John's wife asked, "John, is this the Sophia who helped you?"
On the other end of the phone, Sophia instinctively hung up after hearing Helen's voice. The phone slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor.
"Resurrected..." Her voice came out barely above a whisper. "John's wife has been resurrected."
John immediately called back. There were things he needed to clarify with Sophia.
"Sophia, I know you're shocked and surprised, but I need to be clear about something. The Dragon Ball is a sacred object of the Fraternity. The leader assesses the character and wishes of those who make wishes."
His tone remained steady. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have known one was in your possession. And my wish, as you already know, was for my wife Helen."
After hearing John's words, Sophia felt shock beyond words about the organization she'd joined. What kind of terrifying force controlled the Dragon Balls yet willingly delegated the opportunity to make wishes?
"John, I'm sure I'm not the only person you contacted while collecting Dragon Balls. You need to be prepared to face trouble next."
As the call disconnected, John knew he needed caution moving forward. Still, he wasn't overly worried. The boss's power exceeded others' imagination, and the Fraternity's strength was unshakable.
Helen walked over and embraced John. He told her the story of his resurrection and how he'd collected the Dragon Balls.
Helen asked about the puppy she'd given him. John explained that only one wish could be granted, so he had no way to save the puppy, though he had avenged it.
Before they could continue, John's phone rang again. This time, Koji Shimazu from the Osaka Continental.
"Jonathan, I know about the Dragon Ball. I assume your wish came true?"
John sighed after hearing Shimazu's words. "Koji, I send Helen's regards."
Shimazu received the answer he wanted, then asked, "John, do you think I have a chance with the Dragon Ball this time?"
John remained silent for two seconds, then began explaining the Dragon Ball's origin and its relationship with the Fraternity.
"I see. I thought that since you could collect all seven Dragon Balls, I should have a chance too." Shimazu paused. "Jonathan, can I leave Akira in your care? I feel the world might descend into chaos. It might be safer for Akira at headquarters."
John considered briefly. "Send her to the Assassin Brotherhood in New York. I'm more familiar with the manager there."
Before John finished speaking, Shimazu interrupted. "Not the Assassin Brotherhood. The headquarters where you are. Can you take her with you, like a younger sister?"
John refused. "I can only transfer her identity from Japan Assassin Brotherhood to the New York Assassin Brotherhood. She can't join the Fraternity just because I ask. I know you're worried. At most, I can let her stay in my house."
Hearing John's response, Shimazu didn't push further. He knew John. If he said something couldn't be done, it truly couldn't.
"Please, Jonathan."
John warned, "Koji, the Dragon Ball isn't something you can obtain. It's best not to be included on the assessment list unless your wishes involve no ambition or desire."
After hanging up two Dragon Ball-related calls, John realized people's desires had been awakened. He wondered what the other two people who'd contacted Dragon Balls in the previous round would do.
Hong Kong. The Golden Daggers Club.
Xu Xialing slashed downward, her blade splitting the desk in front of her cleanly in two. "John Wick!" she shouted viciously.
The golden ball she'd handed over a year ago had been exchanged for a promise. With Smith Doyle's strength exposed and his status rising, she hadn't felt cheated. She'd actually felt she'd gained substantially.
But after learning the Dragon Ball's function, Xu Xialing realized she'd suffered a tremendous loss. If she could collect all seven Dragon Balls, then...
Thinking of this, Xu Xialing gritted her teeth harder, feeling the weight of her mistake.
Hearing the commotion in the boss's office, Xu Xialing's subordinates rushed in.
Seeing her people enter, Xu Xialing spoke. "Use all available resources to search the world for Dragon Ball clues. If someone finds one, I'm willing to pay three million dollars per Dragon Ball."
The Dragon Ball, which had disappeared due to Camorra's death, became popular again because of Xu Xialing's bounty.
"Also, arrange a meeting with John Wick. I'm going to New York to see him personally."
Xu Xialing took out the token he'd left behind.
The subordinates who received orders took immediate action, though they didn't understand what had transpired in the office.
Ivan Vanko, who'd sold a Dragon Ball to John Wick a year ago, had brought his father Anton Vanko to Moscow for treatment.
The money had allowed Anton to receive excellent medical care and given Ivan spare funds for his own research.
After seeing Tony Stark on television, Anton told his son, "Ivan, you could have enjoyed glory and a wonderful life like him. But that despicable man Howard stole our wealth and kicked me out of the United States."
His expression grew bitter. "Half of Tony's glory and wealth belongs to our family. His father is a shameful thief. The energy source in his armor, if I'm not mistaken, is definitely what we once researched, but miniaturized."
Anton found blueprints of his former large-scale arc reactor and gave them to his son.
"Ivan, don't let me down. Develop a small arc reactor, defeat him directly, and tell the world that the Stark family are thieves."
Thanks to proper treatment and after expressing his wishes, Anton didn't die. He continued receiving treatment in the hospital.
Ivan returned home. Before he had time to study the arc reactor blueprints, he received news about the Dragon Ball.
"So what I sold were Dragon Balls that grant wishes." He stared at his phone screen. "No wonder that man was willing to give me money on a golden ball."
Before knowing the Dragon Ball's power, Ivan had thought it was worthless, not even as important as a meal. So he'd sold it, which improved his family's life and satisfied him greatly.
Although he knew the ability now, he felt only slight regret. Not regret for selling it, but that the price had been too low.