After listening to everything Kahn had gone through during this period, Iroh's expression turned complicated.
But in the end, all of those emotions condensed into four quiet words accompanied by a sigh:
"You've worked hard."
At Kahn's age, he should never have had to shoulder burdens like these.
And if Kahn had never beco entangled with him, then with his bending talent, he might have had a far brighter future instead of sinking into a mire like this.
Iroh could not help feeling a trace of self-reproach.
But who could have known back then that things would unfold this way?
Life was unpredictable.
Very few things ever proceeded exactly according to plan.
"It really was hard."
"You know I'm not exactly good at all these sches and underhanded tricks, and Ozai—that guy isn't just black-hearted, his mind is also a little... wrong."
Kahn did not deny it.
Instead, following the topic, he launched into a fierce round of complaints and grumbling, slandering Ozai no fewer than eighteen tis before finally lanting:
"All I can say is, people really are forced to their limits!"
Even though he complained nonstop, his attitude was far more optimistic and positive than Iroh's.
He had never once doubted whether eting Iroh had been the right thing.
That kind of question was simply idiotic.
Other people would kill to have a powerhouse like Iroh backing them.
Who would ever dislike such a thing!?
Even after everything that had happened before, he still felt it had all been worth it.
Even if he had to do it a million tis over, he would still cling to Iroh's leg without hesitation and shout:
Iroh is forever the GOAT!
"Still, as hard as it was, thankfully the plan was completed successfully."
"And looking back now, it really doesn't seem that terrible."
"In fact, things will only get better from here."
As he said this, he gave a small laugh.
Then his expression shifted at once, turning serious as he said to Iroh:
"I've thought it through carefully."
"As a team, we can't keep playing lone heroes whenever sothing happens."
"The most important thing is a clear division of labor and proper cooperation."
"Now that Uncle Iroh can't provide any substantial help in person, then from now on you'll be responsible for decisions and planning, while I'll be responsible for carrying them out."
"Mm."
"Perfectly perfect."
Kahn praised his own flawless arrangent.
Iroh could not help flicking him on the forehead as he laughed and scolded:
"You've already decided everything by yourself!"
Still, seeing him act like this made Iroh feel far more at ease.
Since Kahn could still review this matter with such a relaxed state of mind, it seed he had not suffered any especially severe psychological blow.
As for the division of duties Kahn proposed, Iroh ultimately agreed.
Because he himself was not entirely comfortable with Kahn handling everything alone.
It was not that he did not trust Kahn.
It was because Kahn's opponent was his own younger brother—the current Fire Lord, Ozai.
"This ti, it was also thanks to Azula's help."
"I truly didn't expect the two of you could join forces to fool Ozai."
The mont Azula was ntioned, Iroh beca cheerful again and began teasing.
"Speaking of which, Azula was involved in planning this too, wasn't she?"
"To co up with a strategy like that flesh-and-blood suffering act... it really does suit her style."
"Ah?"
"Ah, hm..."
Kahn hesitated.
His face turned conflicted.
In the end, he only gave a vague sound of agreent before stiffly changing the subject:
"By the way, Uncle Iroh, how is Zuko doing now?"
"He is doing fairly well now."
Iroh's attention was successfully diverted, and he began speaking about Zuko's recent condition.
Compared to the utterly dejected and dispirited state he had been in at the beginning, although Zuko's personality had now beco a bit gloomier than before, he had still improved considerably.
There had even been a period when Zuko wanted to take advantage of this chance to search for Ursa's whereabouts.
But that was truly an unwise decision, and Iroh persuaded him to give it up.
Right now, they seed to be wandering the world freely without supervision.
But every so often, they still had to return to replenish supplies and report their movents from that period.
More importantly, besides the two of them, many soldiers were also following along.
So there was no possibility of faking anything.
Later, once Zuko finally cheered up sowhat, he began learning Firebending from Iroh.
Iroh intended to use this opportunity to further temper Zuko's impulsive nature and hopefully make him steadier.
A large part of the disaster Zuko suffered this ti had stemd from exactly that flaw.
And in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening again in the future, correcting this had already beco urgent.
Kahn agreed with that deeply.
And after listening to Iroh's explanation, he also felt relieved.
With Iroh by Zuko's side, this seemingly endless road of exile might itself beco a kind of training for Zuko.
He only hoped Zuko could make good use of it.
"Oh, he also asked to pass a ssage on to you."
Iroh said:
"'I still don't know what it is that I truly want, but I won't stay dejected forever.'"
"'I'm going to use this chance to keep understanding this world and this nation.'"
"'Also, please take good care of Azula.'"
"That is what he said."
They were simple, unadorned words.
Not princely in the slightest.
But the aning hidden inside them still made Kahn nod in satisfaction as he smiled:
"I understand."
"Tell him I will."
"But I really didn't expect him to actively care about Azula."
"Looks like he's improved quite a bit."
Iroh chuckled and glanced at Kahn, but said nothing more.
Then the two of them chatted about various recent trivial matters around them.
During this period, Iroh and Zuko had been wandering near the Western Air Temple, one of the old Air Nomad ruins.
That place was now completely isolated and had long since returned to a primitive wilderness.
Only the uncollected bones still told the story of that bleak past.
So there was not much worth saying.
Kahn, anwhile, ntioned that Ozai seed to be preparing to cultivate Azula as his heir, and had already begun building montum for her through this incident.
Iroh was not surprised by this.
He simply asked Kahn what he thought.
Kahn shrugged indifferently and repeated the sa answer he had given before.
"I think it's fine whether the Fire Lord ends up being you, Zuko, or Azula."
"As long as it isn't Ozai."
"It's only 'fine for you,' isn't it!?"
Iroh could not help flicking him on the head again in annoyance.
For so reason, Kahn's sense of identity and responsibility toward the Fire Nation was astonishingly weak.
He had been like that ever since he was young.
This was the one thing about Kahn that always gave Iroh a headache and left him helpless.
Putting that matter aside, Kahn suddenly rembered sothing and asked:
"By the way, my Spiritbending can now cross between both worlds."
"So what cos next in training?"
Iroh answered calmly:
"I don't know."
"Don't know... huh?"
Kahn instantly froze.
He stared at Iroh in disbelief.
This was the very first ti he had ever heard the words "I don't know" co out of Iroh's mouth.
"Even Uncle Iroh doesn't know!?"
Iroh replied, half amused and half annoyed:
"Do you really think I know everything?"
"A person's talent and energy are limited."
"My attainnts in Spiritbending are nowhere near as high as you imagine, and I never specifically devoted myself to researching it."
He stroked his beard and said with contentnt:
"Being able to travel between the two worlds is already enough for ."
But it's not enough for !
Kahn was on the verge of tears.
You made so many grand promises back then, and now you're telling you don't know how?
This is a scam!
Seeing Kahn's expression, Iroh burst into laughter.
He stopped teasing him and finally said with a smile:
"I may not know."
"But soone else does."
"If you want to continue deeper into this path, I can introduce you to soone."
"That person is a true master of Spiritbending."
"I also studied under him for a ti."
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