Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze (story arc)

Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze (マン・イン・ザ・ミラーとパープル・ヘイズ) is the ninth story arc in Vento Aureo.

It narrates the struggle of Giorno, Abbacchio and Pannacotta Fugo to secure a key despite the assassin Illuso's assault from inside a mirror world.

Summary
The figure in the mirror is revealed to be Illuso, a member of Squadra Esecuzioni. His Stand Man in the Mirror entraps Fugo in a mirror world, leaving Fugo's Stand Purple Haze behind in the real one. Abbacchio decides to put the mission before his fellow gang member and moves ahead to the "dog mosaic" where the key is hidden. Giorno stays behind. This allows Illuso to trap Abbacchio in the mirror world as well, and a struggle for the key ensues.

Abbacchio's fall into crime is also narrated, one case leading to his demotion from the police.

Abbacchio severs his own hand so that Moody Blues can deliver the key to Giorno. Illusio traps Giorno in the mirror world, only to find he has brought the deadly virus Purple Haze spreads in with him. Illuso dies, and Giorno takes the disease's antidote from a snake created by Gold Experience.

Chapters

 * 040 (479). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 1
 * 041 (480). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 2
 * 042 (481). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 3
 * 043 (482). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 4
 * 044 (483). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 5
 * 045 (484). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 6
 * 046 (485). Man in the Mirror and Purple Haze, Part 7

Volumes

 * 05 (51). The Boss' Second Assignment: 'Retrieve the Key!'
 * 06 (52). The Express Train Heading Towards Florence