Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 841, 51. No Hesitation

Chapter 841, Section 51: No Hesitation
“Alright, the matter is settled. We’ve also found out the location where the personality imprint of Saburo Arasaka was stored, and we’ve already sent people to destroy it.” Karl’s tone was relaxed, as if he were talking about the weather. “If nothing unexpected happens, with Hua Zi’s cooperation, we’ll be able to clean up the remnants of Saburo Arasaka very soon—hmm, it feels really good to thoroughly clean up a cockroach nest.”

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping across the conference room: "However..."

The high-level meeting had concluded, and Arakasaka Seiichi's authority as CEO had been established. Watching the Arakasaka executives file out and Arakasaka Hanako being led away, Karl turned his gaze to the Digital Saburo device retracted into its shell on the table, raising an eyebrow and asking:

"What should we do with this thing? What methods do you think would be the most appropriate way to deal with it?"

"Shoot him dead?" Oliver suggested the simplest solution.

"Cut him down with one strike?" V's tone was as cold as ever.

"If you ask me, smashing it with one punch is the most satisfying!" Jack rubbed his hands together, eager to try—the opportunity to personally finish off Arasaka Saburo doesn't come every day, and he had to make up for it this time since he missed it last time.

“No one has the honor of killing Saburo Arasaka twice. That would make people green with envy. Carl, you and Sei-nobu are out of the running. And I’m older than you young people. You should respect the elderly and give this opportunity to the seniors.” Johnny Silverhand stepped forward, clearly wanting to take the spot, but was met with three pairs of eye rolls in return.

"Come on, Johnny. I often see you drinking and smoking. If it weren't for your current physique, you'd be chasing girls. You're an old man? Where are you old? Just say you're stealing kills, don't pretend here."

"The dog is barking."

"I wonder who's barking like a dog right now?"

"?"

"Anxious?"

"I'm going to teach you a lesson today, you damn Santo Domingo brat, Oliver!"

Just as the two were about to start fighting, Karl was about to speak when the long-hidden Digital Saburo suddenly emitted a hoarse voice from the device:

“You say I’m fake. But isn’t Johnny Silverhand fake too? What is he to you? Isn’t what you’re doing now more like a ridiculous game of make-believe?”

"I thought you'd keep pretending to be a coward forever."

Carl glanced at the digital Saburo, who, despite making a sound, dared not project, as if afraid his digital body would collapse again, and said casually, "We think he is Johnny, he thinks he is Johnny, and he is exactly like Johnny. That's enough for us."

"How is that any different from me?"

"Yes, of course."

Upon hearing this, Johnny temporarily released his grip on Oliver's collar. He turned around, and a familiar projection suddenly lit up—still with that arrogant look, even giving a raised middle finger.

“The difference is,” Johnny’s voice was resolute, with his usual mockery, “that I’m back—unlike some digital personality imprint that doesn’t even dare to project, I am Johnny Silverhand himself.”

"But you are clearly the same form as me."

"Whether it is or not is not up to you to decide, but up to me. If I say yes, then I am Johnny Silverhand."

Johnny's projection flickered, a signature arrogant smile playing on his lips. He strode toward the device on the table, each step accompanied by ripples of light characteristic of holographic images.

“See that, you old bastard?” He leaned down, and although he had no physical form, it seemed as if he was pressuring the digital Saburo who dared not show himself with his gaze. “I dare to stand here, I dare to let everyone see me, but you—” He sneered, “now you don’t even dare to release a complete projection, like a frightened mouse hiding in a data shell.”

The digital device emitted a slight hum, but there was no response.

“Johnny is Johnny,” V said, arms crossed, his tone calm but firm. “He may be a jerk, a megalomaniac, a nuisance—but he’ll never hide in the shadows.”

Jack laughed: "You're right! And this old guy won't back down in a fight!" He deliberately nudged Oliver with his elbow.

Oliver straightened his disheveled collar and looked at Digital Saburo's equipment: "At least he won't cower like an old turtle, too ashamed to show his face."

“The difference lies in the choice,” Carl said slowly. “Johnny chose to face this world, albeit in the form of data, while you, Mr. Saburo—” He shook his head at the device, “you chose to hide, to choose fear, to use threats and violence to maintain your pathetic desire for control, constantly trying to impose your consciousness, to make your consciousness eternal.” The device suddenly emitted a piercing static: “You don’t understand. You don’t understand what eternity is! What inheritance is!”

“Oh, we understand.” Johnny interrupted him, and the projection suddenly became clearer. “Eternity is not like a parasite clinging to a person, and inheritance is not about forcing future generations to follow your every command.”

His gaze took on a rare seriousness: "Inheritance is a concept, a spirit, and something that even a bastard like me can teach others—like how to live with dignity, or how to die with dignity."

Digital Saburo's equipment remained silent for a long time before finally emitting a barely audible sigh-like sound of data flow.

Carl stood up and picked up the device that was still faintly glowing.

"Alright, philosophical discussion time is over." He turned to the crowd. "So, how should we finally decide what to do with this 'Digital Saburo'? A vote?"

At this moment, Arakasaka Seiichi suddenly grinned and said, "No, I have a better idea."

Everyone's eyes were focused on him.

“Give it to me.” Sei Xuan held out his hand to Karl. “I know the best way to handle this.”

Carl raised an eyebrow and handed the equipment to Sei-nobu.

“Listen,” he said to the device, “didn’t you always boast about building an immortal empire? Didn’t you always say you were the only truth of Arasaka?” Seiyuki smiled, “Then let you make one last contribution to Arasaka.”

"What are you going to do!?"

Holding it in Sei-nobu's hand, Number Saburo felt a strange unease.

"It is nothing special."

Sei Xuan tossed the device in his hand lightly, his tone flat: "I have a bodyguard, his name... I think even if you are a digital life form, there should be a record in the database. I'm curious how he will 'dispose' of you."

"You mean—Takemura!"

Number Saburo instantly understood Arakasaka Seigen's intention.

Goro Takemura was an extremely rule-abiding person. In other words, he respected the rules, not some vague illusion.

A digital personality imprint of Saburo versus the real head of the Arasaka family—how will he choose?

The answer was already predetermined.

"Sesen! A master should not be decided by his servant—"

Before he could finish speaking, the device was abruptly shut down by Sei-nobu.

"This is not a matter of master and servant."

Sei Xuan said calmly, without a trace of emotion in his eyes: "This is just processing a digital imprint."

Both Saburo and Sei-nobu knew all too well what kind of answer Goro Takemura would give.

"This is not Lord Saburo."

Since it isn't,