---------------
đ Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chaptersâread ahead of everyone else! đ„
đ https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to meâthank you so much! đ
----------------
Note : Wanda Will make her appearance in the war
-----------
The administrator on the other end of the line spoke calmly, "Please state your ID number."
"Elder of the High Table, 9527."
After Alex Ray gave his identification, he continued with his instructions.
"I want a list of all known Hand members in New York City, and I'm placing a bounty on them."
"Five thousand dollars for ordinary members, ten thousand for senior members, fifty thousand for Hand ninjas. 10 million dollars for key figures. And for each of the five Fingersâone hundred million dollars each."
"That's more than one hundred million in total."
Alex didn't truly believe the Fingers of the Hand would be taken down by this alone. He just wanted to test the waters.
Those capable of killing the Fingers wouldn't be moved by the bounty, and those who'd be tempted by a billion wouldn't have the skill to pull it off.
And naturally, Alex didn't have to pay a cent out of pocket. Each year, the High Table allocated bounty funds to its elders. This was part of his yearly budget, and he had no qualms about spending it.
As for why he wasn't placing bounties on other gangs, Alex figured it was unnecessary. They operated in Hell's Kitchenâhis turf. If he really wanted them gone, he could do it himself.
"Your request has been received. Please hold."
At the High Table's Information Center, the administrator muted the line and spoke to a colleague. "Pull the current file on all known Hand members in New York City."
Moments later, a staff member in a sharp secretary uniform retrieved the most recent dossier from the archive and handed it over.
The administrator flipped through the first pagesâportraits of Murakami, Madam Gao, and the other four Fingers stared back at him.
He verified everything, then stamped it with a blood-red seal: BOUNTY ACTIVE â HIGH TABLE.
He picked up the phone again. "The data has been logged. The bounty will be broadcast globally. This notice will appear in every Continental Hotel system around the world."
Shortly after, the bounty message spread like wildfire. Every registered assassin and mercenary received a text alert.
At the New York Continental, a killer in the lounge heard the chime of his phone.
He glanced at the message, and his eyes lit up. Tossing down his beer, he bolted from the bar with barely a word.
The message read:
Target: All known Hand operatives in New York City
Total Bounty: $1,000,000,000
Reward Structure:
$5k per ordinary member
$10k per senior member
$50k per Hand ninja
$10 million total for high-value targets
$100 million each for any of the Five Fingers
Location: Hell's Kitchen
Status: Effective Immediately
Phone alerts erupted throughout the Continental. Assassins read the message and grinned like wolves smelling blood.
A hundred million dollars and a sea of targets? It was a feeding frenzy.
In an instant, the underground world mobilized. Assassins scrambled to Hell's Kitchen, hoping to stake their claim before it was too late. Flights to New York sold out within the hour.
Local killers? They were already loading their gear and heading out.
At the Hell's Kitchen Continental, Winston sat behind the counter, phone in hand. He sighed.
"So our Boss finally bares his fangs."
Winston had long believed Alex Ray had forgotten his identity as a High Table Elder. Ever since receiving the title, Alex had never used its privileges.
He hadn't expected the first use to be this explosive.
Meanwhile, at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, Director Nick Fury slammed a file shut as the alert came through.
"Is Alex Ray out of his damn mind? Does he ever take a day off?"
He jabbed a finger at Agent Coulson. "Send our people into Hell's Kitchen. Immediately."
"We already did," Coulson replied.
"Then send two more teams. I want eyes on every alley, every rooftop, every window. I want to know who so much as sneezes down there!"
Coulson winced but nodded. "Understood, sir."
He muttered under his breath as he walked out, "Send more teams... We've sent damn near every agent we have. At this rate, we're not even S.H.I.E.L.D.âHell's Kitchen is the new headquarters."
"You're insane! One hundred million dollars?! Cancel that bounty and just give me the money! Screw the Hand, I'll personally get your money back from the damn President!"
Deadpool shouted from across the room, flailing his arms. His eyes were dry, but his voice was soaked in drama.
"That's my money, you reckless maniac!"
Vongola I, seated next to him, nodded silently. His pride wouldn't allow him to throw a tantrum like Deadpool, but he agreed wholeheartedly.
A hundred million dollars could do a lot for Alexâand for the Vongola Family.
After all, his family had people to feed.
Despite their influence, the Vongola organization operated under strict principles. They didn't push drugs or exploit the weak. They needed funding just to survive, let alone expand.
"Alright, alright," Alex said, waving them off. "This isn't even my money. I'm a High Table Elder. I get a bounty budget every year. I just never used it before."
"This time, I'm putting all of it into play. You two can get in on the action too, you know. Make yourselves useful."
At that, Deadpool instantly set down his bowl and raced upstairs to change into his red suit.
Vongola I hesitated, then followed suitâno longer able to maintain his dignified air.
Alex caught him before he left. "Don't even think about running off. It's been years since we've had a real talk. You're staying the night."
Vongola I sighed and raised his hands in defeat. "Let me make a call first."
Alex chuckled quietly as he watched the mafioso pace around, ranting into his phone. Who'd have guessed that the mighty Vongola I would be stressed over something as simple as a budget?
When he hung up, Alex asked curiously, "Why do you even care that much? You're the boss of one of the biggest families in the city."
Vongola I scowled. "Easy for you to say. You dropped a self-defense force on the orphanage and then disappeared. Now they're my responsibility."
Alex winced. Yeah... he did do that.
He tried to change the subject. "Didn't I give you funding? How'd you blow through it already?"
"Expanding territory costs money. Training them costs money. Feeding them costs money."
"We don't sell drugs. We don't exploit people. Where exactly do you expect us to get revenue from?"
Alex shut up. He knew Vongola I was right.
He quietly started clearing the table as his friend cooled off.
After a few more grumbles, Vongola I softened.
"Is it worth it?" he asked. "This school of yours?"
Alex paused, his voice low.
"You and I have seen enough to know where this place is heading if nothing changes. Hell's Kitchen won't fix itself. Someone's gotta try. Might as well be me."
"I don't think I'm doing anything special. It's just a school."
But building a school in Hell's Kitchen wasn't a simple act of goodwill.
It was a declaration of war.
In a place this diseased, even something as wholesome as education was a threat to the status quo.
Before returning to this world, Alex had always dreamed of doing something realâof helping his second home.
Meanwhile, in a hidden underground base of the HandâŠ
Madam Gao sat with Murakami, her expression as icy as ever. Shin, Murakami's apprentice, stood silently nearby.
The air was thick with rage.
All three had seen the High Table bounty. None of them expected Alex Ray, of all people, to challenge them outright.
This wasn't just about Madam Gao anymore. This was war against the entire Hand.
"Summon all operatives from the other branches," Madam Gao snapped, her cane striking the stone floor.
"I want Alex Ray to understand exactly what it means to cross the Hand."
---------
ADD TO COLLECTION
LEAVE A REVIEW
DROP POWER STONES
--------------------
Let's rise up the rankings together!
----------------
Bonus Chapter - 150 Power Stones
2nd Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
---------------
đ Enjoying the Story? Get Ahead Now!
Can't wait for the next twist or epic moment?
Join my Patreon and unlock 40+ advanced chaptersâread ahead of everyone else! đ„
đ https://www.patreon.com/UK21
Your support means the world to meâthank you so much! đ
----------------