Chapter 220. The Same Trick from a Hundred Years Ago
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Of course, Pucci was already impatient.
And the mystery from the original OP was beginning to be gradually revealed within the storyline of "Stardust Crusaders".
The entire story was now entering the climactic final battle with DIO.
And this made it all the more exciting.
But surprises are only fun when they are revealed at the last moment, right?
Even Studio Kamikaze, when they were modifying the new OP...
Or rather, when they were not just adding a few new scenes, but upon hearing Pucci's ideas for the new OP, they were stunned by his incredible vision.
Of course, they weren't satisfied with merely adding a few scenes.
They wanted to make it so that the new OP, from the very first frame, would let the audience feel the change!
Even those who initially intended to skip the OP, impatient to wait for the change, would notice it from the very first moment and be drawn in, watching it all the way through without skipping!
This essentially meant remaking the OP from scratch.
Naturally, this wasn't something that could be completed quickly.
So, even with all the excitement...
Pucci had no choice but to hold back his anticipation.
They continued using the original OP, airing the rest of the "Stardust Crusaders" episode that hadn't finished in the last one.
This episode continued from Polnareff's victory over Vanilla Ice.
Now, Polnareff, having barely treated his own wounds, found himself face-to-face with DIO!
In the previous episode of "Stardust Crusaders", the ED track, "Last Train Home", stole the spotlight, following the sacrifices of Avdol and Iggy.
But, of course, as audience members, no one forgot the cliffhanger at the end of that episode!
Now, after a week of anticipation...
Curiosity about DIO, the ultimate final boss who had once again returned...
And having seen "Phantom Blood", fans were eagerly waiting for Jotaro and the others to finally beat DIO to a pulp.
They were even more eager to know: What exactly is DIO's Stand?
What kind of Stand could make someone like N'Doul praise DIO as a savior?
How did Boingo, who possessed the absolute prediction Stand [Thoth], believe that after so many twists of fate, only DIO could put an end to Jotaro and his group's journey?
And how had DIO, this vile creature worse than gutter filth, gathered so many Stand users under his command, even turning someone like Vanilla Ice, with his space-manipulating Stand, into a fanatical devotee?
All of this was finally about to be revealed!
However...
"Hmph, hahahahaha. Well, I'll give you one chance."
Faced with Polnareff, who was determined to take DIO's head as a token of their reunion, DIO, in "Stardust Crusaders", calmly extended a finger and, with a dismissive smile, said, "If you take two steps back down the stairs, I'll take you back as my ally."
"Otherwise, if you're tired of living, then..."
These words seemed absurd and made little sense.
Surely DIO didn't still think Polnareff was the same as before?
Polnareff had just fought Vanilla Ice, even risking his life to protect his comrades.
How could he possibly be too scared to take even a single step?
Clearly...
"There's a trap!" Sora, watching, declared confidently. "There's definitely a trap!"
As a long-time fan of "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure", having followed it since "Phantom Blood"...
How could Sora not be familiar with DIO's character?
DIO's words were either lies or attempts to justify his crimes.
For example, when Jonathan found out DIO was poisoning their father, DIO tried to guilt-trip him with, "Are you doubting our friendship?"
And when all his plans were exposed and he was about to be arrested by the police, DIO used similarly vague words to buy time, attempting to launch a sneak attack on Jonathan at the last moment!
In this scene...
DIO's trick hadn't changed in a hundred years.
The familiar sight stirred memories of the past, and Sora could already picture DIO launching a sneak attack on Polnareff.
As for whether Polnareff would fall for it?
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
These deceptions might work on someone as kind-hearted as Jonathan...
But with Polnareff carrying the spirits and hopes of Avdol and Iggy on his shoulders, there was no way he'd fall for such a simple trick!
Which meant...
Were they really about to see DIO's sneak attack fail, with Polnareff beating him to tears?
Or perhaps they were about to witness the infamous moment where Polnareff's sword penetrates DIO, and DIO retorts that the wound is dirtier than a frog's piss?
The more Sora thought about it, the more excited he became.
However, the events that followed didn't quite align with his expectations...
…
"The first time I met you, I was utterly terrified of the terrible curse and immense evil you carried. From that moment, I was nothing more than a beaten dog. It was worse than death!"
Polnareff was speaking about his experience being controlled by DIO's flesh bud.
But it was precisely because of this that he had met Jotaro and the others.
Now, he had completely overcome his fear of DIO.
All that remained was the anger and determination to avenge his fallen comrades!
Just a single step down the stairs?
No matter what tricks DIO had planned, Polnareff, now united with the spirits of Avdol and the others, would never again be deceived by him!
...Everything seemed normal so far, right?
From Polnareff's words to the aura of resolve surrounding him.
But...
"I see, Polnareff. You truly do want to be my ally after all."
And then...
Polnareff... fell down the stairs!?