No, Kars wasn't defeated yet!
Joseph and Kujo Jotaro, still on screen, were unaware, but the audience outside the light curtain had their hearts in their throats.
What kind of joke was this? That was magma! What creature could possibly swim in magma? Such a being couldn't possibly exist in this world!
---o---
Light Curtain Barrage—
Yukino Yukinoshita: "This... even this couldn't finish him? How is this possible? Not even the molten rock that symbolizes the Earth itself can defeat Kars?"
In the world of My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, Yukino ripped the reference book that stated "no living creature can withstand the high temperature of magma" to shreds. It was an emotional outburst, but she no longer cared.
Detective Conan: "This isn't scientific! He's a living organism, so why can he withstand the heat of magma? How did Kars do it?"
At his elementary school desk, Conan decried the lack of scientific explanation. This Ultimate Lifeform was far too much of a cheat. What possible way was there to defeat him now?
Kars: "Hahahaha! Yes! This is it! This is the true power I, Kars, have pursued my entire life! After conquering the sun, am I now to conquer the Earth as well?"
If you had to ask who was happiest right now, it would undoubtedly be the Kars from the Battle Tendency timeline. When he saw that even after becoming the Ultimate Lifeform, he was still thrown into magma by that damned power called a Stand, Kars had almost thought his time was up.
But as expected of himself, not only did he conquer the sun, but he also conquered the Earth. In that world called Demon Slayer, there was no longer any being that could defeat him.
The Overseer of Schicksal: "Although I anticipated it, this is still beyond imagination. Kars... in a sense, he has already become the god of that world. Indestructible, unbeatable..."
On the lab screen displaying Kars's status, Otto could see at a glance how Kars had managed to escape the magma. While marveling at the feat, he also pondered the predicament of Joseph and the others.
If Schicksal could intervene, even a being as powerful as Kars would be no match for Durandal. But... how could Joseph and Kujo Jotaro possibly defeat such a powerful and intelligent creature?
---o---
On-screen—
Due to Kars's actions, Mount Fuji, which had been dormant for a century, began to stir violently once more.
Mount Fuji was an active volcano. Over its million-year history, it had erupted countless times.
Now, after an unknown number of quiet years, it was reawakened by Kars. The crater began to crack, and black gas billowed above the summit.
The magma within churned like a tsunami, a terrifying power brewing deep within the mountain.
All signs indicated that this eruption would be far more catastrophic than any previously recorded in Japan. Once it began, the devastation would be absolute, likely rewriting the very map of the nation.
Joseph and Kujo Jotaro were currently running for their lives, but how could human speed compare to the forces of nature? Seeing the magma about to surge, Kujo Jotaro quickly turned his head to Joseph behind him.
"This is no good! We'll both die if this continues! Gramps, hold on to me! Star Platinum can jump straight down from the summit!"
The words had barely left his mouth when a spray of fresh blood splattered across Jotaro's face. In his shocked gaze, the camera panned to Joseph.
"Aaaargh!!!" The instant Joseph tried to flee the crater, a brilliant beam of light shot out from the lava. It was Kars's Light Mode. Joseph's pupils froze like the hands of a stopped clock, and he stood completely stunned.
Kujo Jotaro's jaw dropped. He stared in disbelief at the brown figure emerging from a fissure in the lava. That form... there was no mistake. It was Kars!!!
Ayiyayiya~~~
The unique BGM played once again. Kars, standing under the sun, emerged like a general returning from a conquest of hell. He leaped from the lava, landing in a cool pose, one knee down and torso upright.
And the blood... it was Joseph's. His left hand had been instantly severed by the blade of light. It flew into the air, tracing a tragic, blood-soaked arc.
"Urgh... AAAAAAAAAARGH!!!" The intense pain and the reality of his lost arm made Joseph let out a horrific scream. He desperately clutched his left arm as blood gushed out like an open faucet, a truly gruesome sight.
Meanwhile, Kars's brown shell gradually fell away, revealing skin that had been turned a lustrous gold from the carbonizing heat of the magma.
His demonic yet magnificent form was once again displayed before Kujo Jotaro and the audience.
Seeing the discolored Kars, Kujo Jotaro couldn't help but tremble, his eyes filled with a murderous glint—a sign of extreme rage.
Although he was used to the elderly Joseph's mechanical hand, and although he had faintly guessed that Kars was the one responsible for his grandfather losing that arm, seeing it happen with his own eyes, seeing his grandfather's hand severed so effortlessly, filled him with a rage that was difficult to describe in words.
In some ways, Kujo Jotaro was very much like Joseph. One of those ways was their deep devotion to their family. Right now, Jotaro wished for nothing more than to use Star Platinum to tear Kars to shreds!
