Playing Waterbending (Avatar: Last Aibender SI)

Chapter 87 - 87

After the battle, I was standing in the same room with the tribe chief.

"So, why didn't you punish Sokka earlier and waited for me, acting all cocky at first?" I asked Arnook, arms crossed.

He stood in front of me, smiling forcedly.

"You caught me," he said. "Sorry for how rude I was out there, but I had to put on an act in front of the tribe."

"You wanted Sokka to marry your daughter," I asked, concerned.

And my tone was really genuine.

You don't want Sokka to marry your daughter.

You want other people's daughters to marry Sokka, like I had done.

"Yue had been quite depressed. And I noticed how they looked at each other at first, so I waited for something to happen. Though, I must say, I almost killed him when I caught them in the act," he said.

"You know, being caught isn't the definition of the crime," I replied.

"We're all criminals, in secret. But someone has to take responsibility," he said. "Anyways, what will you do at the wedding?"

"The wedding?" I tilted my head.

"Yes, we're going to get them married as soon as possible. I'm not going to let your brother-in-law off after what he's done. He can forget about escaping responsibility," Arnook said in a threatening tone.

"He's a good kid. Just don't smile too often at him, and act like an overprotective father. He'll learn to respect you that way," I said.

Don't smile too often and act overprotective—that's how Sokka was treating me while traveling with me and his sister.

Just like he gave me a headache, I was trying to make his in-laws give him one.

"You know him well. I guess I'll do that," Arnook nodded in approval.

I think I started to like him.

We're going to have some fun making someone's life difficult. Just for the laugh of it.

"So, you're attending as the honored guest?" asked Arnook.

"I'm afraid I have to decline," I replied.

"Why is that?" He tilted his head. "Is there something you don't like?"

"Now that the war at the North Pole is over, it's better for me to get back to the Earth Kingdom and help with the final steps," I replied.

"Didn't you say that you're here to help attack them during the eclipse day?" Arnook asked, visibly confused.

I shook my head.

"That was the initial plan. But now things have changed. The Fire Nation wouldn't stay here after losing more than half their fleet. They would focus on what they could attain. They would reinforce their forces in the Earth Kingdom," I replied.

"That's just a possibility. There's no way the Fire Nation would give up easily after a hundred years. If I knew them well, the only thing they would do is send more forces. It's not like the first time we delivered them a fatal blow," said Arnook.

I disagreed. "But it's the first time I delivered a fatal blow."

Arnook paused for a second;

Then he got it.

"Oh… I see how that makes sense," replied Arnook.

"Sir…"

The door suddenly opened, and a man in guard attire entered.

"Shouldn't have asked for permission first before entering," Arnook grimaced at the guard.

"Sir." The guard was shaking as he spoke. "The fleet of the Fire Nation has been spotted leaving through the Southern Ocean."

I tilted my head.

"We're at the North, so we call the northern ocean the southern one," the guard clarified to me.

"Thanks," I replied.

Arnook looked at me with wide-open eyes. "You… you hit the nail."

"It's still just a theory. I don't know what the Fire Nation will plan next," I said. "Maybe going after my family to kidnap them. Maybe trying to find a weakness. Ask a shaman to curse me to death… who knows." I shrugged.

"Forget about it for now," Arnook smiled widely. "It's time to celebrate. You're the main man today."

"Yeah," the guard interjected. "Everyone is celebrating. And your stomach seems well. Let's get going."

I looked at the guard blankly.

"Sure," I said, wondering what kind of balls of steel the guard had to speak like that without permission in the presence of the chief. And he even talked to me as if we were old buddies, saying that my stomach is well.

But I decided to let it go.

It's not like that world wasn't already full of people like him.

But I wondered how the chief was letting it go.

I guess Arnook was just too happy to even care.

After all, a war that lasted many generations had ended from their side, and they were free to roam their waters without being surrounded by the Fire Nation fleet. The North Pole would have more access to commerce routes. They would have more stuff, more money, and better food. Their lives would get better. So, of course, they were excited.

And Sokka would have his happy ending, having a pretty wife and living as a prince on this continent.

