Hello, Drinor here. I'm happy to publish a new Chapter of The Last Woodbender.
If you want to Read 9 Chapters Right Now. Search 'Patreon.com/Drinor' on Websearch
Chapter 54, Chapter 55, Chapter 56, Chapter 57, Chapter 58, Chapter 59, Chapter 60, Chapter 61, and Chapter 62 are already available for Patrons.
Naruto
"This feels weird," Naruto muttered as they moved through the earth tunnel Toph was creating, her precise movements carving through soil and rock with practiced ease. The musty smell of underground permeated the air, and small particles of dirt occasionally sprinkled down from above.
"What, scared of tight spaces?" Toph teased, though her voice carried an edge of tension.
"No, it's just..." Naruto ducked under a low-hanging root. "Everything about this town feels wrong. Your parents living in luxury while everyone else suffers, those metal walkways everywhere, and now we're sneaking around underground like..."
"Like what? Badgermoles?" Toph's hands moved in fluid motions, widening the tunnel. "Something's definitely off here. Fire Nation has a pretty standard playbook when they take over a town."
"Yeah?"
"First thing they do is round up all the earthbenders," Toph explained, her unseeing eyes focused ahead as she worked. "Either kill them or ship them off to prison camps. Can't have anyone who might fight back, right?"
"But that didn't happen here?"
"That's just it," Toph stopped briefly, placing her palm against the tunnel wall. "I've been asking around about The Boulder, Hippo, all those meatheads I used to fight in the underground arena. Nobody will give me a straight answer. They get all shifty and change the subject."
"You think they're still alive somewhere?"
Toph shrugged, resuming their path forward. "They were all muscle and no brains, but they were strong benders. Could be useful in a fight against the ash-makers."
"If we can find them," Naruto added, then noticed Toph's sudden grin. "What?"
"We're here." Toph took a stance, feet planted firmly. With a sharp punching motion, she brought down the wall in front of them.
The massive cavern of the Underground Arena opened up before them, now eerily silent and dark. Their footsteps echoed as they jumped down onto the fighting platform, stirring up small clouds of dust. The stone seats rose up around them in concentric circles, empty and forgotten.
Naruto watched as Toph walked to the center of the arena, her hand trailing along the ground. A small, nostalgic smile played across her face.
"Been a while, huh?" he asked softly.
"Yeah," she replied, standing up. "Used to be you couldn't hear yourself think in here. The crowd would go crazy every time I showed up. 'The Blind Bandit!'" She threw her arms up in a mock announcement pose, her voice echoing through the chamber.
Naruto chuckled, but kept scanning the darkness with his good eye. "Anyone around?"
Toph's bare feet shifted slightly as she focused on her seismic sense. "There's... something. Deep below us. Lots of movement, but it's weird. Like it's being muffled somehow."
"Muffled? How?"
"Not sure. Never felt anything quite like it." She frowned, concentrating harder. "It's like... imagine trying to hear someone talking through thick cloth. You know there's sound, but you can't make out the words."
"Could be worth checking out," Naruto suggested, already moving toward the far end of the arena.
"Hold up, Treebrain," Toph called after him. "We should be careful. Something about this doesn't feel right."
"Since when are you the cautious one?"
"Since my parents are probably telling the Fire Nation we're here right now," she shot back. "And since whatever's down there is clearly meant to be hidden."
Naruto paused, considering. "Fair point. What's your read on the situation?"
Toph walked over to join him, her movements precise as she analyzed the ground beneath them. "The vibrations are strongest over here. There's definitely a lower level, probably connected to these maintenance tunnels." She gestured to several dark openings around the arena's edge.
"Think that's where they're keeping the earthbenders?"
"Maybe. But why keep them so close to town? And why hide them under an arena where people might find them?"
Naruto's right eye narrowed as he studied the tunnel entrance. "Unless they want them found. By the right people."
Toph's unseeing eyes widened slightly. "A trap?"
"Would explain why your parents are still living so comfortably," Naruto mused. "They're bait. The Fire Nation knows you might come back eventually..."
"And they figured I'd notice something was wrong and come snooping around my old stomping grounds," Toph finished, her face darkening. "Those sneaky fire benders."
"So what do you want to do?" Naruto asked, though he could already guess her answer from the determined set of her jaw.
"Spring the trap," she said with a fierce grin. "But on our terms."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Got a plan?"
