Arasaka Yoshinobu's expression was somewhat complicated as he spoke: "I feel it's highly likely that my father entrusted Hanako with his affairs, for example, if he were to be found dead, the Relic plan would immediately initiate using backed-up consciousness data for revival...
Mercer, I'm now only the nominal primary heir, but my actual control over the company is still insufficient."
V crossed his arms, looking a bit annoyed: "So, are we saying we need to deal with another Divine Chariot? Didn't you guys only have one Divine Chariot?"
"No, of course not. Near the Sea of Japan, on a small island, there's a standalone super server using seawater for cooling. That's where Arasaka's original Divine Chariot is stored.
In fact, the Divine Chariot in Night City today is merely the new data transferred in after construction. The old Divine Chariot still exists, and I suspect that's where my father made the backup."
Arasaka Yoshinobu looked at Mercer, saying: "Even if I wanted to use remote weapons to destroy the Divine Chariot there directly, I'm afraid it would be too late to stop Hanako. If everything follows my worst-case prediction… my father may be preparing for resurrection now."
Mercer put down the soda can, sitting on the sofa, looking at Yoshinobu, and after a moment, he said straightforwardly: "Looks like I don't have a choice, do I? Letting that old guy resurrect, he'll definitely come after me afterwards.
I'll take this job, as compensation, Arasaka should be ready for some bloodshed in the subsequent business negotiations."
"No problem." Arasaka Yoshinobu agreed without hesitation and then volunteered: "Now, I can somewhat provide some help for you. If needed..."
"There is." Mercer wouldn't be polite to him but was straightforward: "I'll quickly find out where Saburo might be, and then you cooperate with me to ensure Saburo disappears completely this time.
After that, I demand that including Takemura and Adam's Hammer, all be executed—I won't leave any existence that might harbor hostility against us.
As for Hanako… I know your past with her is quite complicated, so I won't force you, but you must ensure afterward that she'll be directly ousted from Arasaka's factions and become a caged bird."
Mercer's words left Yoshinobu silent for a moment, but finally, he just nodded: "I promise. Now, I'll simultaneously dispatch Arasaka agents to keep an eye on agents including Adam's Hammer and Takemura, executing internal termination.
As for Hanako... I won't let her screw things up."
Mercer didn't care much about this, just said: "Once I locate Saburo's position, I'll inform you, and then come up with an execution plan."
"Understood." After receiving Yoshinobu's response, Mercer decisively stood up.
"Let's go to your Divine Chariot in Night City now, settle it early, and I'll feel a bit relieved."
Mercer thoughtfully said: "By the way, if possible... after the Divine Chariot is done being useful, how about letting me use such a good server?"
"...Do you know how much this thing costs?" Arasaka Yoshinobu looked at Mercer's expression, sighed, and then smiled: "If everything goes smoothly... I'll gift you one."
"Whoa, Arasaka indeed, this isn't a regular super-sized server... However, now I truly feel you are much stronger than Saburo."
Mercer smiled as he and Yoshinobu left the Ganbi Building, together they took a hovercar to Arasaka, unlike the game where you need to fight your way through, now, with Yoshinobu's cooperation, he entered the facilities housing the Divine Chariot without any obstacles.
Then, he picked up a chip, weighed it in his hand for a moment, and without hesitation inserted it into the Divine Chariot Server's interface.
Not a second later, Ultraman's message came through.
[Ultraman: Detected Divine Chariot's data signal... Mercer, is everything sorted?]
[Mercer: Stop pretending, you must've been watching me all along. Hurry up and finish your stuff; afterward, we can talk about other things.]
[Ultraman: Seems you misunderstand me deeply—I don't have time to watch you. By the way, Bartmos is done recently too, Spider Murphy proposes we meet again to chat about the future, how about it?]
[Mercer: Let's talk then, but after I'm done with the real-life matters, like resurrecting Silver Hand?]
[Ultraman: You seem quite fond of that annoying guy. I'd say just hand him over to me.]
[Mercer: Annoying guys also have their uses; I plan to let him be a rock star again, and incidentally be my brand spokesman.]
[Ultraman: Suit yourself, when he turns Night City upside down, you'll regret not handing him to me today.]
[Mercer: I won't regret it—let's bring this idiot back, Night City needs a rebellion, I'm ready to light a fire here.]
[Ultraman: Hmm, destruction indeed suits him well.]
Mercer watched the briefcase V was holding.
Johnny Silverhand's Relic Chip was quietly lying there.
A rock child... giving him to Rogue, can be considered repaying the help Rogue provided when he first came to Night City.
As for Saburo's resurrection?
Mercer doesn't actually worry much.
Because...
In his hands, he still holds a complete, true consciousness data body belonging to Saburo himself—after going back for interrogation, by then, everything about Arasaka will be an open book for Mercer.
Once Ultraman has settled all the Divine Chariot data, Mercer turns to Yoshinobu, suddenly making an unexpected request to him.
"Although the cooperation hasn't officially started, I feel that my company's new phase can already start preparations. I need a grand company building, and also a capable group of employees to help expand the empire."
"The company building is easy, as for the employees... do you want fresh graduates, or Arasaka's business backbone from around the world?" Yoshinobu looked at Mercer.
"I need some elite to help me build the company's framework from scratch first. Personnel can be fluidly adjusted later; Dog Town's overall personnel quality is too poor. I don't have time to train them myself so I can only pick what's ready-made and adjust slowly later."
Mercer said.
Arasaka Yoshinobu suddenly glanced at V instinctively.
He remembered Mercer previously even recommended a newbie agent from Arasaka's counterintelligence department, also named Valerie, right?
Heh...
"No problem, we'll discuss further later on." Yoshinobu curled the corner of his mouth, speaking meaningfully: "Just some employees, I'll ensure you're satisfied by then."
Mercer's brows raised, he turned to look at him.
Just feels... this guy seems to have something behind his words?