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Shimazu passed through the kitchen and stepped onto the rooftop balcony. He spoke to the two sumo wrestlers standing guard there:
"Stay here. Don't let anyone in."
The two sumo wrestlers nodded. Shimazu pushed open the door and walked inside.
On the rooftop terrace stood an outdoor dining table. Shimazu looked at the man before him—and at the blue, cat-shaped hydrogen balloon floating beside him—and said:
"You've changed a lot. I never thought you'd grow fond of something like that."
"I thought you would eventually find inner peace. It seems things didn't turn out the way you expected."
John Wick turned around and looked at Shimazu in silence.
Shimazu gestured toward the table, inviting them to sit, and continued:
"The High Table executed the manager of the New York Continental simply because he helped you."
"My daughter is worried that we may be next."
John Wick replied:
"I'm sorry about what happened to Winston. I'll avenge him."
He walked over and sat down at the table. Shimazu picked up the teapot and poured each of them a cup of tea.
"Have you ever thought about how all of this will end?" Shimazu asked.
John Wick looked up at him, uncertain whether he should mention the Assassin Brotherhood's recent achievements.
Shimazu went on:
"The High Table never stops."
"You know this. It only takes lives. It only brings death."
John Wick lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said calmly:
"I'm going to kill them all."
Shimazu Koji smiled faintly.
"I believe you'll give it everything you have. But no one can kill them all."
"Not even you."
Then he asked:
"Do you want to die?"
"That is your choice. Only by living with dignity can one die with honor."
John Wick replied:
"My friend, we left dignity behind a long time ago."
Shimazu fell silent for a moment, then took a sip of tea.
After thinking for a while, John Wick said:
"Koji, I'm sorry to trouble you like this."
Shimazu replied evenly:
"True friendship is revealed in times of hardship."
John Wick looked at him and said:
"I need to take something from you."
"In return, I'll give you a reason that will satisfy you."
Shimazu raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What is it?"
John Wick reached into the inner pocket of his suit and took out a four-star Dragon Ball.
"I know you have a similar one—a five-star ball. I need it."
Seeing what John Wick was holding, Shimazu Koji showed no surprise at all. He reached into his pocket, took out a five-star Dragon Ball, and placed it in front of John Wick.
"I heard both you and the Camorra were looking for this. I knew you'd come."
"If you need it, take it."
Seeing how readily Shimazu offered it, John Wick accepted without hesitation.
"Thank you, Koji."
He continued:
"If you want your daughter to be safe, I can recommend a place."
Shimazu asked with a puzzled frown:
"With our status, is there anywhere in this world that's truly safe?"
John Wick replied:
"I've joined the Assassin Brotherhood. Recently, they completely wiped out three High Table Elders and the forces behind them."
"The Camorra. The Marquis de Gramont. The Casablanca Elder."
Shimazu Koji was stunned.
"That… that's impossible."
"What kind of organization is this Assassin Brotherhood? I've never even heard of it."
"As far as I know, the only force capable of opposing the High Table is the Hand."
When John Wick realized that Shimazu Koji had never even heard of the Assassin Brotherhood, he understood that the Osaka Continental was not as influential as its New York counterpart.
"You can have your people contact those three factions right now. You'll find that they've completely gone silent."
Shimazu gestured to the man guarding the door. The man immediately hurried over and whispered something into his ear.
As Shimazu's subordinate left, John Wick began explaining the Assassin Brotherhood.
"What? This organization has existed for over a thousand years?"
"You've clashed with the High Table before, and now you've set your sights on them again?"
"My God… such an organization actually exists. Unbelievable."
Shimazu Koji was both shocked and filled with admiration for the Assassin Brotherhood and its leader.
"Jonathan, you want my daughter to go there?"
"Do you truly believe the Assassin Brotherhood has the power to completely defeat the High Table?"
John Wick didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked:
"What do you think of my strength?"
Shimazu thought for a moment before replying:
"Extremely strong. Among all the assassins I've known, you may be the strongest."
"Even among the few I believe could rival you, I'm certain that in a fight to the death, you would prevail."
Seeing that Shimazu acknowledged his strength, John Wick said:
"My strength doesn't even rank at the top within the Assassin Brotherhood."
"If they wanted to assassinate me, I might never even see them."
In just a few days, John Wick had gained a deep understanding of the Brotherhood's terrifying capabilities—especially their ultra-long-range sniping and rotating bullets. Once targeted by their snipers, it was effectively a death sentence.
As for their leader, GOD—his power was beyond imagination. Calling him a reincarnation of Captain America would be an understatement. Captain America needed a shield; their leader could stop bullets with his bare body.
Shimazu Koji covered his mouth in shock.
"What do you want me to do?"
John Wick replied:
"The worst option is also the safest one—send your daughter there to seek refuge. I have several open slots, and I've already informed the Chief."
"If you help neither side, the High Table will eventually mobilize its forces against the Assassin Brotherhood. You should hold your position."
"The best strategy is to choose the right moment to resist the High Table and show the Assassin Brotherhood where you stand."
After hearing John Wick's proposal, Shimazu Koji took a deep breath. He knew that from this moment on, the world would plunge into complete chaos.
At that moment, the subordinate who had left earlier returned and reported that neither the Camorra nor the Marquis could be contacted. As for the Casablanca Elders, they had always been elusive, but information from the Moroccan Continental confirmed that massive changes had indeed occurred.
Suppressing the fear in his heart, Shimazu Koji said:
"Call Akira up here."
After watching his subordinate leave, Shimazu Koji turned to John Wick and said:
"I intend to carry out both strategies at the same time."
A look of approval appeared on John Wick's face.
"Koji—trust me. You won't regret this choice."