Although Kahn had many ideas about Firebending, Iroh advised him not to innovate rashly before reaching a certain level of mastery.
It wasn't just about innovation — it was about safety.
The three elements of air, water, and earth were relatively gentle, and a mistake while bending them rarely resulted in self-inflicted harm. But fire was different.
Even without bending, flames were inherently dangerous. One small mistake could cause burns to the bender or even injure allies. Fire was a double-edged sword.
Perhaps that was why the Fire Nation's teachings emphasized restraint. A Firebender without restraint was a danger not only to others but to themselves.
However, Iroh couldn't help but sigh as he spoke.
"Most people today remember only the superficial restraint — in form, in posture — but they've forgotten restraint in thought. Even a nation must learn that."
Kahn ignored Iroh's philosophical rambling, nodded thoughtfully, and set aside his idea of experimenting with bending. It was better to build a solid foundation first.
Besides, his schedule was already packed.
Between learning Firebending from Iroh, Earthbending from Kou Li, Chi Blocking from Ty Lee, writing his books, and keeping Azula entertained whenever she visited, his life was already busy enough.
So, for the moment, Kahn shelved his experimental ideas.
Lately, though, he'd noticed Zuko seemed distracted — quieter than usual, and often staring into space.
Something was clearly bothering him.
That afternoon, Zuko uncharacteristically stayed for dinner. Azula didn't show up, which made it a rare quiet evening.
After they'd eaten, Kahn and Zuko sat in the courtyard, enjoying the night air.
Kahn decided to ask directly.
"What's been going on with you lately? You look… troubled."
Zuko blinked. "Is it that obvious?"
Kahn shrugged. "It's written all over your face. So? What's up?"
Zuko hesitated for a moment. Then his posture softened, the weight of his usual guard falling away.
"...Yesterday was my mother's birthday. I just… miss her."
Kahn froze. Yesterday was Ursa's birthday?
That explained a lot. No wonder Zuko had been off lately — and no wonder Azula had been keeping to herself too.
Kahn sighed quietly. Seeing Zuko's expression, he didn't know what to say for a moment.
When Ursa disappeared, Azula had come to him immediately and even pulled him into her secret plans to investigate.
Zuko, on the other hand, had never spoken about it.
Kahn hadn't felt comfortable bringing it up first, so he had no idea what Zuko truly thought about the whole thing.
But now that Zuko had opened the door himself, it was a chance.
"Look," Kahn said after a pause, "I'm not great at emotional speeches. But tell me — what do you think about what happened?"
Zuko frowned. "What do you mean, what do I think?"
"I mean your mother's disappearance. Doesn't it seem… off to you?"
When Azula had asked Ozai, he'd said Ursa was dead — a lie so weak it was insulting.
If she really had died, there'd be no reason for secrecy. Even Iroh had said Ursa had disappeared, not died.
Later, Ozai changed his story again, saying Ursa left of her own will and refused to explain further.
Zuko clenched his fists. "When I first heard, I asked my father directly where she was. He refused to answer. He just… scolded me."
Kahn raised a brow. "And then? You just gave up?"
"Of course not!" Zuko said sharply.
Then his tone softened as he explained, "I figured… if I become stronger, more capable — if Father finally acknowledges me — maybe then he'll tell me. And if not…"
He hesitated, his voice trembling slightly. "If not, I'll find her myself when I'm older."
Kahn leaned back and exhaled slowly.
Zuko was kind, loyal, and disciplined — traits clearly inherited from his mother.
But that same loyalty blinded him. Even now, despite everything, Zuko still sought his father's approval.
Ozai didn't deserve that.
From what Kahn had seen and heard, Ozai was a manipulative tyrant — a man who had killed his own father, toyed with his daughter's mind, abused his son, and banished his wife.
Calling him "twisted" was putting it lightly.
Listening to your father wasn't wrong — but when that father was Ozai? Yeah, that was a problem.
When Ursa had been around, she'd been Zuko's shield. Without her, he was vulnerable — too trusting, too hopeful.
Kahn worried that if things continued this way, Zuko might fall into Ozai's control entirely, like Azula had, but without her cunning to keep him afloat.
The more Kahn thought about it, the more dangerous Zuko's situation seemed.
Then an idea hit him — a reckless, brilliant idea.
Why not bring Zuko onto our side too?
"Our side," meaning him and Azula — and Iroh — and by extension, all three of them together.
It sounded messy, but it made sense.
His partnership with Azula focused on finding Ursa — their enemy was Ozai.
His partnership with Iroh was based on shared opposition to Ozai's rule. And since all three shared the same enemy, there was a loose alliance between them.
The problem was, Azula and Zuko barely tolerated each other. Azula thought Zuko was slow and unfit to be part of their plans, so she'd excluded him.
Iroh, burdened with his own troubles and aware of Zuko's fragile position, hadn't told him anything either.
Which left Zuko completely in the dark.
But that couldn't continue.
For Zuko's safety — and maybe even for the Fire Nation's future — Kahn knew it was time to let him in.
Whether that meant bringing him into their existing group or forming a new one altogether, he'd decide later.
As he sat there thinking, a sudden thought made him smirk.
Why do I feel like I'm recruiting party members for a game?
...
Author's Note:
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