MHGA Chapter 274: Joseph's Battle Against Fate
Joseph, ever since returning from Night City, had made a firm decision.
He would confront his own fate—
Kars.
After returning from the worlds of Demon Slayer and Delicious in Dungeon, Joseph had begun to feel a faint fear toward the uncontrollable future that awaited him.
Because of Kars… especially after Joseph came to realize that fate truly existed in his own world, he began to fear what lay ahead.
If fate in his world was something nearly inevitable—if no matter how much one tried to change it, it would only twist slightly at best—
Would his rebellion still lead to terrible outcomes?
Just like Caesar's death. Just like the deaths of the friends and comrades he would lose in the future.
So, ever since time had frozen in his own world, Joseph had been training relentlessly, pushing himself to grow stronger.
Once disinterested in training, he now threw himself into brutal practice sessions at the Hunter's Training Grounds, mastering the Ripple Breathing Technique, learning to wield weapons—and in Night City, he even worked hard to develop his Stand ability.
He didn't want to lose to fate—not the fate of his world.
The more afraid he became, the harder he fought. The deeper the fear, the more determined Joseph was to push forward.
And back at the Divine Palanquin, Joseph had finally resolved himself completely.
He would begin his challenge against the fate of his world.
Kars—his arch-nemesis… the opponent fate had chosen for him.
A foe so powerful that Joseph could never defeat him—not truly. In the end, it had taken the eruption of a volcano, the "fate" of that eruption, to exile Kars into space.
Once time resumed in his world, Joseph returned to training in Ripple, preparing for the first battle—against Esidisi, the one who had killed the Ripple master who had taught both him and Caesar.
Faced with a much stronger Joseph, Esidisi failed to achieve his goal. He hadn't even harmed Joseph's Ripple master.
This was the first person Joseph had saved after his return.
But a small disturbance during the encounter made Joseph more vigilant. Before Esidisi died, in his death throes, he inadvertently brought Joseph and Stroheim closer together.
And even so… Esidisi still managed to steal the Red Stone from the island and sent it to Kars—just as he had in the original timeline…
Even though Joseph had tried his best to stop it all from happening.
Joseph was at a loss. Was he able to save his Ripple master because he had changed fate?
Or was it simply that fate didn't care about these minor detours… and that the Ripple master would still eventually die fighting the Pillar Men?
Conflicted, Joseph pressed on to where Kars was.
There, many things changed—yet somehow, everything returned to where it had started.
No matter how hard Joseph fought against fate, the good fortune he'd been born with seemed to fail him during this time…
Or rather, it was as if fate had begun restraining him, surrounding him with misfortune that bound his hands and feet.
Caesar, after arguing with an anxious Joseph, rushed alone into the Pillar Men's chamber and was nearly killed by Wamuu.
If Joseph hadn't arrived just in time, Caesar would have died completely.
And what happened next went beyond what Joseph had anticipated.
In the ensuing battle with the Pillar Men, Joseph's streak of bad luck continued.
And finally… the thing Joseph had most wanted to avoid came to pass.
Kars still obtained the Red Stone—
And embedded it into the Stone Mask.
"Damn it!! When the hell did he hide the Stone Mask on him? And now he's embedded the Red Stone in it!"
Stroheim exclaimed in shock. "That bastard…"
At that moment, Kars radiated an intense brilliance, lighting up the entire night.
Joseph furrowed his brows and glared at Kars, glancing back at the people behind him.
Was fate really so immovable in his own world? What kind of twisted thing was the fate of this world?!
Were Caesar and the others—those originally fated to die—still doomed to that same end?
And then there was the more distant future.
And what Kairo Retsu had once mentioned… the most catastrophic conclusion of all—Part 6 of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure…
"No! I refuse to accept this fate! Kars!!!!"
Joseph roared at the glowing Kars, who had become the Ultimate Life Form:
"Even if this is fate—Joseph Joestar will never yield!!!"
At that moment, Kars slowly rose from the ground.
The wounds inflicted by the Ripple were rapidly healing across his body.
And the Stone Mask, having completed its purpose, shattered completely.
Kars didn't pay any attention to the Aja Red Stone that had rolled across the ground and landed at Joseph's feet. Instead, he began to carefully feel the full extent of his power.
From Kars' arm, his hand transformed into a squirrel—
It immediately leapt forward and devoured another squirrel that had been attracted by the commotion.
When that squirrel attempted to attack a human, Joseph kicked it back toward Kars—
But Kars didn't even care. Instead, he seemed even more fascinated by his newfound power.
His flesh, now transformed into a squirrel, shifted freely—
Kars carefully explored the might of his Ultimate Life Form.
"Could it be… he can manipulate life at will?!"
Speedwagon cried out in disbelief.
And when the sun rose, people looked toward Kars with hope—
Hoping that he would be destroyed by the sunlight.
But Kars stood tall, just like fate itself—basking in a light he had never seen before.
"Joseph, I should hold some respect for you. If not for your relentless pressure, I would never have severed all attachments and become the true Ultimate Life Form!!!"
Kars declared with arrogance, standing before the sun.
"Ahahahahaha… AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Behold this beautiful sun! I've finally… finally surpassed it!"
Kars laughed maniacally and turned toward Joseph:
"Joseph! I'll settle this with you Ripple warriors once and for all! I'll kill you completely! Right now! Immediately!! This very instant!!!!!!"
With his furious roar, Kars' arms transformed into wings, and he suddenly took flight—
Charging straight at Joseph.
At that moment, Joseph glanced at the people behind him.
Without hesitation, he grabbed the Red Stone and ran in the opposite direction, away from the group.
"Kars! If you've got the guts, then follow me!!! I will never submit to fate!"
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