Chapter 753: A Weapon to Fill the Void

Most of what needed to be done in the U.S. was finished.

The U.S. didn’t hesitate to use force against other countries, but within its own borders things were a bit different.

They thoroughly avoided using force, relying instead on money and political maneuvering.

The upcoming battle would be no different.

Bush wanted to weaken the Neocons and that was something I also wanted.

Of course, I initially approached him with a warning, but now that our interests aligned, things were different.

I could conclude things with Bush after asking him not to interfere with my plans.

I reviewed the report Manager Ma had compiled and asked Han Gyeong-yeong.

“Who did you assign to defend Wilson and Plame?”

“I hired the Cravath Swaine & Moore Law Firm and requested that they assemble a team of their top lawyers.”

Cravath Swaine & Moore wasn’t a large law firm with many lawyers.

However, among the countless law firms in the U.S., it was one of the most prestigious, consistently ranking in the top two.

“That’s good, but isn’t Cravath mainly focused on M&A?”

“Yeah, that’s true. Since their offices are based in London and New York, they mostly handle those types of cases, but they’ve also won several cases against the government.”

I nodded at Han Gyeong-yeong’s words.

As long as they were competent, it didn’t matter which law firm I used.

American law firms will do anything for money, so they would take care of it. Just like the countless law firms on Wall Street.

“If you chose them, I’m sure you had your reasons.”

“They’ll be enough to hinder the Neocons’ movements. Even if we can’t win, we can drag it out. Maybe we can even win.”

He said that, but we didn’t have any solid evidence to win the case.

Even with Black Bear’s resources, I couldn’t find any video or audio recordings.

I might have been able to get them through illegal means, but that risk was too great.

I couldn’t act in a way that might become a weakness, so I had to postpone that approach for now.

“Right. We need to drag things out and make it a mess.”

Just then, a knock sounded on the door. It was time to meet another blade to keep the Neocons in check.

“I should get going. Someone’s waiting for me in Washington.”

As I stood up, Han Gyeong-yeong waved his hand without even looking at me.

“Have fun.”

I chuckled, patted Han Gyeong-yeong’s shoulder, and left the room.

* * *

The night in Washington was brighter than the day.

The lights in Washington grew stronger as the night deepened. Senators, representatives, and countless lobbyists all moved about.

“It’s been a while, Obama.”

There I was, meeting Barack Obama of the Democratic Party.

“It has been a while, Charlie.”

I shook the hand Barack Obama offered. As we shook, Obama spoke first.

“I heard you attended President Bush’s re-election celebration party.”

“I did. No one donated more to President Bush than we did.”

“I also heard you had a private meeting.”

“You don’t miss anything.”

“Washington has countless eyes and ears.”

The re-election celebration party was a public event.

It was natural that there were no secrets in a place with so many people.

“Will our meeting today also reach someone’s ears?”

“No one is keeping tabs on me. So, nobody will care about my movements.”

Barack Obama answered my question with a bitter smile.

I understood the hidden meaning behind Obama’s words and gave a small smile.

He was saying that he was an unnoticed politician and indirectly implying that this meeting wouldn’t be leaked.

Barack Obama was still just a senator.

He had become a star politician after gaining popularity through a supporting speech at the party convention, but he lacked a political career.

It was still too early to discuss the next election, and most people said Hillary would be the next Democratic candidate; he lacked weight at this moment.

That was Barack Obama’s current position.

“Let’s sit down first.”

This was one of the safe houses in Washington that Han Gyeong-yeong had prepared.

Since nobody knew who the real owner was, it was the best place to secretly meet Obama.

Of course, it would be useless after today.

We finished our handshake and sat facing each other. As soon as I sat down, I examined Barack Obama’s face.

“The Democratic Party lost, but you don’t seem too upset.”

“It was a defeat everyone expected. But I didn’t expect such an overwhelming defeat.”

“Fortunately, the Senate, House, and governor elections that were held at the same time didn’t do that bad, did they?”

Although the Republican Party won a landslide victory in the presidential election, they didn’t fare as well in the U.S. Congressional and gubernatorial elections held at the same time.

In the election for the 34 Senate seats, the Republican Party took 19 seats, and the Democratic Party took 15.

In the House of Representatives, the Republican Party won 232 seats, and the Democratic Party won 202, while in the governor elections, the Republican Party secured 28 seats, and the Democratic Party took 22.

The people had given their support to President Bush in the presidential election but didn’t seem to want the Republican Party to have full control.

They essentially gave the Democratic Party enough power to keep them in check.

“Still, a loss is a loss.”

“What is the mood like within the Democratic Party?”

“They think they managed to save face.”

The victorious Republican Party and the defeated Democratic Party were both rationalizing the election results in their own ways.

“Would you like a beer?”

Obama nodded.

I gestured to Manager Ma who brought over bottled beer in an ice bucket.

I took out two, opened them, and handed one to Obama.

“I hear this is the most popular beer in the U.S.”

“I used to drink a lot of this beer when I was younger. Now I drink whiskey more often…”

“Isn’t it nice to reminisce about old memories like this sometimes? To find your roots again.”

I was reminded of the soju and beer mix I used to drink with my friends in college.

Obama also seemed to be thinking of the beer he used to drink in college, his expression turning nostalgic.

