Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 563 - 541: Three Shots in a Row

Chapter 563: Chapter 541: Three Shots in a Row

Panetta is back.

Carrying the biggest scandal in CIA history, and of course, bringing back the CIA’s most dangerous story.

If you want to see how influential Gao Yi is right now, just look at how Panetta, upon his return, didn’t head to CIA headquarters first but went straight to the hospital instead—it says it all.

The CIA director can’t even begin to contain the chaos without meeting Gao Yi. Impressive, isn’t it?

"How is it?"

"The man’s fine, surgery’s almost done. Definitely won’t die."

Panetta wasn’t asking about the man, but Gao Yi answered as if he was.

No choice in the matter—Yuri seemed to favor Fisher, and because of that, even Gao Yi found Fisher more likable.

Since it’s a human issue, it’s bound to be troublesome. Gao Yi couldn’t just casually give assurances and leave it at that. He had to seize every opportunity to show Panetta he genuinely valued Fisher.

Most importantly, Panetta had several close aides with him.

In front of these confidants, having Panetta lend his support to Fisher was what truly mattered.

Even though the question wasn’t about the man, Gao Yi answered as though it was, and Panetta responded gravely, "As long as he’s alright, that’s good."

Gao Yi turned, grabbed a backpack, and pulled out several crumpled paper rolls while speaking in a low voice, "The DNA samples are all in here. It’s impossible to tell whose is whose anymore, but Wei Feng’s should be among them. However, if Wei Feng’s DNA isn’t inside..."

He paused for a moment and hesitated before continuing in a low tone, "Then the situation is very dire. Wei Feng wouldn’t be merely a priority target; he would be an immediate one that must be dealt with now."

Panetta nodded, then handed the rolls to someone behind him and said, "Check them—quickly."

In Gao Yi’s hand, there was now another recording device, one of those small, body-mounted action cameras with a wide-angle lens—perfect for covert filming.

But this time, Gao Yi didn’t openly hand the device to Panetta. Instead, he stepped closer to shield it from view, discreetly passed it over, and whispered, "No idea what it recorded, but it was still running when we acquired it. Take your time reviewing it later."

"Alright, I’ll head back to the headquarters first. You stay here and keep an eye on Fisher."

After saying that, Panetta paused to think and suddenly asked, "What role do you think Fisher fits best?"

Fisher was undoubtedly capable of working at headquarters. However, given how much Fisher knew, keeping him under Panetta’s constant watch might not be a good idea.

Gao Yi thought it over and said, "Send him somewhere small as a head. I think this guy’s got decent ability."

Fisher nodded, then said softly, "Right now, Europe Department is lacking personnel, and with so much going on in Europe, why not send him to Europe Department?"

Europe Department?

Not a single country, or a particular region, but the entire Europe Department?

"That might be too much, don’t you think?"

Panetta chuckled and said, "You’ve earned it. Besides, it’s convenient for you."

Why was it Gao Yi’s reward and not Fisher’s, considering Fisher risked his life? Well, that’s a question for Panetta.

Gao Yi replied shamelessly, "Thanks."

Whether Fisher would become Gao Yi’s ally remained uncertain, but he absolutely couldn’t be an enemy. This way, if Gao Yi needed something in Europe in the future, he could directly tap Fisher for help.

With the CIA, KGB, MI6, and French External mixed in, Gao Yi suddenly realized how powerful a presence Europe had become.

Panetta glanced at his watch and said, "I need to get back to headquarters. There’s a mess waiting for me, but at least we’ve uncovered the deep-seated traitors—this is a significant victory."

Having set the tone for Gao Yi’s operation and secured the DNA and the recording device, Panetta left immediately.

After seeing Panetta off, Gao Yi leisurely returned to the hospital.

Fisher’s surgery was over, and he had already been moved to a recovery room. By the time Panetta arrived, Fisher was even awake.

Gao Yi entered the room, where only Yuri was present keeping watch.

"It’s settled. Europe Department is yours now. Do a good job. Don’t disappoint me."

Gao Yi sounded pompous and self-satisfied.

Fisher stared at Gao Yi in bewilderment.

"Europe Department? Do you mean the Intelligence Bureau’s Europe section? That’s impossible. This is too much—I don’t think I can handle that level of reward."

Fisher remained sharp.

But at this moment, Fisher’s clarity faltered, requiring Yuri to step in.

"Understand this—it’s not a reward for you. It’s repayment for him."

Yuri pointed at Gao Yi, then continued addressing Fisher, "Such an important position in Europe Department wouldn’t be given to you. It’s because our primary operational focus is now in Europe, so this is repayment to the Gardener."

Fisher murmured, "Sorry, I underestimated your influence. It makes sense, though; there’s never been a precedent for this before."

Gao Yi waved dismissively and said, "Focus on your recovery. Once you’re healed, you can take the post. We’re leaving."

After motioning to Yuri, the two left the room, leaving Fisher alone in his recovery room.

Gao Yi wasn’t superhuman; he needed rest too. With Yuri being older, he also needed some sleep.

Nearby, at a hotel near the hospital, Dani and Lucy had arrived earlier. Gao Yi checked in, found Lucy, and just as he felt like he’d barely fallen asleep, Panetta’s call woke him up.

It truly only felt like moments of sleep, and upon confirming, only an hour had passed.

Answering the call, Gao Yi spoke in a low tone, "Hello."

"The DNA results are back. Wei Feng isn’t among them."

Gao Yi was stunned, yet amidst the shock, a sliver of relief lingered within him.

Wei Feng really wasn’t dead. Good—if Wei Feng wasn’t dead, Gao Yi still had the chance to finish him properly.

Of course, it was troublesome too. A living Wei Feng would mean endless problems.

Gao Yi said in bewilderment, "How’s that possible? Who are the others in there?"

Panetta replied in an odd tone, "The one you smashed with a hammer was one of the CIA’s outstanding agents, but he wasn’t Wei Feng. The real Wei Feng..."

"Isn’t... a woman, is he?"

"Of course not. The real Wei Feng was in the room across from you. He didn’t act, and when he realized the situation was out of control, he escaped during the chaos. This was confirmed from a woman Henry captured earlier. You left first, and Wei Feng immediately slipped out after from the back."

Gao Yi almost spit out a mouthful of blood.

Panetta spoke softly, "There’s still a chance to catch him, because Wei Feng is injured. He got blasted and has trouble walking. He’s definitely left Lanli but might not have managed to leave Washington."

Gao Yi exhaled heavily and said, "Seal off Washington’s airports. Don’t let any plane take off. Send people to find him. Whatever it takes, eliminate Wei Feng."

Of course, Gao Yi couldn’t handle this alone. He could target someone, but tracking them down was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

It would be absurd for Panetta not to take the lead in the search and instead push Gao Yi to do it. Frankly, it would be inappropriate for Panetta to still rely on Gao Yi.

But Panetta still spoke softly, "It may... actually require your help again."

Gao Yi felt dejected and slightly annoyed.

What’s this? Exploit until exhaustion, huh? Am I supposed to do everything now?

Maybe Panetta could sense Gao Yi’s frustration, as he immediately followed with, "Through surveillance and vehicle tracking, we’ve discovered Wei Feng might have gone to the White House."

"Falke!"

Gao Yi blurted out, and after registering what Panetta had said, he angrily exclaimed, "Falke!!"

After fully grasping the situation, Gao Yi let out a long sigh and muttered, "Falke..."