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"Bullseye, take the lead and hold off the Hand."
"Vanessa, replenish your water reserves immediately!"
"Move!"
After making his decision, Kingpin quickly gave instructions to his two closest allies and returned to the chat interface.
"Understood!" Bullseye responded with firm resolve, giving a sharp nod before turning on his heel and striding out of the office without a moment's hesitation.
Meanwhile, Vanessa hurried into a nearby room where a massive water tank had been prepared. Without wasting a second, she plunged her hands into the cool water, drawing it into herself in immense quantities, consuming it with the voracity of a whale.
The water level plummeted astonishingly as Vanessa's body expanded proportionally, her frame swelling with absorbed liquid. However, she maintained strict control, refusing to let herself grow excessively large. She stabilized her height at approximately two meters, striking a deliberate balance between raw power and agile maneuverability.
Any larger, and though her strength would increase, she'd risk becoming an easier target and find her movements hindered in the confined space. Moreover, her combat style relied on precision water strikes—delicate and calculated—rather than sheer brute force, making agility just as crucial as power.
With her reserves fully replenished, Vanessa permitted Kingpin's men to help her gear up. They secured a tactical bulletproof vest over her frame, ensuring she was well-protected and ready for the confrontation that awaited her.
Meanwhile, back at his desk, Kingpin carefully drafted and sent a critical message to Shaun Lee, ensuring every word conveyed the gravity of the situation.
Wilson Fisk: "Lee, I realize this comes without warning, but the situation is dire. The Hand is launching an assault on my base. I need your assistance immediately!"
Wilson Fisk: "If you choose to lend me your help in this dire moment, I, Wilson Fisk, will never forget the favor. Rest assured, I will repay you generously in ways that will ensure your loyalty and benefit you for years to come."
Kingpin hit send, then sat back, his gaze fixed anxiously on the chat window. He wasn't sure whether Shaun Lee would respond favorably. In truth, he didn't hold much hope. After all, he and Lee had only recently crossed paths, and their bond was still too new to expect a risk as serious as this. The trust simply wasn't there yet.
Although Kingpin had been assisting in the investigation of the attempted assassination against Lee, the results were still unclear. However, the sheer danger of facing the Hand weighed heavier on his mind. Lee was already all too aware of their terrifying abilities, making the prospect of taking them on a life-threatening battle a gamble—one that could quickly turn fatal.
"I'm sorry, Fisk. I'm tied up with something right now," came the anticipated response, confirming Kingpin's fears.
Kingpin let out a resigned sigh, preparing to move on. But then, his eyes widened as the next line of text appeared, making him do a double-take.
Shaun Lee: "But don't worry—I'll ask the shopkeeper to help you!"
Kingpin hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. He had no intention of involving the mysterious Shopkeeper unless it was absolutely necessary. Furthermore, he doubted his still-fragile connection with Shaun Lee held enough influence to sway someone as formidable as the Shopkeeper. However, before he could fully process his thoughts, a new message appeared on the screen:
"Tell me your location."
The Shopkeeper had responded! Kingpin's heart raced, both surprised and wary. This was the moment of truth—if the Shopkeeper was truly stepping in, it could change everything.
For Rosh, the situation was straightforward. After deducing that the Hand was behind the previous incident, he had already made plans to confront them. Kingpin's desperate plea for help provided the perfect excuse to take immediate action, giving him the green light to move forward with his plans.
"Fuck, Lee actually convinced the Shopkeeper!" For a moment, Fisk stared at the screen, stunned. He had heard whispers of the Shopkeeper's legendary abilities but never truly believed that someone of such power would ever come to his aid. The thought was almost unfathomable, yet it was unfolding before him.
"Shopkeeper, thank you for your assistance!" Kingpin quickly typed, his words laced with genuine gratitude. He didn't waste a moment, immediately sharing the coordinates of his base, knowing that time was of the essence.
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Outside, the sounds of chaos grew louder. Gunfire rang out, shouts of fury mixed with the harsh clash of blades, all reverberating through the stronghold's walls. The battle was closing in, its intensity palpable in the air.
Fisk rose from his seat, calmly removing his jacket, his expression stoic yet resolute. With purposeful steps, he made his way into the adjacent hall, where Vanessa stood surrounded by armed guards, ready for whatever came next.
