Three days later.
New York — Assassins' League Headquarters.
In the conference room, Fox reported:
"According to the latest intelligence, after we eliminated six Elders of the High Table and their backers, the organization suffered a tremendous blow. Now, the various factions once under the High Table's rule have begun to strike against its remaining Elders."
"At the same time, following the ultimatums we delivered to the six remaining Elders, the High Table has decided to disband."
"Additionally, thanks to John Wick's negotiations, managers from multiple Continental Hotels — including New York, Osaka, and Monaco — have expressed their desire to defect to us."
Hearing this, Smith Doyle raised an eyebrow and asked curiously,
"The New York Continental?"
Fox explained:
"Winston's daughter has inherited the New York Continental. Also, two days ago, John Wick personally eliminated the High Table Adjudicator responsible for punishing the Continental."
At that, Smith Doyle glanced toward John Wick, who was seated quietly just outside the conference table.
After returning to New York, John Wick had immediately placed the Dragon Balls in the care of the Assassins' League, and then hunted down the Adjudicator to avenge Winston.
Smith Doyle thought for a moment, then spoke:
"What are everyone's thoughts regarding the Continentals?"
Wesley was the first to respond:
"I believe that kind of killer platform has outlived its usefulness."
John Wick then said:
"With the High Table gone, the Continental Hotels can no longer uphold their sacred rules. Some of the managers are even willing to convert their hotels into branch offices for the Assassins' League."
Hearing John's words, everyone turned their eyes to Smith Doyle. Ultimately, it was his decision that would determine the fate of the Continentals.
Smith Doyle tapped the table lightly, paused for two seconds, and then said:
"The Continental's intelligence networks, arms manufacturing, and ballistic armor operations are all excellent. Therefore, starting today, the Assassins' League will officially absorb all Continental Hotels."
"Each Continental will be converted into a League branch. Their existing managers will be evaluated: those who pass will join us, those who fail... will be removed."
"As for any who resist... treat them like the High Table — and eliminate them."
Everyone responded in unison:
"Yes, GOD!"
Smith Doyle continued:
"This campaign has been a resounding success for the League. However, our losses were not insignificant."
"With the High Table's dissolution, chaos will inevitably rise in the underworld."
"Our next steps are to recover, rebuild, and monitor the situation. If anyone causes too much trouble — we wipe them out."
Having said this, Smith Doyle turned his gaze to John Wick and asked:
"John Wick, after everything you've been through... has your wish changed?"
John stood up, his expression solemn:
"GOD, my wish has never wavered."
Smith Doyle nodded approvingly, then declared:
"In that case, John Wick, everyone — we set sail shortly. We'll head to international waters to grant John Wick his wish."
Everyone answered firmly:
"Understood."
At this point, everyone present was already aware of the Dragon Balls and John Wick's wish, thanks to Fox and Wesley — by Smith Doyle's deliberate instruction, though restricted to the top ranks only.
Though some didn't fully understand why the leader would go to such lengths for John Wick's wish, they nonetheless respected Smith Doyle's decision.
---
Open Sea.
A decommissioned destroyer, now repurposed, cut across the waters.
Standing on deck, Cross looked at Smith Doyle and asked:
"Are you sure these things can really grant wishes?"
Smith Doyle nodded:
"You'll see soon enough."
Cross scratched his head, muttering under his breath:
"Why not wish for a world without evil?"
Smith Doyle looked him up and down, a bit surprised by the man's pure-hearted idea, but explained:
"The Dragon Balls aren't omnipotent. Where there is life, there will always be both light and darkness, good and evil."
"Every newborn life brings new thoughts — and with them, new possibilities for both virtue and sin."
Hearing that even the Dragon Balls couldn't erase evil, Cross sighed in disappointment.
In the end, he just hoped the world could carry a little less sin.
He had no particular personal desires regarding the Dragon Balls.
After sailing for a while longer, Smith Doyle gathered everyone on deck.
He laid the seven Dragon Balls out across the deck. Under everyone's watchful gaze, he called out:
"Come forth, Shenron!"
As he spoke, the Dragon Balls suddenly emitted a golden glow, shooting a beam of light straight into the sky. The clear blue sky darkened in an instant, becoming as black as night. The golden beam morphed into a massive, serpentine figure — a giant azure Eastern dragon spiraling across the heavens.
Everyone — except Smith Doyle — was utterly stunned, even John Wick, who was meant to make the wish.
They had imagined some Western-style winged dragon, not a towering, majestic Eastern dragon soaring through the clouds. The sheer size and splendor of it left them speechless.
"This... this is Shenron?"
"My god, it's unbelievable!"
"So this is the Dragon... It's incredible!"
Then, a deep, cold voice echoed from Shenron's mouth:
"You who have summoned me... Speak. I shall grant you any one wish."
Smith Doyle glanced up at Shenron, a little uneasy about attracting unwanted attention — that was why he hadn't summoned the dragon at their headquarters.
And he couldn't help but worry whether this universe had a "Mistress Death" who might react to someone being resurrected...
The deck fell into silence.
Everyone — even Shenron himself — turned their gaze to Smith Doyle.
After a brief moment, Smith Doyle said:
"John Wick, tell Shenron your wish."
John Wick stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and with utmost sincerity, declared:
"Great Shenron, I humbly request you bring my wife, Helen, back to life."
Shenron's massive eyes glowed with a flash of red light.
"Your wish... is granted."
In the next instant, a figure materialized on the deck — it was Helen Wick, alive once more.
Seeing the miracle with their own eyes, the crowd finally understood the Dragon Balls' true, godlike power.
Above them, Shenron dispersed into beams of light, transforming back into seven Dragon Balls and shooting off to the far corners of the world.
—End of chapter—
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