"Seriously," Itsuka glanced at her phone one more time, confirming that Izuku had not yet responded to her texts and that he was going to be late. And if she kept waiting for him she was going to be late. The U.A. Entrance exam, that was what they had been training their butts off for this past year. And it was starting in ten minutes! "Where are you Izuku?"

She paced, turning towards the building, her leg twitching in annoyance. Oh, if he made her late, she was going to go extra hard on him the next time they spared. There would be absolutely no mercy for Izuku. "Especially if he doesn't at least respond to my text!"

Seriously, it wasn't like he paid attention while he was walking anyways, he was always lost in his own head anyway. He could at least check his damn phone! She growled turning again, pacing in front of the gate like a dog with a shock collar. Another would-be-student, jumped when she accidentally glared at her. So much for good first impressions, testing day and somebody was already scared of her.

She took a breath trying to calm herself, doing the pose that her father had taught her. It almost worked. She was still annoyed, but at least now she was smiling. Seriously, why was it that Izuku being late for the exam was stressing her out more than the actual exam was? Only one out of three hundred applicants passed, she really should be focusing more on -

"Outta the way Deku!" A shrill voice that was as stubborn as a donkey and rude as a pig tore through the crowd and drew her eyes towards the entrance.

And there he was, Izuku, wearing an overstuffed backpack staring at U.A. with his mouth wide open, his face was covered in sweat and it looked like his hair was still wet. Didn't he live like forty minutes away?

"Kacchan!" Izuku mumbled, taking a few steps back. Fumbling over himself.

"Get out of my way or you're dead." the angry blond kid said in an even tone, glaring straight at the door.

What. A. Prick. Wait, wasn't he the boy Izuku saved? It was, wasn't it?

"Morning!" Izuku flailed trying to get out of his way. "Let's both do-"

"You know," she walked forward, stepping in the blonds way, hands on her hips, one eyebrow raised. "You should be a bit nicer since he did risk his life to try and save you."

"I didn't ask him to save me." He growled, glaring at her. His slumped shoulders and forward facing glower made the two inches he had on her vanish. "And who the fuck are you? His girlfriend? Get the fuck out of my way bitch."

"Make me." Was it helpful? If anything it was the exact opposite of helpful. But her nice mode only extended up until she was called a bitch. And what was with that lame ass insult attempt of embarrassing her by calling her Izuku's girlfriend?

"Wait!" Izuku ran over to them, trying to get between them. "Please don't fight! Itsuka it's not big deal, that's just how Kacchan is! If you two start fighting now you might get kicked out."

She knew Izuku was right, but she had this annoying thing called pride, and an annoying habit of sticking up for people. And Izuku was her friend so even if he didn't need or want her to she was going to defend him. "So he's normally an asshole?"

"Yes!" Izuku blurted out, then covered his mouth. "Well I mean that is-"

"Whatever just stay out of my way," Kacchan grunted, stepping to the side to pass her. "And quit calling me Kacchan you damn Deku!"

She couldn't help but let out a breath when that was all over. She looked at Izuku who was turning to look between her and that other boy. She was going to call him Kacchan just because it bugged him. And it was funny. "What took you so long Izuku? And what's with the bag?"

"Oh!" Izuku jumped, focusing on her again, his face was red and he took a step back, shifting his legs like he was practicing his form. "I was finishing up my training, I uhh managed to clear out the beach this morning."

"Really? The whole thing?" She clapped her hands and smiled. "That's fantastic Izuku, I bet it feels good having completed your goal."

"Yea!" He lifted his head up, looking her right in the eyes. Huh, had he always been as tall as her? His face was full of pride and he had his fists pumped at his waist. "I feel like I actually earned it. And it was thanks to you and Kendo-sensei too."

"That's so great Izuku," She clapped him on the back and pointed towards the building. "But, we really need to hurry, we're about to be late."

His pride was replaced by pure terror as the realization that they were the last ones outside washed over him.

