While the early "Daily Life" episodes are often criticized as slow or "filler-like," Episode 22 is widely considered the point where the show "gets good" for fans of action. Verdict The Unexpected Demonic Leader | Reborn Wiki | Fandom
Watching Tsuna's guardians—specifically Gokudera and Yamamoto—willingly take hits for the sake of the girls shows the strength of their bond. This "suffering" phase is necessary for the satisfying payoff that follows in later episodes.
After 20 episodes of "Daily Life" comedy, Episode 22 firmly establishes that characters can actually get hurt. The introduction of Birds brings a darker, more psychological element to the villainy that was previously missing.