The Curse of Dio

Joseph explains that the flesh bud lodged in Kakyoin's brain let DIO command his loyalty through sheer charisma, and Avdol recalls nearly suffering the same fate during his own encounter with DIO in Egypt, escaping only by luck. Despite the risk, Jotaro decides to carve the bud out himself, trusting Star Platinum's precision to make the surgery possible. He extracts it after considerable effort, and Joseph destroys it with the Ripple.

The next day, Avdol comes across a spoon on the floor and then Holy slumped unconscious by the refrigerator, translucent rose vines sprouting from her back. He recognizes a Stand, but Holy's gentle nature leaves her unable to summon it properly, so it is slowly killing her instead. Joseph erupts in anguish as his worst fear is confirmed, and when Jotaro asks how to save her, the only answer is to kill DIO.

Working from a photograph taken earlier with Hermit Purple, Jotaro has Star Platinum pick out a fly lurking in the shadows behind DIO. Avdol identifies the insect as a species native only to the Aswan region of Egypt, pointing them toward DIO's location, and Kakyoin confirms he once met DIO in that area during a family trip. With Holy given about fifty days to live, Joseph arranges for the Speedwagon Foundation to watch over her while the group departs for Egypt by plane.

In another place entirely, DIO uses an ability much like Hermit Purple to capture a photograph of the traveling group. Joseph grows wary the instant he senses they are being observed and tells Jotaro to stay alert for danger, just as a small insect drifts into view, hinting at the enemy waiting ahead.