"Working on it. First, we need to figure out what's causing that weird muffling effect. If we're going to free any captured earthbenders, we need to know what we're dealing with."
"Could be those new metal constructs they've been using," Naruto suggested. "Like the walkways up top."
"Maybe." Toph's bare foot tapped thoughtfully against the stone floor. "But metal doesn't usually interfere with my ability to sense things. This is different."
"Only one way to find out." Naruto moved closer to the tunnel entrance, keeping his voice low. "I could go ahead first, I can try—"
"No," Toph cut him off firmly. "We stick together. If this is a trap, we're stronger as a team."
Naruto smiled softly at her. "Worried about me?"
"Please," she scoffed, but her cheeks colored slightly. "I just don't want to have to save your butt when you get in trouble."
"Like I needed saving last time?"
"You mean when you got stabbed by Jet? Because I definitely remember Katara having to save your butt then."
"That was different! I was completely blind at the time!"
"Welcome to my world, Treebrain." Toph punched his arm affectionately. "Now, are we going to stand here arguing, or are we going to go spring this trap and maybe punch some Fire Nation faces?"
"As my lady orders me," Naruto said with a cheeky smile as he started growing a thin tree root. Slowly, it started digging into the floor and going deeper and deeper, and it started expanding wide enough for Naruto and Toph to walk after the root as it went deeper.
"Naruto, you better not make this hole any bigger than necessary. Someone might hear something and you might cause the ground to fall in if you make it too wide," Toph whispered as Naruto manipulated the thin tree root to burrow deeper into the earth.
"Don't worry," Naruto replied, his right eye focused on their descent. "The root's just wide enough for us."
As they descended, Naruto kept his hand on the earthen wall, guiding the root's path. Toph suddenly grabbed his arm. "Wait. There's a huge empty space below us."
Naruto made the root stop just as it broke through what appeared to be a ceiling. He peered through the small opening with his good eye. "It's some kind of underground room. Square-shaped, pretty big. Can't see anyone down there."
"Let me check," Toph said, placing her hand on the ground. "The vibrations... this wasn't here when I lived in the city. Someone's been busy."
Naruto widened the hole enough for them to slip through, and they dropped down into the room. The space was surprisingly well-maintained, with smooth stone walls and several torch brackets.
"This place looks very well kept, and it's clean. It reminds me of Undertown."
The door suddenly creaked open. Naruto immediately grew wooden spikes from the ground while Toph took an earthbending stance. But instead of Fire Nation soldiers, a familiar muscular figure stepped through.
"THE BOULDER CANNOT BELIEVE HIS EYES!" The Boulder's booming voice echoed through the chamber. Before either of them could react, he rushed forward and scooped Toph into a bear hug. "The Boulder has missed his tiny friend!"
"Put me down, you oversized pebble!" Toph demanded.
The Boulder set her down, wiping what appeared to be tears from his eyes. "The Boulder apologizes for his emotional display, but many of us feared the worst when you disappeared!"
"Hold up," Naruto interrupted, his wooden spikes still ready. "Are there any Fire Nation soldiers nearby? We need to-"
"The Boulder assures you that this place is secure!" He struck a dramatic pose. "Before those fire-breathing cowards took our city, we earthbenders created this sanctuary beneath the old fighting arena. The Boulder and his fellow freedom fighters have been planning our counterattack!"
Toph crossed her arms. "Freedom fighters? You?"
"The Boulder has evolved beyond mere entertainment fighting! Now, The Boulder fights for justice!"
"Who else is down here?" Naruto asked, finally letting his wooden spikes recede.
"Many familiar faces from the arena, young tree-bender! The Hippo, Fire Nation Man - who is actually from the Earth Kingdom, by the way - and several others who refused to bow to our oppressors!" He leaned in closer to Toph. "Though none of us ever matched The Blind Bandit's skills."
"Of course you didn't," Toph smirked. "But what exactly have you been doing down here?"
The Boulder's expression grew serious. "The Boulder and his companions have been gathering intelligence. We know the guard rotations, we know where they keep their supplies, and we know their weaknesses. But we lacked the strength to strike effectively." His face split into a wide grin. "Until now! With The Blind Bandit and her tree-bending friend, we can finally take back our city!"
Toph stepped forward. "Before we discuss any plans, I want to know something. My parents - how did they keep their mansion while everyone else suffered?"
