Chapter 176: Arasaka Internal Affairs
With the situation outside growing increasingly turbulent, Night City was far from calm. Under the surface, currents were churning. Government officials were all looking for their own way out, and even many wealthy residents had already decided to leave the city for a while to avoid the coming storm.
Of course, this did not include the senior executives of those corporations that were largely unrelated to the unrest. No matter which side ultimately emerged victorious and brought Night City under its control, those people would not be touched lightly.
In fact, they had already become part of the city itself. Replacing them would come at a considerable cost.
“Miss Michiko Arasaka, how are things inside Arasaka right now?”
Weiss placed a cup of tea in front of Arasaka Michiko and asked softly.
“To be honest, I don’t know that much,” Michiko replied, taking a small sip before shaking her head. “The strength on our side isn’t very large. Most of the influence lies with my uncle. His faction is currently the strongest within Arasaka—if we don’t count Grandfather.”
“But… someone must know something, right?”
Weiss probed carefully.
This time, Michiko didn’t deny it. She slowly set the teacup down and looked at Weiss.
Yes. Within Arasaka, there were also people who leaned toward Militech—or rather, toward the New United States.
In their view, given how things were developing, Arasaka would ultimately not be a match for the New United States. Saburo Arasaka’s eventual death would inevitably lead to severe internal fractures, and the remaining successors differed greatly from Saburo in terms of ideology.
The crown prince most suited to Arasaka had died decades ago, and Arasaka’s internal divisions had begun back then. Especially after Saburo Arasaka no longer had any other children, those divisions only grew worse.
Everyone was betting on their own future. Michiko Arasaka’s faction was doing the same—but…
They had chosen to place their bet on something outside of Arasaka.
“Fujita told me a few things,” Michiko said slowly. “Grandfather’s health isn’t very good right now, but he should still be able to hold on for several more years. During this time, he’s been grooming Uncle Yorinobu… but there are some things he’s never handed over to him.”
As Michiko shared what she knew, Weiss’s eyes gradually lit up. Hearing that Saburo Arasaka was still holding something back from Yorinobu Arasaka immediately reminded him of some materials he had once seen from the previous leadership.
Those records included things Yorinobu had done in the past, as well as the reason Militech had attacked Arasaka Tower.
And one particularly crucial point was Militech’s long-standing desire to seize control of the Soulkiller research Arasaka had been conducting. Judging from this, what Saburo Arasaka had withheld from Yorinobu was most likely this very information.
The only question was… why.
...
“Night City? No. I won’t allow you to go there at this time.”
Saburo Arasaka frowned as he looked at his son, Yorinobu Arasaka.
“Why?”
Yorinobu frowned as well, his brows and eyes bearing a striking resemblance to his father’s.
“The situation there is far too chaotic. If something were to happen to you… In short, I don’t feel at ease letting you go there, especially when Western influence in that city is still so strong.”
“Father, you’re worrying too much,” Yorinobu replied. “And under the Northern California government’s restrictions, Militech has already pulled back quite a bit, hasn’t it?”
He spoke in defense of the current situation in Night City. As for why it was a defense—he knew perfectly well what things were really like over there.
“Then give me a reason, my son.”
After a brief silence, Saburo Arasaka looked at Yorinobu with deep, unreadable eyes.
“The situation is already under our control. Why do you insist on going?”
“I’m interested in PROJECT Corporation,”
Yorinobu answered directly, his expression unchanged.
Saburo Arasaka fell silent for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
“I’m old. There are many things I can no longer control—just like you. If you truly want to go, I can’t stop you. Go. I have only one condition: take Smasher with you.”
Yorinobu paused briefly, then said,
“If you truly don’t want me to go, Father, I can cancel the trip right now.”
Saburo Arasaka’s expression twitched slightly at those words, but he said nothing. He quietly returned to his seat. Only after Yorinobu had left the room did he let out a long sigh.
“Hanako… you’ll forgive me, won’t you? Everything I’m doing is for our future…”
After leaving Saburo Arasaka’s room, Yorinobu wiped his glasses. What he had said earlier wasn’t a lie—it was the truth. If Saburo truly didn’t want him to go, he would have stayed.
Being too forceful would only arouse suspicion. As for his interest in PROJECT Corporation—that part was genuine. He really was curious about that newly rising corp.
Of course, his interest was limited to their technology. As for ideals or founders… in his eyes, all corporations were more or less the same.
“Brother, what did Father say?”
Hanako Arasaka asked, looking at Yorinobu with curiosity. Their relationship as siblings was still quite good.
“It’s fine. Father agreed to let me go—he just wants me to take Smasher along,”
Yorinobu said with a smile, patting the back of Hanako’s hand to reassure her.
“Whew… that’s good. If only you and Father could always be like this.”
“Sigh… If it were possible, I’d want that too,” Yorinobu replied, shaking his head. “But it’s unlikely. Father and I are just too far apart in our beliefs.”
Hanako didn’t say anything more. She knew that if the conversation continued, it would probably turn into another argument.
“Oh, right,” she added after a moment. “If I remember correctly, Michiko should be over there as well. And Smasher’s relationship with her is… not exactly simple. You might want to be a little careful.”
“I know,” Yorinobu replied. “But Smasher’s thinking is simple. He follows whoever holds the greater power. And he’s not stupid—he’ll make the right choice.”
“Should I have Oda go with you?”
“Oda? No need. I’ll just take Yagyu. With Yagyu and Smasher at my side, that’s more than enough. There won’t be any truly large-scale fighting in Night City.”
“Alright… just be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I will.”
Yorinobu smiled and nodded before leaving. Hanako watched his departing figure, lifting her hand as if she wanted to say something—but in the end, she swallowed the words.
She… still hadn’t made her decision.
Caught between the two people she loved most, she didn’t know what to do. All she wanted was harmony within her family, but with things as they were now…
If only Kei hadn’t died.
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