Chapter 4: The Tiger Claws Gang

Chapter 4: The Tiger Claws Gang

"Sorry, I'm not really interested in gang activities. I just do part-time jobs occasionally to earn some extra cash."

Johnny Silverhand, seeing that he couldn't leave immediately, lit another Marlboro cigarette and leaned against the car, calmly looking at Chen Tao.

Even though his heart was pounding with anxiety, he kept up a composed facade. Showing fear would only make him a target to be manipulated.

"Well, since you're not interested in joining our Triad, I won't force you. Here's your reward. As for the commission, I'll have the middleman transfer it to you."

With that, Chen Tao nodded at one of his lackeys, who handed Johnny a stack of bills totaling a thousand eurodollars. This gesture took Johnny by surprise.

The Chinese gang was indeed more civilized than the Tiger Claws' gang of brutes.

"Listen, I don't want to cause trouble either. I'm just interested in that weapon you're holding. If you're willing to introduce me to its source, I'll gladly take care of your mysterious friend's business," Chen Tao said, his sharp gaze locking onto Johnny Silverhand.

Under normal circumstances, Chen Tao wouldn't bother with pleasantries. He'd just interrogate the person until they cracked. But now, aware of the power behind Johnny's weapon, Chen Tao tread carefully, testing the waters with measured words.

Johnny rubbed the bills against his outdated cybernetic arm, pondering that Li Ang, being Asian, might get along well with a Triad boss like Chen Tao.

"Alright, I'll agree to your request, but you have to promise me that the Triad won't bother me after this. Once it's done, I'll leave Watson."

As Johnny pocketed the money, he replied to Chen Tao.

He saw this thousand eurodollars as a finder's fee for introducing the arms dealer. As for whether Li Ang would get double-crossed by the Triad, Johnny didn't care.

In Night City, any unlucky soul selling arms without connections deserved whatever fate befell them. If they got killed, so be it. At worst, Johnny might burn some paper money for Li Ang during the Qingming Festival, as a local custom.

"Deal!"

Chen Tao broke into a grin. He couldn't care less where Johnny went as long as he provided an introduction to the arms dealer.

The Tiger Claws had to be eliminated from Little Chinatown. Not even divine intervention would save them!

---

Westbrook District, Japantown

As one of Night City's most bustling commercial hubs, Japantown had everything—casinos, brothels, braindance clubs, cyberware clinics, massive shopping malls—you name it.

This district of indulgence and greed was also the Tiger Claws' stronghold.

At the izakaya in the center of the street, Wudong, one of the six Tiger Claws lieutenants, looked furious as he learned about the recent raid in the Kabuki district.

Wudong was in charge of the takeover of Little Chinatown. The Triad's stubborn resistance was giving him a headache.

Although losing a few dozen grunts wasn't a big deal for the massive Tiger Claws, the Triad's bold assault had escalated their conflict to the breaking point.

"Idiots! They provoked the Triad's boss, and they didn't even think to eliminate their leaders outright!"

In his frustration, Wudong kicked one of his subordinates to the ground. These fools couldn't handle a simple task without screwing it up.

The unlucky lackey could only grovel on the floor, apologizing profusely for his failure.

"Useless trash," Wudong muttered angrily.

The Triad's move into the Kabuki district was bound to cause a stir, potentially drawing the attention of Arasaka Corporation, the megacorp backing the Tiger Claws.

While it was common knowledge that the Tiger Claws were Arasaka's pawns, if their actions tarnished Arasaka's reputation, the punishment would be severe.

This was Wudong's biggest concern. He feared that the fallout from this incident might damage Arasaka's image.

"The Triad hired mercenaries and hitmen through middlemen. One of them wielded a weapon we've never seen before," a lackey reported.

"That gun was so powerful, it's practically a light machine gun!"

Wudong frowned. It seemed the Triad had been backed into a corner, hiring professionals from mercenary companies.

Under normal circumstances, the best strategy would be to lie low, waiting for the Triad to lower their guard before striking back.

But losing so many members in their territory and being humiliated by the Triad was hard to stomach. Letting it s Reed would only demoralize their gang.

If the Tiger Claws backed down now, how could they expect loyalty from their members?

Wudong decided to strengthen their presence in the Kabuki district and equip his subordinates with better weapons as a precaution.

If new firearms were circulating in Night City, the Tiger Claws needed to secure them first.

"It's probably gear smuggled from Dogtown by deserters. Buy everything the black market has. Don't leave a single piece for the Triad!"

As a seasoned leader, Wudong understood Night City better than most of his lackeys.

The city's most advanced weapons often came from Dogtown, the base of a U.S. elite unit that had turned into a warlord faction after being stranded in Night City.

The U.S. still periodically airdropped cutting-edge weapons, cyberware, and supplies to Dogtown. The warlords there thrived in the chaos, selling surplus arms on the black market to fund their lavish lifestyles.

"Got it. That explains everything!"

"Now get to work. Tell the brothers to lay low in Little Chinatown for now. Once the weapons are in, we'll go on a rampage."

Wudong's tone was laced with menace.

Little Chinatown was too valuable to give up. While it wasn't as glamorous as North Oak or Heywood, every piece of territory counted.

With Kabuki right next to Little Chinatown, the Triad's presence was intolerable. Until the Triad was wiped out, the Tiger Claws couldn't rest easy.