The next day.
Assassins' Guild – Textile Factory
A garbage truck pulled up outside the textile factory. When the rear gate opened, John Wick leapt out, and the truck turned the corner and drove off.
John looked at the building before him. The place was right. He stepped forward and knocked on the front door.
A small window opened, revealing Wesley, who peered out and said,
"Mr. John Wick. I'm glad you made it here."
Panting slightly, John replied,
"I arrived as agreed."
As the gate opened, Wesley led John inside.
It was John Wick's second time at this place. As they walked, he quietly observed everything around them. There were noticeably more guards at the entrance now, and as they entered deeper into the facility, he saw large weaving machines and workers busy at their tasks.
But John could tell—these people weren't ordinary factory workers. Still, he asked nothing and silently followed Wesley.
They passed through the factory and the employee lounge before arriving at a room. Wesley stopped and said,
"Push the door open yourself."
As John opened the door, sunlight spilled in, casting warmth on his face—like he no longer had to hide in the dark.
Smith Dole sat alone in an armchair, gazing at John Wick as he entered. John's white shirt was stained with blood, his steps unsteady—he'd clearly had a rough time.
John walked to Smith and dropped to one knee.
"Smith-sama… I have come," he said with a desperate, longing tone.
Smith looked at the kneeling man. He could see John had reached the end of his rope.
"What is it you seek?" he asked.
John looked up. Morning sunlight streamed through the window, gilding Smith in a golden halo of authority.
"Smith-sama, I've caused trouble with the Continental. I seek your protection."
Smith pulled out John's kesshō-keiyaku (blood oath contract), playing with it in his hand.
"John Wick, you've been excommunicated from the Continental. There's a public bounty of 21 million dollars on your head, including 4 million for the Dragon Balls alone."
"You currently hold the highest bounty in the Continental's mission ledger. Every assassin in New York is hunting you, and if you show up anywhere else, they'll swarm as well."
"So, John Wick… what do I gain by sheltering you?"
Hearing his bleak situation laid out so plainly, John knew there was no other path left. He made his choice.
He pulled out two Doragon Bōru (Dragon Balls), laying them reverently on the floor. Then he spoke with resolve:
"I offer my loyalty. I wish to serve under you and join the Assassins' Guild."
Smith didn't even glance at the Dragon Balls. He stared straight at John and asked,
"Do you understand what the Assassins' Guild is?"
John shook his head.
"Not much. Only that it's said to rival the Takadai Shou (High Table)."
Smith began,
"The Assassins' Guild was founded over a thousand years ago. It has a long and storied history."
John was stunned. The nation he lived in wasn't even 250 years old, and yet this organization had lasted more than a millennium? No wonder it could stand against the High Table.
After Smith finished recounting the Guild's history, mission, and vision, he asked again:
"John Wick, you left the assassin world five years ago—for your beloved."
"You've caused considerable bloodshed recently, yet you insist you've not truly returned."
"But now… are you ready to come back?"
John had never imagined that the Assassins' Guild was dedicated to purging evil. Now it all made sense—why they wiped out assassins and crushed gangs.
He responded solemnly,
"I'm ready."
"Once, my hands were soaked in blood. But when I met Helen, I chose to wash them clean and leave it all behind."
"Her death made me realize… someone like me, soaked in sin, can never know true peace."
"I vow to serve you and the Assassins' Guild—to cleanse the world and atone for my past."
Smith Dole nodded with satisfaction.
"John Wick, I accept your loyalty."
John finally relaxed, then took the two Doragon Bōru (Dragon Balls) from the ground and presented them with both hands in front of Smith.
Smith's approval deepened—this man was sharp.
But rather than take the balls, Smith asked,
"John Wick, has your wish changed?"
John answered firmly,
"My wish remains unchanged. All I desire is to resurrect my wife, Helen."
Smith said,
"Keep the Dragon Balls. I'll tell you where the next one is."
Still holding them out, John replied,
"Smith-sama, the Takadai Shou (High Table) continues to pursue me. If the bounty remains, I'll never survive a step outside."
Smith nodded. John was right—if the bounty wasn't lifted, he'd be dead within a day of leaving.
"John Wick, if you want true safety, you only have two options."
"First, you must be accepted again by the Continental, and have the Takadai Shou (High Table) cancel the bounty."
"And only the twelve elders of the High Table can make that happen."
John, hearing this, could sense Smith wasn't suggesting that option.
"And the second?"
Smith smirked.
"Eliminate the High Table and the Continental."
"Do that, and the bounty vanishes with them."
John's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Smith's ambitions to be so vast—to take on the High Table itself.
To any assassin, the High Table was a towering, terrifying entity. But thinking about the Guild's mission… it all made perfect sense.
The underworld… was about to change.
"Smith-sama, what would you have me do?"
Smith grinned at John's stunned expression.
"No rush. Not in your current condition. You need a rōyu (wax bath) first."
······
(End of Chapter)
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