"Each team consists of three Bending Masters who practice different types of bending. Victory is achieved by knocking the opposing team off the arena. The arena is divided into six zones, with each side occupying three."
Before the match, Kahn browsed the Pro-Bending Tournament's rules. Although Korra had explained some of them, her introduction had not been comprehensive.
After giving the rules a quick read, Kahn rubbed his chin and said:
"There are a lot of restrictions. I thought it would be a duel like an Agni Kai."
The Agni Kai was the Fire Nation's traditional dueling ritual. Aside from the unspoken understanding that neither party would take the other's life, there were no restrictions, making it essentially equivalent to actual combat.
This competition was different. Opponents could not be knocked off either side, attacks could only be dodged within designated zones, only basic bending forms were allowed, attacks could not last longer than three seconds, and so on.
The restrictions made Kahn frown as he read them. Having never watched a match, he struggled to imagine what fighting under so many restrictions would look like.
Just then, a slender hand caressed Kahn's cheek, turning his head until his eyes met those of the hand's owner.
Azula asked with a smile:
"The match hasn't even started, and you're already frowning. What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing. This competition might just be a little different from what I imagined."
"How do you know when you haven't even watched it?"
"I took a look at the rules, so-"
Kahn shrugged as he spoke.
Azula, however, thought little of it. "Let's watch it first."
"Welcome, everyone, to the quarterfinal qualifiers of the Pro-Bending Tournament!"
"First, let me introduce today's teams. The Fire Ferrets-!!!"
"They're unquestionably a rookie team, but they began making a