Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 837, Section 47: Freedom Frightens Her

The sudden appearance of Johnny's projection caused everyone present to shrink their pupils.

Everyone knows Johnny Silverhand—how could anyone not know him?
That wild and unruly face, that signature messy hair, and that raised middle finger—every detail is exactly the same as the rock star, terrorist, and Night City legend who has been deified or demonized in historical archives.

However, he should have been reduced to ashes in the nuclear explosion more than fifty years ago, buried along with his rebellion and anger.

But now, he stands there, in the form of a digital ghost, facing off against Saburo Arasaka's projection across the table. Two people who should have died long ago have been "resurrected" in this bizarre way and are now standing face to face.

"—Johnny Silverhand?" Finally, a high-ranking official murmured, his voice filled with disbelief and horror.

The whisper broke the silence, like the first ice cube falling, triggering a chain reaction, and the whispers spread like a tide.

Even for the current Arasaka leadership, Johnny Silverhand remains a name that is too ancient, yet almost legendary.

In reality, Johnny Silverhand was just a very famous rock musician. The greatest damage he caused to Arasaka was simply sending a nuclear bomb to Arasaka Tower and detonating it with the help of military technology. However, everything he did was like a spark that ignited countless rebellions against Arasaka over the next few decades.

It was because of his attack that the undisputed next leader of the Arasaka family, Takashi Arasaka, died in the ensuing chaos; and it was because of his actions that countless people raised his name and launched repeated attacks on this corporate behemoth.

To Arasaka, Johnny Silverhand himself may be insignificant, but the wound of resistance that was inflicted in his name has yet to heal.

This name no longer belongs to a dead person; it has become a symbol, a stance, a confrontation that has lasted for half a century. Like Arasaka, it is intertwined and opposed to each other on this land, stubbornly standing to this day.

But now, this ghost, which should have become a symbol, has reappeared, and in a form similar to Saburo Arasaka.

For the first time, Saburo Arasaka's image showed obvious fluctuations.

On his perpetually cold, calculating face, the realistic wrinkles seemed to twist for a moment due to extreme shock and anger. He stared intently at Johnny's projection, then abruptly turned to Arasaka Yoriyuki, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through his son's flesh and blood to see what blasphemous act he had committed.

"What a clumsy imitation? A fake phantom?" Saburo's voice still tried to maintain its dignity, but a very subtle, almost imperceptible tremor revealed the shock he was experiencing at his core.

Johnny Silverhand is dead, he died more than fifty years ago. Now, this ghost, a symbol of rebellion against Arasaka, appears in the same form as himself. This appearance is itself the most vicious provocation against his authority.

How should he face Johnny Silverhand in front of him?

If the other party is merely a ghost, then isn't my current posture exactly the same as his? But if this isn't a fabricated illusion...
Does that mean the past is repeating itself?
What he thought was a past chapter of more than fifty years had never truly been a thing of the past. Back then, it was his son, Arasaka Kei, who was driven to the brink of despair, and now—it was his turn.

Faced with Saburo Arasaka's stern rebuke of the so-called 'imitation show,' Johnny's projection grinned, a smile full of mockery and pleasure:
"Imitate? Old man, you're still so stubborn even in death. I heard you crawled out of your grave to play the role of an electronic zombie—I, your grandpa, came here specifically to see the show."

His smile grew increasingly unrestrained:

"How about that, is it a surprise enough?"

Lai Xuan finally moved. He turned his head slightly and glanced contemptuously at his father's projection, as if he were looking at an insignificant data error. His attention was not on the conversation that spanned half a century, but on the pale-faced executives around the conference table.

“I think you know him.” Lai Xuan took over the conversation, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable pressure, instantly drawing everyone’s attention back to him.

He raised his hand and pointed directly at Johnny's projection.

“You know him. Fifty years ago, he tried to destroy Arasaka Tower with a nuclear bomb—he failed, but he almost succeeded.”

His finger suddenly turned to the other side, pointing at Saburo's image: "And you also 'know' him, my father, Saburo Arasaka, the creator of the empire. But here, he's just a string of data."

His gaze, like a cold blade, slowly swept across the face of everyone present.

