Becoming President
Disclaimer: This work is not intended to offend anyone. Naruto and the United States of America do not belong to me. Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto and Shueisha, while the United States of America is the property of its citizens.
A/N: Sorry for being late, I'm reallyx2 busy and the story is getting too complex for my brain to handle.
Ps: The Minato one-shot is amazing.
…..
Naruto Uzumaki
Before me stands one of the greatest powers under the night sky. With a single word, a single breath, the world will quiver in fear. From the far reaches of the east to the northmost point, and all the lands humanity has conquered, nothing can stand in its way – the embodiment of unrelenting bureaucracy, logical thinking, and supreme competence. I present to you all...
The Federal Reserve.
One of the most powerful organizations in the world, second only to the U.S. government itself. Their influence is unparalleled; war can be stopped or started by them alone, and countries tremble in fear, awaiting their next fiscal policy.
I shouldn't have come here. A silent angel could turn into a monster, and I came unprepared, despite all the years of my life. With all that studying and planning, I could never prepare for this. With no way to brute force or use chakra. This is all I and my brain know. And if what Kurama says is true that I'm smarter than I look, this will be a smooth but hard fight.
Tightening a handle on my left arm, I felt the sweat build up from all the nerve-wracking tension that I'm feeling manifesting; the only way for me to stay calm for now is holding onto something that could save me. My briefcase is my shield, and its contents are the steel to defend me; though they're not sharp enough, no matter how many times I polish them.
A single head slain will be replaced by two more; a never-ending cycle of violence if I come into conflict with them. That's why my sword is not here to defeat a monster, but rather to serve as something to look intimidating. That's the most damning and accurate way for me to describe what would happen if I fought with them. I could always tie up the head and slay the monster if I could even slice the first head off in the first place. I am truly doomed.
This isn't going to work.
Why did I agree to this? I know that securing their support is essential for my bid to lead this damn country, but isn't this too soon? With the support of the CIA (no matter how suspicious it is), my power in American politics is slowly and surely growing. Even with all of those facts, boosting my confidence isn't enough for me to do this. It hasn't even been a year into my term, and I've already been entrusted to do a deed comparable to slaying a dragon without chakra. Generally speaking, when you are just starting to get comfortable with an elected seat, learning the craft of saying everything by telling nothing is recommended; not doing moves as ballsy as this! My heart rate spiked, stomach churned. It had been so long since the last time my stomach felt queasy against a foe this mighty.
My chest suddenly shook, startling me only to realize that it was just my phone. Looking at the contact picture, I saw the face of a woman who had suggested this plan. Not waiting any longer, I answered the phone.
"What is it now?" I asked as I opened the conversation. Rebecca is helping me to take that oath, my wife was on board my plan to become the most powerful man in America. While I focus on the public side and formal meetings, she handles the more inglorious job of trying to smooth up deals and maintain relations with my supporters, essentially becoming my semi-official secretary.
"I forgot to tell you that John Deere is joining our little group," she informed me. There was a crunch of chips. A very familiar crunch of chips.
"Are you eating my chips?" I said with suspicion and accusation.
"No, I bought this one." More crunching could be heard. She shamelessly made the sound louder and louder over the phone.
'Yeah, she's eating my chips.'
"Back to the point! When you meet the feds, drop their names for extra impact!" She emphasized the last word.
"I'll drop their name in the meeting if they agree to drop their policy on their monopoly on software in their tractors," I said in one breath.
John Deere, the bane of farmers everywhere, has one of the most anti-consumer policies I've ever seen in America. Farmers can't repair their tractors, even though they bought them, because according to those pansies, it would infringe on their ownership of the software inside a freaking tractor. Bullshit, utter bullshit. They own the hardware. Why can't they fix those things based on protecting their software? Reminder for me to introduce another law for the right of self-repair.
(A/N: This year, in 2023, the policy was changed after protests and campaigning by activists. John Deere has agreed to allow farmers to repair their equipment (in certain states). A great first step!)
"What made them readily change their policy? I doubt it was due to the goodness in their hearts," clear doubt uttered by me.
This is out of character not just for John Deere but also for the major manufacturing companies in the U.S., which are primarily located in the Rust Belt and the Midwest. Sure, the little club I made with Rebecca is influential and has the potential to bring in hundreds of billions of dollars to that region of the U.S. However, the keyword here is "potential," and these companies, no matter how shitty their business models may be, aren't stupid; they won't just join an unproven organization willy-nilly without reason. Caution is needed.
