see Tsuna grow as a person--from the range of friends he makes throughout the year the series goes on for, to his self-esteem. Not only does he get stronger--but beforehand, in the beginning, he would have thought succeeding in anything at all would have been impossible. The series has yet to end, but he begins to gain confidence in what he does, thinking this may be possible.
Perhaps the only redeeming quality that Tsunayoshi has is the fact that he's a good person--accepting several individuals as his friends (or family, according to Reborn); even those who tried to kill or hurt him in some way or form.
It is said in that sense, that he is similar to the first Vongola boss, Giotto. He was said to not only use the same weapon as Tsuna did--along with discovering the Dying Will--but he also accepted a variety of people in his family; from queens, to peasants-even people who tried to kill him before.
Not only that, but he has the ability to see through people as well--and the determination to do almost the impossible (in Dying Will mode, that is).
Despite the fact that Tsuna doesn’t enjoy fighting-he does it for the sole purpose of protecting his friends--perhaps the reason for his growth is due to the friends that he makes throughout the course of the series.
Smoking Bomb
Gokudera Hayato
Gokudera Hayato is a bit of a unique addition to Tsunayoshi's family. He's at first depicted as more of an anti-social outcast--violent and ruthless towards others, yet despite that, smart. The scores he makes on tests are high, and does well academically without much as an effort to do so. Yet, despite this, he's still referred to as a "punk" and "trouble-maker" by teachers and adults around him.
Self-proclaimed Right Hand Man, and one of Tsuna's best friends; it wasn't always like that. When Gokudera had first arrived in Japan, his goal was to test the Future Vongola, and even went as far as trying to kill him. He was in disbelief when he had first heard that the next Boss in line was a kid as old as he was, thus the reason for him to transfer from Italy to Japan.
He grew up along side his sister and father in their mansion in Italy. Despite what it may appear as at first, Gokudera and his sister--Bianchi--are only related as half-blood siblings, having a different mother from one another.
Because half-siblings are looked down upon in the mafia, this was never revealed to the public and in fact, Gokudera's mother was only allowed to visit him three times a year. It is later said by Reborn that his mother was murdered one day on the way to see her son.
The culprit has yet to be revealed, yet it is greatly suspected that Gokudera’s father was the one responsible for her death.
Though Gokudera doesn't remember a lot about his mother, he still learned how to play the piano from her, and even performed recitals in front of famous men and women. His sister (otherwise known as the "Poison Scorpion", due to taking down others as a freelance assassin with her poison cooking) had fed Hayato her first batch of poisoned cooking. This resulted in a terrible performance from Hayato.
There was even a time where Gokudera had tried to run away from his home to find a way to escape Bianchi’s cooking; but failed to do so.
But, he was applauded for the terrible performance, anyways; and Gokudera had to continue eating poisoned cooking before his recitals, much to his horrors. Because of this, he can't look at his sister without thinking of the past trauma; getting sick-to-his-stomach and collapsing every time he has to face her.
It’s later revealed in the series that he only had one adult figure to look up to as a child-the assassin doctor known better as Dr. Shamal. Despite Shamal’s tough exterior (and womanizing ways); he was the one who had given Hayato the idea to use dynamite as his weapon, and Gokudera even went as far as to copy the man’s hairstyle.
Gokudera Hayato has the ability to hide dynamite in any part of his body (thus explaining the nickname "Smoking' Bomb), but he gains other abilities other than dynamite much later into the story.
Hayato is reckless--there are a few points in the story where he endangers his own life, only to be seen as apathetic to the idea of his own death. Though, as the story continues, there are times when he's saved by others, or times where he saves himself.
There's also an issue of trust with his character; because he was rejected for the vast majority of his life, and alone for most of his childhood, he finds it hard to trust anyone else that comes into his life; even showing great distance from those he grew up with; therefore, coming out with a cold and distant, and even violent, exterior towards others.
Undying Devotion
Pairing Evidence
Gokudera and Tsuna have a unique relationship in canon-Gokudera constantly idolizing Tsuna as his future boss, and Tsuna fearing the boy out of the recklessness and danger that Hayato carries with him.
But, they have one of the more developed relationship in the series, as well. The awkwardness that Tsuna carries for Gokudera slowly becomes friendship; the two willing to do whatever it takes to protect one another.
01) Daily Life:
An introduction to the characters.
When Gokudera Hayato is first introduced into the series-he’s transfers into Tsuna’s class as a student from Italy-Hayato gaining a reputation almost right away from various students (and gaining almost instant popularity from the women).
Though, he shows violent behavior towards Tsuna, kicking at his desk when first walking past him; surprising and scaring the boy.
