Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 172 A Brutal Revenge (Sixth Update)

However, he is now far too old.

So old that you must cherish every breath, so old that any slight emotional fluctuation could be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

Even so, his deep-set eyes still gleamed with an all-knowing light, as if he had already seen through the entire game.

However, an aging tiger is still a ferocious beast, and Saburo Arasaka is an evil dragon lurking in the shadows of the world.

His weakness must never be a reason for the enemy to trample on Arasaka's dignity at will.

“They thought… Arasaka was old and could be bullied.” Saburo’s voice gradually gained strength, still hoarse, but containing an undeniable determination. “They want war… then let them have war.”

Shintaro Takayama looked up abruptly, a flash of shock in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He understood Saburo; beneath his calm exterior lay an unyielding, iron will.

"Lord Sanlang, what do you mean?"

“Deploy the ‘White Whale’.” Saburo uttered three words as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

Shintaro Takayama's heart suddenly contracted.

The "Moby-Whale" is a super aircraft carrier controlled by the Arasaka family, sailing in the Pacific Ocean, along with its entire battle group.

This is one of the ultimate symbols of Arasaka's military power, a strategic force capable of confronting the navies of small and medium-sized countries.

The deployment of the "Beluga" means that the situation will directly escalate to the highest level of military conflict, which is tantamount to declaring a full-scale war to the entire west coast of North America.

"Lord Saburo, please be cautious!" Shintaro Takayama instinctively advised. "The deployment of 'White Whale' has too great an impact. Military technology and New America will never sit idly by. This could trigger the Fifth Corporate War, or even drag us into a full-scale conflict with NUSA! European powers will inevitably seize the opportunity to intervene as well..."

“Shintaro,” Saburo interrupted him, his voice low but carrying a chilling authority, “The authority of Arasaka cannot be challenged. One concession will only bring more covetousness and tearing.”

We must use the most brutal and direct methods to tell the world that Arasaka is still Arasaka. Anyone who dares to extend their claws should be prepared to be uprooted.

He took a slight breath, and the indicator light on the life support device flickered slightly. Goro Takemura, who was standing in the shadows, immediately stepped forward and silently adjusted the device parameters.

Saburo waved his hand, indicating that it was alright.

“What I want is not a war of equal strength,” Saburo continued, his eyes icy. “What I want is a crushing, public execution.”

Using the 'White Whale' to carry our power armored forces, we'll land in Night City, find those rats, and their masters, and then... crush them.

Let the whole world see the consequences of challenging Arasaka.

Shintaro Takayama fell silent.

He understood that Saburo's mind was made up.

This was not only for revenge, but also to demonstrate to all internal and external enemies, in the twilight years of the empire's founder, that Arasaka still possessed unshakeable military strength and determination, thus deterring any restless forces.

"Your subordinate... understands." Shintaro Takayama bowed deeply. "Then, the command of this operation..."

“You are in full charge,” Saburo said without hesitation. “Only you, Shintaro, can I completely trust.”

Shintaro Takayama did not immediately accept the order. He pondered for a moment, then raised his head with a sincere look: "Lord Saburo, thank you for your trust. However... this operation is unprecedented in scale. In name, shouldn't Lord Yoriyuki be in charge?"

This is a valuable experience for him, and it will also help him establish his authority within the group and ease the tension between you and him. After all… he is your designated successor.” Saburo’s eyes flickered with complexity when he mentioned Lai Xuan.

He did indeed have complex expectations for this son, including the helplessness of a father, the scrutiny of an empire's heir as its leader, and the unspeakable schemes hidden deep within the immortality plan.

“Lai Xuan… lacks magnanimity and is unstable in temperament.” Sanlang finally shook his head slowly. “I am not at ease entrusting such an important military operation to him.”

“That’s precisely why we need more experience,” Shintaro Takayama insisted, his tone respectful yet firm. “I’m willing to risk my life to ensure the operation goes perfectly behind the scenes.”

Appointing Lord Yoriyuki as the nominal commander-in-chief and sending him on the expedition would not only demonstrate the unity and determination of the Arasaka family, but also serve as an important test for Lord Yoriyuki.

The real command remains with you, with your subordinates carrying out the actual work.

Silence fell over the room once again.

Only outside the courtyard, a gentle breeze blew, and a few late-falling cherry blossom petals quietly drifted down. Goro Takemura stood still like a sculpture, seemingly blending into the shadows.

Saburo Arasaka's withered fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, making a barely audible "tap, tap" sound.

He is weighing the pros and cons.

Shintaro Takayama's proposal is indeed in line with the long-term interests of the empire, and it can also give that good-for-nothing son a chance, and perhaps... it can also lay the groundwork for future "plans".

“…Alright.” After a long silence, Saburo finally spoke, his voice tinged with weariness. “Do as you say. Appoint Arasaka Yorinobu as the nominal commander-in-chief of this ‘Special Punishment Operation’.”

You, Shintaro Takayama, will accompany and assist as the chief advisor to ensure the success of the operation.

Remember, what I want is results—a complete purge and absolute deterrence.

"Yes, sir!" Shintaro Takayama bowed deeply, his forehead touching the tatami mat. "Your subordinate will not fail you!"

“Go.” Saburo waved his hand, closed his eyes again, as if deciding to launch a regional war was just a trivial daily matter. “Draft a detailed plan as soon as possible, and ‘White Whale’ will set sail immediately. I want to see the skies of Night City covered by the banner of Arasaka within ten days.”

"As ordered!"

Shintaro Takayama rose, bowed again, and then quietly left the Japanese-style room.

The heavy wooden door slowly closed behind him, separating the inside from the outside.

Inside, Saburo Arasaka remained seated in his wheelchair with his eyes closed, like a sleeping emperor.

The sunlight from the window cast intermittent shadows on his wrinkled face.

The rhythmic ticking of the medical equipment was the only melody in this silent room, as if silently counting down for his remaining life and for the impending bloodshed.

Goro Takemura remained standing quietly to the side, like a loyal ghost, guarding this aging but still powerful dragon capable of unleashing towering waves.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the distant Pacific Ocean, the USS Mobycovich supercarrier battle group had received preparatory orders from the highest command in Tokyo.

The massive ship began to turn, its boilers pressurized, and its elite powered armored soldiers and a large amount of advanced weaponry, like a moving steel mountain, began to cut through the waves towards the west coast of North America, towards Night City.

The wheels of revenge have already been set in motion.

(End of this chapter)