Chapter 15: No Other Way!

--- MC POV ---

'Maybe I should consider taking care of this Zhao early on before he gets ahead of himself. This guy is a little full of himself. It's your destiny to take out the moon spirits? Nonsense. Even if you can get to the Northern water tribe, you'll need a sufficiently high rank to bring an armada. Not including the fact that the location is probably heavily guarded. This fool is blinded by greed.'

Losing interest, I make my way back to my quarters and clean up. I want to do some more research on this spirit library, I don't remember reading about it in my studies. Si wong desert huh…

Getting cleaned up and situated, I made my way to the fire nation royal library. The sun is already setting so I'll have to do this quickly.

Ignoring the librarian like always, I can quickly find the area that should have the book I'm looking for.

'S'

'S'

'Si Wong'...

'It's not here. Why isn't there a book on the desert? Let me try changing my train of thought. Perhaps there isn't a book on the desert specifically but perhaps there is information regarding it in a geographical map.'

With this new idea in mind, I made my way towards another section of the library. I feel the passing gaze of the librarian more than usual. Reaching my destination, I quickly found a book with the known map of the world. Parts of the north and south water tribes, the destroyed air temples, and the outline of the earth kingdom with the most detail on the west side closer to us.

The Si Wong desert is located in the middle of the huge continent that holds the earth kingdom. Closest body of water seems to be the Chameleon bay. Ba Sing Se is North of the desert while Omashu is deep west.

This does enrich my knowledge of the world but it doesn't tell me anything about the spirit library. Perhaps a journey to the most complete library in both the physical and spiritual world is required in the future…

'While I'm here I might as well'

I concentrate chi on my two fingertips on my right hand. Good thing about firebenders is their naturally high resistance to fire and heat. Soon my hand glows a bit and I cleanly cut the mostly complete map out of the book. No noise, no burn smell, no fuss from an annoying librarian.

Putting the book away, and my new world map into my person, I soon exit the library. Not without the passing glance of the librarian that I've never given the time of day. The night sky greets me on my walk out.

'Hm?' I'm being watched. Multiple people. And they are good. Their presence is hard to discern and I probably wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't prickly right now. Probably something to do with the whole "be wary" letter.

I can handle commander level opponents without too much difficulty. The irregularities in my style creates confusion and gives me an edge with hostile forces that know it or don't. I can probably handle two and three on my level would be difficult. The main issue is I think there are around five people following me. An attack squad? Those are usually for high level points of interest for foreign elemental nations that prevent our invasion. A means to remove the head and mow over the cannon fodder.

Only problem is that it might be aimed at me now. This is a highly specialized unit of six people…more than I can sense, with a high level of attainment in assassination and sneaking. If I can count five then that means I can't find the leader. This got incredibly hard. I'm no fool to think I can handle five heavily trained commander level fighters with an admiral level leader.

'Only one person can want me dead this bad while also being able to summon an attack squad…Ozai. Hahaha You must really want me dead oh father of mine! Hahahahaa! You must really be afraid of my future. Don't worry though, This little stunt has already sealed your death warrant.'

I keep my gait neutral and don't give any reason to divulge that I've noticed my followers. This team is highly skilled but hiding my intentions is one of the skills I've been training for both lives. And my previous life's shinobi are way better than these wannabes.

I head straight for the royal mansion. Dealing with these people will be impossible in the nation itself. I hate to admit it but there is only one solution. It's time I leave the Fire Nation…

Getting inside I quickly head for my room, change my clothes to an all dark Anbu attire, and take a small rucksack out from a hidden compartment, all ready for me. Inside is a royal knife establishing my inheritance for when I return, a regular knife for defense, my new world map, a water skin and some rations. Nothing fancy but everything else can be attained.

I found a blue oni mask on my nightstand. I think this was Ursa's? Why is it here? Maybe it'll make a good way to hide my identity like Anbu so I put that into my bag too. I also took out a small letter and placed it on my nightstand.

Leaving my room with a rucksack in hand, I get an unwanted visitor…

"Sasu?" greets Azula.

'Great…' I ignore the initial greeting and make my way past Azula, only for her to look shocked and block my way.

"What do you want?" I state in a neutral tone.

"Sasu, where are you going? Why do you have that bag?!" She slightly raised her voice, making me glare at her very sharply. This in turn makes her flinch very hard and backs away a little.

"..." The silence between us is palpable. I don't have time for this. I continue my steps and step past Azula again-

"Please!" Azula said in a quiet plea while taking hold of my hand. I can feel her shaking and my hand feels small drops of water. Crying?

"Must you leave? Was I a bad sister? Was I bothering you too much by watching you practice? I can stop! I'll be good! Just please…don't hate me big brother. Please don't leave me big brother-" She whimpers quietly.

Did I hear wrong? I glance back over my shoulder only to see a little six year old girl, looking down and crying her eyes out. A small image of my old self overlaps for a second before it disappears. All the times I couldn't spend time with my big brother. Perhaps I was also that kid craving attention from the one he admired the most…maybe I was wrong?...

Ursa's words ring in my ears, "There is no such thing as a bad big brother". The image of itachi himself lunging at me after I gouged my own heart…his tears streaming down my own face in my passing moments. A ninja must see underneath. Through deception. You never wanted to kill our family but you had to for some reason, is that it brother? Was keeping me alive and planting a seed of revenge your way of atonement? You wanted me to kill you…

…

I firm my heart. My resolve to finish what I started will never be shaken. My will overcomes any and all obstacles. And I've made my decision.

I turn, fully facing the whimpering child. My face unknowingly softens.

"Foolish little sister." My words ring in the empty halls and they shake her awake. She raises her head in shock and small hope lingering in her eyes.

"I never hated you, and never will. The fact I will leave will not change. There is no place for me here. The Fire nation drags on about destiny and honor, but in truth it is all but greed and reckless delusion that fuels the people in charge, thinking they are doing the world a favor by conquering it is ridiculous."

"My will is unrestrained and though I seek power, reckless destruction I do not. With my position as the royal heir, that will never be allowed." My words resound throughout my body, and my will manifests. I feel a change inside me.

"Though I've never acknowledged it, I am proud of you." My hand is relinquished from her grasp and I tap her forehead softly.

"Don't trust Ozai. Take care of yourself. Take care of your friends. Real ones are hard to come by and you've already made two." I turn back around.

"I'm leaving. There is no other way."

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(A/n: So we have a few things going on. Sasuke has found out a world level secret. The library is a wealth of knowledge and will be a future destination.

A powerful attack squad chasing Sasuke down! Wonder how he will ever escape!?

But Azula tho! She broke down! Easily understandable, maybe a little out of character from the Azula we know but this one is six years old.

I wonder what this change that Sasuke felt was? And he now has with him a certain mask! Who left that there?

I do have ch16 in the works but y'know how this author is:

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Thanks for reading my fellow Daoist's! Enjoy! )