Chapter 194 - Mai, You're Such an Unruly Ninja! Dio: The Time to Hunt Has Come!
"Mai, I don't know what's gotten into you, but my teammate needs me!"
Renji could tell that Mai Shiranui must have been affected by some unknown outside factor.
His teammate, Jotaro, still needed his help—yet here he was, delayed because of Mai.
To think indulgence in wine and women could bring him to this point; from today onward, he swore to abstain.
On the very day Mai came to find him, Jotaro had contacted him, hoping Renji would join him in hunting down Dio.
Renji had agreed, but since Mai was still around, he told Jotaro he would catch up later. Jotaro accepted without issue.
After all, they were teammates now. Jotaro and Renji had formed a team for KOF, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to help deal with Dio's problem.
Renji had even shared intelligence on Dio — including the Stand users he had deployed along the route, their abilities, and their weaknesses. Jotaro didn't know how Renji had learned these things, but after thanking him, he had set off toward Dio's location.
"Renji, I just wanted to test you…"
Mai Shiranui was on the verge of tears. She had only pulled Renji into a fight to test him — but the result left her deeply disappointed.
She still wasn't his match.
The reason she'd been so at ease when Renji went to dinner with Kagura Chizuru was because she believed there had been a third teammate with them.
But later, she learned from Chizuru that no third person had been there — the other teammate had been away dealing with personal matters. That night, it had just been the two of them.
That made her panic.
She liked mild flavors, while Renji clearly preferred spicy, heavy food.
She longed for a quiet life, to settle down, raise a family, and live peacefully. Yet Renji seemed drawn to thrill and excitement.
He and Chizuru just looked so compatible. That realization made Mai feel bitter inside. The next day, she told King she needed to step out and immediately came looking for Renji.
"What exactly were you testing?"
Just that?
Renji was speechless. Was Mai really testing him — or was she simply craving attention?
Had his charm grown that irresistible?
"I just wanted to see who was stronger…"
Mai said weakly. She had thought that if she defeated Renji this time, it would put her worries to rest — but she failed again.
"I understand, but Mai, I really have something important to do. My teammate needs my help."
Though Jotaro could defeat Dio even without him, there would still be casualties along the way.
And as a teammate, Renji couldn't just stand by.
"Renji, do you like Chizuru?"
"Mai, what's that supposed to mean?"
Renji was stunned.
How had this suddenly become about Kagura Chizuru?
They'd only eaten dinner together and gone for a motorcycle ride — how had that turned into liking her?
"It's just… you two seem to get along so well. I never knew you were into that sort of thing."
Mai's voice grew small, her head lowering in frustration. She suddenly realized that Renji had probably been accommodating her tastes all this time, yet she had never noticed.
She should have realized it sooner.
Was this the reason he kept avoiding marriage with her?
Mai's imagination spiraled, picturing a future where Renji left her over such things.
"You mean the spicy food? It's not that serious. The old man doesn't eat that kind of stuff anymore, so I just have some when I go down the mountain occasionally."
Renji couldn't help but laugh. So this was what all the fuss was about.
It was just food — liking spicy flavors didn't mean he needed them.
He was sincerely grateful to the Shiranui Dojo. Back when he had no talent, Hanzo Shiranui had still accepted and trained him, and Mai had always treated him kindly.
He knew full well he had approached Mai at first with ulterior motives, but from the moment he saw her, he had genuinely fallen for her. No one could resist someone like her.
So Renji had never made an issue out of their differences. The dojo had given him both training and family — of course he'd go along with the elder's wishes.
"Hmph! No. From now on, I'll cook those spicy dishes for you myself on the mountain!"
Mai decided on the spot to cater to his preferences.
"I really don't think that's necessary."
"No means no!"
Seeing her determined expression, Renji opened his mouth but couldn't bring himself to argue.
He could only feel a little sorry for the old man. Hanzo Shiranui didn't like heavy flavors, yet with Mai like this, he'd probably end up tolerating it for her sake.
"So you came all this way just for that, Mai?"
Now that he understood, Renji felt she was overthinking everything.
He wasn't the type to fall for someone after one meal and one race.
Well — Mai was the exception.
"It's just… when I saw how well you and Chizuru got along, I thought you'd end up with her and abandon me!"
Mai pouted, finally voicing the little hurt she'd kept bottled up.
She had worried over it all night without sleeping, and in the end, she couldn't take it anymore and came running to him.
"Don't worry. I won't."
"Mm… okay. Then go. You said your teammate needs you, right? Sorry for keeping you these past few days."
Having regained her sense of security, Mai now felt guilty for having wasted his time out of her own insecurity.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that Renji hadn't resisted her company at all.
And she needed to get back to training — she had already fallen behind.
"It's fine. Really, I didn't mind."
"Go on, hurry."
Mai met his gaze, her face flushing as she pushed him lightly toward the door.
Though a little reluctant, Renji decided to let her return first. He needed to catch up with Jotaro as soon as possible.
After calling Jotaro and confirming his location, he learned that he had already reached Dio's desert kingdom. Renji was a little surprised — so it had gone that quickly after learning about the enemy Stand users' weaknesses?
After Renji departed, Mai Shiranui returned straight to King's bar.
Seeing the teasing look in King's eyes, all the confidence Mai Shiranui had just built up outside vanished instantly.
"Mai, I told you, didn't I? Going there was like walking right into the tiger's den!"
