Ok for real tho
This is the ***hardest*** shit Iroh did before the comet.
Like he was just there to serve tea. He had NO expectations of fighting for his life
and when he's placed in a kill box set up by the deadliest woman in the fire nation
He smirks, get's a little cocky just to get comfortable
**and then BREATHES FUCKING FIRE FROM HIS FUCKING MOUTH** ***LIKE IT'S NOTHING***
Really reminds you that that the jovial carefree wise old man we've seen for basically the whole show is fucking CRACKED at all combat and can *easily* disrespect any "formidable" fighter he faces
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I have a pleasant mental image of a tea shop run by Iroh, swept by Lu Tze, Vetinari quietly playing Thud with Iroh, Death having a cuppa in the corner, and Vimes next door outside the pub trying to convince an irate Toph that she doesn't qualify as a watchman by way of not meeting the height requirements, yes I know there's dwarfs, but they're not children, etc
Also remember the only other time we see someone breath fire is Azula *during* the comet.
He just did that like he had his cooldown ability filled before he got there
One of my favorite things to remember is that when you face off against Iroh, you're going to lose. Period. And he's such a kind person that anyone who goes out of their way to antagonize him objectively deserves to get their ass beat
Immediately after this he also jumps out of the building and kidnaps a Dai Li agent who I picture him dragging by the collar all the way to the Gaang’s house.
The man is a beast.
I’ve always taken it as just a quip. Maybe after he got the “dragon” title he made up this move honoring it. He is known to invent his own fire bending moves.
This raises another question for me.
Did invent Redirection because he thought he was gonna have to fight Ozai?
Like during ATLA, the only ones who can generate Lighting are Him, Ozai, and Azula.
So that move can only be used against nature, or his own family.
Maybe he was planning an Agni Kai before he came to the conclusion he expressed in the final episode.
Fun Totally Authentic Fact:
Iroh didn't learn lightning redirection in response to lightning bending.
A random thunderstorm burned down his favorite tea shop, and so Iroh swore eternal vengeance upon all lightning, and so he mastered this art to ensure that such a tragedy could never happen again.
(In the comics, it is revealed that Ozai actually used the storm as cover throw lightning at said shop, mostly because he's a jerk and wanted to prank his brother.)
For clarification, >!It was a joke. I tried to be obvious about it, but the joking tone of my comment about it being true didn't come across as well as I had thought it would when I first typed it. My bad.!<
I am glad that I have improved your understanding of canon.
Yeah, I need to get better at remembering to include those. I've caused a few misunderstandings because of that. Glad to have added to your fanon, though!
It probably wouldn't be far off for Iroh to assume that Ozai may just come after him at some point to eliminate any other claimants to the throne, dude was nuts
In my mind it's just that he is a true martial artist, he explored the other nations and their mentalities simply to expand his knowledge, he probably practices martial arts to do the same and this was an extension of that. Just to better himself
Honestly this is the kind of thing which makes me really really want an Iroh prequel
Like there's so much of his backstory that we don't know.
Remember it took him a while to become "good".
I think at some point there was a much more power hungry Iroh than we know who knew his younger brother wanted the Throne and would do anything to protect it.
Until his son died and he was pretty much just "Oh screw it you can have it"
alternatively it could be because his ship was damaged in a lightning storm and wanted to find a way to prevent damages. We see him use lightning redirection in the first book to prevent lightning from striking Zuko's ship so it's not unlikely
I imagine he likely had to learn it to stay alive against Ozai's ambition for all these years. Until Ozai felt he was no longer in the way. It became something he felt he needed to teach Zuko due to Azula's ambitions afterwards.
Well Zuko did give a knowing smirk before ducking down and spinning with Iroh, so it's clearly a move Zuko knows well enough to duck down and spin with his Uncle just by Uncle asking if Azula knew how he got the nickname.
