2077: V really knows how awesome he is

V indicates agreement.

Michiko Arasaka, born in 2008, is the granddaughter of Saburo Arasaka and the only daughter of Kei Arasaka. Despite being a direct descendant of the Arasaka family, she is a serious fan of anime and manga.

This Night City Queen is 68 years old, but looks like she's only in her early 20s. She's wearing a sailor uniform and pleated skirt, with bubble socks and little leather shoes. Her face is painted with cartoon star patterns, and she's wearing a cat ear headband. Her whole persona exudes an anime vibe.

It feels very incongruous, but it's also very cute.

So cute that even V's values ​​started to follow her facial features.

What a horrible old woman.

V took a sip of tequila. He had heard that Michiko Arasaka was able to meet with the then-President of the United States on her own when she was 15 years old. Her cuteness was probably one of her weapons.

"By the way, what did Miss Michiko say to you before she asked you to stay?" Joanne Koch asked.

V didn't hide anything, nor was there any need to. She answered calmly, "Winning me over, making empty promises—it's the same old stuff at the company. She told me she greatly admires my personal talent and is quite dissatisfied with Abernathy's way of doing things. As long as I work hard, she will protect me from being harmed by Abernathy and will even promote me and give me a raise in the future. There will be plenty of benefits."

"Do you believe?"

“If I believed you, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you,” V said. “Stop testing me, Joanne. We’re both unorthodox, like chopsticks in a bamboo tube. Separately, we’re nothing; only together can we be of any use.”

"Ha." Joanne Anchorue scoffed, "You talk as if you're innocent, but you still have dirt on me!"

"Good, it would be even better if you could remember that."

"Damn it, I've already agreed to cooperate, can't you just destroy the data? It's just a few random people we did some human experiments on, isn't that how it is in Night City? Why are you making such a fuss?"

“I’m not being serious, nor do I intend to morally criticize you. I only know that making this public would be enough to ruin you, and with this leverage, our alliance will be even stronger.”

"But the alliance should be equal, and you are basically controlling me right now."

"There's always a dominant party in any collaboration. Right now, biotechnology is mired in difficulties and needs Arasaka's help. I'm sure your superiors have told you to humble yourself and seek help at all costs."

Joanne Koch's lips twitched, but she ultimately held back.

As V said, biotechnology is besieged by major companies. Arasaka is the one that hates it the most, and also the first to extend an olive branch. Although biotechnology is disgusting, it must grasp this lifeline to get out of its predicament.

"I'm starting to believe it now. Abernathy is no match for you. You're far more despicable than her!"

Abernathy is at least straightforward, but this V... he's all about dirty tricks!

V chuckled: "Thank you for the compliment. I also know that unilateral power is not conducive to the maintenance of the alliance. As compensation, I will also provide some of my weaknesses."

Joanne Koch raised an eyebrow: "Is your weakness illegal parking or not sorting your trash?"

Did she think she was stupid? She didn't believe V would actually hand over his secrets to her.

V's eyes lit up with blue light, and a medical report was sent.

"Holy crap!" Joanne Koch exclaimed in shock. "Who is this bastard with such a rotten nerve?"

V asked, "Can it be cured?"

Joanne Koch shook her head repeatedly: "It's incurable, there's nothing we can do, just wait to die."

The scene fell silent.

Joanne Koch's expression gradually darkened: "This isn't you, is it?"

V nodded: "Haven't you always been curious about my motives for betraying the company? Now you know."

"FUCK!" Joanne Koch cursed under her breath. "I thought I'd found a powerful guy, but he's a complete loser. Someone like you could be killed by a street thug!"

"So think of a way to cure me."

Joanne Koch studied the medical report carefully, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper: "There are traces of gamma ray bombardment in the nerve plexus, and the number of neurons is also wrong. This isn't an illness; you've been tampered with. But this technology is too advanced, as if it's ahead of its time. I don't know who in the medical field in 2076 has this kind of ability."

V nodded to herself. She went to New America for treatment at the end of 2077 and didn't wake up until 2079. It was hard to say whether this was due to the technology of 2079.

