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In the desert, Smith Doyle used the Dragon Ball to monitor John Wick's condition while guiding the team toward him.
Fortunately, they were riding camels. If they had been in SUVs, they would have been hopelessly stuck in the sand.
Smith carefully managed the distance between the two sides. Before John Wick could meet the Elder, he dared not get too close. The desert was vast—getting too near would expose his position.
Of course, he didn't stay too far either. He had enough time to rescue John Wick if needed. He didn't intend to let him lose even a finger due to delayed support. After all, John Wick was now his subordinate.
Time ticked by. Finally, John Wick was brought before the Elder.
The attendants were rough—dragging him off the camel and throwing him onto a carpet. Sunlight fell across his face, and John slowly regained consciousness.
"Drink," a voice said.
John immediately checked his pocket. The Dragon Balls were still there.
"Don't worry. Your food is still with you. Drink," the voice continued.
John Wick slowly focused, looking toward the source. Sitting before him was a dark-skinned man dressed in luxurious Arab robes.
John sat up and picked up the water cup, about to drink.
The man spoke again:"Child, why are you lost?"
John faced him calmly:"I'm not lost. I'm looking for you."
"You think I mean your location?"
John didn't answer immediately, drinking slowly to quench his thirst.
"I've never seen anyone fight so desperately to escape a world of killing, only to find themselves back at the beginning," the Elder said.
He stood, walked over, and crouched in front of John Wick."Tell me, Jonathan. Why do you want to live?"
John replied:"For my wife, Helen. For her. For us."
He lowered his head, calculating when Smith Doyle's support would arrive and when he should strike.
The Elder continued:"So you live for the memory of love?"
John looked up and whispered:"It's not just a memory."
The Elder didn't dwell on his words."I hear you've gained the protection of the Assassin Alliance."
John was surprised the Elder knew, but it made sense. He did not lie."Yes. They are protecting me."
The Elder studied him for a moment."You are the first—and only—man to register as an Assassin Alliance operative at a Continental Hotel.""I'm curious. How could they accept and protect you?"
John thought of the Dragon Balls his wife had given him."Helen brought me this luck. Perhaps it's her blessing."
The Elder smiled faintly, clearly not taking it seriously."Since you already have their protection, why come see me?"
John needed to buy time."I need the public bounty on me removed."
The Elder wasn't surprised. He had anticipated this purpose."It seems headquarters does not fully satisfy you. I can offer you freedom—from assassination. But you must complete five tasks and tell me one secret. If you agree and reveal it, I will lift your punishment and cancel the bounty. These tasks will require your lifetime to complete."
The Elder wanted loyalty, but he knew John would not agree under Alliance protection. This was the best compromise.
John appeared calm but was internally dismissive. Soon, the Assassin Alliance would confront the High Table—and this Elder might be the first to die. Whether he accepted didn't matter. He only needed time.
The Elder, unaware of the Alliance's plans, returned to his chair."Of course, the choice is yours. You may leave to mourn your wife—or remain here the rest of your life."
John scanned the area. Smith Doyle and the others were nowhere to be seen. He had to keep stalling."What secret do you want to know?"
The Elder clapped, as if John had agreed. One attendant approached with a box and opened it.
Inside was a Dragon Ball—a Three-Star Dragon Ball. John's eyes widened.
With this, he would soon have four Dragon Balls. Gathering all seven—and making a wish—was now within reach.
The Elder asked,"Tell me—what is this treasure? What secret does it hold?"
John paused, then said slowly:"If you truly wish to know, I hope you won't regret it. This is a Three-Star Dragon Ball. There are seven such treasures—together, the Seven Dragon Balls. Based on the stars inside, there may be one-star, two-star… or seven-star Dragon Balls. Gather all seven, and you can summon the Eternal Dragon."
Suddenly, the Elder's curiosity broke as bullets rained down—piercing the heads of his guards.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
All around him, the soldiers fell. John Wick quickly drew his weapon, holding the Elder at gunpoint.
Smith Doyle's Assassin Alliance operatives emerged from the tents, guns blazing with perfect precision. Wesley and Fox were equally deadly. The guards were no match.
Smith Doyle ran toward the Elder's tent, quickly leaving the chaos behind.
The Elder, wide-eyed, asked:"John Wick… do you know what you are doing?"
John pressed the gun to his head:"I told you—my goal was to find you."
The Elder fell silent.
After clearing the guards, Smith Doyle looked around. The Elder's men were unarmored and unprepared—an easy target. Bullet by bullet, they fell. Some survived by sheer luck, but even their camels were killed.
The battlefield was dominated by Smith's team. Wesley even activated "bullet time" to ensure no one was missed.
Finally, Smith Doyle approached the Elder, who sat by the main table."John, didn't I tell you we'd reach the Elder in time?"
John replied nervously:"I delayed him using the Dragon Ball info. Even a little longer, I think the Elders will hear me out."
Smith Doyle didn't care about the High Table knowing about the Dragon Balls. The Elder was about to die anyway.
He said:"I suppose this is one of the twelve Elders at the main table?"
Outside, gunfire dwindled to a few stray shots, then silence.
The Elder looked at the carnage calmly."Seems the Assassin Alliance intends to tear up the peace agreement with the High Table?"
Smith Doyle's voice was calm:"Promises?"
The Elder fell silent.
Wesley and Fox approached with the team."Elder, please lead us to your real base."
Smith knew this place wasn't the headquarters—it was too exposed, lightly defended, with only tents and a pavilion.
The Elder considered it. If news of the Alliance's attack spread, dying here or at the true base would have very different consequences.
"Since you want to go to my headquarters, I will take you there," he said.
John Wick picked up the Three-Star Dragon Ball, slipped it into his pocket, and followed the Elder.
The Elder mounted a camel, leading Smith and the team to their real base. Though no one was wounded in the earlier fight, some camels had been killed.
Fox leaned over to Smith quietly:"When do we notify the other two parties to act?"
Smith checked his power detector—no new threats."When we locate the base, we'll notify them via satellite to act in unison."
A coordinated strike would leave no time for the High Table to react.