Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 834.44. Returning to the True Master

When Hanako Arasaka stepped into that familiar place again—where she had been placed under house arrest not long ago—the long table was now surrounded by people.

After the negotiations with the new generation of US president came to an end, Arasaka removed the chair that symbolized equality, leaving only the main seat vacant. At this moment, apart from that supreme seat, all the other seats had already been occupied by figures.

"Has Sei-nobu not arrived yet?"

Hanako Arasaka's gaze slowly swept across the conference room. Every face represented the pinnacle of Arasaka's power, but the most crucial person was nowhere to be seen. She did not show any urgency, but calmly walked to the long table and sat down under everyone's watchful eyes.

"Sorry, I'm late."

"Hua Zi? What are you doing here?"

Michiko Arakawa frowned slightly, her gaze piercing Hanako like needles. Though her voice was steady, her right hand quietly reached under the table and pressed a hidden device.

Hanako was unaware of Michiko's movements under the table. She glanced around the room, confirming once again that Arasaka Yorinobu was indeed absent, before fixing her gaze on Michiko's face: "Where is my brother? Why isn't he here?"

In this conference room, only Michiko Arasaka was qualified to speak with her as an equal—therefore, from beginning to end, Hanako's gaze never lingered on anyone else.

Faced with Hanako Arasaka's words, Michiko Arasaka hesitated for a moment before softly saying, "He said we can start without waiting for him."

"Then let's not wait for him, let's begin."

As Hanako Arasaka spoke, she naturally and calmly walked to the head seat. The Arasaka executives sitting on both sides all turned their gazes to her, staring at this woman who should still be imprisoned and who had inexplicably appeared here. Some couldn't help but whisper in confusion, "Start...what?"

Hanako Arasaka looked at the high-ranking official who had spoken and calmly said, "Begin deliberation on the proposal to dismiss Yoriichi and remove him from his position as CEO of Arasaka."

Upon hearing this, many high-ranking officials were stunned, with some even muttering to themselves, "Did I hear that right?"

While everyone was still in shock, Hanako Arakawa calmly took her seat in the main seat in full view of everyone. This action was like a public declaration of sovereignty and control, which made everyone present widen their eyes.

Everyone knows that the head seat at this conference table has always belonged to CEO Arasaka—in the past it was Saburo Arasaka, now it is Yoriyuki Arasaka, and in any case, it should never be Hanako Arasaka's seat.

At this very moment, as she proposed the motion to remove Lai Xuan from office, she calmly took her seat, her intentions were all too clear: she was launching a complete coup.

Although overthrowing one's superior is nothing new within the Arasaka family, and can even be considered a common path to the pinnacle of power, it mostly happens on the periphery of the Arasaka family. A blatant act of usurpation against one's own brother, like that of Hanako Arasaka, is truly unprecedented.

It's important to understand that even the current CEO, Yoriyuki Arasaka, rose to power because of the assassination of Saburo Arasaka. Although many people were dissatisfied with his methods, his actions were at least procedurally sound and followed the rules of succession. However, Hanako Arasaka's actions are now completely breaking those rules.

A dovish board member loyal to Michiko Arasaka frowned at Hanako Arasaka's behavior. He looked at Hanako Arasaka, who was sitting in the main seat, and said in a rather restrained tone, "Hanako, you should give us an explanation."

"I never need to give you any explanation," Hanako Arakawa replied calmly. "Because it is you who should give us an explanation." These ambiguous words made everyone frown, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly froze. Hanako Arakawa's gaze swept over Haruko Arakawa, who was sitting next to Michiko, and then moved slightly back, finally landing on the seat of the person behind Haruko.

“Mingzhi, you sit over there.”

She called out "Mingzhi" but her gaze was seemingly fixed on the briefcase in the other person's hand. Clearly, she had already made the most ruthless plan in mind—even if the miniature nuclear bomb in the briefcase had been activated, she had to ensure that the most key person was eliminated.

Since Arasaka Yoriyuki is not present, then at the very least, Arasaka Michiko and Arasaka Haruko must not leave this place alive.

Faced with Arakawa Hanako's unquestionable words, Akechi's gaze shifted to the person sitting next to Arakawa Haruko—a dark-skinned, white-haired woman with a broom-like hairstyle. Sensing the pressure in Arakawa Hanako's words, she hesitated slightly, but ultimately could not disobey. She could only slowly stand up and silently give up her seat for Akechi.

Although the seat belonged to her according to her status, no matter how she compared herself to the Arasaka family, she couldn't compare, so she had no choice but to obey.

Akechi sat down and took the seat next to Haruko Arasaka. Throughout the entire process, the air in the conference room seemed to freeze, and everyone's eyes were focused on Hanako Arasaka's actions.

Haruko Arasaka remained silent throughout, except for a slight flicker in her eyes when Akechi sat down next to her.

Her peripheral vision seemed to focus on Mingzhi for a moment, but then she seemed to realize something and looked away.

After Akechi was seated, Hanako Arasaka placed the device she carried on the table and spoke in a clear and calm voice: "In these days, I'm sure you all have seen what Yoriyuki has done."
Instead of raising serious questions and taking action regarding military technology in response to his father's murder, he chose to cooperate with the new America—seeking reconciliation and attempting to reach an agreement with the very America his father had hated most. This behavior undoubtedly exposed his incompetence and tendency to compromise.

Her gaze swept across the room as she continued, "After his father's unexpected death, the position he obtained far exceeded the limits of his abilities, and now, this position has become a burden for him."

For Arasaka's sake, for his father's sake, he must relinquish power today, allowing this position to return to the hands of someone truly fit to wield it.

"Back to the right people?" A hawk finally couldn't hold back and interrupted sarcastically, "Back to you, Hua Zi? Do you really think you can shoulder this responsibility? That's far too arrogant—on what basis? Just because you haven't even stepped out of the mansion in all these years?"

“It’s not about returning it to my hands,” Hanako Arakawa’s voice was calm but carried an undeniable weight. “I also know that I am not qualified to bear such a heavy responsibility. What I did was to return Arakawa to its true owner.”

"The real master?" The hawkish member who had launched the attack spoke with a tone full of doubt and sarcasm.

“My father, Saburo Arakasaka.”

Hua Zi's words were like a boulder thrown into still water, creating a silent shock across the entire conference table, leaving everyone stunned in an instant.

What is she saying? Saburo Arasaka?!
But Saburo Arasaka is already gone!
Just as everyone was stunned by these astonishing words, the device Hua Zi had placed on the conference table suddenly lit up, and a faint blue light was projected out, quickly condensing into shape in the air—a clear holographic image slowly appeared in front of everyone.

(End of this chapter)