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Chapter 85. Misdirection
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If Jotaro Kujo knew what old Joseph was thinking after seeing that scene, it wouldn't be just about the strange sense of victory and defeat. He'd probably stop merely mocking him and actually disregard old Joseph entirely. After all, it was just too embarrassing.
Would a normal person think about such things?
Regardless of their thoughts, the Tequila girl's appearance became famous at that very moment!
The Muffled Pervert: "My eyes! My eyes!!"
[ ]: "Damn Pucci, give me back my innocence! This is the first time I've so firmly refused a woman, damn it~~!"
Scumbag: "No, what's strange is that you actually acknowledge the Tequila girl as a woman; that's what's odd. Apologize to all women!"
The Wise and Powerful Joseph: "Exactly, exactly. This kind of error-filled cross-dressing can't be considered decent at all!"
Not Wearing It is Really Cool: "...What's strange is actually you guys. Why are you so concerned about this?!"
[ ]: "This is a man's obsession; you women wouldn't understand."
Scumbag: "That's right; this is a serious issue."
[ ]: "Oh, so you understand it well?"
Scumbag: "Just kidding. I totally get it!"
Gohan and the Kamehameha: "...Maybe we should call the police."
Well, as the absolute female lead of "Battle Tendency", the Tequila girl's appearance was a resounding success!
Even though with Joseph's current Ripple techniques, he could completely infiltrate the German military base without detection—just like he did after his cross-dressing was exposed—it's undeniable that Ripple warriors aren't vampires. They can't use their physical regeneration abilities to ignore most bullets.
For Ripple warriors, being shot or hitting a vital spot means death. Just like being hit in the trachea and unable to breathe will also result in death.
In other words, although Joseph's cross-dressing may seem whimsical, his goal was actually achieved. If not for the shock the Tequila girl's outfit brought to the Germans, could Joseph really have approached the heavily guarded base so easily?
Would the Germans who saw him approach have immediately opened fire or merely laughed and let him raise his hands?
It's unlikely.
Of course, if the Tequila girl's disguise alone could suffice, that would be ideal.
It can be said that such unexpected actions, drawing attention away to what he wanted people to see, only to surprise or hide his true intentions, are very much in Joseph's style—a departure from the traditional British gentleman to an American scoundrel approach.
But facts proved that, compared to this psychological game, people indeed preferred the Tequila girl more.
Just like people still enjoy magic performances even when they know magic tricks are illusions.
—Misdirection.
A good magician makes you unaware of being deceived.
Similarly, as a fraudster, Joseph successfully made it difficult for the audience in the god's-eye view to discern his true intentions.
Kirito: "You make a good point, but does that change the fact that Joseph was cross-dressing or that the Tequila girl had a kind of transcendent 'beauty'?"
Dolphin Man: "..."
Jotaro Kujo, who originally wanted to salvage what little reputation Joseph had left, was left speechless, not knowing how to respond.
Especially when he saw that while he was meticulously writing this long analysis, old Joseph was not only following others' comments but was also seriously discussing the shortcomings of Joseph's cross-dressing in "Battle Tendency" with others.
Jotaro Kujo felt only one thing—exhausted, just end it already!
Although Jotaro Kujo was disheartened by old Joseph and wanted to throw in the towel, the topic of the Tequila girl had successfully shifted away from the forum.
Or rather, the netizens who were originally going to criticize this were once again exhibiting their traditional skill—derailing the topic.
Not Wearing It is Really Cool: "So, is the big BOSS in Part 2 the Pillar Man? It doesn't seem very strong, does it?"
Not Wearing It is Really Cool: "Of course, Santana easily devoured vampires, learned German in a few words, and had the ability to manipulate his body and fold bones... these are quite impressive and chilling. But compared to shooting lasers from his eyes (the Space Ripper Stingy Eyes), these abilities seem to lack some visual impact..."
This isn't meant to be derogatory.
Moreover, Santana, with abilities solely based on physical prowess, doesn't need extra skills to prove himself.
After all, if skills are needed to handle minor enemies, it would make him seem less impressive, right?
But Santana, the Pillar Man, doesn't need that.
In a combat power test, did the vampire Santana fought also not use the vaporization freeze technique or the Space Ripper Stingy Eyes?!
Thus, despite Santana easily winning by overpowering the vampire, the perceived value is still compared to Joseph's battle with Straizo.
Especially when facing Santana using his fingers as gun barrels and shooting bullets from German guns into everyone and everything around him.
Joseph, who successfully infiltrated, only used a single hair.
Relying on Ripple to transmit through the fallen hair, the strengthened magnetic field acted like a shield, blocking all the bullets.
Unclear about the later plot, viewers after seeing this test clash might have a sense of the Pillar Man being overrated.
Perhaps the Pillar Man is indeed very strong.
But Joseph, who defeated Straizo, is no pushover either!
In this inevitable battle, who wins and who loses is still uncertain!
And then...
They saw the next episode, witnessing the truly terrifying aspects of the Pillar Man and the reasons why they are superior to vampires...