Just as Azula had said, Ozai was indeed delighted.
Not only had they sent Zhengzheng, who had come to the rescue, back in defeat, they had even beaten him into a desperate retreat and captured the reinforcements he had brought along. Such an achievement far surpassed simply capturing a small fry like Devin.
Before his defection, Zhengzheng had been one of the Fire Nation's undisputed Firebending Masters, a naval admiral with immense power and standing. After his defection, he had become its most wanted fugitive, his movements unfathomable and the Fire Nation powerless to deal with him.
In either capacity, the name Zhengzheng carried considerable prestige and influence in the Fire Nation, and he had long been one of the thorns in Ozai's heart.
Yet such a formidable enemy had suffered a setback at the hands of his own daughter, Azula. How could he not be delighted?
His only regret was that Azula had not killed Zhengzheng outright and had let him escape. Who knew whether another opportunity this good would ever come?
Of course, even the harshest person could not demand that a little girl not yet twelve kill a veteran Firebending Master. Azula's performance had already satisfied him.
Although Azula's strength was still somewhat lacking, he believed that in just a few more years, she would surely become his greatest mainstay.
He had not forgotten Kahn, either. After all, this time, Azula and Kahn had actually driven Zhengzheng back together.
Kahn's performance had never disappointed him thus far. In strength and talent, he was fully Azula's equal. He could only say that Kahn lived up to being Iroh's personal disciple. That fellow Iroh did have something of an eye for talent.
And the thought that Iroh's disciple was now working for him, even turning around to wipe out