"Your reaction does justice to your legend, young warrior."
Naruto looked up confused to see who was speaking, noticing a stranger in the room, dressed like the Dai Li.
"And who are you?" The boy shook the dust off his clothes, eyeing the guy sitting in front of a bonfire. He could sense more Dai Li agents lurking in the shadows.
"I am Lord Feng, in charge of security in Ba Sing Se."
"So you can help us? Give this to the King!" Sokka pulled out the scroll with the eclipse notes, but Toph stopped him, grabbing his jacket.
"The information you have is irrelevant. No one talks about what happens outside the walls of this city. We maintain peace here," Lord Feng replied sternly.
"Hiding like rats?" Naruto mocked, observing Lord Feng's demeanor.
"Please do not confuse cowardice with caution. The kingdom prioritizes peace and stability," Lord Feng explained.
"Political wars? People are dying out there in a war that has lasted 100 years. How can you say that?!" Katara shouted angrily.
But Lord Feng remained unfazed. "The king's duty is to preserve peace and hope for our people. As for other political and war decisions, I make them."
"What kind of King just smiles while the world goes to hell?" Sokka's anger was palpable as he gripped his Boomerang.
"Being a leader means making tough decisions. We prioritize the well-being of our people over others," Lord Feng retorted.
Be a leader.
The reality hit Naruto hard. He hesitated, contemplating his own dreams of becoming Hokage and the responsibility it entailed.
"What you're doing here is wrong. Ignoring the war won't make it end," Naruto spoke firmly, meeting Lord Feng's gaze. "To pretend it doesn't concern you is cowardice."
"Isn't it hypocritical to ask me to fight when you haven't done so yourself?"
"What are you saying? Naruto has fought more than many in this war and saved many lives," Aang defended the shinobi.
"And what else? I've heard of his abilities. I know he can clone himself, be a one-man army, and has the strength of 10 men and the speed of 100. I know he can transform and sneak into any place he wants without anyone noticing... Yet here he is, playing and wasting time with these kids. If he wanted, he could have ended this war whenever he wanted."
"No, I'm not-"
"I see the doubt in your eyes. You're nothing more than a small, pathetic child, going around preaching words of hope when you lack the courage to do what many of us want: kill the Fire Lord and end this war."
"…"
"Do you have the guts, kid? Do you have the courage to go to the Fire Nation right now and end this?"
"No…"
"I already thought so-"
"I won't go alone..." Naruto interrupted Long Feng. "Ending this war like that would be unfair to all those who fought and died. I am not their savior; I am nobody to take on the role of defeating the Fire Lord."
"You are a coward."
"No, I refuse to solve problems with killing, with bloodshed and pain... Is it wrong to want to help people?"
He didn't want to go down that path, to start a massacre in the Fire Nation.
Who said killing the Fire Lord would end the war? What if other firebenders refused to surrender? Would he have to kill them too?
He couldn't. He could never do that.
His response only strengthened Long Feng's view of him as weak.
"In war, such thoughts only make you weak when it's time to decide."
"I've made my decision. I will go before the king and tell the truth. If they don't like it, then so be it," Naruto declared, ready to seek out the supposed King.
But Long Feng had other plans.
"Despite your strength, you are still a child, a child who will condemn the family that accompanied you here."
The atmosphere froze as Naruto slowly turned to face Long Feng, who revealed three forms from his sleeve.
"I arranged for that family to settle in the suburbs. They have a nice house, jobs, and it seems young Yoru is interested in studying at our university."
Despite his anger, Naruto knew he couldn't act. The Avatar team remained silent, unsure of what to do.
"..." For the first time, Naruto felt powerless. He stood face to face with Long Feng, who assured them of the family's safety in exchange for their compliance.
Reluctantly, they agreed, at least for now.
"Now please go home. Joo Dee will accompany you."
"But... she's not Joo Dee," Katara murmured, noticing the unfamiliar woman.
"I am Joo Dee. Please follow me. Good children shouldn't be awake at this hour," the woman said, her smile overshadowed by Dai Li agents who escorted them out.
As the doors closed, Naruto exchanged one last glance with Long Feng, who smirked, as he turned around to look at the flames.
[ If you want to read advance Chapters then go to Pat reon and support me there.
PAT REON I'D:- Alzero ]