When Dragon Balls Descend Upon Marvel

In the middle of the desert, Smith Dole continued to observe John Wick's condition through the Ryūzu (Dragon Ball) while leading his group steadily toward him.

Fortunately, they were riding camels. If they had been using SUVs, they would've long since gotten stuck in the sand.

Smith Dole kept a careful distance. He didn't dare get too close before John Wick met the Elder. The desert offered no cover, and approaching too closely would risk exposing their presence.

But he didn't stay too far either. He had to be close enough to intervene in time—he didn't want Wick losing a finger because their support was too slow. After all, Wick was now part of his faction.

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Time passed.

John Wick was finally brought before the Elder. The attendants didn't show any courtesy—they dragged him off the camel and threw him down onto a rug. The sunlight hit his face, and he slowly regained consciousness.

"Drink."

Hearing the voice beside him, John's first instinct was to check his pocket. The Dragon Ball was still there.

"Don't worry. Your belongings are intact. Drink."

That assurance helped John refocus. He looked in the direction of the voice.

Sitting before him was a man with dark skin, dressed in ornate Arab robes—regal in bearing.

John slowly sat up, picked up the cup before him, and was about to drink—

When the man spoke again:

"Child, why have you lost your way?"

John looked at him and answered calmly:

"I'm not lost. I'm looking for you."

"You think I meant your location?"

John didn't respond immediately. Instead, he downed the water—he was parched.

"I've never seen someone try so hard to escape the world of killing, only to return to where they started."

The Elder stood up, walked over, and knelt before him, gazing into John's eyes.

"Tell me, Jonathan…"

"Why do you want to live?"

John answered:

"My wife, Helen."

"For her. For us."

After speaking, he lowered his head—quietly wondering when Smith Dole's rescue would arrive and when he should counterattack.

The Elder continued:

"So, you want to live for love's memory?"

John looked up, his voice low:

"It's not just memory."

The Elder didn't press further but asked:

"I've heard you've gained protection from the Ansatsusha Renmei (Assassin's Guild)."

John was surprised he knew—but it made sense. He didn't lie.

"Yes. They've granted me sanctuary."

The Elder studied him and said:

"You're the first and only assassin from the Continental Hotel to ever join the Assassin's Guild."

"I'm curious—why would they accept and protect you?"

Thinking of the Dragon Ball his wife gave him, John replied:

"It's the blessing Helen left me. Maybe her prayers guided it."

The Elder smiled but didn't believe the tale.

"Even with their protection, why come to see me?"

John knew he had to stall for time.

"I need the bounty on me lifted."

The Elder wasn't surprised. When he learned Wick was coming, he'd already guessed this was his goal.

"So you're not content staying hidden inside the Guild."

"I can give you that freedom—to walk without fear of assassins."

"But I want something in return. Five missions. And a secret."

"If you agree to this and give me that secret, I'll reinstate you. The bounty will be lifted."

"These missions must be fulfilled with your full dedication—for the rest of your life."

The Elder would've preferred John's loyalty, but knew he wouldn't get it now that the Guild had taken him in. This was the best compromise—and the missions would be worth it.

John remained expressionless, but inside, he scoffed. If all went as planned, the Guild would soon declare war on the Kōdai Tēburu (High Table). And this Elder? He'd be the first to fall.

Agreeing to the terms meant nothing. All he needed was to stall.

The Elder, unaware of the Guild's plans or John's thoughts, returned to his chair.

"Of course, the choice is yours."

"Live confined and forgotten… or walk freely to remember your wife."

John stood up and scanned the surroundings discreetly. No sign of Smith Dole's group.

He continued stalling:

"What's the secret you want to know?"

Taking it as agreement, the Elder clapped. An attendant brought forth a box and opened it before John.

Inside… was another Dragon Ball.

John was momentarily stunned. The Elder had one too—and judging by the stars, it was the San Xing Qiu (Three-Star Ball).

Joy sparked in his heart. This would make his fourth. Only three more, and the wish would be his.

The Elder spoke:

"Tell me—what is this treasure, and what secret does it hold?"

John paused, then asked:

"Do you really need to know? Why not tell me the five missions first?"

His evasiveness only increased the Elder's curiosity.

The more forbidden the secret, the more valuable it must be.

"The missions can wait. They'll span your lifetime. But the secret—I want it now."

John took a deep breath, then slowly began:

"If you must know… I hope you won't regret it."

"This is the Three-Star Ball—one of the seven Ryūzu (Dragon Balls)."

"There are seven in total, each marked by a different number of stars—one-star, two-star… all the way to seven-star."

"When all seven are gathered, they summon a dragon…"

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(End of Chapter)

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