"So… so strong…"
Polnareff couldn't help but cry out in astonishment. This man was merely a helper Jotaro had invited—yet the strength Borsalino displayed was downright unbelievable!
Those Stand users, each terrifying in their own right, were utterly helpless before him.
"The speed is insane… even for a special Stand, this is too much… and that destructive power…"
Kakyoin stared wide-eyed at the massive hole blasted straight through the mansion—so large that the scenery outside was clearly visible.
Given their position, Borsalino had practically punched clean through the entire building.
—
At the very instant D'Arby died, DIO, who had been reclining on a bed draped in tasseled curtains while reading, suddenly frowned.
"Lord DIO?"
Standing by his side, Vanilla Ice stepped forward at once, awaiting the command of the being he worshiped above all else.
"D'Arby is dead. Our guests have given me quite the surprise."
DIO closed the book in his hands. On a face that still faintly retained traces of youthful beauty, a sinister smile slowly formed.
As expected of the Joestar bloodline—even after a hundred years, Jonathan's descendants had not disappointed him.
"Please allow me to eliminate these intruders!"
Vanilla Ice's expression hardened as he dropped to one knee, reverent beyond measure.
Even knowing full well that the enemy was capable of killing D'Arby instantly, he showed not the slightest hesitation.
So long as it was for Lord DIO, even death held no fear.
"They are troublesome opponents… but if it's you…"
DIO glanced at him indifferently.
"Kill yourself, Vanilla Ice. Give me your blood."
To someone as utterly loyal as this, even DIO—a monster among monsters—didn't mind granting a small 'reward.'
Had anyone else heard such an order from the one they devoted themselves to, they would have defected on the spot—or at least harbored doubt.
"As you wish, Lord DIO."
Vanilla Ice did not hesitate in the slightest.
He even found a vessel to collect his blood—then, using his Stand, calmly severed his own neck.
—
After dealing with D'Arby, Jotaro's group bypassed the destroyed staircase and advanced toward DIO's hiding place under Joseph's guidance.
"Hm?"
After only a few steps, Borsalino suddenly stopped.
"Mr. Borsalino?"
Avdol had already fully realized just how terrifyingly powerful the helper Jotaro brought along truly was.
Seeing Borsalino halt—even though Avdol himself sensed nothing—he instinctively raised his guard.
"So… Do you guys like bungee jumping?"
Borsalino asked casually, glancing at the floor beneath them.
They were now on the mansion's middle level. Above them lay the tower where DIO resided.
"What?"
Joseph froze—then felt the ground beneath his feet begin to quake violently.
Before the Stardust Crusaders could react, the floor collapsed outright.
Boom!
Tons of bricks and rubble crashed downward along with the collapsing structure. Kakyoin summoned his Stand to protect his companions, but before Hierophant Green could fully extend, an even greater collapse brought half the mansion down in ruins.
Even Stand users, faced with such a sudden catastrophe, could only prioritize protecting themselves.
"That was close… nearly got killed there."
As the dust settled, only one figure remained where the Stardust Crusaders had been.
Borsalino hovered calmly in midair.
He looked down at the shattered ruins beneath him, speaking with complete ease.
A closer look revealed that his toes were lightly tapping the air, creating tiny bursts of force—minute air detonations that repeatedly lifted his body back up whenever it began to fall.
The movements were so fast and subtle that, at a glance, it looked as though he were simply floating.
"What terrifying body control and explosive force… No wonder D'Arby died at your hands."
From the darkened corridor, accompanied by light, deliberate footsteps, DIO emerged—clad in golden attire, slowly applauding.
D'Arby had his flaws, and he relied too heavily on his Stand, but someone who could kill him instantly was worthy of DIO's personal attention.
And the moment he laid eyes on Borsalino, DIO had to admit—
D'Arby's death was anything but unjust.
Even with DIO's superhuman strength and agility, he had never imagined someone could fly in such a crude, straightforward way—by simply stepping on the air itself.
What kind of physical ability was this?
Especially when those movements were so small they were nearly imperceptible.
Even though this was DIO's first time seeing the Marines' techniques from another world, he could instantly grasp how absurdly difficult such control must be.
"You're DIO?"
Borsalino studied the man standing arrogantly in the corridor with interest. That slightly reclined, utterly self-important posture was—honestly—asking to be punched.
"Tell me your name."
The corners of DIO's mouth lifted into a confident smile.
"You, who could so easily defeat D'Arby, are worthy of having your name known by me, DIO."
And to be fair, DIO had every reason to be confident.
Strength and intellect beyond humanity. Eternal youth and immortality.
All of it was enough to drive countless people mad with desire.
Even a Stand user like Vanilla Ice had willingly sacrificed his life for him.
"Truly… terrifying…"
Borsalino very nearly raised a hand to cover his face.
Anyone who hadn't experienced it firsthand would find it hard to understand just how awkward DIO's presence felt in person.
And the worst part was—DIO himself had no awareness of it at all.
In other words, as long as he didn't feel embarrassed, the one suffering was Borsalino.
"You don't have to say it."
DIO extended a hand toward him.
"Since you followed them here, you must already understand me well. Wealth, authority, power—even eternal life. If you stand by my side, I, DIO, can grant you anything. Tell me—what do you desire?"
DIO trusted only his own power—but he never rejected a truly capable subordinate.
Especially now, when the only one truly worthy under his command was Vanilla Ice, and the rest were nothing but nameless trash he couldn't be bothered to remember.
"I desire milk—"
Borsalino almost blurted out an ancient joke from his past life.
"—ahem. I desire… a worthy opponent."
He caught himself just in time, barely managing to preserve his dignity.
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