Chapter 243. All Eyes on Me!
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Gasoline is such a wonderful thing.
Not only is it readily available—just find any random car, and with [Star Platinum], punch a hole in its tank, and voilà, you've got yourself a full bucket of fuel—but it also has a strong, lingering smell.
Even with copious amounts of body wash, it would take an eternity to scrub off the stench. You'd need to lather every inch of your body to even slightly diffuse its pungency.
In other words, DIO now reeked worse than sewer vomit—his stench so potent that it could be sniffed out from a mile away, even if he tried to hide in the shadows!
But that's not the best part.
Aside from these delightful properties, gasoline is highly flammable!
And once ignited, it burns for an extended period. Long enough to keep this vampire DIO roasting until sunrise, forcing him to regenerate endlessly in place as he's charred again and again!
"Uh? OHHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHH—!!"
Mista's lips quivered uncontrollably, the incoherent sounds spilling from him made it impossible to discern what he was trying to say.
But Narancia, standing next to him, understood perfectly.
Even though Mista's words were fragmented gibberish, Narancia resonated with his emotions—because he felt the same way.
"[Italian swearing]!"
Narancia, lost for words, joined Mista in spewing nonsensical sounds, their shared feelings palpable.
And then, as they turned to the audience, they saw the same emotions reflected in everyone else.
Their sentiments poured out in synchronized bursts of bullet comments:
"Holy crap! HOLY CRAP! I know everyone's said it a million times in the comments, but I have to say it too—HOLY CRAP! Jotaro is TOO COOL!"
"'This place is full. You can't escape.' Stop it! Hearing Jotaro say that to DIO gave me goosebumps!"
"Dun! Dun↗ Dun↘ Dun↗ Dun↘ Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun-Dun~!! And that [Star Platinum] Execution Theme?! It's a masterpiece! Pure eargasm!!"
Despite being called [Star Platinum]'s Execution Theme, the actual track's name is "Stardust Crusaders"—a theme encompassing not just Jotaro but also Joseph, Avdol, Kakyoin, and even Iggy.
Initially, viewers who discovered the track's name couldn't help but wonder:
Why is it called "Stardust Crusaders"?
If it's Jotaro's execution theme, shouldn't it have a title akin to Kakyoin's theme, "Virtuous Pope"? Something tied to their individual Stand elements?
For example, [Hierophant Green] and "Virtuous Pope" share that connection.
Sure, "Stardust Crusaders" contains star motifs, referencing Jotaro's [Star Platinum], but anyone familiar with the story of "Stardust Crusaders" would interpret the theme as representing the entire group's journey through Egypt—not just Jotaro alone.
In short, it felt mismatched.
Did Green Dolphin Studios really lack the budget to commission a few more execution themes for each character?
But now, the audience seemed to understand why Jotaro's theme bore the name "Stardust Crusaders"...
...
"As long as I can... As long as I can... As long as I can reach that place..."
"Give it up, DIO!"
Jotaro blocked DIO's path, cutting off his escape.
He had already warned him—DIO couldn't run!
No matter where DIO tried to hide or whom he sought to drain to heal himself, Jotaro wouldn't allow it. He had seen enough to ensure DIO wouldn't get another chance.
And so, like an ant effortlessly lifting an object a hundred times its weight, Jotaro—facing a vampire with far superior physiology and [The World], a Stand capable of outlasting [Star Platinum] in time-stopping ability—overpowered DIO with undeniable force.
With a single punch, he silenced DIO, cutting off whatever the vampire was about to say.
"ORA!"
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA... ORA!!"
...
The music's rhythm escalated, becoming more intense, more thrilling, as [Star Platinum]'s fists accelerated, channeling Jotaro's fury.
At the same time, the audience's anger and their grief for Kakyoin, Avdol, and the others were unleashed—blow after blow—into DIO's shattered body.
This punch was for Avdol!
This punch was for Iggy!
This punch was for Kakyoin!
This punch was for Joseph!
This punch was for Polnareff, whom you brutally injured!
And this punch...!
And this punch...!!
And this punch...!!!
Memories from their journey—the essence of "Stardust Crusaders"—resurfaced in the soaring crescendo of the music, evoking nostalgia in every viewer.
"—ORAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!"
By the end, nearly every audience member couldn't help but join [Star Platinum] in roaring the final "ORA!"
It was satisfying.
So incredibly satisfying!
They had waited so long for this moment!
As much as it felt wrong to say, Kakyoin's and Joseph's sacrifices, as well as Polnareff's grievous injuries, had stoked their hatred for DIO.
For the first time, viewers—whether veterans of "Phantom Blood" or newcomers—had united in their desire to see one person destroyed.
And so, in Jotaro's relentless "ORA ORA ORA", in the catharsis of pummeling DIO into the dirt, they experienced unparalleled ecstasy.
DIO, this is your day of reckoning!
"All eyes on me! I have an announcement—this is officially the most satisfying episode of "Stardust Crusaders"!"
...
"You've been tricked, Jotaro!"
Before the audience could fully savor their excitement, DIO's voice interrupted them.
"This is my escape route!"
"You're no match for this DIO's intelligence, Jotaro! Do you remember this path?"
...
"...Huh?"
"...HUH?!"
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