Why is Iroh from every world so damn gossipy?
Kahn wailed internally as he fled Iroh's interrogation in a sorry state and returned to his residence to share the intelligence he had gathered with Aang and the others.
The next day, Toph and Aang went to Lake Laogai, confirmed that the Dai Li's brainwashing facility was located beneath the lake, and infiltrated it, witnessing firsthand the large-scale brainwashing of palace maids.
With that, their evidence was complete. All that remained was to strike during the upcoming banquet and catch the Dai Li off guard.
However, before the plan could begin, Kahn returned with two extremely familiar faces—faces Aang and the others never expected to see.
"Let me introduce you. This is the former Fire Nation Grand General, the Fire Lord's brother, Iroh… and this is the Fire Nation Prince, Zuko."
"…Hello."
Zuko stood stiffly, reserved and awkward as he offered a strained greeting.
After overcoming the turmoil in his mind and spirit, Zuko had finally found his true self and had voluntarily asked Kahn to bring him to meet Aang and the others.
He and Iroh even brought gifts—two Dai Li agents who had been secretly spying on the group.
Unfortunately, the "gift" did little to help the tense atmosphere.
"I say… can someone explain what's going on here?" Toph asked, once again in her weak, pitiful, and helpless voice.
But Katara—who usually translated for her—didn't say a word. She stood stiffly, eyes full of hostility as she glared at the two Fire Nation men.
"Kahn, why did you bring them here?"
Aang and Sokka raised their weapons as well, wary and ready. They had expected this kind of reaction the moment they arrived.
Iroh bowed his head slightly and said sincerely,
"I know we made mistakes before. But my nephew has now returned to the right path. He has realized his true mission. I hope you can forgive us… and give us a chance to make amends."
Zuko took a breath and addressed Aang directly.
"I used to believe my mission was to capture you, Avatar. I chased you no matter what, thinking it was the meaning of my existence. But I was wrong. That mission was merely Ozai's will forced upon me."
"I now understand that as the Fire Nation's prince, my true mission is to overthrow Ozai's tyrannical rule, restore peace to the world, and make the Fire Nation a peaceful nation again. I think our goals… should be aligned."
Iroh's and Zuko's declarations left Aang and the others exchanging stunned looks.
Their once fearsome enemies had just turned around and asked to join them. It sounded unbelievable.
Sokka leaned in close to Kahn and whispered,
"Did they get brainwashed by the Dai Li? Or did YOU brainwash them?"
Kahn let out a helpless sigh.
"How could I possibly have that kind of ability? Honestly, Zuko's previous state was closer to someone brainwashed by Ozai."
Aang and the others had always had a relatively good impression of Iroh—he had never personally harmed them, and he had even fought Zhao to protect the Moon Spirit at the Northern Water Tribe.
But Zuko… that was another story.
Especially for Katara, who still held a deep grudge.
He had defeated her at the Spirit Oasis by taking advantage of the day–night cycle, then kidnapped Aang right in front of her.
With the situation at a stalemate, Kahn had no choice but to step forward.
"Do you guys know how Zuko got the scar on his face?"
The question immediately drew everyone's attention.
Zuko's scar had always been striking—especially because it was clearly a fire burn, something abnormal for a Firebender.
Kahn turned to him.
"Do you mind if they know?"
"It's fine." Zuko shook his head. "But… since it's about me, let me explain."
Zuko began recounting the origin of his scar, and the entire group fell silent.
They had always heard Ozai was tyrannical, but hearing the truth directly from Zuko made the cruelty real in a way nothing else had.
They could barely imagine a ruler who would willingly sacrifice an entire squad of soldiers as bait to conquer a city.
And even less could they imagine a father who would burn his own child's face and banish him from the nation.
And when Zuko was exiled, Aang hadn't even been born yet. For an illusion he chased, Zuko had drifted at sea for three long years.
Hearing all this, the group finally understood why Zuko was so obsessed with capturing Aang.
"Fire Lord… what a terrifying person," Katara whispered.
A man who treated his own son this way—how tyrannical must he be toward everyone else?
Aang's empathy overflowed. As the one who had been hunted, he not only forgave Zuko completely, but even said with guilt,
"I'm sorry… I didn't know you had gone through something like that…"
Zuko hadn't expected the Avatar himself to apologize, and he looked startled. He scratched his head awkwardly.
"It's fine. It's all in the past. I should be the one apologizing—for chasing you for so long."
Aang smiled kindly.
"It's okay. And didn't you save me before?"
"Ah?!!!" × many voices
Everyone jumped in shock.
Aang revealed the truth: back when Katara and Sokka were sick and needed frozen tree frogs, Aang had been captured by Zhao.
Zuko—masked and anonymous—had saved him and escaped with him.
Even Iroh didn't know this.
Zuko coughed lightly and said with embarrassment,
"I just didn't want Zhao to catch him at the time…"
But with Zuko's story and Aang's revelation together, everyone's view of Zuko shifted. Slowly, they accepted Zuko and Iroh joining the team.
With that settled, it was time to question the two captured Dai Li.
They confirmed that Chancellor Chang Feng, Lord of Agni Kai, truly controlled the Dai Li.
He deceived the Earth Kingdom Emperor and secretly manipulated everything within Yonggu City.
However, the good news was that the Emperor was not completely powerless.
Chang Feng only controlled Yonggu City—he had not extended his influence to the Earth Kingdom generals and armies located outside the city.
Those forces were simply kept ignorant of the true situation by Chang Feng.
In other words, once Chang Feng and the Dai Li were taken down and the Emperor learned the truth, the situation could still be salvaged.
With this encouraging information, everyone felt relief settle over them.
Next step—cause a ruckus at the banquet.
"Let's go."
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Avatar: Rebirth of the Strongest Firebender — Part 1 (ATLA) is now available on Patreon!
Part 2 — Arc 1, set in The Legend of Korra era, has also been completed and continues the story into the next generation with stronger enemies, expanded worldbuilding, and major character developments ahead.
One complete 18+ novel has been uploaded on Patreon, guaranteed to give you an intense and thrilling experience.
Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
Warning: This chapter contains EXTREMELY explicit adult content.
In this merged Avatar world with zero inhibitions, all your favorite benders drown in raw, filthy, non-stop lust — gangbangs, elemental bending sex, incest, breeding, and extreme kinks.
The full uncensored version is available on my Patreon. Go to Patreon now and enjoy the complete, super-detailed 18+ chapter without any restrictions. 🔥
🔥 I also have additional **18+ fanfics** available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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