Chapter 172 171: Political Idiot

After Aang and the others finished listening to Kahn's story, they all fell into deep thought, realizing just how difficult the situation truly was.

On one side stood the balance of the Four Nations.

On the other, the interests and livelihood of real citizens.

Balancing the two felt nearly impossible.

But when they heard Kahn's so-called "answer," everyone was immediately stunned.

His proposed method felt… extreme. Honestly, it sounded like something Azula herself would do.

Among them, Zuko was the most openly disapproving.

"Sigh."

Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Kahn let out a long, helpless sigh.

He never thought his own political skills were particularly high—at best, he had some theoretical knowledge.

But looking at the clueless faces in front of him, he felt like he was teaching a room full of political toddlers.

He couldn't help feeling embarrassed at the comparison.

"Let me ask you something first."

Kahn looked at them one by one.

"You didn't seriously think that 'my' words actually made a lot of sense… right?"

Everyone exchanged awkward looks. Aang cautiously raised his hand a little.

"…Is there not?"

"Bullshit!"

Kahn snapped, irritated. He felt utterly helpless facing this group of political idiots. But he had no choice but to continue explaining.

**"Let's start with the obvious.

'My' words do NOT represent the real common people."**

He held up two fingers.

"First, do you know how many cities exist in the world? And how many of them are peaceful and thriving like Yu Dao?"

"How many families have been torn apart by war? How many people have lost homes, parents, spouses?"

He leaned forward.

"And even in colonies like Yu Dao that were untouched by war—and even inside the Fire Nation itself—do you think ordinary people were truly unaffected?"

Kahn scoffed, "That's complete nonsense!"

"To conquer the world, how many troops did the Fire Nation send out? How many soldiers were conscripted? How many died?"

"Do you think those soldiers were born from rocks?"

"No—they were someone's sons, fathers, brothers. And every fallen soldier shattered a family."

He gestured at Zuko.

"Even your own mother was dragged away by palace politics. Even Iroh lost his son. If even the royal family couldn't escape the consequences of war—do you think the common people did?"

Everyone fell silent.

Katara and Sokka thought of their mother.

Aang thought of his entire tribe.

Zuko remembered his exile.

Only Toph—pampered young lady of a wealthy family—could claim she hadn't personally suffered from the war.

From that alone, they could easily guess what kind of privileged group the "I" in Kahn's example represented.

"The 'me' in that story," Kahn continued coldly,

"is nothing more than a privileged parasite—someone speaking only for his own interests, not the people's."

He turned to Zuko.

"Real common people don't get to stand in front of the Fire Lord and voice their thoughts. They can only endure. The ones bold enough to come to you are almost always the privileged ones—like 'me.'"

"Zuko, do you get it now?"

Zuko was quiet for a long time. Finally, he nodded seriously.

"…I understand. I'll keep it in mind."

"Good."

Kahn nodded, then continued:

"But besides those points, what OTHER problems are there with 'my' words?" He looked around. "Anyone?"

Silence.

Zuko was overthinking again.

Aang looked like a school kid trying to avoid eye contact with the teacher.

Kahn sighed again.

"It's the whole 'distant history' and 'built by ourselves' nonsense."

"That is deliberate historical distortion—whitewashing aggression and colonization."

"Aggression is aggression. Colonization is colonization. No amount of pretty words can sanitize it."

"If you accept that argument, then you're basically saying the Fire Nation's only mistake was not conquering MORE territory fast enough."

"Do you understand?"

Everyone nodded internally, but no one dared to answer aloud this time. They were afraid Kahn would ask, "What exactly do you understand?"

Kahn rubbed his forehead.

"Still a long way to go."

"After defeating Ozai, go take some political classes before thinking about running a country."

Zuko flushed with shame. He had already accepted that he would become the next Fire Lord.

At first, he thought Kahn's evaluation was unfair—but now he wanted to crawl under the table.

However, to Zuko's credit, he didn't run away from his flaws. He bowed his head seriously.

"After I return, I'll learn from Uncle Iroh."

"Don't!"

Kahn jumped up like he'd been electrocuted, startling everyone.

He shook his hands rapidly.

"If it's about Earthbending or military tactics, Iroh is great. If it's emotional support—perfect."

"But politics? Forget it."

Kahn grimaced, remembering.

He would NEVER forget Iroh's "legendary failure."

Despite having the military, the prestige, and the support, he got completely outmaneuvered by Ozai using nothing but a will.

Lost territory, lost command, lost influence, and ended up kindly stepping aside like a gentleman.

He could've taken the throne at any moment.

He just… didn't.

Because Iroh was principled.

He was a good man.

And good men often lose in politics.

Everyone fell silent. It sounded tragic, absurd, and painfully believable.

Zuko frowned and thought hard. Then his eyes brightened.

"Kahn… can you teach me?"

"Me?"

Kahn blinked, then rapidly shook his head like a drum.

"No thanks. I'm just a theorist. My mouth is good; my experience isn't."

"But you're still better than us," Aang said sincerely. "Everything you said earlier made perfect sense."

Kahn internally rolled his eyes.

Well yeah—your political level is zero. What am I supposed to compare with?

"I have another question."

Katara suddenly spoke up.

"Even if 'his' words were lies… isn't executing him too much?"

Kahn shrugged.

"Maybe."

"I just think doing so would create a strong deterrent and prevent future chaos. Otherwise countless versions of 'him' will show up and make trouble."

And if it were Azula, she definitely wouldn't hesitate.

He didn't say that part aloud.

And Azula wouldn't care about balancing the Four Nations—she'd want to conquer them.

Her voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

"Kahn, are you willing to manage the Fire Nation with me?"

No—rule the world alongside her was closer to the truth.

Kahn froze.

Wait.

...

The full completed version of Avatar: Rebirth of the Strongest Firebender —