Akashi stood at the bridge. In front of him was a huge building with shiny lights everywhere. Albeit it was night, the only dark thing was the sea.
This pro-bending arena alone could be called a second sun.
People in fancy cars parked. Many of them were dressed in fancy dresses.
'Since when do people dress nice to watch sports?'
Akashi thought as he looked at himself, wearing nothing but a simple t-shirt, jeans, and a watch.
He had his ID, a walkie-talkie—for any emergency homicide—and a check on him. That's all.
Luckily, there were poor people who also liked to watch sports, so he didn't feel out of place.
"Akashi!" Yelled a feminine familiar voice.
"Korra." He turned to her. And she was dressed in that blue South Pole native shirt and long black pants.
'She changed her clothes. But man. She only has blue, dark blue, light blue… everything is blue. It appears that she wears the same clothes every day.'
'Well, she's nice skin, nice shape, and a big ass. So, I don't mind.'
"Over here!"
Korra smiled widely as she ran to him.
"Wow, you showed up earlier than me." She remarked.
"I'm quite a man with a busy schedule," he replied. "So, I see you managed to get here without sneaking around."
Akashi examined her clothes.
They weren't wet. If she came here from the island, even if she used waterbending to remove the water, she'd leave traces, like a salty smell and dried water spots. But these weren't on her.
"How do you know?" she asked as she tilted her head.
"Just a guess," replied Akashi.
"Well, I can't say that it was easy. But he had let me come, saying that if it was you, so be it." She replied.
Akashi raised his eyebrows, quickly catching on to it.
"Is that what he really said?" Akashi asked, his tone full of doubt.
Korra joined her palms together, "I'm sorry. But I kind of told him it was your idea, for better training and all."
Akashi placed a hand on her shoulder and grabbed her to walk with him.
She followed submissively.
"It's okay… it's not like he pays my rent or anything. On the other hand, you live in his house, eat his food, play with his kids and all…" Akashi said. "I'm not losing anything."
Korra blushed. "Come on, you're making me feel very bad about it."
"I'm just stating facts." Akashi shrugged, feeling amused to see her lowering her head in guilt and blushing. He didn't know that tan girls could blush.
"It's not what you said, it's the way you said it." Korra pouted.
"Relax. I'm taking the blame. But you owe me one." Akashi smiled.
"Sure. I owe you this." Korra beamed, happily walking into the arena.
Akashi handed two tickets, one for him, and one for Korra.
He picked two seats for them, and they watched the matches.
Korra may be famous, as being the Avatar. But no one here seemed to pay her attention.
Maybe, because no one had seen her before.
And Akashi appreciated how calm things were.
A few fights played on, starting from the beginning leagues. They had two teams fighting. Each team had three benders from every element, except airbending. And they would win by knocking their foes out of the stadium, which was on top of the water, surrounded by tens of thousands of spectator seats.
"I'm going to use the girls' room." Korra yawned, "Hope the pros' matches start soon."
"Yeah, go ahead." Akashi leaned backward on his seat and closed his eyes, hands in pockets—not to look cool or be edgy, but to protect the little cash he had. He was a quick sleeper, so he would wake up upon any slight touch. He was a hard-working honest man, and he did what he could do to protect his assets.
After a very brief nap, a voice asked Akashi.
"It seems that your date has ditched you?" asked the voice.
Akashi was about to say 'Sorry, I can't help you find your mom.' Because the question was too personal, whether Korra was his date or not.
But he yawned first.
And as he looked, he saw Tenzin sitting instead of Korra in her seat.
"Which date?" asked Akashi. "On a second look, it looks like a date. A young man and a woman with little age gap watching sports together."
It seemed that Tenzin came here to see if there was any romantic development. So, he had waited until Akashi had fallen asleep to get an answer from him. Well, with a hot girl like Korra, he would have to get worried. Even Akashi would lie to say he's not tempted.
"Two words were enough." Tenzin let out a tired sigh.
"Do you think I wouldn't be rude to someone asking personal questions when I'm asleep?" asked Akashi.
"It's expected from an air nomad to not do so," replied Tenzin.
"I've spent most of my life in this city, so I'm not a nomad yet." Akashi replied, yawning, "I'm just giving you an advice, Tenzin. Don't ask questions you would not love to hear the answers to."
"The truth isn't for the weak-hearted." Replied Tenzin. "I just wanted to check on the Avatar, and on you, personally, to see how you're doing."
"I just took a couple of days off," said Akashi.
"Why only two; I can help you get more if you'd like so." Replied Tenzin.
"There is a serial killer who will strike three days later to 6 days later, and I need to catch him." Replied Akashi.
"A serial killer, who?"
"The one who kills three benders every three years."
"Never heard of someone like this."
"You'd not, usually. Until you notice a pattern." Akashi replied, "If you'd like to help, place the order of the white lotus agents in the blocks where waterbenders live, in firefighters workforce, and in the hospitals where they work."
"And what pattern did you notice?" Tenzin asked curiously. Then his eyes bulged.
Korra was down in the arena, wearing a red protective vest and helmet.
"I'd like to keep that a secret for now," replied Akashi, following Korra with his eyes.
She seemed to have joined the Red Ferrets team.
"Is this your idea as well?" Tenzin asked, furrowing his eyes.
"You know, teenagers." Akashi turned to Tenzin and smirked. "They… they like to discover things."
"I'm gonna stop her!" Tenzin stood up.
Akashi held him from the sleeve and pulled him down.
"It's good training for her." Akashi shook his head.
And it's quite a good way to gamble. No, he's not a gambler, as that doesn't go with the ways of an airbender.
He's a high-risk investor.
"How?" Tenzin asked.
"Footwork." Akashi pointed down.
Korra, in the first round, had her team knocked down. And she was left to face three opponents at once, and she, thanks to airbending training, managed to dodge every projectile sent in her direction, be it fire or water.
Tenzin observed, and then, he nodded. "I see your point."
Seeing that the odds were against the Red Ferrets team, which Korra seemed to join, he had decided to go and bet a check with 100k yuan. He had 500k, so it was a well-managed risk.
What he had remembered from the canon was that Tenzin, who had come to take Korra, cheering up happily for her.
This Korra seemed to do better than the original, as she had managed to pull the footwork and dodge everything on her way. Mostly, thanks to the mental training he had given her.
The odds were 5 to 1. Meaning, if he won, he'd get 400k yuan. And in total, his bank account would have 900k.
The best thing, he wouldn't have to pick up cash for it and could use the wire transfer.
The only downside was the taxes.
He had taken the ticket, and he sat next to Tenzin. Both of them watched the match intensely. At the third round, Korra's team won.
Tenzin punched his fist in the air, cheering excitedly.
On the other hand, Akashi had done the same and yelled loudly.
Both celebrated, for two different reasons.
Tenzin soon remembered that he was a respected councilman in the middle of the population. He faked a cough.
Akashi, who went to hand his gambling… ahem, high-risk investing check… felt his walkie-talkie vibrating. It was because someone used a frequency used by his team.
"Attention to all units. Tarrlok, a bloodbender, has escaped… I repeat. Attention to all units… if anyone saw him, don't engage directly, report and get back to your post."