--o--
Light Curtain Barrage
The Red Stone, it's the Red Stone again. Kars used the Red Stone to evolve into the Ultimate Lifeform, and now DIO intends to use the Red Stone to ascend to Heaven.
This just goes to show what kind of power is truly contained within this Red Stone of Aja.
Moreover, it must be noted that this Red Stone of Aja is not something that originally existed in the world of Demon Slayer, nor is it the Super Aja from the world of JoJo. It was bestowed directly by the Supreme God.
Therefore, the power contained within this Red Stone absolutely surpasses that of the original Super Aja, enough to meet the conditions for DIO to surpass Heaven.
However, the Red Stone is currently in the possession of Joseph Joestar and Jotaro Kujo. For DIO to get his hands on it will be anything but simple.
Utaha Kasumigaoka: "Although I feel it's almost impossible for DIO to get the Red Stone, this 'fate' thing is really unpredictable. Just like with Kars; he had all but lost the ability to resist, yet fate still managed to give him a chance to fight back."
At Toyogasaki Academy, Utaha spoke slowly. If fate had decreed that DIO would ascend to Heaven, then any resistance from Jotaro and the others would be futile.
Ultraman Ace: "No, I have always firmly believed that fate can be changed. Even if fate continues to favor that villain named DIO, justice will surely triumph over evil."
In the Land of Light, Nebula M78, Ultraman Ace said as much. He firmly believed that fate could be changed. Ace had never forgotten that pitiful mother and daughter; fate would not forever side with villains.
Joseph Joestar: "Dio Brando. Our Joestar family is destined to be his enemy. The fate symbolized by the Stone Mask has ended with Kars. Next, it's DIO's turn."
DIO: "You people of the Joestar family... you're a persistent curse. Why can't the Joestar family just obediently go and die? Why must you always stand in my, DIO's, way?"
---o---
Light Curtain
At the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, thanks to the treatment from the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, and Lady Tamayo, who possessed centuries of medical experience, Joseph Joestar had gradually regained consciousness.
Although he had lost an arm, at least his life was saved.
After the battle of the Infinity Castle, every member of the Demon Slayer Corps was overwhelmed with guilt. They called themselves demon hunters, yet from start to finish, they had been nothing more than bystanders. They could only watch helplessly as Kars became the Ultimate Lifeform, and during the chase, they couldn't even keep up with Joseph's speed.
Now, even the most arrogant and brash of them, the Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa, was too ashamed to face Jotaro and Joseph. He no longer had the face to see either of them.
"The coming battle will not just be against demons. Soon, we, the Demon Slayer Corps, will find ourselves in complete opposition to the government."
During the meeting, Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke with deep meaning. It was clear he had already realized that their government had, in essence, become DIO's pawns.
This demon named DIO was far more adept at scheming than Kibutsuji Muzan. His cunning and charisma vastly surpassed that of the Demon King.
The power of the Demon Slayer Corps, no matter how they looked at it, was hardly a match for him.
"Are you asking us, the Demon Slayer Corps, to fight against other humans? Even with our Breathing Styles, we would be completely negligible in the face of artillery fire."
"A swordsman is, in the end, just a swordsman. To go against the machinery of a nation is like an egg trying to smash a rock."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words sent great ripples of unease through the hearts of the Demon Slayer Corps. In the end, their mission had always been to fight demons. To fight humans... setting aside whether they could bring themselves to do it, how could they possibly stand against the rifles and cannons produced by Japan after the Industrial Revolution?
"Exactly. Not only are Breathing Styles useless, but even Star Platinum would have a hard time breaking through dense cannon fire."
This time, Jotaro Kujo did not rush to dismiss their concerns. Forget Breathing Styles and Nichirin Blades; even Star Platinum couldn't withstand that kind of artillery.
Although he didn't know what means DIO had used, the vast majority of the common soldiers were innocent. They couldn't be dragged into this.
"Then all that's left is a decapitation strike. We take out DIO first, and then we can consider everything else. As long as DIO is still around, nothing else can be resolved."
