Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 822, Section 32: Command

"Wisely, your loyalty will be rewarded in the end."

Hanako Arasaka slowly rose to her feet, her gaze calmly meeting Akechi's.

Her expression showed neither surprise nor panic, as if she had already anticipated this unexpected rescue. This composure was just like the leadership style she had always displayed—calm, restrained, and not easily revealing her emotions.

"It's my pleasure."

Mingzhi nodded slightly, briefly responding to Hua Zi's promise of a reward.

He didn't waste any more time on pleasantries, but quickly got to the point, his voice low and urgent: "Please leave with me as soon as possible. Arakasaka Seigen is not a slow-witted person. He will soon realize what has happened here. Once he reacts, he will definitely send his most elite troops to pursue us. Miss Hanako, we must move immediately."

After saying that, he glanced at Oda Santau, the loyal guard who was not in good condition but was still able to move.

Akechi continued, "Mr. Oda's situation requires further attention. Although we have obtained the unlock code for his prosthetic body, we are still lacking in weaponry."

He paused, a cold, determined glint in his eyes, "However, with the assistance of the 100-ninja squad, this problem should be resolved quickly."

Hanako Arakawa walked forward with a leisurely pace, the hem of her kimono swaying gently with each step.

She nodded slightly, her gaze calmly fixed on Mingzhi, her voice as steady as the undercurrent beneath the ice: "Tell me the details of the current situation—how many people infiltrated the villa with you? What is the deployment of the follow-up support forces? How much time do we expect to gain?"

Mingzhi kept a half-step distance from Hua Zi as a bodyguard, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the handle of the gun in his hand: "Ten elite ninjas from the 100-man squad, plus the loyal team I personally selected, have completed the complete control of the villa area."

His gaze swept over the surveillance equipment on both sides of the corridor, and after confirming that they were all disabled, he continued, "The remaining hundred members of the team who came to North America are building a defensive line on the perimeter and working together with the special agents who are loyal to you."

As he spoke, Akechi paused for a moment, as if receiving some intelligence, before continuing, "According to the latest intelligence, we can at least maintain the current situation until Arasaka Seiichi concludes his public meeting with the new president, but..."

Wise frowned almost imperceptibly: "We cannot rule out the possibility that he will send special personnel to carry out the operation, Miss Hua. We must prepare for the worst—Adam Hammer may already be on his way."

"That rabid dog my brother keeps?"

Hanako Arasaka narrowed her eyes slightly, her slender fingers gently stroking the delicate dark patterns on the cuffs of her kimono.

She paused for about three seconds before slowly speaking, her voice as calm and still as a frozen lake: "He's not a particularly significant threat. Although that mad dog is indeed exceptionally strong, he's ultimately just a tethered beast. The 100-man ninja squad consists of elites handpicked from thousands of candidates; they're more than capable of dealing with him."

Her gaze suddenly sharpened as she turned to Akechi: "Have you received any information about Goro Takemura's movements?" Before he could answer, she continued, "Compared to Adam Hammer, a mad dog that can be held back by paying enough lives—Takemura is the one we really need to be wary of."

At this point, her voice showed a subtle fluctuation for the first time: "I know his talent very well. Even though he's now being shielded by my brother and loyal to the wrong person, his edge has never dulled. I must keep track of his exact whereabouts." When mentioning using her life to delay Adam Hammer, Hanako Arasaka's tone was terrifyingly calm, as if she were discussing the most ordinary daily matter. In her eyes, those subordinates who were about to be sacrificed were nothing more than pawns on a chessboard to be manipulated.

But when she spoke of Goro Takemura, a barely perceptible tension slipped through her perfectly controlled voice—the instinctive alertness of a human when sensing danger.

Compared to flamboyant individuals like Adam Hammer, Goro Takemura is the truly deadly threat. This top-tier bodyguard, who emerged from the most rigorous training in Arasaka, possesses strength surpassing all members of the 100-ninja squad.

If he were to act without any restraint, he could very well approach Arasaka Hanako silently before anyone could react and deliver a fatal blow.

Hanako Arakawa always maintained the highest level of vigilance against threats that could endanger her life.

Hanako Arakawa walked out of the villa. Gunshots gradually rang out in the distance. She moved quickly: "Go investigate. It doesn't matter how many people are sacrificed."

For Hanako Arasaka, even elite forces like the 100 Ninjas were nothing more than high-level expendable resources. As long as she was alive, she could have as many of these pawns as she wanted.

"Yes, Miss Hanako, I will keep track of Takemura Goro's whereabouts and ensure that no threat can get close to you."

A wise answer is concise and to the point, without any hesitation.

He didn't use vague terms like "as soon as possible" or "do his best," but instead said firmly, "I will"—the weight of those two words was very important to Hanako Arasaka.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Hanako Arasaka's eyes. This answer showed not only obedience, but also a determination that could not afford to fail. Akechi had left himself no way out, and this attitude pleased her greatly.

“Wise,” she began, her voice unusually warm. “I am not a superior who is unaware of priorities. With your current strength, completing this task will indeed be difficult.” She paused for a moment. “Therefore, I formally grant you the highest command authority you already possessed.”

Standing at the back, Oda Santau was somewhat surprised to hear this. He had thought that Miss Hanako would immediately take over command after escaping, but he did not expect her to delegate such important authority. There was obviously a deeper consideration behind this decision.

“I still have some important matters to attend to, and my understanding of the current situation is limited,” Hanako Arasaka continued, her voice regaining its previous calm. “During this period, you will continue to serve as the commander-in-chief, with the authority to issue instructions to everyone and take necessary actions. I grant you the right to command anyone and take action.”

The right to command anyone and take action, in other words, the right to send anyone to their death and force them to obey orders.

Clearly, for Hanako Arasaka, a capable executor is often more important than directing personally, and she has always been adept at giving the most appropriate reward at the most opportune time.

"I understand."

Is the right to command not allowed to be refused by anyone?
(End of this chapter)