"Mercer-san!"
The first thing Yorinobu did upon seeing Mercer was give him a big, enthusiastic hug.
If the outside world knew that Yorinobu, who had just officially announced his father's death, was now hugging his father's killer...
Er, benefactor, and smiling so happily, who knows what kind of uproar it would cause.
When the hug ended, Yorinobu, without another word, immediately smiled and invited Mercer to sit on the sofa. Then, he took out an expensive bottle of champagne and... a can of ice-cold NiCola.
Mercer smiled and raised the NiCola. "Thank you for your hospitality."
"Ha, it's common knowledge that Mercer-san prefers NiCola to fine wine. Please, sit!"
Smiling, Yorinobu also spoke to V and Rebecca, who were standing beside Mercer with their arms crossed, clad in full armor. "Would you two like to sit down for a drink as well?"
Rebecca took off her helmet with a carefree air. "I'm in! V shouldn't drink, though. Once that one starts, she can't stop."
V rolled her eyes under her helmet but simply nodded and politely declined. "I'll pass for now. I have to do my job of protecting the boss."
"Hahaha, alright, I won't insist." Yorinobu didn't press the issue, everyone knew full well that Mercer couldn't possibly trust him one hundred percent right now. In fact, he was probably very much on guard.
It wasn't uncommon for people to discard an ally once they've served their purpose, even if Yorinobu hadn't actually helped much with killing Saburo.
But Yorinobu knew in his heart that he had to show the right attitude.
Regardless of anything else, judging from Mercer's track record, personality, and personal ambitions, this was a man with immense potential, an ally worth cultivating a deep relationship with.
Yorinobu cut to the chase, placing a briefcase on the table. He opened it, and inside the chilled case, a single Relic biochip lay quietly.
"Silverhand's Relic." After saying this, Yorinobu paused. "As for Mikoshi, you can go whenever you want. This is part of our agreement."
"Since we're already here, we might as well get it all done today... I won't hide it from you, the one interested in Mikoshi is Alt Cunningham."
Mercer's frankness didn't surprise Yorinobu. He had long since deduced who would be so fixated on his family's Mikoshi. Now, he just smiled and nodded. "As long as you don't break the server, Alt can take whatever engrams she wants."
Then, Yorinobu's tone shifted. "But we will not give up the Soulkiller program. Of course, I also maintain a cautious attitude toward this taboo of toying with souls. It will only be sealed away as an important technical reserve... just like those gonks at Militech who are obsessed with the Blackwall. We may not use it, but we can't not have it. On this point, I hope Mercer-san can help me reach a consensus with Miss Alt."
Mercer remained noncommittal. He only said, "I can have a talk with Alt, but the specifics are between Arasaka and Alt."
Yorinobu smiled faintly. All he really needed was for Mercer not to side with Alt on this matter.
Mercer's visit to Konpeki Plaza to meet with Yorinobu was, of course, not just to finalize their previous agreement.
He was here to seek cooperation, or rather, investment.
So, after they finished discussing the basic matters, Mercer took the initiative to start a new topic. "I wonder where Your Excellency plans to lead Arasaka's business in the future?"
"If you want me to tell you the specific core strategy right now, I'm afraid I can only give you a rough idea. But if you're asking about my personal philosophy and ambitions..."
Yorinobu Arasaka grinned. "You know, I despise this world monopolized by capital, what I'm going to do next will probably be quite similar to your own ideas."
At this, Yorinobu Arasaka took the initiative to raise his champagne glass, looking at Mercer seriously. "To be honest, when you came to me before, I didn't really take what you said all that seriously.
Based on my understanding of both mercs and Dogtown, I found it hard to believe someone like you could exist... but now, I believe it.
No madman would throw away everything they have now, risking it all, just for money, to carry out such an insane assassination."
Yorinobu Arasaka raised his glass, looking into Mercer's eyes. "This one's to you."
