The Elder rode atop his camel, leading Hayate and his team toward the true headquarters of the High Table.
During the trek, Hotaru handed Hayate a camera. This was a task he had assigned to her on the way—recording snippets of the previous slaughter. He intended to use this footage to flex his muscles before the twelve members of the High Table. After all, these leaders hailed from different nations and regions across the globe; if he didn't demonstrate sufficient power, simply raiding an outpost and breaching the headquarters might not be enough to secure a seat for himself.
On the journey, the Elder proactively informed Hayate about the headquarters' permanent garrison and mentioned that another Elder was currently on-site. He made a pointed note that this particular Elder was Black—clearly aware of Hayate's other nickname, the "Brother Slayer."
The Elder knew that since Hayate wanted a seat at the High Table, an old king had to fall for a new one to rise. There were only twelve seats; someone had to go. To save his own skin, he chose to redirect the threat toward his colleague. Seeing Hayate's supernatural summoning abilities had only reinforced his desire to stay on the man's good side. As for the men Hayate had killed? He offered a silent apology in his heart and moved on.
New York Continental Hotel.
Since John Wick hadn't pledged fealty or accepted the task from the Elder, the Adjudicator received no countermanding orders. After "dealing" with the Bowery King, she went straight to the Continental.
She walked into Winston's private lounge and stood before him, her voice cold and absolute. "Have you decided to step down?"
Winston looked at her, his expression grim. "I do not agree."
Because John Wick hadn't returned to help him, Winston had already spent the last few days gathering a group of assassins loyal to his command. While they weren't as legendary as Wick, they had strength in numbers. Most assassins in New York were willing to stand by him, giving him the courage to defy the Adjudicator.
"Very well," the Adjudicator replied. She turned, pulled out her phone, and dialed the administration. "I'd like to amend an instruction. Adjudicator 1011979. New York Continental. Deconsecrated."
Once the confirmation came through, she faced Winston again. "Winston, this institution has been deconsecrated. Business can now be conducted on these grounds. Since you refuse to step down, you have forfeited your life. High Table enforcers will arrive shortly to clear you from the building. Goodnight, Winston."
She turned and left without a second glance.
Winston watched her go, whispering to himself, "The sanctuary is no longer safe." He picked up his phone and called Charon. "Our war with the High Table begins now."
As an announcement blared through the hotel speakers—"Ladies and gentlemen, please be advised the hotel is closing for fumigation..."—the Adjudicator met Zero in the lobby.
"You and your students are clear to work within the hotel," she told him. "We are also sending some of our best for additional support."
Zero grinned. "Excellent. Truly excellent."
Outside, two armored buses screeched to a halt. Dozens of heavily armed enforcers, wearing specialized ballistic helmets and the latest armored suits, filed into the hotel in tactical formation. The slaughter had officially begun.
High Table Headquarters.
Deep in the heart of the desert, the High Table's headquarters was a massive subterranean complex. It was a marvel of engineering, hidden beneath the shifting sands.
As soon as they entered, Hayate gave the command: "Kill."
The team pushed forward like a tide, cutting down anyone in their path to the management sector. The Elder, Maktoum, stayed safely behind Hayate, acting as a guide with zero shame about leading enemies into his own sanctum.
The team unleashed hell—ninjutsu, shuriken, and explosive tags were used without restraint. The fighting was so fast and efficient that John Wick and Hotaru barely had a chance to fire their weapons before the rooms were cleared.
Watching from the back, Maktoum finally understood the true horror of Shiranui Hayate's power. His decision to switch sides felt more brilliant with every passing second.
Finally, they reached a massive alloy door—the last line of defense for the headquarters' internal safe room. The other Elder was hiding inside, having already broadcast a distress signal for reinforcements.
Hayate looked at the reinforced door and smiled. "Iruka, break it with a barrier-breaking array."
Iruka stepped forward and began placing explosive tags. One, five, ten... he used thirty tags in total to set the formation. Once the team moved back, Iruka gave the command: "Explode!"
BOOM!
The simultaneous detonation, focused by the array, tore the alloy door from its hinges. The Black Elder inside, seeing his final defense shattered, abandoned all resistance.
"I know you, Shiranui Hayate," he said as the group entered. "What do you want? Why have you invaded this place? And you, Maktoum! Why have you betrayed us?"
Hayate didn't bother answering. He didn't have any interest in a debate. He flicked a single shuriken, ending the man's life instantly.
He then turned to Maktoum. "Prepare the communications, Elder. It's time to convene a meeting of the High Table."