The Boulder's enthusiasm dimmed. "The Boulder regrets to inform you that your father struck a deal. He provides financial support to the Fire Nation occupation in exchange for keeping his status and property."
"I knew it," Toph spat. "They always cared more about their precious reputation than doing what's right."
Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, that's why we're here, right? To fix things?"
"The Boulder agrees! And he has much to show you both!" He gestured toward the door. "Come! The others will be overjoyed to see The Blind Bandit again!"
As they followed The Boulder through a series of underground tunnels, Toph whispered to Naruto, "I can feel at least twenty people ahead. They're training."
"Good," Naruto replied quietly. "We'll need all the help we can get."
They entered a larger chamber where various earthbenders were indeed practicing their forms. The moment they spotted Toph, the room erupted in cheers.
"TINY TOPH!" The Hippo's voice boomed as he lumbered forward.
"Oh no," Toph muttered. "Not another hug- oof!" She disappeared into The Hippo's massive embrace.
"I never thought I'd see the day," Naruto chuckled. "The great Toph Beifong, being hugged by her fans."
"Shut up," Toph grumbled as The Hippo set her down. "And don't you dare tell anyone about this."
After The Hippo finally released Toph from his bear hug, Fire Nation Man rushed forward, still maintaining his ridiculous accent. "The Blind Bandit returns! My heart soars like eagle-hawk!"
"Drop the accent already," Toph groaned. "We all know you're from Omashu."
"But the accent is part of my charm!" He protested in his normal voice before switching back. "The crowds, they love it!"
"What crowds?" Another fighter called out. "We haven't had a proper match in months!"
The group gathered around Toph and Naruto, eager to share their stories. A female earthbender named The Mountain Mover spoke up first. "After you left, things were normal for a while. Then the Fire Nation showed up with their 'peacekeeping force.'" She made air quotes. "Said they were here to protect us from the war."
"More like protect their own interests," The Boulder added. "They banned all earthbending competitions, claiming they promoted anti-Fire Nation sentiment."
"That's when The Boulder had his brilliant idea!" Fire Nation Man exclaimed. "Show them, show them!"
The Boulder led them through another tunnel into a massive underground arena. It wasn't as grand as the old one above, but it was impressive nonetheless. "We built this in secret. Takes weeks to move all the earth without making noise, but The Boulder and his companions needed a place to keep their skills sharp!"
"We still hold matches," The Hippo grinned. "Secret ones. Keeps morale up."
"And lets us practice for when we take back our city," another fighter added.
Toph ran her hand along the arena wall. "Not bad. The construction is solid. But why haven't you fought back yet? You've got some of the best earthbenders in the region down here."
The Mountain Mover sighed. "We tried once, about a month ago. But they have too many soldiers, too many firebenders. We couldn't risk them finding this place, so we had to be careful. Limited ourselves to small acts of resistance."
"Like what?" Naruto asked.
"Oh, many things!" Fire Nation Man grinned. "We collapse their supply routes, redirect their messenger hawks, and sometimes..." he leaned in conspiratorially, "we move their buildings just slightly to the left while they sleep!"
"You... what?" Naruto blinked his good eye.
The Hippo laughed. "They wake up bumping into walls! Very funny!"
"The Boulder must ask," The Boulder interjected, looking at Toph. "Where is the Avatar? The Boulder heard you were traveling with him."
Toph's expression darkened. "He's still in Ba Sing Se."
The Boulder studied their expressions and nodded. "The Boulder understands. Some stories are not ready to be told." He turned to Naruto, changing the subject. "But The Boulder is curious about your abilities! The Boulder has heard many tales - trees sprouting from nothing, wooden spikes impaling dozens of soldiers, entire forests appearing in seconds! Surely these stories are exaggerated?"
Naruto grinned. "Want to find out? Get all your fighters together. I'll take you all on."
The room erupted in excited chatter.
"All of us?" The Mountain Mover asked. "Against just you?" she added, looking intrigued by Naruto.
"Don't underestimate him," Toph warned with a smirk. "I've fought alongside him. He's not as weak as he looks."
"Hey!"
The Boulder's eyes lit up. "The Boulder accepts your challenge! Warriors, to the arena!"
Soon, twenty-eight earthbenders lined up on one side of the underground arena while Naruto stood alone on the other. Toph sat on a raised platform, acting as referee.
"Remember," she called out, "this is just practice. Try not to bring the ceiling down on us!"