He downed the champagne in one go, then looked at Mercer with a smile. "Enough about what I'm going to do. What about you? What do you plan to do after you return to Dogtown? As far as I know, you've seriously pissed off that woman Myers this time."
He glanced at V and Rebecca and teased, "Don't be fooled by her calm and calculating act. She's got just as much of a temper as any other woman. If she gets truly pissed off, there's no telling what crazy things she might do."
Mercer just smiled faintly. "As long as Myers isn't a gonk, she knows what kind of terrifying power I have at my disposal now. If she wants to go crazy, I don't mind having her and the NUSA be buried along with Dogtown."
Yorinobu probed, "Speaking of which... how did you do it? Orbital Air has suspended all its flight operations recently. I won't beat around the bush, I'm really curious what you did to Orbital Air."
"The ones really in control behind Orbital Air haven't been those Highriders for a long time. It was an AI named Lilith. This anti-human AI was too dangerous, so I took the opportunity to clean it up."
Mercer only touched on it briefly before changing the subject. "Let's get back to our previous topic... What will I do when I get back to Dogtown? Me, I'll probably rest for a few days, then wrap up all the projects I haven't finished yet.
After that, I might seek to formally expand my company's business globally."
"Titan Corporation? I know of it. You want to expand your business... network services? Or this amazing armor of yours, or those unmanned devices?" Yorinobu's eyes lit up.
"All of it," Mercer said succinctly. "Perhaps I might need some help from Arasaka. Or rather, mutual help."
"Please, elaborate." Yorinobu Arasaka smiled and made a "please" gesture.
Mercer then said bluntly, "I need Arasaka to provide me with global raw material supply channels and sales channels. What I can offer in return is, of course, profit and technology."
Yorinobu agreed without a second thought. "No problem. In what way would you like to accept Arasaka's investment?"
He made a proposal that would seem insane to any outsider. "How about a cross-shareholding, I'm willing to take out Arasaka shares and exchange them for shares in your Titan Corporation after a valuation.
And once the exchange is complete, all of Arasaka's channels will be open to you."
Trading Arasaka shares for equity in a startup, or rather, a shell company?
Honestly, if the Arasaka board heard this, the board members would probably go insane.
The value of one percent of Arasaka's shares could buy a small island nation!
"I only accept investment, and the equity exchanged for this investment may be diluted and will be subject to a buy-back clause."
Mercer's words were quite bold and direct. He looked at Yorinobu, his tone calm. "I can reserve a portion of non-dilutable dividend shares for you to ensure your future returns.
But the actual shares, and absolute control, are my non-negotiable bottom line."
Yorinobu spread his hands. "It'll be hard for me to convince the investment department like this, anyone would see this as playing the fool."
But then, Yorinobu burst out laughing. "However, I agree. How about five billion eurodollars? We don't have much liquid capital left for the year. Of these five billion, one billion will be invested directly to you in cash.
The remaining four billion will be paid in installments, or, I can directly help you build a complete logistics and distribution system."
Mercer was silent for a moment, then said, "I hope to obtain some raw materials and their supporting processing plants, a complete industrial chain. This might also require some help from Arasaka."
"Your ambition is really something... but, in principle, I'm willing to support you."
Yorinobu Arasaka said calmly, "To fight against these corporations, I need allies, I don't need money, but I need tangible help. Mercer, I know you've always preferred efficient communication, so I won't beat around the bush.
I can help your company rise quickly. Money, resources, connections, Arasaka has never lacked these. But I need technology, technological support that can ensure Arasaka absolutely cannot lose in its struggle against companies like Militech!"
Yorinobu Arasaka's gaze was burning as he looked at Mercer, saying directly, "Arasaka has already fallen too far behind in the competition with Militech. While my father was obsessed with the Relic, we fell seriously behind in the arms race.
During the Metal Wars, Militech displayed formidable military strength. I'm sure you're aware of it. Facing their massive numbers of unmanned devices, their metal frenzy, Arasaka needs your technology."