However... Kars paid no mind to the enraged Kujo Jotaro. Joseph was his true enemy. The others were merely food. His eyes were fixed on Joseph and Joseph alone.
"JoJo," Kars said, crossing his arms. He tilted his head back, letting the sunlight wash over his face. "How delightful. That sound is so beautiful. Scream more wretchedly for me!"
"Urgh—aaargh!!" The pain of his severed arm left Joseph unable to process Kars's words. The agony forced him to his knees, and the shocking amount of blood he was losing even stained the molten rock on the ground red.
As if enjoying beautiful music, Kars was exceptionally calm. A captivating smile played on his lips as he slowly advanced with a cat-like grace. "You know, I've always wanted to hear you scream like that, JoJo."
"KARS!!!" An enraged roar sounded beside him. Kujo Jotaro lunged forward. He would not allow his grandfather to be humiliated by the enemy before his very eyes.
Fueled by Jotaro's fury, Star Platinum seemed to grow a size larger, its muscles more defined, its power even greater. A blow from this would injure even the Ultimate Lifeform.
"The power of a Stand?" But to his surprise, Kars just sneered dismissively. He stood his ground, waiting for Star Platinum's attack. Under the watchful eyes of the audience, a miraculous power erupted from within Kars's body.
Then, Star Platinum's furious punch was caught firmly by a pair of hands, unable to move an inch. What is that? What could possibly stop Star Platinum's power?
The audience's eyes widened. They stared in disbelief at what was behind Kars—a purple body, flowing hair, a form that was half-real, half-ethereal.
Was that... Star Platinum? Was that Kars's... Stand?
In that moment, everyone, from the audience outside to Kujo Jotaro whose attack had just been blocked, was utterly thunderstruck.
Two Star Platinums filled their vision. Kars's was clearly stronger than Jotaro's. Not only was it a size larger, but it had also effortlessly blocked Jotaro's rage-fueled punch. It had to be that Kars's spiritual energy, accumulated over ten thousand years, was far greater than Jotaro's.
"ORA!!"
The invincible battle cry rang out, but this time, the audience felt no excitement. Because it wasn't Kujo Jotaro who had launched the attack. It was Kars. Kars, the Ultimate Lifeform!
Though he tried to block with his own Star Platinum, Kujo Jotaro was sent flying by a single punch from Kars's version. Soaring through the sky, Star Platinum merged with Jotaro's body, and through it, he finally understood how Kars had survived.
Just as he was about to be completely consumed by the magma, Kars had activated his abilities, covering his body in a shell like that of a crab or a mollusk. But even that was a biological material and couldn't withstand the thousand-degree heat; it melted in an instant.
But... Kujo Jotaro finally understood. The material of the shell had been arranged into a foam-like structure. This created a layer of air between the magma and his body, acting as insulation. And even if the outer layer burned away, as long as he continuously generated new foam from within, he could survive for several minutes even in magma.
Dammit, this guy... he's that smart? He used his knowledge of biology to its absolute limit!
And... even more terrifying... this guy awakened a Stand! And it looks exactly like Star Platinum!
No... that's not right. It's not just a copy of Star Platinum, it's an evolved version! Not only does it look the same, but it's even stronger!
The Ultimate Lifeform... possessing the traits and abilities of all living things, both the species and the individual... Could it be that this guy!!
As if struck by a revelation, Kujo Jotaro's face was a mask of shock. Kars hadn't just awakened a Stand—he had taken Jotaro's own Stand and made it his. As the Ultimate Lifeform, he theoretically possessed every Stand that a living being could awaken!
As long as his opponent was a Stand user, he could copy their Stand and even make it stronger, because with his immense spiritual power, he could master any Stand, including Star Platinum!!
Clenching his fists so hard his knuckles turned white, Kujo Jotaro's hands began to tremble. His expression was grim. He, who had always been indomitable, nearly invincible, now felt a psychological state he had never known before when facing the Ultimate Lifeform: fear.
The Earth gave birth to life. And miraculously... Kars had even conquered the Earth!
"That guy... he has the power of all living things, and now he has a Stand. Is he a god? That guy... has completely become a god!! There's nothing that can beat him anymore. Not the old man, not me, not the entire world. Humanity... is doomed!!"
As he spoke these words, a cold sweat broke out across Kujo Jotaro's body. He was starting to despair, an emotion he had never experienced in his entire life. He... had already lost.
"..." Kneeling nearby, Joseph heard Kujo Jotaro's words. He mumbled something under his breath, his body stirring slightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hah? What did you say just now, JoJo? What was that?" Kars smiled mockingly, cupping a hand to his ear in a taunting gesture.
