DISCLAIMER: I do not own JoJo's bizarre adventure or Rising of the shield hero

"WHAT!"

"I KNEW IT!"

Eclair and Jouta responded respectively.

"I know how it sounds, but please, let me explain myself."

Jouta and Eclair calmed down and sat there waiting to hear what DIO had to say.

"Jouta, when you told me about my past, I felt utterly disgusted; I used to kill and hurt those who tried to help me and was so closed-minded, but now, I can see clearly."

Jouta and Eclair knew that this was supposed to be DIO saying "Sorry, I'll do better", but were scared by how he was saying it. They stayed quiet though, letting DIO speak.

"I theorize that I did this to myself on purpose. To give me a new start in this world, that's why...I want to save this world from the waves and create peace between humans and demi-humans."

Eclair was surprised, but also happy; Someone with the power to stop time is an incredibly valuable ally. Jouta was happy that DIO wanted to do something so selfless and hoped that was truly his intention, seeing his potential for good, Jouta was relieved.

"And don't worry Jouta. I plan to acquire the ancient magic necessary to take you back."

"Thanks. So, where do we start?"

early morning, the palace

The powerful and all-mighty cardinal heroes were four young men who could barely defeat a single monster. This normally wouldn't be a problem, if a man named DIO wasn't trying to overthrow him. So after dealing with the parties for the heroes to get stronger, he informed them of the issue.

"Heroes, please, be careful and keep a watchful eye, someone named DIO is threatening the kingdom's safety. He is a tall, muscular man with blonde hair and his powers are unknown."

"Yo, king, seriously?"

The shield hero, Noafumi Iwatani, asked, worried.

"Can't you just put up a wanted poster and start a man hunt?"

The spear hero, Motoyasu, suggested.

"Whoever it is, you should handle it, yourself. No need to disturb our training for one man."

The sword hero, Ren, said, totally nonchalant and cool.

"Ren has a point. We shouldn't get distracted by a mere threat, especially with the next wave just around the corner."

The bow hero, Itsuki, agreed with Ren.

The king was a little annoyed they were so nonchalant, but they didn't know what he did, so he decided to tell them the power this DIO held.

"This man is not someone to be careless with. Just last night, he seemingly destroyed several buildings in a minute or less, he even broke the bones of multiple armed soldiers so quickly, it seemed instantaneous. And he accomplished all of this with his bare hands. He could easily break down any wall here and kill all of us in an instant."

The cardinal heroes and their parties were shocked and in disbelief, none of them had the speed or raw power to accomplish all of that, especially not that quickly.

"I have put out an investigation and sealed off some of the roads leading out of the city. I have the best wizards trying to locate him, even though this man has no magical essence. For now, I advise you to get stronger quickly and try to be discreet about it."

Men walked up to the heroes, holding large sacks filled with only gold coins.

"This will hopefully speed up the process."

Naofumi walked outside the castle, going down a flight of stairs. He, unlike the other heroes, was worried that DIO might try to kill him or take him hostage. Naofumi walked without a clear destination, too consumed by his fear to pay attention to where he was going.

"Hey, Naofumi!"

Naofumi stopped and turned around, looking up the stairs to see the other three cardinal heroes approaching him.

"Uh...hey."

"We need to talk about what the king said."

"It was certainly worrying."

Motoyasu and Itsuki said, while Ren merely stayed quiet.

"Yeah, I am pretty freaked out about this, myself."

Naofumi admitted.

"Look, we need to focus on getting stronger quickly. And I suggest we use our cash to get the top-quality armor, no fucking around."

Motoyasu suggested with a straight face.

"We should also focus on leveling up in the best possible areas a safe distance from the capital, to avoid being spotted."

Itsuki told the group. Ren stayed quiet, which was unusual for him.

"Yeah. We're all going to need to work together to take this guy down."

Naofumi said this time, wanting to assure that the others had his back.

"Well, we can't help each other directly, but we can keep tabs on each other's progress."

Naofumi was disappointed, he had hoped that they could at least support each other. Motoyasu noticed this, placing his hand on Naofumi's shoulder to comfort him.

"We're all in this together."

After that, the heroes said their farewells and went their separate ways. Naofumi continued down the stairs and met up with his lone party member.

"Sir shield hero!"

"Oh, hey. Thanks for joining my party, even when nobody else did. I'm Naofumi Iwatani, by the way."

Naofumi stretched out his hand for a handshake.

"Myne Sophia at your service."

Myne gripped his hand and shook it.

"Shall we begin, sir shield hero?"

"No need to call me that; Naofumi is fine."

nearby in the castle town

The door leading into one of the most prestigious weapons shops in the country swung open as Jouta, and Eclair entered, catching the attention of the blacksmith, Erhard.

"Hey, Erhard!"

"JoJo?! What are you still doing in Melromarc, I thought you said you would be heading home."

"Well, It wouldn't hurt to stay around a little while longer."

"If you're here to buy anything, I got new materials just yesterday and got a few weapons ready, you could take a look."

"Really! You got any emer—"

"Sir. We are here to purchase armor."

Eclair jumped in, nudging Jouta in the side, not wanting to waste time.

"What type of armor?"

"Armor that defends against solar energy."

"What would you need that for?"

"Well, you see ther—"

"We plan on fighting a new species of monster that utilizes solar energy."

