Azula Accidentally Learned a Secret Weapon from An Enemy

In the realm where the four fundamental aspects are not only tangible but also serve as ideologies for conflict and existence, there lies a significant variance in approach between the aggressive Fire Nation and the protective Earth Kingdom. Commanders such as Admiral Zhao, Princess Azula, and King Bumi share similar strategies that align with their element. However, the lines between the elements blurred when Azula adopted Toph Beifong’s tactics of neutral jing and destabilizing opponents before delivering the decisive strike.

Azula outshone Admiral Zhao in their efforts to subdue foreign territories. While Zhao’s ambitious attack on the Northern Water Tribe crumbled due to his angering of the Avatar and other spirits, Azula fared better in Ba Sing Se until its liberation several months later. Unlike Zhao, who acted impulsively, Azula demonstrated patience and precision, which ultimately resulted in her capturing the Earth King’s palace – a feat that mirrored her great-grandfather’s successful application of Earthbending strategies.

How Toph’s Lessons on Neutral Jing & Final Blows Work in Avatar: The Last Airbender

Earthbenders Are the Most Patient Benders in the World

In Avatar: The Last Airbender, both Toph and King Bumi instructed Aang on the mechanics of neutral jing, with Toph additionally teaching him the tactic of unsettling opponents before landing the decisive strike in battle. This strategy was evident when she faced The Boulder in an underground bending arena, humiliating him by demonstrating the basics of Earthbending. It was Toph who delivered the finishing blow, allowing The Boulder to act first and reveal himself with a clumsy, unrefined attack. Essentially, Earthbending suggests that the one who initiates a fight may likely lose, as they provide their opponent with vital information about their actions, enabling the other bender to respond effectively. Earthbenders tend to allow aggressive Earthbenders or Firebenders to make the first move, and then counterattack.

King Bumi instructed Aang to seek a mentor skilled in patience and attentiveness, using tranquil Jing to remain motionless until the opportune moment for an attack. Toph suggested that Aang disorient the opposition with swift attacks followed by a decisive blow, which Aang mastered effectively. In employing Earthbending principles, Aang and Katara attempted to dismantle the Fire Nation drill from within, targeting its numerous supports before Aang struck the exterior with an earth spike, causing catastrophic damage to the entire vehicle. Not even Zuko could thwart Aang’s destruction of his drill using these methods, leaving Azula and her team defeated and demoralized. Faced with such persistence, Azula learned that she too must adapt, as her brash, direct assault on Ba Sing Se was met with a resilient earth-based defense, demonstrating wisdom and patience.

Azula Thought Like an Earthbender to Take Ba Sing Se

Toph’s Lesson to Aang Taught Azula Something in Turn

Toph never explicitly taught Azula any lessons because they were bitter enemies and didn’t want to help each other. However, unintentionally, Toph imparted a crucial lesson to Azula through Aang. Aang learned from Toph how to overcome insurmountable odds using calm and strategic methods, which enabled him to destroy the drill as it was about to breach Ba Sing Se’s outer wall. Azula, in her defeat, discovered that traditional Fire Nation aggression wouldn’t guarantee victory for her. Over time, the Fire Nation had been relying on this strategy, but it eventually reached its limit. Both bending styles and non-bending strategies had their boundaries, so the only way to surpass these limitations was by adopting techniques from other sources, which Azula ultimately did.

If Aang managed to use Toph’s teachings to win a battle with strategic patience, then Azula could apply the same strategy, which was an unexpected move by the Gaang. After the destruction of the drill, the Gaang assumed that Azula had no more strategies left. However, Azula was unlike Admiral Zhao, who focused only on invasion fleets and brute force. Instead, Azula demonstrated a higher level of intelligence by adapting her tactics, making her a more formidable commander than Zhao ever was. This adaptability allowed her to ultimately bring down Ba Sing Se. Her new strategies were reminiscent of Toph’s own, involving the use of neutral jing and working patiently to undermine her enemies from within before delivering the decisive blow.

Azula, accompanied by her companions, infiltrated Ba Sing Se under the guise of Kyoshi Warriors and met Earth King Kuei. Unlike their earlier retreat or attempted sneak attack within the city, they chose instead to bide their time. As the Gaang carried out their actions freely, Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai strategically set up the pieces to overthrow the king. In league with Minister Long Feng, Azula utilized the existing turmoil in Ba Sing Se to expedite her plans. The Dai Li were on Azula’s side, capturing five top-ranking generals of the king to stage a coup and further destabilize the city. With both King Kuei and Long Feng under arrest, Azula prepared for the decisive strike.

In summary, Azula teamed up with her brother Zuko in their attack against the Gaang within the catacombs, simultaneously aiming to capture Iroh. After the king’s departure, the battle ended. Azula, utilizing the Dai Li, opened the walls of Ba Sing Se from within, allowing the Fire Nation army to enter without encountering resistance. Recognizing that a frontal assault wouldn’t allow her to conquer the city, Azula employed a strategy similar to Aang’s in the drill battle. She admitted that she was as cunning as she was patient, which is how the war began according to her own account. The invasion by Sozin didn’t commence until Avatar Roku had perished and the comet returned, ensuring that everything was aligned for an attack on the Air Nomads. This strategic move gave the Fire Nation a favorable start in the war, but as time passed, this advantage was lost—until Azula reestablished it at Ba Sing Se.

Azula Lost Her Earthbending Advantage, & Ba Sing Se Was Liberated

Temporary Victory Made the Fire Nation Sloppy at the Most Critical Hour

During the course of the Hundred-Year War, the tide of battle fluctuated dramatically. Initially, the Fire Nation achieved a significant triumph by annihilating most of the Air Nomads, with Aang being the only exception. However, the war evolved into a prolonged conflict that benefited the Northern Water Tribe and particularly the Earth Kingdom. Despite consistent advancements, the Fire Nation failed to deliver a decisive blow. The Earth Kingdom proved resilient, and as viewers witnessed, the capture of Ba Sing Se did not bring an end to the war. As history has shown in conflicts such as the First Punic War and Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, victory isn’t truly achieved until the opposing side admits defeat. Examples include Carthage and Napoleon failing to deliver a final blow to adversaries who were on the brink of collapse.

In a similar fashion, Azula encountered overconfidence and failure in her attempt to conquer Ba Sing Se by pure force. However, she eventually seized the city using Earthbending methods, only to lose her advantage again. This pattern of overconfidence extended to Fire Lord Ozai and the entire Fire Nation, who reverted back to their usual brutal tactics, creating an opportunity for the Earth Kingdom. Azula and the Fire Nation leaders grew complacent with their perceived victory, even inciting the anger of their adversaries. Just as Ozai aimed to consume the world as the Phoenix King, Aang intervened at a crucial juncture to prevent him. The White Lotus subsequently freed Ba Sing Se, nullifying all of Azula’s tactical advantages when her uncle led the counterattack. In the end, it was the strategic patience and timing of the White Lotus that proved most effective in their battle against the Fire Nation.

2025-05-04 04:43