"You stole my bear!" The King accused, seething with anger over the kidnapping of his beloved Bear.
"Yes, it was the only way to grab his attention and get King Earth out of his palace." It might not have been the best approach, but it was the first idea that came to mind. "You've been living a lie, and it's time for the truth to come to light."
Long Feng grew increasingly tense, piecing together Uzumaki's plan.
"Don't heed him, my King!"
"No need, just read." Naruto produced a large bag, tossing it at the king's feet. The king knelt to open it, revealing hundreds of letters. "These are letters from nearby towns, begging for help against the Fire Nation invasion."
"You dared to steal from my safe!" Long Feng accused, referring to the intercepted correspondence.
"It wouldn't be the first time. I once pilfered a sacred scroll from my people's leader. It was quite exhilarating."
"Brat!"
"Feng... What is this?" Fury blazed in the king's eyes as he examined the notes, all pleading for aid against the invading Fire Nation soldiers.
"It's reality, and you must believe that this man was concealing the truth from you," Naruto asserted.
"And should I trust you?" The king still harbored doubts.
"At a time like this, yes." Tension mounted with each passing moment. Naruto knew he had risked everything.
If the Dai Li masters were truly loyal to Lord Feng, they would reveal themselves now.
He doubted he could fight and protect the King simultaneously.
Trapped in an earth dome, facing the best waterbenders at sea, was a daunting prospect.
And Long Feng was aware of it.
"My King, I implore you to stand aside. From now on, the Avatar, the Orange pillar, and company are enemies of the state. Let me handle this."
As the Dai Li leader advanced, he prepared to signal an attack, rallying everyone against the Orange pillar. The battle would be arduous, but he relished the prospect of striking down the ninja boy himself.
"No, it's time for me to act."
But the King's firm grip on his hand halted him, causing his commander to pause and step back.
"My King…"
"Silence! I, the 58th king, decree a duel between Long Feng and Uzumaki Naruto for command of the Dai Li!"
The King's words were law. The Dai Li agents knelt, hands resting on the ground, as a platform rose beneath them.
"Is this my reward for years of loyalty and devotion?" Long Feng questioned angrily as he ascended the platform.
There was no turning back. He would have to play his final card.
"You'll have to settle for my fists as payment." Naruto leaped onto the platform, eager to teach one of the most annoying men he had ever met a lesson.
"Do you think you've won, brat? Do you think I didn't take action knowing that you and the Avatar have returned? I always have a plan. Here it is: surrender and never return, or else you'll find Appa's head on a stake in the middle of town."
Those words made Naruto freeze, his gaze shifting to Aang, who looked on the verge of bursting. "Where's Appa?"
"Under the watch of my two most loyal agents. Anyone attempting to approach will be killed. Do you understand?"
"..."
"Now... surrender or—"
Long Feng's speech was cut short by a roar that reverberated through the cave. All eyes turned upward to see a massive silhouette descending from the heavens.
"Appa!" the teenagers exclaimed happily as the large bison landed among them.
Long Feng broke out in a cold sweat as a dark figure emerged behind him.
"I'm going to enjoy this... more than you can imagine."
The earthbender feared for his life as Naruto assumed a strange hand position behind him.
Another trick? Perhaps a technique to obliterate him? Would he be reduced to dust?
"Ninja Art: A Thousand Years of Death!"
Long Feng would never be the same after that day.
....
Far from the conflict, in the lower area of Ba Sing Se, Azula stirred in her bed, awakened by a noise. Drowsily, she saw a silhouette enter her room, dropping two swords and a mask.
She watched as her older brother collapsed onto the same bed where she lay.
Initially, she entertained the idea of pushing him away, but seeing the expression on Zuko's face, she shifted to make room for him.
It reminded them of their childhood, when they were much younger.
Both siblings lay on the bed, Zuko's head resting on Azula's shoulder. She wrapped her arm around him, pulling him closer.
It didn't take long for both of them to drift off to sleep.
[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there.
PAT REON I'D:- Alzero ]