Anime, but the Phantom Thieves of Heart

He doesn't know why, nor does he know how to judge, so let's leave it to someone who may know and be able to make a judgment.

"Huh? That guy took something that looked like a mask out of a weird coffin?"

After leaving 'Grand Blue' alone and contacting Shirou Emiya, Lan Ke couldn't help but have a big question mark in his head.

Although Shirou Emiya's tone was quite calm when he described it, Lan Ke could also feel the weirdness of the scene.

But when he saw Polnareff greeting him in the 'Grand Blue', he suddenly thought of a possibility - Stone Mask!

This strange mask has countless ill-fated connections with the Joestar Family.

But then he instinctively denied this possibility. After all, in his impression, 'Stone Mask' should have been destroyed by 'Speedwagen', not to mention that even if 'DIO' really existed in this world, he should have been eliminated by Jotaro and others more than ten years ago.

Moreover, according to his indirect inquiries, Jotaro and the others should not have experienced the "Stand War" back then, so the possibility of "Stone Mask" is even lower.

But even so, Lan Ke still did not completely ignore this possibility.

After all, although this world does not have "stand-ins", it does have "personalities", and there is even a group of "gods" who like to throw "garbage" into the material world, which they themselves call "holy relics".

"Shirou, you continue to monitor the periphery, focusing on the 'coffin'. Lucy, you continue to monitor 'Yashiro Hideto'. This matter may be more complicated than we imagined..."

Chapter 37 'You are the beginning of everything'

Although Lan Ke couldn't be sure whether the mask taken away by 'Yashiro Hideto' was the 'Stone Mask', it was actually very simple to confirm it.

Just let Jotaro Kujo take a look for himself.

Although Jotaro Kujo theoretically should not have seen the "Stone Mask" with his own eyes, Joseph should have seen it.

Although Lan Ke doesn't know what exactly happened twenty years ago, since Jotaro's mother was kidnapped, even if it wasn't DIO who did it, it should be related to him. After the incident, Joseph should also share some information with Jotaro... especially when the other party is too old to handle related matters personally.

In fact, Lan Ke suspected that the reason why Jotaro did not see his wife for the last time was probably related to the investigation of this matter.

So no matter whether the 'Stone Mask' is genuine or not, as long as it is related to 'DIO', the other party should be able to make a correct judgment!

That's right, Lan Ke actually also doubted whether the "Stone Ghost Mask" was the "real thing". After all, he had not forgotten what his assistant had said to him.

"Captain, you are the 'key'. Before you appeared, even if those 'gods' wanted to pass through the 'cognitive world' to reach the 'material world', it would be completely impossible. They cast their own 'fragments' of power into the 'cognitive world' and prayed that they would reach the 'material world', which was essentially like a lottery."

According to his assistant, he is the 'key' and the 'starting point'. Theoretically, there should be no 'people with special abilities' before him, only 'tools with special abilities'.

Furthermore, even Lan Ke himself, who possessed the ability to freely travel between the two worlds, was unable to freely use his special abilities in the 'material world', as if the 'material world' instinctively resisted those special existences. So, it was just a 'fragment of divine power'...

Do not!

Could it be that the 'holy relic' called the 'remnants of divine power' really possesses the ability to transform humans into 'vampires'?

Lan Ke was not sure, but in his opinion this was an opportunity!

An opportunity to test your own guesses and explore more of the "secrets of the past"!

But before that, he still needs to confirm with his assistant.

Thinking of this, Lan Ke simply lay down on the bed. As a wave of fatigue came over him, his consciousness became increasingly dull.

Lan Ke, having already taken the initiative to go to the Velvet, should have been used to this, but for some reason, he suddenly felt something strange today. This feeling was like the increasing pressure as one descends deeper into the water while diving...

But before he could think about it, he completely lost consciousness.

When he opened his eyes again, he was already on the Velvet. As for his lovely assistant, he was still waiting for him as usual.

What surprised Lan Ke was that Tina came to pick him up today in the image of a "cat".

You know, although Tina is obviously more accustomed to the appearance of a "cat", even after she turned into a human form, she would still unconsciously lick her palms, or touch her head, or squat on a chair and yawn, or sleep cross-legged.

But after changing into human form, her mobility is obviously better. Before, she could only control the "Book of Masks" through her "will", but after changing into human form, she can carry it on her waist as a "shoulder bag" and can also read it directly. It may not be said to be "time-saving", but it is definitely "labor-saving".

So as Tina became more and more familiar with the human body, she appeared in "human form" more and more frequently, and even appeared in "human form" for several days in a row.

