Dimensional Chat Group: Speed-o'-Light

"Then let me, DIO, be your opponent. Once you witness my power, you'll understand that your place is by my side!"

DIO chuckled softly, unfazed by Borsalino's current display of "arrogance."

In the past, he'd encountered plenty of promising individuals like this. Once he, DIO, revealed his true power and made them submit, their loyalty would follow naturally.

Moreover, those who had witnessed his real strength often became the most devoted followers—just like Vanilla Ice.

"Three percent? Five percent? Never mind, let's start with one percent..."

Borsalino held up his hand, making a few vague gestures before finally raising one finger toward DIO.

BOOM!

In an instant, Borsalino appeared in front of DIO, who was sent flying down the corridor and embedded in the wall at its farthest end, his body spread out in the shape of a star.

From start to finish, the only contact Borsalino made was with the tip of his raised finger, brushing against DIO. The sheer speed and overwhelming power were unmatched. Even DIO, with his time-stopping ability, failed to react in time to the strike.

Simultaneously, a series of tremors and crashing sounds echoed from the lower levels of the mansion. It was likely that Jotaro and the others had encountered Vanilla Ice.

For most Stand users, having their Stand's ability revealed typically spelled defeat.

But there were always exceptions—Stands so overwhelmingly powerful that knowing their abilities didn't make them any easier to counter. Vanilla Ice's Cream and DIO's The World were prime examples.

The only way to defeat such opponents was to wait for them to expose a weakness themselves.

Of course, if one had strength as overwhelming as Borsalino's, the nature of the Stand's ability became irrelevant.

"ZA WARUDO!"

DIO, still embedded in the wall, raised his head, his face dark with anger as he activated his Stand ability to halt time.

As a vampire, DIO possessed immortality, allowing him to recover from even the most grievous injuries.

Even DIO had to admit that he had underestimated this mysterious opponent.

Jumping down from the dented wall, DIO bounced lightly on his feet a couple of times. Then, lowering his gaze to his chest, he noticed the wound where Borsalino's finger had pierced him—already healing at an astonishing speed.

DIO glanced briefly at his rapidly healing wound before disregarding it entirely. Counting down the remaining time in The World's time stop, he strutted toward the audacious young man who had dared to defy him, his steps resembling a cat's graceful gait.

Borsalino's face, frozen in time, maintained its usual faintly amused smile.

After observing for a moment, DIO mimicked Borsalino's gesture, raising a finger and lightly pressing it against the young man's chest.

Three!

Two!

One!

As time resumed its flow, DIO surged with power, intending to return Borsalino's earlier strike with equal force.

"In this world where time stops, only I, DIO..."

Before DIO could finish, the arrogant expression on his face twisted into one of sheer astonishment.

His full-strength attack was capable of shattering steel plates four centimeters thick! While using just a finger couldn't unleash his full destructive potential, it was more than enough to kill a human being.

But to DIO's utter shock, as his finger made contact with Borsalino's chest, a sound like metal clashing against metal rang out.

Clang!

It felt as though DIO had just jabbed his finger into a solid block of steel—no, something a hundred times harder than steel!

"That was close. I almost died just now..."

Borsalino, unfazed, glanced down at the finger pressed against his chest, not even surprised by DIO's sudden proximity.

"You… you're not normal!"

After a brief silence, DIO abruptly leapt backward, creating distance between himself and Borsalino, his face darkening with suspicion.

Countless thoughts raced through DIO's mind as he replayed Borsalino's every move since the Star Crusaders had invaded his mansion.

DIO was no mindless brute who relied solely on his Stand ability or vampiric power. Even as a human, he had demonstrated exceptional intelligence, creativity, and adaptability.

"Aren't you going to attack me again? It looks like your subordinate won't hold out much longer," Borsalino remarked casually, glancing at the collapsed ruins below.

Despite Vanilla Ice's formidable strength and Stand ability, he was struggling against the combined onslaught of the Star Crusaders. With his Stand's abilities already revealed, his defeat seemed inevitable.

If not for the Star Crusaders' cautious approach, they likely would have already defeated their opponent by now.

"If he falls here, it only proves he was never worth much," DIO remarked coldly. While he had rewarded Vanilla Ice's loyalty with eternal life, he had no intention of making futile efforts to save a defeated subordinate.

Only victors were worthy of following in his footsteps. Besides, as a vampire, Vanilla Ice wouldn't die so easily.

DIO was confident he could deal with this troublesome opponent in front of him before Vanilla Ice was defeated.

Yes, troublesome.

Although Borsalino's displayed strength had caught him off guard, DIO remained assured of his ability to overcome any foe.

In the world of stopped time, no one could be his equal.

"How ruthless—discarding your subordinates the moment they lose their usefulness," Borsalino said with feigned disappointment. Indeed, DIO lived up to his title. Treating his followers as nothing more than expendable tools.

"Only by achieving continuous victory can one earn the right to stand by my side!" DIO retorted with a sneer. The weak had no value in his eyes. If they couldn't recognize that simple truth, no matter how strong they might be, they were doomed to fall behind.

With that thought, DIO abandoned any further attempts to recruit Borsalino. Someone incapable of understanding his greatness wasn't worthy of being his follower.

"Heh…"

Borsalino remained unfazed, extending a second finger this time. Seeing this, DIO wasted no time activating his Stand's power.

"ZA WARUDO!"

As the Stand ability activated, time came to a halt once more.

However, DIO was just a fraction too slow. The moment time stopped, Borsalino was already in front of him again.

BOOM!

Even in the frozen flow of time, DIO was once again sent flying down the corridor.

It was the same position, the same angle—but this time, the force that struck him was doubled. The solid wall behind him couldn't withstand the impact, crumbling as he was blasted through, leaving a gaping hole.