The Akasaka Imperial Gardens in the afternoon were bathed in golden sunlight. Although the cherry blossom trees on the outskirts had long passed their blooming season, the branches and leaves remained lush, with clusters of tourists holding cameras queued up at the entrance.

There were still three hours left before the official start of the autumn garden party. Security personnel had already been deployed, with many plainclothes officers mingling among the crowd, their eyes occasionally scanning the backpacks of those in line.

Since the last time Xiao Anzi was attacked, the top levels in Japan have become particularly wary of their own security. The security at this Imperial Family garden party has become stricter with each passing year.

In addition to the routine identity verification at the entrance, there were two additional portable X-ray machines, requiring that visitors’ belongings be screened, and even the bottled water in their hands had to be opened for a sip before being allowed in.

1.5 kilometers away, atop a high-rise office building.

Chen Wei and an eagle-eyed associate lay in a concealed corner on the rooftop, with a fully assembled CheyTac sniper rifle mounted before them, its muzzle fitted with a silencer and the scope aimed in the direction of the Akasaka Imperial Gardens.

This model of sniper rifle has a maximum range of up to 1800 meters, making it one of the longest-ranged sniper rifles in the world.

Moreover, the performance of this sniper rifle is extremely reliable. It’s quite famous on Middle Eastern battlefields and is a favorite among American soldiers.

Chen Wei squinted and pressed against the scope, gently adjusting the magnification knob with his fingers.

The eagle was squatting aside, holding a binoculars, with a tablet computer placed next to him, displaying a 3D map of the Akasaka Imperial Gardens, marking the precise coordinates of various points.

"Wind speed 3 meters per second, southwest wind..."

"Bullet flight time is 1.8 seconds."

"Unobstructed view, beginning to scan for surrounding threats..."

The eagle kept surveying the high points around the Akasaka Imperial Gardens with the binoculars, reporting data in a low voice.

On the outskirts of the Akasaka Imperial Gardens, an Odyssey was parked by the roadside. Brother Quan, holding a map, was discussing with the others.

"After the shot, Da Pao, you immediately head to the office building’s underground garage to pick them up, then evacuate via the freight passage on the west side, and rendezvous at the marked point."

"If the long-range sniping fails, initiate the ground assault plan and move in during their retreat."

"Based on intelligence, this should be their evacuation route..."

After explaining the action details, Brother Quan solemnly reminded, "Before we set off, the boss instructed us, no matter the outcome of the operation, if someone gets caught, remember not to resist."

"The boss will find a way to rescue you."

"However... After all these years of firing guns, I’ve never failed a mission."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded, feeling a bit more assured inside.

...

Three hours later, a convoy slowly made its way toward the Akasaka Imperial Gardens, protected by J-vehicles in the front and back. The two Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the middle were custom bulletproof models, with windows covered in deep black explosion-proof film, making it completely impossible to see inside from outside.

Brother Quan patted An Zai, who was seated in the driver’s seat: "Drive!"

An Zai nodded, started the car, and headed toward the designated ambush point, with another vehicle, driven by Niu Da, following closely behind.

This was a small lane on the south side of the main road, approximately two kilometers from the Akasaka Imperial Gardens.

Should Chen Wei’s operation fail, they would act here.

"The target is in sight."

"There are security personnel blocking the view, unable to lock on..."

The earpiece kept relaying reports from the eagle.

"Keep looking for opportunities," Brother Quan said, chewing gum, his expression showing no sign of tension.

According to the past procedure, there would be a segment where the Emperor makes a speech, which would be the perfect opportunity.

Time continued to slip by, moment by moment.

Before Chen Wei and his team could act, a situation developed on Niu Da’s side first!

"Some patrol officers are coming toward me!"

Hearing this, Brother Quan immediately frowned and instructed through the earpiece: "Leave first, circle around nearby, then come back."

"Yes!"

Niu Da responded, shifted gears, and accelerated toward the main road at the alley’s mouth.

They all had weapons hidden in the car; if the patrol officers discovered them, the operation would surely fail.

Brother Quan raised his watch to check the time; it had been over an hour since the activity began, so why hadn’t the speech segment started yet?

On the rooftop, Chen Wei held his breath, focusing intensely, still searching for an opportunity.

The target was not only guarded by bodyguards but also almost constantly moving, making it difficult to find the right moment from such a distance.

After a few more minutes, the crowd finally began to gather toward the central lawn in the courtyard, where a podium had been set up.

The staff rushed forward, adjusting the microphone to the appropriate height and placing two bottles of mineral water by the stage. According to the procedure, the Emperor would next deliver a ten-minute garden party speech here.

"Attention, the target is about to take the stage," the eagle reminded in a low voice from the rooftop.

Beside him, Chen Wei adjusted the angle of the sniper rifle, fingers lightly resting on the trigger.

A man in his sixties slowly appeared within the crosshairs.

This man was thin, with slightly prominent cheekbones and sinister eyes, precisely the target of their operation this time.

As the man leaned closer to the microphone to begin speaking, Chen Wei also completed his final preparations before firing.

"Target within range, no obstruction, requesting permission to fire."

"Do it!" Brother Quan quickly responded through the earpiece.

"Bang!"

Just as the words fell, a crisp gunshot rang out, producing a pleasant hissing sound as it passed through the silencer.

The bullet tore through the air, speeding quickly toward the direction of the podium.

These 1.8 seconds felt interminably long, with Chen Wei staring intently through the scope, even holding his breath, as the Emperor in his sights maintained his position near the microphone, entirely unaware of death approaching.

The eagle clenched his binoculars, anticipating the appearance of that splash of blood-red.

Silence enveloped the earpiece.

The fired bullet tugged at everyone’s nerves, all waiting for the final outcome.

Finally, the bullet drew ever closer.

Just as it was about to pierce into the target’s forehead, a sudden change occurred!

Out of nowhere, a black shadow appeared, moving as swiftly as lightning, pulling the Emperor with a forceful tug.

The bullet brushed past the side of his head, raising a spray of bloody mist!

Chen Wei’s eyes sharpened, just about to fire again, but the target had already disappeared from view, dragged away by that shadow.

"Ninja!"

Chen Wei spat out the words resentfully.

"Operation failed! The target is injured!" The eagle put away the binoculars, quickly shouting into the earpiece.

Inside the vehicle, Brother Quan showed no change in expression as he calmly issued the retreat order: "Head to the underground garage immediately; Da Pao is on his way to pick you up. Retreat to the planned location immediately."

"Roger that!" Chen Wei and his partner immediately began packing their gear and clearing their traces.

Within less than a minute, the two men had already vanished from the rooftop.

"Tsk!"

Brother Quan spat out the gum, taking out a carbine from under the rear seat, and chambered a round: "Get ready to work!"

"Got it!"

An Zai excitedly started the car, hanging a carbine around his neck as well: "Old Niu, are you back yet?!"

"On my way back! Estimated five minutes!" Niu Da’s anxious voice echoed through the earpiece.