According to Iroh, things like vision, willpower, experience, and knowledge could not be trained through books or meditation alone. To cultivate them, one must travel.
This was also the opportunity Kahn, Azula, and Zuko had been waiting for.
But such opportunities couldn't be forced. The outside world was chaotic, and the Fire Nation's war had made many lands unstable.
So Kahn asked Iroh. "When do you think I'll be able to travel and broaden my horizons?"
"Hmmm…"
Iroh pondered for a moment, then said.
"There's no rush. With your current strength, it wouldn't be dangerous, but you're only twelve years old. Better to wait a few more years."
"Preferably until you're sixteen, a proper adult—no, wait—"
Mid-sentence, Iroh suddenly froze.
Because he remembered something.
Counting the years… that was only three or four years away from happening.
Already?
Iroh sighed internally. He then re-evaluated everything — Kahn's talent, his current strength, the world's situation, and the consequences of the upcoming event. He had to decide whether Kahn should take part in it.
If Kahn were an ordinary child, the answer would be obvious: absolutely not.
But Kahn wasn't ordinary. His talent, strength, intelligence, and potential made him someone destined to reach the pinnacle of the world. Precisely because of that, Iroh had to consider his path more carefully.
In the end, Iroh made up his mind.
Even if Kahn didn't directly participate, he should at least witness the world that war had shaped.
And after that event, no matter what the outcome would be, he would gain experience and perspective.
If they waited until after the event, the world might become completely unrecognizable.
Iroh kept all of this to himself, but complicated emotions surged in his heart.
Time really flies.
After deciding, Iroh changed his tone.
"Normally, you'd wait until adulthood. But considering your strength, give it another year or two. Then you can go out and see the world."
His sudden pause and shift in tone didn't go unnoticed.
Since they were alone, Kahn asked directly.
"You look troubled. Is something going to happen in a few years?"
Iroh's expression froze.
"…Was it that obvious?"
"Uh-huh."
Kahn shrugged. Then he smirked.
"I just guessed since you suddenly changed your mind, but I didn't expect something really was going on. Can you tell me? If it's a secret, forget it."
"You little rascal. Did you pick this cunning up from Azula?"
Iroh scratched his head helplessly.
Maybe he had become too used to Kahn's sharpness. Instead of suspecting Kahn of setting him up, he was just mildly surprised.
Seeing Kahn's eyes full of curiosity, Iroh thought for a moment and said.
"It's not really a secret. And telling you won't change anything anyway. I'll keep it brief—"
"No! Tell me the long version."
Kahn instantly dragged out a table and two chairs. "I want to listen properly."
"…I truly don't know who you inherited this gossipy personality from."
Iroh sighed and sat down.
"Go make me a pot of tea. Actually, never mind — I'll do it myself."
While Iroh prepared the tea, Kahn brought out melon seeds and pastries, turning a supposedly serious revelation into an afternoon tea session.
Iroh returned and took a sip of tea.
"Where should I begin? Ah, right — you know what the source of fire is, don't you?"
Kahn nodded.
"It's the sun."
Air came from the sky — higher altitudes meant stronger Airbending.
Earth came from the ground — standing firm meant endless strength.
Water came from the moon — tides and Waterbending were stronger at night.
Fire came from the sun — its rise and fall affected every Firebender.
Flames grew stronger at noon and weakest at night.
Though the difference wasn't extreme, it was still significant. This fluctuation was one of the reasons the world had held off the Fire Nation for so long.
"You're correct," Iroh continued. "But besides the sun, there's another source that can amplify Firebending — a comet."
"That comet approaches our world once every hundred years. On that day, every Firebender's strength is greatly amplified."
"It only happens once every hundred years… Is the power that strong?" Kahn asked while cracking melon seeds.
"I believe so," Iroh said. "I've never seen it myself. But ancient records say Firebenders during the comet's arrival become unimaginably powerful."
Kahn frowned.
"So the Fire Lord will launch a full-scale attack on that day? But what can you accomplish in just one day?"
Iroh replied calmly, "One day is enough to do many things."
Even though Kahn was clever, his lack of worldly experience limited his perspective. He didn't yet understand the scale of war.
This was why Iroh wanted him to travel.
"Is that so…"
Even after hearing it, Kahn still couldn't fully grasp the concept.
In his mind, ancient societies needed months just to travel between nations.
The Fire Nation had steam warships, sure, but no combustion engines, no airships, no trains. Moving troops was still slow, wasn't it?
Setting that aside, the "once every hundred years comet" felt strangely familiar.
And the world war had lasted almost one hundred years as well.
Meaning that the Fire Nation likely launched the war during the comet's arrival. But he had never seen such a major event recorded in history books.
Strange.
So Kahn asked.
"What did the Fire Nation do last time the comet came? Did they start the war then?"
"…"
Iroh froze mid-sip.
Kahn's mind worked quickly — faster than what most adults could follow.
This topic was heavy.
But sooner or later, Kahn needed to know.
Iroh set down his teacup and sighed.
"That part of history was erased from Fire Nation records. So of course you wouldn't know."
"The Fire Nation began the war earlier — but when the comet arrived…"
His voice lowered.
"…the Fire Nation deployed its armies to exterminate the Air Nomads."
The truth settled in the quiet afternoon air.
A truth that would change Kahn forever.
...
Author's Note:
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