"The Boulder makes no promises!" The Boulder struck a dramatic pose. "Are you ready, tree-bender?"
Naruto rolled his shoulder. "Ready when you are."
"Then let the match... BEGIN!"
The earth exploded into motion. Boulders, pillars, and waves of stone flew at Naruto from all directions. He responded by growing a massive tree behind him, its branches spreading across the arena ceiling like a wooden spider web.
"Impressive!" Fire Nation Man shouted. "But can you handle THIS?" He and several others launched a barrage of rock projectiles.
Naruto swung up into his tree network, the rocks passing harmlessly beneath him. Wooden tendrils shot down, wrapping around several fighters' ankles and yanking them off their feet.
"The Boulder will not be defeated so easily!" The Boulder stomped the ground, creating a ripple that traveled up the tree trunk. But before it could reach Naruto, he had already jumped to another branch.
"Keep moving!" The Mountain Mover ordered. "Don't let him pin us down!"
The earthbenders split into groups, attacking from different angles. Some launched rocks from the ground, others created pillars to reach Naruto's height, and a few focused on trying to destroy his tree network.
Naruto responded by growing more trees, creating a dense wooden jungle in the arena. He swung between branches like a monkey, occasionally dropping down to engage in close combat before disappearing back into the canopy.
"How is he so fast with one eye?" Someone shouted.
"The Boulder cannot see him!"
"Above you!" The Hippo warned, but too late. Wooden binds wrapped around three more fighters, suspending them upside down.
Toph was laughing from her perch. "You're all getting shown up by a guy who can't even see properly!"
"The Boulder feels slightly embarrassed!" The Boulder admitted as he barely dodged a wooden spike. "But The Boulder is not finished!"
The remaining fighters coordinated their attacks, trying to predict Naruto's movements. They managed to destroy several trees, but for each one they brought down, two more grew in its place.
"Is this what you did in Ba Sing Se?" Fire Nation Man asked as he deflected a wooden tendril.
"Nah," Naruto called from somewhere in the canopy. "In Ba Sing Se, I did this!"
Suddenly, dozens of small tree roots burst from the ground, wrapping around legs, arms, and waists. Within seconds, half the remaining fighters were immobilized.
"The Boulder suggests a tactical retreat!" The Boulder called out.
"Too late!" Naruto dropped from above, landing in their midst. In a flurry of movement, he used his wood-bending to disarm and trap the last few fighters, leaving only The Boulder and The Mountain Mover standing.
"Most impressive!" The Boulder praised while launching another attack. "But The Boulder still has one trick left!"
He and The Mountain Mover moved in perfect sync, creating a wave of earth that threatened to crush Naruto against the wall. But Naruto simply grew a massive flower bud around himself. When the earth wave hit, the bud burst open, revealing Naruto unharmed as wooden tendrils shot out and captured both remaining fighters.
"The Boulder concedes defeat!" The Boulder announced from his wooden prison. "Though The Boulder requests to be right-side up again!"
Naruto laughed and released everyone, his trees receding back into the ground until only a few stumps remained. The earthbenders gathered around him, full of questions and compliments.
"That was amazing!"
"How did you learn to move like that?"
"Can you teach us to fight tree-benders?"
"There aren't any other tree-benders," Toph said as she joined them. "Trust me, we've looked."
"The Boulder is most impressed!" The Boulder clapped Naruto on the shoulder. "With your help, retaking our city seems much more possible!"
"About that," Naruto said, growing serious. "We should probably start planning soon. We don't want to give the Fire Nation time to reinforce their position."
"Agreed," The Mountain Mover nodded. "But first, you must tell us how you lost your eye! The Boulder has heard many stories - a fight with a dragon, a duel with Admiral Zhao, an angry platypus-bear..."
"Actually," Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "I fought with a very angry spirit."
"Nothing dramatic?" Toph scoffed. "You should tell them you grew a large tree in Ba Sing Se! Or when you fought off a hundred Fire Nation soldiers! Or-"
"Maybe later," Naruto interrupted, though he was smiling. "Right now, we should focus on taking back your city."
"The Boulder agrees! Come, let us return to the strategy room. The Boulder has many ideas to discuss!"
As they walked back through the tunnels, The Mountain Mover leaned down to whisper to Toph. "Is he single?"
"Don't even think about it," Toph warned, punching her arm. "Besides, you're not his type."
"The Mountain Mover is everyone's type!"
