Back at the southern water tribe, Hakoda and his men were busy making plans to set out for sea once again as they'd missed the opportunity to leave thanks to Rengoku's sudden appearance.

"At the rate these waves are coming in, it'll be at least another week, maybe two before we can set sail, Koda," Bato said. "The storm that's about to come in is gonna be a nasty one."

Groaning, Hakoda rubbed his temples thinking about how thrown off track they were now because of that strange man from yesterday. "Why does today of all day's have to be the one where a huge storm pops up out of nowhere…"

"Well, that's just fantastic, Bato. I'll have to send word to the earth kingdom general about our now late appearance and the potential "prisoner" that we have stored away in one of the healing tents."

"Any update on his condition?" Hakoda asked.

"Not even a stir," Bato replied. "If we didn't check his pulse every couple of hours you'd think he was dead. I did find it odd that he was left out in the frozen tundra for God knows how long and instead of being freezing cold like normal people, he was extremely warm. Hell I'd even go as far as saying he felt hot to the touch."

"You know as well as I do what that would imply. A firebender being nursed back to health in our village so soon after that last raid…"

"Don't finish that thought, Bato." Hakoda felt another headache stacking on top of the one he was already having and it seemed like the spirits wanted to give him an extra hard time today. "When he wakes up, hopefully we can get some sort of logical explanation as to why he was out there to begin with. If he is a firebender then, we'll deal with it accordingly."

"Speaking of him, how are we going to break the news to the others?" Bato asked. "When we brought him back, you told us to bundle him up tight so as to hide his face and made sure everyone who was involved with bringing him here was kept to a vow of confidentiality. Same went for the healers who tended to him."

"It may not have been many people who saw us bring him back, but people are asking questions and eventually they are going to want answers, Koda. I trust your judgement one hundred percent, but even you have to know you won't be able to hide something as big as him forever."

"I know, Bato. I just need some time to figure out what exactly to tell everyone about why we haven't left yet and why I saved a potential firebender and brought him back to the village where everyone else sleeps at…"

He couldn't even finish the thought as he realized how horrible that sounded coming out of his mouth. "Tui La, that sounded bad," he groaned, pinching the brink of his nose in frustration.

"Indeed it did," Bato replied.

"The elders also want to know why we haven't left either and you already know even though you're chief, the people deserve to know what happened and what we're doing. I say we just break the news to them and get it over with. It'll suck, but at least everyone will be able to take all their frustration out on you instead of me."

Smirking at him, Bato placed a hand on his shoulder, "That should be fun to deal with, eh Koda?"

"Screw you, Bato," he muttered. He loved Bato, he really did. He had become a brother to him, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to feed him to polar bear sharks right now.

"*sigh* You're right. I probably should call a meeting to explain-"

A soldier he had placed on guard duty burst through the door alarming both Bato and Hakoda. "Sorry to interrupt, sir, but the prisoner is awake."

"Has he said anything about the fire nation or being a spy sent here to kill us?" Hakoda asked.

They noticed his face falter when giving his answer. "Well...no sir, nothing like that."

"He's just...eating," the soldier answered.

"Eating?" Bato replied.

"Yes and we need both of your help to deal with him. He's attracting quite the attention due to how loud he is."

Standing up out of their chairs and rushing out of the room, Hakoda and Bato prayed that maybe this soldier was exaggerating a little when he mentioned how this man was attracting a crowd.

He was not and Hakoda felt yet another migraine coming on.

"Tasty!"

"Tasty!"

"Tasty!"

"Tasty!" is all that could be heard coming from the tent they were headed to as it was loud enough that anyone within a close enough distance could hear it.

"You cannot be serious," Hakoda groaned. A large crowd had formed outside the tent wondering who the hell could be that loud eating and why haven't they heard his voice before.

Pushing past the curious crowd, they were both greeted by a now awake Rengoku, sitting in his cot eating some fish and rice that had been left out for him. He was munching down his bowl of food with an alarming eagerness that confused both water tribe men who now stood before him.

