Under V's guidance, Yogan took a quick tour of V's home. To his surprise, the apartment was impressively spacious.
V's apartment had a duplex layout. Each floor had its own bathroom with separate wet and dry areas. Above the living room was a gallery hallway, with five doors leading to four bedrooms and a study.
The ground floor was dominated by a massive living room. Off to the side was an open-plan kitchen and dining area. Facing the living room was a balcony that was nearly half the size of the living room itself.
Yogan found it a bit puzzling. From what he'd seen of V's financial situation earlier, it didn't seem like he could afford a place this big.
V walked ahead, explaining the features of the apartment.
"Although this building is a bit old, the facilities are still decent, the area's pretty safe, and transportation is convenient. This place was left to me by my parents. They passed... rather unexpectedly. If you'd like, I can rent a room to you."
Yogan asked, "V, with a place this size, the property tax must be pretty steep, right?"
V let out a cold chuckle. "We can thank the big shots in parliament for that. They passed the 'Night City Housing Act.' As long as a citizen owns no more than one property, they don't have to pay any tax—no matter the size or layout. Who knows if this was just a convenient loophole the lawmakers wrote for themselves, or if, like they claim, it's truly meant to 'benefit the everyday citizens of Night City.' I just happen to be one of the lucky ones riding along with the perks."
With that, V pushed open the door to one of the bedrooms. The room was fully furnished—with a desk, bed, and wardrobe—but everything was covered in a layer of dusty plastic sheeting, clearly untouched for some time.
"What do you think?"
Yogan thought for a moment. "How much is the rent?"
"A place this size in the Valley District goes for about 330 to 350 euros. I'll charge you 300. But you'll need to buy your own daily essentials."
"Deal."
V had already transferred Yogan's reward to his newly opened account yesterday—around 8000 euros. He decided to rent the place for three months.
"V, how much do I need to pay for the deposit?"
"No need. If you've got some free time, just help with the chores."
Jack was still in the living room. When he saw V and Yogan coming downstairs, he asked, "All settled?"
"All settled," Yogan replied. "But I might need you to take me to the supermarket later to get some necessities."
"Of course, man. I've got nothing else to do anyway. Besides, my baby motorcycle could use a run."
---
Arasaka Tower, Counter-Intelligence Department
In the company plaza, Jenkins sat across from Akisame Setsugekka, who stood empty-handed. His tone was laced with dissatisfaction.
"V, unless I'm mistaken, didn't you say you had found a key lead? And now you're telling me you came back with nothing?"
Setsugekka's expression and voice were perfectly calm. "Yes, Director."
Jenkins was amused by her boldness. "Hah. So even Tokyo's so-called 'elite' can slip up. And here you are, carrying the Akisame name..."
Setsugekka cut him off without hesitation. "I found evidence that Abernathy ordered Intelligence agents to silence my contact."
Jenkins was about to snap at her for the interruption, but the mention of his long-time rival Abernathy made him swallow his anger.
"Hmm. Tell me everything. What happened?"
Setsugekka altered a few details and reported what she had seen on Crescent Street.
"Yesterday, I tracked down my contact's address. On the way to Crescent Street, I noticed I was being tailed. I used a few tricks to shake them off... then found my contact already dead in their office. Two Arasaka Intelligence agents were searching the place. The people tailing me were Abernathy's men... Once I confirmed all this, I returned."
Jenkins listened intently, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
After a long silence, Jenkins looked up. "You didn't get the most crucial evidence, but... not bad, V. Send me a copy of everything you collected. I'll be reporting to the board shortly. You're dismissed."
Setsugekka bowed slightly and turned to leave.
Halfway back to her cubicle, a company employee stopped her.
"Please come with me. Someone wants to see you."
Setsugekka already had a guess who it might be, so she silently followed the guide.
He led her to a garden near the top floor of Arasaka Tower. This rooftop garden was styled in traditional Japanese fashion, filled with exotic flora imported from Japan.
The garden had all the expected elements of a Japanese courtyard, complete with a holographic projection simulating blue skies and white clouds.
Setsugekka had only seen such a garden once before—back in Tokyo, when she met Arasaka Corporation's true leader, Saburo Arasaka.
In a teahouse at the center of the courtyard, a middle-aged man was seated on a cushion, sipping tea. A geisha, kneeling beside him, quietly whisked matcha.
After the guide left, Setsugekka silently approached the man, bowed deeply from behind, and held the pose.
After finishing his tea, the man set down his cup and waved his hand. The geisha stood, bowed to the man, and left without a word.
"Sit, Akisame-san. You're very patient."
"Lord Raishun..."
"No need. I'm not my father. Just call me Raishun."
Setsugekka knelt where the geisha had sat.
"Yes, Lord Raishun."
"Your Japanese is very good."
She remained silent.
"I thought you might resent the Akisame family."
Still, she said nothing.
Raishun gave a wry smile. "You're just like your grandfather, Akisame Hidetō—stern and stone-faced."
"What is Lord Raishun's purpose in summoning me?"
Raishun continued to gaze at the rock garden, seemingly lost in thought. "That's what I should be asking you. I saw the signal you left in the server."
"I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean."
Raishun turned sharply, eyes like daggers behind his glasses, as if piercing into her soul.
The air in the garden seemed to freeze. The shishi-odoshi filled and clacked loudly onto stone.
Setsugekka met his gaze for only a moment, then lowered her head.
"You wiped all traces of the intelligence breach, then left a secret message—meant for me."
"The message was for the person leaking the intel."
Raishun continued to stare.
"So what exactly do you want?"
With that question, Raishun essentially admitted to orchestrating the leak.
"I wasn't sure before. But now that I've met you, I've already achieved my goal."
"I'm curious—why didn't you report this to Saburo? Isn't your family always eager to curry favor with the old man?"
"That's a strange question. Isn't this just another case of a greedy executive selling company secrets? Or is there something more to it, Lord Raishun? The Akisame family has served the Arasaka clan for generations. There's no need to 'curry favor.'"
Raishun's gaze softened. "The Akisames have always been our left hand. This time, I'd like to hear your thoughts."
"I dare not. Since I was sent to Night City, I act only as Akisame Setsugekka."
Long silence.
"Raise your head."
Raishun saw in her eyes exactly what he wanted to see.
He turned back to admire the garden.
"Abernathy is one of my key supporters in Night City. Your report to Jenkins has put me in a tough spot."
Setsugekka calmly repeated her report.
Raishun heard the intentionally left gaps.
The shishi-odoshi clacked again.
"I've heard about your mother. And your father too."
Setsugekka's expression remained calm, but her hands were clenched tightly on her skirt, wrinkling the fabric.
A dragonfly flew into the teahouse, landing on Raishun's tea cup.
"You know, Akisame-san, the forty-seven ronin paid a steep price to bring down Kira. What are you willing to give to see cherry blossoms bloom in Ueno?"
Her voice was soft but firm. "Everything."
Raishun smiled.
"Then I was right."
He clapped. The geisha returned, carrying a tray with a daisho—a katana and wakizashi.
"Take them."
Setsugekka frowned slightly.
Raishun said, "Didn't expect that to surprise you. I've read your file. The top student at Hokkaido Training Center, yet marked as 'rebellious' and 'insubordinate.' I think we're alike."
Arasaka suits were designed with special fittings to hang swords, per Saburo's preferences.
Setsugekka fastened both blades to her waist, bowed deeply to Raishun.
"My lord..."
Raishun raised a hand to stop her.
"This path isn't for ordinary people. Even my father, with all his talk of 'loyal samurai,' knew that. Only true comrades and friends can walk it with me. Do you understand?"
"I understand... Raishun."