Hiroshi looked in horror when he saw the ten agents in his house, everyone else knocked out.

"What have you done to these people!" he yelled, looking around. "And where is my daughter!?"

If there was something he was afraid to lose, it would be the only member of his family.

"Is this how you talk to your debt collector, equalist," said the leading agent, stepping forward. "Your daughter is sleeping peacefully now, drugged so she doesn't hear our little chat."

"You did what!" Hiroshi extended his hand to strangle the agent. The latter extended his hand to the former and was faster. Hiroshi found himself lifted off the ground, staring at the eyes of the agent.

"Or do you want me to bring her here, to listen about you being the one who provided the equalists with technologies and weapons. Not to mention, you took our kingdom's money, and then went away with it." The agent said with a calm voice, fitting someone who killed for breakfast.

Hiroshi tried to say something, but he couldn't.

"Blink once if you want us to bring your daughter here. Blink twice if you don't." He said.

Hiroshi blinked twice.

The agent let go of Hiroshi's throat, letting the latter fall on his knees. Hiroshi grabbed his throat and breathed in.

Seriously, he almost forgot why he hated benders. They just bully people like him and enter their houses and hurt their family.

"It's not me who took your queen's money, it's Amon. Tell him to pay." Hiroshi forced a smile. "Or is he still going around, gathering people, and what's he planning this time — Dethroning your queen?"

The agent furrowed his eyebrows.

Amon became famous again as a man who was leading a revolution in their kingdom.

And he managed to take down some territory, gaining aids to his side.

Every attempt to assassinate him was a failure.

He kicked Hiroshi on the ribs.

Hiroshi forced a laugh. He wasn't afraid about his own life. But there were some people who didn't deserve to die.

"So, what do you want?" he asked. "I can see it's not revenge since everyone is alive."

"You have some brains after all," the agent nodded. "You have to pay off your debt."

"I'll be more glad to return the money Amon took." Hiroshi said, reaching his shoulder and grabbing a paycheck.

"It's the money itself," the agent couched to his level. "It's the investment return we are talking about."

Hiroshi had a good idea about what they wanted.

"What exactly are you asking me to manufacture." He asked.

"The planes. Any mechanical weapon that could be used in the face of bloodbender." He demanded.

For once, Hiroshi understood.

Amon was a bloodbender, and he was too strong for them. Hiroshi had seen him in a battle before — bending most of the elite trained equalist army in his fight against Akashi, controlling their bodies precisely. Controlling hundreds of people while moving them precisely required a skill level that cannot be imagined.

The Earth Kingdom was so desperate, thinking that some planes, maybe bombs or weapons in them, would do them any help. But if it's Amon, he could bend the plane driver and make it fall. Well, if they dropped some explosion on him first, their effort wouldn't be in vain.

Hiroshi opened his eyes in horror again.

One man driving a whole kingdom to desperation, and he wasn't even the Avatar.

Yet, that man was defeated by Akashi.

'That's it. That bastard is the key to protecting my daughter. Somehow, I need to stick her to him.'

Hiroshi still called Akashi 'bastard' in his thoughts. After all, he forced him to hand bonds worth hundred million, in past, that's for sure. Now, they worth way more with his company success, and gave him a constant return.

"What are you pondering about so long?" the Dai Lee agent said.

"I was pondering about the manufacturing process…" Hiroshi lied, his heart beating up so loud. "The expenses and your demands."

He would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid in this situation. No, he was beyond terrified. But he was a father, and he had to protect his family.

Surely, he hated Amon and all for tricking them.

But he hated the people in front of him for threatening his daughter and staff.

"We will be gentle enough to send you our demand again. Ignore them, and all people here would be buried under the ground," replied the agent, "You can try running, hiding. But even if you hide under a snow rock in one of the poles, we will find you."

Hiroshi swallowed hard, his mind racing.

Had it been himself, he would rather getting killed than helping these dirty earthbenders. But, he couldn't. He had tasted the pain of losing his wife, and he didn't want to feel it again.

"Very well," he nodded, clenching his fist.

"And don't even dare to send a defected thing. We'll verify everything," he replied.

For now, even though Amon was a liar, he felt like a hero.

"And in case anyone knew about this. Be sure…" the agent swept his hand in front of his throat, "someone you love will end up like this."

The Dai Lee agents then left.

Hiroshi dropped on his knees and looked at the roof, holding his chest tightly, momentarily unable to breathe.

He was afraid, resentful, and hesitant. For once, he didn't want to help that kingdom against the rebellion. And he couldn't ask anyone for help, not even Akashi…

Wait, Akashi.

That's it.

That man dates the Avatar, doesn't he?

The Glacier Spirit festival was around. He would definitely be in the south pole.

If there is one thing he believed, it's Akashi's ability to pick on clues.

Akashi may be unable to do anything about the agents, but he would pick on their scent if they were around him.

And he could definitely protect Asami.

Of course, he couldn't do it directly.

His mind came to a solution.

Very soon, the staff of the house woke up.

They felt slightly dizzy, and they asked Hiroshi about what happened.

Hiroshi told them that there was a gas leak, and no one paid attention that the windows were closed.

They apologized for their negligence, but Hiroshi dismissed it with a laugh, and said that he would be added odor to the gas, so that they would see it coming the next time.

"By the way, how's Asami doing?" he asked.

"She's gone to the center of the city, said she wanted to eat out in that new restaurant."

"A new restaurant."

"Yeah. It said that it uses corpses that most thought it's useless and only good for diet. That, and other stuff."

The door of the house opened, revealing Asami wearing a coat and holding a bag.

Hiroshi sighed in relief, resisting the urge to cry.

"Where have you been?" Hiroshi said, looking at his taller daughter and holding her from the shoulders.

Asami grabbed the bag, opening it, revealing two rounded buns, filled with ingredients between.

"It was very crowded, so it took me time to get my order. I got you a burger, in case you want." She said, handing him some strange filled bread.

"What kind of idiot thinks about making food like this?" Hiroshi said, looking at it. Though, he felt he should have thanked the owner, because his daughter wasn't attacked tonight.

Asami opened her eyes widely, as if offended. "It's the best thing I tasted, and it's not the best thing on their menu." She then took a bite, and closed her eyes, seeing how the taste of fries blended with the sauce, cheese, meat, and lettuce's leaf. Totally worth fighting for.

Seeing the reaction of his daughter, "Hope they are not putting drugs as their secret ingredient."

His concerns were sound, as she looked like she was getting high.

"You should ask him, you know him." She said.

"Who?" he wondered.

She tightened her gaze, "Akashi."

"Oh, Akashi. That man is the genius of his time." Hiroshi forced a laugh.

"Didn't you call it stupid-looking food just now, father?" she narrowed her eyebrow at him.

"Hahaha…. I was just stressed from work." He replied as he took a bite.

Well, that bite turned into two, and the food vanished. It was even better food than the chef's food.

"Didn't take him as the kind of person who's interested in cooking." He replied, "Though, he nailed it."

"I know, right. Went there to complain to Korra, found myself watching him in the kitchen, teaching young chefs." Asami replied. "And you won't believe it, the main ingredient is something he calls, 'Fries.' They are very popular and crunchy. People knew that its made from potatoes and wanted to replicate it. But he bought most lands that farm it, and is farming it again. He's basically created a market and now is controlling it."

"Enough with the food talk," Hiroshi waved his hand, "Anyways, Asami. I have a job for you."

---

10 chapters ahead at patreon.com/Blazuki