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Chapter 24. The Standard Ending
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"I will never forgive you!"
JOJO shouted in fury, "It's not because you have been opposing me in every way since you came to my house. All of that doesn't matter! My own issues don't matter at all!"
This was probably the first time the audience had heard JOJO's voice filled with such anger.
Similarly, it was also the first time almost all the viewers, seeing this scene, fully empathized with the protagonist, wanting to take down DIO's little brother!
As for whether this was too brutal and inconsistent with JOJO's gentlemanly image...
Who cares!
When facing DIO, even if JOJO killed or crippled him, they would feel no remorse. They would even praise JOJO's kindness, for either letting DIO die painlessly (if killed) or mercifully sparing him a dog's life (if crippled).
So, don't hold back!
Beat DIO until his nose bleeds, JOJO!!
Splat!
"..."
"Your jealousy is truly unsightly, JOJO!"
To be fair, there was nosebleed.
But the problem is...
Why was it JOJO bleeding and not DIO!?
As JOJO charged with fury, his straight punch was not only deftly dodged by DIO but also countered with an elbow strike to his nose, causing it to bleed profusely.
DIO laughed smugly, "Do you want to get beaten like in the last boxing match? Pathetic weakling!"
"..."
A pause.
The viewers, who were emotionally stirred by JOJO's outburst and filled the screen with intense, uplifting comments, suddenly fell silent.
But this was not a calm silence.
It was the kind of silence that harbors a greater explosion, where one either erupts or dies in the silence!
-- "Is the production team crazy!?"
-- "While striving for realism is great, it's unrealistic for JOJO to win a fight against DIO immediately given his past losses, but..."
-- "At this point, who cares about realism!?"
-- "I just want to see JOJO beat DIO to death, not see JOJO getting bullied by DIO again!!"
-- "..."
Such highs and lows.
DIO's elbow strike nearly shattered their hopes.
It also plunged JOJO, within the storyline, into the depths of despair.
"I... I can't beat him..."
After all, besides DIO's elbow strike, JOJO was also burdened by the pervasive influence DIO had exerted on him since coming to the Joestar household.
"If I lose, I might have to live under DIO's shadow, but...!"
"I am standing here to reclaim Erina's honor! Even if it means dying, I must continue to fight!!"
Confusion lasted only a moment.
After confusion came a surge of courage and determination from deep within!
This battle was not for himself but for Erina!
He couldn't lose!
He wouldn't allow himself to lose!
Thus, the insults from the audience's comments gradually disappeared.
Though the viewers still felt it was impossible.
Because DIO's hatefulness matched his strength.
As DIO had said, his combat skills honed in the harsh slums were not something a privileged boy like JOJO, driven only by a sense of justice, could catch up to.
Expecting JOJO to overcome DIO with mere courage seemed too difficult.
DIO's rise as the leader of the children upon arriving at the Joestar mansion wasn't due to the Joestar family's reputation. If the family's name had any influence, JOJO wouldn't have suffered so much.
DIO relied entirely on his own strength!
Whether it was boxing, which tested physical abilities and fighting skills, or go, which tested mental acuity, DIO was almost always victorious, a perfect superhuman.
Could JOJO truly win against DIO?
Awakened by DIO's elbow strike, the audience had to ponder this question.
However...
Sora said, "JOJO will definitely win."
"?"
"Sister, do you remember the first time DIO lost?"
Despite previously clamoring to quit, Sora, now engrossed and explaining to the less psychologically adept Shiro, continued, "It was during the seemingly trivial contest of pride when Erina washed her mouth with mud water."
"In other words, DIO, who appears to be a successful and outgoing person, is actually very weak! The type who flies into a helpless rage when provoked!"
"A battle between a hero and a helpless person always results in the hero's victory, doesn't it?"
This hint was difficult for most to notice.
Even DIO himself didn't realize he had such a weakness.
Taking off his cumbersome suit jacket and preparing for another round, DIO thought, "I will utterly defeat JOJO and make him understand that he cannot win against me!"
"I will make you physically remember this fact! In both fights and life!!"
With the background music growing increasingly intense, JOJO and DIO's fight entered its second round.
Undoubtedly, in terms of fighting technique, DIO was more skilled.
Every move JOJO made was easily countered by DIO's heavy strikes.
However...
"——DIO!!"
If every move is anticipated by DIO, then attack with the simplest moves, with the determination to land at least one punch, even if countered by DIO!
"I won't stop until I make you cry!!"
JOJO's desperate shout, combined with his headbutt against DIO's forehead, echoed like thunder in the hearts of the audience.
Similarly, there was DIO's declaration of defeat.
"How could I... DIO... be beaten by such trash...!?"
But this was just right!
-- "Well done, JOJO!"
-- "Left hook! Right hook! Uppercut! ...Yes, exactly! Hit DIO hard!!"
Satisfying, utterly satisfying!
To describe it, it was like welcoming the New Year's morning in fresh underwear!
Watching DIO genuinely cry after being beaten, the audience's previous frustrations were instantly swept away. They felt no sympathy for DIO and even wanted JOJO to continue beating him, not stopping!
As the audience eagerly anticipated JOJO's next, even more intense and thrilling counterattack...
<--To Be Continued
"..."
"...!!?"