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Hell's Kitchen
In a secret base belonging to Wilson Fisk, a spacious room resembling a training arena echoed with the sound of splattering liquid.
*Ssshhh!*
The sharp sound of liquid slicing through the air rang repeatedly as Vanessa swung her hands with determination. Each motion unleashed a deadly, high-pressure jet of water capable of slicing through solid objects.
Across from her stood Bullseye, who served as her sparring partner. With the agility of a monkey, he dodged each water jet effortlessly. When a strike came too close, Bullseye would easily transform his limbs into bladed weapons, deflecting the water.
"Vanessa, watch out—it's my turn now!" Bullseye warned, his voice tinged with excitement. He grabbed a handful of bamboo skewers and prepared to attack.
Vanessa hesitated and raised a hand. "Wait, I'm running low on water. Let me hydrate first."
"No, Vanessa," Bullseye retorted with a stern look. "In a real fight, no one will give you that chance. You'll have to create that opportunity yourself!"
With those words, Bullseye flicked his wrist. A bamboo skewer shot toward Vanessa at incredible speed.
Her heart clenched with fear. Reacting instinctually, she raised her arm and fired a water jet, hoping to intercept the projectile. But her aim was off. The skewer was too small and fast.
*Whoosh!*
The skewer hurtled toward her, the sound cutting through the air like a knife. Vanessa froze. Her mind went blank. Despite her training, her instincts had yet to catch up to the speed and danger of actual combat.
Just before the skewer could hit its mark, Bullseye deftly launched a second one. The second skewer struck the first midair, knocking it harmlessly to the ground.
*Thud*
"Phew!" Vanessa exhaled deeply; her shoulders sagged as she breathed a long breath of relief. She then wiped the sweat off her brow while she stared at the fallen skewers. Her hands trembled slightly, realizing how close she had come to being hit.
"Take a break," Bullseye said, placing the remaining skewers back into his pocket. "I'll do the rounds and check the perimeter."
With that, he turned and left the room. Vanessa grabbed a glass of water and entered the nearby lounge, where Kingpin was engrossed in typing on his laptop.
As she sipped her drink, she leaned over to see what he was working on. The screen displayed an ongoing chat with none other than Shaun Lee.
"Fisk, what you've described reminds me of something. It might help with your investigation," Shaun Lee's message appeared on the screen.
Vanessa and Kingpin exchanged a curious glance.
Shaun Lee: "This kind of 'dead men pulling the strings' scenario is a trademark of the Hand's methods. Do you perhaps know of the Hand, Fisk?"
"The Hand?" Her eyes met Fisk's, both of them taken aback by the revelation.
Vanessa and Kingpin's expressions shifted. They had spent considerable time and effort investigating the assassin who targeted Shaun Lee, aiming to drag him into their conflict with the Hand. And now, it seemed, Shaun Lee already had some history with them.
This raised a crucial question: Was he an ally or an enemy of the Hand?
"Lee, are you suggesting the Hand is behind this?" Fisk asked cautiously.
Shaun Lee: "I think it's very likely."
Hearing this, Fisk leaned back in his chair, visibly relaxing. Whether Shaun Lee had been friend or foe to the Hand in the past, this confirmed one thing—he was an enemy right now. That was good news.
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*Bang!*
Before Fisk could respond, the room's door burst open. Bullseye stormed in with a grim expression.
"They're here," he said sharply. "The Hand has come."
A cold light flashed in Fisk's eyes. "So, they think they can just stroll into my territory?" He opened the security feed on his laptop, revealing black-clad ninjas swarming every building entry point.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!*
Gunfire erupted as Kingpin's guards unleashed a barrage of bullets at the intruders. The building shook with the intensity of the firefight. However, it wasn't just the main entrances under attack.
*Crash!*
The glass shattered on the upper floors as more ninjas breached through windows and other unconventional entry points. The Hand's infamous mobility and stealth were on full display.
Through the cameras, Kingpin spotted two familiar figures among the attackers—Madame Gao and Nobu. And then, his eyes narrowed.
"It's him!" Kingpin hissed through gritted teeth, his tone filled with rage.
A third figure came into view—an executive of the Hand whom Kingpin had personally killed in their last confrontation. Yet there he was, alive and well, leading the assault.
"So this is what you meant by 'dead men pulling the strings,' Lee, "Kingpin muttered under his breath.
The implications were staggering. Fisk wasn't afraid of strong enemies, but facing adversaries who could resurrect indefinitely was an entirely different matter.
"Fisk, what's wrong?" Vanessa asked, sensing his tension.
Kingpin's gaze hardened. "The Hand has arrived in force, and they've brought their so-called 'immortals.' This changes everything. If they can keep reviving their operatives, this fight is unwinnable."
Fisk clenched his fists, his mind racing. There was only one logical course of action. He stood abruptly, his towering frame emanating resolve. "Vanessa, contact Shaun Lee immediately."
"Shaun Lee?" Vanessa asked in surprise. "Are you sure?"
Kingpin nodded. "He knows the Hand and already knows about their resurrection technique. If anyone can counter this madness, it's him."
For weeks, Fisk had extended goodwill toward Shaun Lee, anticipating this very moment. Now that the Hand had arrived in full force, it was time to call in a favor.
Vanessa then immediately didn't hesitate. She quickly reached for the phone to contact Shaun Lee.
The battle was just beginning, and Wilson Fisk was not one to let the odds crush him—especially not with a potential ally like Shaun Lee waiting in the wings.
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Next Chapter: The Shopkeeper Takes Action!
Next Next Chapter: A Dazzling Entrance, the Radiant Golden Flash
Next Next Next Chapter: A Flash of Gold, One Kick at a Time
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