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| "Look at you, killer! Guess you're more than some pampered prince." |
| — Kozaru expressing admiration after Sozin took his first life.[1] |
Kozaru was a Fire National criminal and mercenary who served as an agent of Sozin when the latter was still a prince. As part of his personal team, she played a major role in the Lambak Island conflict and consequently became one of the young royal's close advisors alongside Dalisay.
History[]
Kozaru's familial background was in the Fire Nation's criminal underworld; she once stated that she had been raised by "thieves and bandits and mercenaries".[2] Over time, she developed connections to various shady figures across the world, including the Earth Kingdom.[3][4]
Kozaru came to the attention of Sozin when she defeated one of his firebending teachers in an Agni Kai. Recognizing her as a skilled fighter, the prince contemplated recruiting her; at the time, Sozin's friend Roku argued that against this idea, reasoning that Kozaru seemed like "the kind of person who'd slit your throat for a silver piece and a healthy pig-chicken". However, the prince opted to enlist Kozaru for the same reason, believing that she would be a valuable and unquestioning ally as long as she was well paid.[1] She agreed to work for him, and the prince claimed that he would pay her family if she ever died during a job.[2]
In 66 BG, Sozin organized a secretive mission with Kozaru and another agent, Dalisay, a scientist. The team subsequently departed the Fire Nation mainland on a pirate ship, travelling undercover to a disputed island. The prince did not tell the others the true purpose of their journey. To spend the time, Sozin and his companions played Pai Sho. Kozaru quickly lost her games to him, as she had neither any skill nor interest in the game.[1]
Soon after, the ship happened upon the strange, isolated island they had sought. Dalisay accompanied Sozin and Kozaru ashore. There, the group searched for a village about which Sozin had read, only to chance upon two Earth Kingdom soldiers. The Fire Nationals immediately attacked, with Dalisay and Kozaru killing one and Sozin the other. To avoid a political fallout, Sozin then ordered the group to return to the pirate ship as he tried to figure out a way to claim the island for the Fire Nation.[1] Sozin subsequently attempted to manipulate his old friend, Avatar Roku, to aid his plans. When these early attempts failed due to Roku declining to intervene, the disappointed prince asked Kozaru to recruit an earthbending criminal to stage a fake attack on the Avatar. This attack was supposed to deceive Roku into believing that Earth King Jialun was trying to kill him to prevent him from aiding Sozin. The operation went as planned, causing the Avatar to finally agree to help the prince. However, the fake attack had almost killed the Avatar in earnest and also endangered Ta Min.[3]
Meanwhile, Kozaru and Dalisay accompanied Sozin to another mission, this time intended to find Wan Shi Tong's Library in the Si Wong Desert. As they were preparing desert expedition in the Misty Palms Oasis, the group received various letters, including information about the alleged assassination attempt on Roku. Sozin then gave Kozaru money for her associate, though less than agreed due to the operation's "sloppy" execution. Kozaru did not overly protest against this payment reduction.[3]
Appearance[]
Kozaru was a muscular woman with several burn scars. She had short hair.[1]
Personality[]
Having experienced a brutal childhood,[2] Kozaru was a ruthless and amoral, yet also mild and observant person. Despite her dubious background and reputation, she was generally honest to others: She earnestly stated her views to anyone interested in them, regardless of status, holding back neither scorn nor admiration nor disinterest.[1][2] She respected strength and a willingness to get one's hands dirty, praising Sozin for killing a company guard.[1]
Her attitude was often misunderstood by others –including Sozin– as bluntness or lack of intelligence and social skills.[1][4][2] In truth, Kozaru was very perceptive; unlike many others, the mercenary realized Sozin's willingness to do anything to achieve his goals, including the murder of allies and friends, and his potential to become a despotic tyrant.[2] Despite this recognition, Kozaru was still willing to support Sozin, seemingly not caring for the future of the wider Fire Nation or the world as long she got paid.[2] To some degree, she also respected Sozin as her nation's future leader, though she also felt no strong affection for him.[2][5]
Abilities[]
Kozaru was a powerful firebender.[1] She had also access to a wide network of underground associates, using it to aid Sozin's plans.[3][4]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Ribay, Randy (author). (July 23, 2024). Chapter Three, "A Way Through". The Reckoning of Roku. Amulet Books.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Ribay, Randy (author). (July 23, 2024). Chapter Forty-Nine, "Come Back For The Body". The Reckoning of Roku. Amulet Books.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ribay, Randy (author). (July 23, 2024). Chapter Eight, "Ash in the Air". The Reckoning of Roku. Amulet Books.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ribay, Randy (author). (July 23, 2024). Epilogue. The Reckoning of Roku. Amulet Books.
- ↑ Ribay, Randy (author). (July 23, 2024). Chapter Thirty-Nine, "That Oh-So-Smooth Melon". The Reckoning of Roku. Amulet Books.