Chapter 17: Results of Ursa's sacrifice

(A/n: Well….weekly release didn't really work out. BUT NEW CHAPTER!

BAM

ENJOY :) )

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--- MC POV ---

I messed up.

I never lost the attack squad. It didn't make sense for me to lose them so easily in the mansion, it was almost like they disappeared at some point as I was getting closer.

As soon as I left the building, I still couldn't sense anything. Even when I left the library, I couldn't sense the leader of the squad. The STUPID LIBRARIAN! IT WAS HIM ALL ALONG!

'STUPID STUPID STUPID!'

'One must see beneath the underneath! Why do I keep forgetting the essence of what it means to be a shinobi? My arrogance and pride has blinded me to the suspicious actions of this person since the beginning. I never really cared.

Hiding in plain sight. Such a basic element, I ignored it completely. Of course I'll get ambushed and thrashed around by this admiral level assassin! And now here I am, on my damn KNEES before my oh so great father, OZAI.

'ARAGGAAHH' my internal anger can't be contained. Plain for everyone in the room to see.

"SASUKE!" Ursa said, standing up abruptly from her chair. She swings her body around, wrapping me in a protective hug.

"What is the meaning of this OZAI!?"....is she defending me?

"Easy, my love. Under the Fire lord's orders, I must kill one of my children." Ozai said with a smirk wide across his face.

'!! No WAY! That old man betrayed me! The only person I actually thought at least had my best interest at heart, gave Ozai the permission to go rampant. Azulan…'

"Your confusion is easy to tell. He wants for me to feel the pain that Iroh feels for losing his own. How foolish. Mhaahaha, all this does is give me a reason to take this hindrance out of the way. He isn't usable, but Azula? She will make a fine puppet."

'Azula craves familial connection and affection. The likelihood of her being manipulated by Ozai is very high'

"You MONSTER!" Ursa lunged at me trying to protect my body with her own. Her warm embrace temporarily sends my body into shock.

Ursa looks back at Ozai while maintaining me in one arm and points at herself, "Leave my children alone! Take me instead!"

"OH I find what you say interesting, Ursa. What deal can you make me to let them go? How can you be of use to me." said Ozai. Almost expectantly.

"..." Ursa takes a second before she firms her will to speak. "I'm an herbalist, I can help you realize your biggest wish, becoming Firelord…"

"HMH?!"

"BUT!" Ursa continued, "The life of my children must be guaranteed." She said this with the most determination showing on her face. This was a non negotiable for her.

"Very good Ursa. You have my attention. However, don't forget, I have the power and I have all the authority to make the call." Ozai's smile grows wide and his tone is malicious.

"And what you speak of is rebelling! Tell me how you plan to achieve this so-called wish of mine, you heinous woman!" His smile covers half his face, clearly making a show of it.

'I see. His ambition is well known but he can't outwardly say it out loud. Perhaps Azulan is watching through the eyes and ears of his own subordinates and he plays it safe'

Ursa takes a second and looks at me from the corner of her eye, I see the hesitation at first before it becomes resolute. She turns her head back to Ozai and says, "an odorless, tasteless poison can be made. Something that only I, with my wealth of knowledge of medicine and the human body can make."

"!" The revelation of her proposal sends shock waves to all present. How can you fight such a poison? Though there is some sense of relief that only she can make this, it's still very unsettling.

"I even have it prepared for you. I knew I would need it eventually." Ursa said again.

"!"

"Planning on using it on me, weren't you my love? Hahaha don't worry, my time will come but not before yours." Ozai says in triumph.

"I will accept this deal. Attention" Ozai said faintly. The two guards enter the room, standing behind the librarian.

"Sir!" They salute, patiently waiting for the new order.

"Take Sasuke to the port and send him into open waters, let him keep everything he has on him, and bid him farewell. Tomorrow I will announce his quest to find the ever elusive Avatar, who hasn't been seen in this world for the last 100 years."

Ozai crouches down in front of me, "but I'm sure you can find him, can't you Sasuke? I'm sure you know, this is a lifelong quest. Don't come back without the Avatar, and if you come back at all during that time, you will be challenged to an Agni Kai for defiling my orders and I WILL publicly execute your precious mother for insubordination. And your sister will disappear soon after."

"!!"

"What are you talking about Ozai!? Insubordination?! You promised the safety of my children!" Ursa screams in anguish and anger.

"Why of course, my dearest wife Ursa, after all you're the one who will have killed my precious father."

"!!" The gravity of Ozai's words splashes cold water over the implications of the deal Ursa has offered. Now she can be blackmailed and legally executed, a way to keep Sasuke from coming back as well. Keeps everyone where he wants them to be.

Ursa drops to her hands and knees while listening.

"Sasuke, heed my words. You are exiled and no longer prince to this Great Fire Nation! Come back and you will suffer grievous consequences. And a word of advice, change your name and stay in hiding. I may change my mind and look for you. Muhahaha." Ozai laughs maniacally as his orders are carried out.

I stare angerly at Ozai and then my gaze lands on Ursa, now quiet, has lost some luster in her eyes.

Soon I feel a strong force behind my neck and lose consciousness.

My last thought, 'mother...'

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(A/n: WOAH Ozai be evil bruv. It kind of all fell into place. Evil mastermind character worked well here. Might be a little cringe on the evil villain laugh but oh well.

Sasuke will be left to drift into the ocean and we won't know what will happen to the Fire nation until later on. We are following the MC after all.

He will soon meet another fateful encounter. Who? Found out on next chapter of DRAGONBAL*Cough I mean Next Chapter of Sasuke reborn as ZUKO!"

)