The Coming Storm

Locke stood silently in the doorway, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he scrutinized the uninvited guest in the living room.

Star Platinum stood behind him, ready to attack at any moment.

But no matter what.

"Someone who could see Stands, and that signature hairstyle with three golden donut-shaped curls."

Countless possibilities flashed through his mind.

In the end, a name surfaced in his heart—

Giorno Giovanna!

Seeing Locke's wary yet contemplative expression, Giorno curled his lip and elegantly placed the last piece of steak into his mouth.

"Grandpa, you're still as boring as ever." He waved the fork in his hand. "Can't you show a bigger reaction when you meet a grandson like this?"

"I even specifically chose a time when you were young."

Before Giorno could finish speaking.

"Thief!"

"That's my steak!!!"

Dio and Clark poked their heads out from behind Locke. When Dio saw the scene in the living room, his blond hair practically stood on end.

That was Australian M9 wagyu ribeye he had scrimped and saved for two months to buy!

And this damned blond thief was sitting in his living room, brazenly enjoying it?!

The World

Without hesitation, Dio summoned his golden Stand, his furious fist shooting straight for Giorno's smug, punchable face.

Though he had no idea what was happening, Clark had some guesses about Dio's strange ability and instinctively tried to stop him.

"Uncle Locke, Dio—"

But unexpectedly, Locke remained perfectly still, showing no intention of stopping them.

The corner of his mouth even curved faintly, and a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

Because—

"Pathetic!"

A dazzling golden light flashed, and a golden humanoid Stand appeared behind Giorno as well, casually catching The World's fist.

The two golden Stands faced each other in the living room, as though invisible sparks were flying through the air.

"Muda!"

With nothing more than a backhanded shove, the figure sent Dio's The World staggering back several steps.

As he stumbled backward, Dio's red eyes were filled with shock—

This stranger not only had a Stand too, but it was even the same color as his?!

Could it be?!

"Th-This is?" Dio looked at Locke in disbelief. "Dad, what exactly...?"

Locke finally moved.

He slowly took off his cowboy hat and hung it by the door, his tone frighteningly calm. "Enough."

"Giorno, explain yourself."

When did I ever tell him my name?

The blond young man was initially puzzled, but he quickly understood.

His grandfather had named him, after all. He must have decided on it long ago.

The blond youth shrugged and rose from the sofa.

His movements were as elegant as though he were attending a formal dinner, with none of the embarrassment of being attacked by someone's Stand.

"Giorno Giovanna Kent, sixteen years old, employed by the Anti-Injustice Society Republican Party, currently vice-captain of the organization's X-Passione squad." Giorno lightly stroked the ladybug brooch on his chest and glanced at the silent golden figure beside him. "And this is my Stand—"

"Gold Experience."

"Gold Experience."

Injustice Society?

Locke's expression changed. Was it the Injustice he was thinking of?

"Gold Experience can grant life to inanimate matter."

Giorno seemed not to notice Locke's expression. He casually picked up the remote control on the coffee table and had Gold Experience lightly touch it.

The remote instantly transformed into a blue ladybug.

Dio's red eyes narrowed slightly, while Clark let out an amazed cry.

"Cool!"

"That's incredible!"

Clearly, Clark found this more interesting as a magic trick.

After all, he could not see Stands.

"Flashy nonsense."

"Clark, wipe that look off your face. It's nowhere near as good as mine."

Dio crossed his arms, but his eyes could not help following the ladybug as it fell to the floor.

Giorno smiled noncommittally. "Every Stand has its own unique qualities. For example."

He looked at Locke. "Grandpa's Star Platinum is more skilled at—"

How is this kid so good at making things up?

"Alright, Giorno." Locke cut him off helplessly. "Explain your identity first."

"Hahaha."

"Simply put." Giorno snapped his fingers, and a bouquet of flowers suddenly bloomed in his hand. He handed it to Dio. "I'm your future son, Dad."

"Oh, from the future."

"?!"

Clark's mouth fell open wide enough to fit an egg. "F-Future?"

Dio's expression also shifted from disdain to shock. "Wait. You're my son?!"

He had thought Giorno was some brother he had never met!

With an easy smile, Giorno elegantly spun around. Another bouquet of vivid roses suddenly appeared in his hand. He winked at Clark, his tone seeming faintly mischievous. "My Emperor Uncle, Giorno offers you these flowers."

Clark accepted the bouquet blankly, his blue eyes widening even further. "Emperor?"

Though he still found time travel hard to believe.

Seeing that Uncle Locke did not deny it, he knew it was probably true.

Just as expected of Locke Farm.

It always made my life more colorful.

And now there was time travel too. Oh—

And an emperor.

The living room fell into an eerie silence.

Until—

"So." Dio's voice trembled slightly. "The thief who stole my steak is my son?!"

"Yes, Dad." Giorno gave an elegant bow. "More precisely, your future son. And by the way."

He suddenly revealed a sly smile. "The steak was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Wryyyyyyy—!"

Dio's roar once again echoed across the farm. "Who gave you permission to call me Dad?! And that was my steak!"

"So, you're Dio's future son?" Clark finally recovered from his shock and cautiously interjected. "But why do you call me Emperor?"

Giorno's smile suddenly became meaningful. "Because in the future, Uncle Clark is—"

"Giorno." Locke interrupted, rubbing his temples. "Time travel is no joke."

"You suddenly appeared here. What exactly is your purpose?"

The living room suddenly fell silent.

Giorno's expression turned serious as well. He gently adjusted his tie.

"Actually, I came to warn you."

"We discovered it by chance. The world was never supposed to be like this. Someone changed the past, which led to that future." Giorno's voice lowered. "There is an existence that wants to use us to change the world."

"To use our Kent family to accomplish some unknown purpose!"

A trace of worry flashed through his golden eyes.

"I don't know whether changing the past like this will work, but it's better than doing nothing."

"If possible, I don't want the story of our world to play out a second time."

Locke's gaze instantly sharpened. "Go on."

Boom—!

Thunder rumbled, and the last ray of sunset outside the window was swallowed by dark clouds.

Perhaps it was the coming storm.