Chapter-22

(Fire Nation, southeastern border of the capital)

In a training arena, intermittent flashes of lightning illuminated the expansive room. Upon entering, one could witness numerous men scattered throughout the area. They bore second or third-degree burns, and some even suffered severe dark burns caused by lightning. Though they were all alive, without treatment, they'd succumb within hours.

Amidst the space, surrounded by fallen bodies, stood Azula. Her breath came in heavy gasps, sweat glistening on her skin. She wore nothing but red pants and bandages that covered her modest C-cup breasts. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, and a bandana adorned her neck.

"I won't bother fighting... you're not worth it."

A sinister gleam in her golden eyes, Azula unleashed a colossal lightning bolt from her right fingertips. This attack traversed the entire room, obliterating a wooden training dummy into ashes. With a dismissive snort, the firebender exited the arena to collect a towel and a vase of water, handed to her by a servant who kept her gaze lowered.

She used both items, sipping from the water and wiping sweat from her brow with the towel. After tossing them back to the servant, Azula walked through the corridors of the grand temple where she resided temporarily. Minutes later, she arrived at a room already occupied by Mai and Ty Lee.

Mai was engrossed in reading old books with a concentrated expression, while Ty Lee hung upside down from a chandelier, reading a small book. They both ceased their reading when their friend, the wielder of fire and lightning, entered.

"Did you find anything useful?" The princess posed the question in a serious tone. She untied a strand of hair, allowing it to cascade freely down her back, and retreated into a dressing room. There, she discarded her sweat and blood-stained clothes.

"I scoured all the libraries, but I couldn't find anything matching that boy's description—golden hair like gold, blue eyes, and markings resembling those of an animal..." Frowning in frustration, Mai shut the book she had been reading. For two days straight, she had combed through every library in town, seeking any hint of a match to their enigmatic opponent. Yet, it seemed to be a fruitless effort. "The ability to create clones, alter shape, and exhibit strength and speed beyond any human... What exactly are we dealing with?" She voiced her concerns aloud, realizing the situation was growing increasingly strange and perilous.

"A pacifist child we need to capture alive," came Azula's direct response. Emerging from the dressing room, the princess was now clad in a red robe, her hair flowing freely. Pausing for a moment, she pondered the words of her comrade. Her fingers grazed the bandana around her neck. "If there are no records of anyone like him in the Fire Nation... perhaps we should expand our search beyond our borders. It's imperative that we gather information to locate him and exploit his vulnerabilities. So he falls under the control of the Fire Nation... or better yet," a more sinister smile tugged at her lips as she tightened her grip on the bandana's emblem, "under my control." With her idea in mind, she strolled across the room until she stood before a sizable mirror.

Mai harbored doubts, but she found herself acquiescing to her nation's princess. Initially, she hadn't cared whether Azula wanted to capture or eliminate the golden-haired boy. But the idea that Azula not only desired to apprehend him, but also to manipulate him into a subservient role, gave her pause. The black-haired noblewoman could scarcely bear to contemplate the darker purposes for which the boy might be used.

"I know it's him!" The attention of both teenagers shifted to Ty Lee, who remained suspended from the ceiling, now right-side up. With a radiant smile, the brunette swung down from the chandelier to join her friends. She handed her book over to Azula, excitement clear in her voice. "He's a wizard!" she exclaimed, displaying an image of a sorcerer wielding a staff from the book's pages.

"I told you to leave that children's book on the shelf," Mai grumbled, rubbing her head wearily. She could already predict that Ty Lee had seized the opportunity to snatch the book from her collection.

"...?" Raising an eyebrow, Azula inspected the depiction of the 'sorcerer' in the image. It bore little resemblance to the figure she was seeking.

"But think about it! Look here, they mention that sorcerers could shapeshift and perform incredible feats. Maybe Naruto is a formidable sorcerer who can create clones and transform. That could explain his extraordinary speed and strength," Ty Lee mused, hugging the book to her chest. She was clearly captivated by the idea of their target's potential capabilities. "It also mentions that sorcerers possess control over the elements, although they can't conjure them. Sounds somewhat similar to benders, don't you think?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued as she turned the page in search of more insights.

"Well... it's the best we have so far, even if we have to rely on children's stories," Azula sighed, her doubt evident as she reluctantly considered Ty Lee's suggestion. Though it seemed foolish, it remained their most promising lead. "Are there any weaknesses we should be aware of?" she inquired, distancing herself from the brunette to retrieve some clothing from a closet. She discarded her robe, revealing her naked form to her friends, who paid little attention to it.

"Well... according to this book, if we trap him within a circle of salt, he'll lose his powers. It also mentions vulnerability to elemental attacks. Could that explain why the lightning you directed at him was effective?" Ty Lee pondered, engrossed in her reading despite Mai's exasperated expression. The firebender didn't relish relying on children's tales for guidance.

"I'm not concerned about that right now," Azula responded curtly. She donned her armor and secured it tightly, her movements deliberate. Tying her hair back with a ribbon, she looked imposing in her red armor with black accents. "I only know that I want him under my control. Prepare the lizard mounts; we'll travel overland to track down my target..." Her tone grew darker as she finished her sentence. With that declaration, she exited the room with her two companions.

The hunt was just about to begin.