Light Curtain Barrage—
Detective Conan: "It's... it's over. Is it finally over? DIO... he can't possibly come back from that, right?"
In Mihanaki, Conan watched the scene on the light curtain and let out a sigh of relief, the back of his shirt soaked with sweat.
He had to admit, the entire spectacle had been nerve-wracking and thrilling, filled with all sorts of reversals and a clash of souls and spirits.
It was truly a satisfying watch for the audience, and the final outcome was gratifying. DIO had finally fallen at Jotaro's hands.
Kasumigaoka Utaha: "DIO is dead, but the price was devastating. The Demon Slayer Corps was basically wiped out, and even Joseph died by his hand. In the end, only Jotaro was left..."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Let's just hope that Jotaro Kujo's Star Platinum: Over Heaven can revive them. The power to overwrite truth should be able to do it, right?"
Ultraman Zero: "Bringing the dead back to life... so many people, it must take a huge toll on him. It's a shame Old Man King can't go there. With his abilities, he could probably do it with a wave of his hand."
On Planet K76, the still-ferocious Zero, having just been thrashed by Leo in the space prison, looked at the figure on a distant mountain peak and let out a "Tch."
Although he'd been defiant at first, he had to admit that, with or without this training armor, that old man could eliminate him with a single thought.
Overwriting reality, reviving the dead—these things weren't simple even for an Ultraman, but for the Ultraman King, they were as easy as eating or drinking.
No one knew the limits of the Ultraman King. So far, aside from the events in that one video, there was nothing he couldn't resolve with his intervention.
Well, whatever, Zero thought. With the old man and Leo here, I can't run and I can't win. I might as well just watch the videos. I wonder who from the infinite multiverse will be featured next? Maybe it'll be me...
Jingliu: "The power to revive the dead... In this universe, I fear only the Aeons are capable of such a feat. What enviable... magnificent power."
In the Honkai: Star Rail universe, somewhere in space, the former Sword Champion of the Luofu, Jingliu, felled a Swarm beast large enough to blot out the sun with a single strike.
As followers of Tayzzyronth, the Aeon of Propagation, the Swarm had once ravaged the entire cosmos. Although they still existed, they were a shadow of their former glory.
Legend had it that Tayzzyronth never truly died, and the Swarm Disaster would one day sweep across the universe again, but... that would be a long time from now.
The current Jingliu had no interest in such matters. Her Mara-Struck state was suppressed while she watched the videos, likely due to the Supreme God who reigned over the infinite multiverse.
Therefore, compared to the ugly insects before her, she was much more interested in the next viewing...
JoJo's World.
DIO watched the scene of himself being blown to bits by Jotaro's punch, his expression exceptionally grim.
No matter what power The World obtained, Star Platinum could perfectly replicate it, and even surpass it. He, the magnificent DIO, a being akin to an emperor, could never truly be Jotaro's equal.
"Damn it... Damn you, Jotaro!! DAMN YOU, FATE!!!"
All he could do now was rage impotently. No matter what he did, his fate was sealed. This was the final end for the villain, DIO...
---o---
Light Curtain Video—
DIO was dead. To prevent the old monster, who had lived for over a hundred years, from reviving again, Jotaro waited.
He waited until the sun rose, until its light fell upon DIO's body, until DIO's remains disintegrated and vanished in the sunlight.
"Now... it's all over."
Adjusting his hat, Jotaro Kujo finally let out a breath of relief in the first light of dawn.
The battle had left him utterly exhausted, having used up his last ounce of strength and spirit. If he had shown even the slightest carelessness in the fight just now, he could have been completely obliterated.
Walking through the desolate streets, Jotaro looked at the city, which had been destroyed beyond recognition, and sighed. It seemed there was still a lot of cleanup work to do.
Given DIO's capabilities, there were likely still many remnants of his forces to deal with. And besides that... the members of the Demon Slayer Corps and the old man needed to be resurrected.
They had all died fighting DIO, so reviving them would not incur the displeasure of the world itself.
If he were to wantonly revive ordinary people unrelated to DIO, it would likely earn the resentment of the world's consciousness.
Jotaro thought to himself. After Star Platinum ascended to Over Heaven, he could faintly perceive the emotions and destiny of this world.
Theoretically, the original path of this world was different from what he had just experienced.
But for some reason, the world was forced to accept their existence, allowing them to carry out their fated duel on its stage.
"Yare yare daze..."
Although he didn't know the specifics, he understood that the world would permit him to revive those who died because of DIO. Knowing that was enough.
"Star Platinum: Over Heaven!!"
As Jotaro's voice fell, his Stand instantly materialized. Perhaps because he had defeated DIO, Star Platinum's Stand energy was now even more potent.
Its muscular and powerful body looked as if it could devour heaven and earth.
Overwrite, activate—Star Platinum's fists bloomed with a purple power, manipulating the very truth of the world.
As a purple light flashed across the sky, golden souls returned from the heavens.
Drop by drop, countless points of light streaked across the sky, dyeing it a brilliant gold. These were the souls of humanity.
Now, under the power of Star Platinum, the souls of the Demon Slayer Corps and Joseph Joestar were gradually returning to their bodies.
The scene shifted to Joseph's body. The corpse, which had been drained into a desiccated husk by DIO, was recovering at a visible rate.
Beside him, others like the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, were also being restored to their original states. This miraculous scene left the audience outside the video utterly stunned.
Of course, just as stunned were those experiencing it firsthand—the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, and the other surviving members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Is this... a god?"
Tamayo's eyes widened. In her centuries of life as a demon, she had never witnessed such a spectacle.
"Wait... Tamayo, your body...?"
The golden light didn't just appear in the sky; it also enveloped Tamayo and Yushiro.
