Chapter 118: Fight! Fight to the bitter end!

"Star Platinum!"

A purple phantom emerged from Qiao Zhe's body. Under his command, it did not rashly attempt to "Ora" the entity known as Zaki. Instead, Star Platinum whisked Qiao Zhe away, instantly shifting their position to the other side.

Just as Star Platinum pulled Qiao Zhe clear, the dark sphere of light that Zaki had transformed into dispersed along with the dark chains, only to immediately coalesce once more. Had Qiao Zhe not dodged in time or remained in place to attack, he likely would have been possessed by Zaki by now.

*Ding—* A burst of silver-white radiance erupted!

The towering figure of a silver giant appeared in the sky. Before the light could even fade, he flicked his hand, launching an Eight-Point Light Wheel. Facing an enemy like Zaki—even if the opponent’s strength might currently be diminished—one must remember that a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. JoJo did not dare to be careless. Furthermore, it is common knowledge that a Boss appearing for the first time is always special.

Zaki had annihilated the Visitors' civilization; the darkness he carried was beyond imagination. It was similar to that Hyper Zetton which had absorbed the despair of all humanity on Earth—hardly comparable to the mass-produced versions that would appear later. Fortunately, the Visitors had self-destructed their planet, inflicting severe damage upon Zaki.

The Eight-Point Light Wheel flew at high speed, splitting into several more mid-flight and striking the dark sphere from different directions! A black, cloud-like vortex appeared, sucking all the light wheels into its depths, only to immediately fire them back toward JoJo. Faced with the reflected attack, JoJo casually shattered them with a few swift strikes.

However, he sensed that the dark sphere intended to flee. Once JoJo had transformed into an Ultra, Zaki knew it could no longer possess him. Though Zaki felt immense hatred for JoJo, it decided to find someone else to possess first. Without a physical body, its combat power plummeted; it was currently nothing more than a mass of dark energy.

Just as the dark sphere began to move, *swish*—the purple phantom of Star Platinum appeared!

"Ora!"

Star Platinum’s massive fist slammed hard into the dark sphere, followed instantly by a flurry of countless purple fists!

"Ora ora ora ora ora!!!"

Like a punching bag, the dark sphere was pummeled from all sides by the purple fists, forced to remain suspended in mid-air, unable to escape. Although Star Platinum did not seem to break through its defenses, the destructive force of the punches continued to take its toll.

The situation, broadcast via satellite, was monitored at the Night Raider base. Matsunaga’s face was etched with tension: "Zaki didn't die even after that. Can the Ultra Warrior deal with it?"

"We must trust him," Mizuhara Sara said, her eyes locked on the main screen.

Mizorogi watched the familiar silhouette, suddenly realizing the truth, and made a mental note of the name "JoJo."

***

The observers on the ground only knew that Zaki was powerful, but they lacked a concrete sense of the scale. Moreover, the fact that Zaki had so easily fallen for Qiao Zhe’s trap gave them the illusion that defeating Zaki might not be a difficult task for JoJo.

This was, in fact, due to an asymmetry of information. Because Zaki did not realize he had been exposed, he had fallen into Qiao Zhe’s snare. Meanwhile, the Visitors stood beside Kira-sawa Yu, emitting continuous, fearful wails.

The Visitors’ current bodies were like jellyfish kept in large tanks; they were light-quantum information entities that could survive by inhabiting jellyfish. Coincidentally, when the Progenitor Space Beast first arrived on Earth, although it appeared as a blue sphere, it was also classified as an information entity in the records. Such a coincidence suggested a possible connection, especially since the Space Beasts had first appeared in the Visitors' homeland. As for the specifics, only Noa likely knew the truth; for now, all speculation was set aside.

High above the desert.

Constantly pummeled by Star Platinum, Zaki grew infuriated! It immediately utilized its dark energy to forge a temporary body and transform! As the terrifying darkness was unleashed, a black-red vortex filled the sky, and countless bolts of dark lightning crackled!

A black-red hand reached out, ignoring Star Platinum’s fists, and pressed forward to choke the phantom! Star Platinum vanished in a flash. Zaki’s hand grabbed only air. As the black-red vortex dissipated, its true form was revealed: a body entirely pitch-black with black-red stripes, a Y-shaped dark core in its chest, and a pair of red eyes with a mechanical glint.

Zaki was a Dark Ultra created in imitation of Noa; except for the lack of wings on its back, it was identical to Noa, save for the color.

"Roar!!!"

Having failed to grab Star Platinum, Zaki roared in frustration. Its black-red eyes locked onto JoJo, and the Y-shaped energy core on JoJo’s chest came into view. This brought a glimmer of joy to Zaki. Carefully sensing the light within JoJo, it found similarities to Nexus!

Since the plan had failed, it might as well absorb the light of this giant! Zaki perceived JoJo’s strength as seemingly unremarkable. Coincidentally, JoJo felt the same; although Zaki’s aura was formidable, its strength had not yet returned to its ultimate level. The two stood in confrontation high in the sky.

***

JoJo suddenly crossed his arms, and the Specium Ray was unleashed instantly!

Facing a ray of this caliber, Zaki extended one hand to condense dark energy, looking entirely unimpressed. A dark barrier formed in its palm, blocking the Specium Ray. However, Zaki immediately realized that the beam possessed decomposition properties! Its dark barrier was beginning to crack!

"Raaah!!!"

Zaki let out a roar and, deciding to stop relying on the barrier, countered with a backhand strike, shattering the beam! The Specium Ray cracked like glass, breaking into countless fragments. A wave of dark energy surged forth. JoJo narrowed his eyes and dodged to the side, yet Zaki kept him locked in its sights!

Zaki moved at extreme speed, approaching JoJo with a trail of afterimages! With dark energy concentrated in its hand, it struck directly at the energy core on JoJo's chest!

*So fast!* This was the first time JoJo had encountered an opponent faster than himself.

He clapped his hands together! Ignoring Zaki’s attack, he manifested a serrated light sword. Just as Zaki was about to land the blow, Star Platinum’s upper body emerged behind JoJo. Carried by Star Platinum, JoJo shifted instantly to Zaki’s side, dodging the attack while swinging the serrated light sword in a horizontal slash!

The blade struck Zaki’s head!

*Screech!*

Sparks erupted! Zaki was sent flying, but it shook its head, its eyes burning with even greater ferocity. Raising its hand, it condensed dark energy and released a powerful black-red destructive light ball! JoJo raised a circular shield with one hand to block it, though the sheer force pushed his body backward.

Zaki vanished instantly, utilizing teleportation to appear abruptly behind JoJo! With black flames manifesting on its fist, Zaki launched a "Hellfire" strike at JoJo’s back!

Star Platinum lifted JoJo’s body upward! Avoiding the dark hellfire, JoJo spun his entire body at high speed, swinging the serrated light sword to execute a crescent-moon rotation strike!