Chapter 189: Arrival at Night City
“Um… Commander Higashiyama, there’s another extremely important piece of information I need to report…”
“Hm? If it’s important, then stop stalling. Speak up like a man and tell me directly.”
Higashiyama Ryoichi frowned and shot his adjutant an irritated look.
“Well… please don’t get angry after you hear this…”
“Out with it.”
Higashiyama Ryoichi waved his hand impatiently.
“Mr. Yorinobu Arasaka will be arriving in Night City very soon.”
“Oh, I thought it was something serious—just Yorinobu coming… Wait. What did you just say?!”
At first, Higashiyama Ryoichi didn’t fully process the words and waved it off impatiently. But as the meaning sank in, his eyes widened instantly. He lunged forward in a single stride, grabbed the adjutant by the collar, and stared straight into his eyes.
“Say that again.”
The adjutant swallowed before answering carefully.
“I said… Mr. Yorinobu Arasaka will be arriving in Night City shortly…”
“Damn it!”
Higashiyama Ryoichi cursed and shoved the adjutant aside, then began pacing back and forth through the command center. Yorinobu Arasaka’s arrival would inevitably disrupt the fragile stability they had just managed to secure—and how severe that disruption would be was impossible to predict.
“Why would Lord Saburo agree to something like this at a time like this?!”
Higashiyama Ryoichi slammed his palm against the table, glaring ahead.
The adjutant lowered his head silently, pretending not to hear or see anything.
Higashiyama Ryoichi’s expression shifted between pale and livid, but he quickly forced himself to calm down. After taking a deep breath, he turned back to the adjutant.
“No matter what, pass down my orders. Ensure security around Night City is airtight. And lock down all information regarding Yorinobu Arasaka. Do everything possible to keep the New United States from finding out he’s coming here.”
“Understood. Do we need to adjust our defensive deployments?”
The adjutant nodded quickly.
“No. Changing our deployment now would only draw attention. Yorinobu Arasaka will definitely bring his own security team. If nothing unexpected happens, Adam Smasher will most likely be with him.”
Now calmer, Higashiyama Ryoichi focused on minimizing the impact of Yorinobu Arasaka’s arrival. Even though he couldn’t understand Saburo Arasaka’s decision, Saburo was the one in charge.
His reaction was hardly unreasonable. After all, the most likely successor to the Arasaka Empire was Yorinobu Arasaka. If the New United States found out… they probably wouldn’t mind recreating what happened to Kei Arasaka back then.
Once Yorinobu Arasaka’s whereabouts were exposed, many current plans would have to be revised, along with preparations for covert attacks from the New United States.
Thinking of that, Higashiyama Ryoichi couldn’t help but grimace. But in the end, this decision came from Saburo Arasaka himself. As a subordinate, he had no right to object.
As an AV slowly came to a stop within Tyger Claws territory, people immediately gathered around it. Yet despite this being Tyger Claws turf, not a single member of the gang could be seen among the crowd.
The scene was strange. Everyone had deliberately blocked the surrounding sightlines, ensuring no one could see what was happening inside.
Kuroda stood at the front of the group, bowing deeply with utmost respect.
“Mr. Yorinobu, welcome.”
“Mm. Good work, Kuroda.”
Yorinobu Arasaka nodded from inside the AV. Moments later, an enormous figure stepped out—a jet-black armored body, a vicious mechanical face, and glowing crimson eyes.
Built on the Dragon Knight armor framework, the towering mechanical body radiated overwhelming pressure. After scanning the surroundings once, Adam Smasher moved off to the side and assumed his position as bodyguard.
Yorinobu Arasaka then stepped out as well, calmly adjusting his cuffs.
Another figure followed him down. Roughly the same height as Yorinobu Arasaka, his entire body bore signs of heavy cyberware modification, with electronic muscle fibers standing out clearly. This was Yagyu, Yorinobu Arasaka’s other bodyguard.
“Smasher, Michiko is still in Night City. If you want, you can go see her.”
Yorinobu Arasaka mentioned it casually after finishing his adjustments.
Adam Smasher paused for a moment, then nodded.
“Once I confirm there are no threats here, I’ll take the opportunity to greet Miss Michiko.”
“You don’t need to worry too much about me. With Yagyu here, there won’t be any problems.”
Yorinobu Arasaka nodded as he spoke.
Adam Smasher said nothing. Yagyu was strong, but this wasn’t something that could be taken lightly. If anything happened while he wasn’t present, it could turn into a serious problem.
And as for Michiko… she was far too close to Militech. If he approached her suddenly, she might realize something was off, and that would only complicate matters.
He didn’t dislike fighting—he even enjoyed it—but his current mission wasn’t combat. It was protection. With Yorinobu Arasaka under his guard, he couldn’t afford to act freely.
“Kuroda, I’ll be relying on you to show me around Night City for the time being. I’m not very familiar with the city.”
“It would be my honor.”
Kuroda bowed immediately.
“Alright, then let’s get going. I’d like to see where my father has arranged for me to stay.”
Yorinobu Arasaka gave a slight nod as he spoke.
Adam Smasher naturally moved ahead of him. When there was no cover, he himself was the best cover.
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