On the Light Curtain—
The Kasugai Crow's voice was frantic. There was a wound on its wing, the blood beside it already coagulated. This had slowed its flight speed; it had clearly been flying for a very long time to deliver this intelligence to Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"What? Asakusa? Weren't all the demons withdrawn from there?" The moment he heard the news, Ubuyashiki was stunned. Could his previous speculation have been wrong? Had Muzan Kibutsuji not abandoned Asakusa?
Was all the intelligence the Demon Slayer Corps had gathered previously mistaken? And… Shinobu Kocho!
Although her strength wasn't the absolute greatest in the Demon Slayer Corps, as a Hashira, her aptitude was already one in ten thousand. Her power was naturally not to be underestimated.
An ordinary demon would be no match for her, and even a Lower Rank Moon would fall in a single clash. Could it be… that an Upper Rank had made a move?
With this thought, Kagaya Ubuyashiki's expression gradually turned grim. An Upper Rank demon… for hundreds of years, the Demon Slayer Corps had never managed to kill a single one.
"Sister!" Shinobu's plight caused Kanao, who had been silent until now, to cry out involuntarily.
She had already lost one sister who loved her; she could not lose her last remaining one. The consequences of Shinobu being captured by those demons were all too imaginable.
In the next instant, Kanao tried to charge out the door, but just as she was about to leave, the monk-like giant guarding Ubuyashiki's side moved faster, blocking her path.
"Amitabha. Do not be agitated, Kanao. At your speed, you would not reach Asakusa until tomorrow at the earliest. Besides, with your level of strength… it would be futile even if you did."
Closing his eyes, the Stone Hashira spoke the cruel reality, clasping his hands together again as if praying for Shinobu.
Upon learning of Shinobu's capture, the Stone Hashira was also filled with grief. He had been the one to save the Kocho sisters all those years ago. In a sense, he was the one who led them to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
Now, the older sister was dead, and the younger sister's fate was unknown. How could such a situation not fill him with sorrow?
But even in his grief, he had to stop Kanao. Although the Stone Hashira did not trust children, he could not stand by and watch Kanao go to her death.
"..." Staring at Gyomei Himejima, who had suddenly blocked her way, the young girl bit her lip gently. The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, was the strongest swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps, his power far surpassing that of her sister, Shinobu.
Although the Stone Hashira's words were not without reason—her strength would be of no use—Kanao was in no state to listen. Her emotions were not overtly expressive, but that didn't mean she was emotionless. On the contrary… Kanao Tsuyuri was someone who cherished her family.
Otherwise, she would not have chosen to defy Shinobu's wishes and come here to participate in the Final Selection. Even if it meant certain death, she had to go save Shinobu. Even dying alongside her sister was better than doing nothing here.
However, just as Kanao was preparing to force her way out, a voice from the side halted her actions.
"Hey. You just said that the woman named Shinobu Kocho was abducted, not eaten, right?"
The one who spoke was none other than Jotaro. According to what Kagaya Ubuyashiki had just explained, the demons of this world had an intense craving for human flesh. The option of taking someone alive was almost non-existent.
A targeted prey was either devoured on the spot or killed and its corpse taken away to be eaten later.
Knocking someone out and taking them away… this did not seem to fit the behavioral patterns of this world's demons. Besides, Ubuyashiki had just said that the one called Muzan Kibutsuji had withdrawn all demons from the vicinity of Asakusa.
"DIO! This is undoubtedly the work of DIO's subordinates. Has he already started expanding his power base in such a short amount of time?"
Jotaro pulled his hat down low, declaring with certainty that this was DIO's doing. All the clues, combined with his own intuition, told him that Asakusa was DIO's current hiding place.
A feeling deep within made him exceptionally sensitive to anything related to DIO.
"Di… o?" Repeating the name, a hint of fury appeared in Kanao's eyes. Shinobu was her last family. No matter who it was, they would not be allowed to harm her!
"Hey, crow. Do you know where she was captured? Take me there."
Jotaro walked over to the Kasugai Crow, which had collapsed on the table. Since defeating DIO was the reason he was brought to this world, what was there to hesitate about?
DIO was in Asakusa right now. As soon as he knew the specific location, Jotaro could go and fight him to the death, ending this contest of fate.
"..."
However… no matter how many times Jotaro called out, he was met only with silence. The Kasugai Crow lay motionless on the table, having already lost all signs of life.
"Amitabha…" The Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, used his breathing technique and perceived that the crow was no longer breathing. It had completely departed from this world. This caused tears to stream down his face as he clasped his hands together.
Ordinary demons wouldn't bother with an animal like a Kasugai Crow. Did this demon named DIO's subordinates not even spare animals?
Because the wound on its wing had gone untreated for so long, the crow had lost too much blood. It had relied entirely on sheer will to make it here and deliver its message.
Realizing the crow had lost its life signs, Jotaro also stopped calling out. A resolute look appeared in his eyes as he calmly gazed at the bird.
Even though it's not human, does it also possess a Golden Spirit? That level of willpower was unexpected, moving Jotaro to a moment of quiet admiration.
"I will rescue your master, if DIO hasn't already killed her."
Pulling down the brim of his hat, Jotaro made his declaration. Although he had no idea what species this creature was, its golden spirit had clearly moved him. And so… Jotaro would grant it his promise.
---o---
Light Curtain Commentary—
[Iggy]: Is it really worth it to go to such lengths for a human?
In the JoJo world, although the Kasugai Crow was not a dog like Iggy, in the eyes of humans, they were just different types of animals. In Iggy's eyes, humans were unequivocally foolish. He couldn't understand the thinking of the crow that had given its life for them. It seemed highly intelligent, yet it chose to die for humans…
[Ash Ketchum]: Damn it! Not only did they capture Miss Shinobu, but they didn't even spare her partner! A guy like that… is absolutely unforgivable! Absolutely!