"Tasty!" he exclaimed once more before putting his bowl down and greeting both water tribe men.

"Hello, you must be the leaders of the men who took care of me while I was asleep. You have my eternal gratitude for that," he said with a bow.

"Yeah save your thanks for later, fire nation. We have more pressing matters at hand," Hakoda stated.

"Why are you here and how did you end up naked in the middle of the frozen tundra?" Now that this man had woken up and started a ruckus outside the tent, he knew he would need some answers out of him in order to stay in his people's good graces once the truth of who he brought back got out and seeing how big a crowd was standing outside, it wouldn't be for much longer.

Rengoku sat back and pondered to himself with a determined expression before relaxing his face and answering. "Hmm...I have no idea!"

The room paused when those words shot out of his mouth. Hakoda and Bato couldn't believe the bullshit they were hearing. "You mean to tell me, we found you completely naked with nothing but that fire nation styled haori and you don't know how you ended up like that?"

"I'm afraid so," Rengoku answered. Internally however he was a bit peeved at Agni for dropping him in the middle of nowhere naked and not much else to go on.

Flashback

"So how come you want me to go to the Southern Water Tribe first?" Rengoku asked. "I think the best approach would be to head straight for the fire nation and deal with the current leader as soon as possible."

"Ah, well that's something even I'm not sure of. You see as spirits we can see certain connections a person may share with another. From what I can see you have two connections here that you need to make before being able to leave without having to backtrack," Agni said.

"A man named Hakoda and another I'm not at liberty to reveal due to… his "uniqueness" that other spirits don't want tampered with right now. Find those two and you decide what to do from that point onward. Afterwards we'll meet again to discuss your next group of individuals you need to reach and interact with."

Rengoku took her words into consideration before determining that if this is all he could gain as of now, then he would make do until more opportunities presented themselves. He'd find these two individuals and determine the best course of action would be needed for both of them.

"Alright, if that's all the information you can extend, then I'll be alright with just this much. I've tracked down demons with less info than what you've given me so it should be fine."

"Although I am curious about something, Agni."

"What's that?" she asked.

"How am I going to get to this new world to begin with? Will it be like teleportation or more like reincarnation?" Rengoku had dealt with many unique demon techniques but rarely had he dealt with one that used teleportation techniques of some kind.

"Allow me to worry about that, Rengoku-san. The only thing I need you to focus on is staying warm throughout the transfer. Because I'm transferring you back to the physical realm with a "restored" body, you might not stay conscious throughout the entire process. It's extremely cold in the South Pole so I'd suggest using your breath of flame until you can regain consciousness."

"So my flame breathing, huh…" he thought. He almost forgot to ask how his technique will work in a new environment completely unique to his own.

"About that, how will this affect my flame breathing? Since this is a world of elemental benders, would I also become one as well?" he asked curiously.

"Your technique will adapt to its new environment. How that works is going to be up to you, Rengoku-san. What I can say is that from what you've demonstrated to me, your sword forms may end up on an entirely different level from before."

"A whole new level...I wonder what that's going to look like!" Rengoku exclaimed.

Flashing another warm smile at Agni again, Rengoku saw her make a move for his blade before pulling back. "That sword you're using...it can't come along with you right now. "

"Why not!?" he asked. "This blade has been with me since the very beginning and is...was a gift from my father. I won't part with it now."

Rengoku had a complicated relationship with his father, he wouldn't deny that, but when he first stepped into the role of a demon slayer he was gifted his blade by his father before he seeped down into a depressive abyss.

Sure it was broken in his last fight with Akaza, but he wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

"Rengoku-san, I understand your feelings, but the separation from you and your blade will only be temporary. At least until I "bless" your blade to be able to withstand elements from this world," she explained.

"Once I finish working on it, it'll find its way back to you when you need it the most."

He could understand why she would need his blade as what she said made complete sense, he just disliked the thought of being away from his Nichirin Blade. If he had to make do without it for a few moments, then he'll push forward without it.