What the Hell? Our eyes just met…
This becomes worse for Tsuna when he runs away from bullies after class, promptly bumping into Hayato right after. Gokudera, witnessing this supposed future boss running away from what might’ve been a fight shows a face of disgust.
That was just too pathetic. If someone like you becomes the 10th gen, the Vongola Family is finished. I refuse to accept it. I’m the one that’s fit to be boss!
Even after being off guard that someone like Gokudera knows about the family; Gokudera attempts to kill him, right there and then.
If I kill Sawada, I’ll become the next head of the family, right?
Though, out of clumsiness from Hayato; he drops the dynamite he had planned to kill Tsuna with; almost dying himself.
But, Tsuna had saved them both with his Dying Will, leaving Gokudera in debt to repay Tsuna for saving his life.
In the end, Gokudera was merely testing Tsuna to see if he was worthy to become the next head of the Vongola Family.
Though Reborn tells Tsuna that the loser of a fight over the title for the next boss requires for that person to serve the winner; Gokudera shows no reluctance to do anything at all for Tsuna.
Despite this, Tsuna would be content with the fact if they remained as classmates; Gokudera refuses to be anything less for him except the Right Hand man; even going as far as to threaten fellow students, and even teachers that might make fun of Tsuna, or threaten him. If it wasn’t for Tsuna stopping Gokudera from doing anything rash, then it would probably lead to constant fighting on Gokudera’s part.
Though, despite his cold and tough nature, his mood seems to change almost instantly upon seeing Tsuna.
He makes it clear that he would possibly do anything for Tsuna without question--anything; even at the cost of his own life. He had gone as far as attempting to blow up a nearby park to prevent Tsuna from punishment from the school; often leaving Tsuna in exasperation of Hayato’s nature.
When it comes to Tsuna, Gokudera believes he can perhaps do just about anything, simply because he’s the next boss of the Vongola family. He goes as far as volunteering him in athletic events, class president, etc etc; showing a more violent side to those who say otherwise.
Soon enough, another classmate becomes an interest of Reborn's-Yamamoto Takeshi: someone whom Tsuna befriends easily, and goes as far as saving his life as well (from a suicide attempt, of all things).
If anything, Gokudera has both an inferiority and jealousy-complex when it comes to Yamamoto. As shown in the manga:
Perhaps it’s Gokudera’s fear of being replaced as the right-hand man that reflect this-after Gokudera accepts the fact that Yamamoto’s a new addition to Tsuna’s family (only because he protects Tsuna, mind you); they argue over said position. Gokudera displays violent behavior mostly towards Yamamoto, despite the fact that they’re classmates. He continuously refers to Yamamoto as ‘baseball idiot’.
This complex towards Yamamoto is further proven later when Reborn chooses to train Gokudera in Tsuna’s house, much to the Future Vongola’s horror-and just as expected from Tsuna, there’s a mess up on Gokudera’s part, and Tsuna gets hurt.
However, when Tsuna sees that Yamamoto comes to visit:
Gokudera’s been alone all of his life; rejected by other mafia families because of his Japanese/Italian half-blood heritage, Tsuna was probably the first one to accept him (even if it was by force). To know that Tsuna seems to place more trust into Yamamoto as a friend and subordinate; he begins to think that, if not even Tsuna needs him, then perhaps he is better off alone.
Until his mother runs into him, and mentions that Tsuna talks about Hayato all the time.
But, there are other factors that contribute to his negative emotions with Yamamoto-Gokudera losing important fights, and Takeshi winning, instead; Yamamoto becoming stronger than Gokudera in a short amount of time-everything that Gokudera strives to succeed in and fails to do, Yamamoto succeeds in.
Though, Gokudera seems to take his admiration and devotion for Tsuna to extremes, at times. An example of this could be when Tsuna ends up in the hospital-Gokudera rushes to be by his side as soon as he hears.
But, this is just one of the many examples of what Gokudera would do for Tsuna. He goes as far as to sneak on board a ship, and stays with pigs so he can continue to be near Tsuna’s side and protect him, though again, much to Tsuna’s exasperation.
Though, as the series progresses; they spend more time together as friends, rather than as Boss and Subordinate.
Perhaps the most significant chapter in their development as friends is Chapter 61: Promotion.
In this chapter, Dino-a boss of another mafia family-meets with Gokudera in order to tell him that he has a chance to be promoted in the Vongola Family, and travel back to Italy for this promotion. Of course, Gokudera, at first refuses to part from The Tenth; but when Dino mentions it’s for Tsuna, he takes it into consideration.
Though, as Reborn said, Tsuna doesn’t need Gokudera as his Right-Hand man, and they both decide to test him in a way. If Tsuna doesn’t need Gokudera, then he goes back to Italy, though, if Tsuna shows that he needs him their in any way, then he stays.