And I would have finally gotten rid of him.

-x-X-x-

I felt like I had entered college again the moment I stepped out of the chief's place.

Loud cheers erupted from every direction.

Men were running naked in the street, holding liquor and throwing it on anyone.

Those soldiers were truly restless.

On the roof of a building, I saw someone holding a barrel of alcohol and pouring it down, where a waterbender used his power to send it directly to someone's stomach, violating the swallowing process.

I rubbed my eyes and decided to use my extrasensory sense.

Man.

I had to say, Toph was lucky her power didn't work.

Because the moment the war was announced over, everyone started breeding.

And the worst part was, I could see a lot of it.

That was too much detail.

Could I deactivate my levels temporarily…? I guess not.

I should focus on something else.

I walked to where I sensed Katara and Toph, with Sokka and Yue.

I guess they were having a group meeting without me.

I opened my arms and placed both hands on Toph and Katara's shoulders, surprising them from behind.

"Look at the kids, happy and celebrating," I commented.

"They're just finally relieved that the war is over," Yue said, holding Sokka's hand.

I looked at Sokka.

My man was truly a happy man.

"Since when are you acting like you're older than them? If anything, you're one of the youngest," Toph commented.

"I'm two years older than you, kiddo." I placed my hand on her hair and messed it up.

She shivered. "Anyway, when are we leaving?"

"Why?" I asked. "Aren't you happy here?"

"Happy my ass. I prefer to live by a hot spring," she commented. "Look at it here. There's nothing but ice, snow, and drunk people. And everyone here looks like you."

I shrugged. "Same tribe."

"I'm just wondering. Although you're the same tribe, why are you standing at the two farthest points on the whole planet? Did your cousins hate each other that much?" she asked.

Well, the answer would be answered in Legend of Korra, where a portal linked the North and the South Pole.

But it's irrelevant now.

"You see…" Before I could answer, I noticed an army heading toward me.

"Here's the hero."

"Let's throw him."

"The one who fucked the Fire Nation."

"I wouldn't mind if he let me carry his child."

"You're a man, man."

"You know, you can pick someone else's child without having to sleep with them."

"What kind of conversation is that?"

"Drunk people's talk."

"He's not drunk."

"Let's get him drunk."

An army of drunk men.

And some homo comments didn't escape my ears.

They headed toward me like zombies.

I raised my hand, activating my bloodbending power.

They stopped.

Toph hid behind me. Katara did the same.

Yue had a cringe expression.

I guess an army celebration wasn't a place for ladies to exist.

"Sorry, guys. You've got the right to celebrate, but I have a job that must be done," I said.

"Come on. You're not leaving today, Mr. Ryuk," whined someone.

"Unfortunately, I am," I replied with a forced smile.

I wasn't a party man.

I may look young, but I've lived a whole life before… though I didn't get very old… but I had a lot of experiences.

A bunch of snow flew from the ground, became a mist, before turning into a cloud. Toph and Katara yelped as they got caught by surprise and were placed on the clouds.

"Ryuk… this is too fast. We should wait for the wedding to end before leaving," Katara complained.

"Sorry, not possible. I think it's better to move now. The sooner I move, the sooner it'll be over," I said. "Sokka won't mind staying here for the meanwhile."

"That damn Fire Nation," Katara sighed.

"Finally," Toph sighed in frustration.

"Okay, Sokka. We're going to complete the fight against the Fire Nation on the other side. You get to know your fiancé meanwhile," I replied as I got on the cloud, which rose ten meters high with each word.

'Ryuk! You can't leave me behind!' That's what I expected Sokka to say.

But he smiled and waved his hand.

"Take care of Katara. I hope to see you in good health," he said with a wide smile.

Man, leaving Sokka behind and seeing him happy didn't feel right. I would have withdrawal symptoms if I let it on like that.

"Hell yeah I would," I said as I grabbed Katara and kissed her.

Sokka frowned, his face twitching, and a big wide smile spread on my face as Katara kissed me back.

Now, I was at peace and ready to finish my fight.