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Chapter 70. Grandfather's Kindness and Granddaughter's Filial Piety
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"Battle Tendency" does not arrange meaningless plotlines.
Even the explanations of original settings common in the second part and the introductions of main characters from the first part...
In "Battle Tendency", these elements become somewhat mysterious and interesting through a sequence of stories.
The interactions with Smokey not only highlight Joseph and the Joestar family's kind nature by contrasting it with American racial prejudice but also allow viewers to understand their changes over the decades through Smokey's perspective.
Through this well-crafted arrangement, the narrative cleverly allows the characters exploring ruins in Mexico and Joseph, waiting for Speedwagon in the U.S., to intersect through events triggered by Smokey's skin color.
These events lead to Joseph showing his Ripple Energy characteristics, enabling Speedwagon's acquaintances to meet Joseph and inform him of Speedwagon's unfortunate demise.
Given Speedwagon's character, it's clear that the SPW Foundation he established, without any descendants, would be left to Joseph to inherit.
For those who recently had a minor conflict with Joseph due to Smokey, offending a major financial conglomerate's future heir is akin to offending the future eccentric American president!
Of course, using this news to counterbalance the previous misunderstanding was necessary!
Although such misunderstandings would not bother the Joestar family.
So, when Joseph saw that person...
He could be so certain!
That person was...!!
"That, I feel like I've seen you somewhere, but also as if I haven't?"
After finishing a discussion with Smokey about whether the AA cup could be turned into a C cup, Joseph, with a familiar tone, approached that person.
He asked, with a tone full of "doubt," "Hey, why isn't there any white steam coming out of your mouth despite the cold weather?"
"And also, I seemed to have seen sharp teeth in your mouth for a moment, or maybe I didn't..."
With these words, Joseph successfully drew that person's attention and managed to keep Smokey in a relatively safe place.
Joseph's originally nonchalant expression instantly turned into an angry and grim shout: "Stop playing dumb, you bastard!!"
That's right, no mistake!
This person was a vampire!
He was the vampire who killed Speedwagon and turned into a vampire, Straizo!!
"Hehe."
Straizo, who had completely overcome the embarrassment of being unrecognized and had acquired the power he had longed for, laughed confidently: "Even if we're on the street, it doesn't matter."
"JOJO, I'm taking your life! Before your [abilities] are revealed!!"
What kind of creature is a vampire?
Joseph, who had heard stories about his grandfather from Grandma Erina since he was young, didn't have a clear understanding.
He only knew that vampires had strong physiques, excellent recovery abilities, and could continue to act even with just a head... similar to abilities in comics.
But now.
When he saw a real vampire, Joseph discovered a new characteristic of vampires!
A trait that instantly boosted his confidence!
"Oh ho, is that so?" Joseph also laughed.
"!?"
That is!!?
Has it been discovered?
Or rather, it's surprising that only now it's discovered that vampires are... really messed up in the head!
Before Straizo could act, Joseph pulled the trigger first!
Bang bang bang bang bang bang ————!!
The continuous gunfire and the clinking sound of spent shells falling to the ground came from Joseph's Thompson submachine gun, also known as the Chicago Typewriter, which he had pulled out from who-knows-where!
Mark it, the rhythm of blood!
This was specially used with the Thompson submachine gun —
— Thompson Overdrive!!
Unable to perceive Joseph's true intention.
It wasn't the series of questions meant to attract his attention.
And it wasn't to keep Smokey safe from the battle through these questions.
In fact, if he were to do that, how could it only be about using the pretense of talking to change his position relative to Straizo?
His true goal, from start to finish, was only one —
Not worrying that Straizo might take Smokey as a hostage.
But worrying that he might accidentally kill innocent bystanders around him!
So he needed to find the right angle.
An angle that could allow Straizo to be hit by a downpour of bullets like a rag turned into a plug!
"Straizo, I've been waiting for you to come find me! I don't think this level of attack is enough to finish you…"
Joseph hated trouble.
Especially dealing with troublesome creatures like vampires.
But...
In contrast to the grand act of pulling out the Thompson submachine gun and sweeping it around the street,
Joseph, with tears in his eyes, shouted at Straizo, who was lying down, beaten by the bullets: "But now it's payback time for what you did to Mr. Speedwagon!"
"This is war!!"
So...
<-- To Be Continued
The gentle prelude of "Roundabout" rose slowly in the audience's ears.
Signaling the end of "Battle Tendency"'s first episode.
"Not! It ended just like this!?"
"What about next? What about my upcoming highlights? Why don't you continue to play them!"
Joseph, who was waiting to show his prowess in "Battle Tendency", muttered in dissatisfaction: "You're making it seem like I'm using modern weapons to bully Straizo, this old relic!"
"Clearly, I could have used Ripple Overdrive to avenge Mr. Speedwagon!"
You should know that Joseph would only win against enemies honorably! (sarcasm)
"Yeah, it ended so quickly, it's really a pity."
Similarly, Jotaro Kujo, who initially planned to watch Joseph make a fool of himself, also expressed regret.
This kind of warm and affectionate feeling truly had a sense of grandfather's kindness and granddaughter's filial piety.