The energy in the group had changed - where before there had been caution and hesitation, now there was confidence and determination. With Toph back and Naruto's unexpected abilities, they finally felt they had a real chance at victory.
The Boulder watched his friends chatting and planning, a smile on his face. "The Boulder thinks," he said quietly to himself, "that things are about to get very interesting in Gaoling."
Aang
The Spirit Garden lived up to its name, a serene oasis in the heart of Ba Sing Se's Upper Ring. Ancient willows swayed gently in the morning breeze, their branches creating natural curtains around a central pavilion. Koi fish swam lazy circles in the pond beneath it, their scales catching the early sunlight.
Aang sat cross-legged on one of the pavilion's cushions, wearing his formal Air Nomad robes – a deliberate choice to remind everyone of his position as both the last airbender and the Avatar. Katara sat to his right, dressed in an elegant Water Tribe dress of deep blue with silver trim, while Sokka, to his left, had opted for a more practical Earth Kingdom outfit in dark green, his sword within easy reach.
They heard the General's arrival before they saw him. The measured footsteps of a career soldier, accompanied by the subtle clink of armor. General Jiguang emerged from behind one of the willow curtains. His armor was immaculate, polished to a mirror shine, and decorated with the symbols of Ba Sing Se's military elite. His grey-streaked hair was pulled back in a traditional topknot, and his weathered face bore the stern expression of a man who had spent decades maintaining order.
"Avatar Aang," he said, his voice deep and controlled. "I must admit, I was surprised by your invitation."
"Thank you for coming alone, General," Aang replied, gesturing to the cushion across from him. "Please, join us."
The General's armor creaked slightly as he lowered himself onto the cushion. A turtleduck waddled past, completely unconcerned by the tension in the air.
"I assume this isn't a social call," Jiguang said, his eyes scanning each of them in turn.
"No," Aang agreed. "We need to discuss the future of Ba Sing Se."
"The future is secure," Jiguang replied automatically, but there was a slight hesitation in his voice that hadn't been there before. "The city is safe-"
"The city is living a lie," Aang interrupted, his voice firm but not hostile. "And that lie will get everyone killed."
The General's jaw tightened. "You don't understand the complexity-"
"I understand perfectly," Aang said. "You and Long Feng created a system where ignorance was considered safety. But the Fire Nation is at our doorstep. They've already breached the Outer Wall once. What happens when they try again?"
"We'll defend the city, as we always have."
"With what?" Sokka interjected. "A population that doesn't even know they're at war? Soldiers who've never faced real combat because they've been too busy maintaining a lie?"
A koi fish leaped from the pond, creating ripples that disturbed the perfect reflection of the morning sky.
"Perhaps," the General said slowly, "we could reach an arrangement. Bring me the blonde-haired boy, and I might consider your proposal about telling the truth."
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Katara's hands tightened in her lap, and Sokka's fingers inched closer to his sword.
"That will never happen," Aang said, his voice cold.
"He's a murderer," Jiguang spat. "He killed-"
"His name is Naruto," Aang interrupted sharply.
The General scoffed. "Fine. Naruto. He massacred the entire Dai Li force. Over a hundred men, dead in minutes. And you defend him?"
Aang's grey eyes met the General's brown ones. "I would have done the same."
Katara's head whipped around to stare at Aang, shock evident on her face.
"You?" The General laughed incredulously. "The pacifist Avatar?"
"The Dai Li betrayed their king," Aang continued, his voice steady. "They betrayed their city. Under Earth Kingdom law, that's punishable by death. Or did Long Feng change those laws too?"
The General's face darkened. "You're just a child. You don't understand-"
"I understand that keeping them alive wasn't an option," Aang pressed on. "How long before one of them decided to sell information to the Fire Nation out of spite? How many of them already have?"
A heavy silence fell over the pavilion. Even the turtleducks seemed to pause their paddling.
"The system worked," Jiguang said finally, but his voice lacked conviction.
"Did it?" Katara spoke up. "Or did it just delay the inevitable while making the city weaker?"
"Your walls won't protect you forever," Sokka added. "The Fire Nation knows that better than anyone. They're probably already planning their next attack."
"And when they come," Aang said, leaning forward slightly, "what will you tell your people then? That it's just a drill? A celebration? How many will die because they never knew they needed to be ready?"
The General's hands clenched into fists on his knees. "You're asking me to undo decades of stability."