Taking off the sword along with the scabbard it was contained in, he handed it to Agni, "I'll admit even now I genuinely hate parting with my weapon, but make no mistake, I can and will save lives without it!"

"I was able "bless" your haori so when the time comes it'll also come in handy," Agni informed. "There may come a time where you'll have to choose between yourself and another. My job is to eliminate the potential need for that so use it wisely until your sword is returned to you."

Nodding to her, Rengoku saw no reason to stay here any longer.

"Alright, I think I'm ready to get started," he stated with finality in his voice.

Making her way over to Rengoku, she smiled at him one last time before placing her hand over his heart. He felt energies running through him and a familiar face standing behind Agni he could just barely make out.

That person made his heart flutter in sadness. She was standing behind Agni smiling and mouthing something, he couldn't hear, but desperately wanted to know.

"It can't be her! Mother-" Unable to call out in time he was transported away to the South Pole.

"I don't think it'd be wise to tell them I come from a world unlike their own. I doubt that'd be the best way to earn their trust like I need to anyway," he thought.

"That's a load of bullcrap!" Bato shouted. "Listen I don't know what sort of games you're playing here kid, but you need to tell us everything you know about the fire nation and what they're plotting or else things might not stay so cordial between us."

"Kid? Sorry you must be mistaken, do I look like a mere child, um..."

"Bato and this here's Hakoda, the chief of the Southern Water Tribe," Bato said.

Hearing Hakoda's name lit his expression up, making both men tense in anticipation for whatever this spy was planning. So to their surprise, when he jumped out of bed and stood face to face with Hakoda they didn't know what to expect.

"So you are the one I need to meet with. My name is Kyojuro Rengoku and I am the Flame Hashira!"

"Flame!? So you are a firebender!" Hakoda shouted. Pulling out his blade and shoving it near his throat, he wavered when he noticed the smile that Rengoku had plastered on his face never wavered and instead he continued on with his speech.

"I guess I am what you may call a firebender, but I have no association with that nation of demons. You misunderstand what a Flame Hashira is so if you'll put down your weapon I'll gladly explain it to you and anything else I may know, Hakoda," Rengoku shot back.

"Don't listen to him, Koda, he's probably already planning his escape route," Bato retorted.

Frowning at the man to his right in Bato, "These fire nation demons have really done a number on you people, haven't they?" Rengoku asked. "To think someone could be this afraid of someone who wields fire...it's just not right."

"Fire! Fire is only meant to destroy. It's good for absolutely nothing else, but death and destruction. You people raiding our village three years ago should've made that point abundantly clear!" Bato shouted.

"You people killed so many of us, the chief's wife included and for what? Because they were waterbenders? That's the best reason you had for massacring so many innocent people."

"Is everything alright? We heard shouting!" a soldier asked, bursting through the doors.

Rengoku was the first to speak, "No everything is alright! We are just having a discussion and things got a little heated. Leave us until we get things settled if you don't mind."

"Have you lost your mi-"

"Leave us," Hakoda said calmly. This man was strange as he should've shown some signs of aggression by now. He's just letting this knife stay near his throat and wasn't even attempting to bend or attack the both of them.

"But sir-"

"You heard the chief, don't make him repeat himself," Bato interjected.

Bowing and leaving the tent, Hakoda could clearly see the crowd had witnessed the entire argument and knew there was no use in hiding him any longer.

Removing his blade from near his throat, he stayed cautious and motioned for Bato to get the rope. "Bato, get ready to tie him up. It seems like our little audience outside has attracted some unwanted attention. The tribe will meet within the next hour to determine what to do with this man depending on what he has to say."

"Tch, of course things get messy for us," Hakoda murmured.

Walking over to Rengoku and tying his hands and feet up, Bato motioned for him to follow him and dragged him outside the tent where a now angry mob resided.

Rengoku was brought outside and immediately the atmosphere shifted the moment his appearance was made known. Many already had an inherent fear of the fire nation, but one being in the village would mean no one was safe until this threat was neutralized.

