Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 739, Section 153: I Need to See the Slider.
“Hey, Mr. Kenichi Shiro, I didn’t do anything to you, did I? Hey, Mr. Kenichi Kazuya, could you also try to persuade Mr. Kenichi Shiro over the radio? He’s injured and bleeding, yet he’s still chasing after me and slashing at me. This is obviously not right. Is he having a cyberbullying episode?”

After experiencing Kenichi and Kazuya's reactions—from shock to surprise, from surprise to realization, and from realization to decisively hanging up the call—Karl, who had been calmly chased and hacked at by Kenichi Shiro for half a day, finally caught his breath.

It wasn't that Kenichi Shiro was tired; it was just that Karl's subordinates had sent a message saying that something really had happened.

"Honestly, all I heard was that you asked me to take care of Haruko. I would have taken care of her even without you asking. After all, Haruko and I are friends. Is it really necessary to treat this as a last will and testament? I think Mr. Kenichi Shiro, you would be much cooler writing a death poem like those written by warlords in the Sengoku period. If you don't know how, I can write one for you. I'm not bragging, but I'm actually a bit lacking in literary skills."

Under Kenichi Shiro's dangerous gaze, Carl shut his mouth and obediently connected the communication at his gesture.

It's best not to mess with Kenichi Shiro, who I don't know why, but he's probably going through male menopause. I'm on a legitimate work assignment abroad, and I don't have time to chat with this old man who's always acting strangely.

While inwardly lamenting that he had indeed shown less respect to the older employees since joining the company, and that the company was doing a great disservice to people, Carl answered a call from his subordinates who were already extremely anxious.

"Lord Akechi, are you alright?"

As soon as the communication was connected, the team of hackers came through the phone with urgent shouts. Her voice was filled with obvious panic, clearly indicating that she had noticed something was wrong from the abnormal fluctuations in the life detection equipment and was extremely anxious.

Her fingers might be hovering over the keyboard, ready to retrieve coordinate data at any moment, or she might have already half-stood up, ready to rush out the door at any time—after all, her safety was crucial to the success or failure of the entire operation.

"Please tell us your current location immediately, and we will organize personnel to provide support right away! Everyone is on standby and ready to depart at any time!"

"I am fine."

Facing Kenichi Shiro, Karl, who had been wearing an auspicious face, instantly switched to the calm and composed demeanor characteristic of an elite. His temperament seemed to change completely in an instant, and even his voice was tinged with an unquestionable majesty, as if his previous dishevelment had never existed.

"It was just a minor accident, not worth all this fuss." His tone was calm and indifferent, with the detachment typical of someone in a superior position. "Action reports should be submitted according to procedure. Making wild guesses will only interfere with my judgment. If it is really necessary, I will naturally issue instructions. Your unauthorized actions may disrupt the original plan."

"Yes, it was my recklessness!" The voice on the other end of the communication immediately lowered, filled with fear, self-reproach, and some joy at the certainty that Akechi was alright. "It is the greatest fortune that His Excellency Akechi is safe and sound. We should not have made unfounded speculations, much less acted on our own. Please forgive our rudeness. As long as you are safe and sound, we can carry out our subsequent mission with peace of mind."

"no need to worry."

The wise voice was gentle and steady, with a convincing composure.

His tone was calm and unhurried, yet it carried a reassuring power: "Everything is under control here, and the plan is progressing smoothly. We will soon achieve our goals. You just need to remain on standby and patiently await my next instructions."

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

The subordinate on the other end of the communication breathed a sigh of relief, his tone filled with undisguised respect and excitement. With such a trusting response, Mingzhi decisively cut off the communication.

On the other side, Kenichi Shiro silently watched 'Akechi' who had just ended the call.

At this moment, 'wise' was composed and handled the situation with grace, exuding the capable aura unique to elites, perfectly blending with the dignity befitting a company executive, showing no trace of his earlier embarrassment. He had to admit that although the minor incident involving his personal dignity still made Kenichi Shiro feel somewhat embarrassed, he hadn't forgotten the most important thing.

Haruko's safety is the top priority. As long as that can be ensured, he can completely pretend that the embarrassment he lost in front of Karl never happened. As for that nephew who recklessly made his will, there will be plenty of time to "educate" him on what it means to act cautiously and do things properly. As for Karl, he can just try to avoid seeing him in the future.

Thinking of this, Kenichi Shiro couldn't help but re-examine the 'Akechi' in front of him.

If he hadn't already known that it was Karl under that disguise, he would have almost thought that this was a top elite transferred from some department.

The composure and just-right sense of authority he exuded in every gesture explained why he was able to rise to the core of the Night City Pheasant Faction in such a short time and lead the team to Dogtown to carry out the mission. Even though the Night City Pheasant Faction didn't have many members, Karl was indeed quite adept at playing the role of a wise man.

After adjusting his mood and regaining his usual composure, Kenichi Shiro asked Karl, "You came here this time with a mission from the Pheasant Faction. What is your purpose?"

"President, you are probably the same as Mr. Kenichi Shiro."

The title "Your name" disappeared and "you" was used instead. Perhaps adhering to the idea of ​​playing the role well, Karl behaved very properly and politely when using the face of Akechi, without provoking Kenichi Shiro, who might suddenly experience male menopause.

"The president? Is it Hua Zi, or Xiao Tian?"

"Instructions from Oda Santao."

"It seems that Takemura is doing a good job training his disciples, since he made the decision to send people over so quickly."

Kenichi Shiro nodded slightly, having understood the current situation. He wasn't in a hurry to exchange information with Karl; there would be plenty of time to discuss things in detail later. What was important now was...

Kenichi Shiro and Karl both looked at the Sliding Subordinate who was still groaning in pain, clutching his arms in the distance.

Half a minute has passed since the battle between Kenichi Shiro and Karl ended. Slide's other subordinates have also realized what was happening and are rushing over. Both Kenichi Shiro and Karl have something for Slide to do.

In that case
Faced with the weapons-wielding, hurriedly approaching Sliding's men, Akechi removed his disguise again, revealing his true face.

That face has now become a passport to travel; it's a face that everyone knows.

"This is KK, I need to talk to you about the slider."

KK, Karl, the opposing team showed surprise. Upon seeing this face clearly, the slider's subordinates, who immediately wanted to retreat, said this.

(End of this chapter)