Chapter 401
2-in-1-chapter
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Deep within the estate, one room remained dark, the lights never turned on.
Dressed in white, Hanako Arasaka stood at the center of the room.
Before her hovered a holographic projection of her niece, Arasaka Michiko.
"Aunt Hanako,"Michiko's hologram bowed slightly.
Hanako gave a nod."What was Militech's response?"
Michiko shook her head.
"President Rosalind Myers still refuses to deploy troops to eliminate Yorinobu Arasaka on our behalf."
Just as Yorinobu constantly schemed how to deal with his sister and niece, Hanako Arasaka and Michiko Arasaka were equally preoccupied with plotting how to get rid of Yorinobu.
To achieve that end, even collaborating with Militech—Arasaka's long-time nemesis—was not off the table for them.
"Did you explain to her clearly that Yorinobu doesn't represent the entire Arasaka Corporation, that he only holds sway over Arasaka's assets in Night City?"
"Of course I did, Aunty. But President Myers just gave the same polished excuses. Hmph. Her words sound nice, but she refuses to take real action."
"That fox."
Hanako's face darkened.
Michiko's report on President Myers' response made it clear: using Militech as a knife to kill Yorinobu wasn't going to happen.
Not that Hanako had assumed Myers was naïve. She had known Myers would likely see through the attempt to manipulate her into doing their dirty work.
Still, ever since Yorinobu had taken over, he had broken the agreements previously made with Militech by forcing more Arasaka security forces into Night City.
And during that time, the friction between Arasaka and Militech had only intensified.
It was obvious Yorinobu was preparing to ignite another war.
Once open conflict resumed, all factions within Arasaka would be forced to fall in line behind Yorinobu, because if they didn't, they would be crushed by Militech.
For over a year now, Hanako and Michiko had been doing everything they could to both undermine Yorinobu and prevent war.
Hanako had thought that Myers might be willing to intervene to stop the outbreak of another war.
But now it was clear she had overestimated the President.
Rosalind Myers would rather risk a Fifth Corporate War than personally order the assassination of Yorinobu Arasaka.
Not only had she seen through the attempt to weaponize Militech, but she also refused to bear the consequences.
After all, Yorinobu had already publicly accused Militech of being behind Saburo Arasaka's death.
If Militech did in fact assassinate Yorinobu, it would all but confirm that accusation—that Militech had killed Saburo too.
And if Hanako and Michiko then chose to amplify that claim, Militech would find itself in a precarious position.
President Myers wasn't foolish.
Her plan had always been to support Hanako and Michiko in secret—not to help them eliminate Yorinobu directly, but to keep Arasaka divided. The longer they fought amongst themselves, the better.
Militech might not be able to defeat Arasaka in open conflict, but they could bide their time.
The longer Arasaka remained fractured, the more advantageous it was for Militech.
"Aunty Hanako, if we're going to kill Yorinobu, we'll have to do it ourselves." With no outsiders around, Michiko didn't bother with honorifics, referring to Yorinobu by name. "Do you have any solid ideas?"
In response to her hopeful gaze, Hanako shook her head.
Just as Yorinobu couldn't command Troy or the security forces, neither could they.
Troy only obeyed orders from the family head. The three of them were merely candidates for that role. They held no real authority over Troy.
The same applied to the security forces.
They couldn't openly send their own people to assassinate Yorinobu either, as they were still expected to maintain a façade of harmony.
Even though Japanese history was filled with examples of betrayal, patricide, and fratricide—especially during the Sengoku era, which the Japanese idolized as a time when loyalty and honor were worth more than gold—that was the past.
Back in the Sengoku period, everyone played the game that way. Even figures like Saitō Dōsan and Sue Harukata rose to power by murdering their own lords.
Japan had no true aristocracy. The so-called samurai class was just a label. If your fists were strong enough, even the most highborn warrior clans would obey you like dogs.
Take Toyotomi Hideyoshi, for instance. Though he came from nothing, once he became Taikō, the entire nation trembled when he stomped his foot. The Hōjō clan, the only ones who dared defy him, were wiped out. After that, no noble samurai family ever dared speak out.
If Hideyoshi hadn't grown arrogant, his line might not have died out so quickly.
But that was the Sengoku era. Times had changed.
Now, if someone committed patricide or fratricide, they would instantly become the object of universal scorn.
No matter how much Hanako and Michiko despised Yorinobu—enough to wish he'd drop dead the next day—they couldn't be the ones to kill him.
Or rather, they couldn't let anyone know it was them.
That was why they had tried to use Militech to do it.
Because if either of them were tied to an act of kin-slaying, they could forget ever sitting on the Arasaka throne.
Now that Militech had proven unreliable, Hanako had no choice but to consider alternative options.
"Michiko, while you were still in the New United States, do you remember any other reliable private military companies?"
Unlike Hanako, Michiko had lived beyond Japan.
Hanako was like a bird in a cage—bound to Japan, unable to take even a single step outside.
Michiko Arasaka had been born and raised in the New United States, and even after completing her education, she continued living there for a considerable time before finally returning to Japan.
Hanako Arasaka didn't have the necessary channels or contacts to approach a private military company directly, but her niece might have a chance of knowing someone in that sphere.
"Aunt Hanako, are you thinking of hiring another private military company for this job?"
Michiko considered the question for a moment and replied, "Aside from us—Arasaka—and Militech, the most skilled and reputable in the field of private military operations is Kang Tao. But as you know, Kang Tao only takes protection and escort assignments. They've always refused contracts involving assassinations or offensive strikes."
Hanako replied with her usual pride, "As long as they're willing to talk, money won't be an issue."
"That's not about money, Aunt Hanako. You don't understand the Chinese. They're very protective of their reputation and place tremendous value on their international standing. What they care about is long-term impact, not short-term profit. They would never compromise their external image or Kang Tao just for a payday and be potentially blamed for any unforeseen aftermath."
To be honest, Hanako herself didn't really believe that anyone could be truly indifferent to money.
Though she had lived her whole life as a gilded bird locked inside the Japanese corporate cage, she had seen enough people lose their dignity chasing power. Among the lower classes, there were plenty who would do anything if given just a little cash.
Still, since her niece said it with such certainty, she was willing to tentatively accept it.
"Alright. Then aside from Kang Tao, who else?"
"There's GaoKe Defense, a subsidiary of Kaukaz Tech."
"GaoKe Defense?" Hanako frowned. "That Russian company?"
Michiko nodded.
"GaoKe Defense started as a weapons manufacturer, but in recent years they've entered the private military sector. Their instructors are mostly recruited directly from elite Russian units like Signal Flag, Vityaz, and Alpha."
Signal Flag, Vityaz, and Alpha—legendary special forces units from Russia. Veterans from those units were always in high demand on the mercenary circuit.
But for some reason, Hanako pressed further.
"Anyone else?"
"There are a few other PMCs, but none as solid as GaoKe Defense… wait, I just remembered one—Aurora Private Military Company."
"What's that?"
Hanako had at least heard of GaoKe Defense. But this Aurora PMC—she had never even encountered the name.
"They're a PMC registered in Night City. They were founded just over a year ago."
"Only a year?"
No wonder.
A company with barely a year of history—no wonder she'd never heard of it.
Seeing the look on her aunt's face, Michiko immediately realized the misunderstanding.
"Aunt Hanako, I know Aurora PMC is new, but don't underestimate them."
"Oh? Why?"
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