Morioh Central Hospital, special floor.
Unlike the gloomy, rainy weather outside the window, the atmosphere here exuded a hint of... incredible vitality and noise.
"DORARARARARA—!!"
Higashikata Josuke's Crazy Diamond erupted with brilliant diamond light, its fists raining down like a storm, not in battle, but in extremely precise restoration!
Just a few hours ago, he was in a deep coma, his injuries so severe that even the top doctors of the SPW Foundation shook their heads in despair, believing it would take at least another month for him to recover.
However, this morning, as if fate itself had given him a cheat, an indescribable life force surged through his entire body like a tide; broken bones, damaged internal organs, torn muscles... all injuries healed at a speed that defied medical logic!
Even his iconic steak hairstyle seemed to have been injected with extra hair gel, becoming more upright and dazzling than ever!
His hair was originally an ordinary, shriveled steak, but now this steak seemed to have been injected with a large amount of butter, swelling into something like marbled beef, looking thick, juicy, and delicious.
If Kira Yoshikage saw it, he would definitely curse fate for giving them a cheat.
The doctors who witnessed his recovery were perplexed, and after asking Jotaro and confirming that they hadn't used their supernatural abilities to do anything, the doctors first gave themselves a few big slaps to confirm they weren't dreaming.
Then, they wanted to directly cut off some of Higashikata Josuke's flesh, some hair, and collect some blood.
"Mr. Jotaro, Mr. Joseph, in my opinion, with Mr. Higashikata Josuke's recovery ability, taking a pound of his flesh wouldn't be a problem..."
"Get lost." * 2
"Gentlemen, this is a phenomenon never before seen in human history. If this recovery ability could be researched, it would absolutely benefit all mankind..."
"If you say one more word, you can lie down in the Hospital bed next to us."
"Hmm, what did you say just now? I remember you mentioned some research, and now it's fully funded by the SPW Foundation, right?"
"Alright, I'm leaving now."
But in the end, the doctors who wanted to take some body tissue for experiments and write papers all chose to give up after a discussion with Jotaro.
They felt that Jotaro was absolutely right; humans should not be desecrated in this way, every piece of flesh and blood should be respected, and it was better to respect Higashikata Josuke's body. (Actually, he didn't say that)
Mr. Joseph's words were even more profound, and they remembered every single word.
"Yare yare... This recovery speed, it's as if he used Crazy Diamond on himself."
Kujo Jotaro leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a rare relaxed curve on his lips beneath the brim of his hat. Watching Josuke full of life, his constantly tense nerves finally relaxed slightly.
"Okuyasu! Don't move! Just a little bit more!" Josuke, drenched in sweat but invigorated, shouted at the howling Nijimura Okuyasu.
He was currently treating Da Congming's injuries, but Da Congming was running around, forcing him to chase after him while pounding his wounds with Crazy Diamond.
He was like a wild monkey who had just gotten a banana, running around trying to peel it, only to find the peel glued shut. He was flailing his arms and legs, and constantly protecting his arm bound in a cast.
"But it's so itchy! Josuke! Super itchy! Hahaha— Ouch! Hahahahahahaha!"
Okuyasu grimaced. As his arm was enveloped by Crazy Diamond's punch-wind, twisted bones and torn ligaments reconnected and healed at a visible speed. The tingling, intense itch made him almost jump.
Even if he bumped into something and sustained some new injuries, he couldn't help but keep laughing wildly. Especially his left hand, for some reason, became increasingly painful and itchy, yet he felt very comfortable and stimulated.
His left hand was exposed and unharmed... In just a few minutes, the thick cast was completely repaired and removed. Okuyasu incredulously moved his arm, which was as good as new, and even felt stronger and more powerful than before.
"Wow! It's really healed! That's amazing, Josuke! Are you a monster?!"
Okuyasu shouted excitedly, almost slamming his fist against the wall to test his strength, but was glared back by a look from Jotaro. Then he waved his left hand, and his left hand had also miraculously become stronger.
That terrifying strength was the same as his right hand, and it seemed... his Stand had also changed?
"Next, Koichi!" Josuke didn't stop, turning to the still somewhat listless Koichi Hirose.
Echoes ACT2 flew worriedly around Koichi.
Josuke's fist gently landed on Koichi, the diamond's light softly flickering, not to heal the body, but to soothe the mental trauma and fatigue left after being controlled and frightened by Heaven's Door.
A warm power flowed through his entire body. Koichi's previously somewhat vacant eyes quickly regained their sparkle, the panic on his face receded, and he returned to being the nervous but courageous young man he was.
"I... I feel much better! Thank you, Josuke!"