"What the hell is he doing here?" someone shouted.

"Get him outta here! He'll kill us all!" another yelled.

"Monsters!" a woman screamed.

"We should execute him for even being here!" a man roared.

Rengoku had a hard time hearing all the comments and insults being thrown his way due to their being so many being all at once. "This is…"

A little girl who was wearing a small blue parka had done some sort of movement and manipulated a small stream of water aiming in his direction. He could see her emotions were in turmoil and tears were slowly filling her eyes daring themselves to fall.

With his experience he could very clearly dodge her little attack and continue on calmy to his destination, but he could sense something about his presence struck a chord within her and he figured if her hitting him with this small stream of water made her heart feel somewhat at ease, then he would oblige her.

Smacking him clear in the face with the stream of water, the little girl was quickly grabbed by her brother. "You...you aren't welcome here!" the little girl shouted at Rengoku, clearly upset.

"Why can't you people just leave us alone? You took my mom from me and now you want to take even more! I won't let you hurt my family anymore!"

"Katara!" Hakoda boomed. "What on earth are you doing!?" He walked over and grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her just a little hoping to break through.

"How could you bring him here? Don't you remember what these monsters did to mom? All these people know is how to ruin and kill and you...you…"

Seeing this little girl almost trembling with anger and hurt filled Rengoku's heart with sadness. He couldn't help himself but to try and put her mind at ease while offering his condolences.

"I don't know who you are, but I offer you my deepest condolences for your loss," he started. "You seem to be in great pain with me just being here and for that I apologize as well," he finished with a deep bow.

Raising his head, he gave a warm smile towards Katara before continuing on towards his destination. Katara couldn't believe the nerve of this man to think he could be a part of the fire nation and waltz into her home like nothing happened.

"Stop right there, Hakoda," one of the village elders interrupted. "Where are you taking this man to begin with?"

"I'm bringing him somewhere where we can determine what to do with him before things get anymore out of hand. He's too dangerous to be left alone for extended periods of time. We need to determine what to do with him and fast."

"Well why not determine that right here, right now in front of us? Don't you think as the chief of this tribe, we deserve that much, Hakoda?"

Hakoda looked around and saw that during Katara's outburst even more villagers had shown up to see what was happening. He didn't like it, but as chief he didn't have any other choice now, but to give this man a trial in front of his people. Whether or not he's found innocent or guilty of crimes not yet known will be determined now rather than later.

"If that's what the people want then I see no problem with it happening in the open. Any complaints?" Hakoda asked, looking around at the crowd.

"None at all, Hakoda!" Rengoku replied.

Turning around he noticed how completely unbothered this man was to his situation and it continued to confuse Hakoda to no end. Why was he so energetic when he was facing a group of people who wanted to kill him if found guilty? It just doesn't make sense.

"I truly mean none of you harm and if this open trial allows me to communicate this to you, then I think it's a great idea."

Bringing Rengoku to a larger area where people could congregate and file in while he himself was brought to the forefront and was now standing in front of everyone. He looked at the crowd in front of him and there wasn't a single face in the crowd that seemed like they were going to give him a fair shake with this trial.

"No matter, a Hashira must endure through everything thrown at them and this shall be no different," he thought. "I'll show these people the true meaning of fire and how it's been mistreated for the past one hundred years."

"Brothers and sisters, very recently we have stumbled upon an enemy in our midst who claims he can't remember how he got here. He also claims to harbor any feelings of ill intent towards our small tribe even as he insisted on being a fire bender. There could be many other factors at play here, but above any and all of that, I have a responsibility to keep you all safe from harm. That's the entire reason we were headed out to fight in the war," His eyes meeting his children, Hakoda saw them both look away from him, briefly showing they were still hurt by his decision.

It pained him to know he would have to leave them for real, once the storm subsided, but at least his time with them was extended even for a few moments longer.