King glanced at the clock and realized Mai had come back even later than expected.
And from that guilty look on her face, it was obvious — she had lost again.
"Hmph! It's not like I came back empty-handed this time!"
Mai straightened her chest proudly, finally recovering a little of her spirit. She truly believed she had gained something from the trip.
"Oh? And what did you gain?"
King's grin turned knowing. From that look alone, Mai knew exactly what King was thinking — and it made her grit her teeth.
"You! Be serious for once, King!"
Mai glared, clenching her jaw in frustration. King's "I get it" face made her blood boil. She hated that kind of knowing expression the most!
"What are you two even talking about?"
Kasumi Todo blinked, glancing between them in confusion.
If you're talking about gains, could you please just say what you mean?
"Mai, so you figured out the truth?"
"Of course! I was just overthinking it before. Renji didn't have any improper thoughts at all!"
Mai understood now — she had misunderstood not only Renji, but also Kagura Chizuru. She realized she had simply been too anxious.
That last time, she hadn't even had a proper conversation with Chizuru. She had just obsessed over the idea that Renji might fall for Chizuru because they seemed more compatible.
"If Chizuru knew what you were thinking, she'd laugh herself sick."
King chuckled. Now that Mai had calmed down, she could only imagine what would happen if Chizuru ever found out. She'd probably never dare face her again.
"Don't you dare tell Chizuru! Let this misunderstanding fade away with time."
Mai had already decided — she would pretend it never happened.
She didn't want Chizuru to know about any of this.
"Fine, fine, I won't say anything. But those two are going to see each other again. You'd better keep an eye out."
"Don't worry. Everything's under control!"
Confidence flashed across Mai's face. There was only a motorcycle race left anyway.
She was sure there wouldn't be a problem.
Victory was hers!
King gave Mai a sideways glance and shook her head, not knowing what to say.
Maybe nothing was happening now, but who could say what would happen after more time together? Mai was just too confident.
Still, King didn't comment further. She trusted Mai — and she trusted the other two as well.
Besides, maybe she was overthinking it. Perhaps it really was just a motorcycle race.
What, did they suddenly fall in love just because they liked spicy food and rode bikes together for two days?
That would be far too simple.
"So, Jotaro, your teammate is coming?"
In the desert kingdom — the City of the Mother.
Standing beside Jotaro were Joseph Joestar, Avdol, Noriaki Kakyoin, Jean Pierre Polnareff, and Iggy, all looking at him with curiosity.
Their journey here had been surprisingly smooth, thanks entirely to Renji's information. The two Jojos, in particular, were deeply intrigued by him.
Who exactly was this man, to know so precisely the Stand users they would face and their abilities and weaknesses?
If they didn't know for certain that Renji was on their side, Joseph might have suspected that he was one of Dio's men, deliberately leading them into a trap.
"Yes. That guy is powerful — and trustworthy."
Even though Renji hadn't joined them at first, Jotaro had no complaints.
Renji's intel had allowed them to defeat all the Stand users along the way with ease.
Jotaro knew that without those details, their journey wouldn't have gone nearly so smoothly.
So even if Renji hadn't been there, Jotaro still considered him crucial.
"Well, I should feel honored being praised like that — but getting flattered by another man still feels weird!"
A sudden crash split the sky!
With a thunderous roar, a lightning-wreathed figure dropped from above, slamming into the ground with an explosion of dust and sand.
As the haze cleared, Renji's face appeared before Jotaro.
"Hey, hey, hey! Did you just fall out of the sky?!"
Joseph Joestar's exaggerated tone and expression made Renji feel like he was being mocked, but he let it slide — that was just how Joseph was, especially now that his intelligence had dulled with age.
Renji turned his gaze to the others beside Jotaro. The familiar faces from the anime were all there — though things seemed far simpler this time around.
"So, you're Renji — the one Jotaro mentioned?"
Kakyoin, ever the sharp-tongued observer, eyed him up and down. Was this guy really a fighter? He looked rather slender for one.
"Yeah — unless there's another me around."
Renji nodded, then looked at Jotaro. "So? Everything I told you checked out?"
"Exactly. Every ability and weakness matched what you said."
Jotaro still didn't know how Renji had obtained such precise intel, but he hadn't asked. He sensed no hostility from him. Besides, his own background check confirmed that Renji really was from the Shiranui Dojo — a long-time disciple of Master Hanzo Shiranui, all public knowledge online.
"Hey, hey, hey! Can you not just ignore me?!"
Joseph pointed at himself in exasperation. Would no one comment on his dramatic entrance line?
Didn't anyone find Renji's landing even slightly impressive?!
"Sorry, but your question was kind of boring."
Joseph's mouth twitched — from reckless youth to eccentric old man, he had truly stayed consistent.
"Finally, you're here. I don't know how you knew so much about our enemies, but since you're here now, we can end this together."
Under the night sky, a shadow stretched long beneath the glow of a streetlamp.
A man with golden hair and a cold gaze approached with a slow, deliberate stride.
Nighttime — Dio's hunting hour.
He was going to kill every last one of them.
Tonight, he would bring everything to an end.
(End of Chapter)
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 8 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 64 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/anish_44
{Please join patreon. I am posting 4 chapters per day there, for any tier you join, you can read 4 chapters for all series i work on. and i currently badly need financial support to keep myself afloat. I will continue to do my best to provide you with good chapters daily. So i hope you can help me escape these troubled times. PLEASE!!!}