Looking at the heavily armed John Wick standing amidst the carnage, Smith knew the legendary assassin was there for his friend's vengeance. He glanced at Viggo's lifeless body at his feet.
"You are late," Smith said simply.
The shock in John Wick's eyes was profound. He saw the evidence of Smith's terrifying power: on the first two floors, the bodies were killed by gunfire, but the higher floors showed victims of cold weapons, even fists and kicks. The speed and savagery of the attack were beyond normal.
Having operated in this world for decades, John Wick knew the true meaning of Smith's strength, especially the story of the bullet split in two. He was now more convinced than ever that Smith Doyle had the necessary power to protect the Dragon Ball—and perhaps more.
"What do you need me to do next?" John Wick asked, accepting his new subordinate status under the Blood Oath.
Smith thought for a moment, his new responsibilities already taking precedence. "Continue with your unfinished business. I'll contact you in two days."
Smith walked away, his mission complete. John Wick, remembering he still needed to recover his stolen car, did not stay.
Shortly after the two left, the Cleaning Team of the Assassin's League arrived in their specialized vehicles and began the massive, systematic clean-up operation.
Back at the Assassin's League Headquarters, Smith Doyle pushed open the conference room door. Cross immediately stepped forward and embraced him warmly.
"GOD, you really gave us a big surprise," Cross said, his voice filled with pride.
Smith returned the hug. "This is what I should do."
Cross led Smith to the main seat at the long table. "From now on, this position will be handed over to you."
Smith, without hesitation or false modesty, sat down.
As Cross returned to his seat, Mr. X opposite him rose and announced: "After 18 years, the Assassin's League once again welcomes a new leader, Smith Doyle. Let us welcome our God!"
A sustained round of applause filled the room.
Smith Doyle pressed his hands down, and when the applause stopped, he spoke. "I am very grateful for your trust in me, for handing over the leadership position that has been vacant for 18 years."
Smith, having grown up within the League, understood the reverence and the unique dynamic. They viewed him as a spiritual successor and a source of power, especially after the death of the former leader, Sloan, and the disappearance of the Sacred Loom.
"I will keep the mission of the Assassin's League in mind," Smith declared, his voice resolute. "I will lead everyone to unwaveringly and resolutely eliminate this cancer of the world."
"As for our next steps, in addition to systematically collecting information on those individuals who pose a threat to society, our primary focus will be on the High Table and its affiliated Continental Hotel."
A ripple of enthusiastic agreement went through the room.
"No problem. We have always wanted to eradicate this huge cancer," Cross agreed. "GOD, what should we do next?"
Smith laid out the plan: "Investigate the headquarters of the High Table and the regions to which the twelve elders are affiliated."
"This time we are going to dismantle them from top to bottom. As for killer platforms like the Continental Hotels, they also need to be eliminated."
As the meeting ended and Smith's orders went out, the entire intelligence department of the Assassin's League began to operate, shifting their focus entirely to the High Table and the Continental Hotel.
The next day, at the Strategic Homeland Defense, Attack, and Logistics Support Agency (SHIELD) Triskelion Building, Agent Phil Coulson brought a document to the director's office.
"Director," Coulson said. "The undercover agent in the Assassin's League has sent back important intelligence involving major changes in the organization. I need to report this to you."
Nick Fury took the document. "It's been 18 years, and the Assassin's League has a new leader. I thought after Sloane's death, they would only implement the elder system."
Fury scanned the report. "It's interesting that they're eyeing the High Table."
He looked up at Coulson. "You've seen the intelligence. What do you think of this matter?"
Coulson paused for a moment. "It's a good thing, Director. The High Table has grown a bit too powerful in recent years, and they need outsiders to slim it down."
SHIELD understood that while the High Table wasn't a direct threat, it did affect global stability. They had always employed a "pig-raising policy" with such organizations: allow them to grow, but eliminate them if they got too troublesome.
Coulson continued: "The High Table's elder seats are inherited through bloodline, so our undercover agents cannot hold high positions there."
"The Assassin's League's assassination methods are very powerful, and we don't need to worry about any particularly bad consequences. As for who wins or who loses, or if both sides suffer losses, we think it is a good outcome."
Fury nodded in agreement. "How much do we know about the new leader of the League of Assassins?" he asked, his focus shifting. "Will he be a problem?"
SHIELD paid closer attention to the League of Assassins than the High Table. They had a long history of investigating the League, interested in their unique technology, like the wax bath and the legendary bullet bending. They had even classified the missing Sacred Loom as Item 084 before learning it was destroyed.
Coulson replied: "The new leader, Smith Doyle, is an unknown. Our embedded agents are unable to get close enough to gather biographical information. We need to monitor him closely."