"Otherwise, why do you think it's called black technology?"
Xiao leaned back in his chair, speaking with complete certainty.
"Why do you think I named it Huanyu Group?"
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest.
"Once I'm recognized as a megacorporation, I plan to start selling faster-than-light spacecraft on the open market."
Rogue's eyes narrowed.
Xiao continued calmly.
"The European Community's vision is too small."
"With their current model, fully developing even a single solar system would take thousands of years."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"I'm not interested in waiting that long."
He lifted his glass.
"I want to usher in an era of great cosmic voyages."
The words hung in the air.
"Let the whole world harvest the resources of the universe for me."
Rogue stared at him in silence.
For a moment, she genuinely didn't know whether she was listening to a visionary—
or a madman.
Then again, in Night City, the difference was often only visible in hindsight.
Still, even she couldn't deny the scale of what he was proposing.
FTL spacecraft.
Not hoarded.
Not hidden.
Sold.
Any other corporation would have buried technology like that under ten layers of security and quietly built an empire.
But Xiao intended to put it on the market and let the entire world expand under his banner.
It was audacious.
Terrifying.
And somehow… brilliant.
Rogue let out a low breath.
"You really are something else."
Her voice was quieter now.
"Do you even realize what kind of thing you're talking about?"
She leaned forward.
"Any corporation that gets their hands on FTL capability instantly becomes a space power."
Xiao nodded.
"Exactly."
He said it so casually that Rogue almost laughed.
He was talking about overturning the global balance of power as if he were discussing menu options at a bar.
Then Xiao added, almost as an afterthought:
"If you help me push this through, I'll reserve one for you."
Rogue blinked.
"A ship?"
"A large one."
He smiled.
"And if your cash flow is tight, I'll even let you buy on credit."
That finally got a genuine reaction out of her.
For the first time in a long while, Rogue felt something dangerously close to excitement.
Space.
An unclaimed frontier.
The first to establish routes, mining rights, and colonies would dominate the next age.
A first mover advantage on that scale could turn anyone into a titan.
Maybe even her.
Her expression slowly changed.
"Alright."
She extended a hand.
"You've got my help."
Xiao took it.
"Good."
Rogue moved quickly.
Within days, the story spread through Night City like wildfire.
At first, it was just street chatter.
Then bar gossip.
Then the net.
Then every major media feed.
Jack and V—once branded fugitives by Arasaka—were suddenly at the center of global attention.
The story had changed.
They were no longer criminals.
They were survivors protected under Huanyu Group's corporate immunity.
The corporation had openly claimed responsibility for Saburo Arasaka's death.
That single announcement overshadowed nearly everything else.
People weren't just talking about the assassination anymore.
They were talking about Huanyu Group.
Who were they?
How powerful were they?
And most importantly—
how could anyone be bold enough to openly take responsibility for killing Saburo Arasaka?
The entire world was watching.
In a small restaurant, Goro Takemura sat frozen in front of the news broadcast.
His face was a portrait of disbelief.
The chopsticks in his hand stopped midair.
"…What?"
The anchor repeated the report.
Huanyu Group officially claims responsibility for the death of Saburo Arasaka.
Takemura's eyes widened.
For the first time in a long while, he genuinely looked shaken.
"What kind of idiot company does that?"
His voice came out harsher than intended.
He stared at the screen.
Had they gone insane?
Did they not understand who Arasaka was?
Aircraft carriers.
Private armies.
Orbital assets.
A global war machine.
And these people had just stepped forward and said:
yes, that was us.
Takemura clenched his fist.
Originally, he had still believed there was a path to clearing his name.
A path to exposing Yorinobu.
A path to restoring his honor.
But now?
That path had effectively been severed.
The board now had an easier solution.
They no longer needed to confront Yorinobu.
They no longer needed to acknowledge the truth.
Someone else had volunteered to take the blame.
To pursue the matter now would only force the board to acknowledge the scandal of patricide.
That would devastate Arasaka stock.
No one in the boardroom would allow that.
Takemura slammed his fist lightly against the table.
"Damn Huanyu Group."
Then colder:
"Damn Yorinobu."
A nearby voice immediately interrupted.
"Sir, please lower your voice. You're disturbing the other guests."
Takemura stiffened.
Then immediately bowed.
"My apologies."
The old habits of discipline never left him.
Inside Victor's clinic, Jack sat in a chair casually eating potato chips while V lay on the medical bed recovering.
Jack looked up at the news feed.
"Well."
He popped another chip into his mouth.
"We're officially corporate dogs now."
V frowned.
"Huanyu Group…"
She stared at the screen.
"Who even are these people?"
Jack shrugged.
"Probably Xiao."
V turned sharply.
"The mechanic?"
Jack nodded.
"Yeah."
V blinked.
"…That guy?"
She looked genuinely stunned.
"The same guy who hangs around your bar drinking and talking nonsense?"
Jack laughed.
"Big shots have weird hobbies."
He crunched another chip.
"Remember what I told you about Yorinobu running off to play biker gang leader when he was younger?"
V stared at him.
Then at the chips.
Then back at him.
"Wait."
Her eyes narrowed.
"What the hell are you eating?"
Jack froze.
Then casually held up the bag.
"All-natural potatoes from the Holy Land."
He grinned.
"Pressed vegetable oil. Premium batch."
V stared.
"How much?"
Jack smiled wider.
"Two thousand eurodollars a bag."
V nearly sat up from the bed.
"WHAT?"
Jack finished the last chip with zero shame.
"Swiped them from Xiao's office."
He crumpled the empty bag.
"No leftovers."
V glared at him.
"You absolute bastard."
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