Chapter 152: Yorinobu’s Movements
“I don’t see it that way. I still think we’re just unlucky. If our luck had been any better, we wouldn’t have run into the Wraiths at all.”
The driver wore a long face as he spoke, clearly miserable.
“Hey, don’t say that. Why be so pessimistic all the time? You look even more lifeless than this old man. Head that way.”
Achika patted the driver on the shoulder and pointed toward a small hill in the distance.
“Are you sure about this? That way leads to a ridiculously steep slope.”
“Relax, trust me. Besides, those Northern California troops won’t chase us forever. All the vehicles look the same—they don’t have time to single us out. We just need to find a way to split off from the Wraiths.”
Achika grinned and gave a thumbs-up.
Things unfolded exactly as he had predicted. The Northern California troops hadn’t planned to bother with these two tiny, hopping ants in the first place—but the Wraiths just had to be blind enough to provoke them.
If they didn’t strike back, where would their pride go?
So they focused on chasing down the Wraiths. If Achika and his people managed to break off and head in another direction, the troops wouldn’t waste time on them. Their real priority was still Night City.
Even if they believed this battle was hopeless… a soldier’s duty was to obey orders. And he was an old-school soldier who lived by that creed.
At Achika’s command, the Nomads’ vehicles slammed on the brakes and sharply veered in another direction.
The Wraiths were briefly stunned, but they reacted quickly. After being forced to slow for a moment, they restarted and gave chase.
After all… even if they couldn’t escape, dragging a few others down with them would still be worth it.
He didn’t believe that once real fighting started, the troops behind them would bother distinguishing who was with whom.
Soon, both groups charged up the small hill.
“Boss! If we don’t turn now, we’re going to fly off!”
“Wait a bit longer!”
Achika shouted while gripping the controls. The Wraiths close behind hesitated, while the military force farther back had already come to a stop. After all, the road ahead was a dead end, and they were curious what these people were planning.
“Now—turn the damn thing!”
Screech—
With a harsh grinding sound, Achika’s vehicle made a sudden turn and shot straight down the slope to the side.
“Hold on tight! Hahahaha!”
“Old man, are you insane?!”
The Wraiths following behind were completely dumbfounded, frozen in place for a moment—then a cannon fired.
Boom!
“See? I told you my luck’s always been good!”
“When did you ever say that?!”
“Just now!”
“Sir, those Nomads—”
“Ignore them. Our mission is to reach Night City.”
“Yes, sir!”
...
“Mr. Yorinobu Arasaka, it has truly been a long time. I hope you’ve been well.”
Unlike his demeanor when meeting Michiko, Kuroda immediately bowed deeply the moment he saw Yorinobu Arasaka.
Regardless of the relationship between Saburo and Yorinobu, at least for now Yorinobu Arasaka was the most suitable public heir of the Arasaka Corporation—and the head of its largest internal faction.
“Mm. You’ve worked hard during this period, Kuroda.”
Yorinobu nodded lightly, acknowledging his efforts.
“You’re too kind. This is only my duty. As a loyal subordinate of the Arasaka family, I am willing to serve as your vanguard.”
Kuroda maintained his bow, speaking with utmost respect.
“No need to be so formal. Get up, Mr. Kuroda. I’m speaking to you today in a personal capacity, not on behalf of Arasaka.”
Yorinobu removed his glasses, wiped them, and spoke calmly.
“I’m not quite sure what you mean, sir…”
Faced with Yorinobu’s goodwill, Kuroda chose to play dumb—pretending he understood nothing and wanted nothing to do with it.
But as Arasaka’s primary person in charge in Night City, there was no way he could avoid what came next.
“I’ve already spoken with Father. In some time, I’ll be coming to Night City. If nothing unexpected happens, I should arrive before the Unification War reaches the city.”
Yorinobu spoke casually as he put his glasses back on.
Kuroda’s expression stiffened instantly. If Yorinobu came to Night City at this point… then what meaning would Kuroda’s presence here even have?
He had come precisely to seize this critical period, accumulate merit, and rebuild Arasaka Tower. After that, he planned to withdraw from Night City and transfer elsewhere.
That plan would allow him to neatly avoid Arasaka’s internal power struggles. On top of that, he was Saburo Arasaka’s chosen candidate and a researcher involved with the relic project.
Everything should have allowed him a stable, quiet life. But now… once Yorinobu arrived and began taking over Night City operations, even if Kuroda didn’t side with him, he’d still be dragged into it regardless.
“Sir… may I ask what exactly brings you to Night City?”
Kuroda raised his head and asked directly, no longer holding back.
“Of course—for better development. I still haven’t fully earned Father’s approval, have I?”
Yorinobu replied calmly.
Bullshit.
Kuroda cursed inwardly. Everyone knew Saburo Arasaka had effectively run out of alternatives.
“There’s also another reason. I’m very interested in the relic chip you’re researching, Mr. Kuroda. Father should have instructed you about this already, correct?”
At those words, Kuroda finally cracked. His expression collapsed into resignation—this was Yorinobu laying his cards on the table.
“...I can tell you everything I know. But please don’t take any action for now. I don’t want to be dragged into this.”
“Kuroda, you’re overthinking it. I’m just curious about the project. After all, it’s something Father has been personally overseeing for years, and he’s never allowed me to get involved.”
Yorinobu shook his head, his response perfectly airtight.
Seeing this, Kuroda said nothing more and sent Yorinobu all the information he had.
Among it was one detail that caught Yorinobu’s attention in particular—
Johnny Silverhand.
After receiving the data, Yorinobu nodded.
“Alright. Someone will contact you in due time. I’ll be arriving in Night City then.”
After obtaining what he wanted, Yorinobu had no intention of making any immediate moves. After all, Kuroda had helped him—and he wasn’t completely heartless.
Until he personally got involved with the relic project, he didn’t plan to act.
“But… Silverhand? The relic chip is actually connected to him?”
Yorinobu murmured to himself.
After all… back when he had been a Streetkid, Johnny Silverhand had been his idol.
Author's Note
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