The next day, after saying goodbye to the Swamp Water Tribe, Kahn and Aang's group left the Swamp on Appa, heading deeper into the Earth Kingdom.
Although Appa was a magical animal, he was still a creature of flesh and blood. His flying speed fell far short of Four Directions, a Deity, but riding him felt steady, which was something of a novelty to Kahn.
Aang sat on Appa's large head, steering, while Kahn, Katara, and Sokka sat on his back. Katara was explaining their upcoming itinerary to Kahn.
"Aang needs to master the four kinds of Bending in the order of air, water, earth, and fire. Only after mastering all four will he have the strength to stand against the Fire Nation. Before this, Aang and I studied Waterbending in the Northern Water Tribe. Next, we need to find him an Earthbending teacher."
After listening, Kahn asked:
"If Aang needs an Earthbending teacher, why not go to Omashu? The city's ruler, Master Bumi, is one of the foremost Earthbending masters."
"Actually, we've already been there."
Katara said helplessly:
"Omashu has already fallen to the Fire Nation, and they've captured Master Bumi, too."
"Master Bumi was captured?!"
Kahn exclaimed in surprise at the news.
Although he had not spent much time with Bumi, with that exquisitely skillful Earthbending of his, Kahn found it hard to imagine who could possibly capture him-unless Bumi himself wanted to stay.
Sure enough, Sokka, who had been putting on a cool, aloof air nearby, finally could not resist complaining:
"That old man could clearly still use his Bending, but he deliberately let himself get captured. I really don't understand what he's trying to do."
Aang was somewhat puzzled as well, but he still defended his friend:
"Although I don't really understand either, I think Bumi