… Unfortunately, Tsuna shows that he depends on others-everyone else except Gokudera.
When he reveals just what’s happening to Tsuna-Tsuna shows nothing but happiness for Gokudera, and he decides that maybe, supporting his future boss would be the best solution for the two.
Until he overhears Tsuna talking.
It’s only then when Gokudera decides to stay for Tsuna-to support him from then on forth as both a friend towards Tsuna, and Right-Hand Man.
Gokudera would do anything for Tsuna, it seems, even if he might not agree with it-even if it’s protecting him from danger, despite Gokudera being in danger himself.
02) Versus Varia
A fight for the title of Vongola X
During the fights for the ownership of the Vongola Rings, Gokudera fights against Belphegor (aka Prince the Ripper); a genius in his own rights, and psychopath-someone whom murdered his own twin brother, and kills others without mercy.
Of course, this is no easy match for Gokudera-but he stubbornly does everything he can to win, even if it means his own death. The fight is, after all, times. If the fight doesn’t reach a victor in a certain amount of time, the two will die.
Tsuna, perhaps, has the most terrified expression out of the entire group when he realizes what danger that Gokudera would put himself through. When others tell him to retreat, Gokudera merely responds:
”With one win and three losses, we’d have our backs against the wall! It would be a critical loss!! How can I come back empty handed?! Someone who returns like that isn’t worthy of the name of the 10th’s Right Hand Man!”
Tsuna: Gokudera-kun, that kind of thing…!!
Gokudera: 10th, if I win, we will have the advantage! Please leave it to me! For something like that, I…!! Even if I die, I won’t withdraw!
Gokudera only thinks about his life briefly, to Tsuna’s realization. And, Sawada instantly reacts.
But, before Gokudera can come back, time runs out.
Yet, he still manages to come back; both Bel and Gokudera still making it out alive in the battle for the Ring of Storm and title of Guardian of Storm.
He comes back, not because of his role in the mafia, but because of his friendship with Tsuna. Because of all the previous memories he had made with Tsuna. In my own opinion, this is a sign of the bond that had grown between Gokudera and Tsuna.
Ten-Years Later
The war, ten-years later.
The most recently written ark, otherwise known as the TYL (or Ten-Years Later ark) is where our story stops at, for now. Tsuna is hit by the Ten-Year Bazooka, and transported into the future, only to run into a familiar face:
The first person he sees (after finding himself laying in a coffin, mind you), is Gokudera Hayato.
From what’s shown, we only see a brief appearance of adult Gokudera-but: he quickly reveals what Tsuna must do to save himself, and the future before time runs out. But, past Gokudera is hit by the bazooka as well, and the two are stuck in the future, together.
They eventually meet up with new faces, and even a few familiar faces-though their future friends are quickly transported into the future as well-and the battle to go back home begins for Tsuna and his Guardians.
The last bit and most recent revelation for Gokudera and Tsuna isn’t from either of them-in fact, it turns out to be Yamamoto’s own opinion of Gokudera.
Because of past tragedies that happened in Gokudera’s life, and again, because of being rejected for the vast majority of his childhood years-he finds it hard to trust in anyone like he does with Tsuna.
There are many other moments in the manga that have “canon” moments-but I myself believe that these are the most crucial parts to their relationship
Fanon:
The Fan’s Opinions
… So you’ve pointed out all these canon moments between these two. Why would Gokudera even cross the line of Right Hand Man in the first place?
It’s true that Gokudera never refers to Tsuna as anything other than the Tenth (Jyuudaime/Juudaime), out of respect. However, didn’t Gokudera accept Tsuna as his friend? He could have died to win the Ring of Storm; but he came back, because, as quoted earlier:
I wanted to see the fireworks again…
Obviously, yes, he will withhold his respect for Tsuna as his future boss, but at the same time, he views him as a friend. Couldn’t it possibly lead to more than that?
What about Kyoko? Tsuna likes her, not Gokudera!
Yes. Perhaps this is the biggest factor that would stop the pairing from ever fully becoming canon is Kyoko.. Tsuna will do anything to protect Kyoko; and obviously has a crush on her. Yet, it’s a crush. Within the 183 chapters I’ve seen come out so far, thought hasn’t been any evidence that Kyoko could return those feelings for Tsuna.
… And Haru? She loves Tsuna.
… Tsuna has always, and possibly still does, find Haru’s admiration and love for him scary. Not to say that this isn’t a possibility either. As far as I’m concerned, besides Reborn and Bianchi (and Tsuna’s parents, obviously); there hasn’t been any other sign of canon relationships happening in the series yet (besides Lal Mirch and Colnello, maybe).