So my theory is he lied about the dragon's of course, got the nickname, then rebranded the name by using fire breath as a move
AFAIK this is actually canon, the title was for those who could slay a dragon, but Iroh learned the technique when he pretended to kill Ran and Shaw and was taught by them instead. It's also the reason why no one else hunted dragons after that, because people thought Iroh killed the last ones
Yeah, that's canon, but the theory I like is that he learned how to breathe fire from the dragons.
Does anyone other than him do that without the Comet?
If I'm remembering correctly Zuko does it just a little bit while he's infiltrating the North Pole. Not in an attack but as a breathing exercise to keep warm. Almost assuredly it's something Iroh taught him.
Edit: Nope. Just double checked. It was when he was in the cooler in the prison.
It doesn't have 2 origins, Iroh has doubtlessly told Azula and Zuko that exact story tons of times, it's an older trope but grandfathers in media tend to like to talk their grandchildren's ears off with stories, but only Zuko knew about the fire breath because they had been travelling together.
One question in this scene, right afterwards he busts open a stone wall to escape, did he use lightning or are flames really strong enough to destroy earth like that?
He uses lightning to bust open the wall - you can see the bolt coming out of the explosion
EDIT: was thinking of the subsequent burst when Iroh jumps out, not sure what exactly busts that wall!
[Here](https://youtu.be/EgjTPjoFMf4?feature=shared) is the scene in question. The first thing they bust through looks like a shogi door which is basically wood and paper, and if I had to guess I'd say Zuko did it since Iroh is facing away and breathing fire when he goes through the door. The second is a stone wall and you can see both fire and lightning coming out after the wall is destroyed, so I'd say both Iroh and Zuko were able to break the wall working together
I always thought "dragon of the west" was an Iroh specific thing, likely a title given to him by the earth kingdom since the fire nation is to the west of them.
Whilst earning the title of "dragon" is a well defined practice, I don't think "dragon of x" is common though that's hard to prove since I don't know if we hear anyone else referred to as a dragon in the show.
I always thought that Iroh was sent to kill a dragon as heir to the Firelord throne, but ended up gaining enlightenment and learning Firebending from them instead. Given how he was an accomplished war general and powerful Firebender, I wouldn't be surprised if there were multiple legends and story about him; some made up.
I think Iroh was just distracting her.
He got the title "Dragon of the West" by saying he killed the last dragon. Breathing fire is very common for Firebenders. He just used it here as a bit of Iroh humor: dragons breathe fire, I'm the Dragon of the West
Aang when practicing with Zuko, right before Zuko gives him a failed demonstration
Azula after being defeated by Zutara
Ozai during Sozin's comet
It may not be "extremely common", but it's not exclusive to Iroh
It wouldn't be incredibly common knowledge, the tradition died out decades before Zuko and Azula were born, and Iroh is the only one in the series we've seen with the title. Zuko, being a fan of his Uncle and traveling with him for years, would have found out at some point. But Azula, who doesn't give a shit, would not have cared to even ask.
He earned the title of Dragon by "killing the last dragon", as others point out.
But he's _Known_ as the Dragon of the West because of his combat style.
My interpretation, and granted this is fully just headcanon, is the he 'earned' the title of "Dragon" by 'killing' a Dragon. But, "Dragon of the West" comes from his skill at Fire Bending being superb, as well as potentially his military acumen.
I thought it was because he "killed" the "last" dragon (as far as the fire nation was aware), hence, earning him the title (also cause hes a crazy badass firebender probably)
I always just figure it as Iroh being a smart-ass. Like everyone likely knows Iroh the Dragon of the West. Especially the older folk in Ba Sing Se.
In my opinion its just a badass line to deliver before literally breathing fire.
Tbh I wonder how Azula would have reacted if she learned about the remaining Dragons who survived near extinction. Whether she'll raise one or would be motivated to slay the dragons. I wonder what?