At the encampment, everyone deeply agreed with this sentiment. They were demon hunters, swordsmen who protected the people from the darkness. A direct confrontation with an army was not their way; fighting DIO himself was far more in line with their long-standing methods.
"Yare yare." Jotaro Kujo slid open the door to his room, moonlight spilling onto the floor. Looking at the time, the full moon was just one day away. In the ancient eastern countries, this was a day for family reunions. But because of DIO's existence, he was trapped in this world, unable to return. He didn't even know if he could go back to his own world after defeating DIO. If he was stuck here forever, it would be a terrifying prospect.
Several days had now passed since the victory over Kars. Joseph's injuries were gradually healing, and the Demon Slayer Corps had made the necessary preparations. Tomorrow night, then, would be the final battle.
DIO... Although his initial goal was to save his mother, everything he had seen and heard on this journey had made Jotaro Kujo understand just how terrifying and loathsome this villain truly was.
"I swear, DIO, the next time I see you, I will tear you to pieces."
Under the moonlight, Jotaro Kujo made his vow. What he didn't know was that someone was already using the cover of night to approach the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters.
---o---
Light Curtain Barrage
Detective Conan: "Has it already been several days? It seems Jotaro was waiting for Joseph's injuries to heal before making a move. That's a long time to wait."
This was indeed a good strategy. Although DIO was no Kars, his power was definitely not to be underestimated. A rash attack would surely result in heavy losses, and Joseph himself was a formidable asset who couldn't be ignored. The combination of Jotaro's martial prowess and Joseph's intellect was what made them truly invincible.
Otto Apocalypse: "The conditions for DIO to ascend to Heaven... one of them is to be at latitude 28° 24' N, longitude 80° 36' W, and wait for the next new moon. That location is clearly not modern-day Japan. And the final battle is tomorrow, so does that mean DIO has already made the preparations necessary to ascend to Heaven?"
Latitude 28° 24' N, longitude 80° 36' W... if the concepts of the two worlds are the same, that should be Cape Canaveral. But the final battle is about to begin, so there's obviously not enough time to get there. Either DIO has found another way, or he has given up on ascending to Heaven for now.
Let's not consider the latter. So, is it the former? From the perspective of fate, DIO's ascension to Heaven should be an inevitable event. In other words, it doesn't really matter what preparations DIO makes; he will be able to ascend to Heaven regardless. It's just that the process might be difficult for him to accept.
Umaru Doma: "Once DIO is dealt with, this viewing session will be over, right? I hope it's a happy ending, just like the last world."
The girl in the room lay sprawled on her futon, speaking without a shred of decorum. What she hated most in life were tragedies. Even though some tragedies are unavoidable, she would always hate them.
Yukino Yukinoshita: "It should be similar to the last world. After all, not a single person died during the fight with the Ultimate Lifeform. Dealing with DIO should be about the same."
---o---
Light Curtain
In the dead of night, a man with a ferocious face and drums that seemed embedded in his very skin infiltrated the Demon Slayer Corps camp.
The crimson characters for "Lower Rank" on his eyes had long since vanished. The man before them was none other than DIO's most devout follower—Kyogai.
"To seize the Red Stone... this is the mission Lord DIO has bestowed upon me. Strengthened by Lord DIO's blood, my Blood Demon Art has been greatly enhanced. Now, I have the power to face even the Demon King himself."
Speaking with a savage expression, Kyogai's heart was perfectly calm. Bathed in the moonlight, he seemed to become one with the darkness.
A special kind of energy pulsed within his body, making him undetectable to even the most perceptive Demon Slayer swordsmen.
Hanging from Kyogai's waist was a human head. Since it hadn't been exposed to sunlight, its body had not yet disintegrated, even though the life had already left it.
As the camera zoomed in, the audience outside could clearly recognize the face. It was Upper Rank Four, the old man whose clone had been pummeled by Jotaro.
Empowered by his Blood Demon Art, Kyogai slipped into Joseph Joestar's room with almost no effort. The Red Stone was inside.
After a tense infiltration, Kyogai successfully obtained the Red Stone. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned to leave.
