Chapter 243

For example, the Arasaka Board of Directors has black members, which was almost impossible to allow before the Fourth Corporate War.

Vera's emergence and meteoric rise further deepened this change.

There is a growing consensus in global public opinion that Vera's rise to power signifies, to some extent, that Arasaka will break down barriers, address the shortcomings of a family-run company, and evolve from a super regional conglomerate dominated by a single Japanese family into a true global conglomerate.

Admittedly, the CEO and chairman of Arasaka will likely continue to bear the surname Arasaka, but it's possible to bestow a new surname upon him.

Those who are capable, meritorious, and virtuous will be called Arasaka!

Resistance is inevitable in this process of change. To those who cling to old ideas, attitudes, and behaviors, this is outrageous.

Vera is indeed very capable, but as a non-human, American, being able to bear the name of Arasaka, join the Board of Directors, become the Intercontinental Regional CEO, and even become Arasaka's number two is already an immense favor.

The position of No. 1, head of the family, and chairman is absolutely out of the question. The supreme "Yasakani no Magatama" belongs to Arasaka, or rather, to the Japanese descendants who, in their eyes, inherit the Arasaka family name—biological son, adopted son, or foster son, it doesn't matter, as long as they are of Japanese descent.

As for Vera's ambition to Contend for succession throne, everyone knows it.

These people naturally gathered around Norinobu.

After all, the latter's demeanor after refusing to give up was indeed outstanding, no less than that of the Kei Arasaka.

Not wanting to admit defeat, and with a dream in his heart, Norinobu also happened to have a need, so he reluctantly agreed.

It's a compromise, a two-way journey.

"Oh."

Norinobu chuckled self-deprecatingly, tilted his head back, and took another swig of liquor, his hand unconsciously swaying the bottle.

Seeing his current depraved state, will the members of 'Steel Dragon' hate him?

Will his redemption succeed?

Will we win?

Norinobu asked himself.

He didn't know.

Only those working for giant corporations can truly grasp the insignificance of the individual and the piercing despair and powerlessness they feel when facing cyber behemoths.

Assuming his plan goes smoothly—

By acquiring the fusion virus samples, information on the Sun Stairflower, and Relic's experimental chips, and taking advantage of Vera's intense battle against New America on the front lines, they made a surprise visit to North America to sell off Arasaka's core technologies, which were coveted by external forces. This successfully ignited the fuse, provoking the Fifth Corporate War, disrupting Arasaka's plans, and ultimately dragging as many other Major Corporations as possible into the abyss of war...

Stripping away the unnecessary details and the adjustable, adaptable parts, this forms the core of his plan.

It's rough, silly, and risky.

For a moment, Norinobu felt like Moth drawn to the flame, courting death.

Unfortunately, this is pretty much his limit.

His situation was getting worse and worse; if he didn't move forward, he would fall behind, and time was running out.

If this drags on any longer, whether his body can withstand such a grueling and demanding job in the face of Vera's aggressive yet blatant power grab is one issue, but the most crucial factor is Saburo's attitude; he is being 'abandoned'.

This "abandonment" does not mean that Saburo would let his youngest son fend for himself.

He gradually gave up the idea that Norinobu could overpower Vera, and if he couldn't, he would step down.

If you can fight for power, then fight for it; if you can't, then don't force it. Just protect the core group under your command that can restrain Vera's unlimited expansion of power. Then, take some time to cultivate yourself, get rid of those unruly habits, find a good match, get married, and have legitimate children to continue the family bloodline.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is what my future will be after losing the competition—I can see the end from the beginning.

Norinobu was in great turmoil, unsure whether to be happy or sad.

The joy stemmed from the fact that Sanlang's attitude towards him was becoming increasingly peaceful.

Because of his compromise and submissiveness.

In addition, due to Saburo's own health condition, he is currently personally in charge of the banking department, one of the three major departments of Arasaka, dealing with and formulating strategies for Europe, which makes it even easier for him to engage in underhanded tactics.

The tragedy is that he has lost his position as Crown Prince.

Even if he murdered his father to seize power, the elders of the household, led by Shintaro Takayama, might not necessarily support him, because he would no longer be the only one.

Vera and Michiko Arasaka are a perfect match, capable of obeying orders but not decrees. If not handled properly, this could easily lead to a split, which he absolutely cannot allow, because a unified and powerful Arasaka is a necessary condition for realizing his grand plan.

Norinobu pondered, trying to find ways to fill the gaps and omissions.

The more you think, the more irritable, tired, and confused you become, and sometimes you even feel like going crazy.

Enemies are everywhere, there are no comrades, only a deep-seated loneliness in my heart. It's really too hard.

