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John Wick took the photograph, nodded, and said calmly,"I'll take the Dragon Balls back from her."
He thought for a moment, then spoke again after careful consideration:"I still have some friends."
"If the positions of those at the top are overturned, they may be willing to make an effort."
Smith Doyle was not surprised by this. After all, John Wick had been a legendary assassin for many years—of course he had trusted allies. He even knew exactly who harbored resentment toward the High Table's rule.
"I'm glad you've considered that," Smith Doyle said, "but I don't have much time to help you contact them."
"Once we locate the Elders hiding in Casablanca, we'll launch our attack."
"After that's handled, you can reach out to people you trust and have them strike back—or retreat."
John Wick nodded."I understand."
Smith Doyle paused, then added,"Once you obtain the Dragon Balls, head straight into the Casablanca Desert."
"Then look up—Canis Minor. Follow Orion across the night sky. Follow the brightest star."
"Keep walking, even when you're at death's door."
"When you're down to your very last breath, he may come looking for you… or he may not."
"It all depends on your luck."
"I'll have Wesley arrange transport to Casablanca through our channels."
Elsewhere.
The Bowery King was at his gang's headquarters when Aura approached him and said,"A Judge wants to see you."
The Bowery King glanced at his men and let out a deep sigh, thinking, I didn't expect the High Table to send a Judge. I gave John Wick a gun—hopefully that won't come back to haunt me.
He scanned the faces around him, wondering who had reported the matter to the High Table.
Soon after, the Bowery King stepped onto the rooftop where he kept his pigeons, holding an umbrella as he waited for the Judge's arrival.
Not long after, Aura led the Judge over.
The Bowery King smiled as the Judge approached and said,"Welcome to my mission control center. My operations command hub. My super information portal."
"I come here to control street-level discourse and the roads of the world."
The Judge looked around in surprise."And… pigeons?"
The Bowery King glanced at the birds and replied,"Yes. What you see is a rat with wings. What I see is the internet."
He spoke with confidence:"No IP addresses. No digital footprints. No tracking. No hacking. Impossible to find."
The Judge scoffed."Doesn't it disgust you?"
The Bowery King's confident expression vanished instantly."I wouldn't recommend eating them."
He looked the Judge up and down, then asked,"What do you want?"
The Judge raised his chin arrogantly."I want to see the places where this didn't happen."
The Bowery King stared at him."Places where nothing happened?"
The Judge enunciated every word clearly:"Where you didn't kill John Wick."
The Bowery King frowned slightly and said in a low voice,"I always thought contracts and enforcement were optional. I have no issue with how John Wick handled things."
After hearing this, the Judge handed his umbrella to Aura standing nearby and said,"But you gave John Wick a seven-round 1911, knowing full well he intended to use it against the High Table, didn't you?"
As he spoke, the Judge took a pistol from his briefcase and showed it to the Bowery King."Specifically, this Kimber 1911."
After displaying the weapon John Wick had used in the murder, the Judge placed it back into his briefcase and stepped closer.
"You gave John Wick seven bullets."
"The High Table grants you seven days."
The Bowery King asked,"Care to explain what you mean by seven days?"
The Judge replied expressionlessly,"Put your affairs in order. Find a new home for your birds."
"In seven days, you will step down."
Hearing this, the Bowery King burst into laughter.
"Ah—hahahahaha!"
His laughter grew louder as he threw the umbrella to the ground and began preaching:"My dear Judge, do you know what the Bowery is?"
"Do you know what happens if I wave my hand?"
He gestured theatrically and continued,"No one replaces me on the throne."
"Because I am the throne, baby."
"I am the Bowery!"
He glared angrily at the Judge."I am everything you never want to see when you walk the streets at night."
"Bowery Street is mine—and mine alone!"
The Judge remained expressionless."Do not mistake yourself for someone above the rules while others are not."
"You have seven days."
With that final sentence, the Judge turned and left the rooftop, heading for his next destination.
Elsewhere.
Winston knew he couldn't afford to sit and do nothing. If he wanted to keep his position as manager of the Continental Hotel, his options were extremely limited.
Unless he could gain the support of the High Table Elders—but he had no such connections. Even as the manager of the New York Continental, he had no access to them.
That left only one option: joining the assassins' alliance, just like John Wick.
But the Continental was not John Wick. The other party would never accept it as a killing platform.
Even if they did, the New York Continental would become an island. Without the rules, the hotel would lose its very reason for existence.
He had no choice but to shift the blame—force the High Table's Judges and the assassins' alliance into direct confrontation.
Only then would they be too busy to deal with him, giving him time to build connections and lift the punishment imposed on him by the upper ranks.
Once the plan was clear, Winston acted immediately. He picked up the phone and dialed Smith Doyle.
When the call connected, he said,"Mr. Smith, this is Winston."
Smith Doyle was surprised to hear from him."Winston? What's going on?"
Winston replied,"The High Table's Judges have arrived in New York. They'll soon learn that you protected John Wick."
"I believe they'll be knocking on your door very soon. You need to prepare."
With that, Winston hung up and walked straight toward the room where Judge No. 217 was staying.