"I'm asking you to save your people," Aang corrected. "The truth will hurt, yes. There might be panic, confusion, anger. But they'll be alive to feel those things."
A gentle breeze rustled through the willow branches, creating a dancing pattern of light and shadow across the pavilion floor.
"And if I refuse?" Jiguang asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Then you'll have to arrest us," Aang said simply. "Or try to. But ask yourself this: if you couldn't stop one woodbender from killing your entire Dai Li force, how do you plan to stop the Avatar?"
The threat hung in the air, made all the more powerful by Aang's calm delivery.
"You're not like him," the General said, but there was uncertainty in his voice. "You're not a killer."
"No, I'm not," Aang agreed. "But I am the Avatar. And I will do whatever it takes to protect these people – even if it means protecting them from their own leaders."
The General stared at Aang for a long moment, studying the young Avatar's face. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly under the weight of his armor.
"The Earth King... he has been down there for nine years now," he said.
"We can help with that," Katara offered. "I'm a healer, and we have other resources."
"And the people's reactions?"
"We'll handle it gradually," Sokka said. "District by district. Start with the facts they can verify themselves – the damaged palace, the signs of battle they've already seen. Build from there."
The General stood slowly, his armor catching the morning light. "I need time to think about this."
"You have until sunset tomorrow," Aang said, also rising. "After that, we'll tell them ourselves."
Jiguang nodded stiffly and turned to leave. He paused at the willow curtain. "The blonde- Naruto. Where is he now?"
"That's not your concern," Aang replied firmly.
Just then, the willow branches parted violently as a captain burst into the pavilion, his face ashen and his green uniform covered in dust. Sweat poured down his face despite the cool morning air.
"General Jiguang!" the captain gasped, struggling to catch his breath. His hand trembled as he attempted a hasty salute.
The General's posture stiffened. "Captain Chen? What is the meaning of this interruption?"
The captain's eyes darted between the General and Team Avatar, his voice quavering. "Sir, the... the outer wall... it's..." He swallowed hard. "It's gone."
"Gone?" Jiguang's face drained of color. "What do you mean, gone?"
"A massive...ahhh....strange explosion, sir. Multiple sections... just... disappeared. The Fire Nation army..." The captain's voice cracked. "They're already marching toward the inner wall. Hundreds of them."
General Jiguang's military training took over, his moment of shock replaced by sharp focus. "Captain, gather the City's Shield. Every single one of them – all thousand earthbenders and non-benders. Have them assemble at the inner wall's defensive positions. NOW!"
"Yes, sir!" The captain turned to leave, but Jiguang grabbed his arm.
"And Chen... tell them everything. About the Fire Nation, about the war. Our soldiers need to know what they're truly fighting for today."
The captain's eyes widened, but he nodded firmly and rushed off, leaving the willow branches swaying in his wake.
Jiguang turned to Aang, his face set with grim determination. "Help us defend the city, Avatar. Fight alongside the City's Shield. In return, once this battle is done – win or lose – I give you my word that every citizen of Ba Sing Se will know the truth. All of it."
Aang studied the General's face for a moment, then nodded. "Agreed."
"We'll need a plan," Sokka said, already thinking strategically. "A thousand defenders against their army..."
"The City's Shield isn't just any army," Jiguang said with pride. "They're the elite of Ba Sing Se. They've trained their entire lives for this – even if they didn't know it."
"And now they'll have the Avatar fighting with them," Katara added, placing a hand on Aang's shoulder.
Aang gripped his staff tightly. "How long until they reach the inner wall?"
"Three hours at most," the General replied. "Not much time to prepare."
"It'll have to be enough," Aang said. "We should-"
The first emergency bells began to toll across Ba Sing Se, their deep resonance carrying across the vast city.
"Those bells," Sokka noted. "The people will panic when they hear them."
"Let them," Jiguang said grimly. "Better they run to safety now than face what's coming unprepared." He straightened his armor. "Shall we, Avatar?"
Aang looked at his friends, receiving determined nods from both. "We shall."
As they hurried from the Spirit Garden, leaving its tranquility behind, Aang couldn't help but think about Naruto. The woodbender would have appreciated the irony – the truth finally coming to Ba Sing Se not through choice or conscience but through fire and necessity.
Naruto, I don't know where you are right now, but I wish you good luck, Aang thought as he chased after his friend.
If you want to Read 9 Chapters Right Now. Search 'Patreon.com/Drinor' on Websearch