"Because they see the writing on the walls; they know that the market is volatile, a stable nation is preferred to one that is always on fire. The more people think less about the future the less they demand rights." Rebecca said gloomily. "While some genuinely believe in you like in my company (Ford). The other just wants to have someone to be their new puppet."
"Great, now I have to balance the needs of both the CIA and those corporations." I rubbed my eyes.
"And now you're trying to add the feds to that entourage of needy supporters." I took a heavy sigh. Rebecca noticed this and tried to console me. "I know it's hard my love but it's paramount we have their support."
Congress, Interest groups, the various departments, state agencies, the military, etc hold those keys. I need the majority of them to support me if I want to be in power. The problem is there's too much of them to maintain and acquire. It only takes one key supporter and all of my hopes and dreams to change this country will turn to dust. Not only do I need to acquire them but I must maintain balance with the ones I already acquire. Losing something under your grasp is more painful than the one you want. And intend to not be hurt by them of all people.
"The keys to powers are always hungry for more power," I grumbled, "I think we need to limit those keys to a few manageable ones." It is a sound plan just a bit of a nudge for the people to riot and Congress will have to follow their made-up and controlled cries. With those fossils forced to decrease the keys, who do you think will take that power? I have connections with my buddies in JSOC and they are loyal to me. Nothing could stop me from sitting on top of a golden chair after that and my power would be secured. And that ultra-nationalist in the CIA and all other U.S. agencies will support me; they do not care about democracy; they only care about America itself. It would be so easy, so tempting to do. All it takes is just one simple phone call and I will be done with it, one simple phone call for me to be in control.
"And lead America to a path of dictatorship?" Rebecca disapproved. "I know that things are different where you are from Naru, but always remember, we don't need a Kage or a militaristic or oligarchic power structure. We need a president, not a Caesar, not an Augustus. Always remember that, promise to me, Naru. Please, promise me you wouldn't tread that path," she begged, I could hear a soft cry from her.
The greatest of all leaders are the ones who always maintain their integrity and keep their word. But sometimes, even the greatest of men will break everything about themselves to lie and ignore those noble principles.
"I promise."
And every day when they've achieved the power that is desired.
"I promise."
Those simple things will be destroyed.
But for now, that integrity will be held. As a soft cry of a woman has calmed down the beast.
…….
My father told me a great partner will make a man or a woman soar to their highest peak but a horrible one will drag you down to the lowest.
…….
Opening the door to the building, I looked around to find a lobby for guests to wait. A minimalist decor with the seal of the organization etched onto the floors. One of the foyers noticed and called me.
"Mr. Russell," she shouted to get my attention," over here!" I Walked toward her while fixing my necktie. "Mr. Powell is waiting for you in his office at the top level of the building." She gave me a card. "If you need anything please contact the number here."
I take the card and put it in my pocket and smile at her. "Thank you," I said courteously and promptly left the desk toward the visible elevator at the end of a hallway. While making my way toward the elevator I noticed that someone was following me. His presence felt familiar. Opening the elevator door I was about to shut them before a hand blocked the mechanical movement. A man with a mustache, a set of formal suits, and eyeglasses stands beside me. All of them looked fake to the trained eye. Glaringly.
"What do they want now?" I didn't try to hide my exasperation. Time and time again I come to regret my decision to partner with the CIA. That super nationalistic organization wants to have a tight grip on me even if our goals align to make America prosper, our approaches are different like night and day, while I prefer a "legal" path; they seem to want me to take a more machiavellian route that reminds me of ROOT. The CIA always vexed me; they are a group that is ultimately always on the side of American interest, permitting anything if it's to protect the concept of America; they're not left-leaning or right-leaning, they are firmly the overzealous center-center. They don't care about petty politics and principles as long as what they're doing ultimately benefits our nation; they'll do it without hesitation.
"It's also nice to meet you again Mr. Nathaniel," a familiar voice responded.
Now that's surprising.
"Jose-"
"It's Clarence, sir…" he cut me off.
"Right, Clarence, why did they send you? I thought you were a high-ranking member." They sent the same person to me in the Dakotas.
"The people on top thought that assigning you with someone more familiar to you will help you a little more," he said with a grin.
"I take it they also know why im here?" I look at the console to see the number on the elevator go up. 'Why is this elevator so slow?'
