Time skip 3 years
It had been three full years since Levi's encounter with the polar bear and a lot had changed since then, the most notable thing is that the Fire Nation attacks had become more frequent and they seemed to be paying more attention to the Southern water tribe.
Levi guessed that this was a canon event, and it was the one leading his tribe to the one he saw in the show, he was too busy to care about that right now however.
"LEVI, BEHIND YOU!, DUCK." a loud voice screamed from behind Levi as a ball of fire flew over. Levi didn't have the time to hesitate or verify as he immediately ducked and rolled to the side successfully evading.
He would have been able to dodge the attack either way with his newly unlocked danger sense coupled with his dodge skill, it would've been a piece of cake.
Turning around to look at his assailant he saw something he wasn't expecting to see today, a girl that was just a year or two younger than him was facing him with her fist extended outwards it was clear that she was the one who had just launched the ball of fire at him.
An arrogant look was on her face as if no one on this battlefield was her equal and she was above them all, and she seemed to be annoyed that Levi had just dodged her attack.
'Azula!?, well time to speed this whole shit fest up and get it done with.' thought Levi as he observed the precious princess of the fire nation.
"Humph." Azula snorted annoyed as she sent another attack at him.
'Ha-ah, it was a simple rescue mission with no danger involved they said, so how did it turn out like this.' Thought Levi exasperated as he twisted his body to the side dodging another fireball from the princess, and before he could steady himself another one came right after.
'This is going to be a long day.'
***
3 days earlier
In the training barracks of the southern water tribe, a boy who looked to be about 8 years old could be seen training in an open space, sometimes going through a set of movements, obviously meant for hand-to-hand combat and sometimes using his water bending.
It was obviously Levi, currently he was going through a set of graceful movements, repeating them again and again and with each repetition he felt calmer and closer to his element than ever.
This was a movement taught to him by his mentor that his father had arranged for him after he woke up from the bear accident that day and he had been under his tutelage for 3 years now.
Not too far away from him stood his mentor, an old man with long white hair and a full beard covering his face. He was wearing the traditional Southern Water tribe clothes as he stood watching over his student and nodding with a look of praise on his face. Beside him stood Hakoda smiling with a proud expression on his face.
"This kid is a genius hakoda." said the old man with a solemn tone of voice, "And that's an understatement, I have never seen a kid his age so talented, but that's nothing, his learning and adapting abilities are in a whole other level, not to mention his dedication and personality, he never complains and completes all tasks assigned to him perfectly, he's simply the perfect apprentice."
Hearing him speak, Hakoda's smile almost reached his ears, it felt as if he was the one personally receiving the praise. After all, who wouldn't want their kid to be outstanding, and on top of that he was being praised by one of the best water-bending masters in the tribe, maybe even the world, master Tenzin.
"I am glad to hear that Master Tenzin." Said Hakoda in a polite tone, smiling.
"I think I am the one who should be thankful for you instead for bringing me such a kid." retorted Tenzin before continuing, "I am just saying it how I see it. I've never seen someone so talented in all my years, and Even a lot of adults aren't as dedicated as him. If I didn't know any better I'd say he's an old man inside a young boy's body." said Tenzin earning him a chuckle from Hakoda.
Levi who was listening to them on the side as he trained, started to sweat profusely in the background as he heard the last part but he didn't show it on his face and continued his training normally.
Hakoda only smiled helplessly and shook his head, "He had always been like this, even when he was young he didn't cry at all or bother me and his mother, hehe, you could imagine our surprise when we had Sokka and realized that that wasn't the same for all kids." said Hakoda grimacing as if remembering some painful memory.
Levi had never bothered to act like an infant when he was one, it was already degrading enough to have his diapers changed and he didn't want to take it another step forward, so his parents were pretty relaxed when they had him.
"Hahaha I can only imagine, but consider yourself lucky, Kato was never like that. He felt that it was his life's mission to cry every five minutes and make our life miserable." said old man Tenzin who was now known as the head of the guard's father, laughing.
"I guess I am indeed lucky." said Hakoda shaking his head while chuckling before continuing, "Although he never bothered about training or cared about it so much until 3 years ago...sigh ." He said not bothering to elaborate.
Tenzin also understood what he meant and didn't prop him. The Southern Water tribe was big but it wasn't as big as some other tribes or nations so everyone in the tribe knew what had happened with the chief's kids a few years ago.
"About that." Said Tenzin after staying silent for a moment, "I think it is time."
Hearing him, Hakoda's eyes widened as he turned to look at him, his neck almost snapping, he Knew what Tenzin was talking about, "You mean…" he said, not finishing his sentence.
"Yes it's about time for him to experience his real first batt… " saying so Tenzin paused, noticing his mistake before continuing, "... His first real battle against other people I mean, it will be beneficial for him, plus the sooner he's done with it the better it is for him and there won't be that much danger during the next mission. It's perfect for him, what could go wrong?."
"Ha-ah, I guess you're right I'm just being overprotective." said Hakoda, sighing.
"Yes, If it was anybody else I would never dare to send him on a mission this young but your son is different, I am sure you've noticed that already."
Hearing him, Hakoda could only nod, but he would still make sure that his son would be safe during the mission, maybe the other clansmen would say he was biased but so what?
As if he could tell what he was thinking, Tenzin said,"Worry not, don't forget that we of the water tribe are the least afraid of injuries during battles, as long as it isn't fatal we can bring anyone back to full health."
Hearing him Hakoda nodded as he felt some relief, "That's right, as long as we don't run into anything dangerous everything should be fine."
"Alright I'll go get him ready for his first mission, don't you have work to do as the tribe's chief other than worry about your kids all day." said Tenzin with a disapproving expression as he glared at Hakoda
Hakoda was stumped for words, he couldn't retort, he was indeed neglecting his duties, and even as the tribe's chief he respected Tenzin too much to say anything, he could only smile awkwardly and turn around to leave.
Seeing him leave Tenzin nodded approvingly before turning towards Levi, "Alright brat that's enough warm up for today, you can have a 10-minute rest before we start our spare."
'Spare my arse, it's just you abusing the shit out of me.' thought Levi but he didn't dare say it out loud for he learned the hard way that it would result in an even worse beating.
But, he did not know if it was the old man's way of teaching that was working, or because he was a gamer but he improved like never before during the past three years, even faster than he had anticipated.
Moving to the side and sitting on a wooden chair he bended the water straight to his mouth as he started drinking.
'Haaah, nothing beats a sip of refreshing water after a hard workout.'
'Status.' thought Levi calling out in his mind.
***
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