Needless to say, Akashi spent the night as if he was a working-class father who got back from work, screaming at his children and wife.

But the twist was that he was screaming at the Chi blockers.

As he got them down, their masks were pulled down as well.

He didn't care that they attempted to kidnap Korra more than the fact that they dared to do it in his private domicile.

And he'd not be harassed by them.

"So, you're saying that these guys just got into a bar fight, and you're willing to drop the charges as long as they pay 50 thousand Yuan each," Amane, Akashi's previous boss and ex-office friend-enemy, said.

"Yeah. I'm not pressing charges. I just want money for settlement," he said.

This case had slipped from his hand and was handed to the Organized Crime department because nobody had died. And Akashi was a very forgiving person. Considering that he milked them for experience, it's only fair to milk them out of their money. They had been numerous, more than 50. They weren't the type of people Akashi hated, as they were mere honest working people misguided by Amon. Not to mention, they were too weak.

'Okay, enough with the bullshit. I wanted to kill them. But their dead bodies aren't going to pay me the damage they had done,' he thought.

Truth to be told, he was speaking of more than 2.5 million Yuan. That's a lot. And considering that they were the elites of Amon's army, if he wanted them out, he'd have to pay. Whatever his backing was, Sato Mobiles company or the Earth Queen, he wanted a piece of the pie.

And after taking their money, he could eliminate them at any other time, gaining another bunch of experience points. But man, defeating a whole unit of Chi blockers meant for him and the Avatar, and he only got one level up, was too low. However, it's expected. The stronger he got, the more it was required from him to level up. It's not like he could complain. And there were plenty of strong foes out there.

'I may one day Madara the Earth Queen's army. But that's not possible even with 20 mana points. I need more…'

Leaning closer to his face, Amane said, "Are you sure that's what happened?"

She clearly could smell the stink, knowing Akashi. She had that theory, that he got on the wrong side of the equalists, and they had gathered a group to subdue him. But since he was the bar owner, his testimony was the one to determine the case.

"Yes," Akashi replied firmly.

"Are you not just saying that to take the case from us?" she asked.

"Why would I?" Akashi tilted his head, "I've closed more cases than you had in your career, probably. And I'm fifteen years younger."

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in, a deep breath out.

"Akashi. I'm an earthbender. I'm very tempted to make a hole under you and bury you under it," she said calmly.

"Dating an earthbender would be a scary idea." Akashi laughed.

Even if she was serious, Akashi's reflexes were faster than how fast gravity could affect him.

"You know I'm not dropping this," she said, sitting on the table.

"What do you want?" he asked, knowing her enough to understand that she wanted something in return.

"Get back, please. We miss you. I can get you a sergeant seat," she pleaded.

"No," he replied, "I'm having a brighter career at my current department."

She sighed, "We're doing very bad. No arrests in the last three months. At this rate, we may end up."

"I can give you a consultation."

"What's the price?"

"Drop the charges from a felony to a normal bar fight," he demanded.

"They ruined your place, and you want to let them go?" she asked.

"They are like you and me. Minimum wage workers who got frustrated because they are not benders. I can relate." He sighed.

It seemed that Akashi had a heart after all and could feel empathy. He was not very corrupted from the beginning.

She nodded. "Alright."

After some time, she came back with some files of closed cases.

Akashi swept his eyes across them.

Some needed further investigation.

And some were very obvious in Akashi's eyes.

His fellow officers were like junior med school students reading a scan. He was like a surgeon.

He could see things they couldn't despite looking at the same thing.

"Pick this case, it's easy." Akashi got one file, "There is money counterfeiting, probably, here. The location, time, and date are…"

He gave his conclusion from looking at the file, which she didn't doubt.

"I'll trust your words this time. You better not be lying to me," she said. "Just a helpful hand once in a while."

-x-X-x-

It was around dawn when Akashi left the station.

Out there, he found Korra waiting for him.

Her eyes seemed to be quite swollen.

Was she crying?

No.

She just sobered up.

"You waited for me?" he asked.

She crossed her arms, "Yeah… I couldn't simply leave."

"Why's that?" he inquired.

"You know, the bar fight, the fire — sorry about that. And I just sobered up and didn't want to go home," she admitted.

"It's fine." Akashi sighed, "Not your fault for defending yourself."

You know, in comics, when Superman throws a car on that villain, nobody blames Superman. But what about the owner of the car? What if he saved and worked hard to acquire it? Nobody blames the heroes.

"But —"

"No but. The fire didn't spread that much," Akashi replied.

If the fire had spread that much, then he would have snapped. But he'd get more profit than the damage, given that he had gotten the equalists' best-trained army — Chi blockers. Training another bunch of good martial artists would take a year, if not years. And they would pay the money for their release.

"You're really a gentle guy," Korra yawned. "Anyways, I'm quite sleepy."

"Sure thing. You can go to my place and sleep." Akashi reached his pocket and handed her the keys.

"And where will you be sleeping?" she asked.

"Not sleeping. I have somewhere to be," Akashi said.

"Okay," she replied, her tone betrayed a hint of disappointment.

And then, as if he were a ghost, Akashi vanished from his spot.

-x-X-x-

Somewhere.

Tarrlok watched as Akashi crawled in, dragging himself, putting a mattress down, and laying on it.

"Finally!" he exclaimed in frustration. "And could you stop telling the hookers I'm a masochist? Just because I'm chained, they dominate me."

Because Tarrlok had complained about being alone, Akashi had booked him some hookers, knowing well Tarrlok couldn't complain to them.

Even if he told them that Akashi kidnapped him, if they went to the police, the latter would push him to death row.

So, he enjoyed sex.

"Later. I need sleep." Akashi yawned, "Your brother sent me a whole unit to kick my ass."

"Sounds like him." Tarrlok replied, grabbing a cigarette and smoking.

It wasn't just a cigarette. It was cannabis.

"Hey. At least make breakfast before you sleep. The fridge is almost empty," Tarrlok demanded in an authoritative tone.

Akashi ignored him and slept, not feeling a slight fear that he'd get attacked. If Tarrlok was to attack him, the only thing that would happen would be Tarrlok ending up starving to death or dying from dehydration. He, after all, was chained to the wall, and there was no key nearby.

"Lazy asshole," Tarrlok muttered, before focusing on his weed. He opened a bottle of alcohol that Akashi was brewing — Vodka, he called it.

As a waterbender, he could cool it or heat it. And since he couldn't sleep, he decided to help himself.

-x-X-x-

Next day. Akashi went through his coffee shop. Korra wasn't in his private domicile, so he assumed that she went home. That, or the fact that Amon decided to attack her, which would be unwise since she could go Avatar State on him at any given time.

He went through his usual duties, issuing orders, finding a case, and tracking a murder.

Currently, Akashi was talking to a witness. A man with black hair, tanned skin, and blue eyes. From his racial features, he seemed to be a water tribe member.

"So, how's Tarrlok doing?" he asked.

Akashi, who was recording, stopped and lifted his head.

"Excuse me?" replied Akashi, feeling off that someone said that casually.

"The blood is thicker than water, don't you think," he said calmly.

By now, Akashi had a very good idea who he was talking to.