Chapter 227. The 20 Meter Radius Emerald Splash
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"So that's why President Cujoh invited the BOSS and us to be actors in this new project."
"Even if BOSS and President Cujoh are related, it shouldn't be through this kind of backdoor, right?"
Abbacchio, after hearing Bucciarati's explanation, nodded as he finally pieced things together, saying, "But now, I think I understand the reason behind all this."
Why did Green Dolphin Studio choose them as actors? And not just that — they didn't even have to audition, as if it were pre-decided that they would fill these roles.
If Green Dolphin Studio were a small and relatively unknown company, looking for a stunt to attract attention by using "former SKE48 members," it would make sense. But for Green Dolphin Studio, which was steadily maturing and already had a well-known series under its belt, that logic didn't apply.
So, why did they get accepted as actors? It wasn't just because of Cujoh Jolyne, who had the final say. Even other members of Green Dolphin Studio, especially industry veteran Akiyuki Shinbo, seemed eager to invite them and have them star in his work. Why was that?
This question had been a mystery to Abbacchio and the other members of Passione, leading them to visit Green Dolphin Studio occasionally, not only as a "pilgrimage" but also because of an underlying sense of unease that drove them to seek answers.
But now…
Abbacchio had found his answer!
"The concept of full-dive filming is likely similar to when we expand territory, inevitably clashing with rival gangs and fighting it out. Only those prepared can succeed, just like only the prepared can act well!"
Seeing Kakyoin in the script world, even the strict Abbacchio had to admit that if Kakyoin were a mobster like himself and ended up as his enemy, Kakyoin would be the toughest opponent he'd ever face. In a gang conflict, Kakyoin might even be the one to defeat him.
With this evaluation in mind and drawing a parallel between "full-dive filming" and gang warfare, Abbacchio finally unraveled the mystery that had puzzled him for so long (though it wasn't quite correct…).
If becoming an actor required this level of readiness, then Passione was indeed the best pool for supplying actors!
However, upon understanding this, Abbacchio didn't feel excitement or pride. If that's what it took to be an actor, they still had a long way to go. For Passione's sake, he had to become stronger and more worthy of the title of an "actor."
It seemed he had misunderstood, viewing full-dive filming as equivalent to gang battles. But Abbacchio silently made up his mind.
…
On the other side, insiders look for substance while outsiders look for spectacle.
Unlike Abbacchio, who had been through harsh and dangerous circumstances and had developed a kind of PTSD from intense scenes, Pucci and others simply found Kakyoin's performance impressive. The reality-virtuality blend, leveraging the unique traits of the chosen actors to keep them constantly immersed, allowed them to release accumulated emotions at the moment of filming — this plan seemed to work!
Except...
"It might be…a bit over the top..."
Watching the screen, which projected the events of the script world through the equipment, Pucci scratched his head as he saw the bursting [Emerald Splash] and DIO appearing on the brink of defeat. "This method may need some improvement."
As an outsider, Pucci's reaction certainly wasn't as deep as Abbacchio's "professional" take. But Pucci had a point of comparison — with the powerful memory aid of two souls, he could clearly recall the frames from "Stardust Crusaders" manga and anime.
The current scene, showing Kakyoin's showdown with DIO, was far more intense than in the original story, perhaps excessively so. DIO, who had been nearly unstoppable before, was now being overpowered by Kakyoin as though trapped in a spider's web, ensnared in [Hierophant Green]'s Hierophant's Barrier.
Too bad…
"Yes! This is the Hierophant's Barrier, which now surrounds you within a 20-meter radius!"
In "Stardust Crusaders", when Kakyoin saw DIO, he finally understood the true nature of DIO's power. After realizing why the [Emerald Splash] could always hit its mark regardless of DIO's evasions, Kakyoin revealed the Hierophant's Barrier to exert psychological pressure: "I can see every move of yours and [The World]!"
[Hierophant Green]'s ability was that it had a malleable form, part clay and part liquid. Due to its clay-like nature, [Hierophant Green] could extend itself into thin threads that were nearly undetectable and wrap around a 20-meter radius. Because of its liquid properties, [Hierophant Green] could release destructive energy like a high-pressure water gun by squeezing and releasing its body.
Unlike a high-pressure water gun with a single nozzle, [Hierophant Green] had no fixed outlet — the entire body could act as one! Combined, these abilities formed the Hierophant's Barrier — a trap that allowed Kakyoin to detect any movement within and unleash [Emerald Splash] to eliminate his enemies.
It was Kakyoin's ultimate countermeasure, devised to confront even [Star Platinum]'s incredible speed, but alas, it wasn't [Star Platinum (Unawakened)] he faced — it was [The World]…
All of Kakyoin's efforts were futile from the start.