Korra had successfully awakened her spiritual sense!
She should've been ecstatic — she had achieved something that many Avatars had struggled to accomplish — but instead of feeling elated, she felt completely defeated, on the verge of tears.
Because the first past life she had contacted was Kyoshi, who, after congratulating her, immediately introduced herself as Jin's partner — without waiting for a response, as if to mark her territory.
Oh, come on!
Not even the spirits are safe?!
Even Kyoshi fell for Jin's charm?!
Korra was definitely not jealous of a past Avatar.
Not. One. Bit.
...
She should've eaten those cream pastries on the way!
Once Korra left, Jin began preparing for his trip to Zaofu.
Finally!
First, he asked Lin to inform her half-sister that he was on his way, then he gathered a few gifts for the children of his other niece — there were… five of them, right?
Let's see: there was Baatar Jr. (the "traitor" who would fall in love with Kuvira in a couple of years), Huan (who loved metal sculptures), Opal (who would no doubt become his favorite of the five, despite being the only non-bender at the moment), and the twins Wei and Wing (who had basically invented a version of pinball).
Clearly, Suyin had a lot of love to give.
And of course, there was his niece's husband, Baatar, who, according to Lin, had used Jin's model as the foundation for constructing Zaofu itself.
Mmm, Kuvira should be there too…
Jin had no intention of stopping her; in fact, he had plans regarding her — plans that also involved the Red Lotus. But leaving a strong impression was always in his favor.
Once he packed his things, he boarded the train.
Yes, because there was now a direct line from Republic City that passed through Zaofu.
"I wonder if they've made progress on the magnetic rail project I left with the Mechanist back in the day," Jin mused.
Kyoshi was busy helping Korra explore her new spiritual side, and Inkasha was having fun teasing the new staff, so for this trip, he was alone.
"I should've brought something to read."
It was going to be a long four-hour trip, though still much faster than the old days of traveling by carriage. Not even Whiskers could have kept up this speed for so long — they would've had to make several stops to rest.
However, the journey turned out to be far less boring than expected.
There were a couple of attempted train robberies, and Jin got to have some fun delivering justice — though the bandits were rather inexperienced.
"Desperate people forced to resort to this just to feed their families," Jin noted, as he listened to the passengers chat freely during stops, scanning nearby villages and towns. "Just as I thought — the Queen is as incompetent a ruler as her father was. The only difference is she doesn't have a pet, thanks to her fur allergy."
It was an immense relief that Wu had given up the throne. Decades of incompetence had clearly worn the Earth Kingdom down; it couldn't have endured another failed monarch.
Between thoughts, gossip, and reflection, Jin finally arrived at Zaofu Station.
Well, more precisely, at an outer platform — he still had to walk several minutes before reaching the entrance of the metal city, where visitors were registered.
Feeling mischievous, Jin smirked to himself. If I walk through the front gate like everyone else… would I still be Jin Beifong?
...
In an office within the Metal Clan compound, at the heart of Zaofu.
"Suyin, you should calm down," her husband said, watching her pace nervously around the room since that morning, when her half-sister Lin had warned them of their special guest's imminent arrival.
"It's not that easy, darling," Suyin said, stopping to sit beside Baatar, who took her hand to soothe her. "We're talking about Jin Beifong!"
When they learned that Toph's older brother had returned, the news shook the entire Metal Clan and the Beifong family. The man was a legend within these walls — after all, Suyin and her husband had met when she hired him to use Jin Beifong's old city model as the foundation for Zaofu's construction.
The fact that someone who had lived decades ago could conceptualize and design an entire city made of metal had completely amazed Baatar as an architect.
Suyin had asked Lin to keep her informed as much as possible.
She hadn't been surprised when his first stop upon returning was Ember Island — considering who and what was there. Her mother had always said that the siblings had a connection; they always knew where the other was.
That Jin went to find Toph was only natural.
Then weeks passed, and Jin managed to overthrow some sort of movement in Republic City while adjusting to modern times and reclaiming his shares in Col Corporation.
Lin had even hinted that Jin's romantic life was active again!
And just when Suyin thought she could finally relax, she got a call from Lin — not to ask if they were ready to receive him, but to inform her that he was already on his way.
Suyin had nearly fainted on the spot — they weren't prepared at all!
Knowing she only had a few hours before he arrived from Republic City, she'd rushed to alert her personal chef, the gate guards, and the staff to prepare one of their best rooms. If not for Baatar's intervention, she would've thrown all of Zaofu into chaos out of panic.
"Are the kids informed?" Suyin asked.
"Don't worry, they're excited to meet their great-uncle," Baatar assured her.
"Really? I thought they'd be nervous."
"Well, they grew up hearing stories from their grandmother," Baatar reasoned. "It's natural they'd be a little anxious."
"That makes sense. Are you eager to meet him too?"
"Absolutely," Baatar nodded. "Ever since I saw his model, I've wanted to ask him several questions about its design. Even Huan studies it often for inspiration. If I could just—"
Baatar stopped mid-sentence, glancing at Suyin, who shook her head — she hadn't spoken.
"I'm here."
They looked around the office but saw no one.
"Oh, my bad for not being more specific. Look up."
Both looked upward and froze upon seeing an attractive blind man calmly floating upside down above them.
"Did I come at a bad time?" Jin asked with a smile. "Hello, niece. And you must be her husband, Baatar? You did quite a decent job with my model."
He righted himself and landed gracefully beside them.
"A pleasure to meet you both. I'm Jin Beifong — but… I think you already knew that!"