The last time Azula went looking for clues about Ursa's disappearance, it ended in failure. She'd been upset for a while, but now she'd mostly recovered.
However, that didn't mean the plan had been abandoned—it was simply dormant, waiting for the right opportunity.
Recently, aside from continuing his Firebending lessons with Iroh, Kahn had made new progress.
"Is this the spot?"
"Yes, a little further… right here."
"Next is here…"
At that moment, Kahn was poking himself under Ty Lee's direction, looking completely ridiculous to anyone watching.
But if anyone asked what he was doing, Kahn would proudly answer: he was learning pressure points!
Or, as Ty Lee called it—Chi Blocking.
Chi—spiritual energy, life force—is the source of vitality that fuels Benders' power.
Even those who can't Bend, like Mai and Ty Lee, still have chi flowing through their bodies.
Chi Blocking, as the name suggests, involves disrupting that flow, preventing a Bender from using their bending for a short time. A terrifyingly effective skill.
Even more shocking, Ty Lee didn't learn it from anyone—she invented it herself.
Kahn had been stunned. What kind of prodigy is this girl?!
According to Ty Lee, she discovered it by accident while goofing around with her friends.
When she hit certain points on their bodies, they suddenly couldn't bend and even felt weak for a short while.
Her friends had been terrified, but thankfully, the effects wore off quickly.
Curious, Ty Lee had gone on to study the phenomenon herself and eventually discovered multiple such points in the human body. Thus, Chi Blocking became her signature art.
Kahn was in awe and immediately asked to be her student.
It wasn't hard to see why—pressure points and martial arts? That was every fantasy-loving kid's dream!
Ty Lee, for her part, was flattered.
She'd been Azula's playmate since childhood but always feared her.
Kahn's fearless attitude toward Azula had impressed her deeply, and she had come to secretly admire him. So when her idol asked to be her disciple, she eagerly accepted.
Once they began training, Kahn even contributed to improving the art.
He suggested changing "points" to "acupuncture points," which Ty Lee found inspiring.
Then, with a spark of mischief, he added.
"Besides points that block chi, maybe there are others that cause different effects—like making someone laugh uncontrollably, or even freezing them in place."
Ty Lee's eyes lit up.
"Like when Sun Wukong immobilized the Seven Fairies! Though he did it from a distance…"
She was, of course, an avid listener of Kahn's Journey to the West retellings.
His suggestion expanded her thinking, and she excitedly declared that she'd look for more of these special points.
Kahn couldn't agree more—he also hoped one day to master the legendary Chi techniques found in wuxia tales.
It was during these days that Kahn realized something surprising: Mai and Ty Lee weren't just Azula's playmates—they were both extremely capable.
Ty Lee, though cheerful and carefree, was shockingly skilled in combat. Her flexibility training made her body incredibly agile, and when combined with Chi Blocking, even Azula might lose to her in close-quarters combat.
Mai, on the other hand, was quiet and reserved, but deadly accurate with throwing knives. Her precision was unmatched.
Birds of a feather flock together—those close to Azula and Zuko were definitely not ordinary.
Just like him, of course.
At least, that's what Kahn thought, not humbly at all.
But soon, Azula grew annoyed with being left out. Arms crossed, she marched over, frowning.
"Are you two done yet? I'm not here to be your audience."
Ty Lee flinched at her tone and whispered to Kahn, "Maybe we should stop for today and go play?"
Kahn sighed helplessly. "Where are Mai and Zuko? Why don't you go find them?"
Azula's expression twisted slightly. "They don't need me even more over there."
Kahn and Ty Lee looked over—and froze.
Mai and Zuko were sitting close together, whispering and laughing.
Good spirits of the Air Nomads… they're not even trying to hide it anymore?!
At first, the two had tried to be discreet, but after Iroh and Kahn's teasing, Zuko had lost most of his awkwardness. Though he still denied everything verbally, his actions said otherwise.
Kahn couldn't help but be shocked. They're how old? Is this really okay?!
Iroh had just smiled knowingly and said it was fine, even encouraging Kahn to "hurry up too."
Kahn had promptly ignored that advice. I'm barely a teenager! What am I supposed to hurry up for?!
Still, he sighed internally. I really don't fit in here.
No wonder Azula looked so sour—she was being force-fed enough "couple energy" to make anyone sick.
And Zuko! The guy claimed he had no friends, yet somehow he had a girlfriend? What kind of logic was that?
Kahn rolled his eyes. Romance over friendship. Typical.
He reluctantly decided to stop training and join Azula, but before he could say anything, she suddenly shouted:
"Hey! Mai, Zuzu, Kahn wants you to come play with us!"
"?!"
Kahn froze in horror, staring at Azula, then at Mai's irritated face.
I didn't! I swear I didn't!
"Hahahaha!"
Azula burst into laughter, delighted at her own prank.
Kahn's veins bulged. He couldn't take it anymore. With lightning speed, he jabbed his fingers into Azula's thigh.
She yelped, her leg collapsing as she hit the ground with a thud.
"Eat my Chi Blocking!"
"Hiss—!"
Ty Lee and Mai gasped as Azula lay there, blinking in confusion.
Now it was Kahn's turn to laugh uncontrollably.
"Kahn, you scoundrel!"
"You started it first!"
Azula's fury flared, and Kahn didn't back down. Fire burst into the air as the two clashed, while the others ducked and ran for cover, screaming.
Chaos ensued.
Truly, birds of a feather flock together.
...
Author's Note:
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