Koichi stood up excitedly, instantly much more energetic. He widened his watery eyes, looking at his friend, Higashikata Josuke, and bowed deeply.
The yandere girl who came to visit also expressed her gratitude, bowing to Higashikata Josuke. Although the cinderella incident hadn't happened yet, Koichi was still unwilling to accept her.
But healing her beloved still made her very grateful, and Koichi turned to look at her, with something more in his gaze.
These past few days, this girl, who had previously made him feel terrified and perverted, had been visiting him and taking care of him. For some reason, he had a different feeling now... "Yosh! Everyone revived!" Josuke put his hands on his hips and laughed triumphantly, as if the astonishing healing just now was merely a warm-up.
He could feel that his Crazy Diamond had become much stronger, as if it had been given a cheat. Although his mental state hadn't changed, his Stand had become stronger, even transforming from only being able to heal the body to being able to heal the mind.
"You're too loud! You brats! Hospitals need quiet!" A booming but undeniably weak voice came from the doorway of the Hospital room.
Joseph Joestar sat in a wheelchair, pushed in by SPW Foundation staff.
Although he still looked somewhat old, his complexion was much better than before, and he looked a bit younger. At this moment, he was glaring at the boisterous juniors, but deep in his eyes, there was unconcealed relief and... a hint of envy.
Seeing Joseph enter, and Tomoko Higashikata entering with him, Josuke fell silent.
Tomoko Higashikata was carrying many lunch boxes, probably brought for the recently recovered injured.
The Hospital room was briefly quiet, with only the patter of rain outside the window.
Higashikata Josuke stretched his recently healed shoulder, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Joseph, who sat in the wheelchair, looking somewhat fatigued.
He then looked at his mother, who stood beside the wheelchair, leaning on Joseph with a loving expression.
He pouted and muttered in a low voice: "Hmph, this old man... is quite resilient."
Although the sound was not loud, it was exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Jotaro frowned, he pressed down the brim of his hat, looked at Josuke, and said in a deep but undeniably serious voice: "Josuke."
"What?" Josuke retorted subconsciously, his tone still carrying the awkwardness of a rebellious teenager.
In his opinion, Joseph Joestar, although his father, was only his biological father. This guy was just an irresponsible scumbag.
He had never seen him before, and this was the first time he had seen him. Although he still wanted to persuade himself to accept this father, the first time he met him, he saw him in an intimate relationship with his mother.
Thinking back to the difficulties his mother had faced raising him alone all these years, he still couldn't help but get angry. Even if Higashikata Josuke was gentle, it was the same. If he had met Joseph by himself, he might have been able to accept him, but in this situation, he really found it hard to accept.
Upon hearing Josuke's voice, Tomoko Higashikata's expression immediately flared up, and she wanted to say something, but Joseph stopped her.
Jotaro's gaze shifted to Joseph, his tone calm but imbued with power, "These past few days you were in a coma, Grandpa came every day.
Even with the lockdown outside, and even with his own physical inconvenience, he would have the SPW Foundation staff push him over and sit by your bed for a long time."
Josuke was stunned for a moment, the impatience on his face fading slightly, but this was not acceptance, but rather an attitude towards his mother and Jotaro's persuasion.
Because no matter what, his mother and Jotaro were very good to him, and he couldn't lose his temper with them.
Jotaro continued, his voice steadily narrating the facts, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes, "He tried several times to use Hermit Purple for spirit photography, even when mentally exhausted, hoping to find some clues.
The nurses said that several times they saw him fall asleep by your bed, leaning against the wheelchair, because of mental exhaustion, he simply fell into a coma."
After hearing this, Higashikata Josuke looked at Joseph's weak appearance again, and vaguely understood something.
'It seems he still cares about me, his son. Even though he's an annoying old man, he is my father after all...'
"Alright, alright, then I'll treat his old arms and legs. Maybe he can live for two more years."
"You brat! Who are you calling old arms and legs!" Joseph cursed, but didn't resist in the slightest, allowing Josuke's life-filled fists to gently fall on his aging body.
"Hmm hmm hmm, if I take good care of myself, maybe I can live longer than you!"
"Great, living long is good, living long is good. I'm done treating you."
Hermit Purple's vine-like aura spontaneously spread out, seemingly becoming a bit more solid.
Joseph hummed comfortably, feeling his perpetually cold limbs warm up. Although it was far from the abnormal recovery level of Josuke and the others, it was enough to greatly lift his spirits.
"Hmph... still somewhat useful."
The old man turned his head and muttered softly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up. Higashikata Josuke also observed this detail.
