The battle between Ninja Slayer and Hell Kite was extremely fierce, as was the clash between Arasaka Corporation and Soukaiya. As for Jenkins's life or death? No one cared.
In a certain laboratory under Arasaka Corporation, this was the true secret location. Saburo Arasaka had brought Lucy here, after all, a place like Arasaka Tower was too conspicuous and easily attacked.
Half a day had passed, and Lucy still ignored Saburo Arasaka, but he wasn't in a hurry. He had plenty of lifespan left; he had time to wear her down.
However, he soon spotted a turning point. His subordinate handed him a video clip.
"This is...? David? He didn't die after all?"
Ninja Slayer's activity had naturally caught Arasaka Corporation's attention. Whether intentionally or not, he had removed his mask, revealing David's face.
Fake death? Or resurrection from the dead?
It didn't matter either way. Saburo Arasaka turned and headed to the secret chamber holding Lucy.
It wasn't a dim room, but a 'cage' made of massive amounts of metal with dozens of layers of protection. The interior, however, was a luxurious space that could satisfy nearly any of her needs.
Fine red wine, genuine organic food, real meat—even a television.
"I already told you, I'm not going to help."
Lucy saw him and lazily lounged on the sofa, watching a late-night program—the European Space Agency's moon tourism promo. It was early morning here, but not there.
Saburo Arasaka didn't mind the minor waste. If Lucy agreed, he could give her treatment on par with Hanako Arasaka.
The power of a Mythic-grade ninja wasn't something just anyone could bear. Death Ninja's possession was worth his investment.
Unfortunately, success was tricky; at least in the short term, there was little hope. Their previous hostile actions had thoroughly offended her.
Saburo Arasaka had even planned to keep her penned up like this for a few years, using capital to erode her will until she was fully accustomed to this life. Then it would be time to negotiate terms.
After all, it was easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury to frugality. Saburo Arasaka had seen too many people abandon everything for money; his grasp of human nature was world-class.
But now he had a better option. Saburo Arasaka ignored Lucy's threatening glare and sat on the sofa opposite her.
"Miss Lucy, you wouldn't want anything to happen to your David, would you?"
A video transmission request popped up. Lucy quickly saw David's face; she had long known he wasn't dead.
"What are you trying to say?"
Lucy hadn't expected David to expose himself so soon.
"Help me extract the Ninja Soul, and I'll pay you five hundred million eurodollars. Otherwise, this will be the new bounty."
Still the same demand—Saburo Arasaka's intentions unchanged.
First resolve the Ninja Soul issue and become a True Ninja; everything else could wait.
David's current state was obvious at a glance: either he had become a True Ninja or been possessed by a Ninja Soul. Either way, his strength had improved further.
Without that 'blood feud,' cooperating with Saburo Arasaka didn't seem so bad.
Lucy pondered briefly, weighing the pros and cons, then agreed.
"No problem. I can help you extract the Ninja Soul, but you can't target me or David anymore."
"Rest assured, as a businessman, my credibility is what I value most."
Saburo Arasaka's lips curved slightly. He truly had no intention of breaking the deal; anything solvable with money wasn't an issue.
"Then when can we start? Just so you know, this is my first time trying; I can't guarantee success on the first go..."
"Now."
"?"
Lucy looked at Saburo Arasaka in confusion.
"I said, we can start now, right here."
Saburo Arasaka said seriously, forcibly suppressing his inner excitement.
With his words, the originally cozy little room began to change. The sofa, TV, and table all retracted, and the surrounding metal walls opened, revealing massive equipment hidden within the dozens of meters of metal.
The entire room had been deliberately prepared by Saburo Arasaka from the start. It wasn't a prison, but an indestructible super survival bunker—even ninjas would struggle to breach it.
"Click."
The door locked shut again. Takemura entered, gripping the cursed blade 'Beppin.' In just one night, his aura had grown much stronger; clearly, he had taken down plenty of enemies.
"Don't try any tricks, Miss Lucy. I'm sure you're smart enough not to do anything foolish."
Takemura's first words were a threat. Someone had to play good cop while he played bad cop.
"I'm not that stupid."
Lucy eyed the 'Beppin' in his hand warily. That blade harbored numerous Ninja Souls, all absorbed after being slain—no chance even for Kinkaku.
"Then I'll begin."
Lucy had Saburo Arasaka lie on the medical chair, then closed her eyes. Cherry-colored light glowed.
This was Death Ninja's unique Karate energy.
Though it was her first time using it, it felt instinctive. Lucy sensed the Ninja Soul within Saburo Arasaka—a very weak one.
Without resistance, wielding the 'death' authority, she guided it to the depths of the other shore. Such instinct quickly led her to unleash the power.
The cherry light grew brighter, illuminating the entire room. Takemura instinctively gripped 'Beppin' tighter; at any sign of trouble, he would draw and intervene.
'Ah... Aba...'
A wail from the soul, inaudible to normal ears—only souls could hear it. The unknown Ninja Soul was directly yanked from Saburo's body by Lucy!
It was formless 'black' mist, invisible to the naked eye or any optical instruments—that was the soul, the Ninja Soul!
Without hesitation, Lucy clenched her fist, popping it like a balloon and causing it to burst and scatter.
'Sayonara—'
The Ninja Soul cried out as it exploded and scattered, followed by a profusion of cherry blossoms. Death Ninja's power guided it to Kinkaku, manifesting vast petals.
Saburo Arasaka felt the 'restriction' within him lift. Years of honed Karate surged—rising wildly! Exploding upward!
It was the Flower Viewing Ritual! Death Ninja's cherry blossoms had let him complete it!
Lucy gained insight too, sustaining her power once more. Cherry blossoms scattered throughout the room.
Saburo Arasaka's long accumulation had already filled him with ample ether. A capitalist's alienated mindset was no mortal's; the transformation raced ahead!!
Karate energy channeled supernatural force, forming his new garb: standard, rigid black ninja attire, matching his stodgy thinking.
"Domo, Arasaka Ninja desu."
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