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Hell's Kitchen, secret meeting.
This was one of the bases of the Hand in New York Cityāa clandestine society that had its roots in feudal Japan centuries ago.
Some oppressed individuals fled to the Iga and Koga regions, where they honed their combat skills, possibly influenced by SunTzu's The Art of War, and eventually developed ninjutsu.
Over the next hundred years, they continued to evolve and train, becoming masters of hand-to-hand combat, swordsmanship, stealth, camouflage, and escape techniques.
Their willpower, endurance, and combat effectiveness far exceeded that of ordinary people.
They also became skilled in espionage and assassination, often offering their services to wealthy elites or warlords.
The Hand also possesses powerful arcane secrets capable of resurrecting the dead.
In time, they evolved into a notorious international organization.
Like the five fingers of a hand, the Hand is led by five individuals: Alexandra Reid, Madam Gao, Bakuto, Sowande, and Murakamiāelder once exiled from K'un-Lun for their obsession with dragon bone fossils and the pursuit of immortality.
Madam Gao sat calmly, sipping tea on the rooftop. She appeared to be an elderly woman in her 70s. On the street, no one would have suspected that this gentle, grandmotherly figure was the leader of a globally feared assassination syndicate.
Jingle Bell!
Her phone rang. The caller was Tom Ralph, co-leader of the Irish gang.
Tom summarized the contents of a recent conference call to Madam Gao, explaining that many gangs were growing dissatisfied with Alex Ray and Wilson Fisk and were requesting the Hand's assistance.
Setting down her teacup, Madam Gao answered, "Understood. Alex Ray is indeed becoming a problem. I've lost many clients because of him. I'll send someone. Don't worry."
"Attend the meeting first and see what Alex and the others are planning."
She hung up the phone. Her expression darkened. The kind old woman had vanishedāreplaced by a cold, calculating snake.
Murakami, seated across from her, noticed the shift and asked, "What is it? Your face changed after that call."
"They're still a pack of wild dogs," Madam Gao replied coldly. "Including Kingpin and the leader of the Irish gang. They're negotiating with me before the issue with Fisk is even resolved."
She shook her head. "Can't you see through them?"
"You've lived long enough. You should understand human nature by now. People's desires are endless. No one is ever truly satisfied."
"We all want more... and most of all, we all want to live forever," Murakami said as he gazed at the sky.
Hearing that, Madam Gao collected herself and returned to her kindly facade.
She truly didn't care who controlled Hell's Kitchen. For someone who had lived as long as she had, money and power were trivial.
Her only remaining goal was to acquire the legendary dragon bones and gain eternal life.
But for now, both Kingpin and Alex Ray had to go.
Ever since Alex Ray returned to Hell's Kitchen, Kingpin's desire to retire had grown stronger, weakening his grip on the territory.
This decline in control made it harder for Madam Gao and her allies to move their merchandiseāsomething she could not allow.
"How about I take care of it this time?" Murakami offered, intrigued. "I'm curious about Alex Ray's powers."
"It's rare to see you interested, Murakami, so I won't stop you. I'll have someone deal with Kingpin," Madam Gao replied, her eyes lighting up. "I remember he cares about his wife. We'll abduct her and the children as well."
"I'll assist personally, with my apprentice Shin," Murakami added.
Madam Gao's mood visibly lifted, as if Kingpin and Alex were already corpses on her table.
With two Hand elders in play, along with Murakami's formidable apprentice Shin and hundreds of ninjas stationed throughout New York, it was a veritable overkill. Their victory seemed assured.
Elsewhere in the city, Gust, the Mexican gang leader, was on the phone with the mayor, demanding military support.
Despite being corrupt, the mayor took his work seriously. He immediately approved Gust's request and arranged for elite operatives to be dispatched directly.
Leaning back in a plush sofa, Gust lit a cigar. As classical music played, he closed his eyes and envisioned a prosperous future for his family.
At that same moment, the mayor made another phone call.
"Hail Hydra."
Yesāthe mayor was a Hydra member.
"Hail Hydra," responded Alexander Pierce on the other end. After glancing around to ensure no one was listening, he spoke. Director Pierce was Hydra's highest-ranking operative within S.H.I.E.L.D., his position akin to that of Nick Fury.
"You don't usually call unless it's urgent. Go ahead," Pierce said.
"There's a mutant in Hell's Kitchen causing chaos," the mayor explained. "We're expecting a gang war soon. I need support."
The mayor didn't mention the bribe from Gust, instead framing it as a security concern for the city.
Pierce wasn't fooled. "If it's a local issue, call the NYPD. S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't deal with street brawls."
The mayor understood he was being politely rejected, but he had accepted too much money to back out now.
He pressed on: "This isn't just about street gangs. If we take out Kingpin and the mutant, my people can take control of Hell's Kitchen. That means another stronghold for Hydra. No one cares how many gangsters die."
Pierce was tempted but still hesitant. "We have bases worldwide. Another Hell's Kitchen isn't a priority. Unlessā¦"
The mayor didn't let him finish. He made his offer: "Fifty million wired to your personal account. Hell's Kitchen becomes yours."
Pierce didn't hesitate. "I'll dispatch Brock Rumlow to lead the team. Hail Hydra."
"Hail Hydra." The mayor ended the call.
"Damn it, this one's gonna cost me. All for Hydra, huh," he muttered sarcastically.
In truth, most Hydra operatives weren't loyal to the organization. They joined for power and wealth, not ideology.
Back in his office, Gust was anxiously waiting for an update from the mayor.
When the mayor finally called, he informed Gust that the job had been accepted by S.H.I.E.L.D.ābut it came with a price: an extra $100 million.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was a mysterious and powerful agency. With them involved, Gust could rest easy.
Despite the pain of the price tag, Gust was ecstatic. If it meant eliminating Alex Ray and Kingpin, the cost was worth it.
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Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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š Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chaptersāread ahead of everyone else! š„
š https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to meāthank you so much! š
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