According to the original plan, Schwarzer proposed 'Sustain Humanity.' Coupled with the currently near-infinite supplies, so-called 'communism' could have been enforced long ago.
But Bartmoss knew the downsides of such an approach. While security wasn't a concern—they had sufficient military force to guarantee the plan's implementation—long periods of idleness would inevitably lead to mental issues.
Thus, he proposed mandatory labor hours. After the AIs discussed it among themselves, this became the official policy.
In their view, humans had received Schwarzer's favor and should directly become residents of 'Eden.' Unlike the AIs, humans did not possess 'Original Sin' and therefore did not need to work to earn forgiveness.
It is unknown exactly how Bartmoss hoodwinked them, but he conned every single AI thoroughly. They worked unconditionally for so long, only to be grateful for receiving so-called citizenship in the end.
It was precisely this difference in cognition that led to the drafting of such an abstract speech, which was ultimately handed to Alice.
Very quickly, the entirety of The Americas fell into a state of carnival. So-called resistance forces were non-existent; everyone resolutely supported the AIs' rule.
Of course, all of this was irrelevant to the outside world. Far away in Japan, Saburo Arasaka felt not a shred of joy, for everything he had originally planned had been disrupted by a 'natural disaster.'
The European Space Agency had already reached a cooperation agreement with him. For the sake of the supernatural power known as 'ninja,' they agreed to help Saburo Arasaka retake control of Night City.
Having gone into space decades ago, they found it difficult to empathize with humans on Earth. They had almost become a different species entirely; given a little more time, even reproductive isolation might occur.
This was also why very few people had ever managed to cooperate with the European Space Agency—because the other party simply did not care about Earthlings.
It was a pity that even the European Space Agency, masters of aerospace technology, agreed to cooperate without resistance in the face of true supernatural power.
As one of the strongest entrepreneurs, Saburo Arasaka's vision and methods had always been world-class. During his trip to Night City, he successfully obtained the power of a True Ninja, retreated unscathed, muddied the waters, and forced the Soukaiya to expose themselves.
Everything was his calculation, and everything was going according to plan—at least, until today.
"The cloud layer that was originally outside Night City suddenly expanded, and within a short ten-something minutes, it spread to the entirety of The Americas. Analyzing this diffusion pattern, this cannot possibly be a normal 'natural disaster.'"
"The thick, pitch-black clouds perfectly shrouded the entire Americas and parts of the Pacific Ocean, as if someone were manipulating the 'natural disaster'..."
Saburo Arasaka quickly received this news. With the support of the European Space Agency, he immediately mobilized several satellites to conduct reconnaissance.
Just as the European Space Agency had said, the entire Americas were shrouded. Satellite surveillance had no room to operate; no technology could penetrate such terrifying cloud layers to detect the situation below.
Saburo Arasaka pondered, and suddenly he realized something. He frantically dialed a number—the emergency contact channel for the White Whale. However, the inquiry was like a stone dropped into the ocean; there was no reply.
"How is this possible? Even the White Whale has lost contact? That is the crystallization of Arasaka's strongest technology; how could it meet with an accident so easily?"
Emotionally, he could not accept such a fact. But reason told him that against an enemy capable of manipulating celestial phenomena, his invincible fleet seemed truly inadequate.
With such thick cloud layers, the energy accumulated inside was truly astronomical. A single lightning storm directed at the White Whale would end the battle. The difference in magnitude was so great that there was no chance for resistance.
"So this is the supernatural power you spoke of? To think it could achieve this degree, even manipulating the weather."
The people from the European Space Agency had obviously misunderstood, attributing such terrifying power to supernatural forces. After all, with their technology, they had no clue how this was achieved.
After eliminating all possibilities, the last remaining one was the truth: the one manipulating the weather was the supernatural power Saburo Arasaka had mentioned!
"How could there be such strong power? At least among the ninjas I know, no one can do this..."
Saburo Arasaka thought for a long time but obtained no answer. Instead, he began to waver. He had been a ninja and understood ninjas for such a short time—what if there really was a god-like figure who could do these things?
"The orbital strike is ready, but we have lost the ability to receive signals from Night City. The plan has temporarily failed.
"Before we figure out what this so-called 'natural disaster' actually is, it is not recommended for you to go to The Americas again. It is best not to stay in Japan either. Once the cloud layer crosses the Pacific Ocean, Japan will be in danger."
Seeing that no further intelligence could be gained, the person in charge from the European Space Agency said a few simple words and then left.
It wasn't that Saburo Arasaka was deliberately concealing anything; he truly didn't know. Who on earth could achieve this? Even the legendary ninja ancestor Katsu Wan Soh couldn't do it; there were absolutely no records...
Speaking of records, he suddenly recalled something. Once, when cooperating with the people from Yoroshi-san, he had heard a theory from the mouth of the crazy Dr. Lee.
The one who defeated Katsu Wan Soh and caused ninjas to vanish from the world was never a human, but a legendary 'Angel.' God truly exists...
Having witnessed more and more supernatural powers, as well as the wonders of ninjas, Saburo Arasaka seemed to no longer be an atheist. He really began to suspect this possibility.
Then, first, open the Kojiki. He had an impression of seeing the word 'Angel' somewhere... By the way, where did he get the Kojiki?
If he remembered correctly, it was V... Who is V? He remembered! He remembered everything! His memory had been tampered with!
From the moment he left Night City, the force influencing him had grown weaker and weaker. Until now, when he recalled the Kojiki, he finally broke through all the blockades.
A natural disaster shrouding the entire United States, and a power that completely tampered with the memories of an entire city—Saburo Arasaka could no longer sit still.
He contacted his bodyguards again and prepared a new transport plane. Japan was still too close to the Pacific Ocean; it wasn't safe enough. He wanted to hide in his secret base.
Almost all high-level executives had prepared 'Doomsday Fortresses' to deal with potential large-scale wars. Saburo Arasaka never thought that the reason for using them would not be a corporate war.
Cowardly as death, he chose to flee. Meanwhile, inside Night City, Takemura and the others, having made their preparations, began to move out.
The ambitions and conspiracies of the Soukaiya would all end tonight.
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