"Now, they're all here: one is our former enemy, and the other is our former emperor. Isn't that interesting?"

Lai Xuan's lips curled into a cold smile. "But today's meeting is not about reminiscing about the past."

He paused briefly, then his voice suddenly rose, becoming resolute:
"Just as Hanako said, we are here today to decide Arasaka's future, and that future—"

His tone suddenly sharpened, "There's no room left for the dead!"

Yoriyuki Arasaka strode forward, gradually approaching Hanako Arasaka, who sat in the main seat.
"If you're willing to kneel and worship a piece of code that records the past, and make it your master, then you can get out of this room now. In the Arasaka I rule, there are no useless people who are indulging in the illusions of the past."

He stared into Hua Zi's eyes and continued:

“I brought Johnny Silverhand, you brought Saburo Arasaka, and what’s next? Are you going to bring out the data of my long-dead grandfather to teach you a lesson—and this fake Saburo too?”

His words were full of sarcasm:
"What's the point of displaying these ghostly data? Do you think you can lead Arasaka and fight against me—the real CEO of Arasaka—with just a string of code?"

In response to Saburo Arasaka's return in digital form, Yoriyuki Arasaka responded with Johnny Silver Hand, also recreated in data.

He used this legend, a symbol of resistance against Arasaka, to confront the emperor, who symbolized Arasaka's rule.

Both are nothing more than illusions created by data.

The Arasaka executives present finally understood Yoriyuki's intentions.

The sight of Johnny Silver Hand's projection standing solemnly beside Lai Xuan was itself absurd and bizarre.

In everyone's mind, Johnny Silverhand would never compromise with Arasaka—yet this figure, who was exactly like Saburo Arasaka, was appearing in the guise of assisting Yoriyuki.

Since Johnny Silverhand could not possibly submit to Arasaka, does that mean that even a highly realistic digital life form is completely different from the real person?

If it's different from the real person, then can the digital Saburo Arasaka standing opposite, in the face of the irrefutable evidence of digital Johnny, still be regarded as the real 'Saburo'?

In other words, do they really have to pledge allegiance to data that can be tampered with at any time and has no real will? And if they choose to obey this data today, does that mean that they must also regard any "data father" or "data mother" that appears in the future as their real relatives?
No matter how similar they are, can they ultimately be considered the same person?

Those high-ranking officials who were once intimidated by Saburo Arasaka's former imposing manner and even tacitly accepted that data could prolong their lives were now suddenly awakened by Johnny's contrast.

Yes.

Ultimately, Saburo Arasaka is nothing more than a string of data, a string of data that can be changed.

Is he really going to be led by a string of data and fight against Arasaka Seigen, the rightful CEO of Arasaka?

Even if this data truly inherited Saburo Arasaka's consciousness, and truly shared the same thoughts as Saburo Arasaka, and even if it knew things that only he and Saburo Arasaka knew in private, what did it matter?

Saburo Arasaka is dead.

Is something in the form of a carrier really worth my loyalty? Even if I do pledge my loyalty, won't this data be changed by others later? What if the changed data is aimed at me?
The Arasaka executives fell silent, but their expressions conveyed their intentions.

Clearly, these shrewd individuals have no intention of doing anything for the sake of data.

Although they had subconsciously wanted to submit under the intimidation of Digital Saburo, Arasaka Company has always maintained the Japanese style of training.

In other words, when they are weak, they are willing to be subservient and learn, but when they are strong and no longer need to submit, they are more ambitious than anyone else.

They've been kneeling before Saburo Arasaka for so long, and that old man is already dead. The digital beings still want to rule and manage them? There's no such thing as a free lunch. They keep scolding and reprimanding each other. They really think they're something special.

Those who are already dead, may they die a complete death sooner rather than later.

The high-ranking official, who had just been reprimanded by Saburo Arasaka and was almost in tears, groveling for forgiveness, had regained his composure and even showed a hint of anger and embarrassment at being humiliated by the numerical lifespan.

He undoubtedly lost face in his performance just now. It would be fine if everyone submitted to Number Saburo, but judging from the current situation, everyone clearly already has their own ideas, so he can't just let this embarrassment go.

