Sage Of Blue Flames (CH 1)

A/N: This story is rated M for mature content not suitable for children.

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Chapter 1: Bhanti Island

Fire Nation

In the waters of the Fire Nation, three warships glided along at a slower pace. The lead ship was hosting a lively celebration, where the scent of the salty sea blended with the aromas of the food being served. The night was filled with the sounds of laughter and the boisterous chatter of Fire Nation soldiers enjoying their revelry.

As they made their way to the capital of the Fire Nation, several warships maneuvered through the waters, with one soldier at the helm expressing his frustration about being excluded from the festivities. On one of these ships was General Iroh, the son of the Fire Lord.

This recent triumph signified a pivotal moment in the conflict with the Earth Kingdom. Iroh understood that it was too soon for them to be rejoicing over a single battle victory but only Ba-Sing-Se remained to be taken, after which the Earth Kingdom would be theirs.

Ba Sing Se, the capital city of the Earth Kingdom, was encircled by an enormous wall that Iroh recognized would pose a significant obstacle to breach. Perched atop the wall was a battalion of earthbenders, eager and prepared to rain destruction in the form of boulders on anyone attempting to break in.

"Plus, they have the ability to launch attacks from beneath the surface by tunneling underground with their bending," Iroh reflected somberly. He had intentionally saved Ba-sing-se for last due to this reason, but now that all the other resistance groups had been dealt with, only the capital of the Earth Kingdom was left standing. "I'll come up with a plan later; for now, it's time to celebrate."

"Haha! Did you catch the expressions on those dirt eaters' faces when I breathed fire?" Iroh laughed, holding a bottle of sake while wearing just a kimono, having tossed aside his Fire Nation armor. "They looked like they were about to lose it!"

The soldiers aboard the warship shared a laugh with Iroh, as they couldn't help but notice the frightened expressions on the faces of the Earth Nation soldiers, who turned white with fear when they witnessed Iroh breathe fire like a dragon.

"Absolutely, and remember when they attempted to flee by digging underground? We just sent our flames down the holes they made and incinerated them," one soldier remarked with a twisted grin. "They perished in agony; it was well-deserved for those fools."

The others agreed, noting that earthbenders often seemed less bright—perhaps it was a result of frequently banging their heads against solid rock. Regardless, if they planned to escape through the tunnels they created with their bending, wouldn’t it make sense to seal those holes to prevent anyone from pursuing them? In this situation, filling the hole with fire burning them alive.

"They're as foolish as the ground they walk on, but their women are exceptionally attractive," remarked another soldier, sporting the typical Fire Nation appearance with dark hair and eyes, a lewd grin on his face. "I can't wait to check out the entertainment district when we reach the capital."

Iroh let out an internal sigh upon hearing about the entertainment district, which he knew was actually a place fill with brothels and a place where captured civilians from enemy nations were auctioned off as slaves. He disapproved of the very existence of such a place, but he recognized that Fire Nation soldiers often sought an outlet for their frustration and anger, and unfortunately, it was usually innocent people who ended up suffering and being used.

Slavery is not openly acknowledged in many countries, yet it still exists. In the Fire Nation, it is permissible to own slaves from citizens of other nations, but not from among their own people. The Earth Kingdom allows slavery, provided one has the financial means, whether the slaves are from other nations or their own. The Water Tribe does not engage in slavery, but Iroh has heard that they treat their women similarly, denying them education and training if they are benders, relegating them to roles in the kitchen or bedroom. As for the Air Nomads, they are no longer alive, but it is doubtful they would have practiced slavery if they were.

"Yeah, it has been a while since I saw that water tribe bitch with the tight ass," another soldier said. He was young, in his twenties. "Her pussy was good too, but that ass made me cum buckets."

"I know the one you are talking about; she was one good fuck," another soldier said. He was bald. "I might join you when you go visit her; we can take turns banging her."

Iroh grew weary of listening to his men discuss their plans for the unfortunate woman from the Water Tribe. As a result, he stood up, unsteady on his feet, and stumbled away. His men were so immersed in their fantasies that they didn't even notice his departure.