He drank mouthful after mouthful, and after what seemed like an eternity, the 1.8L of shochu was finished. Norinobu slumped against the wall for a long time. After a while, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and finally stood up.

Despite the difficulties, he already had the answer in his heart.

—He is the Steel Dragon Norinobu, not Sano Arasaka.

He wants to be a destroyer within the system, a warrior who could become a dragon but chooses to slay it, a moth drawn to fire.

Just like his past rebellion, this is a promise he made to his followers.

Whether he was single, misunderstood, foolish, alienated, struggling without support, feeling lonely at the top, or emotionally isolated... he never changed, and he will never change.

Norinobu glanced at a childhood photo of himself, his sister, and his mother.

The reminder bell rang.

After a short break, to maintain the power struggle, it's time to work overtime and play the son.

Without hesitation, he left the secret room, his elongated shadow cast on the overlapping partitions, swaying like a lurking dragon.

Two flowers bloom, each representing a different branch.

Time flies.

For onlookers around the world, since February 2077, the once exciting and newsworthy American Conflict seems to have returned to the Garbage Time of Arasaka and Militech demonstration plays.

They kept rubbing and exchanging harsh words, but remained as steady as old dogs, their verbal sparring never ceasing while minor skirmishes occurred intermittently.

Anyway, the hype surrounding the 207701 North American border conflict has died down. Arasaka: won; Militech: won; Free State Alliance: won; New America: won; Ghost Dog: won; Lazarus: won; won, all won.

Who lost? I don't know.

The two sides attacked each other for a long time, but in the end, it was Arasaka's side that took the lead in making domestic policy adjustments that were different from escalating the confrontation, and it seemed that they had no intention of firing the first shot and starting a war.

In early February, the frequent occurrence of 'unexpected deaths' and 'retirement' among Arasaka Employee during this period quickly disappeared. Arthur Jenkins, the Acting Director of Special Operations Night City Arasaka Tower and Former Director of Counter-Intelligence, retired due to illness and inability to perform his duties.

In mid-month, Jimmy Warren, the First Deputy Director of the General Security Bureau the Security Department's General Security Bureau (formerly an assistant adjutant), was promoted to Director of Special Operations, Hessman Ram, the retired former head of the SAT, was reinstated and promoted to the First Deputy Director of the General Security Bureau.

In the latter part of the month, Arasaka began a large-scale personnel reshuffle, including but not limited to: Shinichi Tanaka of the Development Department being promoted to Assistant Bureau Chief Deputy Project Supervisor; Brian (former black bodyguard), Section 3 Chief of the Security Bureau, being promoted to Assistant Director; Laurie (former white bodyguard), Section 4 Chief of the Guard Bureau, being promoted to Assistant Bureau Chief...

In early March, Valerie, the former Section Chief of Counter-Intelligence Department Section 3, was promoted to acting Acting Director of Counter-Intelligence and entered a probationary period, dispelling rumors that the Jenkins Faction would be purged.

In mid-month, the Arasaka News Network published an unremarkable news item: Mr. Arthur Jenkins, who had retired and was unemployed, was hospitalized for health reasons.

In Tokyo Metropolis, the Super Aircraft Carrier Adelheid departed from the Wu Naval Shipyard, completed its Sea Trials, and held a commissioning ceremony before joining the Escort Fleet to head towards Night City.

In Gekka March, having spent almost all her time flying since February, Vera visited Olympia, Seattle, Salem, San Francisco, Sacramento, Carson City, Phoenix, Boise, and other Western States capitals and important cities. She parted ways with Michiko in Los Angeles and returned to Night City.

At the same time, after conducting combat readiness training along the way and sailing for more than a week, the aircraft carrier Adelheid, which had crossed the Pacific Ocean, arrived in Night City.

Chapter 238 The Calm Before the Storm

In Arasaka Waterfront area is bathed in gentle breezes and warm sunshine.

The night before, Night City had just experienced a late winter rain, and by noon, the sky after the rain was exceptionally blue, just as the Adelheid Carrier Strike Group arrived.

A clear sky above, blue waves below, a black ship sails in...

This scene immediately caused the Remnants of Greater Americanism, Supporters of New American Unification Theory, and 'Patriots' who rushed to observe to beat their chests in despair and grief.

The Black Ship Incident II – Arasaka Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it very clear that the Arasaka Navy's Seventh Fleet, serial number 'VII', would henceforth be stationed at the Night City of Arasaka New Port.

Unlike previous instances where they flexed their muscles and used war blackmail to achieve their goals before withdrawing from North America, this time they are stationing troops there!

Having received numerous invitations from the Night City Hall and the Free State Alliance, Arasaka found it difficult to refuse their hospitality and reluctantly Dispatch troops to protect the freedom and democracy of his allies from threats posed by certain external forces.

