Chapter 42.6- And so the Dragons Danced

Jeong-Jeong and Natsu exchanged fiery blows at a speed that most would have struggled to keep up with. So far, Toji had found the white haired man to be the least impressive of Natsu’s assailants- not including the Earthbender who clearly didn’t belong in a fight of this level- bu it was turning out that the man had hidden depths of power that were just waiting to be unleashed. Natsu’s green flames overwhelmed Jeong-Jeong’s when the two men punched at each other at the same time, but the white haired man managed to dodge out of the way of the slowed attack with ease.

His fingers lashed out, sending flames spearing at Natsu faster than Toji had ever seen any of Natsu’s attacks move. Natsu, ready for it, spun his hands in a circle in front of him, blocking the attack in an explosion of green flames. Iroh barged into the fight by shoulder-checking Natsu just after he’d managed to dash into the white haired man’s guard.

Natsu took the hit with grace, only stumbling for a few seconds before he found his feet again. Iroh opened his mouth and sent a sea of flames at Natsu that his friend cut in half with all the ease of a hot knife parting a stick of butter. He retaliated with multiple lances of green flames, but both men made sure to dodge after they’d seen the destruction that Natsu’s green flames could cause. The rock garden had seen its fair share of damage from the spars between Natsu and their favourite psychotic princess, but now the statues could barely even be recognized for what they were. Natsu had blown up an even dozen since Toji got in place to begin watching, and looking around told him that quite a lot of destruction had pre-dated his arrival.

“Jeong-Jeong, step back. I must do this.” Iroh suddenly said.

Natsu tilted his head as the white haired man took a few steps backwards, basically withdrawing from the fight.

“Nuh-uh. I didn’t consent to this. Come back in. This old man won’t last a few seconds dancing with me alone” He said, speaking to Jeong-Jeong while pointing at Iroh. The former General, as unflappable as he had a reputation for being, clearly had never had to deal with someone like Natsu before.

“I am Iroh, Son of Azulon and Ilah. General of the Fire Nation. Dragon of the West. The last Dragonslayer. You dare to talk down at me, boy” His voice boomed in an act that would have intimidated most others- Natsu just mimed picking at his ears for wax. Toji almost actually began clapping. That was masterful.

“You will die, Natsu Wu. I wish I could say that I would take no pleasure in this, but I will say a prayer for you when you are gone and I make my penance.”

“Do you think I’ll get to call myself a dragonslayer when I kill you? Natsu the dragonslayer has a ring to it, don’t you think? In fact, I think it sounds just perfectly right to me. Come at me, Old man. Give me your best, and when I kill you, the world might remember your last gasp if I will it.