AlienWarlord
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C3 John Wick(Edit: Added an explanation of the ‘impossible task’)
🕑 Added 2023-05-25 02:36:51 +0000 UTCHadrian stepped out of his private jet, his eyes squinting against the bright sunlight that bathed the private landing strip in Osaka, Japan.
The jet's engines roared to a halt, and the familiar scent of jet fuel filled his nostrils.
The noise of the bustling convoy of parked cars and the low hum of conversations amongst the guards surrounding him invaded the air.
Ignoring the watchful eyes of the guards, who he knew were loyal to his father alone, Hadrian strode purposefully toward one of the sleek black cars parked nearby.
He opened the door and slipped into the backseat, settling comfortably against the leather upholstery.
The driver, a stoic man with a shaved head, glanced at Hadrian through the rearview mirror, awaiting instructions.
"To the Osaka Continental," Hadrian said, his voice calm but commanding.
The guards exchanged hesitant glances, unsure if their boss would approve of his son going to such a place. But after a moment of silence, they shrugged and got into their own vehicles, trailing the car as it pulled away from the landing strip.
...
Arriving at the majestic Osaka Continental, a renowned haven for the underworld in Japan, Hadrian and his entourage drew the attention of everyone present.
The crowd, a mix of guests and staff, turned their heads and watched as the imposing figures clad in black suits and displaying an intricate insignia on their lapels entered the hotel.
It was a small circular insignia showing an American Eagle surrounded by an intricate pattern.
The few knowledgeable individuals in the crowd recognized the significance of the emblem and the implications it carried.
Silence spread through the air, laden with apprehension and curiosity. This was a sign of the power and influence held by Hadrian's family, specifically his father.
‘...’ Hadrian watched all of this and wondered whether these guards would bring him trouble or not.
After all, he would have liked to keep a low profile, but that seemed impossible now.
As the crowd parted to make way, Hadrian strode purposefully towards the front desk, the guards following him like shadows, securing the area.
He approached the beautiful Japanese hostess, his gaze meeting hers as he handed over a golden coin, a token known by all as the currency of the Continental.
"One room, please," Hadrian requested politely, his tone mature for his young age.
The hostess nodded, accepting the coin in fear.
She exchanged it for a room key, her eyes darting nervously toward the guards behind Hadrian.
Before leaving for his room, Hadrian turned to the hostess, his voice respectful but firm. "Would the manager be available to meet with me?"
And as if summoned by Hadrian's question, the manager of the Osaka Continental, Koji Shimazu, emerged from a side entrance, flanked by a contingent of loyal men, who looked like the definition of Yakuza.
The manager was a middle-aged Japanese man with a full beard and glasses. He wore a pristine black and wine red Yukata with a Katana on his hip.
[Insert picture of Koji Shimazu here]
Koji's steely gaze locked onto Hadrian, assessing him with a mix of curiosity and caution.
"I have some free time. Please, come with me," Koji said, his voice calm and measured.
He motioned for Hadrian to follow, and the young man obliged, casting a brief glance toward his guards.
"Stay here." Hadrian commanded, his tone leaving no argument.
The guards exchanged concerned glances, their instincts telling them to protect their boss's son. But before they could make a decision, Hadrian left them behind, following Koji, who turned to his men and nodded.
Immediately after Hadrian passed Koji's men, they stepped forward and formed a wall to block the path, keeping Hadrian's guards from following.
And so, the two walked off, disappearing into the depths of the Osaka Continental, leaving behind a crowd full of questions and apprehension.
...
Silently, Koji led Hadrian through the opulent corridors of the Osaka Continental Hotel.
The dimly lit hallways were adorned with intricate tapestries and delicate artwork, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance.
They passed by the hotel staff, who nodded respectfully to Koji, acknowledging his authority.
As they ventured further, the distant clatter of knives and the lively banter of the kitchen staff grew louder.
The scent of sizzling food filled the air as they entered the bustling kitchen. Dangerous-looking chefs wielded their knives with precision, their movements swift and calculated.
And at the back of the kitchen, a group of Yakuza-looking men were engaged in a heated game of cards, their tattoos peeking out from beneath their sleeves.
Koji navigated the busy kitchen effortlessly, skillfully avoiding collisions with the busy staff.
Finally, they reached a pair of towering sumo wrestlers, their formidable presence commanding attention.
These imposing figures acknowledged Koji with a nod as he guided Hadrian past them, ordering the two to keep guard.
Ascending a flight of stairs, Koji emerged onto the serene rooftop, where a few cherry blossom trees stood in full bloom.
The gentle breeze carried the delicate fragrance, enhancing the tranquility of the setting.
Koji gestured for Hadrian to take a seat at an outdoor table nestled beneath the trees, which he did.
Pouring steaming tea into delicate cups, Koji served Hadrian with graceful movements.
As Hadrian savored the first sip, he couldn't help but express his appreciation. "This tea is exquisite," he remarked, impressed by the quality. “It’s Hōjicha, right?”
