"Of course not, not now, and not in the future. Technology is always a double-edged sword. It can help users, but it can also hurt users.
Peacock, now I am Arasaka's traitor, so Arasaka Network is no longer my help, but may threaten my existence.
This room was carefully designed by Okada Wakako. As long as you stay here, you don't have to worry about network penetration.
But we have to leave now, so I have to do something to prevent my enemies from using the Arasaka Network against me."
"Drilling a hole in your own head will block the other party's cyber attacks?"
"Peacock, you don't know, I have an information exchange chip here."
Pointing to the red dot on the back of his head, Takemura continued his explanation.
"As long as I drill down from the position I designated, I can destroy the chip. Only in this way can I prevent the Arasaka network from interacting with my brain."
"Shouldn't we find a prosthetic doctor for this kind of work? I think we should find a reliable doctor instead of asking me to do this."
"Peacock, this is impossible.
If I don't destroy that thing, Arasaka will be able to find me as soon as I step out.
Under the current circumstances, we don’t have time to find a doctor who can come to our home for surgery.
You really don't have to worry, Peacock. This chip-destroying surgery sounds scary, but it's actually very simple.
I've already set the depth of penetration for that micro drill, so you just have to make sure it's positioned accurately.
Come on, Peacock, don't worry about mother-in-law or mother-in-law. I'm not afraid, so what are you worried about?
Don't worry, I'm sure nothing will happen to me. If an accident does happen, it has nothing to do with you. I will only blame my bad luck."
Hearing Zhucun say so, Peacock can only drive the duck to the shelves.
Looking at Agent Arasaka who was lying down again, Peacock followed the guy's instructions and put the drill bit on Takemura's skull.
"Buzz..."
When Peacock pressed the switch, he found that the drill bit was indeed very handy.
Now that the drill has been started, Peacock is even more afraid to move. Takemura entrusted his life to him, and of course he must be responsible for it.
"How about it, Peacock, let me just say it's okay?"
About five minutes later, the patient-guided intracranial surgery ended successfully.
After just a short rest, Takemura got up and started his normal activities. Looking at his nonchalant look, Johnny Silverhand, who had been silent for a long time, couldn't help but make a few more sarcastic remarks.
At almost ten o'clock, Peacock and Takemura left Kabukicho.
Ever since he became friends with Zhucun, Peacock found that he felt much more relaxed now.
Takemura is a very strong teammate: apart from not knowing hacking skills, he is almost an all-rounder, and he is extremely familiar with Arasaka's action patterns.
With the help of Zhucun, Peacock can take advantage of his familiarity with the local area. Combining the two, they will have no danger in the next few days.
As a former senior employee of Arasaka, Takemura's judgment of Arasaka's movements was accurate.
From the second day after that day, the atmosphere in Night City gradually changed.
Some time ago, Arasaka Yorinobu appeared on TV almost every day.
Every time he is interviewed, this dutiful son will be very excited.
Whenever he gets excited, he will threaten enemies with ill intentions towards Arasaka by starting a war.
It was precisely because of such irresponsible remarks that the atmosphere in Night City was very tense.
After the interim president made such an impassioned speech for the first time, there was a scramble for food in Night City.
People frightened by the shadow of war rushed to grab cans from their homes, and major food companies, led by Dorset, also took the opportunity to increase prices and made a lot of money.
Probably because of preparations for the interim board of directors, Arasaka Yorinobu has obviously calmed down a lot in the past two days.
He no longer gives interviews or holds press conferences, so everyone is no longer as afraid of the fourth corporate war as before.
This eased the tension to a certain extent, but the food companies that raised prices refused to stop. In order to compete for the market, they actually started to fight.
Peacock doesn't care about these. He is more concerned about those wild directors, especially when Miss Hua Zi will come to Night City.
After being declared a traitor by Araban, Goro Takemura lost many of his privileges.
For security reasons, he can no longer use any services provided by Arasaka International, so he has no way of knowing the company's internal information.
Although there is no inside information, Peacock can still roughly grasp Arasaka's movements based on clues.
The second generation Arasaka Tower is the headquarters of Arasaka International in Mizhou Continent. It is located in the most prosperous and safest city center area in Night City, almost right near the city hall.
Just after the Night City authorities announced that the alert status in the city's central area had been raised again, Peacock knew that the eldest lady of Arasaka was finally coming.
As expected, Takemura went out alone on the second day. When he came back, he brought back good news.
"Mr. Peacock, the eldest lady has arrived this morning. I have also made an appointment with Xiaotian. Let's go see him now."
Taking the location given by Zhucun, Peacock called out Draman and asked AI to prepare the vehicle.
In order to avoid irritating Takemura, a guy who is loyal to Arasaka and him, Peacock described Delamain's bald head as his artificial intelligence assistant.
Strong artificial intelligence assistants in 2077 are already considered civilian-level equipment. Many people living in Night City have their own intelligent assistants.
Takemura knew that Peacock would not put a chip into his head, so he had to use an old-fashioned camera and headphones to operate the artificial intelligence assistant.
After getting used to the bald image, Zhucun didn't take this AI seriously.
