Pepper Potts was momentarily stunned. As the secretary of weapons tycoon Tony Stark, she usually dismissed underground organizations. But any group that once controlled 80% of the global underworld deserved serious consideration.
And to be wiped out—by an unofficial force, no less—was even more shocking.
"Happy, are you sure about this?" she asked.
"If they're that powerful, they could really help us find Tony."
Happy nodded solemnly.
"Pepper, you know I'm Tony's bodyguard. In our line of work, we have to stay informed about underground networks—especially to catch wind of any bounties on Tony as soon as they arise."
"The fall of the High Table and the closure of the Continental are the biggest news in the underworld right now."
"This new organization—the Assassin Brotherhood—supposedly has over a thousand years of history and now controls the High Table's resources. If anyone can locate Tony, it's them."
"They may even be able to identify who attacked him."
"But getting them to act won't be easy. Most people couldn't afford the cost."
What Happy didn't say was that it wasn't about money—it was access. As a bodyguard, his influence was limited. But Pepper Potts, despite being a 'secretary,' handled much more and wielded true authority within Stark Industries.
Pepper nodded slowly.
"I understand, Happy. I'll consider it."
He left, and Pepper headed straight for Tony's residence.
After security clearance, she stepped into the villa.
"JARVIS, pull up everything on the High Table, the Continental Hotel, and the organization that took them down."
"Certainly, Ms. Potts. Please wait a moment."
Moments later:
"The information has been transferred to the desktop. Please review it at your convenience."
Pepper sat down and began reading. JARVIS had scanned the entire dark web, compiling a comprehensive dossier. He even discovered limited references to the Assassin Alliance but withheld deeper files due to insufficient access permissions.
As she read through the extensive reports—mostly on the High Table and Continental—she realized Happy wasn't lying. And the Assassin Alliance... it had to be immensely powerful to bring such giants down. Even so, there was far less data available on them.
...
Three days later.
After cross-referencing the intel, Pepper and Happy tracked down John Wick.
New York Assassin Brotherhood HQ (formerly New York Continental Hotel).
"Mr. Wick," Pepper began, "I wish to meet the leader of the Assassin Alliance—Smith Dole."
She handed him her card.
John glanced at it.
Pepper Potts, Executive Assistant to the Chairman, Stark Industries
Recognition flashed across his face. Even as a former assassin, he knew Stark Industries—and he understood the influence of the woman in front of him.
"May I ask the purpose of your visit?"
Pepper didn't reveal much.
"It's a private matter, and one that would benefit him. Please, just let him know. I believe my position warrants at least a meeting."
John wondered if this had anything to do with the Doragon Bōru (Dragon Balls), though selling weapons to the Alliance seemed unlikely.
"I'll relay your request. Whether he agrees isn't up to me."
"Thank you, Mr. Wick."
...
Elsewhere.
Smith Dole was in the training grounds, wearing a weighted suit.
As for the gravity chamber he desired—still no sign of it. Fox had informed him the day before that Bulma needed rare components that weren't available locally. Some hadn't even arrived yet. The bulk order would take time.
"Hah... Hup..."
He pushed himself through training. Though he had increased the suit's weight as much as possible, he couldn't exactly wear tons of steel. Fox had arranged for a custom suit forged from osmium—the densest metal available on the market.
Ring Ring.
He paused when his phone rang. Seeing John Wick's name, he answered.
"John, something wrong?"
"Leader, Pepper Potts—executive assistant to Tony Stark—has requested a meeting with you."
Smith blinked.
Stark Industries?
He immediately thought of Tony's kidnapping. How long had he been missing now?
Guessing the visit's purpose, he replied:
"Bring Ms. Potts to HQ."
"Understood, Leader."
After the call, Smith pulled up the latest news. Tony had been missing for almost three months—many already assumed he was dead.
...
Assassin Alliance Headquarters.
The meeting room doors opened. John Wick escorted Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan inside.
"Leader, this is Ms. Pepper Potts, executive assistant to the Stark Industries chairman. This is his bodyguard, Happy Hogan."
"And this is our leader—Smith Dole."
With introductions complete, John stepped outside to stand guard.
(End of Chapter)
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