20 minutes before
A man stood in front of a skyscraper in District 0. The building was special, although was not an eye-catching architecture and on the paperwork it belonged to a little known Corporation, in reality it was a cover to hide who the real owners were.
When the man entered, he was greeted by two guards, armed in black suits with military grade cyberware "It is an honor to meet you, we are already aware of your appointment, please follow us." Said the guards politely as they gave a small bow to the man who just entered the elegant hall of the building.
The man was Musashi, and the building obviously belonged to Arasaka who used it as an alternative and more secret base in Night City, which only the higher ranks of the company had access to or knew of its true owner, even some shareholders were unaware of it, it was mainly used by direct members of the Arasaka family.
"Thank you" Musashi said, politely.
To which the two men only nodded and led Musashi in front of a special elevator inside the second floor of the building.
"This is the private Kiji faction elevator," said one of the gurdias as he pointed politely. "above they will be someone waiting for you, if you have any request, please contact us." Said the guards before leaving.
When Muashi got on the elevator he was greeted by a full scan from top to bottom, and when it was over the elevator started moving on its own. Arriving directly at one of the highest floors of the building.
The moment the elevator doors opened Musashi could see a familiar face waiting for him outside.
"Oda, what are you doing here! Don't tell me that-"
"Hello Master, and it's better she tells you herself, still...good to see you."
"Tch. I told you to stop calling me that, but like you said I'm glad to see you too Oda, do you know how Goro is doing?".
Oda pouting at the fact that if he answered he would be making the person his former master was supposed to meet wait for him. but...
"Yeah, he's fine, Ma- Musashi-San, he's now the team leader of Saburo-Sama himself!" Oda said with some envy in his voice, which Musashi didn't miss.
"Heh, I'm happy for him, if that's what he wants..... still Oda don't underestimate the lady."
"I-I would never-"
"Easy Oda, I'm not telling you this as a reprimand, I'm just telling you.... that when the lady really spread her wings and show her real feathers to the world, many people will be surprised. for all I know the lady, she's not playing the same game as her brothers and Saburo himself..... she has her eye on something more important and dangerous"
Musashi said with a serious tone, but at the same time convinced of what he was saying, which made Oda remember, when the true character of the lady was shown underneath her cold mask that she used to hide and deceive everyone. Oda became both puzzled as to what Musashi was referring to and at the same time agreed with his words.
Without saying anything else Oda, led Musashi in front of a door, "Please Musashi-San leave any Pad, electronic device or weapon here, inside the room all signals will be blocked" Oda said while pointing to a small metal box embedded in the wall next to the door.
Musashi left his Pad and a folding sword, shaped like a tanto, similar to the one he had given Sora, but this one with an edge.
Musashi entered the room and found a beautiful woman, who looked to be in her mid-thirties, looking out the window with her back to Musashi who just entered. She was dressed in an elegant white outfit with gold and silver accents that matched her necklace, earrings and luxury cyberware, made of precious metals, giving an overall feeling of elegance and power.
Making Musashi could notice the change since the last time face to face, well almost.
"Hello Musashi" Said Hanako Arasaka or at least the high quality holographic projection of her waiting inside the room.
"So you're not in city for a moment when I saw Oda I thought you had come too" Musashi said in a familiar tone, as he sat on a sofa in the living room feeling sorry that Hanako wasn't there and at the same time not. Drawing a smile on his face knowing that the meeting with Hanako would not be face to face.
"What's wrong Musashi, aren't you glad to see me?" Hanako said, enjoying seeing the familiar tone and behavior of Musashi, who Hanako noticed had lost some of his righteousness, looking more relaxed even in front of her.
"Oh no you're not wrong Hanako, I wish you and Sora would meet, but at the same time.... I'd rather have this face-hologram conversation with you, hahaah" Musashi laughed quietly, even making a joke that was received by a wide-eyed Hanako in surprise at meeting this almost lighthearted version of her father's old sharp sword.
"Ara, a joke...from the serious and feared Red Demon of Arasaka, you know how Sora will react when he finds out, get ready for that Musashi, besides what happened to the San/Sama, with how hard it was for you to stop using it, you really look different Musashi, I'm glad for the change."
"Well, although I think you can already imagine what it's due to..... and what a headache it can become and especially will be when sooner or later he finds out about that silly name.....Ahmmm. Sora, your son is stubborn, shameless and even annoying...but without a doubt he is special, being a joking and loving child that influences the people around him in one way or another without him realizing it, Sora has really changed Aoi and me..... Hanako, you should feel proud of your son.... I just want to thank you for choosing me and Aoi to raise and be Sora's grandparents" Musashi said sincerely, catching Hanako off guard.
Who was mesmerized wishing to hear Musashi talk more about Sora, but Hanako knew she couldn't allow it. Making her react by shaking her head about Musashi-No! from her son's grandfather, from the person who had raised him and sadly for Hanako, knew him best.
"No Musashi, it would have to be me already thanking you and also..... Apologize" Said Hanako with sorrow.
"I don't understand you, what do you mean?" Musashi said disconcerted.
"Do you remember the last thing you asked me, when I told you about Sora's improvements for the first time?"
When Hanako, said those words sent Musashi surfing into her memory to bring out from them the moment Hanako was talking about.
"If I remember you correctly I said that `underestimated a mothers will for doing anything for their children' and...." Musashi suddenly fell silent, before speaking again, coming to have a bad feeling when he thought of the last part of the sentence and knowing that was the one Hanako was referring to, wanting to apologize "what is controlling Sora's nanobots?"
"Yes" Hanako said seriously "We need to talk, things have changed and I have to tell you the real reason why Oda is in the city." as she sat across from Musashi and tapped a few buttons on her desk in front of her in Japan, when she finished typing, metal panels sealed all the windows of the room Musashi was in, making sure that what she was going to talk to Musashi wouldn't leak to anyone.