"Your abilities are absurd—you even managed to catch that lunatic."
Bete still couldn't hide his astonishment when thinking about Tsuna's power.
"That was only because I'd made preparations beforehand. If I'd been caught off guard by his first strike, I would've been completely on the back foot."
Even now, recalling that ambush made Tsuna uneasy.
He was the type who excelled at fighting reactively—reading his opponent's moves, laying traps, and guiding them into his net.
But if forced into a head-on confrontation with a Level 5 Adventurer while exposed and unprepared… that would've been truly dangerous.
"Fortunately, my luck held out. I stayed alert enough to sense the danger before it was too late, so their plan didn't succeed."
"As for catching one of their officers, that was pure chance."
"My fighting style depends on preparation. In sudden battles, I'm at a disadvantage."
"As a Level 2, I'm still far from matching stronger foes."
For many, Level 2 was already more than enough strength—but for Tsuna, it still felt lacking.
Even so, he wasn't consumed by anxiety. His current weakness wasn't due to lack of talent or potential, only time—and limited combat experience.
His abilities gave him a generous margin for error, something that allowed him to stay calm where others couldn't.
"Those Amazon sisters really are too naive," Bete muttered. "In that kind of situation, they should've at least reported it to old—cough—to Miss Riveria."
He caught himself just in time before saying something suicidal.
Though his tone was irritable, his words weren't harsh—just filled with frustration at the sisters' carelessness and rash behavior.
"With Riveria's experience, she should've seen the issue right away."
"Going into the Dungeon alone twice in a row? Those idiots might not have lived through the Great Feud three years ago, but they should still know better than to ignore the threat the Dark Faction poses."
"After the ambush on the Astraea Familia, you'd think they'd have learned what 'caution' means."
Ever since that incident, Bete had avoided making predictable Dungeon runs. He knew all too well that if anyone tracked his routine, it could be used to set a trap.
He believed every Adventurer should stay vigilant—no matter how familiar they were with the Dungeon, it was never a safe place.
To him, that was a basic rule for survival.
Yet those Amazon sisters had managed to overlook even that.
Bete's sharp gaze turned toward Tsuna.
"So you'd better knock some sense into them. Don't let them act like brainless Amazons who only charge ahead without thinking."
"Their complacency's your fault, you know. You've spoiled them too much."
"You've coddled them so much they've forgotten the fundamentals."
The sharp rebuke made Tsuna lower his head slightly in embarrassment.
"That's true. This is on me."
He had indeed been too protective of Tiona and Tione. His overcare had made them comfortable—complacent even—and that near disaster had been the result. The responsibility was his to bear.
He lifted his head slightly, gazing at the orange-tinged sky dyed by the setting sun. In its glow, he could almost see Tiona's bright smile and Tione's bashful, blushing face.
"Without realizing it, I got used to being around them," he murmured softly.
"When I first became an Adventurer, they got hurt a lot, so I started making things to help them recover. Before I knew it, they began relying on me for everything."
Bete looked at him quietly, and for a moment, his eyes seemed distant.
A taller, broader figure overlapped with Tsuna in his mind—someone who always wore a bright grin, laughing every day as if nothing in the world could bring him down.
That man had died carrying the weight of his own responsibility.
He hadn't hesitated to charge a dragon he couldn't possibly defeat, even knowing it would mean his death.
Bete's jaw tightened. His fists clenched—and then he slammed one down hard on Tsuna's head.
"Idiot!"
"Eh?"
Startled, Tsuna looked up at him in confusion.
"Are you stupid or what!? Those two Amazons are way tougher than you! They're built like iron—they're not going to die that easily! Stop trying to shoulder all the responsibility yourself!"
"Those morons are a lot stronger than you think! Your job isn't to protect them from everything—it's to teach them how to handle things themselves!"
"If you try to carry all that responsibility alone, who do you think you are, some kind of hero?"
Bete's words were scathing, his finger jabbing hard at Tsuna's chest.
He couldn't stand it—especially after that image resurfaced in his mind. He refused to let history repeat itself.
"Bete…"
Looking at the fired-up werewolf, Tsuna couldn't help but feel that Bete wasn't speaking only to him.
Before he could reply, Bete grabbed him by the collar and yanked him close.
"Trust those two idiot Amazons' strength. They're thick-headed, yeah, but they can fight. You need to believe in that."
"They're Adventurers, not civilians. They might still be rough around the edges, but you've got a better head on your shoulders. You understand the dangers out there—so make sure they understand too!"
"Stop acting like their babysitter. Make them learn. So they don't pull the same stupid stunts again."
Bete released him with a grunt, eyes burning with frustration.
"Got it?"
Tsuna could only smile faintly in response, rubbing the spot where Bete's fist had landed.
For once, he didn't argue.