"Arasaka's ambitions!"

"Fuck you, Arasaka! Fuck you, Vera Russell!"

"Fuck those Arasaka bitches! They're all sons of bitches! How dare they betray their own people like that?!"

On the Overseas Bridge connecting the City Center to Watson District, Beside the dike the seawall of Chinatown, and at the dock in the Northwest Bay Area of the city center, countless people craned their necks to look into the distance as the silhouette of a giant ship with black paint approached the Inner Sea, overlapping with the lighthouse, and slowly sailed along the Island Dike into the new port area of Arasaka Waterfront, with noise rising and falling.

Some are happy, some are sad.

Some people raised their arms and shouted, while others cursed loudly.

Some people ignored it, while others prayed devoutly.

Some people are considering how to profit from this.

Some people are just curious—

Chinatown.

A Delamain taxi drove through the filthy streets and stopped in front of a dilapidated hotel by the coastline, its neon sign half-lit.

Not far from the entrance are abandoned Small Dock and multi-level embankments piled with garbage, where strange street urchins gather.

"Hey, look at these idiots, waving their arms and legs like monkeys. Anyone who didn't know better would think that boat belongs to them..."

With oddly proportioned limbs, long arms and hands, Pilar pushed open the car door and got out. He pointed his large, gold thumb at the cheering crowd not far away, wearing sunglasses and grinning with a smug expression.

"Look over there, yes, it's them. They look as miserable as if their mothers have died. Their expressions are like they've found a fresh pile of dog poop on the sole of their new sneakers. Tsk, what do the interests of the Washington Lords have to do with them?"

Pilar then pointed to the Tide seeds Foul language Beside the dike the embankment below the railing, and joked about it with a relaxed expression.

He has seemingly emerged from the slump of two months ago, recovering from the anxiety of losing his sister, being seriously injured, and having to lay low.

"Uh-huh."

After getting off the car, Dorio, carrying large and small bags, thought for a moment upon hearing this.

"Is this... that even the poorest slaves and cattle in Night City can't help but straighten their chests when they think of the wealth and glory of Arasaka or New America?"

"Those who have transformed from Extreme Nationalism in the past to Extreme New Military Authority Stance today are just pitiful people who have been fooled by propaganda mouthpieces."

Falco shrugged. "But taking sides and daydreaming is good for your mental and physical health, isn't it? It's a way to soothe an empty soul..."

No matter how magnificent the Corporate Plaza is, or how sacred Washington is, what do they have to do with these lowly commoners who live on the edge and struggle in the mud?

What are you two whispering about?

Maine, who had been chatting and joking with the car's Blue bald AI, Delamain, and had already booked his Return ticket, slightly lowered his sunglasses, revealing a pair of rather clear eyes, which looked puzzled. "What 'ism'? So sentimental and melancholic."

"It's nothing, just drink your medicine."

Falco shook his head, adjusting his already replaced and adjusted right prosthetic arm, and subconsciously glanced at Dorio. Dorio, as if understanding, turned his head at the same time, and their eyes met.

Let's sign up for a class.

One is the daughter of an Icelandic Sports family, and the other comes from a wealthy Texas ranch. They are probably the two most Education level and cultured members of Maine's crew.

Lucy could have surpassed them, but she rebelled too early (at age 7) and didn't have time to receive a coherent systematic education, making her semi-illiterate. Later, she either went to a "Deep Dive Tech School" or went on the run, relying entirely on talent and self-study. The rest of the team were even less so, with everyone having dropped out of school on the streets.

—Use this break to avoid the storm and regroup. Whether you retire from the business or something else, enroll the team in a refresher course.

In this day and age, there are fearless thugs everywhere. If you want to climb the social ladder and earn a decent living, you can't do it without knowledge.

It just so happens that the team is incomplete. Lucy, Kiwi, and Rebecca are all in Arasaka receiving training to catch up on their missed lessons. To be precise, Lucy was ordered to catch up on her Catch up on studies, while Kiwi and Rebecca were lucky enough to benefit from being tutored.

Thinking of this, Falco and Dorio looked at each other and smiled.

I never imagined that Lucy's identity was actually related to Arasaka, and that she was a runaway heiress...

"Let's go, don't keep Mr. Wells waiting."

Falco took a deep breath without making a sound and said to Maine, "With so many people gathering on the shore while the Arasaka Navy is stationed in Night City, it should be appropriate for us to meet them while things are in disarray."

Maine nodded.

Then the group entered the hotel, gave their room number to the middle-aged receptionist who looked like he was looking at a grave, and were told their floor. They then took a creaky, broken elevator, and soon arrived at the Apartment building that had been booked.

Tumultuous--