So Lan Ke was a little surprised when the other party appeared in the image of a "cat" today, which he had not seen for a long time.

However, Lan Ke did not feel unfamiliar because he hadn't seen her for a long time. Instead, he squatted down very skillfully and opened his arms towards Tina.

Seeing this, Tina couldn't help but sigh, and then she muttered in a low voice with a look of helplessness on her face.

"Captain, you are abusing public power for personal gain..."

However, he walked towards Lan Ke very honestly and was held in Lan Ke's arms.

This was not the first time that Lan Ke had been criticized by his own assistant, so he simply ignored Tina's complaints. After all, it was his own doing, so he just let her complain.

Although Tina had a look of "disgust", perhaps with the thought of "since I'm here now", she also adjusted herself to a position she liked in Lan Ke's arms, but she didn't give in at all.

"Captain, do you have any vision that I can help you with?"

"Can't you just come and see?"

Tina didn't even bother to raise her eyes in response to Lan Ke's question.

"Are you okay enough to come?"

"Then I'll be alright today!!"

Looking at Lan Ke who looked like a scoundrel, Tina let out a deep and helpless sigh.

"Okay, okay~ Let's get down to business..."

Faced with the rogue Lan Ke, Tina seemed very helpless, but she also knew that business was more important, so she simply admitted defeat.

Seeing this, Lan Ke did not delay any longer and told Tina about his suspicions about the 'Stone Mask'.

I have to say that communicating with Tina is more convenient than I imagined. After all, as Lan Ke's "assistant", the other party does not need Lan Ke to explain too much about many things. As long as he gives the first sentence, the other party can guess the general idea.

So her answer was very firm.

"impossible!"

As she insisted, Tina also began to explain.

"Before you, Captain, crossed the 'cognitive world' and the 'material world', creating the 'rift' between them, some lucky individuals might have acquired special abilities after obtaining 'holy relics'. However, these special abilities primarily apply to the 'cognitive world'. Their effects in the 'material world' would be greatly weakened. Supernatural powers, for example, are practically impossible, and the birth of immortal beings like 'vampires' is even more impossible!"

As if to increase her persuasiveness, Tina added again.

"It's not about 'power gap', but 'whether the rules allow it'."

Although Tina's serious look made Lan Ke feel a little unfamiliar, after all, he still preferred the cute little girl who usually said no with her mouth but was very honest with her body.

But what the other party said was undoubtedly good news for Lan Ke.

Because this means that the problem he is most worried about will not occur.

For example, the other party suddenly says, "Jotaro, I don't want to be a human being anymore!"

Then it pounced on the other policemen and started biting them. 'P5R' turned into a 'biochemical crisis' on the spot.

Not to mention, such an "isolated island" with only one passage and a large number of buildings is indeed quite suitable for similar plots.

Now that the biggest worry isn’t going to happen, it’s time to take action!

While thinking, Lan Ke unconsciously shook Tina in his arms.

This behavior seemed like coaxing a child. If it were any other time, it might have angered Tina, but today she was unexpectedly quiet. She just lay quietly in Lan Ke's arms and enjoyed this moment of silence.

Just as Lan Ke was confirming the situation with his assistant again, Jotaro Kujo met an unexpected "visitor" on the other side.

"Mr. Jotaro, excuse me."

Josuke Higashikata, dressed in casual clothes, easily found 'Grand Blue'. With the testimony of Noriaki Kakyoin and others, he also easily entered the store and found Jotaro Kujo's room.

However, although Jotaro Kujo was a little surprised by the other party's appearance, his reaction was quite calm.

"Sit down first."

Because the guest room was not big, Jotaro Kujo directly gestured to Josuke Higashikata to sit on the bed.

Although the two sides are quite familiar with each other, and even the purpose of coming here is not simple, for some reason, although he has clearly prepared himself mentally, he feels a little nervous when he actually sees Jotaro Kujo.

"No, why am I so nervous? The age difference isn't that big..."

While comforting himself, Higashikata Josuke was considering how to start the conversation.

But what he didn't expect was that just as he sat down and before he could say anything, Jotaro Kujo spoke first.

"Josuke, I'm sorry, Narukami and the others seem to have caused you trouble."

Jotaro Kujo's apology caught Josuke Higashikata off guard.

It’s not that I think Jotaro Kujo won’t apologize. He even said similar words to his mother when he sent Jolyne to live with him. But he was just a bystander at that time, but now that he has become an eyewitness, he feels completely different.

