Ozai dies while Zuko is still in recovery. The investigation is relentless, but a killer is never found, until the new Fire Lord Iroh finally, in a mournful tone that only some believe, puts a stop to it. There are rumors of foul play on his end. No one dares to speak them.
Iroh is sitting by Zuko’s bedside, unable to look at the bandages around his eye without shaking, when Azula enters clean of blood but for the still-wet splatter on her clothes. She doesn’t acknowledge his presence at all, as she coos her to her brother’s unconscious body, “You’re safe now, Zuzu. I took care of it.”
No other words are exchanged in the room that day. Azula is eleven years old and cleverer than everyone in the palace, with friends as protective and dangerous as her, and Iroh has never seen eye-to-eye with her niece, but he at least understands this.
Zuko asks about his father only once.