Before Izuku's weekend could properly start, he decided to do some extra training. While his teammates did outwardly approve of his show of dedication... actually only Pyrrha and Weiss really bothered, Nora just groaned and bemoaned the point they were probably all thinking; that he was working himself to the bone and that he needed to relax. Which... to be fair, he did walk back into the dorm room earlier that week in dire need of the IDSSK, so he supposed they had a point.

'Still, before I can relax... I dunno, I just feel like I 'need' to make just a little bit more progress,' Nothing would ever be enough in his mind, especially after his poor performance against Owari, 'but... well, every little bit helps me become the Huntsman I want to be, right?'

So it was with that in mind, alongside his team's worries, that he decided to just go with some calm meditation rather than doing anything too hardcore. Well, 'calm' meditation. His Aura would still be put through a workout if he had his way. As he relaxed his physical body and turned inward, he tried to reach for that spark, that little flame he could feel constantly on the inside...

When Izuku felt a rush of power that threatened to overwhelm his physical form, he quickly stopped pulling on 'that' flame and searched out the other. A big part in mastering both One For All and his own Aura had been to quickly learn how to differentiate the two. Pulling on his Aura was a natural reaction in a fight that could very well save his life... pulling on One For All, with how poor his control and mastery was over it, was a recipe for disaster.

Today wasn't about breaking his body so that he could master One For All, though. Today was about gently manipulating, stretching and exercising his Aura to help strengthen it, to fine-tune his control over it and make it possible for him to make it stronger. If his Aura had even been that little bit stronger, he could've probably tanked Owari's hit... never mind that another one after that would've probably put him in Peach's office awaiting medical treatment.

It just underlined the point; Izuku needed to think carefully about his strategies and he needed to strengthen himself. Make himself faster, stronger, more capable. Training his Aura would be a start... alongside about eight or nine other things he really needed to work on to catch up.

Well, he said himself being here at Beacon wouldn't be a cakewalk. Now he just had to work as hard as he could to make it so that he did deserve to be there.

After a couple hours of meditation he felt that odd mix of rejuvenated and slightly exhausted that came with working his Aura through his body. It simultaneously refreshed his physical body while making his... for lack of a better term 'soul' tired. It was interesting stuff.

Or well, interesting stuff to Izuku. He imagined other people might find it a bit boring. Still as he logged his notes away for now he felt accomplished. He didn't manage to hit or pass a major roadblock but... well, he had felt his Aura grow. That just had to be good enough.

Izuku was feeling an odd mix of emotions as the elevator ascended to his destination. Honor was definitely first and foremost among them. After all, of all the big shots he'd met so far in his time at Beacon Academy... aside from Toshinori, who he technically met before arriving, Ozpin was probably the biggest name there. A Veteran, with a capital V, Huntsman with an astounding track record, keen mind, highly organized and the Head of Beacon Academy to top it all off. The number of people, out of all Hunters anywhere, who could claim to be the head of one of the four major Academies... well, it was a high position, meant for the elite Hunter and, even then, only those who were also judged fit of mind to oversee the raising of the next generation.

Needless to say, it was a big deal.

Izuku was also amazingly, incredibly, super nervous. The Headmaster had called him to his office. Heck, within hours of the first day of school coming to a close he got a text outright inviting him to come to Ozpin's office... provided that he checked in with Glynda Goodwitch first so that she could sneak him in at a time when Ozpin wouldn't be busy.

That he had been given that privilege, and the privilege of a 'private' meeting no less... it kind of shook him a bit.

So as the elevator door opened and he stood there shaking in his boots, trying his best to maintain his composure so that he could mind his manners in front of the Headmaster, Izuku thought he probably made for a bit of a sorry sight. Ozpin's office was... interesting. It had a clock theme going for it; gears in the walls, the table having clockwork gears underneath a glass surface... even his window was a clock's face. It was a bit weird but Izuku supposed that, given how old the Academy was, it wasn't Ozpin's choice in decor. It was impressive but it also felt oddly cold and metallic.

"Ah, young Mr. Midoriya. Welcome to my office... please, have a seat." He was snapped out of his thoughts, blushing slightly at having so thoroughly spaced out, as he saw Headmaster Ozpin sat at his desk, with a slightly amused smile. Izuku just nodded rapidly as he quickly stepped foot off of the elevator, just barely having avoided it closing in his face.