In his other life as James, Hadrian was a bit of a tea snob and it only got worse as he grew older.
“Yes, it was just delivered this morning.” A surprised look flashed on Koji’s face as he settled into his seat opposite Hadrian, a curious glint in his eyes. "I’ve never met a young man with a palate for tea before.”
“Is it surprising?” Hadrian asks, sipping his tea once again.
“Truthfully? Yes.” Koji nods as he drinks his tea as well. “Even my daughter wouldn’t be able to name my tea after a single sip and she’s older than you.”
“It’s just a hobby of mine.” Hadrian smiled as he set his cup down. “Should we get straight to the point? I know you're nervous about my arrival, but I assure you that this has nothing to do with the High Table, nor do I have any plans to cause trouble for you.”
Having such a young man speak to him about the High Table was an odd occurrence for Koji, though he felt a bit relieved nonetheless.
Before Koji could reply, Hadrian Bowed his head slightly, introducing himself. “I’m Hadrian Pierce and I just transferred to a nearby school here, so I’ll be living in Osaka from now on.”
“I see...” Koji muttered as he recognized Hadrian's last name.
After all, for a manager of one of the prestigious Continental Hotels, Koji knew the names of every seated member on the High Table.
‘The Councilman...’ Koji knew exactly who his new guests father was.
“Koji Shimazu.” Koji spoke his name and bowed his head in return. “Thank you for informing me of your arrival, but that can't be the sole reason for seeking me out. What brings you here, Hadrian?"
Hadrian sipped his tea one last time before rising from his seat, bowing deeply toward Koji, a gesture of respect. "I'm unfamiliar with Japanese customs, so please forgive me if I inadvertently offend you," he began. "But I have a request. I want you to become my mentor, to train me as an assassin."
Koji's eyes widened in shock, his surprise evident. "Why me?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
After all, a family like Hadrians would have countless mentors for him to choose from.
Hadrian's expression hardened, his resolve unyielding. "I don't have many options. My father has no interest in me. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I've heard of your connection to John Wick, who recently accomplished the 'Impossible Task' and left the service of the High Table. If you possess even a fraction of his skill, then I believe you can teach me. I beg you to impart your expertise onto me."
The Impossible Task refers to a task that even the most accomplished hitmen would deem impossible.
It’s a task so daunting, so unachievable, that it became the stuff of legends. And those who accomplish these legendary tasks may leave the service of the High Table, retiring from the criminal world for the rest of their lives.
Though not many would dare to attempt it and even fewer had the skills to accomplish such a feat.
The exact details of the task vary depending on who tells the tale, but its essence remains the same. A seemingly insurmountable challenge that only a man of John Wick's caliber could even consider attempting.
The buzz and awe of John Wicks accomplishment was currently a hot topic amongst the criminal underworld, as it only happened about a month ago.
Even if Hadrian didn’t have his other life’s knowledge, he would’ve still heard about the legendary John Wick. The man who singlehandedly dismantled countless rival gangs in New York, making his former boss, Viggo Tarasov, the top crime boss in the city.
Koji stared at Hadrian intently, contemplating his request. "I don't teach just anyone," he replied, his tone firm.
Once again, Hadrian bowed deeply, his desperation evident.
After all, there wasn’t many high level assassins in John Wick that he could turn to.
Koji is probably the most honorable man to appear in all four movies, making him Hadrians #1 choice.
The only reason he chose to transfer to Osaka, in the first place, was for Koji to become his teacher.
And as Hadrian lowered himself for a third time, he couldn't hide the scars that marred his body, a reminder of his fathers cruelty.
The sight made Koji pause, his mind racing with a sudden realization.
Recalling Hadrian's mention of his father, combined with the way his guards acted downstairs, Koji felt a surge of compassion.
He couldn’t help but put the puzzle pieces together. The boy in front of him was most likely abused by his father.
They could be scars left over from harsh training, but then why would Hadrian be here, begging someone that he doesn’t know to train him?
Remaining silent for a moment, he eventually spoke, his voice filled with empathy. “Why do you want me to train you?”
Hadrian picked up his head and stared straight into Koji’s eyes. “I need to be able to defend myself...” He admitted.
Instantly, Koji’s intuition was proven correct.
Nodding his head, Koji stood from his seat. "I will accept you as my student." He declared.
A mixture of relief and gratitude washed over Hadrian, a glimmer of hope igniting within his eyes.
He didn’t know why Koji suddenly agreed, but he was happy nonetheless. ‘With this, I’m one step closer to being able to survive in this world...’
A/N: 1834 words :) I found the female lead. Do you guys want me to tell you or should I not spoil it?
Also, I’m planning on giving Hadrian a status power. He would be able to see his own status and the status of other. It would be a simple status sheet that shows his name, age, skills, etc. basically stuff to see the results of training and gather info on enemies. It’s not a system, just to be clear. It’ll activate on his first day of training with Koji.