In his opinion, Peacock’s intelligent AI function is too weak. Apart from being more convenient for hailing a taxi, it is useless.
After taking a Delamain taxi, the two rushed to Watson Industrial Area as soon as possible.
Watson ten years ago was much more lively than it is now. At that time, most factories were operating in Watson District, so it was once the core of the city.
But now Watson has declined. There are almost no factories still operating in the industrial area. Most of the factories are either abandoned or moved away.
A place like this is beyond the control of Night City City Hall.
No matter how many surveillance cameras they install, they can't control this place.
Because as long as the city hall dares to install it, the garbage men hanging around in the industrial area dare to demolish it.
In just one night, not to mention the surveillance probes, even the metal bases and poles on which the surveillance cameras are installed will be completely dismantled.
Since this is a complete surveillance blind spot, it is more suitable for encounters than those dark alleys in Watson.
According to the coordinates given by the other party, Zhucun and Peacock found an abandoned container.
This abandoned yard consists of dozens of containers. Not only is it quiet enough here, but the containers are also enough to block the line of sight in any direction.
"Xiaotian, I'm here, come out."
After entering this independent world, Zhucun shouted towards the empty front.
Based on his understanding of Xiaotian, he believed that Xiaotian would only arrive early and not late.
As soon as Zhucun finished speaking, a figure flashed out from behind the container. When Peacock saw the person clearly, the other party was already in front of Zhucun.
"Oda-kun, you're here, thank you for your hard work."
"Takemura-kun, as promised, I'm here."
While the two people were chatting with each other, Peacock carefully looked at Hanako Arasaka's personal bodyguard.
Speaking of which, Oda and Takemura are really similar.
They are all ordinary-looking men who will disappear quickly if thrown into the crowd.
Like Takemura, Oda also has a large number of exposed metal parts on his body. It seems that he has also undergone extensive cyber modifications.
"These two people are very strong!"
If Oda and Takemura weren't in Peacock's sight, Peacock would find it difficult to determine their auras.
These two desolate elites hardly exude any power, but as long as they see their eyes, Peacock knows how dangerous they are.
"Takemura-kun, what do you want to do by going to such great lengths to ask me out? You might as well tell me what you have to say, I don't have much time."
"I understand, then I will say it.
"First of all, I want to clarify the fact: I have never betrayed Arasaka, and those crimes were all imposed on me."
"I believe this, otherwise I wouldn't come to see you.
But I can't help you clear your name, I'm just a bodyguard."
"Oda-kun, I'm not asking you to help me clear my name. I just want to ask you to help me meet Miss Hanako."
"No, this is impossible!"
"Oda-kun, it will be crucial for me to see Miss Hanako before the board meeting.
I have something very urgent to report to Miss Hanako. This matter is related to Mr. Saburo Arasaka, and it will affect everyone at Arasaka International."
"No matter what you say, my answer is the same. I can't let you see Miss Hanako."
"Xiaotian! I know you are a principled person.
I don’t understand. My request does not violate your principles, so why don’t you agree?”
"Takemura-kun, although we have friendship, public is public and private is private.
Now that you are no longer from Arasaka, you are naturally not qualified to see Miss Hanako again. It is as simple as that."
"Baga! Why am I not from Arasaka?"
I was expelled because I was falsely accused and suffered an unfair injustice!"
"I'm sorry, I'm not interested in whether you were wronged or not."
"Xiao Tian, let me ask you, who are you loyal to?"
"Of course I am loyal to Ms. Hanako Arasaka first, and of course I will also obey the orders given by President Arasaka. Master Yorinobu can take over at any time, but his orders are valid for me."
"Xiao Tian! Do you know? You are foolish and loyal!
You are right to obey Miss Hanako unconditionally.
But is it necessary for you to obey Yorinobu like this? What if I told you that that man was the murderer of Mr. Saburo Arasaka? Would you still listen to him? "
"As long as he is still the interim president, I will follow his orders!"
Listening to the two footbath men's argument falling into an endless loop, Peacock gritted his teeth with hatred, and Johnny Silverhand couldn't help but turn on the taunting mode again.
"Peacock, look, this is the Foot Basin Man.
They are extremely accepting of death and are all paranoid. Other paranoid people will not look back until they hit the wall. They will not look back even if the wall collapses."
Just when Johnny Silverhand was blasting Arasaka's corporate dog, the debate over there finally came to an end.
"Stop! Stop! Xiaotian, I don't want to argue with you anymore.
You won’t let me see Miss Hua Zi, so please help me give this thing to Miss Hua Zi. Is that okay?”
While saying this, Takemura took out a data stick from his pocket.
Before coming to see Oda, Takemura made relevant preparations.
Based on Takemura's understanding of Oda, he knew that his friend would most likely prevent him from meeting the eldest lady.
Takemura knows how stubborn Oda is. Once this person gets into trouble, no one in the world can convince him.
In order to avoid making the matter a stalemate, Takemura prepared the data stick. Inside it were the images that Wei risked his life to take, and they were also enough evidence to expose Yori Xuan's face.
