The team was heading into Toledo as Valentine called again. 'At this point I feel I should mention there are sixteen remaining Stand users in the competition, including your team. Since the remaining Stand users are likely to beat out the normal racers, I think you know what this implies.' "We still have two more steel balls to go," Sadao noted, "But they'll be gunning for the ones we have. Am I right in assuming DeBorne has all of them working together, even though they're likely in different teams?" 'Indeed,' Valentine replied, 'You have only five states left to go through. Be careful.'

After Valentine hung up, the team found themselves in another pack of racers, which was being harassed by mob vehicles packing guns. Ahead of them was a Stand user who's Stand resembled a harlequin but with seagull wings. His name was Matt Spade, and his Stand was called Magic Seagull. It worked by disguising certain things from cameras, including itself and its user. In a pinch it could also pull objects from nowhere, in a manner reminiscent of sleight of hand.

"He's keeping the mob cars hidden from the media coverage," Sadao realized, "At this rate, they might start killing those other racers. We need to take out the Stand user, then the mob will back off to avoid drawing attention." Spade looked back as he saw Team Kujo approaching. "Those Stand users who took out Genie," he realized, "They already have all but two of the steel balls. It'll be tricky, but I can fight back. Let me see what I can pull from my sleeves."

Magic Seagull started pulling out several weapons with which it made to attack, but Sunset lead the charge and used Tighten Up to block the attacks, kicking at Magic Seagull between its strikes to hit at Spade. Several of the mob vehicles moved to intercept, but Sadao just used Gotta Keep It Real to slice apart their guns, forcing them to back off. Before long, the mobster magician was taken down, his vehicle dropping as he fell unconscious from the blood loss.

Further ahead, DeBorne got hold of his father. "So Spade was taken out. That'll make things harder, his Stand was the only thing allowing our boys to operate without disqualifying me." He waited as his father talked. "No... No we can't let any of that team win, or it'll make us look weak in his eyes. You know how he hates weakness. We already have his attention due to how powerful my Stand is. Even he admits it could possibly beat his own." He nodded. "Yes, I'm sure we can still set up a few ambushes where people least expect them. I'm in contact with the remaining teams."

He checked his watch. "Do we have any word on the people he wanted us to hire? You know how tough they can be to track down." He listened. "Ah, good. The extra funding will go a long way towards securing our place in his world. I must admit, I'm curious as to what his goal is for overthrowing everything. I suppose we'll see when the time comes. Anyway, I gotta get going. I need to make up some distance if I want to meet Kujo and his team in New York."

Outside Cleveland, Sanji was also making a call, this one to the Speedwagon Foundation. "It's Sanji, code number 314159265359. I need to make a report, possibility regarding the incident Mister Joestar was investigating." He nodded. "Yes, we need our other Stand users to be informed. Anyone with any information regarding movement of known Stand using assassins. All knowledge regarding them should be filed and sent to Mister Joestar at earliest convenience. Win or lose, I get the feeling those assassins will be trouble in the future."

He hung up. "It may take some time for that information to trickle in, but no time like the present to get things set up. Hopefully it'll pay off in the future." Sadao frowned. "Who would be hiring all these killer Stand users, and what sort of powers do they have?" "I'm not sure," Sanji admitted, "Stand users tend to live solitary lives, due to the nature of their powers. Honestly this is the largest gathering of Stand users I've ever seen. I didn't even know there were this many. I mean, it's not like we have a club or anything."

The others nodded in understanding. Non-Stand users couldn't see Stands, and whenever a Stand user used their powers in the presence of those who didn't have a Stand, it came off as psychic power. This was certainly the case with the mobsters Sadao had beaten up with his Stand before meeting Valentine. Because of this, most Stand users tended to keep to themselves, not wanting to be hated or feared just because of something they were born with, as these eight racers were. But if there were people out there using Stands for evil purposes, it was important to stop them.

At the end of the Cleveland route, the group ran into another Stand user, his Stand resembling a robot rat with wheels on its back. "I see you showed up," the racer said, "I'm Dai Busch, and this is my Stand Silver Rat. I'm under orders to take you out." He got up, but Rudy stepped forward. "Is it really necessary to take all of us out? After all, you only have seven members of your group left. Of course, if by take out you mean kill..." He summoned Power To Tearer. "Then I won't hesitate to step in."

Busch laughed. "You really think a homeless old man intimidates me? I've spent years running with the mob. I've seen the worst people can throw at a guy. Silver Rat! Blow this guy to hell!" Energy spheres appeared in Silver Rat's hands and the tip of its tail. "My Silver Rat can launch energy bombs that have the same yield as dynamite!," Busch explained, "Perfect for sending a message via demolition! And since they have no physical components, there's no evidence to track!" Silver Rat launched the attacks, causing the team to scatter as Rudy seemed to get engulfed.

"That's the problem with real bombs," Busch noted, "They're good for destroying, but they make more evidence than they destroy. With Silver Rat I don't have that problem." "Oh, you're about to have a real problem, boy," came Rudy's voice, shocking Busch. He looked to see Rudy had encased himself in a shield of ice created by Power To Tearer. "You think you've seen the worst humanity can deliver! Take on the machine-gun nests coming up the beach at Normandy, then say that to me a second time!"

Busch stepped. "Wait, you're a World War II vet?" "I'm a soldier born and bred!," Rudy said proudly, "My Stand, Power To Tearer, developed as I stormed those beaches alongside my fellow American soldiers, watching as they got cut down one by one! It's because of me that, despite our army taking the greatest number of casualties any army has taken during a land battle, we still won against the Waffen-SS! At it's strongest, Power To Tearer could tear apart your entire organization! It's that ferocious! It's only because of my pride as a solider that it's under control, so don't forget that!"

He demonstrated by having Power To Tearer plow its fist into Silver Rat's gut, causing the same effect to Busch. "The only reason I'm homeless is because of the peace this world has, shaky as it is," Rudy noted, "But I still find reason to fight." Silver Rat quickly rushed away on its wheels, which had shifted to its legs, firing off more bombs as it retreated. "I'm starting to see how you got past your rivals," Rudy noted, "Silver Rat gave you an extra set of wheels for better traction."

Power To Tearer disabled the wheels using its horns before slamming its tail into Silver Rat. It then launched itself into the air and fired a gust of freezing wind, trapping both Silver Rat and Busch with it. "By the way," Rudy said, "You wouldn't happen to know what power DeBorne's Stand has, do you? It's been bugging us." Busch smirked. "Like I'd tell you that." Rudy shrugged. "Then I guess I have no other reason to hold back." Power To Tearer punched Silver Rat over and over, finishing it off with a powerful gut punch that left both it and Busch unconscious on the ground.

"That was awesome Rudy," Sunset said, as Rudy picked up the violet steel ball. "Thanks," Rudy said, "Guess in some ways, my war hasn't ended. But now we know that we can't expect mercy from DeBorne's group." "And there's still only one more steel ball to find," Sanji said, "Let's hope it's still there when we find it, or we'll have to take it back along the course." They got back to their bikes. At this point there was no more time to lose. They had to reach New York City, and stop DeBorne's plans.

Silver Rat's power is meant to be based on Rattrap from Beast Wars, little idea from a friend of mine.

The chapter title is in reference to a line from the song POWER To TEARER, which gave Rudy's Stand its namesake.

Sanji's ID number is actually the first twelve numbers in pi. Just some quick facts in case you were curious.