Over the next few days, Kahn began learning Firebending under Uncle Iroh's guidance.
Zuko was still confined to the palace, and Kahn wasn't allowed to visit him, but Uncle Iroh still retained the privilege to enter and see his nephew.
According to Iroh, Zuko's mood had stabilized, and he was eagerly looking forward to playing with Kahn again.
Kahn scratched his head, feeling like he'd somehow gained a little brother who couldn't stop clinging to him.
He even asked Iroh to pass a message to Zuko: Tell him I'm looking forward to it too.
As for the Firebending school, Uncle Iroh personally visited and arranged things so Kahn no longer had to attend.
The Firebending instructor's jealous expression when hearing Kahn would be personally taught by General Iroh was something Kahn would never forget.
Even though Kahn didn't know exactly how powerful Uncle Iroh was, that look of envy told him everything—he'd hit the jackpot.
Later, out of curiosity, Kahn asked Uncle Iroh about the ranking system among Firebenders.
Iroh explained that Firebenders were generally divided into two levels: ordinary Firebenders and Firebending Masters.
Though the distinction sounded simple, the standards were anything but.
In a nation as vast as the Fire Nation, true Masters were exceedingly rare.
And Uncle Iroh was one of them.
Kahn didn't need to see his full strength to understand that.
Iroh's calm insights into the nature of Firebending were deeper than anyone he'd ever met—though, to be fair, that wasn't saying much.
Still, under Iroh's teaching, Kahn's Firebending improved rapidly.
Sometimes, he even caught himself thinking he might be able to beat Azula now.
Thankfully, reality had a way of correcting his delusions—namely, Azula herself.
Even though they'd "talked things out," she still climbed over his wall every few days, showing up uninvited like she owned the place.
Kahn didn't understand why.
Currently, Azula was lounging lazily on his sofa, munching fruit and tossing peels everywhere.
Kahn's forehead twitched as he pointed to the overflowing trash bin.
"Don't you have your own house? The trash can's right there! Can you at least aim near it?"
"Tsk. None of your business," Azula replied, deliberately flicking a sunflower seed shell past the bin and giving him a smug look.
If you weren't such a good sparring partner, I'd have set your hair on fire by now, Kahn thought darkly, imagining beating her up—for his sanity's sake.
Truth was, he didn't really mind her visits.
Azula was the perfect opponent—strong enough to challenge him, but not so strong that she'd instantly crush him. Their power gap was just right.
Every day after training with Iroh, Kahn would spar with Azula to practice what he learned.
Azula didn't like being treated as a "training dummy," but with Kahn's annoyingly evasive fighting style, there wasn't much she could do.
When she got irritated, she'd take her frustration out on his poor potted plants—or by pulling petty pranks like this.
So yes, she was a menace… but a useful one.
After each sparring match, they would usually lie on the ground, exhausted, talking about random things.
Azula talked the most—about sneaking into parts of the palace she wasn't supposed to, uncovering secrets, pranking servants, or blackmailing guards.
She was utterly shameless.
At first, Kahn was horrified. Later, he just rolled with it—listening, grumbling, getting smacked, dodging, and starting over.
It became a weird rhythm between them.
And for some reason, Azula loved it.
"You probably don't have any friends, do you?" Kahn asked bluntly one afternoon.
Azula froze. "What?"
"Well, let's be honest," Kahn said casually.
"Among our age group, besides me, who could actually beat you—and still dare to be your friend?"
Azula glared at him. "Nonsense. You can't beat me either!"
"But I did beat you once," Kahn pointed out with a smirk. "And that's not even the point. The point is—you didn't deny not having friends, did you?"
He raised an eyebrow, triumphant.
But then Azula smirked back. "And when did I say I don't have friends?"
Kahn blinked. "Huh?"
"Did you really think I'm like Zuzu—friendless and miserable? Sorry to disappoint you."
Her grin turned wicked. "Actually, between the two of us, I think you're the lonely one. All I ever see you doing is training with Uncle Iroh or staying home like a hermit."
"Who said that? I still go to school!" Kahn shot back defensively.
"Oh? Do you have friends there?"
"I—!" Kahn froze.
Why would he make friends with a bunch of random kids?
He'd just been checkmated by a seven-year-old again.
"Hahahahaha!" Azula's laughter rang out, loud and unrestrained.
She patted his shoulder mockingly. "Don't worry, when you visit the palace in a few days, I'll introduce you to my friends. That way, you won't seem so lonely!"
"Wait—visit the palace? Why would I be allowed in again?" Kahn asked, his curiosity instantly piqued.
Azula tilted her head. "Didn't I tell you? In two days, Father will have completely stripped Uncle Iroh of his influence. Once that happens, he'll be considered harmless—and Father won't care where he goes anymore."
"…How do you know that?" Kahn asked automatically, then realized the answer halfway through.
Azula smirked. "I overheard it."
Of course she did.
Kahn could only sigh. Good heavens.
Sure enough, two days later, Uncle Iroh appeared with a bright smile and announced the "good news."
Kahn, perfectly playing along, acted shocked—then eagerly followed Iroh into the palace.
"Kahn!"
The moment Zuko spotted him, the boy ran forward with unrestrained joy. "Long time no see!"
Kahn grinned. Zuko didn't seem too different physically, but there was a subtle shift in his aura—something heavier, maybe more mature.
"Yeah, long time no see. You doing okay?" Kahn asked carefully.
Iroh had warned him not to mention Ursa's name inside the palace.
Zuko hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile. "…Mm. I'm fine."
His voice wavered just a little. "Thanks for asking, Kahn. You're… you're my best friend."
Before Kahn could reply, a familiar teasing voice rang out across the courtyard—smooth, sharp, and dripping with mischief.
"Oh~? I think I see someone crying. Is that you, Zuzu?"