"Yes sir! Sorry sir! It's just that this is my first time in here and my first time privately meeting you sir, it's just kind of on honor sir I mean you're the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, the most-"

"Yes, yes. Please, take a breath Mr. Midoriya. It's alright." He did as the calm and collected Huntsman before him said, taking several relaxing breaths as he just grinned at his antics. "Please, don't feel the need to treat this meeting so formally, Mr. Midoriya. I merely wished to have the opportunity to meet you face to face before the semester got rolling too strongly and to do so in a more... easy going manner. After all, considering your status as One For All's Successor, you and I may be in a more... formal working relationship at a latter date. No need to stuff up these early, pleasant meetings with such stodgy formality, wouldn't you say?" The man's calm demeanor and kind smile ended up relaxing Izuku a bit, though he did still feel quite nervous. Especially at the mention of One For All. Before he could open his mouth, Ozpin waved his hand.

"But how rude of me, I've invited you to my office and known you were coming ahead of time and yet I haven't prepared a beverage for you. Tell me Mr. Midoriya... what would you prefer to have?" He waved to a seat in front of his desk, one sitting diametrically opposite to him... on the opposite end of a chess board Izuku only just then noticed. There was no way a man with Ozpin's attention to detail and sharp mind could have forgotten something so simple... it had to have been some kind of test.

Right?

Izuku blushed red a bit as he looked down at his boots. He knew at his age that a slightly more sophisticated beverage might have been called for. Some kind of coffee or maybe a fancy tea, like hot Earl Grey or coffee taken black, would be more suited to an 'adult' sort of image. But... well, He really couldn't help it. He knew what he wanted... but did he really want to ask for it from his own Headmaster?

"Ummm... you wouldn't happen to have... hot chocolate, would you?" He blushed even more red as he turned his emerald eyes to him. "Maybe with... little... marshmallows?" He forced out each word as they came and for a moment Ozpin looked a bit surprised. That surprise quickly faded away to a soft smile as Ozpin reached down into one of his desk drawers and pulled out... a package of tiny marshmallows and hot chocolate mix.

"Have a seat and I'll get this ready." Izuku blinked in numb surprise as he just nodded, sliding into his seat while Ozpin walked over to a nearby table by the wall. Opening up a little compartment behind the wall, using a gear that he barely even noticed as a knob, he actually produced a little machine that Izuku recognized from his own home's kitchen. From the same cupboard a steaming cup of water was poured into the machine as it got to work. He was further stunned when instead of just pouring the one cup, Ozpin poured two and quickly put some of those little marshmallows into both. All with the practice of an old pro like, just like his mom. As the headmaster walked over and set the cup in front of him, he realize that to someone just barely paying attention that it would look like a foamy cup of coffee.

"Let's keep this our little secret Izuku, what do you say?" Izuku looked up as Ozpin gave a bit of a wink, taking a sip from his own mug as Midoriya just nodded. After an nice, hot drink of cocoa, he felt himself relax slightly before Ozpin motioned to the chess board in front of him. "Tell me, Mr. Midoriya, have you ever partaken in chess before?" He looked up at the Headmaster with a bit of a side glance, before he shook his head, simultaneously lifting up his cup to hide his lips while he surreptitiously licked some excess cocoa off of them.

"I can't say I have sir... I've mostly only played dice games... and most of those I only played because I have my lucky dice." Ozpin nodded slightly as he said that.

"I find that nothing helps carry a conversation and stimulates the mind at the same time quite like a game of chess. Would you do me the honor of a game, Mr. Midoriya?" He blinked a few times as he sheepishly scratched at the back of his head.

"... Honestly Headmaster, I think you'd kick my butt in a game of chess..." He admitted awkwardly as Ozpin chuckled with a small amount of mirth.

"I don't doubt that either. However, playing chess against a superior opponent doesn't just have to be about winning. It can also be a learning experience and one that sharpens your mental reflexes... think of it like sparring against a superior opponent in order to push your body forward and learn more about fighting. Do you understand?" He nodded slightly, the analogy a little more clear to him, as Ozpin waved to the board. "Then allow me to offer you the first move Mr. Midoriya."

Izuku stumbled with a bit of uncertainty into that game of chess. He knew that Ozpin had years of experience on him and probably the intellect to match. Still, he'd offered him the chance to try and he didn't want to insult him. As they both sipped on their cups of hot chocolate they both went at it. He even made a few good moves, he thought, taking some of Ozpin's pawns even as he took some back. It was... actually kind of fun, when he thought about it. It was tense and made him a bit nervous with every move as the game went on but, well, that just made it exciting.

It's as the excitement rushed to his head that he picked up on something Ozpin said earlier in the conversation. A slight frown came across his face, though he squashed it before looking up to Ozpin.