Moreover, given Number Saburo's attitude, if he were to submit to him, not only would he not receive any reward, but he would also have to resign voluntarily because of his performance, or even commit honorable suicide in order to beg Number Saburo to spare him.
Why?
If you don't have to die, then why die?
Having submitted to the number Saburo, and being pressured by the past oppression of Arasaka Saburo, she almost gave up everything on her own initiative. But upon careful consideration, why should she give up everything?
If I just change my mind slightly and follow the wishes of Arasaka Seigen-sama, CEO Arasaka, then there won't be any problems.
One's own family does not need to undergo trials, one does not need to be 'forced to commit suicide,' and one can even maintain one's status and enjoy a life of luxury.

Even if Arasaka Seigen intends to dismiss me, so what? As long as I express my loyalty and support to him, no matter what he does, with others watching, at most he'll just demote me one rank and have his own people replace me. Compared to the attitude of Number Saburo...
It's simply not worth mentioning.

Everything is revealed through comparison.

It wasn't just this Arasaka executive who was reprimanded by Saburo that thought this way; other Arasaka executives who had been controlled by Saburo Arasaka's authority and methods during his reign also had the exact same idea at this time.

Rather than living under the suffocating, fearful conditions of Saburo Arasaka's management, why not go and pledge allegiance to Seshinari Arasaka, the living CEO whom he should be loyal to?

If you take a step back and think about it, the possibilities are endless.

It's not that Number Saburo is no good, but compared to Lord Sei, Lord Sei's intentions are more in line with our goals and expectations.

It has to be said that even Number Saburo is far too arrogant.

He thought he was still the god of business, he thought he was still the Arakasaka Saburo that no one dared to defy, and the records he kept were still those of the Arakasaka Saburo who thought no one would oppose or defy him before he went to the Azure Building.

Because Digital Saburo was restricted by the inability to update information, he fell into the same trap of arrogance twice in a row.

The Dark Blue Building incident led to the death of the real Saburo, while the Arasaka Tower incident brought the digital Saburo to his end.

Number Saburo's face had turned extremely ugly, but unlike the first reaction in the Azure Mansion, he did not try to use family ties to beg Arasaka Sei-nobu for a temporary escape, because he still had one last desperate measure.

Since these Arasaka executives have slipped out of his control, and Seigen has also revealed ambitions beyond his control, then let's start all over again.

They also possess the means to take each other down with them.

Just as Saburo made his decision, Hanako Arakawa's face turned deathly pale as she faced the relentless advance of Yoriyuki. She instinctively stood up from her seat and staggered back half a step.

Xiao Tian immediately stood in front of her, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead—he quickly assessed the current situation and realized that the possibility of ensuring Hua Zi's safe evacuation was rapidly decreasing.

But Hua Zi had no time to pay attention to Xiao Tian, ​​who was blocking his way.

The sudden change in the situation, especially the unexpected appearance of Johnny Silverhand, completely disrupted her original plans and awakened a deeper fear of death within her.

Relic—this was the technology she discovered its potential and personally offered to Saburo Arasaka. She knew better than anyone the boundaries and truth of this technology. Was the so-called 'digital life' truly life? She already had the answer.

That is by no means the same as her true self. That is why she is so determined to wait for a more perfect consciousness transfer technology and why she longs to obtain KK's special ability.
She did leave her digital imprint, but if, like Johnny Silverhand, even that data could be tampered with and edited, then even if she were awakened one day, could that 'Digital Hua Zi' truly still be considered 'her'?

Hanako Arakawa hesitated, she was afraid—at this moment, she was gripped by an unprecedented fear.

It was a fear of faith collapsing.

She had always believed in her omnipotent father, the only one she could rely on, whose authority was eternal and indestructible. But when that authority truly crumbled, she suddenly realized that she had nothing behind her.

Like a pheasant raised in a cage from a young age, when the cell door is suddenly opened, what she gains is not joy and freedom, but deep fear.

Because she had already decided that without that cage, she was nothing, and the vast world outside only made her feel lost and uneasy.

But now, freedom has arrived.

Arakasaka Sei, the eagle, walked towards her, the pheasant.

(End of this chapter)