Chapter 177: Kenichi Zaburo
“Miss Michiko, Night City hasn’t been very peaceful lately. Even here, I wouldn’t recommend staying too long.”
Kenichi Zaburo glanced at the time, then walked over to Michiko Arasaka and spoke.
Michiko Arasaka checked the time as well and nodded.
“I understand. Let’s go.”
She had always trusted Kenichi Zaburo’s judgment. After all, he would never harm her—if anything, he had saved her life more times than she could count.
After leaving the bar, the two got into their car and headed home. Along the way, they took in the current state of Night City.
It was chaos, absolute chaos. Night City had never been orderly to begin with, but under the present circumstances, things had deteriorated even further. Even those at the top rarely went out at night anymore.
The NCPD’s security forces were practically ineffective. Most areas now relied on robots to maintain the bare minimum of order, mainly in the wealthy districts.
The NCPD’s remaining manpower was largely concentrated there. As for everything else… the government had to remain constantly on guard against attacks from the New United States, so most resources had been diverted to the military.
Only the districts primarily maintained by PROJECT’s security robots were still somewhat stable—and even then, not by much. After all, a large portion of the armed forces here had been taken away by Roland.
Several security robots had even been dismantled and sold off for money.
“Something’s not right, Miss Michiko.”
From the driver’s seat, Kenichi Zaburo scanned the surroundings, his expression turning grim as his hand slowly rested on the katana at his side.
Hearing his warning, Michiko immediately grew serious and looked around.
“What is it? Someone targeting us?”
“Not sure yet, but they’re strong. Not like the usual trash. This time, it’s a real heavyweight.”
Kenichi Zaburo shook his head and reached for the door handle, preparing to step out.
“Mr. Kenichi…”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ve already notified our people. Someone will be here soon to protect you. Until then, I’ll fight for you.”
With that, Kenichi Zaburo picked up his katana and stepped out of the car. He slowly drew the blade, pointing it forward.
“Sir, you can come out now. There’s no need to keep hiding.”
“You’re brave, and loyal. I admire that. Seeing you reminds me of the old days.”
Zed rose slowly from the ground, arms crossed, his voice carrying clear appreciation.
Kenichi Zaburo’s expression had never been so grave. He could feel the presence of something called “momentum” emanating from his opponent, along with an overwhelming sense of danger—something he hadn’t even felt when facing Morgan Blackhand.
At this point, he knew the truth. This wasn’t just a big fish. He’d hooked a prehistoric monstrosity.
“Let me see what you’re really capable of.”
As Zed spoke, he lowered his arms, and twin first blades snapped into place. Kenichi Zaburo set his stance, his face tense, and flung off his outer clothing, revealing a powerful body beneath—one that had undergone countless cyberware modifications.
Ground-Shrinking Slash!
Without the slightest hesitation, Kenichi Zaburo launched the attack. The best defense was an unbroken, flowing offense.
This strike was the result of fusing swordsmanship with cyberware—activating his Sandevistan in an instant and combining it with the acceleration from his leg cyberware.
Zed saw through his movement at a glance. He lowered his center of gravity slightly, shifted his body to the side, and one first blade precisely locked onto Kenichi Zaburo’s katana.
Sensing something wrong, Kenichi Zaburo drove a knee forward while an arm blade shot out from his forearm, aiming straight for Zed’s face.
Zed stepped back lightly, then sprang into the air, his foot slamming into Kenichi Zaburo’s forehead.
Bang!
With a deafening impact, Kenichi Zaburo was sent flying like a cannonball, smashing straight into the wall.
Swish—clang—
“Good reaction.”
Zed nodded as he looked at Kenichi Zaburo. In that critical instant, Kenichi Zaburo had managed to raise his weapon horizontally and block the blow.
“Leave your name. I’m about to get serious.”
“Kenichi Zaburo.”
“Mm. I’ll remember it. My name is Zed.”
Zed nodded, then melted into the shadows. Kenichi Zaburo’s pupils shrank sharply as his sixth sense screamed a warning.
Trusting his instincts, he twisted his body and swung his blade.
Swish—
A perfectly smooth slash appeared on the ground—but there was no one there.
Realizing something was wrong, Kenichi Zaburo spun around, only to see countless shuriken flying toward him, sealing off every possible escape.
Not daring to underestimate his opponent, he activated his Sandevistan to defend himself. At that very moment, a figure appeared silently, delivering a brutal kick to his abdomen.
The immense force brought his body to a sudden halt. The attacker pressed forward, unleashing techniques that were simple yet lethally effective, each strike aimed directly at vital points.
At the same time, Kenichi Zaburo had to remain alert to the incoming shuriken, while his opponent moved like a dancer, effortlessly avoiding every blade without ever risking friendly fire.
Before long, under the relentless assault, fatigue crept into his movements. Zed seized an opening, and a first blade slashed cleanly across Kenichi Zaburo’s arm.
“Ungh!”
A muffled grunt escaped as an arm flew into the air.
Kenichi Zaburo kicked his severed limb, sending it hurtling toward Zed like a projectile.
Zed turned into a phantom, sinking into the ground, then instantly reappeared beside Kenichi Zaburo, carving another wound into him.
“Could you show a little mercy?”
Kenichi Zaburo couldn’t help but ask.
“The one behind me thinks highly of you. How about joining us?”
Zed flicked his wrist, knocking Kenichi Zaburo’s katana aside, then struck his chest with a palm. Kenichi Zaburo spat out a mouthful of blood and remained standing.
“That’s impossible.”
Kenichi Zaburo shook his head, straightened his posture, and tightened his grip on the katana once more.
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