Mercer gave a firm answer without hesitation. "As long as our cooperation goes smoothly, Titan Corporation can become Arasaka's steadfast ally in the next corporate war. I will share technology with Arasaka to a certain extent, as appropriate, in return for your generous investment."
Yorinobu smiled, extended his hand, and looked at Mercer. "Then it's settled."
Mercer also extended his hand and shook it lightly. "Settled. My assistant will discuss the details and business documents with you later. I will ensure your investment is well worth it."
"I have no doubt about that, even my father coveted your talent, to say nothing of an Arasaka that is now facing a purge. However..."
Yorinobu put down his champagne glass. At this moment, looking at Mercer, his expression turned serious. "Before our cooperation officially begins, I have some work that perhaps only you can be commissioned to complete."
"Perhaps you're not aware, but we no longer take ordinary merc jobs, I plan to be a legitimate businessman," Mercer stated his position tactfully.
But Yorinobu Arasaka's next sentence made all three of them, Mercer, V, and Rebecca, wear somewhat speechless expressions.
"There might be a backup of my father's consciousness code in the secret Mikoshi server in Tokyo, I need your help, Mercer. I need to ensure that that shadow, that terrifying man, has absolutely no chance, not even the slightest sliver of a chance, of returning to this world!"
Yorinobu Arasaka finished speaking seriously, while Mercer just sighed.
"You're the sole heir of Arasaka now, for what it's worth..."
As soon as Mercer's voice fell, Yorinobu Arasaka shook his head with a grave expression. "No, you don't understand... Right now, I suspect my father gave some instructions before he died. On the board, even some members who were originally loyal to me have suddenly become hesitant."
"Takemura, Adam Smasher, these senior agents all suddenly disappeared after you used the orbital weapon to eliminate my father's body double at the Tokyo base. Someone told me they all appeared at the old Arasaka estate in Tokyo... and met with Hanako."
Yorinobu Arasaka said with a complicated expression, "I think it's very likely that my father entrusted Hanako with his final arrangements. For example, if she discovered he might be dead, she would immediately activate the Relic Project to resurrect him using a backed-up engram...
Mercer, I am only the first heir in name right now. I don't have enough actual control over the corporation."
V crossed her arms, her expression a bit annoyed. "So you're saying we have to take care of another Mikoshi? Didn't you guys only have one?"
"No, of course not. We have a separate Super Server on a small island near the Sea of Japan, which uses seawater for cooling. That is Arasaka's original Mikoshi.
In fact, the current Mikoshi in Night City is just a new one that was built later, with the data transferred over. But the old Mikoshi still exists. I suspect that's where my father made his backup."
Yorinobu Arasaka looked at Mercer and said, "Right now, even if I wanted to use long-range weapons to destroy the Mikoshi there, it would probably be too late to stop Hanako. If everything goes according to my worst-case scenario... my father might already be preparing for his resurrection."
Mercer put down his NiCola can, sat on the sofa, and looked at Yorinobu. After a long moment, he said directly, "Looks like I don't have a choice, do I? If that old man comes back to life, he'll definitely come looking for trouble with me later.
I'll take this job. As payment, Arasaka should be prepared to bleed a lot more in the upcoming business negotiations."
"No problem," Yorinobu Arasaka agreed without hesitation, then took the initiative to say, "I can provide you with some help now, if you need it..."
"I do." Mercer wasn't going to be polite with him. He said bluntly, "I'll find out where Saburo might be as soon as possible. Then, you and I will coordinate to make sure Saburo disappears completely and utterly this time.
Afterward, I demand that Takemura and Adam Smasher both be executed, I won't leave any existence that might harbor hostility towards us.
As for Hanako... I know your past with her is quite complicated, so I won't force your hand. But you must guarantee that she will be completely removed from the Arasaka factions afterward. Let her be a bird in a cage."