"That's new. Wait, for both of you?"

"No, just Jouta."

Jouta seemed confused but didn't say anything.

"I see, I'll go see if I have any material for that. I'll be in the back if you need me."

Erhard left and went to the back of the weapons shop. Jouta and Eclair waited for his return, using this time to talk.

"So, why'd you say it was for me."

"If you haven't noticed, soildrs are patrolling the streets and wanted posters of a man named DIO. You and him have a similar height and physique."

"Yeah, I guess it wouldn't work if it was you, especially because you're so short."

Eclair clenched her fist, giving Jouta a death stare.

"What did you say about my height!"

She walked closer to him, preparing her attack.

"W-wait. Eclair, it was just a joke. Think about what you're about to do."

But before she could pummel him to death, two people entered the shop—a boy with black hair wearing strange clothes with a small shield attached to his arm and someone Eclair recognized immediately. Eclair needed to get out of there, so she used her immense speed to leave without being noticed. She moved so quickly that, to her, everything else was moving in slow motion.

"Hopefully, Jouta can get the armor and not get too friendly with her."

Eclair left the shop unnoticed, leaving with a powerful shockwave that shook the shop.

"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!"

Erhard shouted from the back and rushed to the front soon after. Jouta was also at a loss, unable to keep track of Eclair's movements, and responded to Erhard.

"An earthquake, maybe?"

The two people who entered the shop— Naofumi and Myne—were both confused and worried; An earthquake doesn't happen so suddenly and end just as quickly.

"JoJo. Where's that girl you were with?"

"She left right before the earthquake, wanting to get some fresh air."

"Who was she, anyway?"

"Just a friend, nothing else?"

"C'mon, Erhard, I'm no playboy."

"Ya' know I'm just kidding."

Jouta and Erhard went on like this for a while. Naofumi and Myne waited patiently for the conversation to come to an end, but it took much longer than they expected. Myne decided to interrupt them.

"Hello."

But the two ignored her, continuing their conversation.

"Hello!"

This time, Jouta seemed to acknowledge her and paused the conversation.

"Hey, Erhard. Did you hear something?"

"Na, probably just a fly."

They resumed their talk as usual.

"HELLO!"

Both Erhard and Jouta finally noticed her, turning to face her in silence.

"We would like to purchase some equipment."

Jouta and Erhard looked at each other and then looked back to Myne, then back to each other.

"How rude."

"I know, right?"

"Well, anyway, it looks like you got new customers. I'll be back for my order, later."

"No need, I'm sure this won't take too long. You could just wait here."

"I don't feel like it."

"I got a cherry-flavored lollipop just waiting to be eaten."

"Alright."

Jouta grabbed the lollipop and put it in his mouth and leaned against a wall, his hat covering his closed eyes. Erhard looked at Naofumi, noticing his strange clothes and the shield attached to his arm emmiting powerful energy.

"Are you the shield hero by any chance?"

"Yes, actually."

"You're the useless one from what I've heard."

"Well, those are just rumors."

Naofumi was agitated by the fact the rumors about him spread so quickly.

"So, what are you kids interested in buying."

"A good sword would be useful. I'm sure we have enough gold to buy most weapons here, so could you show us the top ten."

"You kids have that much gold, damn, being the shield hero comes with its perks, I guess."

Erhard was walking to the back to get his top swords, taking one more good look at the duo.

"Hey, have we met before?"

Erhard was referring to Myne.

"I've been here before, this is a well-known weapons shop, after all."

"That makes sense."

Erhard went to the back, leaving the duo and Jouta waiting patiently.

"Hey, you the shield hero, huh?"

Jouta spoke.

"Uh...yeah."

"Hmph. To be honest, I kinda expected better. You think they would summon masters in the art of war with years of experience. And not, a bunch of teens who can barely use their weapons."

"Hey! What are you trying to say?!"

Jouta walked up to Naofumi, towering over him. He looked down on him with an icy-cold, calculating glare.

"I'm saying, you have no chance of surviving this world. Far too gullible and trusting for your own good. I bet you haven't even processed that you are in an alternate dimension, too consumed in your fantasies to see the reality of your situation."

Naofumi felt like punching Jouta in the face, but began to actually think about what he said. Maybe, he was right, but before he could ponder on it any longer, he heard a chuckle coming from Jouta.

"Gotcha."

"What?"

"I was kidding, you're alright. You got heart and determination."

"Uh...thanks."

"Jouta Kujo, but you can call me JoJo."

"Naofumi Iwatani, the new shield hero."

"So, who's that hot chick you were with?"

"Oh. Myne, sh..."

Naofumi turned to his party member, but she had vanished.

"That's weird, she was here just a second ago. She probably went to get some fresh air."

Myne walked out of the weapons shop, in search of the source of the strange shockwave from earlier. When she and Naofumi entered the shop, she could feel two magical signatures and she could tell that the tall guy didn't have one. So whoever it was had immense speed and reactions. She had tracked the signature to the roof of a building parallel to the weapons shop. She didn't intend on fighting this person herself, the very fact they were able to move without her noticing shows the clear power difference.She had different things in mind, but before that could happen, she heard Naofumi's voice calling her from a distance. She decided to go back to the weapons shop, giving the building one more glance before running back.

"Coming!"