DIO was gone. Silence. Then—cheers erupted. After all the twists, the demon was finally destroyed.

  But the black orb remained. Jonathan·Zeppeli approached. Suddenly—

  Black energy surged. A dark dragon shadow materialized. Attacked.

  Jonathan·Zeppeli raised his guard. The dragon's tail swipe launched him backward.

  The shadow flew skyward. Escaping.

  Perilla moved. Blocked its path. Smirked. "Trying to run?"

  She raised her right hand. A massive translucent golden palm materialized. Crushed the dragon.

  The shadow—which had overpowered Jonathan·Zeppeli—squirmed like a chick in her grip.

  She squeezed. The dragon shattered. The Dark Dragon Ball fell into her hand.

  Four-star. And the dark energy's density... this is genuine.

  Jonathan·Zeppeli stood. Watched her obliterate the dragon effortlessly. No wonder she didn't fear Dark DIO.

  White light flashed. The fusion split. Jonathan and Zeppeli stood separately.

  "They separated?"

  "They can unfuse?!"

  Perilla landed. "Potara fusion has a time limit for mortals. One hour. After resting an hour, you can fuse again."

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  Jonathan scratched his head. "I see. But I don't think we should fuse unless necessary. That power feels like cheating. And it's weird—like being yourself and not yourself."

  "Agreed, JOJO. Fusion's a last resort. Real strength comes from steady training."

  They removed the earrings. Offered them to Perilla.

  She shook her head. "Keep them. Consider it a graduation gift. I'm returning to my world. But stronger enemies than DIO will appear."

  "Stronger than DIO?!"

  Everyone gasped.

  "Yes. Do you think the Stone Mask is natural? Its creator uses ordinary masks to cultivate food. DIO called humans his bread. But he's someone else's bread too."

  Heavy silence.

  "This planet has more than Ripple. There's another supernatural power—Stands. Their abilities vary wildly. Some could threaten even me. Don't get complacent. There's always someone stronger."

  Jonathan nodded. Resolve burned. I won't let this tragedy repeat.

  Tonpetty watched Jonathan and Zeppeli. We old bones can't keep up. The future belongs to these young men.

  Perilla waved. Flew skyward. Opened a Time Gate with her ring. Vanished.

  Time Nest. Supreme Kai of Time's domain.

  "You're back."

  Perilla nodded. "Yep. Here."

  She tossed the Dark Four-Star Ball. "This one's real, right?"

  The Supreme Kai nodded. "It is. Thank you."

  She channeled divine power. The orb turned to stone. Then she created a time-space box. Sealed it inside.

  Only someone with mastery of time-space power and strength surpassing mine could break this.

  "How was your journey?"

  "Good. Resolved some past regrets. And I feel like I understand divine power better. Is that my imagination?"

  "No. The world's will rewarded you. Plundering a world's origin grants quick power—but it's unsustainable. Harmful. But saving a world? The will rewards you. Mutual benefit. Sustainable growth."

  Ah. Saving worlds isn't charity. It's investment.

  "By the way, do you know where the next Dark Dragon Ball is?"

  "I do. Coincidentally, it's in your timeline."

  The Supreme Kai tapped her staff. A projection appeared. Gohan. Trunks. Vegeta. And—

  Fat Buu. Possessed by a Dark Dragon Ball.

  Plus a small boy.

  Fat Buu possessed? Not surprising. He's still Majin Buu.

  But Fat Buu was struggling. Resisting the dark power.

  And the boy—he stood in front of Buu. Pleading with Gohan's group not to attack.

  What happened while I was gone? Why is Buu rejecting the Dark Dragon Ball?

  ~~~~??~~~~~~~~??~~~~

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