Azula had never imagined Kahn would take on this mission alone, and the thought honestly surprised her.
After all, Kahn normally hated getting involved in troubleso affairs.
Most of the ti, she had to drag him along—otherwise he would simply laze around and never move on his own.
But calling him timid or cowardly would be a huge mistake.
Because when Kahn did decide to get involved, he always perford with calm precision—decisive, unflinching, and frighteningly reliable.
Azula had puzzled over this contradiction for years, unable to understand what he was really thinking.
Later, Kahn casually told her it was called "not looking for trouble, but not fearing trouble."
And yet here he was, the sa man who usually avoided trouble, suddenly becoming proactive—taking the initiative even. It truly shocked her.
If Kahn knew what Azula was thinking, he'd feel both amused and helpless. Proactive? He was being forced into this by Ozai, pushed until he had no choice.
Returning to the main topic, the plan itself was feasible.
Disappearing for ten days carried risks, but with Azula remaining in the Fire Nation Capital to cover for him, most of those risks would be minimized.
As for Kahn's safety traveling alone? There was even less reason to worry.
The entire operation took place within Fire Nation borders. The only dangers he might encounter were wild beasts, civilians, and Firebenders.
What's there to be afraid of?
Absolutely nothing. (Kahn ntally shrugged.)
Although Azula—who had initiated the plan—could not personally participate now, the feeling was strange but not unbearable.
She wasn't the sentintal type anyway. This outco benefited both of them.
So the two quickly finalized their decision and arranged to depart the next morning.
Leaving the city would be simple—Wolf would handle that part.
That night, Kahn packed lightly. In the Spirit World, he briefly inford Iroh that he would be gone for a while.
He didn't reveal the true reason, only saying it was related to Azula.
Iroh didn't pry. He simply told Kahn to be careful and stay safe.
Kahn and Azula were always up to sothing, that much Iroh understood.
He had his suspicions, but he didn't know the real story, nor did he understand what truly happened the night Ozai seized power.
That secret belonged only to Kahn and Azula. Even Zuko only knew fragnts. Without Azula's permission, Kahn would never tell Iroh the truth.
But if this operation succeeded—if they found Ursa and uncovered the truth of that night—then Iroh and the others could finally be brought into the loop.
The Next Day
Under Wolf's arrangents, Kahn slipped out of the city unnoticed. Accompanying him was a Bird Cal Beast.
Unlike the triangular ox beasts used by the Fire Nation military, Bird Cal Beasts were common travel mounts.
They looked like wingless, featherless ostriches, but with horse-like manes and tails, sturdy bodies, and an oddly rugged charm.
To Kahn, everything in this world still looked bizarre.
Having ridden a triangular ox beast before, he at least had so experience. This Bird Cal Beast was also docile and well-trained. At first, the journey went smoothly.
To avoid attention, Kahn frequently detoured around marching Fire Nation armies and border posts, sticking to small paths or crossing rugged wilderness. Sotis he had to camp outside beneath the stars.
Wilderness survival was easy for a Firebender. Controlling fire made cooking and staying warm effortless, and he could always prevent wildfires.
But soon, problems appeared.
Traveling through the wilderness ant encountering wild beasts.
While this was no trouble for Kahn, the Bird Cal Beast panicked every ti, forcing Kahn to waste ti calming it.
In more dangerous terrain, he even had to drag the terrified creature along.
Why is this so damn exhausting?
When he rode the triangular ox beast last ti, the road was smooth and handlers managed the animals. He'd never experienced this level of hassle before.
And so an old dream resurfaced—
Finding a perfect magical creature as a lifelong companion.
He had once imagined traveling the world as an adult and finding one naturally, but now that dream felt distant.
However…
Thinking of the mysterious Spirit World and its countless strange beings, Kahn suddenly felt he had a new option.
Setting the thought aside, after days of delays and detours, he finally approached his destination on the sixth day.
The small town ahead should be Ursa's hotown—Hira.
Hira was a remote border town, yet it wasn't poor. In fact, it looked cleaner and better maintained than many Fire Nation settlents he had passed.
Kahn arrived at dusk. Cooking fires rose from households, and children playing outside ran ho clutching their hungry bellies.
Under the warm glow of the setting sun, the town felt peaceful—untouched by war.
Seeing this, Kahn quietly relaxed.
He had feared that Ozai, to hide secrets, might have targeted Ursa's ho village… or worse.
But clearly, that hadn't happened—or at least, nothing catastrophic.
The town was small. If Ursa had ever returned, soone here would know. The question was whether they would tell him.
Ti was short. He had to confirm the truth as quickly as possible.
Leading the Bird Cal Beast into town, he imdiately drew attention. Travelers were rare here, especially ones dressed like him.
After days on the road, Kahn looked ssy, unkempt, and half-covered by the straw hat disguising his features. No wonder the townspeople were wary.
Keeping his distance to avoid provoking them, he called out:
"Hello—do any of you know soone nad Ursa?"
"Ursa?"
The middle-aged townsfolk reacted instantly.
"Ursa? She's the Executive's daughter! She was taken to the Capital years ago."
"I heard she married into the Royal Family. She hasn't returned in a long ti."
"What? Soone said she ca back two years ago!"
"But we never saw her…"
Just hearing this much, Kahn's heart leapt.
Looks like he ca to the right place.
"So that's how it is…"
...
Author's Note:
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