Chapter 35: The Invincible Combination Technique
Logically speaking.
Given the precision of [Hermit Purple], whenever Joseph attempted to use spirit photography to uncover matters related to DIO, he would be subjected to interference from a similar Stand possessed by DIO himself.
This resulted in photographs that barely contained any critical information.
Even the Nile High Fly—the insect Shirou Emiya and the others had painstakingly identified to trace DIO's exact location—was rendered useless once DIO sensed his position had been exposed.
He quickly performed his own spirit photography to discover the cause of the leak and subsequently blocked Joseph's method of "following the vine to find the melon."
As for whether DIO actually changed his location after it was compromised...
To be honest, even Joseph didn't have much confidence in that.
They could only rush to Egypt and hope to defeat DIO before he decided to leave.
(PS: Trivia—the first house DIO stayed in was actually found by the SPW Foundation early on. The photo Joseph later produced was actually of the new house DIO moved into.)
Yet, in this very situation, while Joseph was helping Polnareff with a routine spirit photography session, a Marauder's Map-like location—which shouldn't have appeared—manifested clearly on the originally blank photo!?
"It's a trap, isn't it?"
"Obviously, it's a trap."
"But even if we say that, Polnareff isn't in the mood to back down now."
Watching Polnareff take the photo with a wild, laughing grin, Shirou Emiya, who had walked over to Joseph's side, spoke alongside Joseph with a shared sense of helplessness.
As for stopping Polnareff...
If they actually dared to deviate from the course to avoid the coordinates marked on that photo, Polnareff would genuinely dare to jump off the ship. Even if he had to swim hundreds of kilometers across the ocean, he would make it to that spot.
"Still, I can't figure out DIO's objective for doing this."
Moving past that point—or rather, since they couldn't stop Polnareff's revenge, Joseph decided they might as well see what tricks DIO was playing. Taking a temporary detour would help Polnareff settle his score and thin out the number of DIO's Stand-using subordinates.
He asked with some doubt: "Emiya, do you think DIO is the type of person to be fair and square?"
"No, DIO could never be that kind of person," Shirou Emiya replied quickly. "To use the words of Mr. Speedwagon, whom you are familiar with, Mr. Joestar—
DIO, who gives off a stench worse than vomit, is undoubtedly a natural-born evil, a villain through and through.
As long as he achieves his goal, the result, the process, and the methods don't matter.
Victory and then domination—that is what DIO truly desires."
With memories of a past life, Shirou Emiya's summary was incredibly accurate.
Added to that was the fact that he had listened to the stories of DIO and Jonathan as bedtime stories since childhood.
Furthermore, the previous ambushes by DIO's subordinates, like Gray Fly, served as prime examples of the truth in those words.
Joseph nodded repeatedly in agreement: "I was just thinking, I haven't gone senile enough to forget the things Grandpa Speedwagon told me back then.
But if that's the case, for DIO to openly send us a challenge like this..."
Joseph took out another blank photo for spirit photography.
But this time, the development only showed trivial, irrelevant information.
It was nothing like the photo of J. Geil, which had clearly displayed a location.
It was as if the only information Joseph was allowed to see was J. Geil.
As for anything else?
Where were DIO's other Stand users?
Were they all staying with J. Geil?
What was DIO's intention for leaking this specific info to them?
All of that was a total blank.
However, simply having this location exposed was already extremely useful for Shirou and the others.
In the original JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders, what was the reason Jotaro and the others were always caught in bitter struggles?
Aside from the Stands that were genuinely, excessively powerful, most of it was due to being suddenly ambushed by DIO's subordinates in locations that were disadvantageous to them.
Once DIO's Stand users lost the advantage of hiding in the shadows, could they actually beat a "stat monster" like [Star Platinum] in close combat?
Or could they defend against the fire bombardment of [Magician's Red] at a distance?
As long as the location where the enemy would appear was confirmed, Jotaro and the others wouldn't even need to go inside.
They could just have [Hierophant Green] search out the enemy's position from afar, then let [Magician's Red] hurl a few fireballs in.
Basically, very few Stand users could survive that combination technique.
Joseph didn't believe for a second that DIO didn't understand this logic.
So, what was the purpose behind this exposure?
"Soldiers to block the general, water to be covered by earth... Mr. Joestar, there's no real point in overthinking it right now."
Shirou Emiya chimed in: "Besides, the worst-case scenario is simply that DIO, who possesses a Stand ability capable of instantly wiping us out, is waiting for us at that location.
But even if DIO didn't set this trap, we would have to face him eventually, wouldn't we? It's just a matter of sooner or later."
"..."
Shirou's words made Joseph fall silent.
Even Jotaro and the others, who had followed behind them, said nothing.
Because DIO's Stand ability had already been "spoiled" by Shirou Emiya.
That included the methods on how to deal with that ability.
But even now, Jotaro Kujo still hadn't found even a shred of a clue on how to grasp that specific power.
"Anyway, Jotaro, you go and prepare those items that might help you comprehend that Stand power. As for us..."
Joseph clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention: "We'll go see exactly what DIO wants to do by exposing this location of his own accord."
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