Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 827, Section 37: Saburo Arakasaka is still alive.
After accompanying Hanako Arasaka on her inspection of the laboratory, Akechi, who already knew the core secret of the 'Pheasant Faction,' offered her advice.

“Miss Hanako,” Akechi said, “the experiment is not yet complete. Shouldn’t we use this to gain the support of other people who desire immortality? Shouldn’t we temporarily avoid the limelight and conceal our whereabouts until the experiment succeeds? It’s not too late to deal with Arasaka Yorinobu once we have the necessary leverage to win.”
Considering he will undoubtedly send people to search the area after you escape, to ensure your safety and the secrecy of the laboratory, we should immediately return to the island.

The wise suggestion is impeccable.

North America has long been within the sphere of influence of Arasaka Yorinobu and Arasaka Michiko. With the members of the 'Pheasant Faction' constantly being suppressed, continuing to linger in the enemy's territory would be tantamount to suicide.

The laboratory itself might be able to remain hidden for the time being by using the strategy of 'the most dangerous place is the safest,' but if Arasaka Hanako also stays here, the situation will be completely different—once Yoriyuki realizes that she has not returned to the main island, he will inevitably launch a carpet search of North America.

At that time, thanks to his partnership with the new US President Rosalind Myers, finding Hua Zi's whereabouts would likely be effortless for him.

Akechi continued, "Arasaka Yorinobu may have already noticed, but in the short term he will only focus on blocking the coastline and may not invest too much power on the land route."
I suggest we first travel by land, disguising ourselves as a tribe of wanderers to leave the Night City area, and then use a submarine to try and escape the North American mainland. Only when Miss Hanako returns to the main island will it be time for our formal confrontation with Arasaka Yorinobu.”

Although Arasaka Yorinobu also wields considerable power on the main island, compared to the current perilous situation in North America, returning to the main island would at least give Arasaka Hanako room to maneuver. Once the 'immortality' experiment is fully completed, the situation could be reversed, and it wouldn't be too late to settle things with Arasaka Yorinobu then.

The wise advice certainly came from a loyal heart; however, Hanako Arakawa gently shook her head at his suggestion.

“I cannot leave North America,” Hanako Arasaka said firmly. “Board members from other regions are arriving in Night City one after another—this is the first plenary meeting since Lai Xuan took over as CEO. All senior executives will not only swear allegiance to him, but also hold an accountability and obedience meeting regarding Arasaka’s cooperation with New America.”

She slightly raised her chin, a sharp glint in her eyes: "At that time, all the remaining opposition within Arasaka, the neutral forces that can be won over, and the camps of Yoriyuki and Michiko will all gather together. This is precisely why Yoriyuki was so eager to imprison me earlier—he absolutely cannot allow his biggest opponent to participate in his 'coronation ceremony'."

“Returning to the main island is nothing but a slow death. I must persuade others at this meeting to join forces against Lai Xuan. Michiko is just a fence-sitter. Once she sees Lai Xuan lose power, she will naturally ‘smartly’ choose to side.”

Upon hearing Hanako Arakawa's words, Akechi hesitated slightly before cautiously speaking: "But Miss Hanako, we probably don't have enough leverage to persuade those people right now. The 'immortality' experiment is not yet complete, and the most tempting promise to them remains in the theoretical stage."
Faced with a group of people who are both cowardly and intimidated by Arasaka Yorinobu's power, they are more likely to choose to cooperate with Yorinobu, or even turn their guns on us.

His voice was low and deep, carrying a clear sense of reality: "By then, 'immortality' will just be a matter of changing masters for them. It might be possible to expect these people to add to their good fortune, but it would be too difficult to get them to help in times of need."

“Mikazuchi, your advice is indeed out of loyalty, and I am not unaware of your concerns.” Arakasa Hanako’s voice was calm and resolute. “But if even I cannot persuade them—then what if the true master of Arakasa personally intervenes?”

"The real master?" A hint of confusion lingered in Mingzhi's voice, as if he hadn't quite grasped the meaning behind her words.

“That’s right.” A cold glint flashed across her lips. “Lai Xuan merely used military technology to carry out the assassination, and by sheer luck, he temporarily stole power from the true master.”

He was there indulging in reckless behavior and squandering the family fortune, while the true mastermind was always watching his son's outrageous actions from behind the scenes, ready to personally correct the mistakes he had made during this period.

“Son. Could it be?!” “Father originally wanted to see what Lai Xuan would do after he succeeded to the throne, to test his magnanimity.” Hua Zi sighed softly, but his tone was devoid of any warmth. “But he has been extremely disappointing—he actually sought to cooperate with the new America, and even turned against his own family, imprisoning his own blood relatives;
Now, the father is no longer willing to tolerate it. He is about to appear and end Lai Xuan's absurd farce.

"Lord Sanlang, you're actually unharmed?"

During their conversation, the three of them walked to an elevator. At Hua Zi's prompting, Xiao Tian activated the elevator's access permissions, and then the three of them entered the elevator.

“My father has always been farsighted, and he always has a backup plan for any possible unexpected events.” Hanako Arasaka’s voice was particularly clear in the elevator, and her calm profile was reflected in the metal wall.

"His physical body did indeed stop breathing in that sudden assassination, but his spirit never died. The experiment we are conducting now is to welcome his return—even if it is just a manifestation of his will, it will be enough for those followers to recognize who the true master of Arakasaka is, and thus abandon Yoriyuki, the usurper."

The elevator doors slowly closed, enveloping the three in a small space. Hua Zi watched the numbers descend and continued, "Upon arriving in this filthy land of Night City, I secretly brought out Father's consciousness. He is waiting for us below. Your loyalty has earned Father's approval, Mingzhi—you will soon have the honor of meeting him in person."

"It's my pleasure."

Mingzhi bowed his head slightly, his posture humble and submissive, but from an angle where no one could see him, his gaze suddenly sharpened—he had indeed guessed correctly.

His and Lai Xuan's speculation was correct; Arasaka Saburo was indeed "alive" in some form, at least his consciousness had not yet dissipated.

Hanako Arasaka intends to use this remaining will to unleash a power storm capable of upending the entire Arasaka family.
fortunately.

He successfully infiltrated the core of the Pheasant Faction under the guise of 'Michika', gaining their trust after numerous tests, which they believed to be enough to ensure his loyalty. Otherwise, if Saburo Arasaka and Hanako were to suddenly launch an attack, the situation might really have spiraled out of control.

Fortunately, the entire plan is now under their control.

Next, it's just a matter of waiting for the pheasant to walk into the eagle's trap.

Speaking of which, Johnny seems to still harbor a grudge against Saburo Arasaka.

Dogs love chicken, so Johnny probably won't be a picky eater.

Just don't be possessive of your food.

(End of this chapter)