Chapter 9: History of Arasaka Saburo
Ash wasn't the first to be contacted after the Konpeki Plaza incident. Many corporate fixers had already tried to reach him.
Even executives from within the same megacorp were privately investigating each other.
It wasn't just Ash. Nearly all fixers were being questioned. And among themselves, subtle probing had begun—trying to find out who was responsible.
It had been a long time since Night City witnessed such a high-profile incident—Arasaka's heavily armed AVs descending on the hotel, indiscriminately gunning down everyone in their path.
Public outrage and social unrest skyrocketed, keeping Arasaka's PR division on the brink. The company had only recently solidified its foothold in the U.S., opening up markets across North and South America. They weren't about to be chased out over a single incident.
And as locals, fixers were expected to be the first to pick up on these rumors. If this whole mess had been sparked by someone, it was likely through a fixer. Who else would have the connections?
Ash knew all this, but he wasn't going to turn himself in. Being a fixer might sound glamorous, but it really boiled down to one thing—connecting clients with muscle, and taking a cut. Nothing more.
If Ash disappeared, a thousand others would take his place.
That was the brutal reality of Night City.
Ash dealt with corpo clients all the time—but he never got too close. The wrong knowledge could get you flatlined.
And Ash had survived this long for a reason.
---
"Since you're out of leads, I have a contract for you. If you're interested," Ash said, reaching into his black briefcase. He pulled out a photograph and handed it to Dexter.
"Find this woman. Dead or alive."
The woman in the photo had sky-blue hair and a confident, seductive look. She wore a tight-fitting, glittery top paired with a denim mini-skirt slit high on one thigh. Her makeup was bold—dramatic eyeshadow, thick lashes, and ruby-red lips gave her an air of mystery and allure.
Evelyn Parker.
Dexter recognized her instantly. She was the client who had hired him to steal the relic. And now, she was the one he was supposed to kill.
"Hotel surveillance caught her heading to the top floor. Whether she was involved or not, she is now," Ash said with a smirk. "Every crisis needs a scapegoat, right?"
Dexter was stunned by Ash's ruthlessness. Just being seen near the scene was enough to mark someone for death?
He didn't think Ash knew Evelyn had actually been involved. More likely, he'd just seen the footage and decided she was the easiest person to pin the whole thing on. Typical Arasaka arrogance.
"I don't need to explain how you should proceed," Ash continued. "But let me be clear—I've contacted others. Whoever completes the contract first gets the reward. Dead: 20,000. Alive: 50,000."
Ash stood, smoothed out his coat, and offered a handshake.
"So, Dexter... you in?"
Dexter didn't have a choice. He was planning to find Evelyn anyway. Now, he just had to make sure someone else didn't beat him to it.
He stood and shook Ash's hand.
"Pleasure working with you."
"Pleasure's mine."
---
They left Cloudtop Lounge as the receptionist bid them a warm farewell.
Outside, Ash lit a cigarette and patted Sandayu Oda on the shoulder.
"Job's done. Let's bounce."
Sandayu Oda, who had been sitting quietly, reading, rose from his chair with a small smile.
"That was fast."
"You shouldn't say a man is fast, y'know." Ash joked, then gestured at the green-haired punk slumped over the table. "What's with him?"
"Mouth got dirty, so I let him nap." Oda pouted playfully.
"You're just too damn pretty."
"Hehe, thanks for the compliment."
They both chuckled and walked off. As for the cyberware alert flashing "No Vital Signs" in their optics—they simply deleted it.
---
Meanwhile, Arasaka Yudai had separated from the group and was being led to a traditional Japanese villa.
The courtyard was serene. A winding path lined with bamboo led to a stone bridge arched over a clear mountain stream. The sound of water trickling over rocks created a peaceful ambiance.
In the center stood a thatched-roof pavilion, surrounded by a low stone wall. Inside sat a table and cushions for tea, reflection, or simply admiring the view.
It was an oasis of calm—entirely unlike the chaos of the outside world. The kind of luxury only the top 0.01% could afford.
But Yudai wasn't impressed. He hated being here.
To him, the real world—the vibrant, dangerous life outside—was more alive than this sterile perfection.
Two maids opened the wooden door to the villa.
A woman in a crimson kimono sat with her back to him.
"Come in." Her voice was calm, yet carried unmistakable authority.
Yudai scowled but entered and knelt behind her.
The door closed.
She turned.
Silver-white hair shimmered under the soft lighting. Her youthful face was beautiful—her skin pale as snow, eyes bright and deep, and her expression full of both innocence and something ancient.
"You're back," she said with a gentle smile.
"Michiko..." Yudai frowned. "Why'd you call me back?"
"There's something you need to know." Her expression turned serious.
"Grandfather... is in trouble."
---
Yudai's eyes widened.
"What?! Arasaka Saburo?! What happened?!"
"It's worse than people think," Michiko replied. "The Konpeki incident wasn't just about a stolen relic. Grandfather was attacked... He's in emergency care. The doctors say the odds of survival are low."
Yudai fell silent.
Though he hadn't been close to Saburo, growing up with the legend of the man made the news hard to process.
---
Arasaka Saburo—World War II veteran. Fierce advocate of Bushido and militarism. After Japan's defeat, he contemplated seppuku in shame, but a moment beneath cherry blossoms gave him clarity.
Economy.
Money could rebuild Japan. Money could dominate the world.
He realized then what his father had: wealth was the true battlefield of the future.
Saburo's mind was brilliant. While others drowned in postwar poverty, he saw opportunity. As the Soviet Union collapsed and America weakened, he envisioned a Japanese empire rising again.
Taking over Arasaka Corp, Saburo descended into ruthless ambition—extortion, assassinations, blackmail, espionage. He corrupted politicians, manipulated nations, and turned a small manufacturing company into a corporate empire.
Arasaka didn't just grow—it became Japan's shadow government.
---
"Can I see him?" Yudai asked.
"No," Michiko replied. "The Arasaka sanatorium is sealed. No visitors until the operation ends."
"Not even you?"
"No. But Aunt Hanako will arrive soon. Once she's here, we can enter together."
Arasaka Saburo had three wives, and four children:
Eldest son: Arasaka Kei
Second son: Arasaka Yorinobu
Daughter: Arasaka Hanako
Granddaughter (Kei's daughter): Arasaka Michiko
Hanako, living reclusively in Tokyo, was Saburo's most protected child. Her mother—also named Michiko—died during childbirth. Saburo, broken by the loss of the woman he loved, kept Hanako under constant protection in Arasaka Tower.
Her death also marked the beginning of Saburo's obsession with immortality.
He was convinced that, if he lived long enough, he could reshape the world. A new Japanese dynasty, built on technology, power, and fear.
Yudai sighed, thoughts drifting back to his squad—Aoi's teasing, Takumi Kai's jokes, arm-wrestling with Yue Tanaka, trusting Sandayu Oda, and simply following Ash's orders.
Those days were over.
Arasaka Saburo's fall would set off a storm. Corporate infighting, political backlash, hostile takeovers.
And in the center of it all: Ash.