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Wu hadn’t noticed their similarities at first.
He hadn’t noticed Kai’s drive to be the best. Of course, Kai’s ego had quickly made itself known mere days into his training, but Wu had quickly overlooked it. The two hadn’t had time to worry too much about such minor things.
Then, months later, the prophecy of the green ninja came to light and a hunger burned in Kai’s eyes. His inner need to be the best grew.
His inner need to be powerful grew.
The other ninja, of course, were keen on the idea of becoming the chosen one, but they typically kept quiet about it. Kai on the other hand brought it up almost every chance he got. He’d ramble about his greatness and how he was going to be the one to take Garmadon down, sparking playful banter between him and his teammates.
A sense of familiarity and dread had washed over Wu during many of Kai’s rambles, but every time he squashes it down. “Kai will fall out of his obsession eventually,” he would tell himself. “Just give him time.”
Perhaps he had given him too much time.
Perhaps if he had confronted his student sooner, Wu wouldn’t be kneeling over his prone brother. Maybe Kai wouldn’t be looming over them, anger and confusion flooding his gaze.
Kai’s impulsivity led them to this moment. He had bolted out of the room thinking Garmadon was stealing the golden weapons, and didn’t even wait for Wu’s explanation. He locked them out as he faced off against Garmadon, hoping it’d unlock his true potential.
Wu knew Kai had a right to be suspicious of Garmadon. He knew Kai had a reason to be angry the moment he noticed Garmadon and their weapons missing. But he hadn’t needed to act on it.
Kai didn’t need to run off before Wu could explain the situation. Kai didn’t need to lock his teammates, his family, out as he wasted precious time fighting an opponent who hadn’t even provoked him. Kai didn’t need to possibly risk his life and let his obsession blind him-
Morro’s crestfallen face at the revelation that he wasn’t the green ninja flashed before his eyes, and Wu stiffened.
The words leave his mouth before he can stop them.
“Perhaps it is best you do not reach your true potential.”
Wu turns away, not wanting to catch another glimpse of the hurt in Kai’s eyes.
“Or else someone could get hurt.”
Or else you could get hurt.
Kai didn’t respond, and Wu couldn’t tell if that made him feel better or worse.