America: My Time

Chapter 1181 John's Warning

Chapter 11071 John's Warning
"I understand, but that's not enough to make me back down. Anyone who ruins my plans will have to bear my wrath. This time, I'm letting Sony and Panasonic off the hook because of you, but anyone who thinks I'm easy to bully will have to bear my wrath. Next time, no one's face will matter. Don't think that just because the Americans are pushing things along, they can back down. They'll understand what pain means then. Not everyone can interfere in the struggles between American conglomerates. If anyone thinks they're so great, then they can jump out and try!"

John's words struck Akio Morita like a thunderclap. He wasn't saying those words out of a favor, but rather as a test—a test from those guys in Japan. There are always some clowns trying to play tricks and schemes, but they're mistaken. John won't give them that chance. This time, he's giving Akio Morita face to improve his image, and also for the sake of the Asian economic crisis.

"No one will get involved in the power struggles between your American conglomerates. With so many things happening in Japan, even the most foolish person understands that this is not something they can get involved in. Besides, those American guys have no integrity. Every fool has failed to get what they wanted!"

At this moment, Akio Morita dared not hesitate and immediately said these words, fearing that he would also be dragged into this mess. If he were to get involved, the consequences would be severe! Don't be fooled by John's current courtesy; it's merely a trivial matter. When serious matters are involved, the consequences will be uncontrollable.

"I'm afraid things aren't as simple as you make them out to be. There's always a group of foolish and greedy people in Japan who think they're so smart, that they have everything under control, but they don't realize they're the most foolish ones. I don't know what others think, but I can tell you my true thoughts: in the future, whoever gets involved in my struggles with other American conglomerates, or the struggles between oil and Pacific capital, won't blame me for being ruthless. I've already given Japan plenty of face, but some people still don't know when to stop. Since you brought this up today, I'll state my position: please tell those guys in the Japanese government that I will not compromise on this issue any further!"

Upon hearing John's words, Akio Morita sighed inwardly. He was well aware that John's attitude towards Japan had begun to change. Those self-righteous fools had thoroughly offended John, and had thoroughly offended an American bigwig who originally had a good relationship with Japan. If there was a next time, many people would pay a heavy price.

"I will tell those people in the government what you said, and I hope they can make the right decision. To be honest, I hate those guys very much too. If it weren't for their arrogance, the relationship between Sony and you wouldn't have been ruined. I'm already very grateful that you've let Sony off the hook this time because of me. I have no other thoughts!"

"Mr. Morita, some people are always incredibly greedy, always thinking they are very powerful. But that's just their illusion. If anyone tries to sabotage Asian Energy, they will have to bear my wrath. If any problems arise in Japan, don't blame me for not giving everyone face. It's not like we can't cooperate with South Korea, and China itself is fully capable of taking over Asian Energy's resources. Not to mention, I have many connections in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Without the Japanese market, it won't have much of an impact on Asian Energy. Trying to use the market to negotiate with me is just wishful thinking!"

Although Japan hasn't taken such action yet, John doesn't want to give them the chance. He directly uses Akio Morita's words to warn those guys that if Japan doesn't want to be suppressed by him in the energy sector, then they shouldn't make the wrong decision and shouldn't put themselves in a difficult position. John won't be lenient with these guys!

"Don't worry, no one would be foolish enough to do such a thing. Japan is a resource-poor country. It's impossible for them to ignore the preferential resources and choose to use expensive energy. If someone were to make such a foolish decision, they would become an enemy of the Japanese conglomerates. Your project is a collaboration between major conglomerates!"

At this moment, Akio Morita wanted to dispel John's worries. With his wisdom, he naturally understood that if he fell out with John and with Asian Energy, the entire country of Japan would pay a heavy price. Although John's relationship with the Middle Eastern tycoons was not as good as before, the Middle Eastern tycoons would not ignore John's warning.

"I hope everything is as you say. I don't want to make enemies; as the saying goes, harmony brings wealth. But this harmony doesn't mean I have no temper, nor does it mean anyone can endlessly cause me trouble. I'm fed up with this kind of thing. If it weren't for our past friendship, I would have taught them a lesson long ago!" "I understand your good intentions, and most people in Japan understand them too. It's just that a small minority insist on causing trouble, thinking they're clever, and constantly making the wrong decisions. Don't worry, Sony won't make the same mistake twice!"

"I believe you, and I hope this kind of thing will never happen again. If anyone dares to challenge my bottom line, then they should be prepared to be dealt with. My patience has its limits!"

Seeing the change in John's expression, Akio Morita felt extremely heavy-hearted. He deeply understood that John now harbored a lot of resentment towards Japan, but there was no point in saying anything now. It was all caused by those arrogant guys who repeatedly provoked John's bottom line, which led to the current situation.

"Let's leave these official matters here. I didn't come here today to talk about these frustrating things, but to see you. After all, it's been so long since we last met. You seem relaxed now, but I'm not as relaxed as I used to be. I'm constantly troubled by these complicated matters. After today, I don't know when we'll be able to meet again and reminisce about what happened!"

Akio Morita didn't see anything wrong with John's words. John was now managing more and more companies, and naturally, he was becoming increasingly busy. Meeting him again after today wouldn't be easy. Moreover, Morita could clearly sense the change in John's attitude this time; his words no longer held the same level of approval towards Japan. Repeated provocations had completely exhausted his goodwill towards him!
Does John have any affection for Japan? No, not at all. He only feels disgust. In the past, John only maintained a superficial friendship in order to scheme against Japan and get everything he wanted from her. But now John no longer needs to do that. John has grown up and no longer needs to maintain a superficial friendship with these guys like Japan!
Although he was pleased that John had come to see Akio Morita today, the old man Morita was not happy after noticing the change in John's attitude. Instead, he was filled with more worries—worries about Sony and about Japan. Pushing such a prodigy as John to the opposing side was, to put it bluntly, foolish. The successor they chose was a stupid bastard!

Unfortunately, it's too late for regrets now. It's all over, and there's no chance to salvage it. This time, Akio Morita deeply understands that he has exhausted all his connections, and even if he intervenes again in the future, it will be of no use! The fact that things have turned out this way is all due to the greed and lack of understanding of right and wrong of those people.

Of course, John also played a part. If John hadn't consistently maintained a friendly attitude towards Japan, those guys wouldn't have become so arrogant. If Akio Morita were in John's position, he wouldn't believe he could have done that. After all, over the past decade or so, too many fools have caused trouble, offending John to the point of no return for short-term gains, even getting involved in the internal power struggles of American conglomerates. Was that something they were capable of getting involved in?

Akio Morita wanted to change all of this, but he soon realized that he simply couldn't. Greed was ingrained in those guys' hearts, and it was impossible to get them to give it up. Even if he reminded them, it wouldn't have any good results. Those guys simply wouldn't believe him, or even accept it!
Because Akio Morita understood all this, he didn't explain anything further to John, nor did he invite John to a party or any other kind of interaction. John had changed fundamentally from before, and even if he invited him, it wouldn't have any effect. There was now a faint sense of rejection in John!

This situation arose entirely because of those greedy individuals. If it weren't for their greed, things wouldn't have escalated to this point. He understands what's going on, but he's powerless to resolve it. This is the predicament Akio Morita now faces. Everything is beyond his control. If Sony hadn't made a mistake, he would still have some dignity, but now that Sony is in trouble, he's completely lost face, and all past relationships have been destroyed. Reality is cruel; even the best relationships crumble in the face of self-interest. John has already done remarkably well to have reached this point!

(End of this chapter)