Chapter 87: The Waiting Hanako

Chapter 87: The Waiting Hanako

"I, Arasaka Yorinobu, will lead the Arasaka Corporation and Night City into a brand-new future. The Arasaka Corporation will establish a new order where everyone enjoys fair treatment."

"Likewise, I will join hands with more companies to engage in healthy cooperation and competition, driving global employment and technological productivity."

"Believe in me, Arasaka Yorinobu, and you believe in a bright future!"

"…"

Arasaka Yorinobu's passionate speech filled the crowd with excitement. His supporters seemed to truly envision a bright future without Saburo Arasaka.

However, when this scene was transmitted to the Arasaka Corporation headquarters in Tokyo, it was met with skepticism and outrage from the elders of Arasaka!

Rather than chasing after the so-called real culprit, they were more inclined to believe that Yorinobu himself was the true murderer of Saburo Arasaka!

"Yorinobu is the traitor of Arasaka Corporation! He must have killed Master Saburo! Look at his arrogant demeanor—it's clear he's an unfilial son who murdered his father!"

The speaker was Tadatsugu Azari, a representative of the Arasaka elders and one of the corporation's key figures.

When he learned that the rebellious Yorinobu planned to return to the company, Azari was the first to oppose it. He could not stand this spoiled son.

Azari's words resonated with the other elders present. They had always been against Yorinobu's reformist ideas and were infuriated by his blatant power grab.

After all, no one wanted the foundation they had built for years to be easily dismantled by a hawkish young man.

As the elders in the Arasaka headquarters' conference room argued heatedly, a single word from Hanako Arasaka silenced the uproar:

"Quiet!"

The room immediately fell silent as all eyes turned to Hanako Arasaka. Her thin face and prominent cheekbones gave her an austere presence. She was Saburo Arasaka's biological daughter.

From the company's lineage perspective, Hanako had as much right to inherit the Arasaka Corporation as her brother, Yorinobu.

More importantly, Hanako was the leader of the Pheasant faction, representing the interests of the corporation's elders.

"Before my father went to Night City, he entrusted me with overseeing the company's affairs. Now, my brother is stabilizing the situation there, yet you claim he's trying to seize power? Are you trying to destroy the Arasaka family?"

Hanako showed no anger at Yorinobu's aggressive actions. She neither criticized his moves nor openly declared a rivalry against him.

On the contrary, Hanako unexpectedly sided with her brother, Yorinobu, a decision that left the elders confused.

Hanako had always followed Saburo's development plans for the company. Why would she suddenly support an unfilial son like Yorinobu?

"Miss Hanako, before Master Saburo left Tokyo, he appointed you as his proxy. It should be you in charge of the corporation now, not Yorinobu!"

Azari furrowed his brows. He did not want to see Yorinobu succeed in taking power. If Yorinobu rose to the top, the elders would likely be sidelined.

The factional infighting within Arasaka had reached a boiling point. Azari regarded the young hawks as naive, incapable of steering the corporation forward.

Meanwhile, the hawks saw Saburo, Azari, and the elder generation as obsolete and blind to the tides of the future.

The irreconcilable conflict made Arasaka's internal situation precarious.

"I understand your concerns about Yorinobu," Hanako said calmly, "but only he can stabilize the current situation. Arasaka cannot afford internal chaos."

Hanako's steady voice cut through the tension. She had not been swayed by the elders' fervor. If internal strife broke out, the beneficiaries would undoubtedly be other corporations.

Although Arasaka was Japan's leading conglomerate, competitors like Fuji Bank, Kenryu Group, and Tsunami Defense Systems were eager to exploit any vulnerability.

Arasaka's unmatched influence in Japan also made it a prime target. Any sign of weakness would invite enemies to carve it up.

At such a critical juncture, a strong and decisive leader was essential to hold everything together.

For now, Yorinobu was the best choice.

Of course, this was only temporary.

"I know you suspect that Yorinobu killed my father," Hanako continued, "but the investigation is still ongoing. Until we have results, only Yorinobu can manage the company's major affairs."

Her words silenced the elders, who began pondering Hanako's intentions. They tried to decipher her thoughts.

It was clear Hanako was not cowering before her brother. There had to be deeper motives behind her behavior.

"Very well…"

For a brief moment, Azari doubted whether Saburo's death was real. Otherwise, why would Hanako, who had always obeyed Saburo, remain so composed?

This was not how a grieving daughter should act.

In their minds, Hanako should have confronted Yorinobu and seized the position of head of Arasaka. But reality did not align with their expectations.

Hanako's calm response to Yorinobu's power grab puzzled Azari. He couldn't determine whether she had a plan of her own or had truly submitted to Yorinobu.

Or perhaps… Hanako Arasaka was waiting for something.

Azari shook his head. Unable to guess her motives, he decided to observe the situation for now.

In the subsequent board discussions, Hanako efficiently handled key corporate matters, including the "Soulkeeper" project and the Daikai power armor tests.

The Soulkeeper project was Arasaka's venture into "AI-digitalized immortality," based on the Relic chip. It promised to fulfill the dreams of wealthy individuals seeking eternal life.

When Arasaka first launched the project, it immediately attracted global elite investments, including European consortiums.

Meanwhile, the Daikai power armor was slated to debut at this year's international weapons exhibition.

However, tests conducted by Adam Smasher revealed it to be a complete failure. No regional warlord would pay for such a suicidal weapon.

"Mr. Azari, please oversee Arasaka's kinetic and technical weapons for this year's international exhibition. As for the Daikai power armor… let's shelve it for now."

Hanako addressed Azari directly, her handling of corporate matters sharp and decisive.