Chapter 23: Visitors from Arasaka's

“That outfit... are you from Arasaka's? What do you want with me?”

Jhin watched the man before him with curiosity. He couldn't recall this body ever having any ties to Arasaka's.

“Just like the intel said... Mr. Jhin, the extent of your cyberware modifications is astonishing. Even Adam Smasher hasn't reached your level. There's no doubt—you are one of the unique ones!!”

Kuroda's eyes shone with fervor as he stepped forward, staring at Roland as if beholding a priceless relic.

The display put Jhin on edge. He shivered, then answered coldly, “Mr. Kuroda, if there's nothing else, I should be going.”

Kuroda snapped back, cleared his throat, and smoothed his clothes. “My apologies — I got carried away. Your case is just too fascinating. I must ask: who’s sponsoring you behind the scenes?”

Kuroda's curiosity was genuine. At first, they’d hesitated to reach out because they suspected this man might be tied to Militech, but recent events had overturned that theory.

“Do you really think I'd answer a question like that?” Jhin replied curtly. Kuroda only chuckled and shook his head.

“Fair enough. Formally, I’m Shinichiro Kuroda, research and development director at Arasaka Corporation.”

“So what do you want?” Jhin didn’t bother introducing himself — Kuroda already used his name, which meant the surface-level facts were known.

“Before that, would you consider joining Arasaka's? We can provide the finest medical tech and cyberware enhancements. Compared to what you have now—”

Kuroda had meant to say their tech would surpass Jhin’s current implants, but he caught sight of Jhin’s body: every cybernetic part had been replaced with components he didn’t recognize.

His expression deepened. Whoever backed this man was a terrifying powerhouse. Dismissing Militech, Kuroda wondered if it might be a smaller company — those market-available high-end cyberware weren’t normally this advanced. It was more complicated than it looked.

“No. I have no intention of joining. Tell me what Arasaka's plans are. You don't have much influence here, do you?”

“Indeed. As you said, Mr. Jhin, we lack strong leverage here. That’s precisely why we need your strength.”

Kuroda’s smile was all business — warm on the surface, icy underneath.

“Interesting. Go on.”

“We need you to act. Assassinate this person.”

Kuroda produced a chip and handed it over in silence. Jhin took it without hesitation.

The chip’s contents streamed into Jhin’s mind at breakneck speed. The information left him startled; he fixed Kuroda with a hard, intense look.

Kuroda waved the others out. Ryuzaki Ichiro and the rest nodded and left the room.

“So Kuroda’s role isn’t limited to R&D, then?”

“Yes. Barring surprises, I should be assigned to Night City soon.”

A smile crossed Kuroda’s face, but the tidbit he’d dropped carried enough weight to stir up trouble — Jhin was surprised Arasaka already knew New United States’ plans at this stage.

“But do you really trust me that much?”

“I trust your ability completely. No one knows better than I do the power of someone who can modify their body to this degree and keep their mind intact.”

Kuroda’s confidence was palpable — after all, he was one of the main leads on the Adam Smasher project.

The man before him clearly hadn’t gone with Smasher’s frontline combat build, yet had achieved extreme modification focused on speed and assassination. Fewer than ten assassins in this world reached that level.

“And you expect I’ll accept?” Jhin asked.

“We can’t guarantee you won’t leak intel. Nor am I confident this crew of grunts could stop you. But New United States’ strategy must be executed, and Arasaka will ultimately win.”

“So this target isn’t that important?”

“Not really. But taking him out would significantly accelerate our plans. Now... what do you think?”

Jhin thought it over. Arasaka wanted him to assassinate a political figure who had come to Night City to negotiate important matters with Biotechnica. The target was a staunch anti-war advocate blocking Myers’ policies — someone creating real obstacles. If the operation went ahead, Myers’ people would manipulate things; combined with Arasaka’s covert moves, it would be a near-suicide mission. In the original storyline, Arasaka didn’t have the strength here — but that had changed.

“If this man is dead, how much faster do your plans move?”

“At least six months. If it’s done quickly, maybe up to a year. The button for how the world unfolds is in your hands, Mr. Jhin.”

“What’s the pay?”

Kuroda smiled and pushed a chip forward. “This is the deposit.”

Jhin checked it, his mouth twitching. No surprise — fitting for a big player.

“I’ll take the job.”

“Excellent. I look forward to our cooperation!”

Kuroda’s smile was genuine — success here would raise his standing.

“Pleasure to work with you.”

Jhin nodded. He was in this for the essence. If Kuroda’s claims were true, this could genuinely alter history.

“Oh, Smasher asked me to pass along his regards. He hopes to meet you someday, if circumstances allow.”

Kuroda remembered to add that as Jhin rose to leave.

Jhin paused at the name, then chuckled softly. “Tell him he’s welcome anytime.”

Smasher? Hopefully he isn’t here to cause trouble. If he was, Jhin thought wryly, he’d just take him apart like in the game — see what was really inside.