Chapter 67: Driving Wolves to Devour Tigers

Madam Gao glanced at Alexandra and said calmly:

"Do I have any reason to deceive you all?"

The others nodded. Given their relationship, Madam Gao indeed had no reason to lie to them, and this matter certainly warranted convening the Five Fingers.

She continued:

"From what I've gathered, the matter of the Dragon Balls primarily involves John Wick—the former Continental-registered assassin, Baba Yaga—and the new leader of the Assassin League, Smith Dole."

Hearing that the Assassin League had a new leader, the group was surprised. Over a decade ago, when the League adopted a council of elders, they thought the group was mirroring them. But to appoint a leader once more?

"According to my intel, John Wick was seen with two Dragon Balls in his possession. He has since joined the Assassin League under their protection and was, in fact, the spark of the League's war against the High Table."

As she spoke, Madam Gao produced a photograph and laid it before them.

"This is John Wick's deceased wife, Helen. She died of cancer months ago. This photo, however, was taken just a few days ago."

"I also have her hospital records and death certificate here."

The group looked at the photo—it showed Wick standing outside his home, holding Helen's hand, clearly having just returned home after her supposed 'resurrection.'

Sowande spoke up:

"To revive even the dead… it seems there's no doubt it's the Dragon Balls. I just wonder if they also managed to obtain the Dragon Bones."

"And to have wasted them on a resurrection… what a pity."

Boktō said coldly:

"Since it's confirmed, let's not waste time. We go to New York and take the Dragon Balls."

Seeing the unity in their goal, Madam Gao added:

"This time, we take not only the Assassin League's Dragon Balls but also the Dragon Bones buried beneath that tower. I hope everyone cooperates sincerely and brings their elite forces to New York."

Elsewhere, in his office, the Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen sat grim-faced, with Bullseye at his side.

Originally, with the High Table destroyed and the power vacuum it left, he planned to seize all of New York and then use it as a springboard to become the undisputed king of America's underworld. He even approached the Hand to borrow their power.

But he had just received word that a large number of the Hand's elite had entered New York. Just as the wolves had left, here came the tigers.

He knew well: the Hand had been founded in the 16th century, and for over five centuries, they'd never changed leaders. Whether it was simply a passed-down title or something… else.

After some thought, he decided to pit them against each other by discreetly leaking the Hand's presence to the Assassin League.

If the two clashed, he'd have space to maneuver.

"Bullseye."

"Yes, boss?"

"Quietly deliver word of the Hand's move to the Assassin League. Don't use your own writing—print it out, and deliver it to their fortress with one of your throwing knives."

"Yes, boss."

Meanwhile, at Stark Industries, Obadiah Stane arrived at the exhibition hall after hearing Tony had returned.

He chewed his cigar, glanced at the massive arc reactor, and said to Tony:

"Look at the mess you've made."

Tony replied nonchalantly:

"So I'm public enemy number one now?"

Obadiah scoffed:

"And what about me? You think the stock will only drop 40% tomorrow? That's optimistic."

Tony shed his jacket and said:

"I don't want to profit off corpses anymore."

Obadiah countered:

"That's our business. We're arms dealers. Everything we do keeps the world in order."

Tony shook his head:

"That's not what I saw over there. We can do better."

Obadiah pressed:

"And do what instead? Bottles and baby formula?"

Tony gestured to the arc reactor:

"I think this technology has potential."

Obadiah laughed:

"Please. That was just for show. Just something to shut up the do-gooders when we went public. This thing has never made a dime."

Tony opened his shirt to reveal the arc reactor embedded in his chest.

"How about this? Satisfied?"

Obadiah's eyes widened in greed before forcing a smile and patting Tony on the shoulder:

"You really are something else. But next time, don't 'act first, explain later.' You get me?"

Tony grinned slightly, grabbed his jacket, and walked out.

(End of Chapter)

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