2077: V really knows how awesome he is

Johnny said, "Don't be afraid, I will protect you, and this uncle will protect us too."

Otto looked at the rock star: "Uncle, are you going to join the reserve team too? Mom told me that everyone in the reserve team is a hero. Uncle, what's your name?"

"Hmph," the rock kid muttered, "that's a really low-level trick."

"What?" The little girl didn't hear clearly.

“I’ll say it.” Johnny stood up and removed his mask of restraint.

"My name is Saburo Arasaka."

Chapter 50 The battle begins

"Boss, the target has headed to Arasaka Tower."

"understood."

Sitting in his office, Roger sighed deeply, feeling like a complete idiot. The plan he came up with was utterly disgusting. Oh well, what's done is done, there's nothing to regret. After all, she understood 50 years ago how much Johnny loved Ultraman, even better than Johnny himself did.

"How's it going with the biotechnology side?"

"Although we paid a heavy price, we managed to fulfill our mission, boss."

"Well done. Let President V handle the specifics of the agreement. Give the information to Arasaka and we're leaving."

"okay."

Some time later, Biotechnology suddenly issued a public statement supporting the legitimate rights and interests of Night City Arakawa and firmly opposing Tokyo Arakawa's abuse of power and its hegemonic behavior of wantonly trampling on corporate systems. Any armed action is a provocation against international law and human rights treaties. To protect its legitimate rights and assets in Night City, Biotechnology reserves the right to retaliate. Any individual or group that disrupts the normal commercial order of Night City will be placed on Biotechnology's "unfriendly list," and Biotechnology has the right to impose legal sanctions on them.

This statement stunned the entire world.

No way! You biotechnology companies were the first to jump out and launch an armed operation, and now that you've failed, you're saying that armed operations violate international law and telling everyone not to do it. That's utterly shameless.

But the company has always been shameless. Just as Roger said, Biotech was tricked by New America and completely lost its chance to compete for Night City. Since they couldn't get it themselves, the best outcome was to prevent others from getting it as well.

So, former enemies became allies. The mysterious president of the biotech company spoke with V on the phone for twenty minutes, and then this statement came about.

V allowed Xu Ling to immediately lift the control over Shengke Tower, and the seriously ill president also recovered quickly and returned to his post.

In return, the biotechnology sector imposed a 45% "unfriendly tax" on all of New America's alcohol 2 orders immediately after the statement, clearly signaling that they were keeping a close eye on military technology and warning the other party against any rash actions.

Miles was still sipping champagne, savoring her brilliant plan, when she suddenly received this devastating news. The president of military technology called her personally, and while he didn't exactly berate her, his tone was harsh and his words were sharp, practically saying "You fucking idiot."

“How dare they use biotechnology!” Miles didn’t think he had done anything wrong: “We must retaliate!”

The CEO of the military technology company scoffed, "How will you retaliate?"

“We’ll raise taxes too!” Miles declared confidently. “If they raise taxes by 45%, we’ll raise them by 85%!”

"Are you fucking an idiot?!" The military technology CEO finally blurted out, "Biotechnology monopolizes energy, selling alcohol 2. If they don't sell to you, you have nowhere to buy it. And what do you have? What does New America have? If they don't buy from you, they can buy from other countries. Do you really think those hundreds of millions of people in China do nothing but practice martial arts all day? You dare to raise tariffs one minute, and they dare to lower prices and seize the market the next! Miles, this is a big gamble where everyone has to play the game. Only those with real money can sit at the table; those without can get out. Stay put and stop trying to be clever. You're just making things worse!"

Miles was furious: "If New America doesn't have real gold and silver, does Night City have it? That's just a tiny place!"

"V is the real gold and silver of Night City! Be thankful that V is protecting Night City. If it weren't for Night City, V could single-handedly destroy your White House. Guess if she'll be the next one knocking on the door!"

The call was hung up.

Miles' face turned a riot of colors with rage.

She had once served as the president of military technology and knew the other person was right. But now she was the president of the new United States, and her position dictated her thinking, so even if she knew it was true, she wouldn't obey.

Just wait, I will definitely reunify America and make America great again!

Then there was a knock on the door, and Miles was startled.

"Who?!"

She gripped the gun in the desk drawer tightly.

"It is I, Your Excellency President. The afternoon meeting is about to begin."

"Got it. I'll be right there."

Miles breathed a sigh of relief, and then she realized that her back was completely soaked.

"V alone could destroy your White House!" — The new US president recalled this phrase.

This is not an exaggeration, but a fact.

Big shots understand better how terrifying a top lone wolf can be. While V, the undisputed world's number one lone wolf, may not be able to cut through an army of thousands, big shots also cannot keep an army of thousands by their side to protect them 24 hours a day.

This is why the major powers have been turning a blind eye to Night City's actions.

On the one hand, it's because no one can guard against thieves for a thousand days; on the other hand, it's to use Night City to restrain V.

Some small companies have even given up on fighting V. After all, she is just one person, and no matter how powerful she is, her lifespan is limited, while companies can last for generations. Even if they do nothing, everything will naturally return to normal in seventy or eighty years.

