For a moment, seeing how Asami reacted to the news of her father's kidnapping, Akashi wondered if things would have been different if he had exposed him for being an equalist. In canon, she had hated him to the bone for that, until the last moment when he sacrificed himself and got his redemption arc. Heck, she hadn't even visited him in prison.
But in this timeline, she was different. He was the loving father, and she was the loving daughter.
If you asked if Akashi regretted changing the canon, the answer would be no.
Everyone was happy, and no harm had happened... well, other than him getting kidnapped, and he got a total of 120 million from Hiroshi. He was a great guy.
And Akashi knew exactly who kidnapped him.
If there was a list of suspects, it would be Noatak or the Earth Queen. And as for why Amon would be on the list, well, he might have a grudge against Hiroshi for selling the queen's weapons.
But that's not how Noatak operates, and he was smart enough to know that Hiroshi was under it.
So, that left one option, and it was the Dai Lee.
As Akashi had concluded from his conversation before going to the South Pole with Hiroshi, the latter hinted that all he had needed was his daughter being safe to screw the queen.
The latter was surely desperate enough to send someone to kidnap him. She wouldn't kill him, as she needed his brilliance to save the day and stop the powerful bloodbender.
And Asami seemed to realize that her father was kidnapped. As Akashi had protected her from the Dai Lee agents on the cruise a month ago and told her that it was a favor done to her father, she used her brain to link things. Whoever tried to kidnap her—according to Akashi's half-lie—would try to kidnap her father. And they were successful at one end.
"So, you're pretty certain that he has been kidnapped?" Akashi asked her.
Asami nodded, wiping her tear with her hand. "Yes. The maids and the servants hadn't seen him back home. I went to the company, and they said that he had vanished from thin air. Everyone had seen him enter his office. But no one saw him leaving. And when they checked on him, they didn't find him, not even a single trace. I suspect that the kidnapper is a highly trained earthbender."
She cried and added, "I hope he got kidnapped, because the other option isn't something that I want to think of."
Akashi patted her shoulder and offered her a hug.
She put her head on his shoulder, resting.
He offered her a word of comfort, "Don't worry. I'll get him back home, healthy and sound."
"Akashi. Please, don't give me false hope." Asami pleaded, not wanting false hope. One couldn't promise things out of their control to be done. And if something happened to her father, she may end up hating Akashi for breaking his word.
Akashi smiled. "Don't worry. Do you know who I am?"
Akashi was full of self-confidence.
"I know, the youngest and most brilliant detective, a living legend…" she replied through the sobs, "But I read the statistics. It's rare for those who get kidnapped to get back alive. And the kidnappers didn't ask for a ransom yet. I'm afraid!"
"If you know who, you wouldn't be afraid." Akashi sighed and decided to spill the beans.
"You know who?" Asami opened her eyes widely.
Akashi, who was controlling the sound, didn't worry about someone eavesdropping. So, the police walking by didn't hear what he said.
He nodded.
"Where is that motherfucker!" Asami cursed.
Akashi shook his head, "It's the Dai Lee agent."
"What?" Asami got confused.
"You know, the ones that work in Ba Sing Se—"
"I know them. But what do they have to do with my father?" she asked.
For once, Akashi decided to share the truth, as it was more comforting than any lie.
"Let's say, they are desperate against the rebellion that happened." Akashi replied, "They were afraid of losing the war, so they threatened your father with your life to sell them weapons. Your father came to me for help, to keep you safe. After that, he destroyed all of the weapons he had sold her—genius man. But, as the Queen got more desperate, she decided to kidnap the manufacturer. As long as they need him, they won't get rid of him."
Asami, for a second, dazed and lurched backward, almost falling if not for Akashi extending his hand and holding hers.
"That's too much. We need to tell the police." She said. At the same time, some relief was drawn on her face.
"If we tell them, a word would get out, and the Queen would get rid of him," Akashi said, "Never corner a cornered dog. They'd bite."
Asami paused for a second. After assuring that her father was still alive, she calmed down, and she regained her composure.
"What other solutions do we have?" she asked.
"Don't worry," Akashi replied, "You have me, and you have Korra."
"True, that one is capable." Asami nodded. Though she and Korra seemed to be on bad terms lately, they had been friends for a long while now.
United by hatred for their previous ex, and then hating each other for wanting each other's man.
Akashi felt like a good man for linking them. He was a man who loved spreading love—believe him.
"But still, would Korra help?" Asami asked, "She had been standing by when the North Pole invaded her home. Do you think she would interfere in another nation's affairs, just to help me?"
"If you ask her, she may." Akashi said.
"Please, ask her. I don't want to." Asami replied, after not considering it for long.
Akashi raised his eyebrows.
Surely, Asami was prideful enough to not ask Korra for help.
He then chuckled.
"Do you find this situation funny?" Asami furrowed her eyebrows.
"Your pride being considered in this situation is," Akashi nodded, "But since your father is safe, I think that I'm allowed to laugh."
Asami rolled her eyes, "I'm only at ease because I trust you. Though, I don't appreciate being lied to, you know. I'm not naive like Korra."
Well, Asami was a scientist, and had the same high IQ as her father.
"Sometimes, you don't need intelligence to solve problems," Akashi replied, "All you need is strength."
"So, you're telling me that your strength can stop someone wanting to kill you, even if they used a lethal poison on you?" Asami asked.
"Yes." Akashi replied.
He had some perks that countered poison, and he had a passive skill to counter poisons.
She sighed. "So, when should I expect my dad?"
"By the next week." Akashi replied, putting both hands on her shoulders, "For now, get back home, eat some melatonin, and let me take care of everything."
He and Asami departed then.
Even though he could solve the current problem with strength alone, it wasn't the most optimal solution.
Remember when Zaheer wanted to make peace and killed the Earth Queen—causing a massive war.
Yeah, Akashi could have done the same half a year ago.
But he had considered his steps carefully, in order to achieve his goal with the least drawbacks.
And as he got into his car, he had time to think without having to drive.
If he attacked the palace, they may hold Hiroshi a hostage. And if he showed that he had the power to kill the Earth queen all along, they would conclude that he hadn't done so for a reason. She was a cornered mad dog after all, and she would bite.
How to deal with a mad dog?
Akashi took a deep breath in, and then a deep breath out.
Obviously, kick their ass until they let out cute sounds instead of barks.
'Taking her as a hostage while kicking her whole agency seems to be the answer.' Akashi thought, 'But that could raise more conflicts. The best way to do so is to time my attack with Noatak. He'd have to lead the rebels while I take care of the palace… that way, future rich daddy-in-law is safe… and I sleep with Asami, and everyone's happy.'
There was no need to hurry.
But before that, he was dying to have some real food after being forced into the Southern Tribe's diet.
So, he went to one of his restaurants, the first one, and he ordered himself a tortilla wrap, extra cheese. And French fries on the side, with some soda. Of course, he wouldn't have to pay for his order.
And just as he was eating, a man with a hood sat in front of him, and snatched from his food.
Akashi cracked his knuckles.
"Selfish bastard," said the hooded man, "Selling this for high price, and enjoying this feast alone, while making others do your dirty work."
Akashi paused and looked at the man in hood.
"That was to keep you from getting fat. But that didn't stop you, I see." Akashi replied, recognizing who started eating the wrap. And knowing their history, Akashi didn't feel like eating anymore.
"Well, good food is good food" said the hooded man, "But I'm not here for eating. I have been waiting for you to give you one important message."