In the Pokémon world, Ash, who was on his journey, exclaimed with fury. Pikachu nodded beside him. The thing Ash hated most was people who hunted Pokémon and treated them as tools to make money. Although the Kasugai Crow wasn't a Pokémon from his world, in Ash's eyes, it was Shinobu's partner. Harming someone's partner and causing its death was something he could never accept.
[Robert E. O. Speedwagon]: Indeed! He is truly Jonathan's descendant! Jotaro Kujo… although he hides his emotions, I still saw it! The moment he realized the crow was dead, his eyes changed!
[Robert E. O. Speedwagon]: That was the look of resolve for the future, of anger towards DIO, and of sorrow for the crow's passing! He is not a heartless person, just bad at expressing himself. Like Jonathan, he is a true gentleman!
In the JoJo world, Speedwagon, who was watching Jotaro intently, spoke with excitement. Though it was only a fleeting change in his eyes, it was enough to make all of Jotaro's past delinquencies fade in his mind. He firmly believed that Jotaro was a good person because he was Jonathan's descendant. The gentleman's blood flowing in that man's veins would surely influence every generation of the Joestar family.
---o---
On the Light Curtain—
The scene shifted. In a world of darkness, DIO sat upon a throne. His aura was as cold, mysterious, and powerful as ever. The air around him seemed to have frozen, emitting a white vapor.
The scene was exceptionally terrifying and enigmatic. Before him, Fujiwara was respectfully reporting on his work.
"Lord DIO, the government has been more or less infiltrated. The Emperor, the government officials… they are now mere puppets."
"As of now, the entirety of Japan has fallen into your hands. If you wish to command this country to conquer the world, it would be as easy as turning over your hand."
As he spoke these words, Fujiwara's tone was perfectly calm, without a hint of emotional fluctuation, as if offering the whole of Japan to DIO was the most natural thing in the world.
If such words as "ruling the world" were spoken by anyone else, Fujiwara would have dismissed them as a clown. But coming from DIO, they were a tangible reality of the future.
His master, DIO, was the most powerful and charismatic man in the world. No one was more qualified to rule it.
Gazing down at Fujiwara from the steps, DIO slowly stood up. "Is that so? You have prepared everything already."
As he descended the stairs, DIO began to speak. "A hundred years it has been. Because of the Joestar family, I, DIO, ultimately failed to rule the world."
"But things are different now. My, DIO's, power has reached a peak never before seen in history."
"Without the Joestar family's interference, my speed has been astonishing. Although Jotaro has followed the steps of destiny to this world… his speed is ultimately no match for mine."
"Failing to stop me before I, DIO, took complete control of the Japanese government was your mistake, Jotaro!"
A smirk touched the corner of his mouth. Things like fate were meant to be shattered. The Joestar family would never be able to stop him from ascending to the throne of world supremacy.
The Demon Slayer Corps, Jotaro… without me, DIO, even having to lift a finger, these guys will be eliminated by humanity itself.
There was no one in this world who understood human nature better than DIO. Man-eating demons, demon-slaying swordsmen, public opinion, human nature… when he held all the advantages, if he didn't seize the opportunity, then what was the point of him arriving in this world before Jotaro?
Victory and then domination! That, and only that, was the final goal. As for the methods, the process—none of it mattered.
The one who would become emperor in the end would be me, DIO. It would be me, no matter what. Fate will always be on my side, just as it allowed me to escape death time and time again a century ago.
As he thought this, DIO had never felt so close to victory. Just then, Fujiwara's words interrupted his thoughts.
"Ah, Lord DIO, the first step of your world conquest is complete. For you, who already controls the Japanese government, the so-called civilian organization known as the Demon Slayer Corps, and the lone Jotaro, are nothing but small fry who cannot stir up any waves."
A voice full of admiration rang out. Fujiwara praised DIO without a hint of shame, as if he would unconditionally applaud anything DIO did.
"I have told you many times, Fujiwara. Never underestimate the Joestar family. Must you wait until you have suffered a bitter lesson to take Jotaro seriously?"
DIO frowned as he spoke. He didn't care about anyone else, but the Joestars—he absolutely could not be careless with this family! Caution is the parent of safety. Back then, it was his lack of caution that nearly led to his death at Jonathan's hands. If not for the protection of his own strong luck, he would have been long gone by now.
Faced with a frowning DIO, Fujiwara remained full of respect. "Lord DIO, please do not worry. I am not underestimating Jotaro, but rather marveling at the pace of your progress."
"To conquer the world, one must first conquer Japan. Next is the United States across the ocean. If the United States is conquered, then all the countries in Asia, Africa, and even the Americas will submit to us. Europe, being farther away, is the most powerful, but when your charisma has conquered half the world, the so-called Europe will be unable to cause any trouble…"
"Therefore, Lord DIO, I implore you not to focus solely on the domestic demons, or on the Demon Slayer Corps and Jotaro."
"The path you tread is the true path of an emperor. The world will feel blessed by your arrival."
"Lord DIO, start a war! The world needs you, humanity needs you! As for Jotaro and the Demon Slayer Corps, let them be turned to ash in the fires of war that are about to erupt in Japan!"
His excited voice echoed in DIO's ears. Fujiwara's craving for war resounded. For the first time, DIO realized that this subordinate of his held such high expectations for world domination.
So much so that he wanted him to start a war immediately, to drag the world into a quagmire through conflict, and then rule over it…
---o---
Author's Note:
PS: If you think about it, Demon Slayer itself is a short-to-medium-length manga with a very small world view. Sticking to the original world view doesn't leave much to write about, so I've decided to let myself go wild again. I'm going to do another major overhaul on the foundation of Demon Slayer and flesh out every character!