In New York, it had been raining all day, and the heavy rain continued into the night.
The Adjudicator stepped out of a taxi and arrived at the Hirajima Sushi Shop.
The owner and head chef of the sushi shop, Zero, greeted the incoming customer, saying, "Welcome."
"Is there anything you need?"
The Adjudicator sat down, took out a gold coin that represented her identity, and placed it in front of the owner.
Zero, upon seeing the gold coin symbolizing the Adjudicator's identity, turned to the woman in front of him and said, "I didn't expect the High Table to send you so quickly."
The Adjudicator stared at Zero and said, "I have a task involving someone who broke the rules and went against the High Table."
Zero paused in his actions and raised his head. "You mean John Wick."
Upon hearing Zero's response, the Adjudicator continued, "John Wick and everyone who aided him."
"Of course, you must have heard his story."
"In just the past week, John has killed countless people."
Zero interjected, "All because of a dog and a car."
"I know, and I'm interested."
"Very interested."
Zero then picked up a piece of fugu (blowfish) meat and said, "Fugu, lethally toxic."
He placed the fugu meat in front of the Adjudicator and added, "No need for soy sauce."
The Adjudicator calmly picked up the fugu meat and put it in her mouth.
Seeing the other person eat the fugu meat, Zero said solemnly, "I have always served the High Table, and from now on, I will serve faithfully unto death."
He then bowed with his two disciples behind him.
With this assurance from Zero, the Adjudicator collected the gold coin on the table and left the Hirajima Sushi Shop with Zero and his disciples.
...
Charles's Agency-
At this moment, Charles Doyle was sitting in the lobby, sipping on a glass of Scotch whisky. He had received word that the Adjudicator of the High Table had arrived in New York and would likely come looking for him soon.
To flex his muscles in front of the High Table and prove his loyalty, Charles Doyle planned to take down the Adjudicator before heading to Casablanca.
Timing seemed to work out perfectly.
As Charles Doyle contemplated his next move, the entrance to the agency was pushed open.
The Adjudicator, dressed in black, walked in with three assassins trailing behind, including Zero and his two disciples.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Charles Doyle smiled and said, "The Adjudicator of the High Table, you're quite fast."
The Adjudicator walked over and took a seat on the couch opposite Charles. She looked at the man in front of her and said, "Charles Doyle, in your youth, you joined the Continental Hotel and pledged unwavering loyalty to the High Table."
"Yet you helped John Wick and arranged for him to leave New York."
"What about your loyalty?"
Charles wore a contemptuous expression on his face as he looked at the woman in front of him. He slowly spoke, "I believe I have the strength and the right to decide my own actions."
The Adjudicator gave Charles Doyle a deep, scrutinizing look, trying to see through his ambitions.
Then, in a cold voice, she said, "While you may be New York's top assassin and hold the title of a legendary killer, that doesn't mean you stand above the High Table."
"You will atone with blood!"
"Now, extend your helping hand and swear your loyalty."
Seeing that the Adjudicator was playing this game with him, Charles Doyle's expression changed, and his aura erupted.
A palpable murderous intent filled the room, primarily directed at the Adjudicator.
In the next moment, three figures suddenly appeared by Charles Doyle's side: Umino Iruka, Uchiha Sasuke, and Rock Lee.
As soon as they appeared, they surrounded Zero and his two disciples.
Under Charles's overwhelming presence, the Adjudicator's face turned pale instantly, as if she had seen a sea of corpses and blood, and her body stiffened under the oppressive murderous intent.
Even Zero, a seasoned assassin, felt a chilling aura rising from the ground.
He thought to himself, "Is this the power of Charles Doyle, who surpasses even legendary assassins? Just his killing intent alone is terrifying."
Watching the Adjudicator, who was now unable to speak or move, Charles Doyle sneered, "Your judgment doesn't work on me. Not only are you powerless, but these three guys you brought along are also useless."
"Throw these three annoying people out."
Hearing Charles's command, Iruka and the others grabbed Zero and his disciples and unceremoniously threw them onto the street.
Throughout this ordeal, the three of them didn't resist or fight back at all. Zero knew that not fighting back was the only way to survive; retaliating would have meant instant death.
Now, looking at the speechless and immobile Adjudicator, Charles Doyle retracted his imposing aura and calmly said, "You couldn't even move under my killing intent. How can you judge me?"
As the murderous intent and aura dissipated, the Adjudicator's face slowly regained its color. It was as if the congealed blood in her veins had started flowing again.
She took a deep breath. The feeling from just moments ago had been terrifying. It was like the Grim Reaper had his hand around her throat, ready to take her life at any moment.
After calming down, the Adjudicator regained her composure and spoke, "I admit, Mr. Charles, that you have sufficient power."
"But the High Table is above all rules. Under the High Table, everyone must adhere to its regulations."
"John Wick has already been excommunicated from the Continental Hotel and a public contract has been issued for his assassination."
"Anyone or any organization under the dominion of the High Table cannot aid John Wick, or they will be in opposition to the High Table."
Seeing the Adjudicator trying to regain control, Charles Doyle chuckled, "Excommunication? Just re-register."
"As for the contract, just cancel it. As long as the Elder speaks, everything is possible."
Hearing Charles Doyle mention the Elder, the Adjudicator thought he was aiming for a higher position. She stood up and said, "Mr. Charles, you should know that nothing will change until new orders are issued."
"The will of the High Table must be executed, and I am just the enforcer of that will. The power of the High Table is not limited to this alone."
Charles remained silent and only made a dismissive gesture.
The Adjudicator gave Charles Doyle a deep look before turning and leaving the agency.
However, what she didn't know was that Charles Doyle didn't intend to pursue a higher path or have the Elder pardon John Wick. Instead, he aimed to become an Elder, one of the thirteen seats at the High Table.
He aimed to become the one in control of the High Table!
##########
More Chapters(55+): p@treon.com/gfdsa