33 Chapter 8. Kyoshi Island. Part 5.

I'm sorry I haven't been there for so long, I was in the hospital and the computer broke down, so I'll post it from my phone, I hope for your understanding

***

Whew, what can I say? It's good that everything is over. The gathering at the main square went smoothly; I eloquently said something along the lines of "Let's live in harmony, it's just a misunderstanding," the prince nodded in confusion, the Kyoshi warriors agreed, and everyone went their separate ways.

Of course, everything was decent and according to the rules. Some regalia were removed from the prince, but in such a way to show that he wasn't a prisoner or accused, just detained. The girls were also relieved of all dangerous items but were allowed to keep their clothes and so on.

All formalities were observed, and no one was offended. I acted as the judge in the middle of the village, ignored everyone's opinions, and just explained how things were before delivering the verdict.

Because everyone understood, there were two possible outcomes - disaster or everyone simply going their separate ways. There was no third option.

Well, I'm pleased with this conclusion, so I decided to stay on this island for a couple more days, unlike Zuko. He, either out of shame or anger, who knows, gathered his warriors and left as soon as the main trial was over. I didn't even get to say goodbye to Iroh. And it's a pity, he makes a very delicious tea.

And I wanted to talk to a wise person, whom General Li compared me to. I was so tired then that I responded almost mechanically, hardly remembering or discussing anything.

But they stressed me out even more, reminding me of my "unfinished hope, you are our last resort." Damn it, if you think about it, they found a scapegoat. Well, I won't let them get away with it, and they'll remember it.

And Iroh, a smart guy, damn, he saw my condition despite all my tricks and just added insult to injury, so to speak. At least he consoled me a bit with tea; otherwise, I wouldn't have made it.

And I never found out what kind of tea it was and with what additives. I'll never believe it was just regular tea that energized me as not even coffee could. Maybe something narcotic? But hardly, I was in my right mind... almost. But that doesn't count, it was from exhaustion and some shock. I outperformed the Avatar.

I'm not as weak as I thought. However, that's just for the sake of expression. I never thought of myself as weak, honestly, I've seen various people, so I know my strength level. Supposedly.

Anyway, while our great captain Uli visits his son or whoever, I just dressed simply and decided to wander around the village. What can I say? Houses, alleys, shops, and even markets don't excite me. It's just a village in the middle of nowhere.

But they had plenty of supplies, so we managed to stock up for a significant period. Just enough to reach our destination with some to spare. And that's without any trickery. Our trickery is hidden so well that no one would find it, we stashed a bunch of different things on an island.

A kind of common fund, little by little, even chipping in from our salaries to establish a decent hideout. You could get there from the continent by boat easily, and by sail even easier, not to mention the ships of the Fire Nation. And there's enough supplies there for all of us to wait it out. For one person, certainly for half a year.

Though it's just dry rations, what can you do?

"Why do we need this?" some of my poor fellows would ask.

"It'll come in handy," I'd reply, "who knows which way life will turn, but here's a place to bunker down or restock supplies."

And of course, I made my stash on that island, just in case. If it rots, I won't mourn, but if it comes in handy, then the time wasn't wasted. A simple but effective approach.

So there I was, walking through the city in simple clothes, and I reached the dojo, that's what it's called, of the warrior women, where they were conducting another training session under Suki's leadership.

And then, as I watched their movements and pondered how much work my poor fellows had ahead to reach such skill, a wild and foolish thought struck me, which I immediately wanted to implement.

Wasn't I lacking good fighters?

Why not use already-trained warriors? And on the Earth Continent, things would be somewhat easier when Kyoshi warrior women are part of the squad. They'll help appear less menacing to many simple villagers of the Earth. After all, we won't be taking away their uniforms. We'll leave them as is.

And maybe, if we're lucky, we'll spread the word that we're not all bad since the girls will see the reality and surely tell their friends about it.