“V! Damn V!” Miles didn’t want to wait seventy or eighty years. She wanted to unify America in her lifetime, and Night City was an insurmountable obstacle.

"Just wait, once I get back the results of Project Beidou and find the technology on the other side of the Black Wall, V won't be able to stop me!"

Following biotechnology, other companies and countries, large and small, have also issued statements in support of Night City Arasaka.

There's no way around it; biotechnology controls alcohol 2 and is the world's energy supplier. Unless we plan to revert to primitive and outdated fossil fuels like oil, we have to give biotechnology face.

The same goes for military technology. Although he was also unhappy, he still issued a statement supporting Yoru no Shiro Arasaka.

As the president of the largest company in the Americas, the military technology executive had never suffered such humiliation. This made him curse Miles again. Of all people to mess with, why did he have to mess with biotechnology? This old hag is really getting worse and worse. It seems that after this incident, it will be time to change the president of the new United States.

As things stand, international opinion has completely sided with Night City. Meanwhile, V, along with the three members of Fiercefire, appeared on a talk show, exchanged autographs, and promised to hold the greatest concert ever in Night City, further attracting international attention.

Under these circumstances, everyone knew that launching an armed attack on Night City was a terrible option, but Arasaka Yorinobu's forces still marched toward Night City without wavering.

"That little brat is really something else."

Inside the meeting room, Kurt Hansen remarked, "Is it really necessary to work this hard for a branch office? Isn't he afraid of being called a butcher and executioner?"

V shrugged: "Butcher and executioner are unpleasant words, but the dead cannot take revenge, and the international community will not offend a living person for the sake of a dead one. It would be more than enough to condemn them and do a superficial job."

"The superiors compete in the Way, the middle in wisdom, and the inferior in strength." Xu Ling said while yawning, "He who steals a hook is punished, he who steals a country becomes a prince, and benevolence and righteousness reside in the gates of princes. There is no other reason than that the victor becomes king and the vanquished becomes bandit."

The automatic translation did convert all the Chinese into English, but Kurt Hansen still couldn't understand it: "What is the little girl muttering about?"

"You can't even understand such simple words, uncle? How did you become the boss with such a low level of education?"

"Damn it, you have no manners! Don't think I won't beat you up just because you're Xu Shiming's granddaughter!"

"Come on then, whoever doesn't come is a coward!"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, V quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright, let's not fight amongst ourselves when we have a formidable enemy at hand. Xu Ling's point is that in ancient times, people competed based on morality; in the Middle Ages, they battled based on wisdom; and now, we only rely on force to determine who is superior. Those who steal property are thieves, while those who steal from the country are leaders. Leaders will whitewash themselves and call themselves benevolent heroes. This has always been the case, simply because those who succeed become kings and nobles, while those who fail become bandits. It doesn't matter whether Arasaka Yoriyuki is evil or not, because as long as he kills justice, he becomes the new justice."

“That makes sense.” Kurt Hansen said sarcastically, “A certain major Eastern power claims to love peace, but how could it have conquered such a vast territory if it loved peace? Isn’t that just a way to whitewash itself?”

"Bullshit!" Xu Ling slammed her hand on the table in anger. "You guys still scalp the indigenous people, and you even have this bullshit Thanksgiving. You can't fool people, you're just trying to fool ghosts!"

Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, V had no choice but to step in and smooth things over once more.

To be honest, the reason why Xu Ling and Kurt Hansen didn't get along was also because V handed over the command of the battle to Xu Ling, instead of the Dogtown boss that everyone imagined.

Kurt Hansen was naturally not satisfied, so he had a game of war table simulation with Xu Ling. As a result, Xu Ling wiped out his entire army, leaving him with no chance to fight back.

From then on, the two became bitter enemies, and their meetings were always full of hostility, almost to the point of a real fight.

To distract the two men, V called out to Carter, "Tell me about the situation with the takeover forces."

"Yes."

Carter waved his hand to activate a holographic projection, which was an image transmitted via satellite. On the vast ocean, two naval fleets were seen sailing against the wind and waves; at a cursory glance, there were twenty or thirty ships of various sizes.

"Due to the constraints imposed by the Kanto Group in the Sea of ​​Japan, the head office only dispatched about one-fifth of its forces to Night City. According to our investigation, this involves a total of two carrier battle groups."

“第一航母战斗群承担制空和远程打击任务，核心单位是NCA-77型‘大凤’核动力航母，舰载人员3200人。搭载空战模块和无人机模块，前者包括60架77N‘幽灵’六代舰载机和4架77E‘天眼’预警机，后者则是由120架XQ-88‘蜂群’自杀无人机和12架EQ-25‘潜行者’侦查无人机构成。武器系统包括电磁轨道炮4门，激光近防系统8组，垂直发射单元320套。”

"The escort fleet consists of two CGX-77 missile cruisers, each with a crew of 480."

"Four DDG-77 destroyers, each with a crew of 280."

"Three SSN-77 attack nuclear submarines, each with a crew of 120."

