Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 541 - 520: Great Reshuffle

Chapter 541: Chapter 520: Great Reshuffle

A multi-party major transaction—this deal could already trigger a massive upheaval across several nations’ intelligence communities. If the transaction goes through, it would essentially amount to a full-scale reshuffling of the deck.

A chain reaction—once it starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.

Now Gao Yi handed Grasse another bombshell piece of information.

Grasse had to make a choice: 500 million USD and a mole from his own side. Obviously, they would try to keep the lid on this. No one would willingly hand over their own mole.

If this deal were to fall through, Gao Yi would deliver the intel to the CIA. Therefore, the Secret Intelligence Bureau had to swap in a new bargaining chip.

Multi-party transactions are troublesome, but once they succeed, the payoff is immense—and benefits all involved parties.

In the end, there’s only one rule: members of the Garden Federation reap the rewards. As for everyone else, let them fend for themselves.

This time, the wait for the phone call was long. It wasn’t until half an hour later that Grasse finally called back.

Grasse’s tone was heavy. He spoke in a low voice: "We don’t have many chips left. Here’s our new proposal: within the CIA, we’ve bought off someone. It’s internal competition, not exactly a mole. If the CIA agrees to the deal, they must transfer this individual to our Secret Intelligence Bureau. That’s the bottom line. Can you sound it out for us?"

The Secret Intelligence Bureau was truly running out of bargaining power. They had to pawn off personnel to exchange for cash and intel. But at least they still had a bit of conscience—they knew to bring people over and protect them, likely with promotions and salary increases as compensation.

The relationship between the CIA and the Secret Intelligence Bureau could only be considered internal rivalry. This individual wasn’t exactly a mole; at most, you’d call them an informant.

But to the CIA, such a mole would be even more imperative to purge.

Gao Yi thought this matter was as good as settled.

But how should he explain this to Panetta?

Saying, "You have a mole in the CIA and I know about it, but I’ll protect them" obviously wouldn’t go over well.

However, if it wasn’t disclosed, it’d mean keeping secrets from his own allies. If the truth were to come out later, the Garden wouldn’t immediately disintegrate, but its foundation of trust would be eroded, reducing it back to the status of a mere assassin organization.

Honesty was still paramount. Preserving the Garden’s elevated status was more important than shielding any mole.

Gao Yi picked up the phone and called Panetta.

Maintaining his composure, Gao Yi spoke in a tone brimming with confidence: "The deal’s been struck. The Secret Intelligence Bureau offered two bargaining chips, but I have to say, I’ve got a use for one of them. It can help me establish a foothold in Northeastern University, which can lead to a significant cash windfall and a valuable piece of intelligence. More importantly, it enhances my influence over there."

Panetta, being who he was, could read between the lines instantly. In a low voice, he asked, "Intelligence related to Northeastern University? A mole—within the CIA, correct?"

"Yes, I want to use this individual to consolidate influence within Northeastern University. But I’ll need your approval, sir. This is business—I’m interested in long-term investments, but I certainly won’t risk the founding shareholders’ interests."

Gao Yi laid out his stance and added emotional weight to his request.

He let Panetta weigh the choice: Would you rather expose a mole or protect your stake in the Garden? This Garden is your private playground, your original investment—your foundational asset. Consider all the benefits you’ve reaped from the Garden and imagine how much more you stand to gain in the future.

You can’t have all the benefits for yourself and leave nothing for anyone else. Since this is a tight-knit cabal of interests, everyone ought to gain something.

Gao Yi’s candor worked in favor of preserving the Garden’s long-term competitiveness and value. Panetta didn’t deliberate for long. In a low voice, he said, "As long as I’m in office, it won’t be an issue. Now, restate it."

"The deal’s finalized. The Secret Intelligence Bureau offered one bargaining chip: a contact within the CIA. However, they insist that this person must be transferred to their organization, not terminated—let alone imprisoned."

Panetta exhaled and said, "Consider this deal... your reward. I approve. Proceed with the arrangements."

"Also, the money."

"That money is off-limits. Let the Secret Intelligence Bureau have that advantage."

Gao Yi murmured, "Five billion."

"Falke!"

Panetta cursed softly before resigning himself, "Fine, I retract that statement. Figure out the distribution yourselves."

"I promised the Secret Intelligence Bureau 70%, but it doesn’t matter—I’ll have Northeastern University cough up the same amount. They’ve got deep pockets, and I absolutely intend to use this opportunity to squeeze them hard. But..."

"I understand. Rest assured, this lead will be severed immediately. Just ensure the Secret Intelligence Bureau doesn’t find out that we took money on our end too. Reputation comes first. I’ll pretend it never happened."

"Understood."

Gao Yi hung up and immediately dialed Huang Haisheng. Once Huang answered, Gao Yi said in a low voice, "The deal is essentially done, but there’s an added cost. The good news is both the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the CIA are willing to sever the lead entirely, as if it never existed."

Huang Haisheng exhaled deeply and replied, "That’s fantastic!"