"So this is the warrior who exiled the Ultimate Lifeform to the heavens? That was almost too easy."
As he was about to leave, this thought crossed Kyogai's mind. But at that very same instant, a flippant male voice sounded in his ear.
The supposedly unconscious Joseph was suddenly sitting up in bed, fully revived, his arms crossed as he looked at him. "I'm guessing that's what you were just thinking, right?"
Pointing a single finger at Kyogai, Joseph spoke with a hint of resignation. "I was originally planning to feign sleep to see what you were up to, but I didn't expect you were just after a stupid rock. If you like it that much, I can just give it to you. It's no use to me, anyway."
As Joseph finished speaking, Kyogai shot a sharp glance at the Red Stone in his hand. The color was indeed red, but it lacked any substance, as if someone had simply painted a rock with red pigment.
"It's a fake! You bastard, you hid the real Red Stone that well!" Kyogai was a little surprised. The Red Stone of Aja was powerful, but logically speaking, it was just a tool to help the Pillar Men evolve into Ultimate Lifeforms. Joseph had no reason to guard it so closely.
"You're right about that. But the Red Stone is also a Hamon amplifier, and Hamon is the bane of creatures like you. Let me guess... DIO found out about the stone's amplifying effect, and that's why he sent you to steal it, right?"
Joseph opened his palms, revealing the real Red Stone. As he channeled his Hamon, a powerful, golden-red energy began to surge through the dark room.
But Kyogai just stood there, motionless, as if he had lost consciousness.
"Oh? Not going to run? This Hamon energy is no different from being burned directly by the sun when it hits you."
This strange behavior surprised Joseph slightly, but he continued to taunt Kyogai, trying to provoke him into revealing a weakness.
To Joseph's astonishment, however, Kyogai seemed to have read his mind. He sneered, "I know what you're doing, Joseph Joestar. I am aware of all your battles up to this point. You have a habit of constantly trash-talking during a fight to anger or distract your opponent, then striking when their guard is down."
"That trick might work on others, but it is meaningless against me. My everything, including my emotions, has already been dedicated to that great man."
"I revere that man as I would a god. And now... is the time to show my loyalty."
As he spoke, the world turned upside down. Kyogai's Blood Demon Art no longer required his house as a medium. Right there, in front of Joseph, the walls began to flip.
"This is bad, really bad!" Joseph, still not fully recovered, was thrown off balance by the sudden shift. His face instantly paled, and his heart began to pound.
It wasn't that Kyogai's Blood Demon Art was that powerful, but simply that he still hadn't recovered from the massive blood loss.
As the room spun, under Kyogai's deliberate manipulation, Joseph lost his grip, and the Red Stone fell to the side. In that instant, Kyogai's attention was immediately drawn to it.
"Hermit Purple Hamon Overdrive!!" This was the moment... deliberately using the Red Stone as bait. This was the moment Joseph had been waiting for.
Since Kyogai had professed that he had even given his emotions to DIO, then DIO's words were a divine decree to him. He might not care about himself, but he would never be careless with a direct order from DIO.
The one thing that could distract him was the very thing DIO had ordered him to retrieve—the Red Stone!
A cross of purple and gold, the Hamon began to conduct through the room, speeding towards Kyogai's body. A Stand is invisible, so theoretically, only the golden light should have been visible.
"Muda da! With Lord DIO's assistance, I can now perceive the location of a Stand!"
The sound of drums echoed again. This time, the reversal affected not only the walls but also the Hamon attack in mid-air. He wouldn't have come here directly without being fully prepared, would he?
The Red Stone was his for the taking. The injured and one-handed Joseph Joestar was not nearly as threatening as he had been in the fight against Kars. The combat ability of Hermit Purple was weak. The only thing to worry about was the golden Hamon...
---o---
Author's Note:
ps: The conditions for DIO to surpass Heaven are too complex. Fulfilling them would require writing a very long arc, but the overall subscription rate for this volume is too low, and I still need to eat. Therefore, the conditions will be relaxed. However, the classic fourteen secret words will definitely not change. Everything else can be explained by the protagonist.