"Kang Tao?"
Hearing Saburo's words, Hanako narrowed her eyes, unable to understand his reasoning.
"Father, Axel doesn't have a single implant, not even a biochip.
That means the only enhancement method available to him would be biotechnology.
Everyone knows Kang Tao has captured roughly thirty-five percent of the high-end smart weapon market in recent years, causing significant losses to our profits. However, their biotechnology division is nowhere near capable of creating someone like Axel.
In fact, I doubt even Biotechnica could produce a weapon on Axel's level. Considering there are no records of him anywhere, I suspect he's a clone whose appearance has been altered.
As for his East Asian features, they were most likely designed intentionally to mislead us.
Father, I admit that Kang Tao and the nation supporting it are among our greatest enemies, but we shouldn't connect every unusual development to them."
"Enough."
Saburo Arasaka abruptly cut her off, his expression devoid of emotion.
Meeting her father's gaze, Hanako instinctively swallowed and lowered her head, choosing not to continue.
Beside her, Michiko Arasaka smiled faintly and gently took Hanako's arm.
"Grandfather, Aunt Hanako is only concerned about Axel's background. Everything she does is for the family and the corporation. I don't think she's done anything wrong."
"Yes. She is never wrong, and neither are you."
Saburo nodded before turning his attention back to the surveillance footage.
Outwardly, he appeared calm, yet a trace of exhaustion lingered beneath the surface.
There was an old saying that names and symbols carried meaning.
Some called it superstition. Others called it faith.
Regardless, as Saburo looked at his daughter and granddaughter and thought of his son, even he couldn't suppress a sense of weariness.
Most corporations were divided into two competing camps. One side eventually prevailed, consolidated power, and guided the company forward.
Arasaka Corporation was different.
Its emblem represented three branches growing from a single trunk.
Three.
The same number reflected in Saburo's own name, one of the reasons he had chosen the symbol decades ago.
Now it felt almost prophetic.
While other corporations struggled between two factions, Arasaka was trapped between three.
Hanako led the traditionalist faction.
Yorinobu, his troublesome son, led the aggressive reformists.
Between them stood the centrists, a group that normally lacked influence in any corporate struggle. Under Michiko's leadership, however, they had become the most stable and stubborn force within the company.
As a result, Arasaka resembled a perpetual three-way deadlock.
Whichever side Michiko supported could gain a temporary advantage.
The problem was that Michiko supported no one except Saburo himself.
And wasn't that precisely what Saburo had intended from the beginning?
Naturally, Hanako and Yorinobu both understood this.
Looking at his daughter and granddaughter, Saburo finally shook his head.
"Where is Yorinobu?"
"Still asleep," Michiko replied with a cheerful smile. "It's not even noon yet, and that's hardly his preferred time to wake up."
Saburo sighed softly.
After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"Send Adam Smasher immediately. He must arrive in Night City within three hours.
The enemy has issued a challenge. Whether we win or lose, Arasaka must respond.
To minimize the consequences of a possible defeat, begin shaping public opinion immediately.
Present this as the ultimate confrontation between the strongest biotechnology creation and the greatest product of cybernetic enhancement.
If Adam Smasher loses, Arasaka will not be the only party affected.
The moment Axel proves that biotechnology can surpass cybernetic augmentation, every corporation invested in cybernetic development will view him as a threat.
With the exception of Biotechnica, every major corporation continues to pursue cybernetic advancement.
If this truly is Biotechnica's work, then they have made a serious mistake.
Attempting to shake the entire cybernetics market with a single biological weapon is far too ambitious."
After speaking, Saburo clasped his hands behind his back and continued watching Axel's image displayed before him.
Michiko immediately left to carry out his orders.
Soon afterward, Adam Smasher received the directive.
After reviewing the footage of Axel, genuine surprise appeared on his face.
He looked toward Michiko.
"Biotechnology can really achieve this?"
His gaze dropped toward his heavily modified mechanical body.
Noticing his reaction, Michiko smiled.
"What is it, Adam? Regretting your decision to walk the path of cybernetics?"
"No."
A cold grin spread across Smasher's face.
"Not even slightly.
I'm excited because I've finally found worthy prey.
As for which path is superior, I'll prove that mine is the right one.
Everything he accomplished at Konpeki Plaza, I could have done as well.
I've achieved far greater feats on battlefields across the Middle East, and you know that better than anyone, Miss Michiko."
His confidence wasn't unfounded.
Adam Smasher possessed the power to tear through armies.
Equipment like the Arasaka Exoskeleton had already demonstrated overwhelming battlefield dominance, capable of crushing military forces and armored units alike.
And David Martinez, while piloting one of those exoskeletons, had still been utterly overwhelmed by Adam Smasher.
The battle hadn't lasted long at all.
While Smasher's current body lacked the wide-area destructive capability of the Arasaka Exoskeleton, his lethality against individual targets was on an entirely different level.
Watching Axel's performance, Smasher had reached only one conclusion.
The man was worth fighting.
There was only one concern.
"Miss Michiko, have we determined the limits of his durability?
The Chimera's energy beam couldn't even break his skin.
If that's the case, my standard plasma weaponry will be useless.
I'll need access to the heavy weapons arsenal.
If I'm fighting him, blunt-force weapons will likely be more effective."
As he spoke, excitement flashed across his face.
It had been years since he had felt this way.
Ever since killing Johnny Silverhand and later defeating Morgan Blackhand, no opponent had managed to ignite his fighting spirit.
But Axel was different.
Remembering the slaughter at Konpeki Plaza, Smasher clenched his fists.
Biotechnology.
What an interesting development.
This battle might become the ultimate clash between biotechnology and cybernetic enhancement.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
He would not lose.
He could not lose.
Never.
===
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