"I have a deep affection for my nation and I truly believe that the war is aimed at improving the world," Iroh stated while leaning against the ship's railing for balance. "However, I cannot support slavery against any adversary, regardless of the circumstances."

The intoxicated man was so absorbed in his own thoughts that his state of drunkenness only made matters worse; he failed to notice a glowing orb behind him. The spirit, taking the form of a sphere, severed the rails that Iroh was leaning against, and in an instant, he found himself in the water, unable to cry out for assistance.

The final image Iroh perceived before he fainted was a brilliant burst of light. He wasn't aware that the subsequent happenings would alter the future, not just for himself, but for the entire Fire Nation as well.

Fast Forward

Fire Nation [Bhanti Island]

When Iroh woke up, the first sensation he experienced was a pounding headache from overindulging the night before. He gradually opened his eyes, but the intensity of the bright morning sun forced him to shut them right away.

"I notice you're awake," a woman's voice said. Iroh turned his head toward the sound and opened his eyes once more. His vision was hazy, but as he began to focus, he could make out an elderly woman gazing at him with curiosity. "What brings you here, traveler?" she asked.

The elderly woman appeared to be in her eighties or nineties, her face lined with wrinkles and her hair a dull grey. However, her green eyes shone with wisdom and compassion.

Iroh gazed at the woman, pondering whether she failed to recognize him. After all, he was the Dragon of the West, General Iroh, and the heir to the Fire Nation throne—someone all citizens should recognize immediately. Even people from other nations were familiar with his name. So, was he still within the waters of the Fire Nation, or had he ventured elsewhere?

“I tumbled off my ship while heading to the capital, but I need to figure out where I am,” Iroh inquired, sitting up in the bed he had been placed on. He looked around the plain room, which offered no clues about which nation’s territory he was currently in.

"You've reached Bhanti Island," the woman said, fully aware of the underlying question that Iroh was really asking. "And yes, you are definitely within the Fire Nation's territory."

Iroh tilted his head, attempting to recall if he had ever come across a place named Bhanti, but his memory drew a blank. This location was absent from any maps he had examined, which meant either the woman was deceiving him or this island had only just been found.

"Oh, I should have pointed out that Bhanti Island is a destination that doesn't reveals itself to those who seek it. It’s a place that draws you in for a purpose," the woman said, smiling knowingly. She understood how disorienting it could be for newcomers; like many, she hadn't arrived on the island by choice, but rather because it was her destined place. "You can refer to me as a shaman. What is your name?"

"I am Iroh," the son of Azulon said as he stood up. Noticing that the woman remained non-threatening, he felt the need to look outside to assess his surroundings. "I'm feeling a little hungry; do you have any food?"

"Come with me," Shaman said, her soft smile suggesting she understood what Iroh was thinking. She guided him from her bedroom to the kitchen.

Iroh's gaze absorbed every detail as he peered out the window, trying to identify familiar sights, yet he realized he would have to venture further to reach any definitive understanding.

The shaman, without looking back, mentioned, "If you want, we can go outside after you've had something to eat," while she prepared an assortment of fresh fruits for Iroh.

"Thank you," Iroh said, accepting the fruits. He had observed the elderly woman closely, ensuring she hadn't tainted them. In an unfamiliar setting with a stranger, he knew he had to be cautious.

Fast Forward

Shaman's Home

"I truly can escape this place," Iroh remarked with a weary expression. "I even pilfered a boat and attempted to sail away, yet I mysteriously found myself back here. There has to be some sort of spirit at play in this."

The individual from whom he took the boat didn't react with anger or say a word; instead, he simply exchanged a knowing glance with Iroh, which suggested that this wasn't the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"I mentioned that you can't leave until you complete the task you came here for," the Shaman said while meditating next to Iroh. "You should take some time to unwind and absorb the essence of Bhanti; perhaps you'll discover something that will aid you in your departure."

Iroh let out a sigh in response to the elderly woman's remarks; she had welcomed him into her home, guided him through the island, and introduced him to the other villagers.

