Chapter 73: Banquet

At the headquarters of the Assassin Brotherhood.

Smith Doyle walked into Bulma's laboratory and saw her still busily at work, her hands never stopping for a moment.

"Smith, is there something you need?"

Smith scratched his nose. He felt a little guilty, like he was exploiting child labor — but he still asked:

"How's the research on the scouter coming along? I plan to use it soon."

Hearing his words, Bulma paused her work. On the table sat one intact scouter, and next to it were scattered materials clearly meant for replicating it.

Bulma picked up the scouter, put it on her face, and glanced at Smith.

"190. Pretty high. Everyone else in this castle is around five or six, except for those three guys who hit eight when in their special state."

Hearing that, Smith noted that his power level had improved — a result of his recent training. As for "those three," it was likely X and the Cross father and son. Their "special state" likely referred to when they activated Bullet Time.

Bulma then casually took the scouter off and tossed it to Smith.

"I took it apart and analyzed it — it's a brilliant design. I've already figured out the approach, but due to the limitations of materials and the size of this world's components, the replicated model probably won't detect levels higher than 300."

Hearing this, Smith was still impressed by her efficiency — no wonder she was a genius capable of building a time machine in her future.

"Cut the maximum reading in half — 150 power level is good enough for the first version," he said. "And add anti-tamper protection — if someone tries to dismantle it, it should explode."

Smith didn't underestimate the ingenuity of Earth's organizations. Without protection, they'd reverse-engineer it in no time.

At his words, Bulma, dressed in her lab coat, squinted and grinned.

"Release one version, store one, research another? That's exactly what our Capsule Corporation does."

Just then the door opened, and Fox, dressed in a tight office-lady suit, walked in.

"Leader, our scouts outside the Midland Circle Financial Company building report that the Hand's leaders have all left in armored cars — looks like they're headed to the flour factory."

Smith's eyes flashed as he caught sight of Fox's outfit — not that office wear was unusual, but her figure was so striking the buttons were almost popping. It was also the first time he'd seen her in such a uniform.

"All five Fingers are moving? Interesting. I want to see what they're planning."

Waving at Bulma, he said:

"I'm off to deal with the enemy. Thanks for all your hard work."

Then he stopped and turned to Fox:

"That suit — is it bulletproof?"

Fox smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Well? Like it?"

Smith wrapped an arm around her waist, kissed her back, and murmured:

"Wait for me at home. When I'm done with those Hand trash, wear it tonight to celebrate."

Fox drew two .45 Kimber pistols and asked:

"Not taking me along?"

Seeing her armed and dangerous in her office wear, Smith shook his head.

"It'd be a shame if that suit got ruined or dirty. The Hand has suffered a blow, but things won't stay quiet. You stay here, fortify the headquarters, and expand the recon range. Who knows what tricks they'll pull?"

Hearing his reasoning, Fox gave up and simply watched him leave.

Under cover of darkness, Smith sped off toward Hell's Kitchen.

---

On the other side.

Having just left the flour factory, John Wick was ambushed by the Hand. Were it not for his bulletproof suit, he'd already be dead.

Ratatatatat—

Using his car as cover, John returned fire with his assault rifle, but this time the Hand had sent an elite squad — heavily armed shooters and silent ninja wielding blades.

Pressed down under their combined assault, John found himself increasingly surrounded.

Several attempts to break out failed, his rifle now empty. He switched to twin pistols. Still, he managed to snipe three attackers.

The noose kept tightening, ninja creeping up right next to his car.

Taking a deep breath, John prepared to fight to the death — when suddenly a massive iron hammer appeared out of nowhere, smashing a ninja away.

BANG!

The hammer swept through the battlefield, sending the Hand's men flying.

They reacted quickly, pouring bullets into it. One ninja even tried hacking it with his blade, their attack unshaken despite the strange sight.

Ratatatatat—

Bullets sparked off the hammer as Pool bore down on them, shouting:

"Ouch, ouch, ouch—"

Hearing Pool's voice, John sprang from under his car and rejoined the fight, pistols blazing as he targeted their legs.

Bang-bang-bang—

With their knees blown out, the gunmen fell. John strode up, double-tapping their faces.

Bang—bang—

One shot shattered the mask, another blew out the skull.

The others turned their guns on him, but John rolled forward, shielding his head with his suit, then wrestled one man's rifle skyward and fired three shots into his face.

Switching targets, he strangled a ninja and finished him off with a pistol shot.

With Pool and John fighting side by side, the Hand's elite began falling. Soon only three ninja remained.

As they pressed their advantage, several cars screeched onto the scene.

"Hmph."

With a cold snort, Madame Gao waved her hand, sending a formless shockwave that hurled John and Pool away, breaking Pool's transformation and reverting him to his original form.

(End of Chapter)

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