After revealing that he had something to tell Akashi, Tarrlok began eating the wrap as if he hadn't eaten in a long time.
Akashi observed him. Tarrlok was acting like a homeless man who hadn't seen food in a long time—not that he was mocking them, but he was mocking him.
"You act as if it's your first time seeing food. Have some decency," Akashi said, frowning.
Tarrlok paused for a second, took some soda to help him swallow, and laughed.
"Never thought that you knew about decency," replied Tarrlok. "Aren't you being hypocritical?"
Akashi took a deep breath to control himself and said, "Very well. Since the older brother is doing my bidding, I can handle the little brother as a form of favor."
Tarrlok gave him a glare. "Yeah, making a whole country go into rebellion. Small favor, you say."
Akashi shrugged. "Matter of fact, you owe me."
"Owe you what?" Tarrlok asked.
"If not for me, you and your brother would have gotten pegged."
"And who gave that old hag that idea in the first place?" Tarrlok replied, closing his eyes as if recalling some nightmare, his forehead getting sweaty. To this day, Tarrlok still had nightmares about that day.
"Forget about it," Akashi said. "Just tell me what your brother said."
Tarrlok took a deep breath. "He said that he is going for an all-out war. But the number of the rebels is quite disadvantageous. Not to mention, the opposite army is more trained. And we will need you on our way to the palace."
"What a coincidence," smiled Akashi.
"What do you mean?" Tarrlok looked at him suspiciously.
"I was going to ask your brother to go to war?" Akashi laughed. "So, when are you going to do so?"
"In a month, that's the original plan," said Tarrlok.
"Good, good. I need you guys to go in a week," said Akashi.
That would work perfectly fine with his new agenda.
"It's a war, not something that you decide to do the next week. You need planning, organization, and all. No matter how strong your teeth are, you can't bite water. Some fights aren't won by sheer strength alone."
"I know," Akashi replied, lifting his finger. "I already had a plan."
"And what that plan may be?" said Tarrlok.
"Do you trust me?" asked Akashi.
"No," replied Tarrlok, honestly.
Akashi shrugged. "So, even if I told you my plan, you wouldn't trust me. So, just tell Amon to gather all of the forces in a week. And attack the Palace. In the meantime, I will make the path easier for the rebels."
"Does anything piss you off?" asked Tarrlok.
"The last guys who successfully did it have turned into fish food," Akashi replied, snapping his finger and calling a waiter.
Tarrlok paused for a second and continued eating Akashi's food silently.
The waiter arrived, and Akashi ordered more food for himself.
"Great, more free food," Tarrlok clapped his hands.
Akashi gave him a glare. "If you don't pay, you will have to leave."
"What? Why are you being stingy? You weren't like this before?" Tarrlok asked.
"I don't want you to bankrupt me," replied Akashi, sighing deeply.
The bloodbender frowned. But nevertheless, he shook his head, saying, "I'm full already."
"Anyways… have you heard something about Hiroshi Sato?" asked Akashi. Even though he knew about him being kidnapped, and by whom, Akashi didn't mind having more information.
"I see," replied Tarrlok. "We have some spies within the palace, people who support our cause. They said that there are rumors about him being kidnapped and making weapons for her majesty. That's why we wanted to go in all-out attack to the palace. Before that madman could come up with something. Oh, and we already got someone to attempt to assassinate him."
"Cancel it," said Akashi.
"Why?" asked Tarrlok. "That would be a stupid step, no?"
"He's important to me," Akashi said.
Tarrlok tilted his head, not seeming to understand. "Huh?"
"I'm dating his daughter, so he's important to her, important to me. Future family," Akashi clarified.
"So, you're cheating on Korra after she allowed you to have a friend with benefits?" replied Tarrlok.
"No. She's fine with it," said Akashi.
"So, let me get this straight, you managed to get the police chief, Korra, and the daughter of Sato. Must say, you're more dangerous than you appear. To get even women in positions in the heart of politics and money. Are you trying to conquer the world?" asked Tarrlok.
"No. But I'm trying not to get pissed off," Akashi said.
"Very well then," Tarrlok nodded, standing up. "I'll deliver your message to my brother."
Tarrlok walked out of the restaurant, leaving Akashi to stare at his back. The new plates arrived, and Akashi could finally enjoy a meal. Even though there was a lot coming, a lot of work, he still could enjoy a meal. And he confirmed that Hiroshi was still alive, forced to make weapons.
'Luckily, they don't know about Kuvi-bitch-something's husband. That man can make weapons on Hiroshi's level, or even better.' Akashi thought, trying to remember something from canon. 'Now I think about it, Kuvi bitch's husband is my Lin's nephew. That makes him my nephew-in-law, no? Also, if I'm not wrong, mother is there. I should send her a letter for the new year. But I'm quite busy with the war.'
And so, Akashi finished his meal calmly. After he was done, he left the restaurant, smoking a cigarette, and opened the system.
[Flying up to level 10. Max level has been achieved.]
Akashi, who was walking calmly in Republic City, suddenly vanished into thin air. The people who were watching the streets, and he was in their vision, couldn't help but blink.
-x-X-x-
"How is it going?" the Earth Queen, who was sitting on her throne, looked at the current Dai Lee agency leader.
He was bowing, talking respectfully to her.
"Hiroshi is developing mecha-suits that could be controlled from a distance. That will be the key to defeat the bloodbender," he replied.
The bloodbender.
Despite having two going against her, only one could earn that title.
Amon, or currently known as Noatak, had gotten too strong. No matter how much she sent after him, they would fall. The planes that she sent, he could bloodbend the drivers and knock them out cold from a distance. And if that wasn't bad enough, if she sent her men, he would send them back without their bending.
That one, alone, was leading a rebellion. And for a long time, she had forgotten about her previous worst enemy—Akashi.
"That's very good. Tell him to hurry up. Even though he stuck his daughter to Akashi. Tell him that I can kill him at any time, and I could make him bow with my wisdom. So he better not slack off and make good stuff that doesn't blow up on some strange phenomena, or else, he will taste my wrath." She said, her voice grave.
"Your wisdom shines above us all, your majesty," said the Dai Lee agent. "You aren't even concerned about that Akashi."
"Please, he was just an insect who got cocky because he got the Avatar to protect him as her little boyfriend. After I'm done with the rebels, I'm going to make him kneel and wish for my forgiveness." She laughed her heart out.
"Is that so?" came a strange voice. "I must say, you are very confident. Are you pretty sure you could do it?"
"Of course," she replied confidently, before frowning. "Who dares to disrespect me in my palace!"
She glared, like everyone in the main hall, in the direction of the man who dared to speak disrespectfully.
It was a crime that brought the worst punishments on who committed it.
And as they turned their head, they saw a face that they only saw in pictures, a face that they had to memorize and never forget. He was number two enemy of the nation.
"I believe that this is the first time we see each other, face to face," Akashi said, smirking.