"Excuse me, Headmaster?" Ozpin looked up at him after analyzing his move. "Is... the only reason you invited me here because I have One For All?" Ozpin took a moment to scratch his chin before turning back down to the board.

"I'll admit, of the two reasons I did, without One For All I probably wouldn't have invited you as early." Izuku nodded slightly as he said that. "I'm not going to beat around the bush Izuku... the moment you accepted becoming Toshinori's Successor, you became a 'very' important piece in a rather large puzzle. I wasn't fluffing your ego when I said that one day you and I may very well be working together in a more professional sense." At that, Ozpin moved his chess piece across the board. "However, One For All alone wouldn't have been reason enough either. I would've wanted to see what kind of person you were, how your mind worked, before I would've invited you... no, it's these two reasons together that I've invited you so soon Mr. Midoriya." Izuku arched an eyebrow.

"And the second reason...?" He trailed off as Ozpin smiled, reaching into his desk... and pulling out a several dozen page document.

"I knew that Toshinori wouldn't pick a man or woman of little intelligence to be his successor. Brains might not factor into One For All as much as brawn, but it's still useful." He slid the documents over to Izuku and he picked them up, his emerald eyes went wide. "What I wasn't expecting was someone capable of writing an Academic Thesis on the nature of Toshinori and Enji's placements as the first and second best Huntsmen, replete with numerous sources and a well thought out and constructed argument."

Izuku's essay. The essay he wrote for his entrance into Beacon Academy. The essay that helped get him into the school...

Ozpin. Ozpin The Headmaster of Beacon Academy, renowned for his brilliance, called it an Academic Thesis. He thought Izuku was capable of that. He thought it was well thought out!

'Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh-'

"THANK YOU HEADMASTER OZPIN!" Izuku's sudden shout seemed to take Ozpin off guard, the man very nearly spilling his hot chocolate onto the table as Izuku started repeatedly bowing his head. "THIS IS SUCH AN HONOR I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS DAY AS LONG AS I LIVE! I PROMISE THAT I'LL TELLMYGRANDKIDSSTORIESABOUTHOWTHEWISEHEADMASTEROZPINTOLDMETHATMYWORKWASACADEMICIMEANTHEYPROBABLYWON'TBELIEVEMEAND-"

"Mr Midoriya, deep breaths." Ozpin's voice was broken up slightly by a few laughs as he looked at Izuku, that having been enough to snap the younger man out of his state as he realized that he just had a full-blown freak out over Ozpin having 'complimented' his work. Izuku's face immediately went beet red as he begin to apologize profusely, the Headmaster just waving him off as he bowed his head. Sense having returned to Izuku, he quickly made a moved on the chessboard before cautiously proceeding with the conversation.

"So... Headmaster... u-uh... d-do you have any critiques, sir?" Ozpin raised an eyebrow slightly as he said that, though there was a ghost of a smile on his lips as he nodded.

"I do in fact. While your paper was quite well documented and informed, for what I was looking for it was a bit... long. Needless to say, I'll be instituting a word limit on future essays." Izuku blushed again and moved to apologize, though Ozpin quickly waved him off. "Don't think I myself was displeased, far from it, I found it a rather enjoyable read. However, these were more meant to give quick insights into your ways of thinking... and while this was an insight, it wasn't quick. My advice relating to this would be to remember who your audience is when writing. An Academic such as myself will appreciate the effort you put into papers like this... however, bureaucrats who're just looking for something to latch onto as far as critical thinking is concerned and even your fellow students might not want to go through an Academic Thesis to understand your point. Does that make sense, Mr. Midoriya?"

"Yes sir." He nodded as Ozpin made another move on the chessboard, his eyes quickly scanning it.

"I'd also note that given our career track, most people will be looking to see how you apply Academic knowledge like this to other scenarios. More real world scenarios, if you understand?" Izuku quirked an eyebrow, clearly confused, as Ozpin smiled. "I asked you to explain to me why Toshinori and Enji might be ranked as they are. It's a question that, on the surface, requires very little thought. After all, Toshinori is the Symbol of Peace and Enji is quite widely known as the Second Greatest Huntsman. It wouldn't be hard for someone to just come away with it that the idea is that image is everything…"

"However, you stepped up your game and looked into the factors that would lead to these images. The feats and prospects of the two that would lead people to declare Toshinori the Symbol of Peace and Enji his lesser. It shows that you consider the thoughts and repercussions of what these people do, what they are and how they perform in other people's decision making. This, on its own, might not seem like much. However..." A slight smile formed on Ozpin's lips as he reached into his desk again and tossed Izuku a sheet of paper. Izuku confused for a moment before he took a look at it... only to find his confusion even further amplified. It's a list of the names of his immediate peers; from Asui, Tsuyu all the way down to Xiao Long, Yang.