“AOE-77型综合补给舰1艘，最高载重可储存燃料45,000吨，弹药8,000吨，食品/备件可维持编队20-30天作战。”

"According to AI intelligent analysis, the fleet has a total strength of about 6800 personnel, 12000 air-launched missiles, 5200 shipborne missile shells, and 1800 torpedo depth charges."

After just a few words, the conference room fell silent.

"Haha." Kurt Hansen chuckled dryly. "It seems there's no need to listen to intelligence from the second carrier battle group anymore."

In any case, the forces and ammunition of this carrier battle group are enough to raze Night City to the ground, so having more doesn't matter.

“You have to know the truth.” V shook his head: “Carter, continue.”

"Yes."

“第二航母战斗群主要负责两栖登陆作战，核心单位是LHA-77型‘翔鹤’核动力两栖攻击舰，舰载人员2800人，搭载空中模块和登陆模块。前者包括24架MV-77‘雷霆’倾转旋翼机和18架V-77‘潜龙’运输直升机，后者则是由12艘LCAC-77高分子气垫登陆艇和60辆‘铁甲7型两栖坦克构成。武器系统包括电磁近防炮6门，垂直发射单元120套。”

"The escort fleet consists of three DDK-77 anti-submarine destroyers, each with a crew of 200."

"Four FFG-77 type frigates, each with a crew of 180."

"One AH-77 medical support ship, equipped with 20 fully automated operating rooms and a drone blood bank transport system."

"The formation has a total strength of about 5000 personnel, 3,600 missiles and artillery shells, and 2400 tons of conventional ammunition per soldier."

Perhaps because of the terrifying Taihou that came before, this petite Shoukaku doesn't seem so scary now.

Kurt Hansen said, "The second carrier strike group is much easier to deal with."

V shrugged: "Yorinobu Arasaka's tactics are obvious. First, use the first carrier battle group to bombard the area from a distance, then let the second carrier battle group land and take over. By then, Night City will only be a scorched earth, so there's no need to use too much force."

This tactic can even be described as straightforward and honest, relying solely on overwhelming force, making it so simple that no one can find a single flaw.

V asked, "What are our chances of winning?"

“According to the AI’s calculations…” Carter looked at everyone and said with difficulty, “2%.”

Silence fell over the meeting room once again.

Everyone knew this match would be tough, but no one expected it to be this...desperate.

With a bang, the conference room door was kicked open.

Johnny came in with his hands in his pockets, just as he had left with his hands in his pockets.

"Now you understand I was right, right? Night City can't be defended!"

V sighed softly, "Johnny, I'm not in the mood to argue with you right now."

"What Johnny?" The rock star propped his feet up on the conference table. "Call me Saburo Arasaka!"

V was first surprised, then laughed, and then became serious. She slammed her hand on the table and loudly ordered, "Notify all media outlets to have Jenkins prepare a statement immediately and announce to the whole world—the Emperor of Arasaka has returned!"

When Saburo Arasaka appeared on the evening news, the whole world was stunned.

How could someone who was already dead come back to life?

What happened inside the Glamour Building back then?

Is this Saburo Arasaka in front of me real or fake?

What's going on with Arasaka Yorinobu?

Johnny answered these questions one by one. The rock star possessed extremely high performance talent. His magnetic voice was full of emotion, and he shared the shocking news with the world without reservation.

“I was indeed attacked in the Azure Building, but the attacker was not the Voodoo Gang, but my son, Arasaka Yoriyuki! This unfilial descendant killed his own father like a beast. Giving birth to such scum has lowered the bottom line of all mankind. I once again sincerely apologize to everyone.”

"I survived thanks to President V's quick thinking. She hid my 'body' in time and actively carried out treatment, finally pulling me back from the brink of death."

"But the near-death experience caused great damage to my body. For a long time after I woke up, I was unable to speak. Meanwhile, my son, Yoriyuki Arasaka, took the opportunity to become the new president of Arasaka. For this, he did not hesitate to harm loyal people and sell out the company's interests. Even his own niece, my granddaughter Michiko Arasaka, became a commodity that he sold at will."

"Such a disloyal, unfilial, and unjust wretch doesn't deserve to be called a human being. My son, Arasaka Yoriyuki, is worse than a pig or a dog! Why did he attack Night City? Why did he try to wipe out a branch company? It's because he knew I was still alive, because he knew I would never forgive him!"

"People of Night City, I apologize to you, for I dragged you into this war. But in order to punish that rebellious son and to get everything back on track, I choose to stand up and join President V in sending that beast back to hell!"

"Those who possess power, support us! Any attack you launch against Arasaka is legal! Those who lack power, follow us! You will become allies of justice! In the name of Saburo Arasaka, I revoked Arasaka Yorinobu's surname and removed him from all positions at the Arasaka Company. He will pay the price for everything he has done! This world will change, and only faith can tear through the darkness!"

"Hoo hoo hoo hoo!!!!"

Excited shouts echoed through Night City. Johnny Silverhand might be a scumbag, a jerk, but his ability to sway others was unmatched!

"That's good, Arasaka Yorinobu's got no chance now." Carter breathed a sigh of relief.

Kurt Hansen looked awkward: "Don't you guys think what he said is weird? 'Only faith can tear through the darkness,' it's making my fingernails itch."