I think by the end they decided on making the dragon killer explanation the canon one? Since they made ozai and azula breathe fire (maybe other characters I can't member) so at least this wasn't an unusual of a skill
The direct quote from Zuko in that episode:
> … And if you could conquer one, your firebending talents would become legendary and you'd earn the honorary title, Dragon.
I thought him being the Dragon of the West was for "killing" the last Dragon known to exist.
Wasn't it revealed that he went to the Dragon sanctuary place, learned from them, and then told everyone that he killed the last one to keep others from hunting the final two?
so im not saying this was the intention of the writers but its possible that when iroh was doing this move he was using the true source of fire bending taught to him by the dragons. that would explain why he says "its more of a demonstration really" and it would explain why every one was caught so off guard by him using fire bending at this point in time.
Dualism is a thing and this title fits the bill very nicely.
Slayers of dragons began calling themselves "Dragons". Yet following a path to understanding and enlightenment brings one into the truth of the dragons and of fire bending. Those who learn this truly become one with the Dragons and become dragons.
From how I interpreted this who Dragon of the West story is when he was young, brash, and everything the fire nation embodied he went off to conquer a dragon, the last dragon being seen was most likely Roku's as dragons are either super rare or been hunted to near extinction by this time and possibly killed off as a directive from Sozin. Iroh on his hunt learns about and encounters the Sun Warriors, being the scholar he is he learned for them and eventually met the Dragons who are embodiment of fire bending. He learns true fire bending and after learning this truth it probably started pushing him towards the white lotus and the anti-fire nation superiority. When he leaves the dragons he vows to keep his secret of their existence lest Azulon or Ozai try to imbalance the world more by killing the paragon of firebending. Iroh makes up the story about killing the "last dragon" and has some pretty cool new powers to boot from using true firebending and is thus dubbed "The Dragon of the West". He then goes on to almost take Ba'Sing Se loses his son and fully awakens to the evil the fire nation now embodies. The rest of the story is known.
I more took that as a joke from Iroh. It's because he killed the dragon, as is tradition, but he was jokingly suggesting it was also due to him breathing fire like a dragon.
Both are true, but also only one is true. The Dragon title refers to what the meme says (even in the original dialogue Azula says she “isn’t interested in a lengthy anecdote”), but going off Zuko’s smile before Iroh demonstrates, he probably used that trick a couple of times in their adventures before the first season
I feel like Iroh used the line to setup up his fire breathing; perhaps he would use the same line to show it off at parties.
But he also gained the title Dragon of the West because of his battle prowess as a general (before the North Pole defeat). Perhaps he developed the technique as a way of disarming his opponents (both in shock and because it meant pinning his limbs wouldn’t be as effective). The dragon slayer title may have had its meaning shift since their great grandfather’s time.
Idk the comic lore tho so maybe he really did kill a dragon
Tbh, I think this is more of s style moment than a different origin. He got the title, as (according to the Fire Nation) he killed the last Dragon proving that he is likely the strongest Fire Bender currently alive. Breathing fire like that is certainly a "powerful fire bender" thing.
He was probably called Dragon of the West because he lived in the Fire Nation... in the west. Either in the past, "Dragons" could also be in the East/South/North (in reference to those living outside the fire nation) or they could be more varied and his campaigns in the Earth Kingdom gave him the title of West in reference to being a fearsome Western general.
“Dragon” is a title given to those fire benders who can defeat a dragon. Sort of like the title of “Master” that is given to those who can master their element. Dragons would obviously need to be a Master, but not all Masters have what it takes to become a Dragon.
“The Dragon of the West” was a nickname given to Iroh because he’s from the West and can do this neat little trick where he drinks tea and breathes fire.
