The World of Stars and Stripes (story arc)

The World of the Stars and Stripes (星条旗の世界) is the twenty-second and final story arc in Steel Ball Run.

Summary
In the stopped time, Diego Brando from Another Universe positions himself and THE WORLD in order to attack from two directions. Dio shoots Johnny in the neck as THE WORLD punches him out from Slow Dancer. Dio then rides his own Stand, only leaving one leg touching the ground as the remaining Spin Energy converges toward THE WORLD. As THE WORLD's leg being invaded by the rotation, THE WORLD cuts it and throws it at Johnny who's imbued with the rotation. Incapacitated, Johnny cannot do anything as Dio wins the Steel Ball Run and head to the safe in which the Holy Corpse will be put.

In the shelter, Dio meets with Lucy Steel. Held by THE WORLD, Lucy reveals that she had been waiting for Dio. Before the end of the 8th stage, Lucy learned of the culprit's true identity and went to the train tracks to recover Diego's head. Giving it to Dio, Lucy kills Dio by fusing his head with the original head. At the same time, Steven Steel rescues Johnny by taking him on his horse, before Johnny can shoot himself.

After a brief narration of the after effects of the race, Johnny embarks on a boat to give Gyro's corpse back to his family, in which he meets his future wife Rina Higashikata. We last see Johnny give a last prayer, and smile as he goes to Europe to bury his friend.

Chapters

 * 094 (846). The World of the Stars and Stripes
 * 095 (847). The World of the Stars and Stripes -Outro

Volumes

 * 24 (104) The Stars and Stripes Forever