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Chapter 92. Old Joseph: This Isn't My Fault!
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It must be said that Caesar's accumulated resentment was immense.
Or rather, concerning Jonathan's death in "Phantom Blood," even though Pucci and the others have done their best to explain it, connecting the story's plot with its core and vividly portraying the relentless struggle against fate similar to "The Old Man and the Sea," Jonathan's sacrifice was no longer depicted merely as a tragic youth spent with DIO, an almost fatalistic meaning.
Instead, it transformed into a different kind of unyielding struggle, akin to the Ripple energy emanating from their bodies, a relentless challenge against fate!
But that didn't change the fact of Jonathan's death, did it?
Grievance doesn't dissipate just because it is superficially accepted. On the contrary, it continues to build up inside, waiting for a spark to ignite it.
Therefore, naturally, before Pucci and the others could do anything about the filming of this scene, Caesar, unable to channel his accumulated emotions into something else, directed his anger toward Joseph.
He took the question of why Jonathan had to die and the memories from his character template and turned them into verbal taunts—"You can't even beat this little girl"—attacking Joseph with a series of moves involving a Ripple-powered girl, including choking and leg-breaking strikes!
And against Joseph, who, despite not being familiar with Ripple's weaknesses and lacking any precautions, was defiant, Caesar issued his final warning:
"—Secret Art! Ripple Bubble Launcher!!"
"On my gloves and clothes, every part is prepared with special soap solution to create bubbles!"
"After receiving this attack, go back to the countryside, Joestar!!"
With a clap of his hands, Caesar unleashed countless bubbles from his hands, showcasing his meticulously practiced ultimate technique.
He confidently explained.
Yes, explained.
He aimed to crush Joseph's last shred of pride, making him admit defeat!
So even if Caesar revealed the principle behind his technique, Joseph couldn't possibly figure out how to counter it!
Because the essence of the Ripple Bubble Launcher was never the special soap solution.
It was the superb control required to manage the bubbles created by this soap solution, ensuring they remained intact while being filled with Ripple energy, and the absolute control over the movement and attack of these numerous bubbles.
This was beyond Joseph, who only understood Ripple instinctively and used it based on his intuition!
With Joseph's current level, he would need several decades of training before handling such matters!
In an instant, Caesar's Bubble Launcher, filled with his anger and disdain, surrounded Joseph.
And while Joseph was already battered and particularly targeted in some areas, he was bombarded once again with these relentless, Ripple-powered bubbles!
At this point, even those less experienced than Akiyuki Shinbo could clearly see that Caesar was beating Joseph mercilessly.
He aimed to utterly crush and shatter Joseph's body and spirit without mercy!
Conversely, Pucci and the others, observing this scene through the full-dive device, remained unconcerned.
Despite Joseph's evident disadvantage, it only confirmed the intense sense of crisis and oppression in their confrontation with Caesar.
Just like in "Ultraman Tiga," if Tiga had not been turned back into a statue by Gatanothor, how could the scene where all the children's light gathered evoke such transcendent brilliance in the children watching at home?
This scene was similarly significant for Pucci and the crew.
Rising tension after initial suppression.
A creative method known to anyone who has attended elementary school.
Moreover, wasn't the hope of Joseph's victory always in his hands?
"Hmph, you didn't even faint from the Bubble Launcher? I must give you some credit for that."
Unaware of this detail and only seeing Joseph's miserable state, Caesar indifferently remarked, "But with your Ripple, you can't possibly break my Bubble Barrier!"
"And look, your breathing is already disordered. Just stay inside and suffer a bit!"
Even if Joseph's breathing wasn't yet chaotic from lack of oxygen, it didn't affect Caesar.
As he said, Joseph's Ripple was inadequate.
Not only was his control poor, but his breathing technique was also substandard.
From Joseph's appearance, Caesar knew exactly what level he was at.
Is this what the Joestar family is like?!
With this thought flashing through his mind and Caesar's subconscious, wrapped in an unexplained anger, deciding to extend Joseph's confinement a little longer, he wanted him to fully experience this gradual asphyxiation and helpless struggle.
If the Bubble Launcher really was flawless...
"You'll next say—'Miss, I'm going to lift the Ripple magic on you.'"
Unlike Caesar's imagined panic, Joseph, who saw Caesar's true colors exposed, confidently smiled.
Because in the next moment—
"Come on, Miss, I'm going to lift the Ripple magic on you... What!?"
A pigeon emerged from the mouth of the passerby girl!?
As Caesar leaned in to kiss the girl's lips, she preemptively made contact with him, disrupting his breathing and also dispelling the Ripple energy attached to the bubbles!
Joseph, who counterattacked under Caesar's taunt "You can't even beat this little girl," completed his earlier promise with a victorious smile.
"I'll say it again—'You can't even beat this pigeon!'" Joseph said.
"....."
…
On the other side.
Jotaro Kujo and the others had also arrived in Japan from America.
Under... police escort...
"Hey, hey, hey, this isn't my fault, okay?" Looking at Jotaro Kujo and the others' shifting gazes, old Joseph protested, "It's completely the fault of that person named 'Shinichi Kudo' who was on the same plane as us!"
"..."