After completing their tasks in two months, Guru Drona took the center position on the training ground and addressed his students. He asked them to reflect on how they felt about the tasks and the challenges they faced. He encouraged them to share their thoughts on what they learned, not only from their own experiences but also from observing the admirable qualities demonstrated by their peers.

Guru Drona praised the leaders of each group for their excellent direction and rational thinking in the face of immediate danger. He highlighted the importance of these qualities for future leaders. He also reminded them that four teams had achieved full marks and reiterated his promise to grant one wish to the most deserving team, which would be decided after he consulted with his Guru Dakshina.

He encouraged the students to use the remaining month wisely. He advised them to focus on strengthening their areas of weakness and further enhancing their strengths. These skills would be invaluable for them as Rajkumar of the Kuru Dynasty, who would one day need to lead and fight for various causes. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and the wise use of their time.

Meanwhile in Hastinapur, Karna was living happily with his family, teaching his younger brother, Shon, to wield all sorts of weapons. Shon, sharing his brother's enthusiasm for combat, made each day fulfilling for Karna. As time passed, Karna discreetly received news about Assaka from his spies, fulfilling his promise to oversee some major issues. He would send replies or orders based on the news and wrote to Ira and others to know about their well-being.

One day, Karna received a letter from Ira that left him dumbfounded. She asked him to collect details about elephant poaching and inquire if there were any such cases in Hastinapur. Not hearing anything from the people, Karna decided to ask his father, as Ira never wrote about anything less important.

Late at night, Adhiratha arrived, close to midnight. Karna asked his mother, Radha, and his brother, Shon, to sleep, insisting he would wait for his father and serve him food. Unable to sleep, Radha eventually joined Karna to wait for her husband. When Adhiratha arrived, Radha quickly placed the food for him, and after finishing dinner, he asked Karna what he wanted to discuss. Karna, initially hesitant seeing his father's tiredness, was encouraged when Adhiratha reassured him, saying, "I am your father; I can read you like a book." This momentarily shocked Karna, making him decide to handle Assaka matters even more securely.

Karna then inquired about the reason for Adhiratha's late arrival. Adhiratha explained that preparations for the Kuru princes' imminent return, just twenty days away, had kept him busy. Every department in the palace was working tirelessly to make the occasion grand and special, as it was the first time the grown-up princes would be seen by the people after twelve years. Adhiratha then prompted Karna to ask what was really on his mind.

Karna explained Ira's letter, mentioning her inquiry about any unusual elephant deaths or animal poaching cases. He noted that in their locality, no such rumors had been heard, suggesting nothing of that sort had happened. He wanted to know if Adhiratha had heard anything from other areas. Adhiratha, acknowledging Ira's kind nature and understanding her place in their family, thought for a moment and then said he hadn't heard anything related to elephant poaching, as current focus was on the princes' return. He promised to ask around about it.

Adhiratha then scolded Karna gently, advising that such serious matters should be left to adults. If poaching was indeed happening, it would involve dangerous people who could harm anyone in their way. He urged Karna to tell Ira to avoid such things and run if she encountered such dangers. Karna, feeling exhausted, explained that if he didn't address Ira's concerns, she would pursue them even more fervently, making it her number one priority. This worried Radha, who then asked Karna to investigate the matter further and send a heads-up to the Kuntala Royals so they could keep an eye on Ira.

The next day, after completing his assigned duties, Adhiratha went to see Mahamahim Bhishma with a conflicted heart. He knew he might be overstepping his boundaries, but his affection for Ira made him determined to seek answers. Entering Bhishma's room, Adhiratha requested a private conversation. Bhishma, taken aback by the unusual request, quickly composed himself and dismissed all the attendants from the room.

Once they were alone, Bhishma asked Adhiratha what was troubling him. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Adhiratha recounted the entire story-from Karna and Rajkumari Irawathi's meeting, to their close sibling-like relationship, and finally to the letter Ira had written to Karna about elephant poaching. He explained how Karna feared that if Ira didn't know the truth, she might give the issue undue importance and put herself in danger. Adhiratha, though he had never met Ira, couldn't stand the thought of her being hurt, and thus felt compelled to ask Bhishma if he knew anything about such incidents.

Bhishma was both shocked and amused. Shocked because of Karna's close relationship with Rajkumari Ira, who was renowned for her bold reforms and beloved across Aryavat, even more so than the Kuru princes. In Hastinapur, many were eager for the princes' return as it would be their chance to see the famed Rajkumari Irawathi. Amused because Adhiratha had never approached him with such a personal matter before, which showed his deep love and affection for Ira-a sentiment Bhishma could empathize with, as he too was curious to meet the remarkable princess.