Though, it’s true that Gokudera does take his admiration and devotion for Tsuna to harrowing extremes-that he never seems to see the negative sides to Tsunayoshi at all. That maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t see the real Tsuna-and Tsuna realizes that as well.
Though again, this is why the Promotion chapter in the manga is so important for their development-though Gokudera is going to leave for Italy to continue to serve the Vongola Family; he stays, because he wants to be friends with Tsuna.
He wanted to have something other than a relationship between Boss and Subordinate.
So, why do I personally believe this pairing would work? Why am I so fond of the idea of these two together?
I started watching the anime first, and honestly felt like Gokudera’s devotion to Tsuna was endearing. It was a part of Gokudera’s personality that made him different from the character’s of his personality-type in other JUMP series that I’ve seen in the past.
It wasn’t that I started shipping them together just then; but I found that it was something that took away from the cliché that others have seemed to say that the series seems to have.
If not only for the humorous aspect of the pairing; it’s the fact that their relationship develops so much-I believe personally that, along with other relationships in the show, that Amano was put a lot of effort into developing the friendship that Gokudera and Tsuna seem to show; both socially awkward individuals; yet two best friends.
Tsuna was the first person in Gokudera’s life to accept him, just as Gokudera was the first person to believe in Tsuna’s strength.
Hayato had been alone for most of his life; but when he had met Tsuna; he met Yamamoto, and others he could call friends (though, he’d never admit this out loud, most likely). Gokudera may be reckless, but I believe that, with Tsuna, he’s found something to live for.
It’s everything that has been said in the essay already. The two have so many moments with one another, both comedic and touching.
Recs, links, and credit
One Manga - the source for all the shown scans above.
AnimePaper - source for some of the modified pictures used above. Screencaps were taken myself.
hitman_reborn - a livejournal community for posts that have to do with the series in general.
gokutsuna - a livejournal community that centers around Gokudera and Tsuna.
Fic recs:
A Stray Child - What could possibly be equal to Tsuna's life? ( R )
Crumbs - And the only thing running through his mind, the only thought coherent enough to make itself known is it should have been me. ( R )
Resound - Play that song for the one you love, she says. Nobody else.
Aftermath - AU. Someone had loved you once.
Let's Not Talk of Love or Chains and Things We Can't Untie - Gokudera smiled, eyes soft with undisguised affection. In that moment, Tsuna believed him to be the most beautiful person in the world. ( NC-17 )
A Beginning and An End, Revised - And it's spring. ( R )
Doujinshi:
Untold
The mafia bark, but the caravan goes on (Part One) (Part 2) (Part 3)
Beginning Italian
Other:
『きみと、ふたり…』5927 song
Closing notes:
This essay was a bit of a challenge for me to write, but I was really happy to be able to do it, as much as I love Gokudera and Tsuna. They both take away the cliché that shounen series usually has-both have their abilities, but their qualities Amano has given them to make them human--their friendship and development with Yamamoto has been inspiring to me.
Though, I hope that people can understand why I love these two as much as I do through this essay. That was my goal in this, anyways.
Thanks for reading!
Author: Garnet (bubblebeam)
Fandom: Katekyo Hitman REBORN!
Pairing: Gokudera Hayato x Tsunayoshi Sawada (or 5927)
Spoilers: Up to chapter 182.
Author Notes: I realize that there are quite a few moments between these two characters, and I hope I at least point out the most important things that make this pairing have as large of a fanbase as it does.
Undying Devotion
Series Information: Katekyo Hitman REBORN!
Katekyo Hitman REBORN! (otherwise known as Home Tutor Hitman Reborn!) is a manga series in Japan that began to serialize in Weekly JUMP in the year 2004 as a comedy shounen series-the anime airing only two years after the release of it's first chapter.
Katekyo Hitman REBORN! follows the story of the boy Tsunayoshi Sawada (otherwise known as Tsuna) and the baby hitman tutor, Reborn.
Tsuna is a young boy with low self-esteem; who fails at academic subjects and physical sports--with no ambition to do anything at all with his life.
His once normal life becomes hectic once he meets Reborn-an Infant Hitman that travels from Italy to Japan in order to meet Tsuna in order to tutor him into becoming worthy to become the Tenth leader of well-known Vongola mafia family.
Of course, despite the disagreement from Tsuna, Reborn begins to live with him anyways; thus setting up the background of the story. Reborn even goes as far as to find individuals from Tsuna's school in order to help him start to build a future family for the tenth generation for the Vongola Family.
But, there's more to this story than what meets the eye at first--during just about every chapter, Tsuna is shot with a bullet only used in the Vongola Family--better known as the "Dying Will Bullet". This said item will resurrect an individual after being shot, so they can fulfill whatever dying will they might have had before their death.
