Playing Airbender (Legend of Korra SI)

Akashi was in the motel, standing in front of a board with the names of the two guys and their identities.

In the center, there was the name of Boba.

As for why he was in the motel, well, there had been an attempt to kidnap him, an attempt that seemed very well planned. And it was very unlikely they would give up anytime soon.

He guessed that, in such a situation, they would panic and try to snatch him from home before the chief sent protection. It would seem like their last desperate resort.

So, the wisest thing to do was to simply turn around the city, change clothes, and find a motel to stay at under a fake name.

This was how he would feel safe.

'Okay. Two guys, same family name. They should have gotten paid through the bank. I don't think people nowadays use cash a lot… well, criminals do, and money laundering is still a thing. Now that I think about it, Republic City has yet to become aware of money laundering, given that the banking system is recent. If I help, not only would I gain informants, but also money to pay my debts…'

'I think I took the advice "to catch a criminal you need to think like a criminal" too far.'

'Back to the point. It's not a money transfer. One could always say it's from a family member. The law allows huge sums of money to be transferred overseas.'

'Boba is going to the bank. I know that bastard. I would be under his trail for the next few days.'

'As for the mules, I don't think the police department would help me. I'll have to use my connections.'

'In the Police Department, apparently, my lieutenant is out of the question. If I ask others to help, he'd know beforehand.'

'The higher-ups wouldn't want to take him down and would even tell him about my investigation, and he would sabotage it, given that he would absolutely be watching me.'

'The only one I can trust is Amane. Old, career-oriented, and hates me for being a half-corrupt cop. She'd hate Boba more than me. And since Boba thinks we hate each other, he wouldn't see that coming.'

'As for the one I'm going to ask for help…'

-x-X-x-

The next day, Akashi stretched his arms up as he yawned. Currently, he was in the waiting room, in front of Tenzin's desk.

From the desk came a tanned man who looked very pissed off.

He walked past Akashi and gave him a very strong glare with his blue eyes before walking away.

'That man seems to be in a very bad mood.'

"What's the deal with him? I got kidnapped, betrayed, yelled at by the chief, and beaten in one night, and I'm not even half as upset as he is." Akashi sighed as he crossed one leg over the other, looking at the ceiling.

"Akashi, get in." Came Tenzin's voice from inside the office.

Akashi stood up and entered, closing the door behind him, staring at the monk-like man who had a defeated look on his face.

"You okay?" asked Akashi. "You and that man don't seem to get along."

"He's been like this ever since he took a seat on the council," replied Tenzin, his voice tired. "Anyways, I've heard about what happened last night. Good job on surviving so far."

"Yeah. It was thanks to airbending training that I could get out unharmed from that." Akashi nodded. It wasn't just the skill level in airbending that saved him, but the training did him wonders, especially the stunt he pulled when the car flipped.

"So, what brought you here early?" said Tenzin. "I don't think it's simply a visit. Do you want to join the Order of the White Lotus, or do you want to stay on the island for protection?"

"Sounds nice, but I'll skip that." Akashi refused. Instead, he pushed two IDs on the table. "These are the two guys who kidnapped me yesterday. I would have gotten you the ID of the taxi driver as well, but I don't remember his face."

Tenzin looked at the two IDs.

"Looks familiar."

"Do you know them?"

"No. But I believe I used to see them somewhere. I just don't remember where." Replied Tenzin, rubbing his forehead.

Akashi requested, "Forget about it. I want you to use your authority and get me their banking statements. It would help to find out if there was a large amount of money in their accounts."

He left Boba out of the equation and to himself.

"Why don't you let this go, and let someone else find out about it?" asked Tenzin.

"Because it's not the first time these people have done such a thing," Akashi replied, thinking how to convince Tenzin.

Instead of making things seem personal, the best way to convince a monk was to make things seem to have a grand goal.

"And if I let go of any lead I have, and if I don't give it my all, other innocent people may get kidnapped. They wanted me because I'm an airbender and I'm interesting. Think what they may do to a woman or a child who they think is interesting. You have kids, and you have to protect them. I want to protect them too. I mean, the only reason they were after me and not your children is because they live on an island protected by the Order of the White Lotus.

"But think, Tenzin. Your children are growing up, especially Jinora and Ikki, who are near their teenage rebellious phase. Someday, they may have an argument and decide to come here, and then these guys who were after me may coincidentally see them and ambush them."

It seemed that by bringing his children into the equation, Akashi managed to draw an expression on Tenzin's face, one of overprotectiveness and anger.

That's right. 

All of his children were airbenders. 

"Very well. I'll put finding these guys as my top priority," Tenzin said.

"Also, I'm staying in a golden motel under the name Chen Tension. Send me the bank statements there, will you?"

"Why are you… forget it, I'm not going to ask."

"Okay." Akashi smiled widely and clapped his hands. "I'll be happy to receive your help."