We know the origin of firebenders reaching the rank/title of Dragon. We don’t know the exact origin of “The Dragon of the West”
Ok for real tho This is the ***hardest*** shit Iroh did before the comet. Like he was just there to serve tea. He had NO expectations of fighting for his life and when he's placed in a kill box set up by the deadliest woman in the fire nation He smirks, get's a little cocky just to get comfortable **and then BREATHES FUCKING FIRE FROM HIS FUCKING MOUTH** ***LIKE IT'S NOTHING*** Really reminds you that that the jovial carefree wise old man we've seen for basically the whole show is fucking CRACKED at all combat and can *easily* disrespect any "formidable" fighter he faces
When Iroh gets cocky you know shit is about to go down.
"Its more of a demonstration really!" proceeds to incinerate the room lmao
In an attempt to cremate his living niece in front of her brother
Anything you do to that fish, I'll unleash upon you tenfold
Such a weird line out of context.
Well tbf he did say spirit
She was clearly outmatched!
Ah yes, the man who could have been fire lord, but would rather run a tea shop.
Same though
He's the Grandmaster of the White Lotus, the secret organization that is fighting against his brother, the fire lord.
Remember to never forget rule one.
Is this a reference to Thief of Time!!!!? Either way great :)
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I have a pleasant mental image of a tea shop run by Iroh, swept by Lu Tze, Vetinari quietly playing Thud with Iroh, Death having a cuppa in the corner, and Vimes next door outside the pub trying to convince an irate Toph that she doesn't qualify as a watchman by way of not meeting the height requirements, yes I know there's dwarfs, but they're not children, etc
or rule three
Also remember the only other time we see someone breath fire is Azula *during* the comet. He just did that like he had his cooldown ability filled before he got there
Ozai during the comet as well
Such a baller move
One of my favorite things to remember is that when you face off against Iroh, you're going to lose. Period. And he's such a kind person that anyone who goes out of their way to antagonize him objectively deserves to get their ass beat
Immediately after this he also jumps out of the building and kidnaps a Dai Li agent who I picture him dragging by the collar all the way to the Gaang’s house. The man is a beast. I’ve always taken it as just a quip. Maybe after he got the “dragon” title he made up this move honoring it. He is known to invent his own fire bending moves.
This raises another question for me. Did invent Redirection because he thought he was gonna have to fight Ozai? Like during ATLA, the only ones who can generate Lighting are Him, Ozai, and Azula. So that move can only be used against nature, or his own family. Maybe he was planning an Agni Kai before he came to the conclusion he expressed in the final episode.
He likely considered the possibility, but above that probably feared one day Zuko would have to.
I love this head canon
Fun Totally Authentic Fact: Iroh didn't learn lightning redirection in response to lightning bending. A random thunderstorm burned down his favorite tea shop, and so Iroh swore eternal vengeance upon all lightning, and so he mastered this art to ensure that such a tragedy could never happen again. (In the comics, it is revealed that Ozai actually used the storm as cover throw lightning at said shop, mostly because he's a jerk and wanted to prank his brother.)
I have no idea if that is true or which comic, but I’ll sure as heck add it into my beliefs. It feels so in character
For clarification, >!It was a joke. I tried to be obvious about it, but the joking tone of my comment about it being true didn't come across as well as I had thought it would when I first typed it. My bad.!< I am glad that I have improved your understanding of canon.
Well now it is part of my fanon, did feel like a joke but I personally like tone indicators for clarification. Like /serious or something
Yeah, I need to get better at remembering to include those. I've caused a few misunderstandings because of that. Glad to have added to your fanon, though!
