Chapter 54: You Can Be a Savior Too

What has happened to this world, to allow such formidable beings to exist? The mind of the demon, Kishirou, was still rooted in the days of the Warring States, uninterested in the development of human civilization and oblivious to news reports. This is the price one pays for ignoring the changing world—it simply cannot keep up with the times.

The energy gathered on JOJO’s arms was now even more intense, with bursts of white light streaming from his wrists. This sight horrified Gaan Q, who desperately searched for a way to respond. Suddenly, it remembered that this silver giant had just saved a human. At once, Gaan Q looked down at the ground, channeling a wave of psychic power at Shuuzo.

“My descendant! Hand over your power!”

A purple psychic force enveloped Shuuzo, trying to pull him up toward Gaan Q. But at this moment, Shuuzo’s body flared with golden light from his jujutsu, resisting with all his might. “You monster! Don’t even think about it!”

With Shuuzo’s constant struggle, the purple psychic force failed to lift him, and Gaan Q quickly changed tactics. Turning its gaze to JOJO, it threatened with a fierce but hollow voice, “Don’t come any closer! Or I’ll kill him!”

Seeing JOJO halt, Gaan Q was delighted—until it heard JOJO’s resigned words.

“Can’t you have some dignity, instead of this?”

“Star Platinum!”

The familiar name rang out, and before Gaan Q could react, the gigantic Star Platinum appeared before it in a flash!

“ORA!”

With a single rising punch, Gaan Q’s psychic grip was shattered and the beast was sent flying into the air. Star Platinum pursued, unleashing a barrage of fists, each leaving afterimages in their wake.

“ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!”

It all happened in an instant—Gaan Q’s body had no chance to respond. Only one thought crossed its mind: ‘It’s that one from before! So fast! What on earth is this!?’

“Aaargh!”

As JOJO dismissed his stand, Gaan Q finally let out a howl of pain. Ultramental energy surged through his arms as he raised them to form a cross.

A rainbow-hued Specium Ray erupted forth!

Empowered by Ultra psychic force, the multicolored ray crashed into Gaan Q’s body! Not only was the beam’s power enhanced, but its disintegrating properties were also vastly increased. Gaan Q’s entire form turned to dust, first appearing as fine ash, then swiftly disintegrating until not even a trace of bone remained.

The abrupt turn of events left the XIG members, who had been watching the whole time, blinking in disbelief. They couldn’t see Star Platinum, so they had no idea what had just happened.

JOJO dispersed the energy from his arms, nodded toward the Lightning Team, then soared into the sky and vanished.

“Is it over already?” Kaji felt as if he’d missed something crucial. As an ace pilot, his eyesight was excellent, and he’d clearly seen Gaan Q fly inexplicably into the air while threatening JOJO. It looked as if something had pummeled it, but he hadn’t seen a thing.

“JOJO always deals with enemies so swiftly. It’s oddly reassuring,” came Dikei’s sigh over the comms, before he issued instructions. “Lightning Team, return to base.”

The Peace Carrier flew over to Lightning Three, retrieved it, and began heading back to the aerial base.

On the ground, Shuuzo craned his neck to watch JOJO disappear into the sky, muttering with dawning realization, “So, you’re JOJO Ultraman.”

No one else could see Star Platinum, but with his jujutsu abilities, Shuuzo could. Unlike in the TV show, he hadn’t lost his powers to the demon Kishirou.

“Young man, it seems you’ve stumbled on quite a secret,” came Jojo’s voice from behind Shuuzo, as he placed a hand on the boy’s head.

I, Meng, stood to the side, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Shuuzo spun around, his face alight with excitement. “I won’t tell anyone, I promise!”

Seeing his idol-worshipping expression, Jojo ruffled Shuuzo’s hair. “Remember what I told you. You might become a savior one day.”

A little praise can fill a child’s life with vigor. In the face of future difficulties, recalling this moment might give him the courage to overcome anything.

“I can do it? Really?” Shuuzo’s small face was aglow with excitement.

Jojo encouraged him firmly. “Of course you can! Use your power wisely, keep a kind heart—that’s what makes a savior.”

“I understand!” Shuuzo nodded with conviction.

Jojo wasn’t exactly lying; Shuuzo possessed extraordinary abilities, and his future was bound to be bright.

With the matter settled, it was already late. Jojo turned to me. “Meng, can I trouble you to take Shuuzo home?”

“Leave it to me,” I agreed, feeling a wave of relief. I’d worried Shuuzo might reveal Jojo’s identity, so it was best if it remained a secret.

Jojo ruffled Shuuzo’s hair again, and the blue gem on his wrist gleamed. In a flash, he teleported away.

“He’s gone!” Shuuzo’s eyes widened in awe. “That’s incredible!”

I clapped him on the shoulder with a smile. “It’s late. I’ll take you home now.”

After what we’d been through together, we were a bit more familiar with each other. On the way back, Shuuzo couldn’t help but ask, “Takayama, why don’t you have any powers?”

“Who says I don’t?” I protested, a bit miffed. “My powers just haven’t awakened yet!”

“Really?” Shuuzo seemed to be coming out of his shell, joking with me. “But you seem kind of weak. You don’t make me feel as safe as Jojo does.”

With that, he darted ahead, grinning mischievously.

“Stop right there!” I chased after Shuuzo, feigning annoyance. “How dare you look down on me, you little rascal!”

As we teased and chased each other, Jojo had already returned to the Takayama residence, slipping into bed before ten. Only Fujimiya was still up, probably dragging Daniel into planning how to deal with Crisis.

Letting his body rest, Jojo’s consciousness skillfully entered subspace. The old sage was still nowhere to be found, but Jojo, having learned to rely on himself, no longer bothered to wonder if Noah was playing a part.

That saying was true—other people’s skills are always theirs; only when you master them do they become your own.

By that logic, couldn’t other people’s TV shows become his own as well? Meng and Fujimiya probably wouldn’t mind.

With these thoughts, Jojo stepped into the training ground, selected his skills, and began to practice.

As his sparring partner’s form began to take shape, he was surprised to find that this time, it seemed to be a human.

Wait—no! This man is—!