"Affirmative. I have to admit what you are doing is stupidity at its finest. Getting their support is important but doing it this early? Either you have an offer they can't refuse or you're doing this without any proper planning," I winced hearing his frank way of speaking.
"It's a mix of both, I do have a plan but I'm not too sure about it," I told him the truth. "What interest do your bosses have in my meeting?"
"Oh it's nothing, you're just trying to convince a man that could kill the world economy to your side. No pressure by the way," he said with a monotone voice.
"Your sarcasm is noted. I take it there's something else they wanted me to tell him?" I inquired. "Clarence" holds his back to the wall and hands in his pocket.
"Not exactly him but you. If you could bring as many overseas companies back to the U.S.," he told me.
There's been a secret plan brewing in the elite political circle; while that plan is still an amalgamation of talking points from different people, anyone with a brain could see that something is slowly turning the wheel of American diplomacy. That's how it usually goes, at first talking points from different people. It only takes one smartass to unknowingly conclude all the talking points and call it his own and acknowledge by all if that conclusion aligns with what everyone agrees upon. Fortunately for me, I and Aaron had that same conclusion a long long time ago.
China and the U.S. Will not tolerate each other b.s that is for sure. America does not want another power to compete with it and China is mad at the U.S. For the U.S. Denying what they've held for thousands of years: absolute power. A dick-waving contest if you will and both want to have the longest one; that's what a glance at what it'll look like to the common citizenry and even politician. While in reality, this is a competition about who will be the most prosperous and get the most money. Power is a side effect and main feature if you're rich; the same logic could be applied to countries as well.
For years China has been piggy-riding the U.S. Economy to relevancy, using our industrial might and innovation against us. Jobs that should've been for your average American taken any some low waged worker in Shenzhen, innovations that we made stolen like it's nothing, and most important of all our own damn money that we invest to trillions if not the tens of trillions now being used to wreck our country to shred. This isn't a cold war for influence and ideologies, nor religion and race. This is a cold war for us to prosper. And the first step for us to win that war is reindustrialization, factories once more on American soil made by American hands.
"In that front were also aligned," I smiled. "Anything else?"
"Convince him to let you join the club," he told me with impassiveness yet I could tell that he could barely say those words with calmness.
"No," I said coldly. "That wretched place should be burned." my hand tightened involuntarily. "The rumors I've heard, all that degeneracy is what's wrong with the American elites. It is the very thing that I want to destroy inside this great country." That place is an anathema to my very being; the reason why this country is the cesspool it is.
(A/N: If you don't know what im talking about, search: Vice– Secret s#x party of the mega-rich.)
"Believe me, I know it too well," his tone of voice changed, a barely contained fury lay underneath. An air of uneasiness was now permeating the tight room. The way he spoke it looks like he doesn't want to divulge his history with that place. "But we need more of our people inside. Few successful people in America didn't join that place and most of them are people like you. We need someone to be a mole."
My wife is going to hate this…"
"Then tell her the truth," he said like it was the easiest thing in the world. "It will be easier for you if your wife could help you also…"
"Fine, I'll do it, but Rebbeca will not be a part of it." I finally relent. '"Becca's going to hate this," I said with a sigh.
"Good. Well, in any case, here is a listening device. My boss is also interested in the details of your discussion with Mr. Powell." The Elevator door opened. "If you need anything else you know how to contact me, ciao!" He waived and left the elevator.
"What a weird man."
Jose- I mean, Clarance, left me to my device. That man seems to be my handler or watcher for the CIA so they can keep an eye on me. It's a curious decision for them to send me a familiar face. It's kinda heartwarming for the CIA to think about my comfort and familiarization with other people. What the fuck am I talking about.
Anyway, the door to my doom or glory is now in front of me, taking the shape of an oak wood carved with a tasteful symbol of the feds and its motto. 'Wait the feds have a motto?'
A/N: they don't.
Pushing the thought to the back of my mind, I knocked on the door waiting for a response.
"Come in," an old gruffy voice responded. Opening the door, instead a single man that I expected to meet turned out to be multiple people. "So this is the much talked about Nathaniel Russel. Please sit down," he motioned at the chair and table surrounded by a U formation of men and women, " We have much to discuss."
What was discussed that day changed the whole world.
…….
I know I'm late it's too short I know
I'm too busy and the story is getting too complex for me to handle.
I need help