America: John Wick 1924

Chapter 42 Female Ninja [Hitachi Nene], Facing Off Against Another Female Ninja!
Li Yu and Chang Lu Ningning remained silent the entire way.

The former gazed listlessly at the unfamiliar street scene outside the window, while the latter focused intently on driving.

About half an hour later, Chōtachi Nene suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence.

"Mr. Li, we've arrived. That's Lord Nekoyashiki's hideout."

Upon hearing this, Li Yu quickly turned his gaze and looked in the direction Chang Lu Ningning pointed.

What came into view was a magnificent building.

From Li Yu's current perspective, he could just see an exquisite nameplate hanging at the entrance of the building, with the words "Platycodon grandiflorus" written on it in both Chinese and English.

It looks like a large company.

Chang Luning noticed Li Yu's confused expression in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but ask:

"Mr. Li, don't you know what a bellflower is?"

Li Yu answered honestly:

"I don't know. Is it a very powerful company?"

"Yes, that's exactly it."

After clearing her throat, she continued in a proud tone:

"The 'Platycodon grandiflorus' is a multinational chamber of commerce engaged in the clothing trade."

"It sells gorgeous luxury clothing specifically to the upper class in various countries."

"And Nekoyashiki-sama is the current head of Kikyoka."

After listening, Li Yu gave a brief summary of what the other party had said:

"So, Miss Cat is both an information broker and a very wealthy clothing merchant?"

Chōtachi Nene nodded slightly:

"Yes."

Having two identities, one overt and one covert... This fits Li Yu's stereotype of the "intelligence broker" profession.

Although Nekoyashiki exudes a mature aura, she doesn't look very old; she appears to be only 25 years old, not much older than Li Yu.

To manage such a massive business at such a young age... Li Yu was secretly astonished.

"Is this entire building owned by the bellflower company?"

"That's right. After all, we're doing international business, so we need a sufficient number of people to keep the company running smoothly."

Hearing this, Li Yu couldn't help but switch to a half-joking tone and teased:
"Since Miss Cat is so rich, why would she need to be an intelligence agent? She could make a fortune just from the revenue of this big company, right?"

A faint smile appeared on Chang Luning's lips—the first time Li Yu had seen her smile since last night.

"Master Nekoyashiki is an information broker who acts out of interest."

……

……

After parking the car in the parking lot reserved for bellflowers, Hitachi Nene led Riyu to find the Nekoyashiki.

There is no need to elaborate on the specific process.

It's simply a matter of walking into the bellflower-themed building, taking the elevator to the top floor (12th floor), then walking through corridors, and finally stopping in front of an elegantly designed door.

Chang Lu Ningning raised her hand and knocked on the door:
"Master Nekoyashiki, Mr. Li has arrived."

The sound of the cat house immediately came from inside the room:
"Please come in."

Chang Luning gently pushed open the door, then turned to the side and gestured "please" to Li Yu.

Li Yu strode inside and was immediately greeted by Nekoyashiki sitting behind a long table.

Nekoyashiki stopped writing with her fountain pen and gave Li Yu a charming yet dignified smile.

Good morning, Mr. Li.

Good morning, Miss Cat.

As Li Yu greeted them, he subtly scanned the room with his eyes.

An executive chair, a long table piled with documents, a bookcase crammed with books, a sofa for guests to sit on... this room must be Nekoyashiki's office.

Before Nekoyashiki could speak, Li Yu asked directly:
"Miss Neko, what exactly is the task you've entrusted to me? If possible, I'd like to finish it as soon as possible." It's easy to see that Nekoyashiki is a straightforward person.

She stopped being coy and spoke softly and slowly:
“Mr. Li, I would like you to help me fight in a ring match.”

Li Yu raised an eyebrow, his eyes indicating "Please explain in detail."

“In the eastern suburbs of San Francisco, there is a sports club called ‘Silver Spoon’.”

“Every Saturday, Silver Spoon hosts a grand fighting competition called ‘Free Fighting’.”

"As the name suggests, this is a combat competition that does not restrict weight, height, age, or fighting techniques, and any adult male can participate in."

"Last week, a guy I really dislike made a bet with me."

"The bet was roughly that he and I would each send one fighter to participate in a 'free fighting match,' and the side whose fighter lost would have to pay the winner $10,000."

"Although I don't care about this small amount of money, I really hate that person, so I really don't want to lose to him."

"It's a pity that 'free fighting' can only be participated in by adult men."

"All the capable adult males under my command have recently gone on long trips."

"Just when I was feeling conflicted, you appeared just in time."

Nekoyashiki has finished speaking.

Li Yu understood as well.

"I understand. So, I'm going to help you win this match, right?"

"Yes, that's exactly it."

Li Yu grinned:

"A task that doesn't require thinking, just physical exertion... That suits my taste perfectly. Hmm? Wait a minute, isn't today Saturday?"

“Yes, today is the day my bet with that guy starts. That’s why I told you last night, ‘If all goes well, it can be over tomorrow.’”

"When exactly will the match start?"

"10 a.m."

"There's still some time."

"Yes, there's still a little time. So... I want to take advantage of this time to see your strength for myself."

As he finished speaking, Nekoyashiki's eyes, which were meeting Li Yu's gaze, gleamed with interest.

Li Yu was taken aback:
"Isn't the fact that I single-handedly killed those Rolf brothers enough to prove my strength?"

Nekoyashiki rested her elbows on the table, then placed her delicate chin on her interlaced fingers, her smile widening.

"Mr. Li, of course I believe in your abilities."

"Anyone capable of killing the Lavrov brothers must be extraordinary."

"However, my life motto is 'seeing is believing'."

"I won't be able to put my mind at ease until I see your strength with my own eyes."

Since Nekoyashiki had already said so, Li Yu didn't say anything more and went straight to the point, asking in return:

"So how do you plan to demonstrate my strength?"

"It's very simple, you spar with Ningning."

"Nene? Miss Hitachi?"

Li Yu subconsciously turned his head and cast a surprised look at Chang Lu Ningning beside him.

Nekoyashiki noticed the change in Li Yu's expression and smiled slightly:
"Mr. Li, don't underestimate my bodyguard."

"She is a female ninja who is skilled in combat."

"Anyone with slightly inferior skills wouldn't even be able to touch a hem of her clothes, let alone defeat her."

A female ninja?!

A strange look suddenly appeared in Li Yu's gaze as he looked at Chang Lu Ningning.

Following the "intelligence broker," another profession he had only ever seen in fictional works appeared before his eyes!

(End of this chapter)