The individuals in this place were all benders, whether one believes it or not. They concentrated on the spiritual aspects of bending, establishing a connection with their surroundings and achieving mastery over themselves in a way that Iroh found difficult to comprehend.

"I can't remain here; my country requires my help, and I must find a way to escape," Iroh insisted resolutely. However, Shaman regarded him with an expression reminiscent of someone observing a petulant child, which annoyed Iroh, but he realized that in comparison to her age, he was indeed still quite young.

Shaman remarked as she stood and gently placed a hand on Iroh to soothe his irritation, "Others have come here before and moved on, often gaining knowledge or completing a mission in the process. I recommend exploring the village; you might discover a hint that could lead you back home."

"Alright, I will do it," Iroh responded, recognizing that the Shaman had a point. Moping around or sailing away wouldn’t solve his problems; he needed to fulfill whatever purpose the spirit that brought him here had for him. "I appreciate your hospitality and your patience with me."

Shaman regarded Iroh with a smile, recognizing the sincerity in his words. She sensed his goodness but also felt the inner turmoil he grappled with. "It's not an issue, and I wish you all the best," she said before settling back into her meditation as Iroh departed.

Scene Change

Bhanti Island was stunning, encircled by lush forests filled with various fruits and wildlife that coexisted peacefully with the island's inhabitants. Iroh wandered aimlessly until he stumbled upon what appeared to be a training area or a meditation space for the island's residents, where he observed numerous men and women engaged in bending practices or deep in meditation.

General Iroh, the son of the reigning Fire Lord Azulon and sibling to Ozai, has experienced a great deal throughout his life. He has witnessed dragons and some have even claimed that he was responsible for the demise of the last of them. However, nothing could have equipped him for the scene that lay before him.

Iroh's gaze was fixed on a young boy, no older than seven, who was manipulating blue flames in a way he had only witnessed his niece do before. The child skillfully molded the flames into various shapes, including a ball and even animals, demonstrating a level of control over fire that Iroh himself had yet to master.

The General had been residing on Bhanti Island for some time, and he had never encountered this child before. In fact, he hadn’t seen any children at all, but this particular one stood out not just because of his bending abilities.

The child had yellow hair, a hue he had never encountered before, and his eyes were a shade of blue reminiscent of certain members of the water tribe.

"It's truly remarkable, isn't it, how he controls his blue flames?" an elderly man beside Iroh remarked. He chose not to reveal his name, allowing the general to call him Sage, which was fitting since he was indeed one. In fact, the whole island of Bhanti was home to sages and shamans.

"That doesn't add up. How would the spirit know I belong here, and how could it conceal this place right from everyone's view?" Iroh pondered, his gaze shifting from Naruto to the sky, where he observed a few flying bison soaring overhead. "Flying bison were supposed to be extinct after the Fire Nation wiped out the Air Nomads."

The island was a tranquil place, where its inhabitants focused on exploring their spiritual connection to the world and learning to harness their firebending abilities for constructive purposes rather than harmful ones, which greatly appealed to Iroh.

Iroh responded after a moment of reflection, saying, "'He's incredible, perhaps even more brilliant than my niece. What's his name?'"

"That's Naruto," the old sage remarked, his gaze fixed on the blonde boy. "He arrived on this island in a manner quite similar to your own, but I believe the guardian spirit of the island brought him here as an infant."

"As a baby, you mention that he never experienced the outside world," Iroh remarked with sympathy. While he might also feel confined, he at least had an understanding of the beauty and terror the world outside held. "That's truly unfortunate."

"While it might appear that way to some, I am convinced that Naruto will eventually leave this place when the moment is right and make a significant impact on the world," Sage declared with assurance, watching Naruto skillfully juggle fireballs in his hands.

Iroh gazed at Naruto, contemplating the words of the Sage. He realized that if someone with Naruto's abilities were to become part of the Fire Nation, their strength would be nearly unmatched.

Chapter End

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A/N: In the next chapter, the encounter between Iroh and Naruto, Iroh will attempt to persuade Naruto to join him. However, the question remains: will Naruto agree to his proposal despite Iroh's questionable motives? Stay tuned for the next update, and as always, take care and stay safe.