At the headquarters of the League of Assassins.
Inside the conference room, Xu Wenwu looked straight at Smith Dole and said,
"Mr. Smith, about me joining the League of Assassins—do you need me to go through a ceremony, or perhaps sign some sort of contract?"
Seeing Wenwu bring up the subject himself, Smith Dole understood immediately: the man intended to honor his word without hesitation.
Smith turned his gaze toward the high council of the League, then nodded.
"Since Mr. Wenwu wishes to join our great family, I would never refuse him. Considering his strength, it is only proper that he be treated with the respect he deserves. Fox will choose an auspicious day, and we will hold an initiation ceremony here at headquarters, to formally announce his entry."
Wenwu nodded in satisfaction. At least they weren't brushing him off—this was genuine recognition.
He then added, "I'd like my wife to settle here as well, just like John Wick's beloved once did."
Smith guessed at Wenwu's intent. Compared to the Ten Rings, the League was infinitely safer. Now that Wenwu himself was tied to the League, his family naturally would shift here too.
"No problem. As a member's spouse, your wife may live here without issue."
Normally, not all families of League members were allowed into headquarters. But Wenwu's strength left no room for doubt.
With approval secured, Wenwu smiled. Then he broached another matter.
"You know I command the Ten Rings. It has stood for many years. Should it merge into the League, or…"
Hearing Wenwu call him "Leader," Smith Dole's satisfaction grew. The man's transition of loyalty was quick. But the proposal to merge the Ten Rings? Impossible. He had no interest in such a crude organization.
"The League has strict standards. We cannot absorb entire groups at once. And besides, the Ten Rings is your creation. Dissolving it into us doesn't suit either of us. Better to leave it as your legacy—for your children."
Wenwu was not surprised. He chuckled lightly.
"So be it. Let Xia Ling and Shangqi manage it."
Smith nodded. "We will arrange your residence here. When the day is chosen, we'll inform you of your ceremony. Until then, stay close. Afterward, you may attend to your other matters. I imagine now that your wife has returned, there is much to set in order."
Indeed, aboard the plane, Ying Li had already spoken of returning to Ta Lo with her children. Though Wenwu no longer bore the Dragon's power, perhaps his children might inherit something.
An agent entered, escorting Wenwu and his family, along with eight Ten Rings guards, to their quarters.
…
Once they had left, Smith Dole turned to the assembled leaders.
"The second Dragon Ball Tournament is over. What are your impressions?"
Fox raised a concern.
"The Dragon Balls are drawing more and more powerful factions into play. Thanks to the tournament, we have gained much—first the werewolves and vampires, and now Xu Wenwu himself. But… should we continue holding these contests? The more who know of the Dragon Balls, the more peril grows. Norse gods, Eternals, sorcerers—what comes next? Will future contenders even respect the rules?"
Smith's expression remained calm.
"The tournament will continue. Should anyone dare disrupt it, we will erase them—crush them utterly, and annihilate their organizations. As for strength… I am confident. Now, does anyone have suggestions for improving the rules?"
Wesley thought a moment.
"With the current setup, the only clear refinements are expanding the arena and reinforcing its durability. Unless we expand the pool of participants… but that risks spreading knowledge of the Dragon Balls too widely."
Heads nodded around the table.
Alexei spoke next.
"If we expand the roster while the Dragon Balls remain only seven, it's unfair to those who hunted them. Unless we, the League, pre-gather all seven before the tournament. Then we could open entry wider."
Smith agreed. The value of gathering Dragon Balls had to remain intact. But a thought struck him: now that Shenron could grant two wishes, perhaps one could be set aside as an additional reward.
He leaned forward.
"The Dragon Balls and the wishes must remain secret. If the world knew, it would bring only ruin. So: the champion and their wish will not change. But I want new ideas—ways the second wish might benefit others. Perhaps a secondary event, unrelated to collecting Dragon Balls. Think of it as innovation in tournament design."
His gaze swept the table.
"I give you one month. Each of you will present me one proposal. Then I will decide."
(End of Chapter)
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