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Chapter 84. The Strange Will to Win
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"W-What..."
"A Stand, just like those who use Ripple are called Ripple Warriors, those who possess a Stand are also referred to as Stand Users!" Pucci explained patiently. "In theory, any kind of ability, when taken to its extreme, has the potential to awaken into a Stand—whether it's cooking skills, feng shui, or Ripple... it's the same!"
"So, do you understand it better now, Shinbo?"
That's right. Although in Pucci's previous life, it seemed that "JOJO's Bizarre Adventure" had yet to introduce a Stand awakened from the peak of Ripple, its absence doesn't mean it's impossible.
Rather, it's because the story had already fully explored Ripple, reaching its ultimate limit with a perfect being as the pinnacle of Ripple Warriors in "Battle Tendency".
The relationship between it and "Stardust Crusaders" is somewhat similar to how a Ripple Warrior reaching the extreme would suddenly awaken a Stand and become a Stand User.
Even though Pucci didn't know what kind of thoughts Araki-sensei had when deciding to abandon Ripple for Stands, or why Stands were chosen to replace Ripple, he felt a different kind of sensation from Jolyne Cujoh's decision.
Perhaps this is the Golden Spirit...
Pucci thought.
"Supervisor Pucci, you know we weren't asking about that."
Shinbo's words were actually quite polite.
To have the courage to abandon something, especially when the work hasn't reached a dead end but is still thriving, is not something just anyone can decide to do.
Moreover, Shinbo was still in an incomplete state.
Mistakes made due to youth were also present in him.
This made him hesitant about the decisiveness required.
Additionally, with his professional instinctive aversion to an outsider intervening in the filming process, it was even harder for him to understand what Jolyne Cujoh was thinking.
Hadn't they been working well together before?
Jolyne Cujoh had previously allowed them to freely pursue their own preferences and depiction of the story.
Why this time did she actively intervene?
They had not yet reached a critical point where change was necessary, right?
Or was it that I truly have been negligent?
Not only Shinbo but also others felt hesitant.
After the filming of "Battle Tendency" Episode 3, viewers who watched the episode also felt the same confusion—
"Someone's here to deliver tequila. Can we let them through?"
As a top model with a perfect physique, the "beautiful" woman with a well-developed chest and hips walked over with an air of health and beauty.
Both the German guards stationed at the gate and the audience viewing through full-dive helmets expressed the same strange expression.
"OH MY GOD!!"
"Old man, don't tell anyone you know me outside!"
In reality, at the Joestar household, Jotaro Kujo wished he could erase the memory of what he had just seen.
Although "you're a good great-granddaughter" had become less of a warm call for old Joseph, the fact that Joseph, seemingly fleeing in "Battle Tendency", would risk his life for a stranger, and after saving her, wouldn't use it to seek any reward, meant old Joseph thought to himself, the sky is clear, the rain has stopped, and I'm doing well!
Indeed!
He was such a noble, pure, moral person, detached from vulgar tastes!
Realizing this was akin to the Eastern idea of "bestowing a great task upon someone to test their spirit," affirming his greatness, he once again called Jolyne Cujoh his great-granddaughter.
Naturally, he maintained his expectation for the new episode of "Battle Tendency", imagining how he would continue to dominate.
But...
"Damn! As expected of the Germans, they can see through my cross-dressing!?"
The Tequila girl lamented.
And the Germans, treating the strange "human" in front of them as a serious threat, shouted:
"Idiot, it's obvious! Disgusting!"
"What woman has such a tall, muscular build? Haven't you looked in the mirror, you idiot!"
Indeed, this "beautiful" woman was none other than Joseph in disguise!
When filming this scene, Pucci and the team had thought Sakata Gintoki's subconscious might resist.
They even considered changing the infiltration plot to a standard infiltration story if necessary.
But unexpectedly, Sakata Gintoki's acceptance of cross-dressing surpassed their expectations!
It's as if he truly excelled in this.
So, watching Joseph's cross-dressing portrayal in "Battle Tendency", old Joseph suffered.
Without needing Jotaro Kujo to say more, old Joseph seemed to sense what he wanted to say.
No, don't look!
Don't continue!
Especially after the failed disguise had no effect.
In the scene, Joseph quickly changed tactics, using Ripple to deliver a decisive blow to the Germans who could see through his true identity.
Old Joseph's expression was even more sorrowful.
After all this, he said, "Damn it, I'm losing confidence. This time it's a military uniform, so it shouldn't be exposed, right?"
Where does this mysterious confidence come from?!
Looking at himself completely unaware of the problem, he seemed to genuinely believe his previous cross-dressing was perfect and that this attempt to infiltrate as a German would be flawless.
Old Joseph's mind was filled with doubt and confusion.
And—
This is definitely not me!
I would never be like this!
If I had to cross-dress, it would definitely be more perfect than Sakata Gintoki's portrayal! It wouldn't be discovered by the Germans!