After considering Adhiratha's concerns, Bhishma replied that he had not heard anything about elephant poaching but promised to inform Adhiratha if any such news came to light. Just as he finished speaking, Mahamantri Vidur entered with something important to discuss. Adhiratha, sensing the urgency, asked for permission to leave. Bhishma granted it but asked Adhiratha to wait outside, as he needed to go somewhere shortly. Adhiratha took his leave and waited outside, hopeful for any further information that might help protect Ira.

As Mahamantri Vidur entered the room, he respectfully took Bhishma's blessing. Bhishma, noticing Vidur's flustered state, immediately asked what was troubling him. Vidur, after taking a deep breath, explained that his spies had discovered the deaths of more than five elephants, with their tusks cut in half-undeniable evidence of poaching.

Hearing this, Bhishma's mind raced back to his earlier conversation with Adhiratha about Ira's inquiry regarding elephant poaching. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he promptly called for Adhiratha to be brought back inside and filled Vidur in on the details of his earlier discussion, including Karna's close relationship with Rajkumari Irawathi and her concerns about elephant poaching.

When Adhiratha re-entered the room, Bhishma shared Vidur's troubling news with him. He instructed Adhiratha to prepare the ratha (chariot) so they could travel to the site of the elephant deaths and gather clues. Vidur agreed, emphasizing that if Rajkumari Irawathi of Kuntala was concerned about this issue, it must be significant. They needed to investigate who had the audacity to commit such a heinous act in their lands.

As the sun began to set over Hastinapur, the air was thick with tension. Mahamahim Bhishma, Mahamantri Vidur, and Adhiratha rode swiftly towards the forest where the poached elephants had been discovered. The sight that greeted them was heart-wrenching. The majestic creatures lay lifeless, their tusks crudely hacked off, leaving behind a scene of brutality and greed.

Bhishma's eyes blazed with fury as he surveyed the carnage. His fists clenched, and his voice trembled with controlled rage. "This is an abomination," he declared, his voice echoing through the silent forest. "These noble beings, slaughtered for their ivory. We must find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Vidur, equally disturbed, nodded in agreement. "We will form a separate spy network dedicated to uncovering the culprits behind this heinous act. They must be stopped before more harm is done."

Adhiratha, though deeply affected by the sight, maintained his composure. He knew he had to relay this information to Karna. As they returned to the palace, Adhiratha sought out his son. Finding Karna in the training grounds, he approached him with a heavy heart.

"Karna," Adhiratha began, his voice somber, "I have grave news. We discovered the bodies of several elephants, poached for their tusks. The cruelty inflicted upon them is unimaginable. Bhishma has ordered a special spy network to investigate and bring the poachers to justice."

Karna's face hardened with resolve. "This is unacceptable. We must act swiftly to stop these criminals. I will inform Ira about the situation and request any information she might have. Together, we can hunt down these poachers and ensure they face the consequences of their actions."

That night, Karna penned a letter to Ira, detailing the horrific discovery and the measures being taken by Bhishma and Vidur. He urged her to share any information she had about elephant poaching, emphasizing the importance of their combined efforts in bringing the perpetrators to justice.

After a week, Karna received a response from Ira. Under normal circumstances, the message would have taken three weeks to arrive due to the distance, but because of the secrecy involved and the importance of the matter, the correspondence was expedited.

As Karna entered the house with the letter in hand, Shon and Radha followed closely, eager to learn more. Opening the letter, Karna read that Ira's talking parrot, Pranav, had brought her news about the poaching of two pairs of elephants and a tiger in Kuntala. Ira had taken swift action, placing army personnel disguised as forest dwellers to gather information. She suspected that the person behind these acts was from Hastinapur and had written to Karna to inquire if there were any similar incidents in their region.

Ira mentioned that she would share more details when she arrived in Hastinapur, as they had received a royal invitation. Due to other commitments, only Ira and her head maid, Meera, would be traveling, while her brother, Vaikartana, would remain busy elsewhere.

The affectionate way Ira referred to Radha as her "Mata" brought immense joy to Radha. She immediately tasked Shon with decorating the house and gathering necessary items to prepare for Ira's visit. Karna relayed this news to Adhiratha, who then informed Mahamahim Bhishma and Mahamantri Vidur.

Realizing that the culprits behind the poaching might be from Hastinapur, Bhishma and Vidur decided to conduct a covert investigation to identify those responsible, without alerting the suspects. With the arrival of the Kuru princes just two weeks away, discretion was paramount.

Meanwhile, at Drona Ashram, preparations were underway for their departure. Guru Drona, along with his wife Kripi, their son Ashwatthama, and all 106 Kuru princes, was set to journey on foot. Drona emphasized the importance of observing the living conditions of the people and thinking about solutions to improve their lives. The princes, eager to win the wish from Guru Drona and to return home after a long time, were filled with energy and determination.