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Watching John Wick leave the hotel, Winston walked over to Smith."Mr. Smith, do you think John Wick will make it back alive?"
Winston believed the Assassin Alliance could protect John Wick, but he didn't know how much effort they would invest in this matter.
This incident could even reignite hostilities between two forces that had long ceased fighting. After all, whether John Wick's actions were considered minor or major depended entirely on how the twelve elders viewed the Continental's rules.
Smith Doyle smiled at Winston."If he doesn't even have the ability to make it alive, then what's the point of keeping him alive at all?"
Winston understood: John Wick had to prove his worth."I appreciate you bringing Jonathan here."
Outside, rain poured relentlessly as John Wick returned home.
He looked at the framed photo of himself and his wife, filled with longing. He took out his phone and replayed the video of his wife once more.
Of the seven Dragon Balls, two had already been obtained. Five remained.
"Helen… wait for me."
As John Wick lost himself in thoughts of his wife, the doorbell rang.
He opened the door to find Charon, a Continental Hotel attendant."Mr. Wick," Charon said."If you're willing, you can come with me."
John said nothing, merely nodded—an unspoken agreement.
Charon drove Winston's Rolls-Royce, carrying John Wick to meet Winston.
Seated in the back, John Wick understood clearly: after meeting Winston and receiving the bounty notice, he would have to head to the Assassin Alliance.
The test would be whether he could survive the journey. If he made it alive, the hotel's pursuit would be irrelevant. If he died, everything would end.
John Wick surveyed the passing scenery and waited silently.
Soon, they arrived at the park entrance. The warm sun was rising, the sky brightening.
John stepped out, and Charon shook his hand."Nice to meet you, Mr. Wick.""Goodbye," John said.
Charon then gestured toward the park, indicating where those awaiting him were.
John Wick entered the park, crossed a footbridge, and saw Winston seated in the center of the plaza. He walked toward him.
Winston greeted him:"Jonathan."
John asked directly,"Winston, what punishment awaits me?"
Winston, seated on the steps, looked at him solemnly."The Camorra has raised Santino's bounty to two billion. They want you to bring back two Dragon Balls.""You're now being hunted worldwide."
Hearing the name Camorra, John frowned."The High Table?"
Winston nodded."Yes."
John asked again,"And my Continental Hotel?"
Winston lifted his head, eyes locking with John, voice tinged with anger."Jonathan, you killed someone in the Continental.""You left me no choice but to declare you expelled.""Everything related to the Continental is now closed to you."
Winston rose and approached John."I regret that you've lost your life."
John, hoarse, asked,"Then why am I still alive?"
Winston's expression grew serious."Because I don't think the timing is right yet."
He then nodded at a man wearing a black windbreaker standing nearby.
The man drew his phone and said,"Now."
The bustling park seemed to freeze, as if paused, and everyone stopped moving.
John Wick scanned the surroundings, realizing Winston wasn't joking.
Once Winston confirmed John understood, he nodded again. Moments later, the park resumed its activity.
Winston looked at his watch."You have one hour. I can't delay any longer.""Perhaps you'll need this later."
He produced a blood-oath medallion—the same one John had once owned. He had earned it helping others, then given it to Winston upon retiring. Today, Winston returned it to John Wick.
John took the medallion and said,"Winston, tell them. Tell everyone.""No matter what happens, no matter the methods they use, I will kill every assassin who comes to my doorstep."
Winston smiled at John's seriousness."You certainly will."
As John turned to leave, Winston thought of Smith Doyle at the Continental and spoke again."You have only two ways to survive.""The Assassin Alliance or the High Table elders.""The former can save you; the latter may revoke your reward."
After hearing Winston's guidance, John Wick knew clearly: joining the Assassin Alliance was his only path.
John paused."Thank you, Winston."
Without looking back, he left the park.
Winston picked up the phone."Open an account. 1 1 1 1 1. One hour from now, John Wick… exiled."
Unbeknownst to them, Smith Doyle and Fox were watching the conversation through binoculars from a nearby building.
Fox glanced at a message."The price has risen—two billion dollars now.""John Wick should now top the Continental's most-wanted list.""The Camorra is also interested in the Dragon Balls.""Do you know anything about them?"
Smith Doyle switched off the combat tracker. The information below did not surprise him."If the Dragon Balls' secrets were so easily known, they wouldn't be secret.""But they are drawing attention. Many assassins have begun investigating.""After all, what John Wick and Santino are seeking naturally sparks interest."
Fox nodded."This will attract a lot of attention. I hope John Wick makes it to the factory alive."
Smith Doyle glanced at John Wick and said,"Come on, follow me. Let's watch John Wick's show."