Torao is seven when Li Xia is hired as his firebending tutor. His mother hopes the Li can coax more power from him, his father hopes she can teach him the skill necessary to learn how to use white fire.

His parents have taught him to firebend ever since he was born, and he refuses to learn from a stranger.

Li Xia takes one look at the stubborn mouth on the daimyo's second son, and the next day she brings back a younger cousin.

"Li Zhao hasn't any firebending talent worth mentioning," she announces loudly, "so a daimyo's son had better be able to keep up with him."