"We found this man completely naked and alone in the frozen tundra outside of our village and he would've surely frozen to death had we not intervened. I ask you all to come together with me and figure out how to deal with this man who we know nothing about to determine a fitting solution to the problem he now presents to us."

Loud outbursts raging from exile to death broke through the crowd like wildfire. Nobody wanted anything to do with this man and would be sure as heck to make it known. After all, who's to say he's not plotting on eliminating them all once they let their guard down.

"Settle down people," Hakoda ordered. He could barely hear himself think with how loud everyone was being, "One at a time with some sort of solution would be nice."

"I say we kill him and be done with it," he heard a soldier answer. "Fire nation scum don't deserve to live after what they did to us."

Agreements with this statement rippled through the crowd like water in a raging tsunami.

"Why is this even a debate?" a woman said. "His people are responsible for my son and husband…" she trailed off, covering her face with tears and being consoled by another villager.

Rengoku frowned again seeing this woman react to him like this. "How awful, with how they are reacting to me, the pain everyone must've gone through to get to this point is unimaginable," he wondered.

"I didn't even recognize them after finding their bodies in our house after the raid," she sobbed. "My son was only 11…" she struggled to put her sorrows into words so instead she rushed up towards Rengoku and grabbed him by the collar. He was taller than her so she was forced to look up at him while he had to look down at her.

Rengoku didn't miss the symbolism in this as the fire nation had looked down upon the rest of the world and now here he was being forced to stare down a mother in her grief. He would oblige this woman in her time of need no matter what she may require of him.

"Why did my child have to die!? He was so young and they were brutal in taking his life along with my husband. He didn't even do anything wrong. All he did was try and protect our home from you monsters!"

Rengoku said nothing as he continued to let this woman air her grievances to him. He wouldn't dare interrupt her. She'd been through enough.

"You...I'll hate you and your people until the day I die," she sobbed while gripping his collar even tighter than before. "I hope you're executed in the same manner your people did to my family. I hope your spirit becomes lost and never knows peace. I hope...I hope…" She tried to find more words to express how upset she was, but as more tears continued to fall, her words became stuck in her throat and she could no longer do much else but cry.

"Kishna, you can let go of him now," Bato assured. "We won't let these monsters hurt anyone anymore."

The water tribe knew how hard the losses hit once the smoke had settled and the only thing left in its wake were dead bodies of family and friends. Usually one would stop an attempt to interfere with a trial in this manner, but Kishna lost her entire world during the raids. Although not normally acceptable, rules could and would be broken to alleviate grief even if it was by allowing the person hurting to release it in doses such as this.

"But I...his people took everything from me," she barely sobbed out. Rengoku had an expression on his face as if he was thinking of something that caused him great conflict. He knew he wouldn't be able to stand by and witness this woman hurting without reaching out much longer. Consequences be damned.

"I have nothing left but hatred and sadness. They took every other thing away from me.."

"If hating me keeps you going when you think all hope is lost then use that," Rengoku began. "If hitting me physically allows you a moment's reprieve from the grief you're feeling, then that's also ok. If seeing me in constant turmoil and agony makes you even feel emotions such as happiness, I hope it can bring you momentary peace."

"What are you-"

"I won't lie to you and say I understand what you're going through as I've only ever lost my mother so I won't bellite your feelings and trample over what you've shown me today. The fire nation has burned and scorched so many lives that even if I worked tirelessly for the rest of my life, I still wouldn't come close to a tenth of the damage they've caused."

"Even so! That's exactly why I can't afford to die here just yet. I have many wrongs to right in this world and to become a pillar of strength so the next generations won't have to continuously endure like we did."

Turning his head at Hakoda, "A moment ago you looked at me with hatred and fear in your eyes once I announced that I was the Flame Hashira. I believe you misunderstood what that entailed so allow me to explain while I have such a captive audience. A Hashira means one who is a pillar of strength and the fact that I use my flames to protect the things I hold near and dear means nothing to dispute this."