Just then, Joseph's face contorted into a snarl. "Take this! Hermit Purple Hamon Overdrive!!!"
Ignoring his severed left arm, Joseph spun around. His right hand shone with a dazzling, purplish-gold light. This was his final counterattack. Humanity could never surrender!!
"Heh. A combination of Hamon and a Stand." Kars didn't even think of dodging. He simply turned his head to look at the attack that was about to hit him.
THWACK! Kars reacted in an instant, swatting away the Hermit Purple Hamon. He then brought a knife-hand down, striking Joseph's right arm from below.
"Hamon Overdrive? And Hermit Purple??"
An even more wretched scream tore from Joseph's mouth, but he endured the blow through sheer force of will.
He was sent flying into the air, tumbling before crashing back to the ground. He stared in shock at Kars's hand, which was now wrapped in Hermit Purple and crackling with Hamon.
"Gramps!!" Kujo Jotaro cried out, his face a mask of anguish.
Kars, however, simply brushed his bangs out of his eyes with a casual air, a cold, indifferent smirk on his face.
"My... my wound... my wound is melting!! This is a Hamon attack! Dammit! Dammit, dammit, dammit!!" Joseph cried out in anguish, looking at his dissolving right arm.
"That's right!" Kars laughed. "This is Hamon. And you relied on this Stand to amplify your pathetically weak Hamon, didn't you?"
Raising his left hand, Kars displayed the entwined Hermit Purple for all to see, then pointed at the fallen Joseph. "You fool!"
"Even the sun has been conquered by I, Kars! Humanity's so-called Hamon and Stands are child's play for me to master! Hahahaha—"
Kars laughed boisterously, the mockery in his eyes as he looked at the two JoJos plain to see.
"And let me tell you, judging by the effects, whether it's a Stand or Hamon, the power I can unleash is far greater than yours! Can your Red Stone do that? Hahaha—"
Cold sweat poured down Joseph's forehead. He looked at the steam rising from his wound and the raw, red flesh. Kars's Hamon, enhanced and then amplified further, was now powerful enough to liquefy and even vaporize flesh.
"How does it feel, Hamon warrior? To be on the receiving end of a Hamon attack?"
"Aaaargh!!" The agonized scream seemed to be his answer.
"Good, good. A fine answer. For that, I'll give you a quick end." The smile never left his lips.
Kars's figure grew larger and larger in Joseph's pupils. He was really going for the kill. He was about to die.
"Gramps!!!" Kujo Jotaro shouted in despair, his heart filled with grief and fury.
"No... it's no use. It's hopeless. The volcano didn't kill him. I'm done for. I'm going to die. I'm completely done for!!"
Joseph seemed to have accepted his fate. He had done everything he could to stop Kars, but he had failed. Perhaps this truly was what they called destiny.
Quietly awaiting his death, Kars's eyes seemed so cold to Joseph, like a demon from hell.
Kars slowly walked over until he was just half a meter from Joseph. His body began to glow with a golden light.
With a wicked smile, Kars spoke with delight. "So this is the breathing method, supplemented by the power of a Stand. Marvelous... truly marvelous. A perfect way to send a Hamon warrior like you into the black abyss of death!"
With his back to the sun, Kars abruptly spread his arms. He arched his back, and a red afterimage burst from his body. It was the power of Hamon, pushed to its absolute limit, surpassing the combined Hamon of every warrior in history, including Joseph!
"As I thought! Hamon is indeed the most fitting!" Kars pointed a finger, and the Hamon emitted from its tip was already far beyond Joseph's limit, a level he could never hope to reach in his entire life.
"JoJo, now melt away! Flow into the bottomless valley of death!"
Kars's words were like the whisper of a demon from hell, telling the mortal Joseph that there was no escape.
And Joseph, in his despair, gave no answer. He simply stared, unblinking, at the approaching Kars. There was no fear of death on his face, only... an endless calm.
Yes, I'm going to die. I'm sorry, Granny Erina, Grandpa Speedwagon. Right... and that boy who calls me 'Gramps'. Kujo Jotaro, right? Even though you don't want to admit it in front of me, I figured it out a long time ago. You, kid... you're my future grandson, aren't you!
In his despair, Joseph thought of many things: his family, his friends, even the wife and daughter he had never met.
Perhaps it was the instinct to survive, perhaps it was the guidance of fate, but for some reason, his right hand suddenly picked up the Red Stone that had fallen beside him at some point, and held it up against Kars's terrifying Hamon blast—
A miracle... was about to happen...