Shimazu made his way through the kitchen and emerged onto the rooftop balcony. He turned to the two sumo guards stationed there.
"Stay here. Don't let anyone in."
The two guards nodded. Shimazu pushed open the door and stepped out.
The rooftop terrace was set with an open-air dining table. Floating beside the man in front of him was a helium balloon shaped like a blue cat. Shimazu smirked.
"You've really changed. I didn't think you'd be into toys like that."
"I thought you'd found peace. But clearly, that wasn't the case."
John Wick turned to face him, silent.
Shimazu gestured toward the table with a polite sweep of his hand.
"The High Table stripped the Continental in New York of its power—just for helping you."
"My daughter is worried we'll be next."
John finally spoke.
"I'm sorry about Winston. I will avenge him."
He walked over and took a seat at the table. Shimazu poured them each a cup of tea.
"Have you thought about how this ends?" Shimazu asked.
John looked at him, unsure whether to share the Assassin's League's recent victories.
Shimazu continued, "The High Table never stops. You know that. All it brings is death."
John took a sip of tea.
"I'll kill them all."
Shimazu Koji chuckled.
"I believe you'll try. But no one can kill them all."
"Not even you."
Then, with a more serious tone:
"Is death what you want?"
"Because only those who live with honor can die with it."
John replied,
"Honor? We threw that away a long time ago, my friend."
Shimazu fell silent, then took a slow sip of tea.
After a moment, John said,
"I'm sorry to trouble you like this, Koji."
Shimazu brushed it off.
"True friends reveal themselves in hard times."
John looked him in the eye.
"I need to take something from you."
"In return, I'll give you a reason worth the cost."
That piqued Shimazu's interest.
"What is it?"
John reached into the inside pocket of his suit and pulled out a four-star Dragon Ball.
"I know you have something similar—one with five stars. I need it."
Koji wasn't surprised. He calmly pulled a five-star Dragon Ball from his coat and placed it on the table.
"When I heard you and Komora's people were looking for these, I figured you'd show up eventually."
"If you need it, take it."
John accepted it without hesitation.
"Thank you, Koji."
Then he added,
"If you want to keep your daughter safe, I can recommend a place."
Shimazu raised an eyebrow.
"With our identities, is there really any place in the world that's safe?"
John replied,
"I recently joined the Assassin's League. They've already wiped out three Elders of the High Table, and the power behind them."
"Komora. Marquis Gramont. The Elder from Casablanca."
Shimazu Koji was stunned.
"W-What? That's impossible."
"And this 'Assassin's League'... I've never even heard of it."
"The only group I've heard of capable of resisting the High Table was the Hand."
John realized then that the Osaka Continental simply wasn't on the same level as New York's.
"Try contacting those three factions. You'll see—they've gone completely dark."
Koji waved over the guard at the door and whispered a few instructions. The guard ran off.
John watched him leave, then started explaining the Assassin's League.
"They've been around for over a thousand years," Koji echoed in disbelief.
"They clashed with the High Table long ago, and now they're back, aiming straight for it again."
"Incredible... an organization like that really exists?"
He was awestruck, and deeply impressed by the League and its mysterious leader.
"Jonathan… you want me to send my daughter to them?"
"You really think the League can defeat the High Table?"
John didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked,
"What do you think of my skills?"
Koji thought for a moment.
"You're the strongest assassin I know."
"Even among the few who might match you, in a real fight to the death, I'd bet on you every time."
John nodded.
"And yet, within the League, I don't even make the top tier."
"If they wanted to take me out, I'd be dead before I even saw them coming."
In just a few days, John had gained a deep respect for the League's abilities—long-range snipers that could shoot around corners, assassins that struck without being seen.
And as for their leader, "GOD"… John found him utterly incomprehensible in power. Even calling him the second coming of Captain America would be an understatement—after all, Cap needed a shield. GOD could take a bullet with his bare skin.
Koji covered his mouth in shock.
"What do you want me to do?"
John said calmly,
"Worst case: send your daughter into hiding. I have a few spots reserved. I already talked to the leader about it."
"Middle option: stay neutral. The High Table will shift focus to fighting the League. Just wait and see."
"Best case: strike when the time is right. Betray the High Table. Let the League know where you stand."
Koji took a deep breath. He knew the world was about to change in ways no one was ready for.
Just then, the guard returned and whispered something in his ear. Koji turned pale.
"Komora and the Marquis are unreachable. And the Elder's people in Casablanca... something major happened. The Morocco Continental confirmed it."
Shimazu Koji fought to steady himself, then called out:
"Send Akira up here."
Once the guard left, Koji turned back to John.
"I'll take both the middle and top options."
John smiled.
"Koji, trust me—you made the right call."
—End of chapter—
Author's Note:
Enjoying the story and want to read ahead?
Join my Patreon.com/TenaciousHare and unlock 15-20+ chapters in advance, plus faster updates!
Your support keeps this story alive I truly appreciate it!
Thank you, everyone! 🗿👍
~ Tenacious Hare 🥕❤️