"As long as the fire that resides within my heart is still burning bright, then no matter what I have to endure, I won't stand by and allow others to get hurt because of demons like them! That spark has been inside of me ever since I went down this path and even with the entire world against me, I'll do what I can to alleviate the grief they've caused even if it won't amount to much in the end."

"When you bore your heart...no when you bore your soul to me just now about how lost you have been, I couldn't stop myself from reaching out." He gave her a warm smile that shone like the sun itself and sent a rush of complex feelings down her entire being.

"His smile...it's the same one they used to give me," she wondered in amazement.

"What is your name?" she asked, while loosening the grip she held on his collar.

"I am the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku!" he responded. "As long as I'm here, my flames won't be used to harm the innocent and instead will be used as they've always been. The strong should use their strength in order to protect those who aren't strong enough to do it themselves."

Raising his head from looking down on her and focusing on the crowd in front of him, they saw his face light up in excitement. "This goes not only for her, but anyone else who has felt the unfair wrath of the fire nation demons and their unjust usage of flames."

"Set your heart ablaze!"

"Don't allow them to continue to trample over your hearts and everything you hold dear. As long as you allow it to happen then the results and heartbreak will never change, only repeat. And if you manage to grit your teeth long enough and still see no hope or salvation at the end of it all, then you can depend on me." As a Hashira I'll stand up for those who can no longer do it themselves. I'll shield anyone who can no longer raise their arms to defend themselves from the blows. I'll encourage and give hope to any in need after the feeling of despair and hopelessness rears its ugly head."

The water tribe crowd was frozen in awe and even enthralled with what this man was spouting. He was supposed to fire nation, right? People from that place aren't supposed to talk and sound like this.

"As long as I have breath in my body, I will use everything I can in order to keep you all safe."

Making eye contact with Kishna, he raised his hands that were tied together and wiped the tears from her cheeks before looking back towards the crowd.

"That's a promise from me to anyone who needs to hear it!" he exclaimed with his face and stature lightening up once again. Even in a strange new world, he would never be able to stand by while fire was being used in this way. He will not stand for it any longer.

"I believe I've said my peace on the matter, Hakoda. I'll accept whatever judgement you deem satisfactory, but please keep this in mind. Fire itself isn't supposed to be used as a tool for destruction. Flames are meant to give life to all who need it and comfort all who are within its grasp. Killing me here and now will only continue the cycle of ruthless firebenders and people who fear them. If you give me the chance, even just a little, I'll show you how flames are truly meant to be used instead of they've been for the past one hundred years."

Bowing to the crowd as a sign that he had said all he was going to say he lifted his head and retained the same beaming expression of hope that had been plastered across his face ever since he'd woken up.

Never in a million years had Hakoda seen a fire bender with such a way with words, it was almost...moving if he had to put it into words. "Alright, Kishna, please move away from him, I've made up my mind on the situation."

She hesitated against her chief's orders and gazed upon this man who held the same smile as her fallen husband and son. She raised her hands to cup his face attempting to gauge her feelings on this strange man. Feeling his skin, it felt warm to the touch and above all else, he didn't feel like the firebenders she had the displeasure of coming into contact with. If she had to use one word to describe Rengoku, it'd have to be-

"Kind," she said.

"Move away from the ash maker, Kishna," someone in the crowd said. "He and his people are snakes and will slither alongside their bellies like fools in order to get what they want."

"I can't be sure that this man won't betray us in the future if we allow him to live," she started. "I'll be the first one to admit that they've used tactics like this in the past to get through people's defenses.

"See this is why you should move aside so we can-"

"But when I felt him just now, nothing about him screamed that he was lying. The only times I've felt something like that from a person was with my husband and son."

"What?" Bato interjected. "What-what are you saying, Kishna?"

"I'm telling you what I feel, Bato and what I feel from him is the same kind of warmth I felt from them."