Mercer's words made Yorinobu fall silent for a moment, but in the end, he just nodded. "I agree. I will now simultaneously dispatch Arasaka agents to keep a close watch on agents including Adam Smasher and Takemura, and carry out internal executions.
As for Hanako... I won't let her cause trouble."
Mercer didn't seem to care much about that. He just said, "I'll tell you when I find Saburo's location, and then we'll decide on an execution plan."
"Understood." After Yorinobu agreed, Mercer stood up decisively.
"Let's go to your Mikoshi in Night City now. The sooner we get this done, the sooner I can put my mind at ease."
Mercer said thoughtfully, "By the way, if possible... if Mikoshi is useless afterward, why not let me... use such a good server?"
"...Do you know how much this thing costs?" Yorinobu Arasaka looked at Mercer, sighed, and then laughed. "If everything goes smoothly... I'll give you one."
"Whoa, Arasaka is Arasaka. This isn't just any ordinary super-large server... But now I really do think you're much better than Saburo."
Mercer smiled and left Konpeki Plaza with Yorinobu. They took an aerodyne vehicle to Arasaka Tower. Unlike in the game where he had to fight his way through, this time, with Yorinobu's cooperation, he had unimpeded access all the way into the facility where Mikoshi was stored.
Then, he picked up a chip, weighed it in his hand for a moment, and inserted it into the port of the Mikoshi server without hesitation.
In less than a second, a message from Alt arrived.
[Alt: Detected Mikoshi's data signal... Mercer, is everything taken care of?]
[Mercer: Stop pretending. You've definitely been watching me this whole time. Hurry up and finish your business. After that, we'll talk about other things.]
[Alt: It seems you have quite a deep misunderstanding of me, I don't have the time to watch you. By the way, Bartmoss has finished his work recently. Spider Murphy suggested we all meet again to talk about the future. How about it?]
[Mercer: Then let's talk. But it has to be after I'm done with this real-world business. For example, resurrecting Silverhand?]
[Alt: You seem to quite like that annoying guy. If you ask me, you should just give him to me.]
[Mercer: Annoying guys have their uses. I plan to make him a rock star again, and a brand ambassador for me on the side.]
[Alt: Suit yourself. When he turns Night City into a complete mess, you'll regret not just throwing him to me today.]
[Mercer: I won't have any regrets, let this asshole come back. Night City needs a rebellion. I'm already prepared to light a fire here.]
[Alt: Hmm, he is indeed very good at destruction.]
Mercer looked at the briefcase V was holding.
Johnny Silverhand's Relic biochip lay quietly inside.
Rockerboy... bringing you to Rogue should count as repaying the help she gave me when I first came to Night City. As for Saburo's resurrection?
Mercer wasn't actually too worried.
Because...
In his hands, he still held a complete, genuine engram of Saburo himself, he'd interrogate it as soon as he got back. Then, all of Arasaka's secrets would be laid bare before Mercer's eyes.
Only after Alt had finished processing all the Mikoshi data did Mercer turn to Yorinobu and suddenly make a somewhat surprising request.
"Although our cooperation hasn't officially started, I think the new phase for my company can begin its preparations. I need a grand company building, and I also need a batch of capable employees to break new ground for me."
"A company building is easy. Employees... do you want recent graduates, or do you want Arasaka's business backbones from around the world?" Yorinobu looked at Mercer.
"I need some elites to help me build the company's framework from scratch. The personnel can be adjusted later. The overall quality of people in Dogtown is still too poor. I don't have time to train them myself, so I can only pick up ready-made ones for now and slowly adjust later."
Mercer said.
Yorinobu Arasaka subconsciously glanced at V.
He remembered that Mercer had recommended a rookie agent from Arasaka's counter-intelligence department to him before, right? Her name was also Valerie?
Heh...
"No problem. We'll discuss the details later." Yorinobu's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "Just some employees. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Mercer raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.
For some reason... it felt like there was a hidden meaning in that guy's words.