Can you handle this?

"Don't rush, let me think, let me think..."

Joanne Koch fell into deep thought. A few minutes later, she suddenly looked up and said, "Why should I cure you? It would be more beneficial for me to kill you, wouldn't it? After all, you still have dirt on me."

"You can kill me, but before I die, I'll drag you down with me. Don't doubt it, I not only have dirt on you, but I'm also the host of Arasaka and the Life Science collaboration. I can ask you to come and talk to me and make you soar to the top, or I can refuse to work with you anymore and leave you with nothing. How about it, want to try?"

Joanne Koch's face flushed and paled in turns. She was an extreme egoist; for her own benefit, she would not only betray the company but even her own dignity. Every word V uttered struck her weak spot, forcing her to compromise.

"I'm sorry, V, you know I didn't mean it that way, I was just... just joking."

"That was a good joke, don't make it again." V took a sip of his drink and asked again, "So, can you cure me?"

Joanne Koch's attitude became much more sincere: "No, at least not now. I need more time. Really, I'm not just giving you the runaround. Biotechnology is developing a nano-neural repair fluid, but it's still in the experimental stage and there are many potential risks. It can only be used on you when it's completely safe."

V had heard of this nano-nerve repair fluid, but only in an elevator ad in 2077. Considering it's still 2076, Joanne Koch probably wasn't lying.

"Okay, I'll wait patiently, but if I find out you're behind this..."

“Absolutely not, V. Like you said, your death wouldn’t do me any good. I won’t ruin my future.” Joanne Koch said, then hesitated for a moment: “But there’s another problem.”

"explain."

"I need experimental materials. The more experimental materials I have, the faster the nano-repair solution can be perfected."

V put down his glass: "You mean...a person?"

“That’s right,” Joanne Koch said nervously. “Your previous behavior made me think you didn’t like this, but it’s all for the sake of medical advancement. Sacrificing only a few people can benefit all of humanity.”

“Understood.” V nodded: “I’ll provide the experimental materials; there are scumbags everywhere in Night City anyway.”

"Huh? Scumbag?" Joanne Koch was stunned.

"The Vortex Gang, the Cleaners, Cyber ​​Psychopaths and stuff like that."

"But...ordinary people are easier to catch, right?"

"It doesn't matter. In Arasaka's eyes, Night City is full of ordinary people."

Joanne Koch perked up: "Are you sending the Arasaka Ninjas? I've heard they're the best dirty-minded unit in all the companies."

V smiled but didn't answer directly. She tapped the table and changed the subject: "Let's get down to business. Biotechnology needs Arasaka's help. What's your bottom line for you?"

"If Arasaka can stand on the side of biotechnology, those people above can hand over the synthetic meat production line at the locust farm on the outskirts of Night City."

"That's quite bold." V didn't mince words and said directly, "Arasaka's bottom line is limited armed support. If necessary, Arasaka can provide an elite force consisting of 500 high-ranking samurai and 100 'Takeda' class mechs."

"Holy crap, awesome!" Joanne Koch exclaimed excitedly. "As expected of Arasaka, he's got a huge business empire!"

“Then it’s settled. Everything will be based on the bottom lines of both sides.” V added, “I will require that this unit be commanded solely by you, after all, you are the person I trust the most.”

"Haha, of course, you are also the person I trust the most, so the synthetic meat production line can only be taken over by Vice Minister V."

V curled the corners of his mouth and extended his hand, saying, "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

Joanne Koch also extended her hand: "It's a pleasure working with you."

Thus, the negotiations ended before they even began.

“The people above aren’t all fools, so we still need to put on a show. I think our ‘negotiations’ should last at least three days. You should be the first to loosen your stance and reveal your bottom line. I will deliberately reduce the number of troops by half, but eventually compromise under your tough attitude. Is that alright?”

"I don't have much experience in this area, so just do as you say."

"Understood. I'll keep in touch anytime."

V left the restaurant.

