novelraw Chapter 129 129
Chapter 129 129
After spending a night in Ba Sing Se, Akashi returned to Republic City with the girls. Lin headed back to the police force, still in a daze from Akashi's marriage proposal. Though it came on a whim, Akashi was genuine about it. And since they had agreed, it was scheduled to happen soon.
As for Korra, she headed to Akashi's place, which Akashi insisted she visit. After all, with her nearby, he could make sure he could protect her.
Though she was the Avatar and strong enough to subdue nations, there was a reason why the likes of Zaheer could ambush her. There was also a reason why some of the previous Avatars had died. So, he needed to be around her to make sure she was safe.
As for Akashi, even though he didn't want to get cocky, he had a lesser chance of dying or being caught off guard than the Avatars.
His normal state could be considered superhuman. And he had perks that made it impossible for anyone to catch him off guard: iron skin, a strong body, time-stopping reflexes, and inhuman speed.
And while Akashi went to his office in his building, he was occasionally checking the system's panel.
[Name: Akashi.
Level: 92
Class: Airbender.
Skill Points: 14
Attribute Points: 22]
The gains from the war were satisfying, and Akashi believed that this may be the highest level he could reach—unless he decided to go mad and annihilate everyone on his way. But he wasn't that mad. And he had already reached a level he could be proud of. Every time he stared at the screen, a smile made its way to his face unknowingly.
After a knock on the door, a hot secretary entered.
"Mr. Akashi," said the secretary, walking toward him with a file, "This is the information you asked for."
"Leave it on the desk," he replied.
She did as she was told and left. Though she had a nice perky butt, Akashi didn't bother looking. He had fit girls around him and had stared plenty. He could only focus on the task.
Slowly, he reached for the files.
Though on the surface he was a leading chef and farmer, he had intel on the current era's most dangerous criminals—Unalaq didn't register as Akashi eliminated him before he could get recognized.
"Zaheer, let's see." Akashi read the files that traced their movements. "He even has people believing in him everywhere. Interesting. One of them sold information on him."
Even though it was a stated fact, it was still amazing to see people believe in money more than ideals.
Someone in contact with Zaheer had said that he got his members free. And it's not him who did so.
The reports said that masked metalbenders attacked the prisons of the Red Lotus Order. The remaining two had escaped. And since they were top benders in their fields, a few units of the White Lotus Order couldn't stop them.
'Metalbenders… that's definitely different from canon.' Akashi thought.
As Zaheer had appeared in the last arc of the series, remembering him was easier than remembering the seasons before that.
But though, Akashi wondered who would help Zaheer. He had many helpers. But metalbenders. There was that traitor… what was he again, someone in the city under his sister-in-law.
And by sister-in-law, he thought about Lin's sister.
And more than that, there was Kuvira, who was supposed to be an ambitious psychopath who wanted to conquer through force.
In some way, the Earth Queen—god have mercy on her soul—was better than Kuvira.
'Though, Kuvira won't be able to do a thing. First of all, Korra isn't poisoned. Second, the spirit world and physical world didn't have one, so she couldn't use the spiritual materials to create mass destruction weapons… But again, I have crushed her ambition by killing the Earth Queen in my own way. And even if she succeeded in gathering an army and all, even if the Avatar wasn't around to stop her, and even if I wasn't around, there is Noatak. Well, forget about Noatak, even Tarrlok is enough to stop her dream and spit on it.
'But this is real life. I should put everything to count. So, I'll focus on what I can control, and what I can control is putting the airbender through his place.'
'But I still don't get it. Zaheer is a very smart man. How does he believe that killing the ruler and killing the Avatar will change the world? The Avatar has slept for a hundred years, and the world didn't change. Kill a country's rulers, and people will form tribes and kill for resources.'
Akashi closed the file and tossed it aside.
At any rate, he knew where Zaheer would be next. 'I'll use them as entertainment for the next time.'
As he was about to drift to sleep, Akashi heard a commotion outside, between his secretary and a woman with a familiar voice.
"Akashi! Open the door."
"Wait! You can't enter the main office..."
"He said he would meet me seven days ago. But he didn't! He's here, I know, I can smell his scent."
Akashi opened his eyes wide open.
He remembered that he had told Asami that he would slip between the rebels and visit her without Korra interrupting.
Guess what?
He totally forgot about it.
Well, it's only natural. Try being surrounded by tens of thousands of rebels who'd call you 'The Founder.' They had made him forget many things by being surrounded by them. And considering his unnatural abilities to stay awake for a long time, he had barely got any rest.
Akashi sighed, and the wind moved, unlocking his door open.
Asami was frowning at the secretary, who seemed to get intimidated.
"Let her in." Akashi waved his hand.
Asami entered, and the door closed behind her on its own.
Asami's eyes moved briefly to the door, pretending not to notice that.
Akashi could understand why Lin did the door's trick.
"So." Akashi broke the silence. "How have you been?"
"Could have been better," she replied.
'Am I going to have my first fight with her… Man. This brings back memories.'
Akashi smiled slightly.
"Are you amused?" she asked him, clearly intending on confronting him.
"No. Not really," he replied, "Just happy to see you."
She walked to him and placed her hand on the desk.
"You could have been happier if you didn't make me wait," she replied, "some people get frustrated for that."
Akashi sighed, "Yeah, that's what I have been thinking about doing the last few days. But you know, life happens."
"What did happen?" she asked.
"I went to help the rebels, as you'll learn later." Akashi replied, "I was going to get back. But you know, these people had the old, the young, and the sick. So, I stuck around and helped them. By the end, I helped them fight."
Akashi learned to never say he forgot. Just make up a good story backed up with facts.
"Do you think I'm Korra to believe that?" she asked.
Akashi stood up and reached for her hands.
She didn't push them.
Good.
He still had a chance to fix things.
"Of course not." He replied, "But you didn't believe me when I brought your father from Ba Sing Se in a day. But here we are, one small happy family."
Her facial expressions eased up.
She quickly reached to him, saying, "Sorry. I should have considered that you are having a hard time as well."
Then, she landed a kiss on his lips.
"Don't apologize," replied Akashi, before giving her a hug. "We're here now, and that's what matters."
Asami put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
Akashi, on the other hand, sighed slowly.
Dealing with girls was harder than dealing with armies.
"You're right." Asami said as she pulled from the hug, and then she checked on him. She raised her eyebrow as she leaned on the desk, saying, "So, you're busy now?"