Delamain's cab pulled up at the base of the Glen District apartment complex. Leo didn't get out immediately. Instead, he activated his scanner. A ripple of red light spread outward. His own apartment showed no signs of life. But Leo didn't let his guard down—there was always a chance someone could have used anti-scan cloaking to mask themselves. He shared his concern with V and Jackie. After gearing up, the three of them entered the building and took the elevator up.
A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened again, and the three of them stepped out—having thoroughly checked every inch of Leo's apartment.
It really was empty. No one had been lying in wait.
Next was Jackie's place. It took almost an hour, but they inspected it top to bottom, even making a stop at El Coyote Cojo to ensure no one was staking out either Jackie's home or Mama Welle's bar. Everything was clear.
Last on their checklist was V's home—the megatower in Little China.
Swoosh—the automatic door slid open.
As usual, Leo led the way, with V and Jackie covering the rear. Compared to Leo's apartment, V's home was much smaller. A single glance took in the entire living room, plus a weapons locker and a bathroom. The living room was exactly as V had left it—nothing out of place.
But then, the weapons locker door creaked open.
A man stepped out.
The years had carved weathered lines into his resolute features. His hair, tied back into a traditional topknot, was a mix of black and gray.
"First time meeting. My name is Takemura Goro, former attendant to Saburo Arasaka, and now retainer to Yorinobu Arasaka," he said, his accent thick with a formal, almost comically exaggerated Japanese intonation. "I have questions for you. Cooperate, and you may avoid unnecessary suffering."
Retainer? In Japan, a retainer wasn't just a bodyguard. They carried enormous authority, even able to speak in their lord's stead at times. Leo couldn't help but wonder—was this visit personally authorized by Yorinobu?
"You've been waiting here long?" Leo asked calmly, stepping forward to shield V and Jackie behind him.
"Not long. I only just arrived," Takemura replied. He eyed them. "Your security measures were impressive. It took considerable effort to find you."
"But you found us in the end," Leo said, locking eyes with him.
"Of course. In Night City, no one escapes Arasaka's grasp." Takemura's exaggerated accent would have been laughable under different circumstances, but right now, none of them were smiling.
"Saburo Arasaka is dead. But it wasn't us."
"I do not believe a single word from a suspect who has not undergone interrogation," Takemura answered bluntly.
"So you're saying we don't have a choice?"
"I am aware you defeated Adam Smasher. But if you think I am some mere mercenary, you are gravely mistaken."
Leo said nothing.
Then, both sides moved at once.
Takemura's left hand gripped the hilt of his katana at his waist, but instead of drawing it, his right hand, hidden in his pocket, whipped out a tech pistol and opened fire.
Leo swung the silver briefcase forward, using it as a shield.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Bullets struck the case, sparking bright flashes of light. Meanwhile, V and Jackie, protected behind Leo, split left and right, firing at Takemura as they moved.
And then, something unbelievable happened.
Takemura didn't even flinch. His exposed face and hands darkened as nanomachine particles covered his skin. Bullets bounced off him, bursting into showers of sparks.
Long ago, Takemura had undergone full-body enhancements, embedding nanomachines throughout his body. They provided far stronger defense and regeneration than standard subdermal armor. After all, he had once been Saburo Arasaka's personal retainer.
Weaklings didn't earn such a position.
Takemura moved like a bolt of lightning, lunging straight at Jackie.
Jackie barely managed to cross his arms in front of him.
Clang!
The katana "Kakure" slammed against Jackie's powered arm bracers. Jackie was thrown backward like a rag doll, crashing through a table and smashing it into pieces.
Takemura pressed forward—but suddenly sensed a fierce gust of wind behind him.
This time, it was different.
His expression shifted. He turned, raising an arm to block.
Clang!
Leo's blade collided with Takemura's nanomachine-clad arm, sending a shower of sparks flying like a welder's torch.
Takemura's face twisted in pain—he could feel the damage piling up fast. That one blow had consumed more nanomachine resources than the entire prior barrage of gunfire.
Leo pressed the advantage, forcing Takemura back.
His boots scraped against the floor, gouging scorch marks into the ground.
Takemura stared in shock.
Leo had changed—he was now fully suited up in the Falchion exoskeleton.
"So this is the power you used to defeat Adam Smasher? Whose orders are you following? Kang Tao? Militech? GlobalNet?"
For the first time, Takemura felt like he might have stumbled into a corporate war far bigger than he had anticipated. Leo's armor wasn't any standard gear—it was something no ordinary merc could get their hands on.
There was only one explanation: Leo had sold his soul to a megacorp in exchange for their backing.
Leo shook his head. "I work for no corporation. I live only for myself."
Takemura didn't reply, but his disbelieving eyes said enough.
Not that it mattered.
Leo wasn't here to convince him of anything.
Takemura's mission was to drag them back to Yorinobu.
Leo's eyes caught a glint of red on Takemura's body.
Sniper laser sights.
Shit.
"Down!" Leo roared, tackling V toward the nearest window.
Bang bang bang!
Gunfire ripped through the apartment windows, glass exploding inward. Bullets chewed the air into shreds.
Leo shielded V with his own body, rolling to cover her.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Takemura had also dropped low by the windowsill.
The nanomachines that had coated his head and hands had vanished.
At first glance, it looked like the nanomachine's time limit had simply run out.
But only Takemura knew the truth— they hadn't timed out.
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