Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 840, Section 50: New Rules
When the ripples of disguise created by the face-altering chip subsided, the air in the conference room seemed to freeze.

Standing still, 'Akechi' slowly straightened up. The face that belonged to the high-ranking Arasaka manager was no longer there; instead, KK's face appeared.

“KKK?!” A high-ranking official called out the name with a trembling voice.

The conference room fell into a deathly silence, followed by incredulous whispers.

"Impossible, how could KK be here?"

"His team is all here, so it's not impossible for KK to show up, but..."

"So, Akechi is actually KK? Does that mean everything Akechi has done these past few days was actually done by KK?"

Carl, better known by his codename KK, elegantly gave an exaggerated bow, the metal box in his hand tracing a silver arc with his movement.

"Good afternoon, everyone—" He deliberately dragged out his words, his voice brimming with undisguised laughter, "Don't attribute all the credit for the overtime work these past few days to me, you really are Mr. Akechi Goro. You've helped me a lot these days."

He paused slightly, a playful glint in his eyes, "—Of course, I was the wise one these past few days."

Upon hearing KK's admission, the most shocked person was not Oda Santao, whose identity had been hidden for so long, nor Arakawa Hanako, but Number Saburo.

The moment he saw the face that Akechi had left as his last hope transform into KK, Number Saburo, though insane, was not stupid. His mind had already realized the outcome of the operation against Arasaka Seigen, and he also knew his own fate.

The projection of Digital Saburo flickered violently, the pixels frantically rearranging themselves but unable to stabilize: "Michika! No. KK, Karl! How dare you...you traitor! Liar!"

Carl chuckled and casually handed the metal box to Jack, who was walking over.

He was as casual as if he were just handing over a case of beer: "Oh come on, Saburo Arasaka, I don't remember ever swearing allegiance to you. You call me a liar—I accept that, but a traitor?"

A mocking sneer flashed across his face: "You old bastard, who do you think you are?"

This was a phrase that Saburo Arasaka had heard before his death, but this was the first time that Number Saburo was hearing it. However, no matter how many times he heard it, the power of this phrase remained undiminished.

Digital Saburo seemed to choke as if he were a real person. He frantically searched for a way to refute the data stream, desperately rummaging through fragments of Arasaka Saburo's memories, but in the end, he could only end up like his former self—

He found himself completely helpless against KK for saying those words.

He could only direct his anger at Arasaka Seigen, just as he had done with Saburo Arasaka in his previous life.

"Sesen! Was this all part of your plan? Did you orchestrate all of this? You just treat me like a joke?!"

Faced with Number Saburo's fury, Arasaka Seigen didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, merely glancing at him indifferently.

"What a joke? You dare to say that?" His voice was filled with cold mockery. "Seriously, you've been dead for so long, how come you still can't shake your habit of pointing fingers? Even if you're a digital personality imprint, you're just like a human in this respect."

He gently placed the chip that belonged to him in Arasaka Hanako's palm, then strode towards the projection, his heels tapping the ground with a crisp sound, each step making the hearts of the high-ranking officials present race. "You know what?" Arasaka Seigen tilted his head, feigning thought, "The most ridiculous thing about you is that, even though you're already a dead man who should be at peace, you still manipulate the living like a puppeteer, even your 'Gyokusai' agreement—"

Arakasaka Nobuyuki looked at the briefcase in Jack's hand: "It's nothing more than a crazy trick that has been buried in the past."

Saburo's projection emitted a piercing static noise: "You don't understand at all! Arasaka's will must continue! Even destruction cannot change that!"

“Oh, save your breath.” Hearing what Number Saburo said, Karl waved his hand impatiently. “So you’re just an old thing stuck in the past. Your so-called ‘will’ is nothing but a fig leaf for your desire to control.”
"To be honest, although I haven't had much contact with you, from what you've said, it's always about 'my time,' 'tradition,' and 'honor.'" Karl couldn't help but chuckle, as if amused. "I would never deny honor or tradition, but hearing these words from you only makes me feel insincere and disgusted. Honestly, when I'm being sensible, I've wanted to punch you in the face countless times."

Listening to Karl's words, Oda Santao, who had been slowly accepting the fact that Akechi was Karl, couldn't shake the shock on his face. He couldn't help but interject, "So all the outstanding behavior Akechi displayed after arriving in Night City was..."

“I did most of it,” Karl continued, turning to Oda Santao with a smile. “By the way, Oda-kun, thank you for taking care of me during this time. You’ve done a really good job in discovering the talents of your subordinates. You’re a very capable boss, and I’m very grateful to you for that. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been promoted so quickly.”

Hua Zi, watching this scene from afar, stared in disbelief, her lips trembling slightly: "Such true wisdom."

“He’s still helping me with the paperwork.” Karl blinked. “I have to say, he’s really capable. I think we should definitely arrange a promotion for him. You can put my name on the recommendation, but I don’t know if you guys accept recommendations from mercenaries from outside the region.”

While Carl chatted casually with his former boss, the projection of Digital Saburo began to flicker erratically, its voice broken yet still filled with anger as it looked at Carl: "You ruined everything. Arasaka will never forgive you."

“Oh, you’re still talking, you old bastard. Shut up.” Karl’s gaze turned icy as he turned to Number Saburo: “You and your rules, your so-called honor and traditions have killed enough people. I only know that if a tradition is harmful, then it is wrong. Now it’s time for the living and the new to decide the future.”

He turned to Hua Zi and nodded slightly: "Miss Hua Zi - congratulations on making your choice. Although it's a bit late, it's better than being trapped in the shadow of the dead forever. I'm happy for your choice. After all, you don't have to kill your boss with your own hands, even if it's temporary. I hope you will cooperate in the subsequent investigation."

After Carl finished speaking, the conference table fell silent again.

The higher-ups at Arasaka were still in a state of great shock—not only because of this dramatic reversal, but also because Karl dared to reprimand Saburo so mercilessly, even though Saburo was only in digital form.

Karl looked around, his gaze slowly sweeping over each pale face, finally settling on the digital Saburo projection that was still flickering violently, trying to maintain its form.

"By the way," he said softly, "the password to your 'Gyokusai' agreement is 'August 15, Showa 20,' the day you pledged your allegiance to the Empire and attempted seppuku. To be honest, the timing is really great, but it's terrible as the password to your Gyokusai agreement. It's quite pathetic that you're so attached to yourself and the past."

As he finished speaking, the projection of Digital Saburo emitted a long, distorted static hiss before completely dissipating into the air—like a turtle that ultimately refused to face reality and timidly retreated into its shell.

The room was left in complete silence, with a group of stunned Arasaka executives.

Carl clapped his hands.

"Alright, that's the end of the drama." He smiled at everyone. "Now, who wants to have a proper talk? Well, let's talk then."

Karl looked at Arakasaki Sei, who smiled slightly and then took his seat in the position that belonged to the CEO of Arakasaki.

"Let's talk about the new rules, how they should be set."

(End of this chapter)