Now he drank more high-end liquor like whiskey and wine, but sometimes he missed the liquor he drank back then.

“Roots. That’s a good word.”

When I held out my bottle, Obama touched his bottle against mine.

The beer spilled over our hands, but we simply smiled at each other.

After taking a sip of beer, we began our real conversation.

“Obama, have you made many allies with whom you can dream together?”

I advised him on the things he needed to become president.

The position of U.S. President was a throne of immense power where countless interests and sweet honey were placed.

The path to reach that place was not paved with flowers, and it was something that could never be achieved alone.

“It’s not easy.”

“That’s right. Hillary is a massive wall in your way. But you still have four years. Barack Obama, you will be the next president.”

A strange smile appeared on Obama’s face at my firm words.

“I’ve noticed before, but Charlie, you seem to believe in me more than I believe in myself.”

“I’m quite good at judging people.”

I returned his smile with one of my own.

We continued our conversation, emptying one bottle of beer.

I took out two more bottles from the ice bucket and handed one to Obama.

This time, it wasn’t just beer that I handed over.

I took three bundles of documents from the briefcase Manager Ma had brought and placed them on the table.

Obama, who had received the beer, looked back and forth between the piles of documents and me. His face was filled with curiosity.

“What are these?”

“What do you think you lack right now? Among the things you need to become president.”

“Hmm…”

Obama groaned and pondered. There was a long silence.

It would be faster to find what he didn’t lack, so such a reaction was natural.

I smiled and broke the silence.

“This is a weapon that will fill what you lack.”

I pushed the first bundle of documents towards Obama.

“These are files containing the wrongdoings of the Democratic Party members.”

Obama’s eyes widened in shock. He kept looking back and forth between the documents and me.

Being intelligent, he seemed to quickly understand why I was giving him these documents.

It was to use these weaknesses to secure the support of other representatives.

I immediately pushed the second set of documents forward.

“This time, it’s a list of people who will be helpful to you. If you recruit them beforehand, they will surely be of assistance.”

The documents contained the names of people who would support him by his side.

Then I presented the final set of documents.

“And this is the key. These documents will fill what you lack most.”

Although Obama had gained national recognition with a single speech, he was still just a rookie in Washington.

Obama lifted the third set of documents—no, the weapon. And he began to slowly read them.

I drank my beer as I waited for him to read the documents.

Obama opened his mouth when there were four empty beer bottles in front of me.

“Is… is all of this true?”

I nodded instead of answering.

Obama seemed thirsty, downing the flat beer in front of him in one go.

I pushed a new bottle of beer toward Obama.

“So? How is the weapon I’ve given you?”

“…If this is true, what was the blood shed by the U.S. military for?”

“Well. I don’t think I’m the right person to say.”

The documents in Obama’s hands contained the dirty truth about the Iraq War.

Obama covered his face with both hands. Soon a small voice escaped from beyond his palms.

“God. Don’t forgive us…”

It was a sorrowful prayer. Simultaneously, it was a lamenting apology to the numerous soldiers who had fallen in the Iraq War.

Some belittled him as an idealist, while others praised him as a leader who would lead the U.S.

But this was Obama’s true self.

Someone who loved America more than anyone else and valued people more than anyone else.

“You won’t be able to use that weapon right away. There isn’t any evidence yet. But I believe you’ll be able to find evidence soon.”

I presented him with information known from my past life.

Since there was no evidence, it was just a conspiracy theory, but I knew it was the truth.

And Obama also knew it. He was the one who discovered the truth.

Obama still couldn’t lower his hands from his face.

Perhaps he wanted to hide his expression.

“The truth is easily lost without power. So, let’s start with what we can do. Starting with the leak case the special prosecutor is currently investigating.”

I needed to start by pushing the still untainted Obama into the mud.

A pure white crane was a target of resentment.

“Be the first to demand a hearing on the Plame affair. And meet with Mrs. Plame and convince her directly.”

I could have stepped up, but I wanted him to move on his own.

“Use that hearing to spread your name, Obama, throughout Washington’s political circles. Let everyone know, ‘I, Obama, am this kind of politician. I, Obama, am this kind of person.’”

To walk the path to the presidency, no matter how dirty it might be, this task was necessary.

“And once you become president, put everything back where it belongs.”

What I was giving him now was justification.

What he lacked the most was not fame or money, but a firm will.

I didn’t know why the Barack Obama of my past life dreamed of becoming president.

I didn’t know what led him to that position.

But this life was different. In this life, I would create his will.

“The road to becoming president will be very dirty and difficult. But you have to go.”

I added one last thing.

“I will use all my power to pave the way for you. So, let’s go.”

I was done speaking.

Now, the choice was entirely up to Obama.

After a long silence, Obama lowered his hands from his face.

His eyes, now revealed, were shining brightly.

“I also know about the Plame couple’s case. I need to help them.”

Now he wouldn’t hesitate.

“That’s right.”

“This will help you as well.”

“Why would I hide it? It’s also for my own benefit.”

Obama met my gaze. His eyes were filled with a determined will.

“Now I know what I have to do. I know why I must become president.”

I smiled and nodded at his spirited words.

“Personally persuade Plame to leave the CIA. Give her the justification to move.”

“Of course. I should be the one to do it.”

We talked over beers until late into the night.

Obama’s first step towards the presidency was beginning there.