Chapter 10: Dragon of the West, Iroh

Getting into my stance, and taking a deep breath I initiated my attack. Lunging forward I blast a huge flame towards Iroh.

"Not holding back against this uncle," Iroh said with a chuckle.

Ignoring his banter, I see the flame be dispersed when it reaches him. Continuing on, I pump my fists into action and start sending multiple flames over. While he is busy taking care to disperse the flames, I run into his blind spot and send some shurikens towards his calves. Just because he looks like that, doesn't mean he isn't powerful. There were plenty of masters who hid behind a kind face. Even the 3rd Hokage was like that.

"!" Iroh was shocked when he finally realized the shurikens that embedded into his legs. Making him fall down to his knees. I followed up by rushing in from his blindside and lifting my leg for a heel kick on his shoulder. Just as I was about to land, he turned around and caught my leg, barely. I used the change in momentum to lead my other leg to roundhouse kick his head. He dodged by ducking under and rolling. I took charge and won the first exchange.

"I'm very surprised Prince Sasuke." He said while taking the shurikens out of his leg. Looks like they were not that deep and barely any blood came out. What's with this man's muscles?

"To have such skills, at such a young age you must have toiled away for all your life. Even using throwing stars in such a way...Who taught you such things?" He asked, curiously.

I don't really have an answer to explain where I learned to use throwing stars so, "It was a hidden weapon I thought I could easily hide in my flames to catch stronger opponents off guard. Works after all" I replied.

"Ahh, you're talking about your duel with Azulan right? I heard of this event a few weeks after, on the front lines. That my nephew dueled the Fire Lord and showed captain-level skills including a breath attack at only 5 years old. Look at you now haha" Iroh said joyfully. Completely ignoring the fact that I drew blood with my shurikens. However insignificant the amount.

"Okay, guess I should respond to my nephew's genius," Iroh said, standing up and getting back into his stance.

'...'

Now there is a lingering pressure this old man is emitting.

I can't make a single mistake. He has taken all of my attacks and hasn't been fazed by a single one of them. What can I do now? I remember my Uchiha father always told me that all Uchihas were adept at fire chakra transformation, but there are also wind, lightning, earth, and water. As a shinobi, your affinities to these nature changes are key, however, anyone can use a nature not inclined to them. It just becomes weak.

Take the leaf training or tree walking exercises for example. Chakra is placed on corresponding areas to stick to the object. The fine-tuning of chakra control, and is concentrated into one place. Unfortunately, I was never taught either of these exercises or know my natural affinities.

So taking a step back, I'll focus my chi into one place…

--- Iroh POV ---

'What a genius nephew. His skills in bending and the basics are masterful. He has spent a lot of time focusing only on the basics, and they are paying off. I sure didn't expect hidden weapons in his arsenal either haha. Hm?'

'It looks like he changed his stance. Is he doing what I think he is doing? He's concentrating a lot of chi into his fist, this next attack will be the most powerful yet. All those previous ones, however easily I dispelled them, were indeed powerful already. Okay, my dear nephew. Though this might hurt, I'll wait for your attack. Give it your best'

Breath in

Breath out

--- MC POV ---

Taking a powerful step, I thrust my fist out in front of me. Unleashing the concentrated chi I've built up for a whole minute. This might not seem like it was a long time, but in a battle where every half a second count, this is a long time. The concentration of chi has given my flames a darker shade, it looks almost crimson in comparison to its usual red/orange color.

"!!" Even though he was prepared, Iroh was still shocked at the level of heat my flames reached. He pulled back and seconds later channeled enough chi into his palm and shot it forward. He created a flame powerful enough to rival my own in a few seconds while it took me years to even think of concentrating my chi! Tsk!

The flames interlocked and canceled each other out. My body is completely exhausted, using so much chi at once with this new technique has worn me out way more than I thought it would. It still needs more development but I see a lot of potential in increasing the amount of chi concentration. Perhaps increasing the heat of my flames will have a similar effect. A qualitative change.

"Very Impressive use of fire bending Prince Sasuke. It takes a fire bender a lifetime to think of increasing the potency of their flames, but it seemed like you did it almost instinctively."

"What do you mean by potency? All I did was concentrate my chi into my fist."

"That's it, Prince Sasuke! The potency of the flame is reflected by the color, but what is also important is what is fueling your fire.

I replied, "Is it possible for a fire bender to use other elements?"

"That is a good question, Prince Sasuke"

Iroh paused here and thought. He soon walked over to the tree in the training grounds and picked up a branch from the ground.

Walking towards me, he started to draw the four national symbols while speaking, "I have traveled the world multiple times, and have learned from all the bending cultures...

Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will. And the energy and drive to achieve what they want.

Earth is the element of substance, the people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring.

Air is the element of freedom. The air nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, I heard they have pretty good senses of humor!" Iroh said this last part as it was funny and smiled at me. but I didn't laugh. Seeing my listening but not laughing at his joke, he continued on.

"Water is the element of change. The people of the water tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together for anything." Iroh finally finished saying.

'It's interesting to have a deeper understanding but he didn't answer my question..'

"Why are you telling me these things?"

"You have a strong curiosity. It is good to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole."

(A/N: Yes this is straight from that one episode in Avatar. Iroh used these exact words, word for word, in Avatar Last Airbender Season 2 Episode 9. I'm citing it here lol.)