Chapter 250. Nine Seconds of Time Stop, Seven Seconds to Find a Steamroller
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"..."
"Brother..."
Even though they were fully immersed in this scripted world using full-dive virtual reality helmets, Sora and Shiro couldn't help but instinctively try to close their nonexistent eyelids in their completely virtual state, unwilling to watch any further.
If the events had merely been limited to the last episode—where DIO absorbed Joseph's blood to fully heal his injuries and restore his vampire regenerative abilities to the level seen in "Phantom Blood"—Sora wouldn't feel such despair.
Just as Jotaro had earlier devised a plan to douse DIO in gasoline, ensuring the ensuing flames would continuously burn DIO's body and deplete his life energy.
Even Jonathan, who wasn't a Ripple warrior at the time, had almost killed DIO using this method. Although DIO ultimately managed to escape, it left him severely weakened. He needed several days and countless victims to restore himself to a state where he could move freely.
Therefore, as long as the gasoline already soaked into DIO was properly utilized, coupled with [Star Platinum]'s ability to stop time like [The World], it wasn't entirely hopeless.
But now, it's over...
The difference between nine seconds and five seconds is not just a matter of four extra seconds.
Consider what [Star Platinum] could accomplish in just two seconds, and it becomes clear how much DIO, with his A-rank Speed Stand, can achieve in an additional four seconds.
To make matters worse, several of Jotaro's bones had already been shattered by [The World]. Without the vampire's regenerative powers or an extended duration of time stop, Jotaro stood no chance—unless DIO suddenly lost his mind.
Testing [The World]'s time stop limits earlier, DIO had spent two seconds being beaten by [Star Platinum], one second counterattacking Jotaro, and the remaining six seconds basking in triumph. Unless DIO repeated that wastefulness, Jotaro had no hope of winning!
But would DIO waste his time again? Having already tested his limits, it was unlikely.
As Sora considered removing his VR headset and adopting the ostrich-like mindset of "If I don't watch it, Jotaro won't die," the still-playing "Stardust Crusaders" resumed with a surprising narrative voiceover.
Huh? A narrator?
"After stopping time, DIO mysteriously vanished."
—Four seconds passed.
"Jotaro abandoned all thoughts. Regardless of DIO's plans or what kind of attack he might launch within these two seconds of activity, he had only one goal: to land a decisive blow with Star Platinum!"
—Five seconds passed.
...
"...?!"
DIO actually lost his mind?!!
Opening his eyes again to watch the screen, Sora felt like slapping himself hard. What "impossible"? It was all too possible!
As for logic? The plot was so bizarre that Sora couldn't even figure out why DIO acted this way. Even if DIO feared [Star Platinum]'s superior strength, with the vampire's regenerative powers allowing him to heal injuries inflicted by [Star Platinum] within mere moments, wouldn't charging in recklessly still be the best option?
As long as Jotaro couldn't deal damage that took more than seven seconds to heal, DIO could afford to act however he pleased!
But with these questions swirling in his mind, Sora, like Jotaro, chose to abandon all rational thought.
Bug? What bug? There's no bug here!
DIO not leveraging his nine-second time stop and wasting it instead? Perfectly normal!
As viewers, all they needed was faith in Jotaro. Just as they had always believed in Jotaro and the Joestar legacy, they could trust him again.
...
"This much I know for sure—DIO! When you reappear before me, I'll probably be enraged to the extreme!"
—Six seconds passed.
"Come at me, DIO!"
—Seven seconds passed.
...
As [The World]'s time stop limit approached, Jotaro's expression grew increasingly tense as he remained on high alert.
For the audience, this ticking time limit meant Jotaro's chance for a comeback grew ever closer.
Until...
"—STEAMROLLER DA!"
DIO descended from above, clutching a massive steamroller!
Weighing at least three tons, propelled by the comforting pull of Newtonian gravity, the steamroller plummeted towards Jotaro with unstoppable momentum.
But that wasn't the end!
"—ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!!"
"You're too late! There's no escape!"
While [Star Platinum] tried to slow the steamroller's fall with relentless punches, DIO roared with laughter, striking the steamroller himself to further accelerate its descent!
"—MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!!"
"—Eight seconds passed!"
"WRYYYYYYY! Get crushed into paste—!!"
There was no room for doubt. Once Jotaro's limited time stop ended, his immobilized form would only face...
Delivering a final punch to drive the steamroller down completely, DIO stared at the blood splattered underneath it. Satisfied, he declared, "—Nine seconds passed."
The victor, without a doubt, was KONO DIO DA!
When it came to cunning and strategy, Jotaro still had a long way to go.
"[Star Platinum] has finally fallen before my [The World]!"
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