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Shimazu Koji took out a bottle of whiskey, poured a glass for himself and one for John Wick, then raised his glass.
"To smooth sailing."
John Wick lifted his whiskey glass.
"It'll be fine."
At that moment, Akira walked over and asked:
"Father, were you looking for me?"
But when she saw John Wick, she froze.
"What is he doing here?"
Shimazu Koji stood up and said to his daughter:
"Mr. Wick is our guest."
Akira shouted angrily:
"Father!"
Shimazu Koji said calmly:
"Come here."
Although Akira was unhappy that her father was meeting with John Wick, she still obeyed and walked over.
Shimazu Koji looked at John Wick and said:
"Wick, this is my daughter, Akira."
"Akira, this is your Uncle Wick."
Akira was clearly reluctant, but she still said:
"Uncle Wick."
John Wick reached into his suit pocket and took out a three-stage bullet specially made by the Assassin Brotherhood. He placed it on the table and said:
"Koji, have Akira take this bullet to Fort William, southwest of the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. Someone there will receive her."
Shimazu Koji nodded and said to his daughter:
"Akira, don't rush to thank Uncle Wick yet."
Akira didn't pick up the bullet. Instead, she looked at Shimazu Koji.
"Father, what are you planning to do?"
"I'm not going."
She was deeply worried about her father's decision. Right now, she wanted him to leave the Osaka Continental Hotel. It seemed clear that he intended to help John Wick.
Shimazu Koji's expression darkened. He said sternly:
"Akira, this is not a discussion. This is an order."
Hearing her father's harsh tone, she felt confused—but still nodded.
"Yes."
Shimazu Koji's expression softened.
"Take the token and leave immediately."
Akira picked up the bullet and turned to leave.
Smith Doyle witnessed everything through the Dragon Balls—the events unfolding in Osaka, the conversation between John Wick and Shimazu Koji, and the exchange of their tokens.
Smith Doyle didn't care that John Wick was trying to win his favor. Since Wick had chosen to send Shimazu's daughter here for refuge, Smith had no reason to refuse.
While Smith Doyle was observing John Wick through the Dragon Balls, the nine remaining High Table Elders each dispatched their personal forces into New York. At the same time, they sent their adjudicators to the Continental Hotels under their control to recruit assassins.
At that moment, Fox knocked on the door and entered, reporting:
"God, the injured brothers have all recovered. Who do we hit next?"
Smith Doyle tapped his fingers on the desk, thought for a moment, and said:
"Not long ago, the Marquis's people attacked our headquarters. If we launch an offensive now, we'll likely be attacked again—especially since our headquarters is currently empty."
"As far as I know, the High Table's retaliation is coming soon."
Although Fox trusted Chief Smith Doyle's strength, he still asked:
"Should we call back all our brothers from the other outposts to defend headquarters, while also preventing the outposts from being attacked?"
Smith Doyle shook his head.
"There's no need to recall everyone, but we must protect the outposts."
"Send those members out to link up with the Italian Mafia. The Mafia will be one of our next targets."
"After repelling this counterattack, we'll concentrate our forces and eliminate those three. That organization is already on the verge of collapse."
Fox nodded.
"We're planning to ambush them. When that happens, how should the Continental Hotels respond?"
Smith Doyle replied casually:
"Once the High Table is dealt with, send word for them to shut down and disband."
"If anyone refuses, destroy them outright."
After receiving his orders, Fox turned and left the office without asking any further questions.
Smith Doyle went to the training room to work out, attempting to sense ki. If he could feel it, that would be a major breakthrough for him.
Elsewhere.
After exchanging farewells with Shimazu Koji, John Wick left the Osaka Continental Hotel with Poole floating beside him as a balloon. His next destination was Hong Kong, where another Dragon Ball awaited.
As John Wick exited through the hotel's back courtyard, the Hunter and his German Shepherd appeared nearby.
"John."
When John Wick heard someone call his name, he didn't turn around immediately. Instead, he pulled his suit jacket up to protect his head.
"Biu, biu, biu."
"Ding. Ding. Ding."
The instant he was hit, John Wick memorized the bullet's trajectory. He curled his body, rolled sideways, and drew his pistol to return fire.
"Bang. Bang. Bang."
The bullets struck the tree where the Hunter was hiding, failing to deal any real damage.
The German Shepherd brought by the Hunter was lying low on the grass, crawling toward John Wick's position.
John Wick drew a second pistol with his left hand, disengaged the safety, half-crouched, and fired at the tree again.
"Bang. Bang. Bang."
Round after round slammed into the trunk, sending splinters flying. The Hunter crouched behind the tree, keeping his entire body concealed while counting John Wick's shots.
"Bang. Bang. Bang."
Click.
Hearing the empty click, the Hunter drew his pistol and blindly fired toward John Wick's position.
"Bang. Bang. Bang."
John Wick dodged the incoming fire and advanced toward the tree.
The Hunter shouted:
"Get him!"
The German Shepherd suddenly leapt out of the bushes, clamped onto John Wick's gun arm, and dragged it backward while violently shaking its head.
The gunfire stopped.
The Hunter immediately jumped down from his vehicle, aimed at John Wick's head, and prepared to fire. He would never risk hurting his beloved dog.
In the emergency, John Wick struck the dog's head repeatedly, but it had no effect. Finally, with the pistol in his left hand, he fired several shots into the German Shepherd's head.
"Bang. Bang. Bang."
Three shots shattered the dog's skull. His wounded right arm was finally freed.
In an instant, it was over.
When the Hunter rushed out and saw the scene, he let out a grief-stricken roar and pulled a shotgun from behind his back.
"What—!"
The Hunter roared in rage and raised the weapon, firing at John Wick.
BOOM!