U.S. President George Bush was preparing to deliver a televised address.
Following the terrorist organizations in the Middle East, he was about to formally declare mutants enemies of the United States.
But the public broadcast was ultimately canceled.
Professor X led the X-Men through the front entrance of the White House.
He froze everyone's movements, walked straight through the building, and arrived at the Oval Office.
A large number of staff members were setting up cameras and other equipment for the televised address.
But at this moment, they were all frozen as though time itself had stopped.
Doing this also indicated, to some extent, that Professor X was harboring considerable anger.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have relied on his overwhelming abilities to do something tantamount to breaking the law, bypassing everyone and directly meeting the nation's leader.
Whether he simply had a strong heart or hadn't realized the danger he was in, George Bush accepted the documents Professor X handed him and began reading them openly.
Cold sweat soon began running down his forehead…
Professor X spoke beside him.
"Mr. President, mutants have never been your enemies, much less enemies of the United States.
"The attempt on your life was a conspiracy planned by military personnel acting out of personal interests.
"And the evidence of their actions, including all the inhumane things they did, is right in front of you.
"If necessary, you can send personnel to investigate the Alkali Lake military base in Canada."
Compared with the cruel human experiments, the reason George Bush was willing to compromise had nothing to do with sympathy for mutants.
It was the assassination plot.
Because it meant a coup against him personally.
The fact that he had survived was genuinely thanks to the Secret Service agents who had faithfully performed their duties—and to his own good luck.
The plan clearly outlined what the successor was supposed to do after the assassination succeeded.
Faced with this blatant coup plot, even George Bush, who had nerves of steel, understood that he had narrowly escaped disaster.
Combined with the other human experiments targeting mutants, the U.S. President tried to deflect responsibility.
"I didn't know William Stryker was doing any of this. He never reported it to me."
"I understand, Mr. President.
"This document is only meant to show you the personal interests and motives of the conspirators.
"I have no intention of accusing anyone.
"I only hope to obtain a little tolerance for the mutant community and prevent anything like this from happening again."
Closing the horrifying document, George Bush proved himself to be a seasoned politician who knew exactly how the political game worked.
"I understand.
"I'll cancel this public address and withdraw the decision I made previously.
"Perhaps I really shouldn't have listened to only one side while ignoring the other.
"Mr. McCoy, the director of the Office of Mutant Affairs, did advise me to learn more about the situation before making a decision.
"I was indeed somewhat rash.
"I think the Office of Mutant Affairs could be elevated to a higher level, perhaps to cabinet-level status.
"But I'd like to know how you obtained this document.
"And who were Colonel William Stryker's accomplices?"
George Bush was indeed an experienced politician who understood the ways of politics.
Realizing that he had made the wrong move, he immediately offered a sweetener.
That left Professor X unable to become angry even if he wanted to.
Raising the official status of mutant affairs didn't benefit him personally.
The one who would truly benefit was Beast, Hank McCoy.
But could Professor X refuse such a proposal?
Regardless of whether the President had ulterior motives, it was an offer that was difficult to turn down.
Recalling the words William Stryker had handwritten into his plan to persuade the President, Professor X replied with a hint of sarcasm.
"We have a mutant who can pass through walls at will.
"Finding this document wasn't difficult.
"As for Colonel Stryker's accomplices, however, we don't know.
"The X-Men have no investigative authority.
"Perhaps every official in the presidential line of succession deserves to be investigated."
Professor X's words struck directly at the heart of the matter.
They were effectively telling George Bush to suspect his own vice president and a whole group of cabinet members he had personally appointed.
Once an investigation began, it would undoubtedly cause a massive earthquake in American politics.
At that point, never mind dealing with mutants at home—even international affairs could be suspended or disrupted as a result.
And this was on the eve of the crucial decision to send troops into Iraq.
How could George Bush dare let the matter escalate?
He didn't pursue the question of the conspirators behind the coup any further.
Instead, George Bush put the documents into his desk drawer.
"I understand.
"…Professor X, correct?
"I'll order all unfriendly actions against mutants to cease, and I'll have this matter investigated.
"I hope you'll cooperate with the investigators.
"Of course, this will be done with the assistance of the Department of Mutant Affairs."
"Of course, Mr. President."
"Oh, and Professor X.
"I've always hoped to learn more about the X-Men and establish a direct line of communication.
"You see, this whole incident happened because neither side understood the other, which resulted in so many misunderstandings."
Looking at the President with a handsome face—for someone in politics, anyway—Professor X said irritably,
"As for information about the X-Men, I believe it should have been included in the transition materials from former President Bill Clinton.
"If I remember correctly, it was Item 63-09.
"The report was based on information we voluntarily provided, with the previous President's staff adding their own notes and emphasis.
"Mr. President, didn't you see that report?"
George Bush muttered,
"Item sixty-three? How could I possibly read that much stuff?"
Then, in a normal voice, he said,
"I understand. I'll have my staff dig up the documents.
"Then, about establishing communication…"
"Mr. President, since the Office of Mutant Affairs already exists, I think communicating through an official organization would be more appropriate.
"I used to have a direct hotline with the President's Office, but the results of such direct communication weren't particularly good."
"What a shame.
"I heard my father say that he used to be able to contact you at any time and request the X-Men's assistance.
"I think we could deepen our cooperation.
"If we'd had that kind of relationship, the unfortunate incident in 2001 might never have happened."
If he hadn't said that, Professor X might have retained a little more patience.
But once the President brought that up, Professor X felt that not flipping the table was already a remarkable demonstration of self-restraint.
Who had cut off the hotline between the X-Men and the President?
The father of the man standing before him—George Herbert Walker Bush.
It had happened in 1992, after Jean Grey came into contact with the Phoenix Force and clashed with the police.
At the time, the authorities had refused to listen to his explanation and had proactively cut the presidential hotline.
There was no way the former President himself hadn't known about it.
Professor X didn't want to explain all of this to the young President standing before him.
He simply felt that the Bushes were like natural enemies of mutants.
Whenever something fell into their hands, an entire pile of problems seemed to emerge.
Professor X deflected the issue.
"Mr. President, if you wish to reopen the hotline, we're certainly willing to cooperate.
"But Director McCoy—perhaps we should call him Secretary McCoy from now on—is a remarkably wise elder.
"Most of your questions can be answered by him, and he'll be able to provide the best advice.
"As long as you're willing to believe that mutants aren't the enemy, humans and mutants can maintain peace and work together to create a better future.
"Everything depends on you."
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