Enemies at Arasaka Tower!

"Everything has been arranged."

Akechi's operation to lead the Pheasant Faction members in drawing the enemy's attention had lasted a full two days.

Although Arakawa Sesen's subordinates had launched "airtight" tracking and searches, under Akechi's clockwork-precise command and the covert assistance of an "inside contact" within Arasaka Tower, he had still successfully led the Pheasant Faction through to the day of the Board of Directors meeting.

It was not as though no price had been paid in the process—the elite squad that had initially followed Akechi in rescuing Hanako Arasaka had been wiped out under pursuit from Arakawa Sesen's combat forces. Yet Akechi had still successfully held Arakawa Sesen's attention for two full days, forcing him to deploy substantial manpower along the coastline to guard against Hanako Arasaka escaping by sea.

At the final moment, he had even succeeded in shaking off his pursuers and returning in time, handing Hanako Arasaka an almost flawless report card.

Hanako Arasaka had not been stingy with her praise for Akechi's achievements. In fact, his performance had exceeded her expectations—he had not only fully proven himself worthy of her trust and favor, but had completed the mission with nearly impeccable execution.

Upon learning that every member of his elite squad had died, Hanako Arasaka made him a promise: once Arakawa Sesen had been dealt with, she would authorize Akechi to select members from any operational squad in the Pheasant Faction until he had rebuilt a force as elite as his original team, or even stronger.

"I will not forget your contribution, Akechi."

Hanako Arasaka gave a slight nod. Her gaze swept over the people behind Akechi before finally returning to his face. "You will enter Arasaka Tower with me through the secret passage. Your personnel will remain under your command—your performance in recent days