Vongola Decimo
Tsunayoshi (Tsuna) Sawada
AKA No-Good Tsuna; which is exactly as the name implies. As said earlier, he isn't good at much of anything; whether it's physical sports, or academics. He's always gotten low test scores; never succeeded in doing well at anything at all--which affects his low self-esteem. The only reason he still goes to school, as according to the manga, is because of his crush (who is also known as the school idol)--Kyoko Sasagawa.
Fed up with his low test grades and lethargic attitude towards school--his mother agrees to have a home tutor come and teach him; as advertised in a letter she had received in the mail.
This home tutor, again, as said earlier, turns out to be an infant tutor hitman named Reborn--someone whom had traveled from Italy to Japan as a request from the Ninth Vongola Boss to tutor Tsuna in order to make him worthy enough to succeed him as the next boss (Tsunayoshi descending from the Vongola Primo (the first) as his Great-Great-Great Grandson).
Of course, with someone whom doesn't even have an ambition for anything, much less to be a Mafia Boss of all things; he refused to do as Reborn had wanted him to do.
... Not that he had much of a choice in the matter.
Tsuna is an only child who lives with his mother-Nana Sawada. His father, Iemetsu Sawada, is first shown to be an employee who works in the oil fields (and never at home). He’s someone that Tsuna views as a “loser father”.
Though, in actuality, he’s part of the CEDEF (Consulenza Esterna Della Famiglia). unofficial members of the Vongola Family: an important position in the Vongola’s family's structure; the CEDEF leader helps the Vongola's current boss choose the family's next boss. During the Vongola Family's times of crisis, the CEDEF leader becomes the family's second-in-command.
Over the course of the series, we see Tsuna grow as a person--from the range of friends he makes throughout the year the series goes on for, to his self-esteem. Not only does he get stronger--but beforehand, in the beginning, he would have thought succeeding in anything at all would have been impossible. The series has yet to end, but he begins to gain confidence in what he does, thinking this may be possible.
Perhaps the only redeeming quality that Tsunayoshi has is the fact that he's a good person--accepting several individuals as his friends (or family, according to Reborn); even those who tried to kill or hurt him in some way or form.
It is said in that sense, that he is similar to the first Vongola boss, Giotto. He was said to not only use the same weapon as Tsuna did--along with discovering the Dying Will--but he also accepted a variety of people in his family; from queens, to peasants-even people who tried to kill him before.
Not only that, but he has the ability to see through people as well--and the determination to do almost the impossible (in Dying Will mode, that is).
Despite the fact that Tsuna doesn’t enjoy fighting-he does it for the sole purpose of protecting his friends--perhaps the reason for his growth is due to the friends that he makes throughout the course of the series.
Smoking Bomb
Gokudera Hayato
Gokudera Hayato is a bit of a unique addition to Tsunayoshi's family. He's at first depicted as more of an anti-social outcast--violent and ruthless towards others, yet despite that, smart. The scores he makes on tests are high, and does well academically without much as an effort to do so. Yet, despite this, he's still referred to as a "punk" and "trouble-maker" by teachers and adults around him.
Self-proclaimed Right Hand Man, and one of Tsuna's best friends; it wasn't always like that. When Gokudera had first arrived in Japan, his goal was to test the Future Vongola, and even went as far as trying to kill him. He was in disbelief when he had first heard that the next Boss in line was a kid as old as he was, thus the reason for him to transfer from Italy to Japan.
He grew up along side his sister and father in their mansion in Italy. Despite what it may appear as at first, Gokudera and his sister--Bianchi--are only related as half-blood siblings, having a different mother from one another.
Because half-siblings are looked down upon in the mafia, this was never revealed to the public and in fact, Gokudera's mother was only allowed to visit him three times a year. It is later said by Reborn that his mother was murdered one day on the way to see her son.
The culprit has yet to be revealed, yet it is greatly suspected that Gokudera’s father was the one responsible for her death.
Though Gokudera doesn't remember a lot about his mother, he still learned how to play the piano from her, and even performed recitals in front of famous men and women. His sister (otherwise known as the "Poison Scorpion", due to taking down others as a freelance assassin with her poison cooking) had fed Hayato her first batch of poisoned cooking. This resulted in a terrible performance from Hayato.
There was even a time where Gokudera had tried to run away from his home to find a way to escape Bianchi’s cooking; but failed to do so.
But, he was applauded for the terrible performance, anyways; and Gokudera had to continue eating poisoned cooking before his recitals, much to his horrors. Because of this, he can't look at his sister without thinking of the past trauma; getting sick-to-his-stomach and collapsing every time he has to face her.