XXXX

Passing One for All to Izuku hit him faster and harder than he expected it to. Less than three hours into the day and he already felt like he needed a nap. Maybe a nice cup of tea would perk him up. Shame he couldn't make himself a cup of tea the same way Nighteye could.

"At least the torch has at long last been passed." Toshinori breathed, running a hand through his hair, all but swimming in his bright yellow suit. Though his body was drained, at the same time his soul was filled with energy. He had found a worthy successor. One that had surpassed his expectations with every turn, even when his body battered beaten and bruised, Young Midoriya would stand up, forcing that pathetic smile onto his face and ask for more.

He could only hope that he made the right choice. No, that wasn't right. He needed to have faith in Izuku.

Coughing into his hand, he assumed the look of All Might the one that everybody had come to see as a pillar of truth and justice. And stepped out of the private room that Nezu had set up for him, it was a small gesture, but one he was grateful for. At least, the only thing he had to do today was watch his would be students battle against giant robots.

Hopefully Izuku would be able to use One for All by then. But with his advice and Izuku's natural heroic tendencies, there was little to worry about, especially with the hidden requirements. No there was little to worry about, besides, it was all in Izuku's hands now.

The observation room was dimly lit, one wall filled covered in numerous security cameras that were set up around the exam course. Numerous buttons and levers were set up around the room to spring traps, trigger opponents and direct their course. It was a perfect set up to create chaos.

There were several pro heroes, government officials, and a few other former students all milled about several nodded at him and smiled and -

"Tea?"

"What?" He shook his head looking down to see the smiling face of an almost familiar looking man offering him a cup of tea. The man, much like himself was dressed in a pinstripe suit, though where his was yellow the other man's was black. A black and white mustache showed his age while his black hair was pulled back into a ponytail.

He almost looked like Eraserhead's father.

"Tea." The man held the cup up higher, his smile all but swallowing his the dull blue of his eyes. "I made it fresh, and you certainly look like you needed a cup Toshinori."

His first name? Who was this man? Still, the tea smelled wonderful. "Thank you! But I'm afraid I didn't catch your name."

"Oh, but of course, we haven't spoken to each other in several decades." The man extended his free hand still smiling that impossibly large smile like he was trying to have a contest over who had the most ridiculous smile. A contest, he as the man who smiled in the face of danger would not lose. "I'm Kotetsu Kendo, I graduated U.A. two years your senior."

"Ahh, I think I recall now." He grabbed the man's hand, smiling wider. He almost didn't recognize the man with his hair groomed back, or without the more traditional Japanese outfit, he normally wore. This was Izuku's martial arts teacher. "You're Hurricane Strike, what brings you back to U.A?"

"Well, when I informed our dear principal that I was in the area and retired, he offered me a spot as a judge." Kotetsu's smiled didn't so much as budge as he took a small sip of his own tea. "And what kind of father would I be to not watch my own daughter's test live in action?"

"Doesn't that mean you're bias?" He followed suit, the tea hit his nostrils first, bathing him a scent that burned with the scent of fall but soothed with a dash of spring and winter. Its texture was smooth and far to light for how much flavor was packed in there into the cup. Strong bitter herbs blended with sweeteners provided a one-two punch that seemed to shatter away his weariness and the after taste of mint left him wanting more. "Good tea."

Better than Nighteye's.

"I won't be judging my daughter," Kotetsu's smile widened into the cup. "Besides I believe we both share a bias for a certain boy with no quirk do we not?"

"Ahh, uhh," This wasn't good, he should have been more careful, the more people that knew about his involvement with Izuku the more people All for One could potentially target. He needed to keep this as quiet as possible. "Are you referring to young Midoriya?"

Kotetsu brushed his mustache, his hand doing little to hide his nearly maniacal smile. "The very same, I must thank you for giving him such brilliant inspiration, I believe that even without a quirk U.A. could use a boy with his discipline."

He laughed, more out of nervousness than any kind of humor. "I agree, but I don't believe Izuku is the type of boy that would be happy simply receiving something without earning it do you?"

