Asami knew she had a lot of stuffs to do, dealing with the remaining Equalists and the Police Chief Lin Beifong. The aftermath was a pain in the ass; indeed, the death of the Future Industry CEO and the Equalist Leader being exposed as a waterbender were no joke to the political dynamic of Republic City. But what she felt is far from anticipation, in fact, she was fuel by burning ambition. After she established collaboration with the White Flame of Republic City, the power vacuum after the fall of the Equalist was nothing but a huge opportunity. She is well aware of the influence of Future Industry on the United Republics and the Northern Water Tribe, thanks to her father's effort during the water tribe Civil War. Combined with Korra's triads, they are a force to be reckoned with.
"Before we lobby the City Council for an election, we have to first assimilate the Equalists." Korra told her during their meeting last afternoon, "these Chi blockers are valuable assets for our establishment, and if left unchecked, a huge threat in the future."
"How?" she asked the avatar with confusion,"They're sworn enemy to your triads."
"You, Miss Sato." The White Flame raised her right eyebrow, with a slight hint of smile, "you are the answer. Your father was a prominent figure among the Equalist, and their largest funder. With Amon now being exposed, they've lost all of their faith. You are both a non bender and a victim of Amon, so it wouldn't be difficult for you to take over the organization."
And here she is, standing in front of all the Equalist members, delivering her very first speech in her garage.
"Brothers and sisters," Asami switched on the microphone, "last night, I lost my father, who was brutally murdered by Amon," She pointed to a glass coffin on the centre of the crowd, "For years, my father has been loyal to his ideal and contributed significantly to the manufacture of our equipments. At the end he received nothing but betrayal." She paused for a second, loosened her collars and straighten her posture, "Indeed, I suffered a great loss. But you lost even more, he's also a liar!"
The nonbenders roared in rage, they all knew what happened at Yue Bay last night, it only took another waterbender, at least that's what they thought, to expose who their former leader really was. "He lied to us all, his so-called 'life stories', 'chosen by the spirits to deliver equality', 'being scarred for life by a firebender'. Every single thing he said about himself is a lie. He is a waterbender, and also a bloodbender! He crushed my father's neck, thrown him onto the ground from 10 feet in the air!"
The crowd was so furious that they were almost at the edge of losing control when Asami gestured them to stop. "I know, you might feel like losing all the hope, but here's what I learnt: Amon's sense of equality is a lie, true equality cannot be achieved until we non benders have a seat in the City Council. And how do we achieve this? Popularity." Asami shift the direction of the speech, "We must gain popularity from all peoples of the United Republics, including the popularity among the benders!"
The crowd fell in utter silence, they were expecting their new leader to declare her revenge on benders after her father being murdered by a bloodbender, but instead, the daughter of Hiroshi seemed to take on a more cool-headed, rational approach. "Right now, we do not have much popularity, benders are afraid of us, even our non bender brothers and sisters regard us as a group of crazy extremists. This has to change." Asami explained, "remember why you joined the Equalist: you're tired of being bullied by the triads, tired of having no say in the politics. You did not sign up for lingering on the streets past midnight, attacking random benders you barely even know!"
"Our goal is to get people to like us, that alone gives the government enough pressure to put us into the City Council. To do that, we have to stop the war on benders, instead collaborate with whoever necessary to stop the triad activity, including the metalbending police." She took a deep breath, "I promise to you and all people of Republic City, within a week, all triad crimes will stop. After then, we will be the true silent protectors of the city, and we will not hesitate to eliminate any of these criminals who dares to defy!"
The crowd started cheering, Asami knew her speech can come to an end.
"72 hours? Are you sure you don't need me to buy you more time? I told them one week." Back to the house of the White Flame, Asami told the triad boss the success of her speech.
"That's very considerate of you, Miss Sato, but won't be necessary. I already informed all my business partners to close their branches in the United Republic, we will look for business opportunities in the transportation and sales of imported goods." Korra replied with confidence, "anyone who fails to comply will either taste my flame, or finding the police knocking on their doors." She took a sip of water, and smiled at the young CEO, "almost forgot, your Equalists can do whatever they see as fit to those unlawful business."
"Noted, White Flame," Asami could no longer manage to hold back her laugh, "must you be this 'formal' all the time, Korra? How did you train yourself to maintain your composure while doing all of this doublespeak?"
"Talking to Lin gives me all the practice I need."
They laughed and laughed until they were out of breath, "OK back to the business," the avatar said, still catching up her breath, "We're going to be focus on smuggling, do you want some 'help'?"
"That will be nice, the United Republics always put a huge amount of tariff on imports from our branch in the Northern Water Tribe."
"Will do." Korra nodded, playing with her glass, "you know, there are three things I couldn't bend as an earthbender: Platinum, wood and glass, one of which already been proven to be bendable. And that person is not from the United Republic."
"yes? It's not like she can destroy an entire army."
"What i've been trying to say is that things won't be easy after you become the president, Asami." The avatar put her glass onto the table, her glare touching the eyes of the young businesswoman "I already told you my all of my plans at that meeting, so for now, let's focus on the next step."