"Saburo-sama, the board of directors needs you to come over immediately…"
Just after Saburo Arasaka made the decision to dispatch troops to support action against PROJECT in the New United States, a senior Arasaka executive hurried into his office.
Hearing this, Saburo Arasaka frowned. The board was largely made up of his own people. Why would they suddenly summon him? There was nothing he needed to report.
Soon, he arrived at the boardroom. The moment he stepped inside, he sensed something was wrong.
Several directors looked at him with strange expressions.
"What do you want with me?"
He ignored the atmosphere for now and spoke directly.
"It's not that they want something from you, Mr. Saburo. It's me."
Roland smiled at him.
"It's you?!"
The moment he saw Roland, Saburo Arasaka's eyes reddened. Only his self-control kept him from exploding on the spot.
"How did you get in here?!"
He stared at Roland, brows tightly knit.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Roland raised an eyebrow and gestured around the room.
A bad feeling rose in Saburo Arasaka's chest. He quickly scanned the room. Besides the usual board members, there were two completely unexpected faces.
"Yorinobu. What are you doing here?!"
He looked at Yorinobu Arasaka with a cold expression.
Yorinobu stood up calmly.
"Father, you're old. The Arasaka Corporation needs a new direction if it's going to grow. It's time for you to step down."
"Do you even understand what you're saying, Yorinobu Arasaka?!"
Saburo Arasaka's eyes widened as he struggled to suppress his anger.
"Of course, Father."
Yorinobu nodded.
"…Fine. Then let me see what gives you the right to force me out."
Saburo Arasaka took a deep breath and let out a cold laugh.
The Arasaka family held over fifty-four percent of the shares. An absolute majority. The main holders were Saburo Arasaka, Hanako Arasaka, and Kei Arasaka.
After Kei Arasaka's death, part of his shares went to Michiko Arasaka. The board held fifteen percent. Only thirty-one percent remained in circulation.
To surpass that, they would need to gather outside shares and secure defection from either the board or a member of the Arasaka family.
"You really think you've already won. That's unfortunate."
Roland shook his head.
"What do you mean?"
Saburo Arasaka's instincts screamed danger. He looked around again.
One by one, the board members lowered their heads.
"You…?!"
"My apologies, Saburo-sama. But we believe Yorinobu-sama is right. The Arasaka Corporation will eventually pass to him anyway. If he takes control now, PROJECT corp will provide us with extensive technical support."
One of the board representatives stood and spoke calmly.
Saburo Arasaka stared in disbelief.
The real reason behind this shift lay elsewhere.
Hanako Arasaka.
Yorinobu Arasaka's younger sister.
At first, she had opposed him. But after speaking with him, she was convinced. In the end, she chose neutrality. She would not support either side.
There was also another unfamiliar face present. A proxy representing the shares Roland had acquired from Michiko Arasaka.
In other words, the outcome was already decided.
Even if Saburo Arasaka had the board's backing, his shares no longer outweighed Yorinobu Arasaka's side.
Clatter—
Saburo Arasaka's vision went dark. He collapsed once again.
Yorinobu quickly stepped forward and caught him.
"Someone. Take Father to rest."
Personnel rushed in, secured Saburo Arasaka, and carried him out.
Outside the door, Takemura's expression changed. After a brief hesitation, he chose not to intervene and followed Saburo Arasaka out.
"Young Master Yorinobu, what are our next steps?"
Hearing the question, Yorinobu glanced at Roland, who stood off to the side as if this had nothing to do with him.
Then he spoke.
"Deploy forces to support PROJECT. Counter the New United States and the European Space Agency. Use this opportunity to expand our influence within the New United States."
"Understood!"
Roland's lips curved slightly upward. He even began humming, clearly in a good mood.
There was still a risk, though.
Hanako Arasaka had only been persuaded for now. If Saburo Arasaka managed to sway her again, control of Arasaka could shift back.
Everything now depended on how well Yorinobu controlled the board.
The board supported him for several reasons.
First, he was Saburo Arasaka's only son.
Second, his stance within the corporation aligned with their interests. A hardline hawk.
Only after that came the benefits from PROJECT and the campaign against the New United States.
But for now…
Arasaka had been firmly taken.