'Stopped time is going to be a major headache...'
'Saber, finish them off as quickly as possible!'
Yoshikage Kira delivered the telepathic command to Itachi Uchiha with a cold, focused intent. He adjusted his tie, his gaze narrowing as he surveyed the opposition: Okuyasu Nijimura and Koichi Hirose stood at the front, with Josuke Kujo and the mysterious maid looming behind them.
He hadn't expected their move to be this aggressive. To think they would arrive at his office building to blockade the entrance within mere hours of their last encounter... it was a development that threatened the peaceful life he so desperately craved.
If he had known it would come to this, he would have brought that "Cat" with him.
The combination of the stray cat's abilities and [Killer Queen] provided an offensive versatility that was difficult to match.
'...'
Itachi Uchiha stood within the crimson aura of his burgeoning Stand, his eyes scanning the battlefield as he processed the available intelligence.
Time acceleration.
Localized temporal suspension.
Temporal regression.
Every capability displayed by their Caster was inherently superior to his own arsenal of Ninjutsu.
With his traditional Sharingan Genjutsu proving ineffective against their specific brand of power, he found himself in a fundamentally reactive position.
In an environment characterized by manipulated time, the probability of any standard Ninjutsu finding its mark was dangerously low.
He might not even be able to perceive his opponent's movements effectively.
The Sharingan granted exceptional insight, and the Mangekyou pushed that perception even further. However...
Time acceleration was a different conceptual beast entirely compared to mere physical velocity.
High speed could be countered with reflex. Accelerated time was an "Irrationality" that defied standard logic.
Perhaps only the legendary [Hiraishin no Jutsu] of the Fourth Hokage could hope to compete on such a level.
Furthermore, his [Amaterasu] could be systematically "Repaired" by Josuke Kujo's Stand, and his [Tsukuyomi] was functionally neutralized by Rohan Kishibe's prior modifications to the battlefield's rules.
Therefore, Itachi's remaining tactical options were remarkably constrained.
If he wanted to end this quickly, his best course of action was to manifest the [Susanoo] immediately.
But the drain on his ocular power would be staggering. Even with the magical energy provided by Yoshikage Kira's contract, he wouldn't be able to sustain the form for an extended duration.
"By the power of this command spell!"
"Saber!"
Kira, perhaps sensing Itachi's hesitancy, didn't hesitate to expend one of his precious Command Spells.
'!'
Empowered by the sudden surge of raw energy, Itachi instantly manifested a skeletal ribcage of crimson light around himself.
The aura expanded rapidly, enveloping Yoshikage Kira within its protective embrace.
"Is this the 'Magical Giant' that Rohan mentioned?"
"Stay sharp. We don't know what it's capable of yet."
Josuke stared up at the towering, semi-transparent construct with a flicker of genuine trepidation.
Purely from an aesthetic standpoint, the thing was gargantuan and utterly terrifying.
"Heh! He's a big one, I'll give him that. But I don't care where he hides! I'll scrape him out of there regardless!"
Okuyasu stared up at the half-bodied giant, his initial surprise quickly giving way to a surge of belligerent confidence.
"What is... what even is that?!"
Koichi felt a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. He quickly summoned [Echoes] into a defensive stance, his eyes darting between the giant and the man standing within its chest.
But the attack had already begun.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
A series of high-pitched whistles cut through the air as Sakuya unleashed a cloud of throwing knives. The projectiles blurred as they streaked toward Kira and Itachi with impossible velocity.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The knives struck the surface of the [Susanoo], but they failed to find purchase. Instead, they were deflected harmlessly by the Stand's energy-reinforced skin, clattering to the rooftop in a heap of useless steel.
"The defensive layer is formidable. Ordinary attacks won't penetrate it."
If she had targeted a human without such protection, they would have been reduced to a pincushion in a heartbeat.
"I see... so your sword is part of this giant as well?"
Sakuya observed the massive, ethereal blade gripped in the giant's hand, her mind beginning to piece together the nature of Saber's manifestation.
Itachi didn't bother to reply. He was never one for unnecessary banter.
Every word spoken was a potential "Leak" that the opponent could exploit to gain a tactical edge.
In Itachi's worldview, unless communication was functionally required, silence was the only objective choice.
"Scatter!"
Itachi swung the massive crimson blade in a wide, sweeping arc. Josuke, Okuyasu, and Koichi reacted instantly, diving into low rolls across the rooftop.
BOOM!!
The edge of the building was sheared away like paper, and the floors below began to groan and buckle under the weight of the shockwave.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! That destructive power..."
Josuke found a stable footing and looked back at the jagged crater left in the masonry.
He didn't even need to imagine what would happen if that blade caught him cleanly.
This wasn't a fight that could be won with standard Stand-to-Stand combat.
'This is going to rely entirely on Okuyasu's offensive capability.'
