"Understood. Thank you."
Hayate led his team toward the upstairs conference room. Behind the front desk, Eddie immediately picked up the phone to alert Winston. "Manager, the Elder has arrived."
In the conference room, Winston was performing a final sweep of the arrangements. He wanted everything to be flawless, especially since Hayate had informed him that a high-level briefing would take place this afternoon.
Iruka stepped forward and pushed open the heavy double doors. Hayate entered first, followed by his five subordinates.
Winston approached Hayate, bowing deeply. "Elder, the conference room is fully prepared and at your disposal."
Hayate surveyed the large circular table, nodded, and took the head seat. "Winston, did the recent attack significantly hinder the hotel's operations?"
Standing respectfully to the side, Winston replied, "It hasn't affected our functionality. In fact, thanks to the 'Wax Bath' treatment you introduced, our wounded recovered with incredible speed. Unfortunately, we did lose a few good people."
Hayate nodded, satisfied. "They died for the hotel. Ensure their families are well-compensated."
"Please rest assured, Elder. The New York Continental has always maintained the highest standards for survivor benefits."
Hayate checked his watch. "Good. You're dismissed for now. Arrange for a banquet tonight; the Adjudicators and I will dine here after the meeting."
"I will see to it immediately." Winston bowed and retreated, closing the doors softly behind him.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Naruto's restless energy exploded. He began darting around the room, touching the mahogany panels and staring at the high-tech equipment. Even after two days at the opera house, his curiosity about this world remained insatiable.
Iruka sighed, watching his student's antics. He leaned toward Hayate. "Lord Hayate, perhaps it would be better if Naruto toured the hotel while we meet? I worry he might be a distraction."
Hayate chuckled. "Naruto, do you want to stay for the meeting, or go explore your new hotel?"
Naruto's eyes darted around. "Old Man, this whole building is yours too?"
"Yes," Hayate smiled. "It's mine."
"Then I'll stay for the meeting! I can explore the building later."
Iruka gave him a stern look. "If you stay, you must not cause trouble."
Naruto adjusted the metal headband on his forehead, his expression suddenly serious. "Iruka-sensei, I'm not an Academy student anymore. I'm a ninja. You have to trust a fellow shinobi."
Seeing the boy's earnestness, Hayate laughed. "Iruka, he's a ninja now. You have to learn to believe in him."
Hearing Hayate defend Naruto put Iruka's mind at ease. Ever since seeing that this version of Naruto was the "prankster" version from the Academy, he had been terrified the boy would offend Hayate. Fortunately, everything seemed to be going well.
The Afternoon
A Maybach pulled up to the curb of the Continental, followed by a sleek black SUV. The doorman snapped to attention, opening the door of the lead car.
John Wick stepped out, dressed in a sharp, tapered suit. Behind him were four High Table messengers, one of whom carried a reinforced briefcase.
As John entered the lobby, Winston met him with a brief, warm embrace. "The Elder is waiting for you in the upstairs conference room."
John smiled faintly. "I'm glad to see you're unharmed, Winston. We'll catch up at the banquet."
John led his team toward the elevators. Winston didn't follow; he returned to the entrance to wait for the next arrivals. He didn't have to wait long. A Rolls-Royce and a Mercedes-Benz pulled up shortly after.
Cross (The Cross), the Adjudicator in charge of the London Continental, stepped out with his entourage. Like John's team, his men carried heavy leather cases.
Winston shook Cross's hand. "Welcome, Adjudicator. The Elder is expecting you."
"Thank you, Winston. Good to see you're still standing," Cross replied before heading inside.
Now, only one was left: Wesley, responsible for the Moscow Continental.
Inside a stretched Bentley blocks away, Ginny sat across from Wesley and a burly, disheveled Russian man with a brooding intensity.
"Ivan Vanko," Ginny said, her tone professional yet firm. "I've already arranged for the best local medical team to treat your father. When you meet our Boss, I expect you to perform well."
She leaned forward. "Don't waste Wesley's effort in bringing you here. You have talent in mechanics, yes, but do not think you are irreplaceable."
Ivan Vanko narrowed his eyes. "If you wanted to recruit me, you should trust my strength."
"Ivan," Ginny's face turned cold. "We didn't 'seek' you out. Wesley recommended you. Our Boss is merely giving you an interview. Whether he keeps you or not is yet to be decided."
"If you want to go back to being a destitute nobody whose talent is ignored, we won't stop you," she continued. "But the fact that we could take you out of that country so easily should tell you our power is beyond your imagination."
Thinking of the government restrictions placed on him and his father, Vanko fell silent. He had no love for his homeland and wanted to escape the ban, but more than that, he wanted a chance to face the man responsible for his family's ruin: Howard Stark.
Howard was gone, but Tony Stark and Stark Industries remained.