Shimazu Koji retrieved a bottle of whiskey and poured two glasses—one for himself, one for John Wick. He raised his glass.
"Here's to smooth sailing."
John clinked his glass against Koji's.
"It will be."
Just then, Akira approached.
"Father? You wanted me?"
She froze when she saw John.
"What is he doing here?"
Koji stood and addressed his daughter.
"Mr. Wick is our guest."
Akira frowned.
"Father—"
He held up a hand.
"Come here."
Reluctantly, Akira stepped forward.
Koji introduced them.
"Wick, this is my daughter, Akira."
"Akira, this is Uncle Wick."
Akira bowed her head, forcing a polite tone.
"Uncle Wick."
John reached into his suit pocket and produced a special three-piece bullet issued by the Assassin's League. He set it on the table.
"Koji, have Akira take this bullet to the old docks in Brooklyn—naval shipyard, southwest corner—over to William Castle. Someone there will meet her."
Koji nodded and turned to Akira.
"Akira—thank Uncle Wick for this."
Akira hesitated, then confronted her father.
"What are you doing, Father?"
"I'm not leaving."
Koji's face hardened.
"Akira, this isn't a discussion—it's an order."
Despite her protest, she nodded.
"Yes, Father."
His expression softened slightly.
"Grab the token and go immediately."
Akira took the bullet token and turned to leave.
---
At the Osaka Continental, Smith Doyle observed everything through the Dragon Ball's sensing. He didn't mind John forging an alliance with Shimazu, especially since Koji was sending his daughter away for safety.
Meanwhile, the nine elder's forces of the High Table were being dispatched into New York, and adjudicators were sent to Continental hotels to recruit assassins.
Fox entered Smith's office.
"GOD, our wounded have all recovered. Which targets next?"
Smith tapped the table, thinking.
"Recently, the Marquis's men struck our HQ. If we strike now, their vengeance will hit our empty base."
"I know their style—their retaliation is coming soon."
Fox trusted Smith's strength but spoke up.
"Should we recall our teams to defend HQ and prevent other bases from being attacked?"
Smith shook his head.
"No need to pull everyone back. But we must protect our outposts."
"Send them to rally with the Italian Mafia. They'll be our next target."
"After our counterstrike, we'll converge and finish them off. The High Table will collapse."
Fox nodded and asked:
"And the Continental hotels?"
Smith waved dismissively.
"Once the High Table is dealt with, tell them to close and disband. Anyone who resists—eliminate."
With that, Fox left. Smith headed to the training room, hunting for that elusive "chi" sense to further boost his power.
---
Elsewhere.
John Wick and Shimazu said their goodbyes. John, accompanied by Pool in his balloon form, departed for Hong Kong to secure the next Dragon Ball.
As John slipped out through the back of the hotel, the Hunter and his German Shepherd emerged nearby.
The Hunter called out, "John."
Without turning, John raised his suit collar to protect his head.
"BIU… BIU… BIU"
"CLANG… CLANG… CLANG"
John tracked the bullet's origin and curled into a tight ball, rolling aside. He drew his pistol and returned fire.
"BANG… BANG… BANG"
Bullets struck the tree where the Hunter was hiding, shattering bark but leaving the Hunter unscathed. His Shepherd crept through the grass toward John's position.
John drew a second pistol, took a half-crouched stance, and fired at the tree once more.
"BANG… BANG… BANG"
Wood splinters flew as John's magazines emptied.
"CLICK"
John's pistol clicked empty. The Hunter stepped from cover and opened fire blindly in John's direction.
"BANG… BANG… BANG"
John evaded the rounds and advanced on the tree.
The Hunter shouted, "Attack him!"
The Shepherd lunged, biting John's shooting arm and shaking its head violently.
With the gunfire suddenly stopping, the Hunter surged forward, aiming at John's head. He didn't want to harm his beloved dog.
In a split second, John struck the Shepherd repeatedly—until it was down—and then fired three shots straight into the dog's head.
"BANG… BANG… BANG"
The Shepherd collapsed. The Hunter howled in anguish and fury, yanked a shotgun from his back, and fired in desperation.
"KER-THUNK"
—End of chapter—
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