The group coalesced, their movements unspoken as they formulated a basic pincer strategy.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Suddenly, Itachi raised his hand within the [Susanoo], and several [Shuriken] were hurled from within the ribcage.
The projectiles seemingly multiplied in mid-air, a dizzying array of spinning steel hurtling toward the four companions.
Before any of them could even blink, Sakuya touched the pocket watch at her waist, slowing the flow of time to a crawl.
'Projectiles?'
The [Shuriken] were moving at incredible speeds, but in this dilated state, the group could easily track their trajectories.
They adjusted their positions, creating wide gaps for the spinning blades to pass through.
WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
Time resumed its normal pace, and the [Shuriken] sailed harmlessly through the gaps they had created.
"Hmph."
At that exact moment, Yoshikage Kira permitted himself a thin, predatory smile.
'Could it be?!'
Josuke caught sight of Kira's expression, and his eyes darted back to the [Shuriken] that had just reached the center of their formation. A cold sense of dread flooded his chest.
"Those objects... [KILLER QUEEN] has already 'touched' them!"
CLICK!
"Too late!"
BOOM!!!
The planned outcome manifested with brutal efficiency. The proximity of the [Shuriken] meant the subsequent explosion enveloped the entire group in a cloud of fire and smoke.
Even Sakuya hadn't anticipated such a seamless synergy between the two Servants.
Drip...
"My hand!"
"[CRAZY DIAMOND]!!!"
As the dust began to settle, Only Josuke showed signs of injury, his sleeve soaked in crimson. The others had somehow avoided the worst of the blast.
"Hmph. You repaired yourself already?"
"I suppose I really should have prioritized you as the first kill, Josuke Higashikata."
Kira's voice was tinged with irritation as he saw the group surviving the ambush.
If Josuke wasn't there to act as their "Anchor," Kira could have ended the war in half a dozen different ways by now.
Whether as a Stand user or a Master, the boy was proving to be a persistent thorn in his side.
"Josuke!"
"I'm fine... Caster managed to shield me from the brunt of the blast."
Aside from a bit of temporary disorientation, the injuries were minor. Josuke's voice was low and dangerous.
"But we need to stay alert. [Killer Queen] never manifested to touch those. How did he turn them into bombs?"
The group recalled that Kira's ability required a physical contact from his Stand to designate a target as a bomb.
Yet Itachi had simply thrown the [Shuriken]. There hadn't been a single glimpse of [Killer Queen]. How had they exploded?
It was this lack of understanding that had led to their momentary lapse in vigilance.
"Saber, use that."
"It's a drain on your reserves, but with the support of the Command Spell, you should be able to sustain it."
"This time, I want Josuke Higashikata dead. Do not miss."
Kira knew he couldn't afford to give them any more breathing room. Okuyasu Nijimura's ability was a fundamental threat to their physical integrity.
Even the power of [Susanoo] couldn't "Defend" against a space that no longer existed.
Itachi nodded slightly, his hands moving into a series of complex seals.
POOF! POOF! POOF! POOF!
Four clouds of white smoke erupted around the giant, and when they cleared, four identical copies of Itachi Uchiha were standing beside the original.
"Hey! What gives?! Now there's five of them?!"
"Is it some kind of illusion?"
"Stay calm, Okuyasu! It's likely just a diversionary tactic..."
"The attack is coming! Watch out!"
Before the group could even process the emergence of the clones, Itachi swung the [Susanoo]'s blade again.
The strike was calculated to split the area, creating a physical barrier of rubble that separated Josuke and Sakuya from Okuyasu and Koichi.
'He's trying to isolate us!'
Josuke realized the intent a second too late.
He looked toward Koichi and Okuyasu, only to see the four clones charging at them from different angles.
"Heh! I don't care if there's a hundred of you! I'll just swipe 'em all away!"
Okuyasu didn't overthink it. He called forth [The Hand], swinging his right palm at the first clone that reached him.
POOF!
The clone was "Scraped" out of existence, vanishing in a single cloud of white smoke.
"What? That was too easy."
"Scared me for nothing. It really was just a parlor trick."
Okuyasu let out a sigh of relief as he saw the fragility of his opponent.
"Wait! The other one is gone!"
'?!'
Koichi's shout of alarm brought Okuyasu back to high alert.
"Where?!"
Two clones had been charging their position. One was gone, but the second was nowhere to be seen.
On the other side of the rubble, Josuke and Sakuya were dealing with their own pair of attackers.
THUD!
Sakuya accelerated her own perception, her throwing knives piercing the first clone before it could even get within striking range.
Such a defenseless target was meaningless to a maid who could manipulate time.
But as the second clone continued its pursuit, she prepared to repeat the feat, only to encounter an unexpected anomaly.
The clone's body flared with a familiar crimson light. A miniature, ribcage-like armor of energy enveloped it, allowing the knives to bounce harmlessly away.
'!'
The clone was still closing the distance.
"Oh ho!!"
"Look down, Okuyasu!"
