ASTG: Chapter 27

“So, what are we going to do, I’m sure that Admiral won’t stop until he chases you,” Toph said as she looked at Zuko. 

The Three of them were sitting under the tree and by the well. 

Their rides were living creatures, and they needed to eat and drink. While the animals were eating, Raoh, Toph, and Zuko were sitting under the tree. Raoh was biting on some straw while staring at the River. 

Zuko was quite anxious while Toph seemed to be treating this as a picnic. Raoh was calm. 

“I think…I think…” Zuko didn’t have any idea. 

“Come on, work that brain of yours. You are a Banished prince, not a banished servant.” Toph said. 

Zuko let a sigh. “At best, we will run and make sure that they will lose our track.” 

“Raoh, what are you thinking of.” 

‘Once this is over, I’ll build a house here… June seems to be good enough to warm the bed…’ 

“Raoh…” Toph waved her hands in front of his face, and he blinked. 

He stared at her. “How do I help you?” 

“Earth to Raoh. We are trying to think of a way to get rid of an Admiral with an army after us.” Toph said. Then her face’s muscles tensed in confusion as she stared at Raoh’s face. 

“An Admiral!” Raoh was triggered for a moment. 

Flashes of his previous life appeared in his life. 

The archenemy of Raoh had been an Admiral called Akainu, and then the rest. He remembered a time he got his ass kicked by that admiral, got burned, and then got wasted on the sea… after that he lived with a friend called Wilson before a Sea King bitch-slapped Josh through the sea after eating the poor Wilson.  

“Dog…” he muttered in some hatred before he snapped and put his hand on his head. 

Somehow, he couldn’t remember what happened after that. It seemed that his subconscious doesn’t won't find out. 

“The name of Admiral triggers you?” Zuko gave him a side glace. “I get you.” 

“Sorry, been thinking about something else.” Raoh took a deep breath. He then said. “Thinking about dogs, good animals to keep tracks on things. To be ahead of Zhao, I think we need to track his smell first. The smell of Iron can be smelled from far.” 

Raoh can sense them too with his Observation Haki. But he can’t have his guard up all the time. Not to mention that he needs to sleep sometimes, while their enemies may be awake in his sleeping time. 

“And how are you going to do that? Sniff the ground every time.” Zuko said. 

“Luckily, it happens that I know the right person with an animal to help us.” 

“Who?” 

“Nyla,” Raoh said. “She can be good in case we wanted to know the location 

“Nyla... is she a woman?” Toph asked. 

“She is an animal. Her master is bounty huntress.” Raoh said. He forget to mention a little detail, they kissed the last time they had an encounter. 

“That’s great.” Toph stood up and stretched her arms up. “This way, we’ll have a balanced group. 2 men and 2 girls.” 

Zuko rolled his eyes and turned his face. 

Raoh patted Toph’s hair and messed up with it a bit. “I hope you stay positive like this.” 

He didn’t know if a pure girl like Toph can handle the bad girl he is trying to find. 

-x-X-x-

Four days passed with the group moving and travelling around. With Raoh and Toph, they could easily avoid any troops of the Fire Nation or their allies from Earth nation. 

During that game, Raoh developed a habit of visiting the gambling spots in the cities and towns. 

Somehow, those gambles seemed to develop his Haki further. He could sense the ink on the papers without seeing them, making him able to read what number was in his opponents' hands. If he only knew the written language of this world, he would have been able to read letters so far from him. 

There was another goal from visiting those black spots. They were meant to ask about June, a famous bounty huntress. 

It seems that Raoh’s question had provoked some attention in the places he had visited. 

And he had been attacked. 

June had been known to work with the Ripper. 

After the last massacre he had done, his bounty rose so much. He had even slain people from the Fire Nation. It was easy to tell it had been his deed since the deceased troops were ripped into parts.  

His head is worth many gold pieces now. 

That’s why he had been recognised and attacked by some groups when he had asked about June. 

But since he was stronger and faster this time, he could deal easily with them. Not to mention he had Toph with him, who could attack them before they do. 

Raoh didn’t rip them into parts, simply, not to give Zhao a way to track them. 

Finally, after some days, Raoh reached a spot where June was known to stay in. 

However, when he entered and asked about her, he got some news. 

Zuko and Toph were sitting by the bartender, ordering whatever they wanted. 

Raoh was holding the cards, playing with some groups, and exchanging words. 

“By the way, I wonder… have you heard about a woman, a bounty huntress. I heard she is quite strong, and a good mercenary as well.” Raoh said, not wanting to make his intent obvious. 

“Why do you want her?” the one in front of him asked. 

“Just business. Someone didn’t pay me, and I want to track him down.” 

“Well, she is good indeed, you are after the right person… but.” 

“But?” Raoh raised an eyebrow. 

“But she worked with someone she shouldn’t work with. Admiral Zhao came with some troops and captured her. My bet she is jailed in the Iron Prison, to get interrogated.” 

Raoh didn’t flinch. He was still having his poker face. 

However, inside, his head started getting chaotic. 

‘She is captured! That’s so bad! Zhao seems to be trying to track me.’

“That’s too bad, I guess,” Raoh said with an indifferent tone as he placed a group of cards. “Well, guess I won this round.” 

‘Zhao may also try to make a deal with her to track my smell… knowing that she owes me nothing, I bet it won’t take long before she takes up his offer.  She is stubborn, and won't accept, unless… I need to hurry before Zhao figures out her weakness. She herself doesn't realise that she is weak against money.’

“Man! How did you do that?” the three players with him threw their cards and turned their faces. 

Raoh took the silver and gathered it, before pushing it into a sack. 

He stood up, turned to his group, and lifted his bamboo hat. His eyes crossed with Zuko’s, and Raoh pointed with his eyes to the door.