They had been hiding under the eaves to avoid the rising sun, but from this day forward, they would no longer need to fear it.
Their demonic functions were fading away at a visible rate, yet Tamayo's heart was filled with bliss. She could feel that Kibutsuji Muzan's blood within her had vanished completely.
Not only that, but her and Yushiro's bodies were gradually reverting to a normal human state. After hundreds of years in darkness, they could finally stand in the sunlight once more.
"Ugh... what happened? Wasn't I... dead?"
Joseph rubbed his head, which felt like it was about to split open, and climbed up from the ground.
Hermit Purple unconsciously wrapped around his wrist, and Hamon crackled across his body, likely a precaution against DIO.
Just as bewildered as him were the Hashira and the three young protagonists. Aside from the Insect Hashira, all of them could be said to have died once already.
The battle was over. Kibutsuji Muzan was dead, utterly and completely. Because he was used by DIO as a sacrifice to ascend to Heaven, not even his soul remained. Even Star Platinum and The World: Over Heaven would be unable to revive him.
And the threats to this era's humanity—Kars, DIO, and the others—had been dealt with through the combined efforts of the two JoJos. One had become space debris, the other had turned to ash.
---o---
The scene returned to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters. As the grand finale approached, everyone appeared on screen.
The Butterfly Mansion was crowded with people: Joseph and Jotaro, the nine Hashira, the three young protagonists, and Tamayo and Nezuko, who had both become human again, among many others.
"Mr. Jotaro... are you leaving?"
Shinobu Kocho, her vengeance fulfilled, looked at Jotaro with reluctance.
Jotaro was an important benefactor, both to her and to the world.
"Jotaro-san, will we ever meet again?"
Tanjiro's eyes filled with tears, his voice laced with an unwillingness to part.
As the two spoke, a wave of thanks and farewells filled the air. With everything over, Jotaro and the others had to leave.
A happy ending was wonderful, but Jotaro could not stay in this world forever.
After all their hardships, Tanjiro and the others could finally go on to live happy lives. But for Jotaro, his home was not here.
Jotaro used the brim of his hat to hide his eyes. He said nothing, but a close observer would notice that the man's expression was not as resolute as before.
Clearly, he too was reluctant to leave. This was no ordinary parting. Once he and Joseph left this world, they would never be able to return...
"Hey, don't be so gloomy! It's not like this is a final farewell," a hearty voice boomed from behind Jotaro. Joseph walked over with a smile, breaking the somber atmosphere.
In his hand, a camera had appeared from somewhere. It looked quite sophisticated, not like something from this era.
"Since everyone is gathered here, how about we take a photo to commemorate the occasion?"
Holding up the camera, Joseph grinned. He hated sad scenes like this the most.
Jotaro paused for a moment, then said, "I see. That's a good idea for a memento."
Click.
The sound of the shutter echoed. Several group photos were quickly developed into physical form by Hermit Purple's ability.
In that small photograph were the Demon Slayer Corps, the nine Hashira, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Tamayo, Joseph and Jotaro, the trio of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke...
Almost everyone was there. A single small photo carried the weight of the past few months of encounters and emotions.
The exquisite, high-definition photo left many of the members in awe. Jotaro, with a small smile, placed it inside his coat.
And now... it was time to part.
With the world's will permitting it, Star Platinum: Over Heaven used its hands to tear open a gateway back to their own world.
"Farewell, Jotaro, Joseph..."
Waving goodbye to the figures slowly receding into the distance, Joseph and Jotaro stepped into the passage home.
Their fated journey had ended. Although they would most likely return to their original world to face the same enemy, Jotaro, now armed with the power of Over Heaven, was fearless. Even so-called fate could now be shattered by his hand.
---o---
"Jotaro, these people... are they your friends?"
In Japan, after dealing with DIO, Jotaro and Kakyoin Noriaki had returned. Looking at the photo placed next to one of the Stardust Crusaders, Kakyoin asked curiously.
Jotaro simply nodded. "Yeah... just some friends I haven't seen in a long time."
In another timeline, after defeating Kars, Joseph Joestar married Suzi Q. The wedding was witnessed by Erina, Speedwagon, and his mother, Lisa Lisa. And, of course, that blond youth... Caesar.
The ceremony was grand, as befitting Joseph's wedding. And above the altar, a meaningful photograph was displayed.
Though no one knew who the people in it were, it had been placed there at Joseph's request...
---o---
Time flowed on. The camera shifted, returning to the world of Demon Slayer.
Not long after that battle, the Demon Slayer Corps dealt with DIO's remaining followers, and the world's order gradually restored itself under the corrective power of the world itself.
The Demon Slayer Corps, an organization with a history spanning hundreds of years, was finally disbanded at Kagaya Ubuyashiki's behest. Everyone returned to their hometowns and started new lives.
The Hashira, Tanjiro, and the others—they ate together, worked together, married, and had children... They lived what seemed like a normal life, the very life they had once dreamed of.
Just like the ending of every heartwarming story ought to be.
The falling leaves return to their roots... The years passed in peace...
Everything from the past would scatter with the wind.
But Tanjiro and the others would never forget.
They would never forget the invincible young man in the hat, or the brilliant Joseph who always seemed to be joking... The battles they fought together, the time they spent advancing and retreating as one—those memories would be cherished by them forever.
A gentle breeze rustled, scattering leaves. Time flowed on.
A single maple leaf slowly drifted down. It fell, and fell, landing softly upon the group photograph, faded with age but with its memory still clear...
Author's Note:
PS: The second viewing has ended, and with it, the second volume concludes. The word count has reached 600,000. Volume 3 will begin shortly. Thank you all very much for your support and encouragement!
Translator's note: thank you so much!!!