Back at the agency, the team gathered in the main hall. The atmosphere was heavy with the weight of their newfound authority.
Shiranui Hayate leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over his core circle.
"Hotaru," he began, "register everyone's identity with the High Table. They are all to be documented as Adjudicators under my command."
John Wick, standing near the window, stiffened slightly. He looked at Hayate, a rare look of bewilderment on his stoic face.
"Boss... me as well? You want me to be an Adjudicator?"
The news hit him with the force of a physical blow. Even at the height of his career as the legendary "Baba Yaga," he had been nothing more than Viggo's enforcer. He held a title that commanded fear, but in the eyes of the High Table, he had never even been a member, let alone an official with the power to judge.
He had fought through hell just to buy a quiet retirement that was eventually stolen from him. Now, shortly after pledging his life to Shiranui Hayate, he had leaped over the ranks of the elite to become a direct representative of the Elders.
Hayate offered a small, knowing smile. "That's right, John. You are one of us now. You hold the same rank as the rest."
"Since I promised Berrada a Recovery Room, you'll be in charge of the Monaco sector. Sofia is also one of his people; having you there will help smooth over any remaining misunderstandings. Besides, I healed Berrada's wounds the day before we left."
John Wick let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and gave a sharp, appreciative nod.
"Thank you, Boss. I won't let you down."
Iruka and the others were less concerned with the titles themselves, but they were genuinely pleased by the rise in Hayate's status. In their eyes, if the High Table were a hidden village, the Elders were the department heads, and Hayate was now a High Minister of the Shinobi world.
Hotaru, who had been buried in the files provided by Maktoum since their return, suddenly looked up. Her brow was furrowed.
"Boss, unless you plan on selling off assets immediately, you need to start making money. Fast."
Hayate paused, looking at her with a hint of confusion. He had just inherited a fortune; how could he be short on cash?
"What's the problem, Hotaru?"
She flipped through a thick ledger and sighed. "Elder Maktoum's gift is a double-edged sword. In this country, you have to pay taxes on everything—deeds, manors, estates, training grounds. The property taxes alone on these holdings are staggering."
She looked at him over the rim of her glasses. "Unless, of course, you plan on a violent tax strike?"
Hayate's eyes flickered. Typical America, he thought. Nothing is certain but death and taxes.
"Then there's the personnel," Hotaru continued. "The eighty armed enforcers the Elder left you? You have to pay their salaries, their equipment maintenance, and their training costs. Maintaining these estates is an ongoing hemorrhage of cash."
The reality of managing a small army hit Hayate. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "How much liquid cash do we have left?"
"Thirty million dollars," Hotaru reported, tapping her notebook. "Ten million of that came from Carlos's commission. We also have the gold and jewelry you asked me to liquidate, which should net a few million more, depending on the final appraisal. But remember, we've already committed to buying the property next door to expand the agency."
Hayate considered this for a moment. "Fine. After the banquet, I'll release two additional slots for Recovery Rooms outside of Casablanca and New York. We'll do it as an auction."
"The entry fee for the slot alone will be massive, and the ongoing usage fees will provide a steady stream of income. Hotaru, you'll manage the logistics."
"As for those eighty enforcers," he added, "they report to you now. Use them as you see fit."
Hotaru didn't flinch at the added workload. She simply nodded. "Understood, Boss."
Iruka, Sasuke, and Lee would remain focused on the agency and the tasks coming through the Continental's network, which was now fully integrated into the Task Assembly Hall.
"I notified Carlos and his son before we left Morocco," Hayate said. "When do they arrive?"
"They're already outside," Hotaru replied. "I'll bring them in."
A few moments later, Carlos walked into the Shiranui Agency, followed by his son, Wesley. The veteran assassin approached Hayate and dropped to one knee, followed quickly by his son.
"Lord Hayate," Carlos said, his voice resonant with respect. "I have brought my son, Wesley, to pledge our lives to your service."
Carlos was a sharp man. He knew that Hayate was no longer just a powerful ally; he was a King of the Underworld.
"I accept your fealty," Hayate declared with an air of cold authority.
As they rose, Carlos looked at his master. "Boss, whatever you need of us, we are at your command."
Hayate looked at Wesley. "Has he finished his training?"
"He has passed the initial stages," Carlos replied. "But he needs field experience to truly sharpen his edge."
"Good. I will register you both as Adjudicators. I'm going to need you to oversee two regional sectors where we'll be establishing the Recovery Rooms in cooperation with the local Continental Hotels."
The mention of the "Recovery Rooms" made both men pause, but they quickly bowed. "We follow your lead."
Hayate looked around at his assembled followers. "Rest up. Tomorrow, I want everyone at their best. We are going to a banquet to meet the heads of every syndicate in this country. From now on, they work for us."
The Next Day.
Hayate opened the system interface for his daily sign-in.
Ding! Sign-in successful. Reward: 50 bowls of Delicious Ramen!
He shook his head slightly. Ramen was good for restoring stamina, but he was starting to crave the golden glint of System Coins.
By 1:00 PM, the Adjudicator arrived exactly on time at the agency's front door. Three black Rolls-Royces were idling behind her.
"Elder Hayate," she said, bowing as he stepped out. "The car is ready. The banquet is about to begin."
Hayate nodded, Hotaru at his side. This time, his entourage had grown from six to eight.
As the convoy began its smooth journey toward the New York Continental, Hayate looked out the window. Today was the day the world would learn his name. Today, the underground would see its new master.
Kazuma was a name from a past life. Today, he was Shiranui Hayate, and he had come to conquer.