"Give me another one, the most expensive one!" Joanne Koch yelled at the bartender.

It wasn't that she lacked composure, but rather that she was too excited.

Once she has Arasaka's armed forces at her disposal, her position in biotechnology will be even more secure... No, not just secure. In this turbulent time, she will turn the tide. As long as everything goes smoothly, she will truly rise to prominence!

But what if it fails...

"Damn, if V isn't afraid, why should I be? Let's bet!"

Joanne Koch chugs down the liquor. She knows she's acting like a madwoman, but who in Night City isn't? She's already on V's pirate ship, there's no turning back, and she doesn't want to.

Westbrook, Japan Street.

V got off at the Cherry Blossom Market and walked towards Twisty Street.

She wasn't there for fun; she was there to find a queen.

In front of a pinball shop, a father and daughter are being threatened by several members of the Tiger Claw Gang.

"Damn it, you dare not pay protection money? Then we'll sell your daughter!"

"No, don't touch my daughter!"

"Damn, you dare to resist? You think you're so great?"

"Dad, Dad, are you alright? Please, please forgive us! We'll pay, we promise!"

"Then go sell them! Genting hasn't had any new stock in ages. Brothers, take them all!"

Cries, shouts, pleas.

Nobody cared, because this was just the norm in Night City.

Suddenly, sparks flew from the heads of the Tiger Claw Gang thugs, and they fainted, foaming at the mouth.

The father and daughter, not knowing what was going on, exchanged a glance and quickly helped each other run away.

V walked quietly into the pinball store like a passerby.

Meeting is fate, and with fate comes a reason to act.

But if you can't see it, there's nothing you can do.

V is not a saint, nor has he ever thought of becoming one.

Passing through the noisy shop, V headed straight for the office hidden behind the beaded curtain.

Inside sat an elderly woman who put down her phone when she saw V enter.

V nodded: "Wakako Okada, the mistress of Westbrook, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"I don't welcome uninvited guests here." Okada Wakako leaned back in her office chair. "Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"

"My name is V, just one V."

Okada Wakako paused for a second, then suddenly stood up.

"The Vice Director of the Counterintelligence Department, Arasaka!?"

V shrugged: "Do you want me to show you my work ID?"

Okada Wakako felt awkward and said very reservedly, "I'm sorry, Vice-President V, I really didn't expect you to be so frugal."

“Because it’s a private matter.” V sat down with an air of nonchalance, crossing his legs. “I don’t have much time, so I’ll keep it short. I need Tiger Claw Gang’s genuine leather ink; please prepare it.”

“It’s simple. You just need to go to Goldsmith Street in Watson District and find a prosthetic doctor named Cassius. Just tell him my name.”

“I probably didn’t explain it clearly,” V added. “I want Tiger Claw Gang’s genuine leather ink, which means all its information.”

Wakako Okada was slightly surprised: "When did the company start taking technology from gangs?"

V shrugged: "That's why I said it was a private matter."

Wakako Okada frowned: "What if I refuse?"

V shrugged again: "Then private matters will become public matters."

Wakako Okada: ...Damn it!

If you're going to use your power to intimidate people, just be direct. Is it fun to tease an old lady like me?

V has to admit, it's quite interesting.

Wakako Okada always has a calm and collected demeanor, but her current flustered state is absolutely hilarious.

In Night City, no one dared to disobey Arasaka, and Westbrook's mistress was no exception; V quickly got what he wanted.

"Thanks." V turned to leave, but stopped at the door. "This is a private matter, you understand?"

Wakako Okada made a zipping motion near her mouth: "Of course, I promise to keep my mouth shut, I swear on my reputation as the middleman."

V is really gone this time.

Okada Wakako stared at her retreating figure, lost in thought: "Is it just my imagination? I feel like I've seen this Vice-Commander V before, but where was it?"

Walking out of Twisty Street and onto the main road of Cherry Blossom Market, V returned to the Delaman car that had been waiting there.

"Go to Victor's clinic."

"Yes, choose Delaman, and leave the troubles at the door."