It’s later revealed in the series that he only had one adult figure to look up to as a child-the assassin doctor known better as Dr. Shamal. Despite Shamal’s tough exterior (and womanizing ways); he was the one who had given Hayato the idea to use dynamite as his weapon, and Gokudera even went as far as to copy the man’s hairstyle.
Gokudera Hayato has the ability to hide dynamite in any part of his body (thus explaining the nickname "Smoking' Bomb), but he gains other abilities other than dynamite much later into the story.
Hayato is reckless--there are a few points in the story where he endangers his own life, only to be seen as apathetic to the idea of his own death. Though, as the story continues, there are times when he's saved by others, or times where he saves himself.
There's also an issue of trust with his character; because he was rejected for the vast majority of his life, and alone for most of his childhood, he finds it hard to trust anyone else that comes into his life; even showing great distance from those he grew up with; therefore, coming out with a cold and distant, and even violent, exterior towards others.
Undying Devotion
Pairing Evidence
Gokudera and Tsuna have a unique relationship in canon-Gokudera constantly idolizing Tsuna as his future boss, and Tsuna fearing the boy out of the recklessness and danger that Hayato carries with him.
But, they have one of the more developed relationship in the series, as well. The awkwardness that Tsuna carries for Gokudera slowly becomes friendship; the two willing to do whatever it takes to protect one another.
01) Daily Life:
An introduction to the characters.
When Gokudera Hayato is first introduced into the series-he’s transfers into Tsuna’s class as a student from Italy-Hayato gaining a reputation almost right away from various students (and gaining almost instant popularity from the women).
Though, he shows violent behavior towards Tsuna, kicking at his desk when first walking past him; surprising and scaring the boy.
What the Hell? Our eyes just met…
This becomes worse for Tsuna when he runs away from bullies after class, promptly bumping into Hayato right after. Gokudera, witnessing this supposed future boss running away from what might’ve been a fight shows a face of disgust.
That was just too pathetic. If someone like you becomes the 10th gen, the Vongola Family is finished. I refuse to accept it. I’m the one that’s fit to be boss!
Even after being off guard that someone like Gokudera knows about the family; Gokudera attempts to kill him, right there and then.
If I kill Sawada, I’ll become the next head of the family, right?
Though, out of clumsiness from Hayato; he drops the dynamite he had planned to kill Tsuna with; almost dying himself.
But, Tsuna had saved them both with his Dying Will, leaving Gokudera in debt to repay Tsuna for saving his life.
In the end, Gokudera was merely testing Tsuna to see if he was worthy to become the next head of the Vongola Family.
Though Reborn tells Tsuna that the loser of a fight over the title for the next boss requires for that person to serve the winner; Gokudera shows no reluctance to do anything at all for Tsuna.
Despite this, Tsuna would be content with the fact if they remained as classmates; Gokudera refuses to be anything less for him except the Right Hand man; even going as far as to threaten fellow students, and even teachers that might make fun of Tsuna, or threaten him. If it wasn’t for Tsuna stopping Gokudera from doing anything rash, then it would probably lead to constant fighting on Gokudera’s part.
Though, despite his cold and tough nature, his mood seems to change almost instantly upon seeing Tsuna.
He makes it clear that he would possibly do anything for Tsuna without question--anything; even at the cost of his own life. He had gone as far as attempting to blow up a nearby park to prevent Tsuna from punishment from the school; often leaving Tsuna in exasperation of Hayato’s nature.
When it comes to Tsuna, Gokudera believes he can perhaps do just about anything, simply because he’s the next boss of the Vongola family. He goes as far as volunteering him in athletic events, class president, etc etc; showing a more violent side to those who say otherwise.
Soon enough, another classmate becomes an interest of Reborn's-Yamamoto Takeshi: someone whom Tsuna befriends easily, and goes as far as saving his life as well (from a suicide attempt, of all things).
If anything, Gokudera has both an inferiority and jealousy-complex when it comes to Yamamoto. As shown in the manga:
Perhaps it’s Gokudera’s fear of being replaced as the right-hand man that reflect this-after Gokudera accepts the fact that Yamamoto’s a new addition to Tsuna’s family (only because he protects Tsuna, mind you); they argue over said position. Gokudera displays violent behavior mostly towards Yamamoto, despite the fact that they’re classmates. He continuously refers to Yamamoto as ‘baseball idiot’.
This complex towards Yamamoto is further proven later when Reborn chooses to train Gokudera in Tsuna’s house, much to the Future Vongola’s horror-and just as expected from Tsuna, there’s a mess up on Gokudera’s part, and Tsuna gets hurt.
However, when Tsuna sees that Yamamoto comes to visit:
Gokudera’s been alone all of his life; rejected by other mafia families because of his Japanese/Italian half-blood heritage, Tsuna was probably the first one to accept him (even if it was by force). To know that Tsuna seems to place more trust into Yamamoto as a friend and subordinate; he begins to think that, if not even Tsuna needs him, then perhaps he is better off alone.
