Avatar: The Last Airbender revealed that Iroh lied about killing the last dragon. Iroh’s early travels led him to train with the Sun Warriors and the original firebending dragons. However, his claim that he had killed the last dragon prompted others to start calling him “The Dragon of the West” and his perceived acts fell in line with his responsibilities as general of the Fire Nation army. Killing the last dragon was a savage act and one that earned him a distinguished title and glory. So, why did Iroh lie about it? The reasons confirm a lot about who Iroh is as a person.
Throughout the animated series’ three seasons, Zuko’s beloved uncle Iroh was portrayed as a kindred spirit, a patient, non-violent man who tried to teach his nephew that his firebending abilities didn’t have to be cultivated through hate and anger. Yes, Iroh had a more violent past as a product of the Fire Nation and as the son of the former Fire Lord Azulon. However, the loss of his son changed him and he began to embrace peaceful means and spirituality. It’s what led him to the take up with the last two dragons, Ran and Shaw, the original firebenders.
Under their tutelage, Iroh learned how to breathe fire, how to achieve and unlock his firebending abilities without the use of aggression, and the importance of balance above all. When Iroh returned to the Fire Nation, he began telling others that he had slain Ran and Shaw, actions that were seen as strong and powerful by other members of the Fire Nation. However, Iroh ultimately decided to relay this false story so that no one would think to go seeking the dragons themselves. Iroh’s lies protected the Sun Warriors and the dragons, preserving them and their way of life.
Perhaps Iroh knew that if he’d revealed the location of the Sun Warriors, others from the Fire Nation would go there and kill the dragons themselves. He’d seen first-hand the rampage and destruction the Fire Nation wrought and didn’t want the same fate to befall the dragons or the Sun Warriors. Despite making him look brutally violent to others, Iroh’s lies saved their lives and it wasn’t until much later that he revealed the truth to Zuko. What’s more, Iroh’s choice to keep the continued existence of Ran and Shaw a secret showcased the morals of his characters.
The Iroh fans know from Avatar: The Last Airbender would never even think of harming a fly, much less heinously kill the last two dragons. His actions reveal that his heart was always in the right place and that he was okay with and willing to have a certain reputation if it meant that the dragons would continue to live without having to worry about an attack and disruption to their lives. Iroh has long been one of the most thoughtful and morally just characters in Avatar: The Last Airbender. His travels expanded his worldview, as well as his personal philosophies, and his lying to others about his experience was ultimately an act of selflessness and exemplified Iroh's peaceful teachings.