Especially since he had always been in awe of Jotaro Kujo, it felt like the person in his 'hallucination' was gradually becoming clearer.

The young man who was once known to be unruly no matter what enemy he faced has finally become a reliable adult, or an 'elder'.

But he quickly reacted and waved his hands.

"Mr. Jotaro! You don't have to do this!"

"No, as Narukami's current guardian, he has affected your work due to personal reasons. I have the obligation to apologize to you on his behalf..."

"It's okay! It's really okay! Besides, I have something I'd like to ask you, Mr. Jotaro!"

After Higashikata Josuke finished speaking, he realized that he seemed to have let something slip.

Fortunately, Jotaro Kujo didn't mind this, he just nodded at the other party.

"I won't hide anything that can be answered."

Of course, Josuke Higashikata couldn't just say, "Mr. Jotaro, I suspect you're from the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. I wonder if you can tell me the truth."

Regardless of Jotaro Kujo's reaction, saying this is likely to expose the next arrest.

Fortunately, he had a quick mind and thought of a new problem in an instant.

"Mr. Jotaro, I'd like to confirm your relationship with 'Yashiro Hideto'... no, should I say, 'Yashiro Group'? I'd like to know if this is related to the announcement letter from the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts'..."

Chapter 38 The sea is really interesting, blue...

Josuke Higashikata felt that many of the characteristics of the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts" could be matched by Jotaro Kujo, so based on his police instinct, he became suspicious of Jotaro Kujo.

However, he naturally couldn't say that in front of the person himself, so he also used some rhetoric.

"The notice left by the Phantom Thieves of Hearts mentioned 'greed,' but my intuition suggests there's more to it than that. Furthermore, they suspect the Phantom Thieves of Hearts are a fake and that you, Jotaro, are framing them. So, I'm curious what kind of conflict exists between you and them that would lead them to say such things."

People grow, and so does Josuke Higashikata.

Just like he used to beat up anyone who dared to call his hairstyle "cow dung head" until they were unable to take care of themselves, but now he has slowly learned to endure the ridicule of the public. After all, he has the right to stick to himself, but he has no right to change the general public's perception.

Unless he can become a 'household-known police officer' with this hairstyle, then by that time people will only think of him as a 'police officer' when they see this hairstyle, and naturally those weird titles will disappear.

He used to be reckless, but now he has learned the art of speaking.

It was obvious that he was doubting Jotaro Kujo's identity, but he continued to test Jotaro Kujo based on "Yashiro Hideto's words."

As for what if Jotaro Kujo didn't tell the truth?

This is also a clue, because now that he knows what Jotaro Kujo is hiding, he just needs to follow this clue to investigate!

In short, when he plays the cards in his hand, it doesn't matter to him which answer it is. The only difference is how much he gains.

However, even if Jotaro Kujo is really the man behind the "Phantom Thieves of Hearts", Josuke Higashikata has no intention of capturing him.

Perhaps because his grandfather almost died in an attack by escaped prisoners, Higashikata Josuke hates the so-called "abolitionists" in Japan. In his opinion, some scum only waste air and make food expensive!

What he was worried about was that the strange abilities of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts would fall into the hands of ambitious people and cause irreversible consequences.

But if it's Jotaro Kujo... he is willing to believe him!

Jotaro Kujo didn't expect that Josuke Higashikata had thought so much... No, it should be said that he simply didn't expect that he would be suspected of being the 'Phantom Thief of Hearts'. After hearing what Josuke Higashikata said, he nodded directly.

"Of course no problem..."

Just as Jotaro Kujo and Josuke Higashikata were having a long conversation, Lan Ke on the other side finally played with the cat and finished interacting with his little cuties and big cuties.

It's just that he looked a little embarrassed when he left.

His other 'companions' were fine, as there were basically no belligerents among them. Even the 'angels' that Lan Ke was most worried about remained strangely silent for some reason and did not clash with other 'demons'.

Perhaps it’s just as the Bicorn said—evil can only choose an ordinary life when under the control of a more terrifying evil.

What really made Lan Ke a little overwhelmed was Emilia.

If most of Lan Ke's 'secondary demons' were defeated by him and then chose to submit to him, then Emilia was one of the very few who actively chose to follow him.

Moreover, unlike Tina who said one thing but did another, she not only provided a lot of help to Lan Ke in battle and life, but also never asked for anything. To Lan Ke, she felt like a lotus, whose fragrance was not strong, and she would not actively show her presence, but she was graceful and elegant, which made Lan Ke never ignore her.