And Tomoko Higashikata shook her head helplessly, realizing she might have affected the father-son relationship. "I forgot my cane, I'll go get it for you."
She turned and left the room. About ten minutes later, when she returned with the rather useless cane, she saw her son, full of life, still "massaging" Joseph's back, and beside him, the lively Okuyasu and the revitalized Koichi.
Tomoko was stunned.
"This is wonderful... truly wonderful..." She rushed forward, embracing Josuke tightly, and couldn't help but cry.
"Hey, hey! Mom! It's embarrassing! And I'm busy!" Although Josuke complained, he still gently hugged his mother back, a conflicted tenderness on his face.
Joseph looked at the embracing mother and son, then at Okuyasu and Koichi, who were grinning foolishly beside them, and finally his gaze met Jotaro's.
Jotaro nodded slightly at him.
A silent warmth and a solid bond flowed through the Hospital room. Although he didn't know what was going on, Higashikata Josuke ultimately accepted Joseph as his father, just as he had before.
After all, the old man and his mother had already reunited, which was a fact, and dwelling on the past was meaningless.
"Alright, alright, Tomoko, stop crying. Look at what a good son I've brought you!"
Joseph tried to break the overly emotional atmosphere, his tone becoming playful again, "He causes more trouble than I did back in the day, but he's also a better fighter than I was! Haha... cough cough..." He laughed too hard and almost choked, but the smile on his face was still very pleasant.
"Old man! Could you please say less!" Jotaro sighed helplessly, reaching up to adjust his hat.
"I can't believe how you managed to defeat the guy you called a god when you were young?"
Tomoko Higashikata broke into a smile through her tears, wiping her eyes. Her gaze towards Joseph was complex, but ultimately transformed into relief and understanding.
She opened the insulated box, which contained the dishes she had carefully prepared. "Everyone hasn't eaten yet, right? I made a lot, let's eat together."
The brief, happy family atmosphere dispelled the gloom of the past few days.
However, beneath the joy, the sense of urgency had not disappeared.
Jotaro walked to the window, looking at the rain that still hadn't stopped outside. Josuke's miraculous recovery was incredibly good news, but the crisis had not been resolved.
"So," Jotaro's voice pulled everyone's attention back to reality, "'Kira Yoshikage' is dead. He died from a pre-set bomb self-destructing inside his body, leaving no remains." He repeated this conclusion.
The SPW Foundation staff reconfirmed the news and added: "The PSD is preparing to close the case, public opinion has also begun to calm down, the bombings have indeed stopped, and the American side has already acknowledged this result, announcing that it was the work of an Islamic terrorist organization."
"Yare yare daze..." Jotaro pressed down the brim of his hat, "Everything is too 'perfect'."
He simply didn't believe it; these coincidences were too perfect, and combined, they were absolutely impossible.
Coupled with the fact that the opponent had suddenly weakened and then been captured, he had reason to suspect that this was a scapegoat.
Of course, the most crucial factor was that after searching Kira Yoshikage's house, they had not found the Arrow.
"Mr. Jotaro is right!" The revitalized Koichi immediately agreed, "That manga artist, Kishibe Rohan! He definitely knows more! His ability is too terrifying..."
Josuke also put away his smile and clenched his fists, "Whether he's truly dead or faking it, a Stand User who goes around killing people in town..."
"I will absolutely not let such a person get away!" His heart was filled with endless fury towards this evil Stand User.
Okuyasu waved his newly healed arm: "That's right! And my brother's revenge! We must drag that secretive guy out and beat him to a pulp!"
Koichi was stunned for a moment, "Ah, Okuyasu, what does this have to do with your brother?"
"He knew Otoishi Akira had the Arrow, so he must be with him, and he's also my enemy. Although my brother is a damn bastard, I'm still going to give him a good beating."
Joseph mused, "My spirit photography is still being interfered with, as if covered by a thick fog.
The opponent either has the ability to interfere with predictions, or... there's a power of fate helping him conceal himself."
He glanced at Josuke, implying something. Josuke's absurd recovery speed, was it not a kind of favoritism from fate?
"Then this shouldn't be the influence of fate, it should be the opponent's Stand ability."
Jotaro walked to the table in the corner and picked up the sealed bag containing the broken book pages.
"Even if the information is fragmented, there must be a pattern. The SPW Foundation's technical department can't analyze it, but that doesn't mean we don't have other methods."
His gaze was sharp as an eagle's, "We need to change our approach, or, 'visit' that manga artist again."
He would not give up. His companions had recovered, their fighting spirit reignited. No matter how deeply the opponent hid, Kujo Jotaro would never stop the pursuit.