In the cabin where many people were gathered, Thorian entered with a look that was not at all intimidating. He had been on different battlefields, and he had long ceased to be considered a child. These people did not see him as a child either and were nervous about the reason for Thorian's visit, so they were gathered, waiting to hear the calmness of their concerns.
Looking at the woman sitting in front of him, Thorian assumed she was the leader of this island, so he introduced himself: "My name is Thorian, and I am considered the guardian of the current coalition that has been forming somewhere in the South."
"I am Yukari. For many years, I have made sure to keep this island out of any conflict that may be found in the war, and we prefer to keep it that way. Please state your purpose for visiting so we can end our conversation faster."
Thorian had expected this treatment, but still, having a purpose, he said, "At some point, we will attack a colony of the Fire Nation and plan to expel all invaders from the seas in the South. But as you know, the conditions of the South Pole are very complicated to keep food resources afloat, and maintaining an army is much more expensive than just forming one."
"I thought there were no more waterbenders in the South." Yukari did not believe Thorian and would not risk the safety of this island for a war that did not concern them.
Receiving murmurs from the people listening to the meeting, Thorian asked, "Are these trustworthy people?"
"How dare you mistrust those who need allies?!"
"I am fighting a war, Lady Yukari. Perhaps you do not understand the concept of war, but in it, we kill or die. If, for some reason, the information I am providing you with right now is leaked, I will make sure to find out who leaked that information, and believe me, I am not polite with my enemies." Thorian's tone was crueler than any of the invaders Yukari had dealt with, so she did not hesitate for a moment with those words.
Yukari frowned, and in a louder tone of voice, she said, "And we will not risk being part of this war. What exactly do you need?"
"Food, some special resources that cannot be taken at the South Pole, and in return, you will receive the protection of our warriors," Thorian said, trusting his part of the deal. This would not directly involve this island, so it was the only thing he could ask of them.
"How many warriors do you have?"
"That is a rather dangerous question, Lady Yukari. All I can tell you is that we have enough warriors to launch a counterattack and eliminate all invaders in one fell swoop." Thorian would not be so foolish as to mention the number of warriors they had.
Yukari looked at the people behind Thorian and said, "We do not have much food, and moving it would be complicated due to our proximity to other islands."
"We have a way to move resources without anyone noticing. We can load it at night, and by the next morning, no one will realize that you have been moving resources. Even if it is daytime, no one would notice. Plus, if you are attacked in any vision, you could be evacuated quickly by our aquatic fleet."
The peculiarity of the submarines was unique and something that, according to them, no one had achieved so far. Taking that into account, Thorian would be using it for now to move resources from the islands that decided to support them with military resources for the war.
"The entire South will be united by the end of this year; by then, you will truly know our capabilities. First, we will eliminate all the sea forces in the South and take care of rescuing many of those who have been put under confinement." Thorian's eyes did not lie; he wanted to seek the freedom of those who had been captured.
A man among the crowd shook his head and asked, "How exactly will you achieve that? I still wonder how long you've been fighting to trust your words. In my eyes, you are just a child playing at being a man."
"I think the same."
"Maybe he's lying."
Yukari, who heard all this commotion, shouted, "Enough; do not speak unless your opinion is requested."
"It seems that they still do not trust me. I thought that people, at least the Kyoshi Warriors, fought not only for this island but also for those in need. You have stayed out of this war, but we haven't. I have seen how the Fire Nation commits genocide against my people, and believe me, I will repay that harm." Thorian's cold words could be felt by everyone, and a chill ran through their bodies.
Many dared not to look at Thorian, and that included many of the Kyoshi Warriors behind Yukari. Suki was an exception; she shared some of the words he had said but had nothing to say because she knew little about war.
Upon hearing that, Yukari did not know what to say, because rejecting Thorian, who was still fighting, was something she could not afford.
Suki, who wanted to express her thoughts, approached her mother and asked, "We have plenty of food here in the South that they wouldn't have; what's wrong with giving them a little if no one finds out? His eyes have not given up yet; what if everything he says is true?"
"That man's gaze is filled with resentment; I do not want to be part of all the evil he will want to unleash with those who are his enemies." Yukari said, not knowing what to answer at the moment.
Suki said nothing more; she stood behind her mother and looked at Thorian, who seemed to have been through a lot.
"I cannot give you an answer, but if you show how you will take the resources from this island, I may see how to help you." Yukari stood up without saying anything more and left the cabin.
Thorian reminded her of just one thing: "My people need me; I cannot stay away from the front for long, so I expect a clear answer soon. You will have the evidence as soon as possible. I truly hope for your support."
His father's words were still in his memory: "Remember that when asking for something, you must analyze the situation. You shouldn't demand a glass of water from a family that barely has enough to drink."
Thorian knows he must not put these people in danger, so after obtaining a source of accessible resources, he would start expelling the invading forces.
All of this would not take more than a year, so no one would focus on this island when the enemy of the invaders is beyond the South Pole, and in exchange for that, they would expel enemy forces in this area.
Regaining control of the sea is a priority for the Southern Nation; once they regain control of their territory, they will start attacks against the colonies, and only then will they decide whether or not to negotiate with the Earth Nation to devise plans and gain control of the future war that is not yet over.