Atop the Arasaka Corporation's Main HQ in Tokyo, Saburo Arasaka's face remained impassive as one of his aides summarized the report coming out of Night City, "...despite Counterintelligence's best efforts to blemish Builders Incorporated image to the public, they remain as Night City's most popular corporation, offsetting our ability to improve our public appearance within the city. Already, we've received a 2% percent loss amongst our operators within Counterintelligence, and we've lost a total 1% loss of revenue due to Counterintelligence's failure to incapacitate Builders Incorporated's operations. Furthermore, according to our agents within the Free States, Militech is deepening its ties with Southern California: with the governor already improving the state's crumbling infrastructure and Militech deploying more military personnel within the region."
The aide's face remained impassive as Saburo turned towards the aide and finally showed an emotion of annoyance, "And is there any good news to our operations in America?" The aide blankly nodded as he flipped a page over.
"Yes, Saburo-sama. Free States of Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona had aligned themselves with the Republic of Texas according to your order. Already, tensions are brewing within NUSA and Texas, with Texan technology supplied through third parties can successfully rebuff any NUSA missiles towards Texas." Saburo nodded in affirmation as the aide continued his report, "We've also managed to increase the tension between France and Germany, with many right-leaning politicians voicing their dissatisfaction towards supposed German incursion towards French politics, with Germany also experiencing the same incidents."
Saburo nodded as he returned to starting at Tokyo's smoggy yet illuminating skyline, "Good. Tell the national directors within Night City to continue their espionage against Builders Incorporated and to improve their indoctrination efforts amongst our operatives within Counterintelligence. Once was a coincidence, Twice is a pattern, and Thrice is an enemy action. Arasaka shan't be found wanting, especially with Militech starting to outpace our manufacturing efforts within the Free States due to that upstart corporation."
"Hai, Saburo-sama." The aide uttered before giving a bow and leaving the room with Takemura Goro, his ever-loyal bodyguard, observing the man's departure.
"Night City... that accursed city had brought me nothing but trouble, and yet, it remains the place where everything started and ended." Saburo expressed as the sun's glaring light started to go down beyond the horizon, "Even now, fifty years after the war that almost shattered the world, Night City remains the key to our company's future."
"It seems that way, Arasaka-sama." Goro said as Saburo hummed at his words.
"Tell me, Goro, what do you know of Builders Incorporated?" Saburo questioned as his bodyguard mulled over his question.
"It's a company founded by Tom Hiddleston, who appeared in the streets of Watson five years ago. The man had formed the company to support the gangsters that popped out due to Hiddleston's work during his time as a mercenary. A year before, the man renounced his mercenary lifestyle to take the mantle of CEO: turning the company into a megacorporation in a single year, with employee numbers boasting about 75,000 to 100,000 people: all of their personnel being local. Builders Incorporated had also partnered with Malorian Arms and New American Autoworks, two decaying companies that regained a second wind thanks to deals Tom made with the companies' founders: the former providing his soldiers with powerful weapons and the latter providing his troops with vehicles. They've also provided local funds with low-interest rates, thus allowing local businesses to flourish. Builders Incorporated has become the patron of local business owners willing to take a plunge and start a business within Night City." Goro recited as Saburo turned to look at his bodyguard.
"Then what about their military capabilities?" Saburo asked.
"While relatively young and comprised of low-level fighters recruited from the streets, Builders Incorporated's military arm, Builders Security Service, is quickly becoming one of the most professional troops within Night City. Already, local and overseas veterans from the Unification Wars are flocking to their banner while given the most modern equipment that one could buy on the market. Recently, there's been word from Counterintelligence that the current CEO of Militech, Lucas Harford, is arriving within Night City to discuss the accruement of more weaponry for Builders Security Service." Saburo growled upon hearing Arasaka's rival moving in within Night City.
"Militech... does their hubris know no bounds? To think they dare step foot within Night City knowing that our grip in Night City is absolute is an insult." He could vividly remember that day when that American dog, Donald Lundee, out of sheer paranoia and jealousy of his company, declared all-out war against his company. If not for him, the Arasaka Corporation could've remained on top of the world instead of Saburo's efforts lost to the wind.
"I concur, Arasaka-sama. Though the question remains; are we to sabotage Militech's arrival within Night City?" Goro asked as Saburo mulled over his words before shaking his head negatively.
"No. Let Militech intrude upon Night City. As much as this show of force sickens me with their hubris, Militech can't do anything decisive lest they incur a war all over again. Instead, we shall focus our efforts on ruining the company that has allowed them to act as much as they could within Night City." Goro gave a sound of acknowledgment upon hearing Saburo's words.
"Should I order Counterintelligence to double their sabotaging operations towards Builders Incorporated, then, Saburo-sama?" Saburo nodded as he walked out of his office, with Goro sticking close to him as employees and guests gave Saburo a wide breadth while giving him a deep bow.
"I also need Counterintelligence to gather as much information as possible regarding Builders Inc. employees, especially their higher-ups," Saburo ordered as he and Goro entered the elevator, the lift quickly shooting up to the penthouse.
"Hai, Saburo-sama." His bodyguard said before guarding the door, leaving Saburo alone in his room. He went into his bed and carefully set himself on the bed before allowing himself to sleep.
Though, before he could feel his consciousness slip into the realm of dreams, one thought dominated his mind;
'Arasaka shall not be found wanting. Not now, not ever.'