"Absolutely, he is more than willing to put in the hard work and failure doesn't frustrate him." Kotetsu nodded taking another sip and gesturing towards a set of seats. "Now then, why don't we have a seat? The exam is about to begin."

So much for being able to relax a bit. "Certainly, I look forward to seeing what my future students are capable of."

Seven exams occurring at once, dozens viewing rooms were set up to keep judge and score the thousand of would be applicants. The entrance exam was as grand as any of U.A.'s tests, but it was by far the most important. They needed to judge those who could be heroes from those who could not. Ten minutes was a harsh time limit, but in the world of heroes, it was the split-second decisions that mattered most.

"Remember our exams?" Kotetsu thumbed with one of the controls, causing the cameras to flicker to the gates where the students had gathered. "Way back when you were admitted only if you were brave enough to apply. And the rest would be beaten into you."

"Ha!" he slapped his own armrests. "You're making us sound like an old man Kotetsu!"

"Recovery girl was young back then, and every male student had a crush on her if I remember correctly." His smile faded as his hand moved to a knee, pain twisting on his face as he at long last looked his age. He wasn't wrong, they were both old. "But, that was a different time when the crime rate was running rampant and being a hero was rarely a choice. Then you showed up."

"I didn't do it alone, it was thanks to heroes like you constantly having my back that we were able to achieve the peace we have now." He nodded towards the screen, "And it will be up to heroes like them to maintain it."

"Ha, so you admit you're getting old too, even that young punk Endeavor has been out doing you in terms of crime fighting in recent years." Kotetsu's smile returned hiding his eyes as he shrugged. "Still, it's thanks to you that I was able to retire without worry and raise my daughter."

"Come now, if that old fart Yoroi can still rank in the top ten then we have nothing complain about getting old!" He laughed slapping his knee. The wound from All for One flared up, and he had to fight back a wince. "And you're still a spry man, surely you could have a few more years of hero duty left in you."

"Oh, I have no doubt I could trounce many of these students even without my quirk." Kotetsu grabbed his knee again, that smile vanishing once more, revealing the cold blue eyes of a man that had lost much and pushed forward despite it all. It was the same sunken eyes he carried. "But, when I lost Miu, my knees were also badly damaged, I can't use my quirk without risking them blowing out."

"My condolences, I wasn't aware she passed." He shouldn't have delved so deep into this conversation, he was bringing up things better left buried. "Was she a hero as well?"

"Yes, Titanium Tatiana, and it's alright, though her loss still hurts I have accepted it. And I have my wonderful daughter." He sighed, looking towards the screen. "If something were to happen to me then that would leave my daughter an orphan. But you are right, there is some fight still left in me, but I'd rather have my final fight matter than have it account for little. Heroes rarely die of old age."

"You're a bit old fashion, aren't you?"

"Ha!" Kotetsu's smile returned banishing any memory of his frown. "No doubt my daughter would agree with you. Keep your eye on her during the test, you'll be impressed. For sure."

He nodded, turning his attention back to the screens. By luck - good or bad - Izuku and Itsuka were in separate testing zones.

The buzzards sounded, and the gates opened, and the students rushed in, the U.A. entrance exams had begun.

Already the scoreboards buzzing, numerous students racking up points as their quirks pushed them forward. At the front of the pack, was Katsuki Bakugo, already scoring ten points within the first fifteen seconds. And he showed no signs of slowing down.

Itsuka was easy to spot, leading her own group in terms of score, both in practical points and was among the first to start earning rescue points as she blocked a machine from assaulting another girl. That was what they were after, the will to act without hesitation even when it wasn't to one's gain.

"She certainly has what we're looking for in a hero." Overall she was constantly in the hotly contested top ten as the scores continued to change and dance, but among those students, she had the most rescue points. One of the monitors followed her leaping through the air her hands enlarged to the size of her body and crumpling one of the robots like it was made of paper mache.

