Quoted By:
“Of course I’ll help you, Zuzu.” A gleaming smile appears on Zuko’s face but he swiftly hides it. You chuckle. “But a day of sparring doesn’t do much, and you need to keep it light to have strength for the Agni Kai. Anything in particular that you’re on the verge of mastering?”
“Not anything specific, no.” Zuko replies.
“Then maybe Uncle knows something about Zhao, a flaw in his technique.” You continue. “Something you can exploit.”
Zuko nods in agreement, and the two of you head back to your ships to find Uncle, who agrees to join in. You then take up a training area near the port, overlooking most of the ships of the southern fleet. Dozens are anchored, and hundreds roam the oceans searching for enemies of the Fire Nation. Zuko overlooks them with grim eyes.
“If everything goes right, all of those soldiers and sailors will be able to go back home by next winter.” He says. “I have to make sure the Avatar doesn’t ruin our victory and their hopes.”
You put a hand to your hip. “Who cares about those peasants? They’re supposed to serve, do their duty. If the war takes another hundred years, then they will serve another hundred years.” You reply. “But of course, it won’t. The Avatar will be ours.” Zuko clenches his fist with determination and takes a stance on the sandy earth.
Iroh also overlooks the scene of the harbour with a grim expression, a sentiment reinforced by the decades he spent fighting for the nation. He then turns around and watches both of you. “Zuko.” He says. “An Agni Kai is a serious challenge, but it is one rooted in honor. The victor is free to do as they see fit with their opponent, including delivering their death, though that has not been done in a long time, and I’m sure Zhao will not want to bring back this tradition with a Prince of the Fire Nation.”
“I’m not thinking about my defeat, Uncle.” Zuko replies. “I will beat Zhao.”
Uncle nods. “Azula, I believe, is a greater opponent than Zhao, but Zhao does have his own specialties.” Uncle approaches you. “Princess, please take a wider, stronger stance. You must be prideful and aggressive, foregoing all caution. You must believe that you will win, that your opponent is inferior.”
You chuckle and obey, spreading your stance wide and low. “That last part won’t be difficult.” Zuko’s eyes narrow and he grits his teeth.
“Zuko!” Uncle yells as he looks back at your brother. “Do you think Zhao won’t also use taunts to destabilize you? Calm your anger and focus on your task, to defeat your opponent.”