"Fisk!" Vanessa nodded in his direction, her gaze steady and determined, a silent signal that she was ready for the fight ahead.
"Don't worry. We'll get through this," Kingpin reassured her, his voice calm and steady, radiating his signature confidence as he locked eyes with Vanessa.
Vanessa felt a sense of calm wash over her, her nerves easing just a little as she drew strength from Kingpin's composed demeanor.
*Boom!*
Suddenly, with a thunderous crash, the door flew open. A surge of ninjas poured in, their black-clad figures moving like shadows in the dim light. At the forefront stood Murakami and Nobu, their swords drawn, eyes fixed intently on Fisk. Behind them, Madame Gao entered at a measured pace, her frail, aging form belying a presence that was as chilling as it was unsettling.
Without a moment's hesitation, Kingpin raised his hands. With a single thought, his fists morphed into gleaming crimson iron, radiating a menacing, almost palpable energy. The transformation was swift, the metallic sheen of his new form reflecting his unyielding resolve.
"What a shame," Madame Gao murmured, her voice cold and disapproving as she shook her head. "If you were the true Iron Fist, we might have spared you.
Kingpin frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion at her cryptic remark. 'The true Iron Fist? What bullshit is this?' he thought, struggling to make sense of her words. The name held no immediate significance to him, but something in her tone told him it was far from trivial.
But now was no time for questions. With a deep, commanding voice, Kingpin bellowed, "Fire!" The order echoed through the room, and in an instant, chaos erupted as his forces unleashed a storm of gunfire and fury upon their attackers.
*Rat-a-tat-tat!*
The guards fired relentlessly, but the Hand's ninjas moved with a terrifying, inhuman agility, weaving and dodging the bullets as if they were mere raindrops. More ninjas poured through the breached entrance, their kunai whistling through the air. Several guards fell, struck by the deadly projectiles, while others pressed on, continuing their gunfire. Meanwhile, Vanessa released powerful jets of water, slicing through the air with surgical precision, her attacks cutting down enemies ruthlessly. The battle had only just begun, and the clash of forces was deafening.
"Gao!" Murakami's voice cut through the tension as he charged toward Fisk, his sword poised to strike at the crime lord's heart. His movements were swift and deadly, intent on ending the confrontation in a single blow.
Madame Gao nodded, her movements deliberate and measured as she closed in from the side. The coordinated attack unfolded seamlessly, mirroring the strategy they had used in their previous encounter: Murakami would lead the charge with his lethal swordplay, while Gao provided critical support, ready to strike from an angle that would keep Kingpin off balance. The synergy between them was undeniable, and each move was calculated to have the maximum impact.
Before Murakami could close the gap, a barrage of metallic projectiles came hurtling toward him. The sharp whistle of the blades cutting through the air was the only warning, and with his heightened reflexes, he narrowly dodged the first few, but the onslaught was relentless.
Murakami's sword flickered like lightning, each movement precise as he deflected the incoming projectiles with practiced ease. His eyes darted to the side, and there, standing with deadly focus, was Bullseye, ready to unleash another wave of attacks.
"Handle him," Murakami instructed, his voice cold and commanding. Without a word, Nobu immediately pivoted, his katana gleaming as he lunged at Bullseye with deadly intent. Meanwhile, Murakami turned his focus back to Kingpin, resuming his relentless assault, determined to break through Fisk's defenses.
*Clang!*
Murakami's blade collided with Fisk's steel-hardened skin, producing a resounding clang that echoed through the room. The impact barely left a mark on Kingpin, but it was enough to create an opening. Seizing the moment, Fisk retaliated, his crimson fists swinging with immense force, aiming a devastating punch at Murakami.
Yet, Murakami's speed was his greatest asset. With the precision and agility of a seasoned predator, he sidestepped the strike, narrowly avoiding the blow, the air rushing past him as Kingpin's fist crashed into the ground where he had just been.
A sharp cry pierced through the chaos as Madame Gao seized her opportunity. She lunged at Fisk with calculated precision, her cane striking with deadly accuracy while he was still focused on Murakami. The sudden attack caught him off guard, her frail appearance masking the lethal force behind her strike.
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Next Chapter: A Dazzling Entrance, the Radiant Golden Flash
Next Next Chapter: A Flash of Gold, One Kick at a Time
Next Next Next Chapter: Annihilation in One Move
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