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Chapter 42. ZE-PP-ELI!!
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"..."
Silence.
Everyone was silent.
Even Jolyne Cujoh, who was watching this scene for the first time, was no exception.
The barrage that had been noisy in their ears also fell into complete silence after this scene played out.
Part of this was because the handling of this plot was a bit too rushed.
Unlike in the original manga.
The plot foreshadowing Zeppeli's death took three to four chapters to gradually build up from the prophecy to the process, ultimately leading to Zeppeli's death.
It was also different from the "Phantom Blood" anime in Pucci's previous life.
Because the manga had already spoiled this ending.
Even though the three to four chapters of plot in the actual anime were less than five minutes long.
But before the scene of Zeppeli's death played out, the audience in Pucci's previous life had already prepared themselves for this outcome.
However, as mentioned above.
This was for the audience in Pucci's previous life.
For the audience in this parallel world watching "Phantom Blood" for the first time.
Even if this ending was vaguely hinted at in the OP of "JoJo ~Sono Chi no Sadame~," so what?
People only accept the information they want to accept and reject the information they don't want to accept.
Moreover, in this plot, which Pucci and the others had slightly altered.
The audience saw Zeppeli with a feeling of almost overcoming his fate.
In the end, he was just a bit short...
But this twist was too rushed!
From the prophecy indicating Zeppeli's likely death.
To the moment the prophecy was about to be fulfilled, Zeppeli not only faced his death bravely to save others.
He also showcased his superb skills as a Ripple Warrior to the audience!
Unlike the inexperienced JOJO, or the embarrassed Zeppeli when he was ambushed by DIO who had learned the intel.
At this moment, Zeppeli greatly fulfilled the audience's expectations of a Ripple Warrior.
The Ripple of the Sun will vanquish all evil!
Needless to say, after Kamikaze Studio personally handled the battle choreography.
The intense conflict between the despair of knowing fate and the tenacity to break free from it, combined with the fast-paced battle scenes.
Made almost every viewer feel like they were on a roller coaster, with each plot twist being a sharp turn or vertical drop on the track.
It was truly thrilling, so thrilling!
Everyone who watched it said it was great!
Of course, the twist brought by this unexpected feeling was indeed exhilarating.
But when they snapped out of this unexpected feeling, ready to return to the platform with the roller coaster, they found that the track ahead was broken?
And it was broken right in front of their next vertical drop!?
...In response, Sora, who saw this scene, opened his mouth wide.
Just like Speedwagon inside, staring blankly at the scene.
"Hmph, hahaha! Do you think you can deceive me with such a plot!?"
After being stunned, Sora finally shouted madly: "Don't underestimate a NEET! Do you know how many works I've seen before this?"
"A mere technical adjustment, and the common trick of making important characters look like they're about to die to deceive the audience, I've seen it too many times! I won't fall for it!"
Sora declared confidently: "Just wait! Uncle Zeppeli will come back to life soon!!"
"But, bro. Uncle Zeppeli is cut in half."
Shiro's merciless voice came through: "Even his body was cut in half and fell in different places."
"..."
Not only was Zeppeli's body cut in half.
Because one of his hands was also wrapped in Tarkus's chain earlier.
So his body, which was forcefully cut apart, was not just in two halves.
There was also Zeppeli's right hand, bound and severed by the chain!
He was cut into three pieces!
"You don't understand, sister!"
Sora, hit hard by this fact, stubbornly insisted: "In the world of 'Phantom Blood,' there are Stone Masks and vampires!"
"Look! DIO, who was shot multiple times, including one bullet through the head, was later pierced by the guardian goddess statue of the Joestar family, burned by fire, and even froze his own arm into ice. Didn't he come out just fine!?"
"This tenacious vitality, if a vampire can have it, then a Ripple Warrior who can heal all JOJO's injuries at the beginning, should also be able to do it!"
"So it's totally fine!" Sora began to escape reality: "Just reattach Uncle Zeppeli's body..."
But unfortunately.
His fantasy.
Or rather, the fantasy of almost all the viewers who saw this scene, was soon ruthlessly shattered by the subsequent plot of "Phantom Blood."
"JO...JO..."
"Are you still alive?" Looking at the struggling Zeppeli on the ground, Tarkus laughed indifferently.
In a sense, the audience's wish was fulfilled.
Even though the power of the Ripple was not as strong as that of vampires.
But the abundant life energy allowed Zeppeli and JOJO to still have a breath left despite their bodies being cut in half and their neck vertebrae nearly severed.
"My ultimate... my ultimate... I will pass on my ultimate skill to you!"
Climbing using his only remaining hand to support his half-body, Zeppeli climbed to JOJO's side and, with all his strength, grasped JOJO's hand and shouted: "Inherit my will, JOJO!"
"—Ultimate! Deep Pass Overdrive!!!"