After watching Judy for a while, Kahn finally voiced what he'd been thinking.
"You all noticed it too. Judy's behavior along the way has been… off."
His words immediately clicked with the group. Sokka threw his hands up and complained:
"Off? She's way beyond off. Every time I mention meeting the Earth King, she pretends she didn't hear a damn thing and changes the subject like she doesn't even have ears."
Katara nodded, though she hesitated a little.
"And she always has that same smile… but it doesn't feel real. Sometimes it gives me the creeps."
"That's what you call a fake smile, right?" Aang announced proudly, as if he'd just discovered a profound ancient proverb. The others ignored him completely.
Toph turned toward Kahn.
"So just that weird behavior isn't enough to say she's brainwashed, right?"
"Of course not. But her abnormalities go far beyond that."
Kahn folded his arms, analyzing aloud:
"From what I've observed, everything about her—her statements, her answers, even her smile—feels programmed. Like she's following a script."
"And whenever the topics of the war or meeting the Earth King come up, her emotions spike. She freezes for a moment before carrying on like she didn't hear anything, like she's intentionally avoiding the topic… but not in a normal way."
"This extreme disconnect between her inner emotions and outer appearance is why I'm sure she's been brainwashed."
Katara frowned, "But… why would anyone brainwash her?"
That question was on everyone's mind.
Kahn shook his head.
"I don't know."
Brainwashing was usually done to reshape someone's thoughts and behavior—like what Ozai did to Azula.
That kind of gradual conditioning was deep, severe, and nearly irreversible, leaving the victim unaware and unable to resist.
But Judy's brainwashing was different—crude, sloppy, full of flaws, and not entirely permanent.
And yet… why would anyone bother brainwashing just a palace maid?
Kahn could only guess.
"Whatever the reason, the fact is Judy is actively preventing us from seeing the Earth King. Her attitude toward the war is strange too. Maybe that's the reason she was brainwashed."
"That's terrifying if that's all it takes to get brainwashed!" Katara said, shocked.
Toph snorted, "Well, one thing's clear—the person who sent her to us definitely isn't friendly."
"You mean the Earth King himself might not be a good guy?!" Aang yelped.
But before panic could spread, Sokka suddenly froze and snapped his fingers.
"Hold up! Judy never said the Earth King sent her. She only said she was sent by 'above.' She never specified who that is!"
His eyes widened.
"So the real question is… who exactly is 'above'?"
Kahn gave Sokka an approving nod. Despite having no bending, Sokka's brain always worked under pressure. He really was the strategist of Team Avatar.
But with their limited information, this was all they could deduce.
Kahn concluded.
"Either way, Yonggu City is more complicated than it seems. Someone here is targeting us for reasons we still don't know. We need to move carefully."
Everyone fell silent. Kahn's words hit them like a bucket of cold water. Even the bright, bustling capital suddenly felt shrouded in gloom.
Katara broke the tension first.
"Right now, the only thing we can do is gather information ourselves. That official request to meet the Earth King never sounded reliable to begin with."
She continued.
"And if someone doesn't want us meeting him, we can take advantage of that—rest up, explore the city, and quietly gather information."
"That actually sounds great!" Sokka and Aang said together, instantly perking up.
The city was full of new things, and the two of them could barely contain their curiosity.
Toph wasn't thrilled—she hated enclosed spaces—but after Katara dragged her into the idea of "girls' relaxation time," she eventually gave up resisting.
Aang then asked the obvious question.
"But how do we gather information with Judy tailing us?"
Sokka shrugged with confidence.
"We split up. What's she gonna do—bend herself into clones? Worst case, we just shake her off."
"But this place is huge," he added, already fantasizing about what he'd explore first.
Seeing how fast they bounced back, Kahn couldn't help but laugh.
Truthfully, he was also eager to explore the city. As the Earth Kingdom's capital, Yonggu City was one of the most prosperous places in the world. He wanted to see it for himself.
After finalizing their plans, they enjoyed a hearty dinner and turned in early.
The Next Morning
Everyone set out separately. Katara and Toph paired up, while the boys split off individually. Left with no choice, Judy followed the girls.
Plan: Successful.
Kahn headed out alone, soaking in the atmosphere of Yonggu City while searching for places where information might surface.
He rode an Earthbender-powered human tram down to the Lower Ring. He had to admit—the ride was smooth and surprisingly comfortable.
The Lower Ring was a chaotic mix of refugees and low-status artisans. It was the perfect place to gather rumors, but unfortunately, the locals weren't friendly toward outsiders.
Kahn considered using certain methods… but with their enemies hidden, he couldn't risk attracting attention.
He moved deeper into the city.
The further he walked, the more vibrant the streets became—markets, merchants, crowds. Yonggu City's prosperity finally revealed itself.
Yet… there was something oppressive in the air.
Restaurants, tea houses, taverns—places like these were perfect for gathering information.
And thinking about it made him remember the last time he had tea with Iroh. Back then he didn't appreciate it. Now he kind of missed it.
So he casually asked a passerby:
"Excuse me, which tea house in the city has the best tea?"
The man answered immediately.
"Oh! There's one. They recently hired two new workers, and one of them brews tea so well everyone's talking about it. You should check it out."
"Thanks."
Kahn headed toward the tea house—and found it bustling, nearly every table filled.
But the moment he stepped inside, he froze.
Two workers moved through the hall, carrying trays and tea kettles. Familiar silhouettes. Familiar presence.
Kahn's eyes widened.
Zuko and Iroh.
Working as tea servers in Yonggu City.
Kahn almost laughed.
Here they were.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Avatar: Rebirth of the Strongest Firebender — Part 1 (ATLA) is now available on Patreon!
Part 2 — Arc 1, set in The Legend of Korra era, has also been completed and continues the story into the next generation with stronger enemies, expanded worldbuilding, and major character developments ahead.
One complete 18+ novel has been uploaded on Patreon, guaranteed to give you an intense and thrilling experience.
Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
Warning: This chapter contains EXTREMELY explicit adult content.
In this merged Avatar world with zero inhibitions, all your favorite benders drown in raw, filthy, non-stop lust — gangbangs, elemental bending sex, incest, breeding, and extreme kinks.
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1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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