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Chapter 164. Sacrifice and Being Sacrificed
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What happened?
That was the "Emerald Splash!"
By using the destructive energy formed from the fluid of [Hierophant Green], it shoots out like a high-pressure water gun, a skill Kakyoin is particularly proud of.
Even Jotaro.
When he wasn't paying attention at first, he was pushed back by the impact that accompanied the destructive energy!
Polnareff was no exception either.
In just an instant.
Unlike Hol Horse, who had to be cautious in every move, Kakyoin had no such concerns and attacked Polnareff without any hesitation!
Polnareff had no chance to defend against Kakyoin's sudden assault.
Because of this, Kakyoin's attack landed on Polnareff before he could even react.
In a way that not only Hol Horse couldn't predict but neither could Polnareff or even the audience watching.
The attack knocked Polnareff out of Hol Horse's encirclement!
Without giving Hol Horse any time to react.
Kakyoin stomped on the car's accelerator, speeding away with Polnareff, who had fallen to the ground.
This was Kakyoin's solution.
It was the path of hope created by the "Emerald Splash!"
However, it wasn't enough...
Although Kakyoin's unexpected actions temporarily took them out of the [Emperor]'s range.
And with Hol Horse's speed, he couldn't catch up to a speeding car.
But J. Geil and his [Hanged Man] were still pursuing them!
Unless they uncovered the true nature of [Hanged Man]'s Stand ability and expelled him from the mirror world...
They would never defeat J. Geil.
And there was another issue.
Could Polnareff still control himself?
Twice now...
Once because of his sister's death, and then because of Avdol's death.
Polnareff, unable to let go of these deaths.
As long as he remained like this, he was a ticking time bomb.
A bomb that, under J. Geil's manipulation, would eventually explode with a "boom!"
This was the real challenge Kakyoin faced.
Yes.
This battle with the enemy Stand users...
It was never a 2 vs. 2 fight alongside Polnareff, nor was it now a 2 vs. 1 fight after leaving Hol Horse behind.
From the beginning, it was a 1 vs. 3 or 1 vs. 2 fight!
It was Kakyoin alone, not only dealing with J. Geil but also worrying about when Polnareff, the ticking time bomb, would explode!
Even Avdol's death couldn't calm Polnareff down.
How could they believe that Polnareff could stay calm now?
"And if he can't do that, Polnareff will never notice the true Stand ability of [Hanged Man.]"
"You must have noticed this too, right, Sister?"
While watching the content of "Stardust Crusaders", Sora asked Shiro next to him, "What exactly is [Hanged Man]'s true Stand ability?"
"Light."
Shiro answered concisely.
"As expected of Shiro! I thought I might figure it out faster this time, though the answer is a bit straightforward..."
Sora said regretfully.
When they first saw [Hanged Man] appear, even though he opened the window in the mirror, the real window didn't follow.
It seemed that [Hanged Man] inside the mirror world, couldn't interfere with things outside the mirror, just as others couldn't interfere with him inside.
But later, when [Hanged Man] reappeared and used his ability...
Contrary to the first time, he was not only able to attack Avdol from the mirror world but also hurt him!?
This was a completely different display from before.
Sora and the others became suspicious of [Hanged Man]'s true ability.
After ruling out the possibility that it was a bug in "Stardust Crusaders".
And based on subsequent events, they ruled out the idea that [Hanged Man]'s ability was directly related to mirrors.
Only one possibility remained—
J. Geil did it on purpose!
And not just once.
The first time he appeared...
And when he deliberately provoked Polnareff after killing Avdol...
He always tried to create more glass shards.
As if, without those shards, he couldn't attack Polnareff.
"But that's clearly wrong."
"When [Hanged Man] assassinated Avdol, it wasn't that complicated. Plus, Hol Horse accidentally revealed that [Hanged Man] fears fire—or rather, he fears fire destroying the mirrors."
"When you combine that with the fact that mirrors reflect light and the basic knowledge that mirrors reflect objects due to light, [Hanged Man]'s ability becomes quite simple—"
"His real form is just a reflection of light in the mirror! That's why he can chase down a speeding car! That's why he pushed Polnareff to create more reflective surfaces, and why he's afraid of the [Magician's Red] burning the mirrors!"
Even though this theory differed from Sora's comment in the live chat.
When Polnareff encountered [Hanged Man] again.
And this time, with fewer reflective objects like mirrors.
Using the vision he honed through years of sword training, he finally saw the true form of [Hanged Man]'s Stand ability!
But...
"Hahaha, what will you do now? Will you stab this cute little boy's eyes, Polnareff?" laughed [Hanged Man].
What difference does it make if his true ability is exposed?
[Hanged Man]'s Stand ability is invincible!
Although the desolate area limited [Hanged Man]'s ability, eyes still reflect light!
If Polnareff, once again, loses control of his rage.
If he stabs the boy's eyes for revenge as instructed.
Not only would he cause conflict between himself and Kakyoin.
But once J. Geil possesses Kakyoin's pupils again, the irrational Polnareff would attack Kakyoin, leading them to self-destruction!
So go ahead and stab!
Isn't this what you want, Polnareff?
Then do it—stab and abandon all your moral boundaries, Polnareff!!
This is the true essence of his Stand, the [Hanged Man], symbolizing the sacrifice from the tarot card!
However, this sacrifice refers to the sacrifice needed by those who encounter him!