Until his mother runs into him, and mentions that Tsuna talks about Hayato all the time.
But, there are other factors that contribute to his negative emotions with Yamamoto-Gokudera losing important fights, and Takeshi winning, instead; Yamamoto becoming stronger than Gokudera in a short amount of time-everything that Gokudera strives to succeed in and fails to do, Yamamoto succeeds in.
Though, Gokudera seems to take his admiration and devotion for Tsuna to extremes, at times. An example of this could be when Tsuna ends up in the hospital-Gokudera rushes to be by his side as soon as he hears.
But, this is just one of the many examples of what Gokudera would do for Tsuna. He goes as far as to sneak on board a ship, and stays with pigs so he can continue to be near Tsuna’s side and protect him, though again, much to Tsuna’s exasperation.
Though, as the series progresses; they spend more time together as friends, rather than as Boss and Subordinate.
Perhaps the most significant chapter in their development as friends is Chapter 61: Promotion.
In this chapter, Dino-a boss of another mafia family-meets with Gokudera in order to tell him that he has a chance to be promoted in the Vongola Family, and travel back to Italy for this promotion. Of course, Gokudera, at first refuses to part from The Tenth; but when Dino mentions it’s for Tsuna, he takes it into consideration.
Though, as Reborn said, Tsuna doesn’t need Gokudera as his Right-Hand man, and they both decide to test him in a way. If Tsuna doesn’t need Gokudera, then he goes back to Italy, though, if Tsuna shows that he needs him their in any way, then he stays.
… Unfortunately, Tsuna shows that he depends on others-everyone else except Gokudera.
When he reveals just what’s happening to Tsuna-Tsuna shows nothing but happiness for Gokudera, and he decides that maybe, supporting his future boss would be the best solution for the two.
Until he overhears Tsuna talking.
It’s only then when Gokudera decides to stay for Tsuna-to support him from then on forth as both a friend towards Tsuna, and Right-Hand Man.
Gokudera would do anything for Tsuna, it seems, even if he might not agree with it-even if it’s protecting him from danger, despite Gokudera being in danger himself.
02) Versus Varia
A fight for the title of Vongola X
During the fights for the ownership of the Vongola Rings, Gokudera fights against Belphegor (aka Prince the Ripper); a genius in his own rights, and psychopath-someone whom murdered his own twin brother, and kills others without mercy.
Of course, this is no easy match for Gokudera-but he stubbornly does everything he can to win, even if it means his own death. The fight is, after all, times. If the fight doesn’t reach a victor in a certain amount of time, the two will die.
Tsuna, perhaps, has the most terrified expression out of the entire group when he realizes what danger that Gokudera would put himself through. When others tell him to retreat, Gokudera merely responds:
”With one win and three losses, we’d have our backs against the wall! It would be a critical loss!! How can I come back empty handed?! Someone who returns like that isn’t worthy of the name of the 10th’s Right Hand Man!”
Tsuna: Gokudera-kun, that kind of thing…!!
Gokudera: 10th, if I win, we will have the advantage! Please leave it to me! For something like that, I…!! Even if I die, I won’t withdraw!
Gokudera only thinks about his life briefly, to Tsuna’s realization. And, Sawada instantly reacts.
But, before Gokudera can come back, time runs out.
Yet, he still manages to come back; both Bel and Gokudera still making it out alive in the battle for the Ring of Storm and title of Guardian of Storm.
He comes back, not because of his role in the mafia, but because of his friendship with Tsuna. Because of all the previous memories he had made with Tsuna. In my own opinion, this is a sign of the bond that had grown between Gokudera and Tsuna.
Ten-Years Later
The war, ten-years later.
The most recently written ark, otherwise known as the TYL (or Ten-Years Later ark) is where our story stops at, for now. Tsuna is hit by the Ten-Year Bazooka, and transported into the future, only to run into a familiar face:
The first person he sees (after finding himself laying in a coffin, mind you), is Gokudera Hayato.
From what’s shown, we only see a brief appearance of adult Gokudera-but: he quickly reveals what Tsuna must do to save himself, and the future before time runs out. But, past Gokudera is hit by the bazooka as well, and the two are stuck in the future, together.
They eventually meet up with new faces, and even a few familiar faces-though their future friends are quickly transported into the future as well-and the battle to go back home begins for Tsuna and his Guardians.
The last bit and most recent revelation for Gokudera and Tsuna isn’t from either of them-in fact, it turns out to be Yamamoto’s own opinion of Gokudera.
