Just as Iroh warned him, the moment Iroh was gone, Kahn's situation immediately became much more difficult.
Only one day after Iroh and Zuko left, Fire Lord Ozai summoned both him and Azula. Kahn didn't know the reason… but he knew it wouldn't be anything good.
When they arrived outside the royal hall, the two exchanged glances. Even Azula hadn't been informed of the reason in advance.
Inside the silent hall, Ozai sat on the throne, appearing calm yet overwhelmingly imposing.
Power clung to him like a cloak, making it hard to breathe the moment he set eyes on you.
His gaze swept over them before finally settling on Kahn.
"You saw Iroh and Zuko off yesterday, didn't you?" Ozai said coldly. "Do you know why they left?"
Because you're the bastard who exiled them, Kahn cursed inwardly.
But outwardly, his expression didn't shift an inch. After spending so much time with Azula, his acting skills were no joke.
"Prince Zuko was exiled for violating regulations and offending you," Kahn replied calmly.
"That is correct… but not entirely." Ozai's voice softened ever so slightly.
"Zuko is my son. If it were only about offending me, the punishment would not be severe. And although he violated our laws, I even gave him a chance to redeem himself."
He sighed, as if genuinely disappointed.
But his tone hardened in the next breath.
"The most fatal flaw is that he acted with cowardice. In the arena, he did not even dare strike his enemy!
The Fire Nation stands at a historic turning point. Unifying the world and bringing everyone under our peace and prosperity—this dream will be realized in my hands.
But with Zuko's disgraceful performance, how could I entrust the future to him? How could the people of the Fire Nation feel at ease?"
Ozai's eyes turned toward Azula.
"In comparison, my daughter Azula has performed with excellence. Perhaps she is the successor the Fire Nation truly deserves."
Even Azula blinked in surprise at this. But she quickly regained her composure and replied smoothly.
"Thank you for the compliment, Father. I will continue to work hard."
She clearly hadn't expected him to say something like that.
Was Ozai actually considering Azula as his successor?
Kahn was surprised at first, but after thinking it over, it made perfect sense.
In this world, bending mastery mattered far more than gender.
The Avatar reincarnated into both male and female bodies, and history had seen many powerful female rulers.
The Fire Nation was ancient in form but not in ideology.
With this new perspective, Kahn couldn't help but think:
Yeah… Azula as Fire Lord actually fits.
And since he was technically Azula's subordinate—one she personally molded—it only made sense for him to support that path.
Kahn straightened and declared firmly.
"Your Majesty is wise. I will fully support Princess Azula."
"Good." Ozai's gaze sharpened. "I have a task for the two of you. Think of it as training."
At last, he got to the real reason he called them here.
"A small unit of Fire Nation soldiers has betrayed us and deserted. Your mission is simple."
"Find them. Eliminate them. Make them understand the cost of betrayal."
"If you accomplish this well, the entire army will sing your praises. Azula, my daughter—do not disappoint me."
"Yes, Father. I will make certain they understand the meaning fully," Azula replied with cold determination.
Eliminating rebels?
Kahn frowned. There was a heavy scent of blood hidden behind that mission. Something felt wrong.
After assigning the task, Ozai dismissed them.
—
On the way back, Kahn quietly reviewed the situation. Fire Nation deserters? That alone was suspicious.
"What are you thinking about?" Azula interrupted.
"Hm? About what?"
"Me becoming Fire Lord," she said matter-of-factly. "I hadn't considered it before, but I think it sounds… good."
Azula tapped her chin thoughtfully, clearly pleased by the idea.
"He didn't tell you anything before today?" Kahn asked.
"No. Maybe Zuko's exile made him think luring me with that position would motivate me. And honestly? It worked. It's a fitting offer from my dear father."
Although she saw through Ozai's manipulation, Azula was genuinely interested.
"So? What do you think? Or do you prefer that foolish brother of mine?"
"Me?" Kahn chuckled. "I don't really care. Whether the next Fire Lord is you, Zuko, or Uncle Iroh, it's all the same to me."
He grinned even wider.
All three potential future Fire Lords had close ties with him. No matter who sat on the throne, Kahn would be fine.
A perfect win-win.
And thinking about that only strengthened Kahn's resolve.
Who becomes Fire Lord isn't important. What's important is preventing Ozai from staying Fire Lord.
"Hmph. You'll have it good when I become Fire Lord," Azula muttered, elbowing him in annoyance.
Kahn rubbed his ribs and teased.
"I don't know if I'll have it good, but the Fire Nation people… ehh, maybe not so much."
"Huh?! What do you mean by that?!"
Their bickering continued all the way home.
—
Before the mission officially began, Kahn used his connections to investigate the target.
This wasn't hard—most of his classmates were children of high-ranking officials and nobles, so information flowed easily.
He wasn't worried about Ozai discovering this. After all, he could simply claim he was preparing ahead for the mission.
The information he uncovered chilled him.
Most of the so-called rebels were former subordinates of Iroh.
"…As expected of you, Ozai. Truly disgusting."
Kahn clenched his fists.
The mission wasn't training.
It was a trap.
A test.
A purge.
And Ozai intended to make Azula—and Kahn—dirty their hands with blood belonging to Iroh's loyal men.
Kahn's glare darkened.
Sinister bastard.
...
Author's Note:
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