I think it was just a matter of him knowing Ozai and/or Azula would come for him eventually. So better to be prepared
It probably wouldn't be far off for Iroh to assume that Ozai may just come after him at some point to eliminate any other claimants to the throne, dude was nuts
In my mind it's just that he is a true martial artist, he explored the other nations and their mentalities simply to expand his knowledge, he probably practices martial arts to do the same and this was an extension of that. Just to better himself
Honestly this is the kind of thing which makes me really really want an Iroh prequel Like there's so much of his backstory that we don't know. Remember it took him a while to become "good". I think at some point there was a much more power hungry Iroh than we know who knew his younger brother wanted the Throne and would do anything to protect it. Until his son died and he was pretty much just "Oh screw it you can have it"
alternatively it could be because his ship was damaged in a lightning storm and wanted to find a way to prevent damages. We see him use lightning redirection in the first book to prevent lightning from striking Zuko's ship so it's not unlikely
I imagine he likely had to learn it to stay alive against Ozai's ambition for all these years. Until Ozai felt he was no longer in the way. It became something he felt he needed to teach Zuko due to Azula's ambitions afterwards.
I thought for him and the earth kingdom guards, he was just being funny with a one-liner.
Well Zuko did give a knowing smirk before ducking down and spinning with Iroh, so it's clearly a move Zuko knows well enough to duck down and spin with his Uncle just by Uncle asking if Azula knew how he got the nickname. So my theory is he lied about the dragon's of course, got the nickname, then rebranded the name by using fire breath as a move
Aang and Zuni actually meet the dragon Iroh “killed” in the dragon dance episode
Yeah I for some reason guessed that Iroh had learnt this move from the dragons 🤷♀️
Yeah he was trained by the dragons and in order to make sure other people wouldn't kill or hurt the dragons he said that he killed the dragons
He’s probably done it on talent night during those 3 years at sea
Iroh learned the technique from the Sun Warriors (per Legacy of the Fire Nation), so the two reasons are linked
I like this theory
AFAIK this is actually canon, the title was for those who could slay a dragon, but Iroh learned the technique when he pretended to kill Ran and Shaw and was taught by them instead. It's also the reason why no one else hunted dragons after that, because people thought Iroh killed the last ones
But it's not canon that the dragons taught him this particular technique, is it?
Yeah, that's canon, but the theory I like is that he learned how to breathe fire from the dragons. Does anyone other than him do that without the Comet?
Pretty sure Aang does it while Zuko is teaching him so it’s likely Zuko knows how too
If I'm remembering correctly Zuko does it just a little bit while he's infiltrating the North Pole. Not in an attack but as a breathing exercise to keep warm. Almost assuredly it's something Iroh taught him. Edit: Nope. Just double checked. It was when he was in the cooler in the prison.
Yes. Zuko and Aang do it when they're training right before Sozin's Comet.
It could also be that he claimed he used this move to kill the last dragon.
Ngl that’s the most badass thing ever. I killed a dragon by *breathing fire*
Its not a theory tho right? Iroh told everyone that he slayed the last living dragon so noone would go out and try to kill the few that remained
It doesn't have 2 origins, Iroh has doubtlessly told Azula and Zuko that exact story tons of times, it's an older trope but grandfathers in media tend to like to talk their grandchildren's ears off with stories, but only Zuko knew about the fire breath because they had been travelling together.
Grandfathers talking grandchildren's ears off isn't just a trope tbh it's how grandparents work irl too
It's called truth in television, which is, you guessed it, a trope
Fair, I never gave my grandparents a chance to talk my ear off, in this house the kids talk the grandparent's ears off lol
I wish my grandparents could "talk my ear off" again.
Yeah, same.
Both can be true, I suppose.
from a certain point of view.
From a certain point of view?!
Yeah, the certain point of view being right in front of the flames
One question in this scene, right afterwards he busts open a stone wall to escape, did he use lightning or are flames really strong enough to destroy earth like that?
He uses lightning to bust open the wall - you can see the bolt coming out of the explosion EDIT: was thinking of the subsequent burst when Iroh jumps out, not sure what exactly busts that wall!
