Thanks to the so-called benevolence of Fire Lord Ozai, Zuko's banishment order wasn't carried out immediately. He was given a few days to recover and prepare for departure.
After the first day passed, everyone gradually calmed down. What was done couldn't be undone—what mattered now was how they would move forward.
Once Iroh regained his composure, he realized he didn't actually have to choose between Zuko and Kahn. He could simply take Kahn with them.
But Kahn still chose to stay.
The idea of the three of them traveling together sounded nice, but anyone thinking clearly would see the problem: putting all of them together only made it easier for Ozai to crush them in one strike.
Staying in the Fire Nation carried risk, but it also offered opportunity.
Azula still needed his help—whether it was the issue with the Ursa or her recurring struggles against Ozai's mental hold. If Kahn left as well, he feared she might slip completely under Ozai's influence again.
And besides… Kahn had seen all of Ozai's crimes firsthand. After everything that happened, he wasn't going to just let Ozai get away with it.
As for Zuko, his banishment didn't free him. It gave him a mission—one that everyone knew was impossible:
Find the Avatar.
The Avatar hadn't appeared in nearly one hundred years. Everyone knew how absurd Ozai's order was.
Kahn asked quietly, "Uncle Iroh… do you think the Avatar is still alive?"
"Perhaps," Iroh answered. "Because the Avatar's disappearance was strange. No one can say for certain that he truly vanished forever."
He explained: during Sozin's Comet, the Fire Nation wiped out the Air Nomads. Yet no Avatar was found among the ruins.
Across the four nations, temples held sculptures of every Avatar.
When an Avatar died or was reborn, the statues always reacted. That was how each new Avatar was located and guided.
But ever since the destruction of the Air Nomads, the statues had remained silent—lifeless stone.
No one knew if the Avatar had died or if the cycle continued somewhere unseen. Still, many held onto hope.
The Fire Nation had been searching for decades. Zuko wasn't the first sent on such a mission, and he certainly wouldn't be the last.
But Kahn wasn't the type to place hope in a vague, possibly nonexistent savior.
When it came to defeating Ozai, they would have to rely on themselves.
Iroh placed a hand on Kahn's shoulder.
"Since you've made your choice, I won't try to change it. But whatever you do… be cautious. Always prioritize your safety."
Then he opened his robe and pulled out a Pai Sho tile—a lotus tile—placing it in Kahn's hand.
Kahn blinked. "This is…?"
"I won't be able to give you much help directly in the future. You'll have to depend on yourself. But if you ever find yourself in real danger… show that tile in the right place. Someone may appear to help you."
As usual, Iroh spoke in that mysterious tone of his.
Kahn stared at the tile.
"Uncle Iroh… just how many secrets do you have? What kind of organization uses a tile like this?"
Iroh chuckled softly, "You'll understand when the time comes. For now, let me keep the mystery."
Kahn sighed inwardly. Old man full of riddles. I should be used to it by now.
Iroh then clapped his hands.
"There is one more thing. I originally planned to teach this technique slowly… something I created myself. But time is short. I hope you can learn it as quickly as possible."
"Once you've mastered it, I'll worry much less about you."
Because of the urgency of the moment, Iroh began teaching immediately. He wanted Kahn to understand this technique before he and Zuko set sail.
On the training grounds, Iroh began.
"You sparred with Azula recently, so you've already witnessed Lightningbending."
Kahn nodded, a faint chill still lingering in his gut.
"Yes. That technique is… overwhelming. Nothing like ordinary Firebending."
His Thermal Energy Firebending gave him a massive advantage over most Firebenders.
But Lightningbending was different—it was too fast, too deadly. Once the lightning appeared, reacting was almost impossible.
While only a few mastered Lightningbending, it was precisely the ability Ozai wielded.
That fact alone placed immense pressure on Kahn.
"Which," Iroh continued, "is why you must master this technique."
He folded his hands behind his back.
"This move was something I created after being inspired by Waterbending. It is designed to counter Lightningbending."
"It will cover your final weakness."
"I call it—Reverse Lightning Fire."
—
Day of Farewell
Zuko's wounds hadn't fully healed. His head was still wrapped in bandages, and every movement was stiff, painful, and clumsy.
But worse than his body was his spirit. His eyes were hollow—utterly defeated.
His own father had disfigured him and cast him out. Not everyone could survive such a crushing blow.
Seeing Zuko like this, Kahn's anger began to stir again—not only anger toward Ozai, but disappointment that Zuko was letting himself fall this low.
He took a slow breath, pushed the emotion down, and spoke firmly:
"Follow Uncle Iroh. Train hard—not just Firebending. And don't forget your ambition."
Zuko had always said it: he wanted to be a good Fire Lord. Someone who served the people, not oppressed them.
Zuko's voice trembled, hoarse and broken.
"Do you really think… someone like me—like this—can still…"
"I will help you. And Uncle Iroh will help you."
Kahn placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder, meeting his eyes with steady resolve.
"But if you give up… then it's truly over."
"Are you willing to accept this? Do you have no hatred? No anger toward Ozai's actions?"
"Think about your mother. Think about Mai. Think about everything you once said…"
"Think about what you truly want, Zuko."
...
Author's Note:
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