Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 824, Section 34: Biological Experiments, KK
"Mingzhi, how much do you know about biological experiments?"

After arranging the interception of the pursuers, Akechi, along with Oda Santao and Arasaka Hanako, got into the pre-prepared vehicle. Just as the door closed, Arasaka Hanako's sudden words made Akechi's heart clench.

Even the usually calm and collected Akechi couldn't help but feel a little nervous when he heard Hanako Arasaka's sudden question.

This was not without reason—just recently, he had taken on a commission involving biotechnology, which happened to be closely related to biological experiments.

That was work he did under another identity.

As a prisoner, Hanako Arasaka, at the crucial moment of being successfully rescued and about to leave the villa, unexpectedly brought up something directly related to his previous mission. Such a precise coincidence made Akechi feel uneasy. He almost subconsciously began to think about whether something was wrong and whether his identity had been exposed.

Just as Akechi was quickly thinking about whether he had slipped up somewhere, or whether his previous arrangements had been seen through by Arasaka Hanako, Arasaka Hanako took his silence as a kind of predicament.

She tilted her head slightly, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows in the sunlight streaming in from outside the car, and a thoughtful smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

“It seems you haven’t been involved in this area much.” Her voice paused deliberately, as if giving him room to explain and assess the situation. “But that makes sense, your resume doesn’t show much work or participation in related experiments.”

Hanako Arasaka's voice carried an almost deliberate understanding; her tone was so gentle that it didn't sound like the tone of a superior, but rather like a subtle reassurance.

Clearly, she was satisfied with Mingzhi's performance—at least on the surface. So even when he made mistakes in areas where he was not good at something, she did not show any sign of criticism. Instead, she used this almost tolerant attitude to subtly bring them closer together.

But Mingzhi was not flattered by this deliberate display of closeness. On the contrary, his nerves remained taut like a bowstring, and his thoughts turned to deeper deductions in a flash.

'So it wasn't exposed after all. It just happened that biological experiments were mentioned?' He quickly adjusted his expression, a perfectly timed apologetic smile curving his lips, and replied in a low voice, 'I'm very sorry, Miss Hua, it was my lack of preparation.'

——Biological experiments.

It's too much of a coincidence. No, rather than a coincidence, it's more accurate to say that he may have stumbled upon the most crucial secret of the Pheasant Faction.

His gaze subtly lifted as he bowed his head in apology, catching every subtle change in Hua Zi's face through the gaps in his eyelashes—the curve of his eyebrows, the tremor of his eyes, even the rhythm of his breathing.

She was observing him, and he was observing her in return.

'Has this the final step after confirming my loyalty? Is she finally going to let me know the real secret?'

His thinking didn't stop; on the contrary, it became even faster.

'But why biological experiments?' he pondered to himself. 'While Arasaka can't be said to have dabbled in that area, his experience in biological experiments is indeed weaker compared to biotechnology. Even if there's something important, it shouldn't be brought up at this crucial juncture when we've just escaped a predicament.'

Akechi knew perfectly well what the most logical thing to do right now was. 'Arasaka Hanako should be focusing on how to deal with her brother, Arasaka Seigen,' unless… Akechi's eyes understood something, 'unless this matter was truly so important that it transcended factional struggles, so important that it took precedence over confronting Seigen.'

It seems that after confirming my loyalty, they had to inform me of these core secrets immediately so that I could assist in handling the matter later.

Mingzhi concluded to himself, 'Otherwise, he would never have brought it up at such a sensitive time.'

But what kind of things do biological experiments involve?
Even if he and Sei-nobu had deduced that Saburo's digital life might exist, it shouldn't be related to biological experiments. It seems things are more complicated than they imagined.
Could it be that Saburo Arasaka has some kind of secret clone? Having already become a digital life form, he has given up his obsession with being complete and intends to only pass on his will. So he wants to use his clone as a base to insert his digital life and re-born 'Saburo Arasaka'?
Akechi considered this possibility. If so, then this matter was indeed more important than factional struggles. After all, if a 'true' faction leader like Saburo Arasaka was not around, then there would be no point in talking about the struggle. This is the same reason why the Pheasant Faction was willing to pay so much to rescue Hanako Arasaka.

As Akechi pondered the possibility of a clone of Saburo Arasaka, Hanako Arasaka once again posed a new question in that enigmatic, riddle-like manner characteristic of those in positions of power:

“Mingzhi, have you heard of KK?”

"KK?"

Wisely made his facial muscles stiffen slightly at the right moment, and his pupils contracted imperceptibly for a moment.

“Miss Hanako refers to…” He carefully drew out the last syllable, his eyes maintaining a carefully crafted mix of confusion and curiosity. When he caught the confirmation signal flashing in Arasaka Hanako’s eyes, Akechi perfectly timed his next sentence: “…that legendary mercenary KK?”

"It seems you know him well."

“As a member of the counterintelligence department, this is my duty.” Mingzhi’s fingertips seemed to unconsciously rub the cufflinks of his suit, revealing a tense attitude. “Moreover, it’s someone like KK—even if I blindfold myself and plug my ears, his information will still seep in through every crack.”

"It seems that even you, who have only been in Night City for a short time, have been deeply influenced by him."

Seeing Akechi's tension and stiff expression, Arasaka Hanako nodded slightly: "I'm talking about him."

That's him.
Akechi combined the two questions that Arasaka Hanako had asked him, and put them together.

Biological Experiments, KK
What is the connection between these two things? If we were to combine them, I really can't think of any link.

Just as Akechi was contemplating whether he should ask her questions as her subordinate, Arakasaka Hanako clearly didn't intend to continue the conversation with him in this manner.

Through several tentative conversations, Hanako Arasaka solidified her impression of Akechi. He was indeed a very proactive person, and she could already glean some information about someone as thoughtful as him.

"Follow the route I just entered into the vehicle. It's time for you to see some important secrets."

(End of this chapter)