Chapter 27: Simulated Strike, Are You Crazy?

Two days later.

Under the leadership of Sakura Technology Institute, the Technology Summit was held punctually at 9 a.m. in the capital city of East Sakura. This summit was broadcast live worldwide.

The event was grand in scale. Every relatively powerful nation sent representatives to attend. After all, this involved breakthroughs in nuclear technology; even some seemingly trivial data might be tremendously useful. Thus, any capable country was eager to participate and obtain firsthand information as soon as possible.

On the Shangxia side, the Grand Academy also dispatched two academicians. Frankly, both wore reluctant expressions. Compared to attending this summit, they preferred to remain at the Grand Academy working on the manufacture of the 0.1-nanometer lithography machine. However, attendance was a compulsory task, and it just happened to be their turn. Thus, both came with evident displeasure.

Yet, to the eyes of those from Sakura Technology Institute, their displeasure was mistakenly interpreted as resentment toward Sakura's technological breakthroughs. This misunderstanding secretly delighted the Sakura team, who even mockingly ridiculed the Grand Academy academicians for their lack of vision.

"Academicians of Shangxia, don’t be discouraged. We believe that with Shangxia’s strength, sooner or later, you will achieve some breakthroughs in this field as well!" one member of Sakura Technology Institute said with a sly smile that was difficult to describe.

This attitude infuriated the two academicians, although their sour expressions were not caused by this comment alone. Still, it was undeniably aggravating.

Meanwhile, some Shangxia netizens watching the live stream erupted in furious curses.

"Damn it, what the hell does that little punk from Sakura mean? Mocking us?"

"Only a tiny breakthrough, and they're already so arrogant!"

"I'm so mad! How dare they insult our Grand Academy academicians like this? I want to slap that guy!"

"Ah, falling behind means getting beaten—this saying always holds true, no matter the time or place!"

"I hope our academicians work even harder, develop more powerful technology after today, and let’s make them regret this insult!"

...

Many domestic viewers were equally incensed by the scene. However, the two academicians on site didn’t bother to engage with the provocateur from Sakura Technology Institute; in fact, they simply ignored him. Their displeasure wasn’t stirred by Sakura’s breakthrough, so his words held no real weight against them. On the contrary, they looked at him as if he were a mere clown.

After all, this was just a minor technological advance compared to the 0.1-nanometer lithography machine the Grand Academy was currently developing. Both academicians privately mused that once their colleagues succeeded in producing the lithography machine, it would be Sakura’s turn to cry—and not just cry, but have nowhere to do so.

Seeing that the academicians were unmoved, the Sakura team realized they had made a fool of themselves and ceased their provocations. After all, the event was being broadcast globally; continuing to antagonize others would only make Sakura seem petty and arrogant.

The summit proceeded according to schedule. The early segments consisted of trivialities and formalities that bored the audience to sleep. Sakura clearly intended to tantalize the crowd, or more precisely, to seize the opportunity to showcase strength in other areas. They even slipped in unrelated content, deliberately delaying the presentation of the data.

"Damn it, when will these little pests finish? So much useless talk!"

This outburst was echoed not only by domestic viewers but also by international netizens who cursed loudly in their countries' official livestream channels.

The faces of the representatives from various nations present gradually darkened. Many had traveled across half the planet, hoping to obtain firsthand information early and to witness the data simulations displayed by Sakura. Yet Sakura’s deliberate stalling increasingly annoyed the delegates.

When the expressions of the representatives collectively soured, the Sakura team finally announced the arrival of the global co-creation moment.

"Finally, the data report! Make sure to remember every parameter clearly!"

Immediately, delegates suppressed their irritation and began instructing their assistants carefully.

However, just as everyone expected Sakura to directly present the co-creation data, the Sakura Technology Institute suddenly played a video on the big screen.

The footage simulated missile power demonstrations. The delegates from various countries frowned again, though unlike before, this time they paid closer attention. After all, this missile simulation was based on calculations following Sakura’s technological breakthrough, lending it some reference value.

What no one expected was that the virtual map used in the simulation displayed the entire East Continent, showing each nation, followed by precise missile strike simulations targeting every country using the new technology.

The scene instantly became suffocating.

Not only did the representatives of East Continent nations grow furious, but even those from the Western Continent were stunned. Although every country runs such simulations against others, these are done behind closed doors—not publicly displayed. Diplomatic courtesy demands some semblance of face.

Who in their right mind would openly broadcast data showing their own country simulated striking others? That’s tantamount to publicly slapping one’s own face. It provokes outrage and resistance! Even the most powerful and ruthless nations rarely engage in such foolish public displays. Usually, they only issue harsh rhetoric because no nation, no matter how mighty, can afford to offend the entire world.

Yet Sakura brazenly aired these simulated strikes against all East Continent nations during a global live broadcast.

This act left the representatives from major countries utterly baffled.

Equally stunned were the hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. The live chat stream momentarily fell silent, then exploded with reactions.

"What the hell? Has Sakura gone mad?"

"What are they trying to do with this?"