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Chapter 176. Partner of Justice
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The ultimate insult.
If this were part of a certain story...
The audience would probably see... Jotaro, bound in chains, locked away deep in the Amazon rainforest where even satellites couldn't detect him.
And as a powerful background music swell, he would face four large men, wearing very little clothing, walking toward him. They would begin to eat hot dogs around Jotaro...
Unfortunately, not every story is as free as that particular one.
At least, even someone with as wild an imagination as Araki-sensei wouldn't dare write such a scene in his own work.
After all, that would be far beyond the realm of a shonen manga~
Of course, the main reason is that Dan doesn't dare treat Jotaro like that.
Indeed, with Joseph as his hostage, Dan could easily toy with Jotaro.
But if he really pushed Jotaro to the edge...
Dan's Stand, [Lovers], which has no real combat ability and can't fight unless it invades a body, would be instantly crushed into paralysis under [Star Platinum]'s powerful fists.
This is why, knowing that Jotaro meticulously recorded all of Dan's wrongdoings in a notebook, waiting for the right moment to take revenge, Dan only dared to punch Jotaro lightly without going any further.
But just because he couldn't deliver the ultimate insult doesn't mean he couldn't do "something" to Jotaro.
As long as Joseph remained his hostage...
As long as his actions didn't cross Jotaro's line and provoke him into a furious rampage...
Then he was invincible!
And Takeuchi Takashi was witnessing this humiliating scene.
It was awful.
It even reminded him of the bad experiences they had in the past.
Those terrible production teams who, after acquiring the adaptation rights to their work and exploiting the IP's popularity, kicked the original creators aside, not caring about how the story turned out.
At that moment, Dan's ugly face seemed to blend with those memories, becoming even more detestable.
But...
"Why isn't he fighting back...?"
Takeuchi Takashi muttered in confusion.
As a supreme scoundrel, though Dan didn't dare lay a heavy hand on Jotaro, he certainly wasn't above instigating others to harm him, testing Jotaro's limits.
For example, taking Jotaro to a jewelry store, ordering him to steal something, then calling the security guards to have them beat him up.
To Dan, this was as easy as breathing.
But despite being wrongfully beaten, why wasn't Jotaro fighting back against the security guards?
Even if Dan had threatened him not to use his Stand...
Jotaro, who could knock out an entire group of people—including boxers—without using his Stand, shouldn't be this weak.
Watching Jotaro spit blood and collapse to the ground, Takeuchi Takashi, already aware of Jotaro's legendary feats from Nasu, was utterly baffled.
If they had this kind of strength back then, they wouldn't have had to endure so much humiliation.
"But that's the charm of JOJO," Nasu Kinoko replied, with a smug "you don't get it, do you?" expression, explaining enthusiastically. "JOJO's fists only hit those who do evil. Facing security guards who were only protecting their property, he couldn't fight back."
"Even though the theft wasn't of his own will, it doesn't change the fact that he stole something. JOJO can beat others up for the sake of justice, but he can also accept punishment for justice!"
[Since your Stand doesn't appear before victims or the law, nor can it be detected, I'll be the one to judge you!]
This was what Jotaro said when he faced Kakyoin, who was controlled by DIO.
And it's when the audience truly began to love Jotaro.
Much like how superheroes captivate people.
It's not just because superheroes have all kinds of cool powers.
But also because they can freely decide, judge, and execute others according to their own sense of justice.
Although it may not sound great, if you think about it legally, superheroes—Batman included—are technically criminals.
In short, it's like a flock of pigeons—everyone wants to be the lead pigeon that directs the others to fly left or right and pick up the first napkin!
What initially drew people to Jotaro was that feeling he gave them!
But Jotaro wasn't just that...
Or rather, much like the idea that only those prepared to be shot have the right to fire a gun, Jotaro, who judges others for breaking the rules, holds himself to the same standard.
That's why he didn't resist. Instead, he accepted the beating from the security guards as "deserved punishment."
"If I had to describe it, JOJO is a partner of justice!" Nasu said, full of admiration.
He was very interested in such "golden spirit" protagonists, those who embody the greatness of humanity.
This was also why he felt he could get along so well with Green Dolphin Studios.
But...
"Jotaro, why are you laughing!?"
That smile again!
In "Stardust Crusaders", Dan, watching Jotaro laugh even while being beaten, angrily shouted, "What's so funny!?"
He hated things that were out of his control!
"Hahaha~~ Nothing, it's just... I'm looking forward to it."
The blood dripping from Jotaro's face did nothing to stop his smile. In fact, it made it even more menacing. "I'm excited… excited looking for the moment when I can teach you a lesson!!"
...
Is this what you call a "partner of justice"?
Since when do allies of justice hold such grudges!?
Takeuchi Takashi glanced at Nasu.
Though he didn't say it outright, he seemed to be implying something like that.
"Well, you know, Takeuchi! There are different types of 'partners of justice'. JOJO just happens to be a bit... unconventional. Probably..." Nasu Kinoko whispered in explanation.