Like a starving tiger, DIO lunged at Jonathan.

  "Die, JOJO!"

  Claws aimed for his heart. Jonathan sidestepped. Dodged cleanly.

  "Nani?! JOJO, how did you get so fast?!"

  "DIO, don't think only you got stronger!"

  Jonathan's fist slammed into DIO's abdomen. DIO activated Vaporization Freezing—

  CRACK.

  The ice shattered. DIO flew like a cannonball. Crashed through the wall. Landed on the grass outside.

  Jonathan leaped after him.

  DIO's body twisted grotesquely. Blood pooled. He looked up at Jonathan.

  "DIO, even if your Vaporization Freezing blocks Ripple conduction, it can't stop this power. This punch is for everyone you murdered."

  Vaporization Freezing's strong. But raw force breaks through. Shatter the ice defense—what's left to block?

  "Damn... JOJO... how could you... gain this much power... in such a short time..."

  DIO crawled up. His body regenerated.

  Before Jonathan could answer, Perilla—floating above—spoke. "Because JOJO's power isn't for himself. It's to protect others. That kind of heart generates limitless strength. But you, DIO? You abandoned your humanity for selfish power. Power for greed has limits. Right now, you're just a clown."

  DIO's face twisted. She called me a clown.

  "Impossible! I, DIO, am invincible!"

  He charged again. Every attack missed. Jonathan was untouchable.

  Desperate, DIO unleashed his ultimate move—Space Ripper Stingy Eyes!

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  "Dangerous! Dodge!"

  The crowd shouted.

  Jonathan didn't dodge. DIO grinned. My attack will pierce his skull—

  Jonathan swatted it away.

  "My Space Ripper Stingy Eyes... impossible!"

  "DIO, the gap between us is too wide. Your attacks don't work on me."

  I could've tanked it without deflecting. My body's that strong now.

  DIO felt humiliated. I sacrificed everything. And JOJO crushes me effortlessly? Then what was it all for?

  Unacceptable.

  He flung blood from his wound into Jonathan's eyes. "How about my Blood-Blinding Technique?! Die, JOJO!"

  He kicked. Surprise attack. He can't see. I'll win!

  Jonathan—eyes closed—raised his arm. Blocked.

  DIO's shock deepened. Just luck. He can't see. I'll keep attacking!

  He unleashed a flurry. Jonathan blocked every strike.

  "Impossible! JOJO, you can't see! How—"

  "I can sense your Ki, DIO. And you've already lost."

  "Lost?"

  His limbs exploded. Ash spread from the wounds.

  "Every time you attacked, I planted mini energy spheres in your limbs. They contain Ripple. That's why you've lost, DIO."

  Jonathan wiped his eyes. Watched DIO's body crumble.

  "I won't accept this! I won't!"

  As Ripple crawled toward DIO's head—

  CRACK.

  Space fractured. Shattered like glass. A black orb flew out. Embedded itself in DIO's forehead.

  His collapse stopped.

  Black energy erupted. Blasted Jonathan backward.

  "JOJO!"

  Zeppeli caught him mid-flight. "You okay?!"

  "I'm fine, but DIO—"

  The black aura faded. DIO stood. Body restored. And—

  "His Ki... it's massive!"

  "Yeah!"

  Before, Jonathan could've beaten DIO alone. But now? This evil energy—even Jonathan and Zeppeli combined couldn't match it.

  DIO felt the change. As a vampire, I feared sunlight and Ripple. But now? No fear. They can't harm me. And this body—endless power. This feeling... incredible.

  "I don't know what this orb is, but now I've finally obtained the ultimate power! Hahaha!"

  Dark energy exploded. Blew away clouds. The others couldn't stand.

  "JOJO, let's attack together!"

  "Right, Zeppeli-san!"

  They charged.

  DIO smirked. "Oh? Two-on-one because you know you can't win alone? Too bad—useless!"

  He met them. Faster. Jonathan and Zeppeli sensed danger. Switched to defense.

  DIO's punch landed. Heavy. Overwhelming. He kicked them both. They cratered the ground. Dirt flew.

  DIO floated. Laughed. "Useless! Useless! Even together, you're no match for Kono DIO! Hahaha!"

  Jonathan and Zeppeli bled. One exchange, and we're bleeding. The gap's huge.

  Poco turned to Perilla. "God-lady, please! Fight him! They can't hold out much longer! Please!"

  Perilla shook her head. "I told you. I won't fight DIO for you. You must defeat your own enemies. Besides, he's too weak. I have no interest."

  "What?!"

  Despair settled over everyone.

  "But God-lady, can they really beat DIO now?"

  Perilla smiled. "They can. Before I came, I gave them a trump card. Little brother, don't you notice what I'm missing?"

  "Missing?"

  Poco studied her. Compared to before. Found it.

  "Your earrings are gone!"

  ~~~~??~~~~~~~~??~~~~

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