Chapter 138: Arasaka’s Operation
“How is it? What’s the situation in Watson District?”
Kuroda set down his glass and looked at Iwasan in front of him.
“The progress isn’t great. The Golor Gang propped up by Militech has a lot of military-grade hardware funded by them. The Tyger Claws can’t really hold their ground against that.”
Hearing this, Kuroda’s expression barely changed. The outcome was exactly what he had expected—if the Tyger Claws were actually winning, that would have surprised him.
For Militech, quickly seizing a piece of Night City’s underworld was crucial. They couldn’t afford to get bogged down in Watson District for too long, since Watson was located in the northern sector.
If possible, what they really wanted was territory in the south. Unfortunately, that area was already controlled by the Voodoo Boys, the Animals, and the 6th Street Gang.
Negotiations with the leaders of those three gangs had gone poorly, and none of them had accepted the price Militech offered.
“Mm… after some time, we can have the Tyger Claws pull out.”
Kuroda took a sip of red wine and spoke to Iwasan.
Iwasan immediately looked puzzled and asked, “But isn’t our strategy to compress Militech’s internal forces as much as possible?”
“That’s true,” Kuroda replied calmly. “But we also need to make sure our own side stays stable. Besides, The Mox and PROJECT Corporation already have a very deep hold over Watson District.”
As he spoke, Kuroda’s gaze grew deeper.
Iwasan immediately understood. He nodded, indicating he got it.
“By the way, Mr. Kuroda… Miss Michiko wants to see you.”
Iwasan leaned closer and spoke in a low voice.
Kuroda’s pupils slowly contracted, his brows knitting together. He didn’t belong to any of the three factions within Arasaka.
That was precisely why he didn’t want to meet the leaders of those factions—once you did, it was easy to end up in trouble.
If it were Hanako Arasaka, that would be manageable. Miss Hanako didn’t have those ambitions and was deeply trusted by Saburo Arasaka.
The person Kuroda least wanted to see was Yorinobu Arasaka, followed closely by Michiko Arasaka.
In a sense, both of them could be considered betrayers of Arasaka.
Michiko Arasaka was Saburo Arasaka’s granddaughter—the daughter of Kei Arasaka. After Kei’s death, she fell into a low point in her life: losses to the family business, targeting by the New United States government.
On top of that, she knew nothing about the Arasaka family’s true plans and held an ambiguous position within the corporation. Left with no backing, Michiko had no choice but to deal with everything on her own.
Through extensive lobbying and by leveraging her online following, she managed to resolve those troubles and successfully remain in the New United States.
Her years of studying and growing up there also made her particularly close to the New United States.
It was only later that Michiko returned to Arasaka Corporation and became the leader of its dovish faction.
However… unlike how much he favored Kei Arasaka, the loyal eldest son of the family, Saburo Arasaka did not like this granddaughter of his—even though she was the daughter of his “beloved” firstborn.
Perhaps… to Saburo Arasaka, the only familial bond he had left was Hanako Arasaka. Because Hanako would never betray him.
“I understand. Where is Miss Michiko right now?”
Kuroda glanced at Iwayama and asked.
“She’s in the conference room…”
Iwayama bowed respectfully as he answered.
“…Very well. After this is over, go to the personnel department and request a transfer.”
“…Understood. Thank you very much, Lord Kuroda.”
Kuroda stopped paying attention to Iwayama. After straightening his clothes, he headed toward where Michiko was.
As soon as he pushed the door open, Kuroda felt two gazes fall on him.
One came from Michiko. The other…
“Kenichi Zaburo…”
Kuroda’s heart tightened the moment he recognized him. This was a legendary solo who had once been nearly on par with Blackhand.
After becoming Michiko Arasaka’s bodyguard, he had gradually faded from the public eye, dedicating himself entirely to protecting her.
It could be said he was the person Michiko trusted the most.
Kuroda sized him up. Lean and upright, with obvious traces of cyberware across his body, and a katana strapped to his back.
His temples were streaked with gray, but his eyes were still sharp, like those of a hawk.
“Miss Michiko.”
Kuroda bowed deeply to Michiko Arasaka.
No matter what Kuroda thought privately, Michiko was still a member of the Arasaka family and one of the corporation’s directors. This courtesy was necessary.
“Please, have a seat, Mr. Kuroda.”
Michiko nodded slightly and gestured to the chair across from her.
Kuroda nodded and sat down, then went straight to the point.
“Miss Michiko, may I ask why you wanted to see me?”
“Mr. Kuroda, you were previously involved in research related to the relic chip, correct?”
“That’s right.”
Kuroda was momentarily surprised, but he quickly nodded. Since she was asking, it meant she already had intelligence—there was no point hiding it.
“Then I want to know what my grandfather’s true objective was.”
Michiko looked straight into Kuroda’s eyes, her gaze calm and deep.
At that moment, a chill ran through Kuroda, and he chose to remain silent.
If Yorinobu Arasaka had asked him, he might have revealed some of what he knew. But Michiko… he hesitated. Besides, he truly didn’t know that much.
“I don’t know much. I’m not clear on Lord Saburo’s intentions.”
After a brief silence, Kuroda still said nothing more.
Swish—
Gulp—
A drop of cold sweat slid down Kuroda’s temple. In an instant, a gleaming blade appeared before his eyes, slicing open the skin on his neck and drawing a thin line of blood.
“Kenichi-san.”
Michiko suddenly spoke and shook her head slightly.
Only then did Kenichi Zaburo slowly withdraw his katana. After giving Kuroda an icy glance, he returned to Michiko’s side.
“I understand that you may be hesitant,” Michiko said calmly. “But I hope you’ll tell me what you know. You don’t need to worry about my grandfather finding out. Many people within Arasaka in Night City already answer to me.”
With that, Michiko slowly stood up and left a business card on the table.
“If you change your mind, Mr. Kuroda, you can contact me.”
After speaking, she turned and left.
Kuroda touched the bloodstain on his neck, still shaken.
Although he wasn’t a combat operative, he had plenty of combat cyberware installed. Yet that strike just now… it had been far too fast—and it definitely wasn’t Sandevistan.
He glanced at the business card on the table, the name of a dangerous young woman printed on it. After hesitating for a moment, he slipped it into his pocket.
Author's Note
Comments (0)
Please login or sign up to post a comment.