335: Chapter 335 Struggle

The Prime Minister of Japan actually committed suicide?

Watching this shocking footage, the world was in an uproar; many people suddenly realized that this space station could so directly threaten the survival of a sovereign nation, forcing a country's Prime Minister to give up his own life.

On the square in front of the Japanese National Diet Building, the national flag flew at half-mast in mourning. In the whistling wind, that red and white flag seemed exceptionally heavy. The high-ranking government officials, who usually engaged in fierce debates, all mourned in silence; several elderly officials took off their glasses and wiped the corners of their eyes with handkerchiefs.

"Prime Minister Morinaka Yūichi was a true patriot. He paid with his life to shoulder the heaviest responsibility and practiced the ultimate awareness of a statesman. His passing is an immeasurable loss to our country..."

Kurokawa Saki, who was acting as interim Prime Minister, delivered the eulogy in front, his face filled with grief. It was truly hard to believe that their Prime Minister had actually died within six hours.

At this moment, there were still eighteen hours left until the space-based strike mentioned by the Noir Organization.

After the memorial service adjourned, Kurokawa Saki stood on the square, lost in thought, his face returning to a somewhat somber expression.

"Has the countdown disappeared?"

Kurokawa Saki asked his secretary, his voice kept very low, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through the clouds to reach that orbital path 36,000 kilometers away.

From here, a white dot could be vaguely seen in the sky, which was enough to show the sheer size of this space station, as it was visible even from the ground.

"No, sir. The countdown... is still continuing."

The secretary's voice was dry. On the screen of the tablet in his hand, the numbers were still ticking away second by second: 17:56:22.

"Has the Noir Organization... or that company released any news?"

"None either."

The secretary's words made Kurokawa Saki's face darken even further. When had the Empire ever suffered such humiliation? Could even the death of a nation's Prime Minister not make them take notice?

How much longer was this company going to push them!

"Sir, what should we do?" The secretary, who usually had many insights, was also at a loss now.

"Have the Intelligence General Headquarters get ready. We can't let Morita-kun's sacrifice be in vain..." Kurokawa Saki closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a fierce light seemed to flash through.

Outside, the death of the Japanese Prime Minister was causing a stir among people worldwide. It was too sudden; most didn't understand why he did it. Could suicide really make the Noir Organization give up its strike on Japan?

On a forum, netizens were discussing this matter in dense crowds.

"Why? I don't get it. Is he apologizing to someone?"

"It's like New Year's! Happy New Year's!"

"To be fair, Morinaka Yūichi was a real man. Any other politician might have run away long ago. He truly carried the country on his shoulders."

"Give me a break. With everything Japan did back then, they're finally getting what's coming to them."

"I'm going to have two more servings of grilled beef tripe tonight."

"I used to think interstellar warfare was far away, but now I realize that as long as this space station exists, any place on Earth can become a firing range. Laws, armies, borders... what use are they anymore?"

"The appearance of the Noir Organization was so sudden. I have a feeling it's the Third—"

"Shut up, person above! Do you want to die?"

People with all sorts of views were arguing heatedly, and the thread had reached tens of thousands of posts without stopping.

At this time, another terrifying video emerged from Japan. In the footage were over fifty high-ranking officials from the Japanese intelligence department. They stood neatly in a room, none of them showing any extra emotion on their faces—neither sorrow nor panic, only a kind of numb determination.

What did they want to do? Just as the audience was feeling surprised...

These people suddenly pulled out handguns in unison and aimed the muzzles at their temples. Without hesitation or delay, following a synchronized gunshot, muffled explosions echoed through the command center. Over fifty bodies fell to the ground, blood spreading across the floor.

After watching, people all over the world were stunned. The death of one Prime Minister wasn't enough; so many more people had died? The terrorist organization Noir had actually pushed this world power to such an extent.

Some people began to feel pity for Japan's plight, posting online to support Japan and oppose the Noir Organization.

"I'm in tears... regardless of what Japan was like before, these fifty-plus people were living human beings. To go this far for their country, it's too tragic."

"It's terrifying to think about. If they can drive Japanese officials to suicide today, could they do the same to other countries tomorrow? What exactly does Noir want? To destroy the world?"

Others launched a global joint petition against "Noir's terrorist acts." Within just one hour, the number of signatures exceeded ten million, and two hours later, it surpassed fifty million.

Despite this, the Noir Organization still gave no response or statement, as if the suicide of the Japanese Prime Minister, the collective sacrifice of over fifty high-ranking intelligence officials, and the joint protests of tens of millions were just insignificant dust.

There were twelve hours left until the space-based strike.

Traffic in the city of Tokyo remained paralyzed. Countless people were desperately fleeing the city, their cries and wails filling the air. Even though the strike hadn't arrived yet, the number of people who had died indirectly from various riots and accidents had already exceeded ten thousand.

Bang—

Kurokawa Saki violently overturned the desk in front of him; documents and water cups scattered all over the floor.

"Bastards!!"

Kurokawa Saki roared, the veins on his neck bulging. This feeling of being ignored, combined with despair, made him unable to suppress his rage.

No, we can't just sit here and wait for death.

"Contact the United Nations. Convene an emergency meeting immediately to characterize the threat from Third-Party Technology and Noir as a crime against all of humanity! I refuse to believe that in the face of pressure from the entire international community, this company and organization can continue to play deaf and dumb!"

"Yes!" Receiving the order, the secretary rushed out.

In the hours that followed, Kurokawa Saki arrived at the United Nations Building. During the Security Council meeting, his eyes were bloodshot, and his whole being exuded a disheveled air of being on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile, the gazes of the representatives from various countries fell on Kurokawa, some with pity, some just watching.

Kurokawa Saki spoke with a sorrowful expression:

"Distinguished representatives, the Noir Organization treats human life like grass and sovereignty as nothing! Our sacrifices are but dust in their eyes! But today, they can do this to Japan; tomorrow, they could do this to any of your countries!"

"This is a city with a population of over ten million. Their indifference has crossed the bottom line of humanity! This is not just a disaster for the nation of Japan; it is a catastrophe for all of mankind..."