Chapter 9

The Live Subject Test of the Mask is the ninth chapter of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga. It is also the ninth chapter of Part I: Phantom Blood.

Summary
As Jonathan drops the knife to the ground, the last of three men rushes towards him with killing intent. The man's bowler hat begins to spin and is revealed as a spinning blade top. Jonathan is forced to move into a defensive stance as the man prepares to launch his hat. Thinking quickly, Jonathan kicks the knife he had dropped earlier and sends it flying towards his opponent. The man dodges the knife easily, and throws his hat, which cuts deep into Jonathan's arm. Jonathan does not flinch, however, and the man is completely caught off guard, taking a heavy kick to the face.

Having defeated all three men, Jonathan is suddenly surrounded by a mob of thugs who proceed to attack him. The man Jonathan just defeated tells the mob to not harm him. He introduces himself as Speedwagon and asks Jonathan why he did not put all his power into the kick that sent him flying. Jonathan claims that he is simply looking for a way to help his father, and he figured Speedwagon must too have a family that cares for him. Amused by Jonathan's naivety and nobility, Speedwagon offers to take Jonathan to the Oriental shop.

Back at the Port City outside the Joestar Mansion, Dio is distressed by suspicions about Jonathan. He is worried Jonathan may have found the medicine that would be able to cure his father. Because of this, Dio has taken up drinking, and he curses himself for doing the same thing his own father did.

He eventually bumps into a couple of hardy men on the street, and they taunt him for being out so late at night. Dio swings his bottle of booze and smashes it into one of men's faces. The other man retaliates and pulls out a knife to attack. Dio decides this would be a good time to test out his plan for killing Jonathan. Dio brings out the Stone Mask and places it on the man with the knife. He grabs the man's hand and forces him to stab his partner in the neck. A bright light suddenly bursts forth from the Stone Mask.