Chapter 7: Still Gotta Attend | Timeskip

(A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to release this chapter, my loyal readers! Please enjoy this release.)

Azulan catches my fist with ease, dispelling my anger-charged fist like everything I did just didn't affect him at all. Standing up and he said, " Truly a good grandson. A beautiful display of power, cunning, and technique."

He turns around to address the crowd, "My Fire Nation citizens! You have witnessed today a rare event, where your Prince Sasuke dueled me to show you and demonstrate what hard work and dedication can do! For all our young students in the academy, strive to contain this inner fire within yourselves, and light our future!"

"WOAH!"

"Woooo"

"Long live Azulan!"

"To the Future of the FireNation!"

The audience erupts into applause in response. I simply block out the noise as much as possible as I retrieve my shirt, putting it on. I swear I heard some disappointing sighs in the crowd somewhere.

...I also grab Azulan's robe and pass it to him when he turned around to face me. Don't smile at me, you annoying old man. Azulan takes the robes and drapes them over his body.

"Sasuke, come" I followed him without saying anything.

"The tides are quickly turning, and my time is running out Sasuke. I normally would never leave the throne room, because my absence there gives some growing aspirations towards it. I know what I have done in my life and I won't ask for forgiveness from anyone in this material world. My only hope is my will, for a better fire nation to pass on." Azulan said.

After this nobody spoke. I followed him back to my class...great. Going inside, I saw that nobody was back yet when Azulan faced me.

"Sasuke, I know you don't want to be here but the academy will make you interact with others. We as humans need social interactions with each other, or our minds will go astray. No matter what you do, you must go through this, so try to at least find some amusement while you're here."

"...What was the point of all this if you're going to make me attend anyways? And don't say because I told you so" I said.

"That's because you have no goals Sasuke. You don't have a reason to get strong, you don't have a reason to dedicate your life to training, you don't have a reason to one day stand in my place as the Fire Lord! You're lost. And when one is lost, finding their path is very difficult. But with the help of others, especially good guidance, one may find their path again."

"What do you mean by path? I have a goal! To be stronger than everyone, to be incomparable to anyone."

"But why, Sasuke? Why must you be stronger than everyone? You have been alive for such a short time, yet your will to improve your physical might isn't normal. I won't ask for your reasons, but I ask you to attend the academy. Make a friend.

Maybe even a special friend" (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ Azulan winks at me when he said that last part. Pft like I'll allow myself to entertain any of those annoying creatures.

I stayed silent in response and Azulan simply smiled and left the classroom. I just turned around and walked halfway up and into the corner seat. Soon the students arrived and quickly noticed my presence. Ignoring them, the class filled up soon after that.

--- 3 year Time Skip ---

I'm eight years old now. I don't need any friends so I only attend class, get perfect scores and go home. The fangirls never leave me alone and some guys watch me in awe while some look at me with envy. Hmph. Losers. Every now and then I see bullies fighting and every time, they quickly make a path for me if they are in my way. Oh, that one kid that I 'helped' has followed me quietly since the first day. I still don't know his name and he never introduced himself. Not like I cared.

I learned a lot from my duel with Azulan 3 years ago. He beat me in everything fundamental. I had no idea how to beat him, so I started with the fundamentals and multiplied my training by 3. I also got a smith to create kunais and throwing stars for me. He had some that were very similar so with some slight modifications, I got my hands on them. I'm the prince of the nation, of course, I don't have to worry about money to pay people. After that, I upgraded my training grounds to hold multiple targets, practicing my shurikenjutsu.

I even made a new technique! With my fire bending, I was able to form a demon wind shuriken and can throw it just like any shuriken. It's really showy and not very ninja-like but I can easily hide my small metal shurikens in the shadows.

The instructor showed us intermediate fire forms. Apparently, basic fire forms are a technique that only allows people to reach a rank of lieutenant and this will improve on that, to make First Lieutenants. But Since I incorporated my Uchiha style taijutsu, when I first learned the basic fire forms, I became captain rank. This is why I couldn't improve further! Of course, by learning these new forms, I'm well above that standard. My unofficial rank would fall at a Commander level now, but I'm still short one more rank if I want to graduate.

In other news, Azula started the Academy a year ago. She still looks up to me, though now hides it better, and she even made two friends! I noticed them when Azula brought them to the palace and together hid in her hiding spot to watch me practice. The two girls are called Mai and Ty Lee.

Mai has straight black hair that is usually put up into two buns on the side and piercing black eyes. She emits a dark aura that seems similar but different from mine. I catch her coming to the palace more often than Ty lee and comes to 'watch' me practice.

Ty Lee is a brunette with light brown eyes and a disgustingly cheerful personality. Her flexibility is great as I see her balancing and walking around on her hands very often. I can tell she has a similar attention-seeking trait to Azula.

All in all, It's been an annoying and productive 3 years.

I was going about my practice in my personal training grounds when a soldier ran past into the palace. I was pretty much done with my 3-hour horse stance so I followed along to the throne room only to hear, "Firelord Azulan, General Iroh has called a retreat on Ba Sing Se, and Is coming back!"

"WHAT!" Shouted Azulan, with the flames of the throne lighting up in his anger.

(A/N: Sasuke is lost! At least that's what Azulan says. And Iroh is coming home! I can finally write something about one of my all-time favorite characters in the show, hopefully, I do his character justice! Enjoy the chapter, give me your power stones! XD

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ps: Chp 8 is already in writing so if I get 100 power stones I'll release the chapter early..was gonna release it on the weekend)