"Rohan-sensei?"
"Oh, Josuke? I heard from Okuyasu that some mark appeared on his hand—he ran off to find Jotaro-san."
"I'm curious too, so I was about to go see. Could be a Stand attack, after all."
Koichi answered Rohan Kishibe's call with practiced ease.
"On my hand? No, nothing here. Rohan-sensei, you're asking because... you too...?"
He could hear Rohan's unsteady breathing, a tension that wasn't normally there.
"Listen carefully, Koichi-kun. Josuke and I have gotten tangled in something extraordinary."
"World-level extraordinary. This goes way beyond a simple Stand attack."
Rohan clutched the Dragon Ball in his palm, explaining slowly.
"EH?!!"
Koichi was stunned. He knew Rohan sometimes joked around, but on serious matters, the man never lied.
Like that time with the Stand that rode on his back—he'd been dead serious then too.
"Go find Josuke first. I'll join you later."
"Got it, Rohan-sensei."
Hanging up, Koichi's expression darkened. He looked in a certain direction—and broke into a run.
"This is really bad."
"If Morioh Town gets dragged into something like this on top of everything else... it'll never end."
No one understood the significance of "Dragon Ball" better than manga artist Rohan Kishibe.
Those orbs could destroy planets and revive every human on Earth—true miracles.
Once people who'd read the manga found out, even powerful Stand users would scramble to seize them.
Immortality... Limitless wealth...
Becoming the strongest Stand user...
Few could resist such temptations.
Even Rohan felt his hands itching.
If he won, he'd wish for the power to traverse worlds—letting him explore places he'd never seen and draw manga fueled by endless inspiration.
The "reward" was too massive to ignore.
If even the composed Rohan felt this way, what about a delinquent like Josuke? The kid was probably already fantasizing about striking it rich.
"I don't know how these things appeared..."
"But if they're real, I need to act."
He manifested the magic circle engraved in his mind, right there in the hall. Stroking his chin, he examined the strange ritual.
"Summoning by compatibility should still produce a decent Servant."
"But using a famous catalyst enables designated summoning."
"Then again, even historical figures might not surpass Stand users."
This wasn't arrogance—it was a conclusion he'd reached through logic.
"Wait... if I place a manga volume on the array, who could I summon?"
"What about a *Rurouni Kenshin* tankōbon?"
"The Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū protagonist could definitely crush other Masters..."
Arms folded, Rohan pondered.
"!"
But before he could decide, the crimson array on the floor reacted on its own—responding to his very thoughts.
"Hey—!"
...
"Hmph. Interesting."
"I feel like singing."
"Don't get in my way!"
"Hoho, that's *my* line. But for now, we're 'companions' on the same side—aren't we?"
A blond, muscular man and a pink-haired man with spotted skin exchanged barbed words aboard a private jet.
'I'll kill you when this is over!'
'I'll finish you off when this ends!'
Outwardly cordial. Internally, both plotted the other's death.
The pink-haired man was the shadow boss of an Italian organization. The moment the ritual selected him, he'd slipped away from his subordinates and rushed toward the "battleground."
His summoned Servant wasn't entirely obedient—but he acknowledged the other's strength.
They despised each other, yet both remained wary of the other's Stand ability.
Still—each was certain he would emerge victorious!
Their gazes clashed briefly, minds thinking the same thing.
There can be only one Emperor...
And that is him—Diavolo/DIO!
...…
"Oi, oi, oi!! Jotaro-san, listen to me!"
Face unreadable beneath the shadow of his cap, Jotaro watched Josuke ramble on, unsure how to respond.
Chosen by some mysterious ritual?
Win and get a wish granted?
How was he supposed to believe something that sounded straight out of a manga?
But when Josuke produced an orange bead dotted with stars, Jotaro froze.
"Josuke. Let me see that."
"Huh?"
"What's wrong, Jotaro?"
Old Joseph eyed his grandson's sudden shift in demeanor.
"How can something this absurd exist...?"
Jotaro turned the bead over in his hand, expression darkening.
"Eh? Star Platinum—wait, Jotaro-san, what are you doing?!"
"ORA!!!"
Without warning, Jotaro summoned his Stand. Josuke yelped in shock—but Jotaro ignored him, tossing the bead into the air and commanding Star Platinum to unleash a barrage.
"ORA ORA ORA!!!"
"Whoa—amazing! It took all those punches from Star Platinum without a single crack!"
Josuke's panic gave way to awe as he stared at the unscathed Dragon Ball.
"It's real."
"Old man... something more troublesome than Yoshikage Kira just dropped on our laps."
Jotaro caught the falling orb and rendered his verdict.
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"This is called a Dragon Ball—from a manga. Gather seven, and you can grant any wish."
Jotaro recalled chasing *Dragon Ball* in his youth, the memories surfacing unbidden.
He explained its origins to Joseph and Josuke.
"I see... Manga fiction invading reality, along with some inexplicable war."
"Anyone who knows the legend won't let this opportunity pass."
"Morioh Town's about to get chaotic again."
Joseph murmured softly. He could already imagine how many people would go mad chasing this.
"Hehe—doesn't that mean we *have* to participate?"
"Hold on... Josuke, what are you doing?"
"Oh, there's info saying if you use the right catalyst, you can summon a similar Servant—so..."
"If I use Jotaro-san as a benchmark, can I summon another 'invincible' Servant?!"
"Here I go, Jotaro-san!!"
"Wait—"
"Hey!"
"I announce—!"