Turning back to Rengoku, "Make no mistake, Rengoku, I'll still hate you and everything your people represent until my time on this planet comes to an end. Some things in this world can't be forgiven no matter how hard you try," she said. Rengoku could see her eyes conflict with what was coming out of her mouth, but felt no need to stop her.

"I vote to not kill him," she stated loudly for everyone to hear. "The only reason I want you alive is to understand why you have the same smile as them. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Thank you so much, Kishna. I assure you that I will not make your decision, one you end up regretting!" Rengoku replied.

She turned away from him and walked back into the crowd awaiting a final decision from Hakoda. As she was one of the worst hit during the raids, she knew her voice mattered more than others, but at the same time, only the chief could make that final call on what to do with him.

"He may have fooled Kishna but he won't fool me!" another yelled. The man in question was aged and clearly battle hardened as he had a semi visible burn scar on his left neck that Rengoku could barely make out due to his parka.

"Ash makers are nothing but trouble and it would be wise to heed my warning. Kill him or this man will bring nothing but devastation and ruin to us all."

"Ponru, calm yourself, now, " Hakoda ordered. "We already understand how you feel about the situation."

"Just because he fooled her into making a momentary error doesn't mean we all share the same sentiments, chief. He's a fire bender and I say an eye for an eye is the best course of action for them. They don't play fair so why should we?"

Murmurs moved through the crowd agreeing somewhat with what he was saying. "Just because this woman is letting her feelings of her dead family get the better of her doesn't mean we should take the fall for her stupidity!"

"Take that back." They looked forward and noticed a small vein near the top of Rengoku's face and saw his expression darken.

"You have no right to tell someone what they feel is stupid even if they may be wrong about their own feelings. Maybe what you say is true and her feelings for her loved one's is clouding her judgement and to that I say…"

"Who cares! As long as you make a decision you can live with even if it's wrong then what more can you ask from a person. However, outright insulting someone for having an opinion different from your own is horrible and makes you no better than those fire nation demons."

"Why you little-"

"That's enough, Ponru. I've made a decision and require no more input from anyone else," Hakoda ordered. Ponru knew that the person this was most directed at was him.

"Tch."

Looking around and seeing no one else attempt to interrupt, Hakoda reasoned that it was time to make his decision known. "I don't trust him anymore than any of you, but I'd be lying if I said his words to Kishna didn't sway my judgement a bit. Until the storm subsides in two weeks, he'll be locked in a cell designed to harbor fire benders and after that he'll ride with us out to sea and we'll determine whether to hand him over to the earth kingdom general or allow him to leave peacefully on his own once we land."

"It's not a decision that many will like, but it's the one I'm making as chief. Bato escort this man to his cell."

Nodding to his cell, Rengoku was swiftly moved through the crowd and was headed for a straight shot to his new home for the time being. Even as he was being roughed around by Bato and spews of insults were being hurled his way, the kind and proud expression he had from earlier never left his face. A detail that didn't go unnoticed by certain members of the crowd.

As the trial ended as swiftly as it started, the water tribe didn't understand how this day would inevitably shape their future and anyone else tied to them. They would soon come to understand what Rengoku's burning passion entailed as unbeknownst to them, they weren't the only ones who saw that beam of light earlier.

Aboard a fire nation ship drifting alongside the currents, a certain general was smiling at the thought of getting his hands on even more power should this little excursion of his pay off.

"You all saw that light show yesterday, right? The spirits themselves are guiding me to my destiny and I'd be a fool not to take them up on their offer."

"Change course as we are no longer heading back to Lord Ozai to report this, instead we're going straight to the horse's mouth to see just what the hell that was."

Barking orders at his crew, the direction was now changed and for better or worse, he'd run into a man who would do his best to defy concepts such as destiny and fate themselves if it meant keeping people safe.

"Southern Water Tribe, I cannot wait to meet you," Zhao grinned. "You bunch of savages will not continue to stand in the way of my destiny any longer."

"That'll be one promise I intend to keep." And with that their crash course for the Southern water tribe was in motion and saw no intention to stop until the inevitable clash between the two was upon them.