"Thank you for your help. Without you, we might not have completed the mission."
At Kang Tao's private airport, Shuya gave a solemn salute to Leon Black, her tone filled with sincerity. This mission had opened her eyes. Her entire squad had been wiped out—she was the sole survivor. And all thanks to a mercenary?
That realization was a bitter pill to swallow. As a self-proclaimed elite, it deeply wounded her pride. Determined, she resolved to undergo more intensive military training and add further cybernetic enhancements. She wasn't aiming to surpass Leon, but she at least wanted to survive a direct clash with someone like V.
"Train hard. War can break out at any moment. Survive until the end."
Leon's words were brief, almost offhanded, before he turned and left the airport.
---
Ding-a-ling~ Ding-a-ling~
"Hello? Lord Xuanxiao? What can I do for you?"
"Leon, your actions were a bit over the line. You actually took the classified documents."
Though he was clearly displeased, Xuanxiao's voice remained calm.
"Uh~ You told me to protect the person. As for the documents... I just kept a backup for research," Leon replied sheepishly, scratching his head. "I want to improve myself."
Silence lingered for a moment before Xuanxiao spoke again.
"No one else can know."
"Of course. Rarity is what gives something its value," Leon replied knowingly.
"If you uncover anything useful from the research, I hope you'll share it. Kang Tao will ensure your efforts are rewarded."
With that, Xuanxiao ended the call.
Leon chuckled. "Tsk tsk, as expected of a true power player. So magnanimous."
He watched as the private jet lifted into the night sky, disappearing into the clouds.
---
Night City – Arasaka Waterfront
"You really came, Xiao Tian." Takemura Goro couldn't hide the emotion in his voice as he looked at his former apprentice, now a hardened warrior.
"If you don't give me a good reason, I'll be taking your head back," replied the cyber-ninja coldly, arms crossed.
No explanation could absolve Takemura Goro in his eyes. As Arasaka Saburo's personal bodyguard, his failure to protect his master was an unforgivable disgrace. In Japan's strict culture of loyalty, where a servant should die before their master, Goro's survival was already an offense.
If not for their past as master and disciple, Xiao Tian would've struck him down without a word.
"It was Arasaka Yorinobu who killed the master. At the time—"
Goro recounted the events, spilling the truth as best he knew it. Xiao Tian remained silent, listening intently.
"You're saying Arasaka Yorinobu murdered the master? Based on the word of a rookie thief?" Oda Santao interrupted with a sneer. "Do you really expect anyone to believe that?"
"It's the truth!" Goro snapped. "The master and Yorinobu constantly argued over Arasaka's direction. It's not far-fetched that it ended in violence!"
Xiao Tian's voice turned icy. "You know who the master had chosen to inherit Arasaka? Yorinobu. Why would he kill his own father?"
"Because the conflict escalated! He couldn't control himself!"
Clang—!
Sensing imminent danger, Goro's reflexes kicked in. He drew Jinzong Maru and faced Santao, eyes sharp.
"I knew it would come to this."
"Then surrender and come back with us for judgment!" Santao shouted, dual swords raised. "Maybe Miss Hanako can plead for leniency!"
"Then catch me first!"
Goro parried and launched a powerful thrust.
---
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Inside an abandoned concrete structure, the clash between steel reverberated through the air. The crumbling walls cracked further under the shockwaves. Moonlight pierced through shattered windows, painting fractured light patterns across the floor.
Goro and Santao traded deadly blows, blades clashing at breakneck speed. Sparks burst with each hit, and the very air hummed with tension.
Santao came down with a double-blade strike. Goro spun to the side and used the momentum to slash toward Xiao Tian, hoping to disrupt the rhythm. But Xiao Tian saw it coming. He lifted his foot and kicked the blade aside, then swept his own sword horizontally, unrelenting.
Goro blocked it, his outward composure steady, but his mind was racing. He had prepared for the worst—escape was still on the table. His eyes flicked to a nearby shack.
Xiao Tian noticed the glance.
"You think a few bombs can take me down?" he sneered.
Goro's heart skipped. "How did you know?!"
Xiao Tian smirked. "I am... a cyber-ninja!"
With that declaration, his eyes flared red. His body flickered, becoming nearly intangible. His speed shattered expectations—even Goro's advanced combat instincts couldn't keep up. In seconds, his clothes were shredded, and blood stained his armor.
Gritting his teeth, Goro slipped his left hand into his pocket. He found the detonator and pressed the button.
BOOM!
Half the building collapsed in a massive explosion. Concrete debris flew in all directions.
Santao dove for cover the moment he noticed Goro's subtle movement. As the dust began to settle, he emerged and leapt toward Goro.
But Goro was already gone.
Instead of countering, he had dashed out of the building. It was a desperate move, and Xiao Tian was momentarily caught off guard.
Realizing the deception too late, he raced after him—but by the time he reached the exit, Goro had vanished.
Darkness loomed over the rippling lake nearby. The moonlight danced across its surface, but no trace of Goro could be found. Santao slowly sheathed his blade and muttered into his comms.
---
Oak District – Underground Lab
"How's the harvest?" Leon asked with a grin, watching several blue holographic figures flitting around Lena Fox.
"It went well~" Lena grinned as she reappeared beside him. "We took on Netwatch and eliminated one of their top hackers."
Leon raised an eyebrow, still relaxed. "Minor issue. I expected worse. Anyone hurt?"
"Just a bit of data corruption. Nothing that can't be rebuilt. But Netwatch might come after us hard now."
Leon shrugged and casually pulled a data chip from the back of his neck.
"Then it's time for an upgrade."
Lena's eyes sparkled. "Research data and design blueprints... for bio-chips?!"
"Exactly. And we might've pissed off Kang Tao, too."
Lena laughed. "Seems like I'm not the only troublemaker here."
Leon wagged his finger. "Your ability to stir the pot still needs work. If war's coming, we go all in."
"Then I better double my efforts." Lena nodded with a grin. "Oh, by the way, Arasaka Michiko tried to contact you twice while you were gone. Once about some ceremony invitation, and another time asking about Songbird."
Leon scoffed. "Why does Michiko keep turning to us? Doesn't she have her own elite task force?"
"Maybe she's cautious. Reaching out to someone President Myers personally recruited might avoid drawing attention."
"So we're the decoys?"
"Or the scapegoats."
Leon chuckled. "Either way... let's get ready. The real game's about to begin.".
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