The reason why Takemura insisted on meeting Miss Hanako just now was to pave the way for now proposing this compromise plan.
At the beginning of the negotiation, first present a plan that is difficult for the other party to accept.
Wait until there is a stalemate, and then introduce a second plan with slight concessions at the right time. This is an important skill in negotiation skills. Handing over the data stick is what Takemura really wants Oda to do.
Silently looking at the data stick in Takemura's hand, Miss Arasaka's personal bodyguard hesitated for a moment, then shook his head decisively.
"No, I can't hand over these messy things to Miss Hanako Arasaka without her order. It will cause trouble to her,"
"Xiaotian, you are simply hopeless!
Do you know what this is? This is evidence that Lai Xuan murdered his father! I must let the eldest lady see this evidence before the board meeting.
If Miss Hanako fails to understand the truth in time, do you know what will happen? A rebellious son who kills his father will usurp the position of President Arasaka!
If something like that happens, do you think you are worthy of Miss Hanako? Do you think you are worthy of Mr. Saburo Arasaka?"
"I understand everything you said, but I can't promise you.
No matter who becomes President Arasaka, it has nothing to do with me. That is an internal matter of the Arasaka family, and it is not my turn as a bodyguard to interfere.
I only do what I'm assigned to do, and I never go beyond the scope of my work.
Takemura, you just don't understand this, that's why you're like this.
Okay, if you don't have anything else to say, then I'll leave it at that.
I can let you go today, but this will only happen once.
If I see you again next time, I will execute the arrest warrant issued by President Arasaka!"
Looking at Oda with an unusually determined attitude, Takemura's face showed surprise at first, and then became filled with dark clouds.
In the past few days, he has been working hard to perfect this plan to bring down Yorinobu.
Now the entire plan is quite complete, and as long as he can see Miss Arasaka, he can launch it as scheduled.
Takemura is confident that he can convince Hanako Arasaka. The lady has no reason to tolerate her brother who killed his father, so she will definitely stand up.
It was such a bright prospect, but now it was ruined because of Xiaotian.
If Oda refused to help, Takemura would not be able to enter the 3-kilometer security circle around Ms. Hanako, let alone meet Hanako Arasaka.
"Peacock, you should have seen enough of this scene. Now it's time to appear. Go ahead and capture that Arasaka dog. Let's fire the first shot of this war!"
Peacock, the people of Night City need to break free from the shackles Arasaka has tied around their necks.
This is a war against power, and it is our duty! Let us stop Arasaka! Defeat Arasaka! Tear Arasaka apart!"
Ignoring Johnny Silverhand, who was advocating revolution again, Peacock cleared his throat loudly.
When the two footbath men were trying to persuade each other, Johnny Silverhand, who was watching, realized that Takemura might not be able to handle Oda.
Johnny Silverhand was willing to do anything to cause trouble for Arasaka, so he immediately reminded Peacock to be prepared to interfere.
"Peacock, people in the foot basin are all cheap. If you tell him nicely, he won't listen.
But if you force him to intimidate him, he will be obedient.
So, Peacock, use the method I taught you to subdue that stupid Arasaka dog!"
It was under Johnny Silverhand's constant shouting that Peacock calmly walked up to Xiaotian.
Before that, Peacock had been silently working on the background. Takemura didn't introduce him, and Oda Miki treated him as if he didn't exist. But now they can't ignore Peacock.
"Mr. Oda, I know why you don't want to help Takemura.
You must think that you are protecting your master, right?
As long as Miss Arasaka you are protecting does not come into contact with these dangerous things, Yorinobu will not do anything to his sister, so Miss Hanako will be safe.
That’s right and wrong. Because if you refuse to hand over this data stick, I will do something to drag your eldest lady into the water.”
"who is he?"
Looking at the peacock in front of him, Oda was asking Zhucun.
"He is my friend Peacock, and he is also the witness who can prove that Yori Xuan is the murderer."
"Please tell me clearly, what will you do if I don't hand over this thing?"
After hearing Zhucun introduce Peacock's identity, Oda's expression became quite solemn.
Whether it was Peacock's role as a witness or the aura exuding from this young man, these made Oda's attitude become cautious.
"Oops!"
Looking at Oda's appearance at this moment, Zhucun secretly cried out.
Based on his understanding of Xiaotian, he knew that Xiaotian had murderous intentions towards Peacock.
Regarding his enemies, even if they are only potential enemies, Arasaka's consistent attitude is to strike first. As for whether it is right or wrong, what does it matter?
Just when Zhucun started to be on guard, Peacock still seemed to be fine.
"Mr. Oda, you don't have to hand over this data stick to Mr. Takemura.
But if you just leave like this, I will spread the news.
Everyone in the world will know that Miss Arasaka has obtained the live video of Mr. Arabansaburo’s murder.”
"idiot!"
Before Peacock could finish speaking, Xiaotian's color had changed.
If there hadn't been a jealous Zhucun nearby, he would have rushed forward and hacked to death the flower grower who dared to threaten Huangban Huazi.
Looking at Takemura who was slowly shaking his head at him, Oda took a long breath and then took a step back.