Even as Josuke and Sakuya moved to intercept their respective targets, Koichi's voice reached them, filled with genuine shock.
CRACK!
A pair of hands burst from the concrete floor, seizing Koichi and Okuyasu by their ankles.
It was the clone that had vanished from their sight moments earlier.
'Could it be!?'
Josuke saw the look of smug satisfaction on Kira's face, and he finally understood where his sense of "Wrongness" had originated.
He began to piece together their true objective.
"Indeed, Josuke Higashikata. Your Stand possesses a meddlesome power, but for now, Okuyasu Nijimura is the greater threat to my peace."
"From this distance... you won't make it in time, will you?"
Kira's voice was as smooth and unruffled as a calm lake.
"[Killer Queen] has already touched Saber's clones."
"They are 'Human Bombs' in every sense of the word."
CLICK!
The sound of the thumb pressing the detonator echoed across the roof.
BOOM!!!
The subsequent explosion caught Koichi and Okuyasu at point-blank range, their forms engulfed in a roar of fire.
Even the clone near Sakuya and Josuke detonated, the shockwave threatening to swallow them as well.
"DAMMIT!!!"
"Hahahahaha!!!"
The sound of Josuke's rage was music to Kira's ears.
Saber was proving to be a much more competent partner than he had initially anticipated.
Such a multi-layered ambush was the perfect solution for neutralizing high-priority targets.
He had used the clones as a feint to keep the main threats occupied, while the true payload aimed for the one man who could bypass his defenses.
Okuyasu Nijimura.
The man who could erase space was the one threat that Kira and Itachi couldn't afford to ignore.
As for Koichi Hirose?
He was merely collateral damage.
"Now that the threat of Okuyasu Nijimura is gone, Josuke Higashikata, I can take my time in putting you down."
Within the context of their battle, Kira knew there was no way to save them. Even a short [Time Stop] wouldn't be enough to cross the distance and "Fix" a body that had already been reduced to ash.
Even if Jotaro Kujo were here, he would be too late.
But Itachi, ever the observant shinobi, caught a flicker of motion from the corner of his eye. Sakuya was already standing behind them!
"You certainly possess a high degree of confidence, don't you?"
"But those 'Cockroaches' are a lot more resilient than you give them credit for."
"I'd say you're celebrating your victory a few minutes too early."
The maid's voice was cold and dismissive, dripping with a subtle mockery.
WHOOSH!
The smoke from the explosion cleared, and Yoshikage Kira's jaw dropped as he saw the scene on the other side of the roof.
"That was close... I barely made it."
"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!"
"You didn't use [Time Stop]..."
Josuke was kneeling between Koichi and Okuyasu, both of whom were completely intact. Kira's voice rose in a rare displays of genuine shock and fury.
"Fortunately for us, even without a full [Time Stop], crossing a few meters is a trivial task when one possesses the right tools."
"By accelerating time within a localized field, I can make a flower that takes sixty years to bloom open in a matter of seconds."
"Do you really think a few meters of distance is going to be a problem for a power like that?"
Josuke looked up, his expression one of grim determination.
Itachi felt a chill that had nothing to do with the night air. He had never encountered an opponent with such a versatile, conceptual arsenal.
Individually, Sakuya was a challenge. But when partnered with a "Healer" like Josuke, the combination was fundamentally broken.
"Dammit! Dammit all!"
"Even so, the drain on your magical energy must be immense!"
"Manipulating time... there has to be a price! You can't sustain this forever!!"
Kira glared at the maid, his obsession with elegance forgotten in his frustration.
"True. If I were to push it to its absolute limit, perhaps..."
"But for the two of you? I have more than enough to finish this right here and now."
Sakuya reached into her apron and produced her pocket watch.
'!'
Both Kira and Itachi moved to intercept, but their actions felt sluggish, as if they were moving through molasses.
The watch was released, and the world slowed to a crawl before freezing into a perfect, monochromatic landscape.
"Whew. I really thought we were done for."
"That was terrifying."
"Thanks, Josuke. And thank you, Miss Maid!"
Okuyasu and Koichi had been pulled from the very bridge of death by Josuke's intervention. They took a moment to steady themselves, their voices low with genuine gratitude.
"Heh. If she hadn't been here, I wouldn't have been able to reach you in time either."
Josuke stood up, the tension finally beginning to bleed out of his shoulders.
Thanks to Caster's time acceleration, he had been able to bridge the gap in a fraction of a second, appearing beside them just as the first shockwave reached their skin.
He had localized his own perception to match, allowing [Crazy Diamond] to "Restore" their bodies as they were being torn apart by the heat and blast.
"Now... let's finally finish this!"
Josuke looked up at the two figures suspended in the air.
He might not be able to break through that magical giant on his own, but with Okuyasu, it was a different story.
This was why Rohan had grouped them together.
The "Healer," the Support, and the "Striker."
It was a perfect, complete system for tackling any threat in this city.
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]