Because of past tragedies that happened in Gokudera’s life, and again, because of being rejected for the vast majority of his childhood years-he finds it hard to trust in anyone like he does with Tsuna.
There are many other moments in the manga that have “canon” moments-but I myself believe that these are the most crucial parts to their relationship
Fanon:
The Fan’s Opinions
… So you’ve pointed out all these canon moments between these two. Why would Gokudera even cross the line of Right Hand Man in the first place?
It’s true that Gokudera never refers to Tsuna as anything other than the Tenth (Jyuudaime/Juudaime), out of respect. However, didn’t Gokudera accept Tsuna as his friend? He could have died to win the Ring of Storm; but he came back, because, as quoted earlier:
I wanted to see the fireworks again…
Obviously, yes, he will withhold his respect for Tsuna as his future boss, but at the same time, he views him as a friend. Couldn’t it possibly lead to more than that?
What about Kyoko? Tsuna likes her, not Gokudera!
Yes. Perhaps this is the biggest factor that would stop the pairing from ever fully becoming canon is Kyoko.. Tsuna will do anything to protect Kyoko; and obviously has a crush on her. Yet, it’s a crush. Within the 183 chapters I’ve seen come out so far, thought hasn’t been any evidence that Kyoko could return those feelings for Tsuna.
… And Haru? She loves Tsuna.
… Tsuna has always, and possibly still does, find Haru’s admiration and love for him scary. Not to say that this isn’t a possibility either. As far as I’m concerned, besides Reborn and Bianchi (and Tsuna’s parents, obviously); there hasn’t been any other sign of canon relationships happening in the series yet (besides Lal Mirch and Colnello, maybe).
Though, it’s true that Gokudera does take his admiration and devotion for Tsuna to harrowing extremes-that he never seems to see the negative sides to Tsunayoshi at all. That maybe, just maybe, he doesn’t see the real Tsuna-and Tsuna realizes that as well.
Though again, this is why the Promotion chapter in the manga is so important for their development-though Gokudera is going to leave for Italy to continue to serve the Vongola Family; he stays, because he wants to be friends with Tsuna.
He wanted to have something other than a relationship between Boss and Subordinate.
So, why do I personally believe this pairing would work? Why am I so fond of the idea of these two together?
I started watching the anime first, and honestly felt like Gokudera’s devotion to Tsuna was endearing. It was a part of Gokudera’s personality that made him different from the character’s of his personality-type in other JUMP series that I’ve seen in the past.
It wasn’t that I started shipping them together just then; but I found that it was something that took away from the cliché that others have seemed to say that the series seems to have.
If not only for the humorous aspect of the pairing; it’s the fact that their relationship develops so much-I believe personally that, along with other relationships in the show, that Amano was put a lot of effort into developing the friendship that Gokudera and Tsuna seem to show; both socially awkward individuals; yet two best friends.
Tsuna was the first person in Gokudera’s life to accept him, just as Gokudera was the first person to believe in Tsuna’s strength.
Hayato had been alone for most of his life; but when he had met Tsuna; he met Yamamoto, and others he could call friends (though, he’d never admit this out loud, most likely). Gokudera may be reckless, but I believe that, with Tsuna, he’s found something to live for.
It’s everything that has been said in the essay already. The two have so many moments with one another, both comedic and touching.
Recs, links, and credit
One Manga - the source for all the shown scans above.
AnimePaper - source for some of the modified pictures used above. Screencaps were taken myself.
hitman_reborn - a livejournal community for posts that have to do with the series in general.
gokutsuna - a livejournal community that centers around Gokudera and Tsuna.
Fic recs:
A Stray Child - What could possibly be equal to Tsuna's life? ( R )
Crumbs - And the only thing running through his mind, the only thought coherent enough to make itself known is it should have been me. ( R )
Resound - Play that song for the one you love, she says. Nobody else.
Aftermath - AU. Someone had loved you once.
Let's Not Talk of Love or Chains and Things We Can't Untie - Gokudera smiled, eyes soft with undisguised affection. In that moment, Tsuna believed him to be the most beautiful person in the world. ( NC-17 )
A Beginning and An End, Revised - And it's spring. ( R )
Doujinshi:
Untold
The mafia bark, but the caravan goes on (Part One) (Part 2) (Part 3)
Beginning Italian
Other:
『きみと、ふたり…』5927 song
Closing notes:
This essay was a bit of a challenge for me to write, but I was really happy to be able to do it, as much as I love Gokudera and Tsuna. They both take away the cliché that shounen series usually has-both have their abilities, but their qualities Amano has given them to make them human--their friendship and development with Yamamoto has been inspiring to me.
Though, I hope that people can understand why I love these two as much as I do through this essay. That was my goal in this, anyways.
Thanks for reading!