"But Izuku," Kotetsu comment, shifting the camera to find Young Midoriya running around like a chicken with its head cut off. "Could be putting on a better display."

His current points were zero. He hadn't managed to do anything. And time was dwindling away. Could he not use One for All right now? It didn't take him that long, he could use it minutes after Nana gave him her hair. But perhaps Izuku was simply different. What if they didn't do enough training? What if he couldn't take it, so the transfer failed?

"It's unlike you to fret so much," Kotetsu kept his blue eyes locked on to the screen, his smile twisted into a mocking half green. "Have faith in Izuku, you know the kind of boy he is. Indeed, if I'm not mistaken it was his very self sacrificing nature that got you interested in him was it not?"

There was no sense in trying not to play favorites here. "You're right, I just want him to feel like he earned his place in here."

"Then," Nezu, bounded up to the control station, a smile etched on his animalistic face round white ears twitching. "Let's kick things up a notch and see the true heroes!"

The exams were thrown into chaos as the giant obstacles began to rage through the stages, many students fleeing from it, others struggling to avoid it. And then there was Katsuki. Who appeared to scream and charge at the one in his stage.

But their focus, indeed the focus of the whole room was on Izuku, the boy with zero points. The robot tore through a building its massive feat causing a lone girl to trip and fall. She'd be crushed if she didn't do anything.

"People show their true colors when they face something that's pointless to try and beat." Kotetsu beamed, standing in his seat as Izuku began to rush towards the girl, everybody else had attempted to flee. "When there's nothing to be gained, rising to the challenge at those times is surely the mark of a true hero!"

"Though, perhaps charging at a giant robot when he doesn't have a quirk is the sign of-" He was cut short when out of nowhere Izuku jumped dozen or more stories facing the giant mechanical monstrosity face to face. That green haired little entertainer that had a reckless flair for the dramatic pulled his arm back, his sleeve tearing as he atlast unleashed One for All. The punch was sloppy, only the basics of Martial arts training were instilled in there.

But the raw power of it, despite not so much as making direct contact with the robot managed to reduce it to a pile of scrap. Cheers broke out around the room, as Izuku's rescue points skyrocketed, even as he began to fall like a stone. The girl he had saved returned the favor, using her quirk to end his fall.

"I told you Young Midoriya would be fine," He crossed his arms and nodded, he really shouldn't have worried so much, Izuku's body still wasn't completely ready for One for All, but now, they could take the long slow path of making certain that he becomes a worthy vessel.

"Toshinori," Kotetsu said softly standing in front of his chair and placing both hands on his shoulders. His eyes were hidden, pointed towards the floor as his arms began to shake. "How did you do it?"

"What are you talking about?" This was bad. This was really really bad. If word of his quirks true nature got out then it would shake the foundations of their society, and cause pain for Izuku. He needed a lie some excuse. "I simply helped to bring out what was inside of Izuku all along."

"I know!" Kotetsu looked up a smile attempting to eat his face that left his blue eyes blazing with passion. "I know that! But how did you see it? How did I not see it? To think that my student would have a quirk that could unless his inner power! This is phenomenal! I need to adjust his training! Wait, I should get him into meditation, wait, that's a terrible idea, Izuku can barely sit still when he's asleep his mind worries too much. Oh, there's so much to do!"

"What?" He asked sinking further into his seat. Wasn't he about to be exposed for transferring his quirk to Izuku?

"Ahh, that explains a lot about your quirk as well, it's not just general strength enhancement you're literally just tapping into your inner power," Kotetsu spun, stroking his mustache a wild gleam in his eyes. "Tell me have you ever considered learning tai chi?"

AN: I try to write a cute Izuku x Itsuka romance and end up spending half the chapter as two old guys talking. Huh... how'd that happen. Next chapter will have more Izuku and Itsuka in it promise!

Also is this fic going down hill? I'm not used to slow burn and the general lack of responses has me worried.

Love you guys! Donate to my Ko-fi if you want! I promise I'll use any donation to buy Joker from Persona 5 in smash!