This implies that either he has no interest in certain people trying to contact him, or Arasaka Yoshinobu lacks the confidence to evade Saburo's surveillance and connect with outsiders.
But he decided to come to Night City in person—now that's interesting. Just as someone in Night City is trying to find ways to contact him, Arasaka Yoshinobu still chooses to come, despite the risk of being suspected by Arasaka Saburo...
Others might suspect whether he was fishing, and question if this guy had actually colluded with Saburo Arasaka from the start.
But Mercer is certain that Yoshinobu Arasaka came with some hope. He may not be able to take the initiative, but he surely is prepared to meet certain people.
Even if he isn't, Mercer wants to try to persuade him. At least in the original storyline, it was through some unknown way that the internet supervision convinced him to bring Silverhand's Relic to Night City.
If the internet supervision could do it, then Mercer believes he might as well—despite the vast difference in power, he also has advantages that the internet supervision lacks.
He can genuinely negotiate with Silver Hand and Ultraman, and he truly dares to strike against Saburo Arasaka.
"So, our goal is to find a way for you to meet with Arasaka Yoshinobu? Or throw something like... a walkie-talkie, a disposable phone, into his hands?"
V looked at Mercer, while Mercer fell into deep thought. After pondering for a moment, he said, "It's challenging to persuade Arasaka Yoshinobu just by talking over the phone."
"What do you plan to persuade him about?" Mann asked with some confusion, "What kind of agreement do you want to reach with him?"
"Yes, I hope he can bring out the Relic Chip containing Johnny Silverhand. In exchange, we'll help him kill Arasaka Saburo."
After Mercer finished speaking, not only Mann but even Pira exclaimed.
Pira raised a hand, exaggeratedly saying, "So our goal is to resurrect a rock star who died decades ago in a nuclear explosion? For this, we have to kill the most powerful man on this planet for decades?"
"Johnny Silverhand is just a catalyst." Mercer calmly responded, "He's a bargaining chip."
He looked at everyone and did not hide his thoughts, speaking directly, "Do you know about Arasaka Yoshinobu?"
"Uh, I just know he's pretty much nailed on as the next leader of Arasaka." Jack scratched his head.
The rest of them had only limited knowledge about Yoshinobu.
"It seems none of you know that decades ago, Arasaka Yoshinobu was a known anti-corporate, anti-capitalist freedom fighter."
Mercer's words left everyone in disbelief for a moment.
"If, in the past New America, the typical figure openly opposing Arasaka and corporations was Johnny Silverhand,
Then in Japan, the representative was Arasaka Yoshinobu.
He once left the Arasaka Clan, even formed an organization called 'Steel Dragon'. It comprised some of Japan's rebellious youth, but they could also be called a group of freedom fighters.
Arasaka Yoshinobu channeled stolen Arasaka secrets, equipment, and funds into Steel Dragon, openly opposing Arasaka. Eventually, such ingratitude angered Arasaka Saburo, who ordered his brother, Arasaka Kei, to execute Yoshinobu.
At that time, Arasaka had just acquired the Soulkiller Program. Perhaps you don't know that the first high-ranking executive executed internally with the Soulkiller was Arasaka Yoshinobu..."
Mercer drew out the tone, then changed direction as he spoke, "His double."
"After Johnny Silverhand blew up the Arasaka Tower in Night City, he surprisingly persuaded Arasaka Kei at the time to commit suicide... Yes, after the tower exploded, this guy felt that he had tarnished the family honor and was deeply remorseful, and then he committed seppuku."
Mercer shrugged, then continued, "The Fourth Corporate War ended there, however, those who assumed Arasaka Yoshinobu was dead were shocked when he suddenly appeared at his brother's funeral.
At the funeral, he nearly kowtowed to Arasaka Saburo in repentance, and finally, with the plea from his sister Hanako, Saburo spared his life, allowing him to return to the corporation.
In the decades that followed, he began masquerading as a qualified heir, rallying factions, but in fact, in his heart, he remained a justice warrior longing for the company's destruction."
After Mercer finished, he observed the group as they tried to digest the plethora of secrets, then he shifted the conversation back to the original topic.
"So, I need him to hand over Johnny Silverhand—as his bargaining chip."
"On the surface, it seems I'm just asking for a Relic Chip, but in reality, once Arasaka Yoshinobu delivers Silverhand, it signifies he has once again betrayed Arasaka Saburo, completely putting himself in opposition.
After enduring for decades, will Yoshinobu still opt to bow and apologize to Saburo? And will Arasaka Saburo forgive him again?"
After Mercer finished, Sasha rested her chin thoughtfully and said, "You mean to use Silverhand's consciousness in the Relic to push Arasaka Yoshinobu entirely against Arasaka Saburo?"
"That's right." Mercer firmly answered, "The terror instigated by Arasaka Saburo constantly erodes his courage. Without a push, he might just obediently wait till the old man dies of old age...
But he can't wait, I need to convey this to him and solidify his determination."
Lucy gently rubbed her brow, saying, "So we just help him solve Saburo without any compensation, and help him ascend?"