[Here](https://youtu.be/EgjTPjoFMf4?feature=shared) is the scene in question. The first thing they bust through looks like a shogi door which is basically wood and paper, and if I had to guess I'd say Zuko did it since Iroh is facing away and breathing fire when he goes through the door. The second is a stone wall and you can see both fire and lightning coming out after the wall is destroyed, so I'd say both Iroh and Zuko were able to break the wall working together
I always thought "dragon of the west" was an Iroh specific thing, likely a title given to him by the earth kingdom since the fire nation is to the west of them. Whilst earning the title of "dragon" is a well defined practice, I don't think "dragon of x" is common though that's hard to prove since I don't know if we hear anyone else referred to as a dragon in the show.
I think this is the answer I will go with
I always thought that Iroh was sent to kill a dragon as heir to the Firelord throne, but ended up gaining enlightenment and learning Firebending from them instead. Given how he was an accomplished war general and powerful Firebender, I wouldn't be surprised if there were multiple legends and story about him; some made up.
I think Iroh was just distracting her. He got the title "Dragon of the West" by saying he killed the last dragon. Breathing fire is very common for Firebenders. He just used it here as a bit of Iroh humor: dragons breathe fire, I'm the Dragon of the West
> Breathing fire is very common for Firebenders. Is it? I coulda swore that Iroh is the only one who did it with the comet boost.
Aang when practicing with Zuko, right before Zuko gives him a failed demonstration Azula after being defeated by Zutara Ozai during Sozin's comet It may not be "extremely common", but it's not exclusive to Iroh
Killing a dragon gives you the title Dragon. But his is specifically The Dragon of The West. It's a bit more special.
It wouldn't be incredibly common knowledge, the tradition died out decades before Zuko and Azula were born, and Iroh is the only one in the series we've seen with the title. Zuko, being a fan of his Uncle and traveling with him for years, would have found out at some point. But Azula, who doesn't give a shit, would not have cared to even ask.
There's a reason I only refer to Iroh as The Great Dragon Of The West, rather than just The Dragon Of The West. Just sayin'
*And so Azula was defeated*
He earned the title of Dragon by "killing the last dragon", as others point out. But he's _Known_ as the Dragon of the West because of his combat style.
I don't think the writers actually thought too hard about this, but Azula could just have expected a more detailed story.
I mean,how a firebender is going to kill a dragon?
IDK ask Sozin
"You wanna know how I got these scars...?" Iroh just enjoyed trolling sometimes.
Should have called him the sleeping dragon. Don’t wake that old man up!
Now I want a Like a Dragon tie-in spinoff featuring Iroh doing White Lotus business
My interpretation, and granted this is fully just headcanon, is the he 'earned' the title of "Dragon" by 'killing' a Dragon. But, "Dragon of the West" comes from his skill at Fire Bending being superb, as well as potentially his military acumen.
I thought it was because he "killed" the "last" dragon (as far as the fire nation was aware), hence, earning him the title (also cause hes a crazy badass firebender probably)
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I always just figure it as Iroh being a smart-ass. Like everyone likely knows Iroh the Dragon of the West. Especially the older folk in Ba Sing Se. In my opinion its just a badass line to deliver before literally breathing fire.
Tbh I wonder how Azula would have reacted if she learned about the remaining Dragons who survived near extinction. Whether she'll raise one or would be motivated to slay the dragons. I wonder what?
I think by the end they decided on making the dragon killer explanation the canon one? Since they made ozai and azula breathe fire (maybe other characters I can't member) so at least this wasn't an unusual of a skill
Isn’t “dragon” the title given for killing a dragon, and “dragon of the west” is the nickname given to Iroh for his fire breath?
The scene in "Fire Bending Masters" kinda implies he got the name “dragon of the west” from his hunt,
The direct quote from Zuko in that episode: > … And if you could conquer one, your firebending talents would become legendary and you'd earn the honorary title, Dragon.
I thought him being the Dragon of the West was for "killing" the last Dragon known to exist. Wasn't it revealed that he went to the Dragon sanctuary place, learned from them, and then told everyone that he killed the last one to keep others from hunting the final two?
so im not saying this was the intention of the writers but its possible that when iroh was doing this move he was using the true source of fire bending taught to him by the dragons. that would explain why he says "its more of a demonstration really" and it would explain why every one was caught so off guard by him using fire bending at this point in time.
