The heavens and earth fell deathly silent, with only countless blood-and-flesh candles floating and burning in the sky.
"This is Lin Qing?!"
Adult Naruto stood rooted to the spot, his expression a mixture of astonishment and horror. The shock in his heart was beyond words.
Though he had not exchanged even a single word with Lin Qing, the courage of standing alone before everyone to fend off powerful enemies, along with the overwhelming strength he had displayed in crushing those foes, was enough to earn the trust of everyone in this world.
Unlike the joy below, Dio, seated upon his throne, once again darkened his gaze.
"Lin Qing, you fucking—"
Before Dio could finish, a crimson blade light instantly crossed the distance between heaven and earth and slashed toward him, accompanied by the fists of Lin Qing and Star Platinum.
"THE WORLD!"
Dio roared.
The Heaven Ascension World appeared behind him.
BOOM!!!
Fist collided with fist.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA!"
"MUDA MUDA MUDA MUDA!"
The shadows of Star Platinum's and The World's fists intertwined. The shockwaves of their power rippled outward, battering fine cracks into the surrounding world barrier.
For a time, neither gained the upper hand.
This was a battle between Stands.
As for their users—
Ripple Crystals swirled around him, listening to the wails of the dead. Countless wronged souls slain by Dio surged forth and coiled around the Blade of Ruin.
Lin Qing raised his blade high. Without any flashy technique, he brought it straight down upon Dio's head.
Dio threw a punch, attempting to use Overwrite Reality to erase the power contained in the blade.
BOOM!!!
His fist and the blade remained locked for half a second.
With a crack.
The blade split Dio's fist apart, severed one of his arms, and continued without losing momentum