It hadn't been long since Kahn last saw Zuko.
Zuko had decided to strive to beco an excellent ruler in the future and had begun trying to deeply understand his country.
But no one expected that the next ti they saw Zuko, it would be in a hospital room, under such circumstances—
At this mont, only Kahn and Iroh were in the ward.
Iroh had been accompanying Zuko the entire ti.
Azula had brought Kahn in but did not stay.
Azula's role was Ozai's most beloved daughter, and on the surface, she stood with him.
At this mont, she naturally would not remain in the ward of an exiled prince.
Zuko's once handso face was now largely covered in bandages.
Burns of varying degrees covered his body, also wrapped in bandages.
He looked sowhat comical, but Kahn could not laugh.
According to the doctor, Zuko's most severe injury was to his left eye.
Even if it healed, it would leave a noticeable scar.
Kahn couldn't understand why things had suddenly turned out this way.
For him, today had been just an ordinary day.
But after he finished practicing bending, he suddenly heard the news—
The Fire Nation Emperor had ordered Prince Zuko to be exiled from the country, forbidden to return unless he could find the Avatar!
Following this news, he saw Zuko, covered in injuries.
Why had such a drastic change happened in just one day?
Iroh sat beside Zuko, watching over him, looking utterly exhausted.
The last ti Kahn had seen Iroh like this was when they first t, when Iroh was still imrsed in the pain of losing his son.
When Kahn arrived, Zuko happened to wake up.
After seeing Kahn, Zuko seed to want to say sothing.
But the pain throughout his body turned his words into a painful groan and uncontrollable tears.
For Zuko, everything he experienced today was destined to beco the deepest mark on his soul.
Kahn wanted to say sothing comforting but didn't know what to say.
Because he knew nothing.
A feeling of frustration and powerlessness swirled in his heart.
He could only take a deep breath, suppress the anger in his heart, and ask in a low voice:
"…What exactly happened?"
"It's all my fault."
Iroh sighed deeply and slowly recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
Today, Iroh had gone to the war council chamber as usual to observe.
At the door, he saw Zuko being blocked.
Zuko said he wanted to understand his country better and asked Iroh to take him in to listen.
After thinking for a mont, Iroh agreed.
During today's tactical discussion, a general suggested sending a unit of new recruits as bait.
The plan was to use their lives to conceal the true attack location of the main force.
Zuko couldn't help but speak out against it.
However, regardless of right or wrong, Zuko had no right to speak in the war council chamber.
His actions were considered disrespectful to the general.
According to tradition, only a duel could resolve such a matter.
Zuko agreed.
But Zuko mistakenly believed his opponent would be that general.
In reality, his actions had offended not the general, but the master of the war council chamber—
The Fire Nation Emperor, Ozai.
Zuko's true opponent was his own father.
The injuries on Zuko's body were, naturally, inflicted by Ozai.
Zuko knew that Ozai had always been displeased with him.
But because Ozai was still his father, Zuko did not launch a single attack during the duel.
Instead, he tried his best to defend and endure, struggling to hold on.
He believed this might appease Ozai's anger.
But he ultimately underestimated Ozai's ruthlessness.
After defeating Zuko, Ozai regarded his actions as cowardice.
He then ordered Zuko's exile.
That was the news Kahn had heard.
…
After the explanation, the ward fell silent again.
Kahn's face remained expressionless.
But anyone could clearly feel the anger radiating from him.
Ozai.
Perhaps Iroh should not have brought Zuko into the war council chamber.
Perhaps Zuko should not have spoken without permission.
But…
Even if Zuko had remained silent, he might still have been exiled for entering the chamber.
Even if Iroh had not brought him in, he might have been punished for attempting to enter.
Perhaps their actions were indeed inappropriate.
But more importantly, Kahn finally realized that they were still too weak.
No matter how much they tried behind the scenes, they could not shake Ozai in the slightest.
But for Ozai, as long as he willed it, they were nothing more than fish waiting to be slaughtered.
If even Zuko ended up like this, how could he be any different?
Ozai.
Thinking this, Kahn gradually cald down.
But this did not an his anger had disappeared.
Instead, it had sunk deeper.
Soon after, Ty Lee and Mai also arrived.
Seeing Zuko's condition, Mai imdiately cried in worry.
Ty Lee awkwardly tried to comfort her.
Kahn and Iroh quietly stepped out, both remaining silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
After a long silence, Kahn finally spoke:
"Uncle Iroh, what do you plan to do next?"
Iroh's emotions were still heavy.
He was imrsed in self-bla, believing his actions had led to this outco.
He replied in a low voice:
"…I plan to go with Zuko."
"He's still too young and has gone through sothing like this."
"I'm very worried about him."
At this point, he paused, as if struggling to continue:
"But you…"
"I'm fine."
"I'm more worried about Zuko."
Kahn instead turned to comfort Iroh.
"And once I beco more proficient in Spiritbending, we can et in the Spirit World."
"Oh, right, the Spirit World…"
Iroh said this, but the worry in his eyes did not fade.
He knew that Kahn had long been noticed by Ozai.
Before, with his protection, Ozai found it difficult to act.
But now that he was leaving, Kahn's situation would likely beco much more difficult.
To Iroh, both Kahn and Zuko were as important as his own children.
Choosing one ant placing the other in danger.
Such a choice filled him with pain and conflict.
But compared to the capable Kahn, the current Zuko clearly needed him more.
He had no choice.
Kahn understood this as well.
He held no dissatisfaction with Iroh's decision.
Because he also saw Iroh and Zuko as his family in this world.
And he wanted Iroh to take care of Zuko.
Although Zuko was older than him, Kahn had always considered himself the older brother.
After such an incident, how could he not step forward and take responsibility?
So he repeated:
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"I'll be careful."
Iroh looked at him deeply.
Finally, he pulled him into a tight embrace.
Kahn gently returned the hug.
No words were needed.
Regardless of blood ties, they were each other's most important family.
The update was late, mainly because I'm not very good at writing such difficult plots.
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