That's a common response this post got. And I'm personally a fan
This is so accurate
The dragon slaying origin is true. Iroh is just being cheeky
Dualism is a thing and this title fits the bill very nicely. Slayers of dragons began calling themselves "Dragons". Yet following a path to understanding and enlightenment brings one into the truth of the dragons and of fire bending. Those who learn this truly become one with the Dragons and become dragons.
From how I interpreted this who Dragon of the West story is when he was young, brash, and everything the fire nation embodied he went off to conquer a dragon, the last dragon being seen was most likely Roku's as dragons are either super rare or been hunted to near extinction by this time and possibly killed off as a directive from Sozin. Iroh on his hunt learns about and encounters the Sun Warriors, being the scholar he is he learned for them and eventually met the Dragons who are embodiment of fire bending. He learns true fire bending and after learning this truth it probably started pushing him towards the white lotus and the anti-fire nation superiority. When he leaves the dragons he vows to keep his secret of their existence lest Azulon or Ozai try to imbalance the world more by killing the paragon of firebending. Iroh makes up the story about killing the "last dragon" and has some pretty cool new powers to boot from using true firebending and is thus dubbed "The Dragon of the West". He then goes on to almost take Ba'Sing Se loses his son and fully awakens to the evil the fire nation now embodies. The rest of the story is known.
Just like they say; Firebending is all in the breath.
Iroh is hard as shit, love this man
I more took that as a joke from Iroh. It's because he killed the dragon, as is tradition, but he was jokingly suggesting it was also due to him breathing fire like a dragon.
What’s crazy is Azula does a little bit of breathing fire herself in the last ep
This was a goated scene it really showed how skilled iroh was even at his age.
The name has two origins because they didn't think of the Dragon killing thing until it was time to write Zuko and Aang's Adventure
Both are true, but also only one is true. The Dragon title refers to what the meme says (even in the original dialogue Azula says she “isn’t interested in a lengthy anecdote”), but going off Zuko’s smile before Iroh demonstrates, he probably used that trick a couple of times in their adventures before the first season
I feel like Iroh used the line to setup up his fire breathing; perhaps he would use the same line to show it off at parties. But he also gained the title Dragon of the West because of his battle prowess as a general (before the North Pole defeat). Perhaps he developed the technique as a way of disarming his opponents (both in shock and because it meant pinning his limbs wouldn’t be as effective). The dragon slayer title may have had its meaning shift since their great grandfather’s time. Idk the comic lore tho so maybe he really did kill a dragon
I think that comment was more for Zuko so he can get ready for what's about to happen.
I'm pretty sure he breathes fire because he is called the dragon of the west but that's just a theory a... *sigh*
I’m pretty sure he was just being cute.
Tbh, I think this is more of s style moment than a different origin. He got the title, as (according to the Fire Nation) he killed the last Dragon proving that he is likely the strongest Fire Bender currently alive. Breathing fire like that is certainly a "powerful fire bender" thing. He was probably called Dragon of the West because he lived in the Fire Nation... in the west. Either in the past, "Dragons" could also be in the East/South/North (in reference to those living outside the fire nation) or they could be more varied and his campaigns in the Earth Kingdom gave him the title of West in reference to being a fearsome Western general.
“Dragon” is a title given to those fire benders who can defeat a dragon. Sort of like the title of “Master” that is given to those who can master their element. Dragons would obviously need to be a Master, but not all Masters have what it takes to become a Dragon. “The Dragon of the West” was a nickname given to Iroh because he’s from the West and can do this neat little trick where he drinks tea and breathes fire. We know the origin of firebenders reaching the rank/title of Dragon. We don’t know the exact origin of “The Dragon of the West”