No wonder the old man disregarded the reputation he was building among the Hawks, letting him gather influence and participate increasingly in company affairs.
He initially thought that with the end approaching, Arasaka Saburo was entirely focused on the Relic, trying to find the possibility of immortality before he died.
But now, it seems...
Arasaka Saburo hasn't missed a thing!
He allowed Yoshinobu to lead the Hawks because he intended to continue leading them himself, ensuring the company stays assertive and paves the way for the future.
He allowed Yoshinobu to accumulate reputation because Saburo had already decided to use Yoshinobu's body to live another life. The higher Yoshinobu's reputation, the less Saburo would have to do once he took over, right?
And then there's... Hanako!
She... she knew all along!?
Arasaka Yoshinobu's mind was reeling from this bombshell of a revelation.
Yet Mercer continued to stab his heart with cold words: "In fact, the development of the Relic Chip is almost complete; it's just that Arasaka Saburo doesn't dare to take the gamble. If he dares to take a certain risk...
Ten years, Arasaka Yoshinobu, you have at most ten years."
Mercer leaned back on the sofa, while Arasaka Yoshinobu resisted his complex emotions, turning his sharp gaze toward Mercer: "So what then? What can you mercenaries actually achieve? If it were the Internet Supervision team, perhaps I'd believe they have some capability..."
"Other than a bunch of mercenaries, who else is willing to go against Arasaka Saburo?" Mercer retorted, "Internet Supervision? They only need Ultraman. Will they help you oppose Arasaka Saburo?
Their purpose in contacting you was merely because Ultraman wants Silver Hand, and Ultraman wants the consciousness data in the Divine Chariot. The reward they want, Ultraman will naturally give them.
What reward can you offer to let Internet Supervision help you? And not betray you? Once you take office, will you sell Arasaka to Internet Supervision? I guess they might be happy to, but would you be?
If it fails, can they withstand Arasaka Saburo's wrath and retaliation? Don't be deceived by Arasaka's current decline; I believe it's only because that old bastard Arasaka Saburo is solely focused on immortality.
Once he achieves his goal of immortality, Arasaka Company will return to its former glory—you're his son; you should understand better than I the terrifying nature of that old man.
I despise him from the bottom of my heart, but precisely because I despise him, I know he's not a simple opponent to deal with...
This time, I've risked my own life and even the lives of my friends to ensure Arasaka Saburo can never continue to live in this world, ruling the world through Arasaka Company!"
Mercer's emotions were equally intense as he shouted, "Apart from mercenaries like us who have nothing, who has the courage, who dares to take action against Arasaka Saburo?
Even you, Arasaka Yoshinobu! You have countless opportunities to face him! Yet, have you ever, even once, tried pointing a pistol at his head and sending him to hell?"
Mercer's questioning left Yoshinobu speechless, and afterwards, Mercer slammed the table, speaking directly: "Cut the crap! I know you're still the same as before, the boss of the Tokyo-running gang, the Steel Dragon.
Just one damn question, do you dare gamble with your life again! Get Silver Hand's chip here, I'll use it to contact Ultraman as an ally, and then we'll damn well take down Arasaka Saburo together!
Are you in or not?"
Mercer's straightforward words and rough language momentarily baffled Arasaka Yoshinobu—he thought of many things.
But after countless thoughts flashed by, his heart began to beat as it hadn't in a long time.
"...I'm in! But we'll take it slow." Arasaka Yoshinobu reached out his hand.
And Mercer reached out as well, firmly shaking his hand: "Decide the timing yourself, I'll coordinate with your plan."
After taking a deep breath, Arasaka Yoshinobu sat down, chewing a few ice cubes to calm his emotions, then suddenly looked at Mercer's face, asking: "What about this woman?"
"There's been meddling with her mind by Internet Supervision. I won't let her have it easy."
Mercer said calmly: "Even if she doesn't die, I'll ensure she remembers nothing and knows nothing."
Arasaka Yoshinobu nodded: "Then take her away now... give me a contact method, and I'll contact you in secret later... Damn, because of this mess you caused, I won't even be able to call for a Sex Doll anymore!"
Suddenly, he showed traces of pain and frustration—only now, at this moment, did he belatedly realize that after this situation... he would even have to worry if a Sex Doll had been tampered with.
Mercer laughed: "Once we deal with Arasaka Saburo, you won't have to rely on Sex Dolls to get by; find a stable partner, won't you?"
A complex look flashed in Arasaka Yoshinobu's eyes, but then he just laughed twice: "Don't worry about me, kid. Instead of worrying about me, you should be more concerned with your own affairs now."
He said quietly: "Do you know why I came to Night City?"
Mercer shook his head; he only had some guesses.
"After comparison and analysis, Arasaka's Intelligence Department has essentially confirmed you as the true culprit behind the Arasaka Canada Base massacre back in the day.
We've confirmed multiple times through spies within Military Science that the stolen batch of Relic Chips is still in your possession."
Arasaka Yoshinobu paused, then looked at Mercer with interest: "So, you could understand my visit to Night City this time as an operation to capture you, the unexpected escapees from the base, and retrieve the Relic Chips.