"Which means this is now two transactions. We’re essentially paying both sides for selective blindness. So, I’ll be collecting two separate fees for this deal—I want to make that clear. A deal is a deal, business is business."

Huang Haisheng responded earnestly, "Doing business this way is the best—it ensures sustainability. We’re willing to spend extra to safeguard the asset. If securing the deal requires an additional payment, we’re willing to cover it; I understand the rules."

"No need. I’ve already accounted for it. That makes it two deals at 500 million USD each. My finance team will coordinate with yours. Now, please give me the name."

"The Secret Intelligence Bureau, Jimmy Tinkins."

"Alright, pleasure doing business."

Ending the call with Huang Haisheng, Gao Yi connected with Grasse. Once Grasse picked up, Gao Yi said in a low voice, "350 million dollars, plus a name: Jimmy Tinkins."

Grasse inhaled sharply and exclaimed, "Falke—him?!

"Important?"

Now that the name was out, there was no point hiding the role. Grasse didn’t hesitate, answering, "He’s the regional head of intelligence for Europe! If he’s taken down, is that my chance to step in? Falke! This is a big fish. Is Northeastern University really giving him up? I’m starting to doubt the accuracy of the intel!"

"It’s not Northeastern University—it’s the British, specifically MI5."

"Got it. Inter-agency shuffling. Damn those Brits! They sold out Jimmy. Falke! MI5 needs to go straight onto the blacklist for deals—utter bastards!"

Grasse erupted into a tirade.

The situation was clear-cut: Jimmy hadn’t divulged intel to adversarial forces like Eastern Russia; instead, he passed it on to the UK, an ally. This meant the harm caused was relatively limited.

But MI5, lacking any integrity, turned around and resold the same intel multiple times, throwing Jimmy under the bus in the process.

The British had done this sort of thing more than once. But who benefits most from tarnishing MI5’s reputation?

Of course, it’s MI6!

Dani, having entered the Garden, was about to reap a massive payoff.

"You can reveal another name now."

"Vinson Stanson. We’ll issue a transfer request immediately. Make sure the CIA lets him go."

"Consider it part of the deal. The other name?"

Grasse lowered his voice, saying, "The other one is Louis Corey. We’ll delete all his files right away, ensuring there’s no pursuit in the future. However, we can’t dictate CIA’s reaction."

"Understood. This trail ends here. Wait for my call."

Gao Yi hung up on Grasse and called Panetta again. Once Panetta picked up, Gao Yi said in a low voice, "Vinson Stanson. The Secret Intelligence Bureau will promptly issue the transfer request. Also, 350 million USD will be sent to you immediately."

Panetta exhaled lightly and said, "I’ll handle it. The NSA mole can be handed over to the Secret Intelligence Bureau."

Gao Yi ended the call and dialed Alexander. When Alexander answered, Gao Yi said softly, "The name of the NSA mole."

"Parsons Lane, assistant to the NSA cybersecurity chief."

"Alright, the deal is finalized."

The multi-party transaction was nearing completion. Gao Yi had memorized so many names that his head was spinning. He called Grasse again and stated, "Parsons Lane, assistant to the NSA’s cybersecurity chief. A KGB mole. Verify, and the deal concludes."

"Understood. We trust your credibility. The deal is closed."

Gao Yi hung up on Grasse and paused to collect his thoughts. Things were getting a little messy.

He called Huang Haisheng back and, speaking softly, said, "Louis Corey—it’s that person. You can make the payment now."

Huang Haisheng didn’t hesitate, saying, "Payment will be immediate."

The name served as confirmation. Even if the identified person differed from their expectations, the name alone would unquestionably hold value.

Judging by Huang Haisheng’s swift agreement to pay, it was certain—this was the target, and the deal could proceed.

A word on the money: the payment wasn’t made to just acquire the name; it was meant to ensure the individual could continue their work.

After endless back-and-forth, countless phone calls, and a long list of names, the multi-party transaction could finally be considered complete. Gao Yi also knew it was best for him to forget all these names as soon as possible.

Documenting anything? Out of the question—that would be dishonorable.

Gao Yi hung up and felt a genuine sense of accomplishment. Through his maneuvering, the intelligence world was on the brink of a massive reshuffling—and he was the one dealing the cards.

After taking a moment to steady himself, Gao Yi abruptly stood up. He left his room and began knocking on the door of the adjacent one.

Dani opened the door.

Gao Yi stepped in, his expression serious. "I just finalized a multi-party transaction and obtained intel in the process: MI5 recruited and turned Jimmy Tinkins of the Secret Intelligence Bureau. But now, they’ve sold him out. The Secret Intelligence Bureau is about to pull in their net, and MI5 is bound to be implicated. You know what to do."

Dani was astonished and delighted. He exclaimed, "Jimmy Tinkins?! A big fish! And MI5 sold him out? This is incredible! MI5 won’t recover from this one—haha, you’ve really given me a gift!"

Without waiting another moment, Dani pulled out his phone and, unable to contain his excitement, dialed a number. Full of enthusiasm, he declared, "MI5 has burned their credibility. Get ready to partner with the American Secret Intelligence Bureau. This will take them down in one move!"