Firelord Zuko’s chapter in the history books would basically be just a list of all of the buckwild and illegal shit he got away with.

“Was banished at the age of thirteen for speaking out of turn and accidentally challenging his father to a duel.”

“At the age of thirteen, he somehow was able to access all of the Air Nomad temples; without sky bison and prior to the invention of the airship.”

“The Kiyoshi Warriors became the Firelord’s traditional bodyguards after meeting him as a prince in an encounter that led to him burning down their village.”

“He defeated Commander Zhao in an Agni Kai duel at the age of sixteen.”

“It is speculated that he is the Blue Spirit, a vigilante figure known for his agility. Both the Firelord and the Blue Spirit have been known to use Dao swords, a weapon that is very rare, which is why the connection is speculated. If this is true, then that means that the Firelord broke into Commander Zhao’s fort and stole the Avatar from him.”

“At sixteen, Firelord Zuko hired a bounty hunter to find the Avatar, which failed.”

“It is reported that the Firelord can hold his breath for up to 30 minutes after stories of him infiltrating the Northern Water Tribe through a turtleseal diving hole to steal the Avatar. After that, he proceeded to survive in the cold until rescued.”

“It is rumored that he worked in a tea shop in Ba Sing Se while living as a refugee in banishment. Tea shop-goers at Ba Sing ASR’s Jasmine Dragon often speak of a server named Lee, who bears a striking resemblance to the Firelord, but it is unclear whether the fabled Lee from the Tea Shop really exists.”

“According to the Firelord himself, he broke into Lake Laogai unnoticed and freed the Avatar’s pet bison.”

“He aided his sister in killing the Avatar in the crystal catacombs, whereupon he was allowed to return to the fire nation as crown prince.”

“Upon his return to the fire nation, he hired an assassin to kill the 12 year old Avatar whom he wasn’t sure had been actually killed.”

“On the Day of Black Sun, Zuko confronted Firelord Ozai with his swords. When Ozai shot lightning at Zuko, Zuko used lightning redirection (a technique invented by General Iroh) to fire it back at him. He then proceeded to leave the fire nation and join the Avatar, whom he had previously tried to murder.”

“After meeting the Avatar and his friends at the Western Air Temple, Zuko promptly gets rejected from their group. Only after defeating ‘Combustion Man’ (the assassin he sent) is he allowed to join them.”

“Firelord Zuko was among the first group in history to plan to and successfully escape the Boiling Rock Maximim Security Prison by starting a riot, kidnapping the warden, and getting on the gondola. Other escapees include Sokka of the Water Tribe, Hakoda of the Water Tribe, a Kyoshi Warrior named Suki, and Chit Sang.”

“After defeating his sister in an Agni Kai duel, Firelord Zuko ascended to the throne as the Avatar worked to defeat Firelord Ozai. Zuko is responsible for the imprisonment of his father and sister and the end of the 100 Year War.”

Bonus Headcanon;

“While previous Firelords had wished that their imperfections be left out of their royal portraits, Firelord Zuko specifically requested that the burn scar over his left eye be painted with him.”