Truth be told, all this reasoning is great, but what's left is the simplest task - convincing the warriors themselves. Although I've already established contact with their leader, I just need to make a proper offer, one that resonates with their values and doesn't offend.

How to do this, only Agni knows, so I'll just be straightforward and use my audacity, which usually works like a charm. Well, like a Chinese charm, but a charm nonetheless.

"Suki, right?" I asked loudly, leaning against the doorway of the dojo, "You're the leader here, as far as I remember?"

At the sound of my voice, all eyes sharply turned to me, and weapons were pointed in my direction. Yes, I can be quite inconspicuous when I want to. Although, technically, I could be entirely unnoticed. Sound travels through the air, and what kind of bender am I? Correct - an airbender. This thought needs to be thoroughly explored because it might be possible to amplify sound waves and produce something stunning. I just need to remember my basic physics course, and then I'll surely come up with something.

So, the girls aimed their weapons at me, transforming from a small club, seemingly split into interest groups, some of which talked more than they trained, into something befitting their name - warriors.

"Whoa, whoa, I come in peace, ladies, lower your weapons," I raised my hands. Technically, even this confrontation could be blown up into a scandal big enough to demand some compensation. But for some reason, my conscience won't let me do that, whispering that I have enough money and shouldn't take away from the villages' provisions. Even though I know they have more than enough. Kyoshi Island is quite wealthy, not a city only because there are few inhabitants and no need for more houses.

"Kira," Suki hesitated before nodding, her identity somewhat obscured by makeup, but her voice gave her away, "What are you doing here?"

"Just walking around and stumbled upon your dojo," I played dumb.

"You were walking and looking around on a hill far from the main street?" Suki asked skeptically.

"Yes," I nodded seriously. Why not? It could happen. And so it did. I know nothing, saw nothing.

"Alright," the warrior replied patiently, "you found out what this is. Now leave, our art is not for outsiders' eyes. Or are you trying to learn the secrets of our state?" Suki attempted to sound political. Lucky for her, I'm not fluent in that language, so I won't have to extract her brains with a teaspoon.

"That's the thing, during your training, I noticed a very interesting detail. The similarity between my style and yours. Identical stances, poses, and strikes, the only difference being that my style was honed for a rapier, and yours for fans. But fundamentally, it's practically the same martial art," and seeing the girls' skeptical faces, I decided to demonstrate, "Watch, I'll show you."

With that, I stepped into the center of the room and began to demonstrate the simplest katas, too similar to what some of the girls were doing just a few minutes ago before I so rudely interrupted them.

"Indeed..." Suki mused, continuing to watch my movements and recalling images from memory.

I finished, elegantly sheathing my blade and stepping aside.

"But, that's just a side effect, just a fact for you," I brushed off the topic, "let's get to the main point. How about working as mercenaries for my squad? Salary, bonuses, work contracts, social insurance, all included - it's government service, after all."

"...what?" Suki barely breathed out, "You're offering us, the warrior women of Kyoshi Island, which, by the way, was home to an Avatar, to join a group capturing the Avatar? As Fire Nation soldiers?!"

"No-no-no," I shook my head, "you've got it all wrong. First, I'm not looking for the Avatar, nor is my group. Don't confuse me with Zuko; my mission is entirely on the Earth Continent. I'm to comb through the villages and clear out military criminals who've become too comfortable, feeling like kings in their positions. And second, as mercenaries, not Fire Nation soldiers. Feel the difference. Oh, and by the way, you'll see what kind of people are in the Fire Nation Army and if the devil is as black as he's painted."

"We... need to think about it."

Surprisingly, they ushered me out and indeed started to seriously discuss it. Well, why not if yes?

They agreed. Just a few girls will be the first to try, and they'll travel with us.

That is good enough for me. I don't need more. It seems I know exactly what I'll be doing on the continent. And the girls will greatly assist me in this matter.

Hi, now for every 200 power stones there will be a chapter.

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