"Tell me Mr. Midoriya... in a 'short' essay how would you have ranked your peers in terms of leadership and ability? Who would've been at the top of your list and who would've been at the bottom." Izuku snapped a glance up at Ozpin, a slightly coy smile on his face as he took a drink from his cup of cocoa. "Points will be deducted if you use my decisions as justification for placing anyone else. These are based on your judgments of their character and ability, not mine.

"I hope your time spent training with Toshinori has not caused you to slack in your studies, Mr. Midoriya."

Izuku tapped his chin slightly as he considered Ozpin's impromptu question. After only a short time, since when he was made leader he gave that some thought himself just because he was flabbergasted at the fact that he of all people was made the leader of a team, he turned to Ozpin with an even expression on his face.

"Well... first I guess I'd go for process of elimination. The first set being those who would be a danger to their teams if they were to lead them." Ozpin nodded as he took a sip of his cocoa. "Based on what I've learned about my friends, I'd put Yang, Nora and Kacchan... I'm sorry, Katsuki in this group." Izuku realized calling Bakugo by Izuku's childhood nickname for him might not come off as terribly professional to his Headmaster, but he continued. "Yang and Nora are impulsive and passionate people and while they can certainly overcome this form time to time and, don't get me wrong, it speaks amazingly well of them that they can stay so positive... the time it would take for them to learn caution would be risky for a team. Not to mention how it'd undermine their authority while in the middle of learning this, authority that they'd need to build as leaders."

"Katsuki... he just wouldn't accept criticisms or disobedience as a leader and he's incredibly easy to provoke to anger. The latter two can be pretty useful in a more standard force, but with groups of Hunters who have the ambitions to actual pursue the career... it's just a Grimm Magnet. They wouldn't fold to Katsuki's presence or demeanor and so he'd be furious and it'd just spiral from there. There were glimpses of that in the Emerald Forest. It would just lead to ill will all around."

Ozpin nodded as he made another move on the board, he quickly followed up.

"Then you've got to eliminate people who won't take initiative. The kind of people who'd prefer to stand to the side or follow. For those remaining, that'd be Blake, Ren, Pyrrha, Shoto and Tsuyu." Izuku saw Ozpin quirk an eyebrow but remained silent. Clearly there was something in there that earned his attention or, at least, he was interested that Izuku was picking out. "Ren and Blake rarely offer their opinions unasked and, while this is great for a myriad of positions, a leader can't afford to do this. Their group needs guidance and they have to be willing to put it forward. Pyrrha, Shoto and Tsuyu aren't quite the same in that regard, but none of them really seek the attention that would come with being a leader. Sure, there's the idiom that those who don't seek power are the best suited to wield it, I don't think thrusting leadership on those who dislike attention period would be a good idea..." Ozpin nodded as he finally rounded off.

"Which just leaves the rest of us. Ruby's well motivated, talented and skilled in Hunter essentials, but her being younger than everyone else is an issue for her to exert authority... and she's too nice to do so by force even in positions where she could. Weiss is trained in a wide variety of leadership and practical skills, but she's prideful and can take first impressions a little too close to heart. If she were made a leader, those kinds of traits could be reinforced. Then there's me... I mean, aside from One For All and my knowledge is about all I can offer, so maybe leadership is good for someone who really doesn't bring much else to the table. I... really don't have a lot of confidence either, so that tends to undermine everything, including leadership."

"Finally, Tenya's pretty much the whole package. Skill, dedication, confidence, authority. You couldn't have gone wrong with him at all. So I guess I'd rank us like this: Tenya, Ruby, Weiss, myself, Tsuyu, Shoto, Pyrrha, Ren, Blake, Yang, Nora and Katsuki."

There was just a moment where Ozpin hummed to himself, taking another sip of his hot cocoa as he did. Finally he moved his Queen with a bit of a flourish. "Checkmate."

Izuku blinked as he looked down at the board that he and Ozpin had been playing on. Sure enough, he couldn't move his king anywhere without Ozpin being able to take it the next turn. He knew he wasn't entirely focused on the game but he didn't make what he thought were bad moves... heck, he thought he was doing well. But, thinking about the number of turns and the tempo... it felt like Ozpin had a lot of control over that game right from the start, even if he didn't know it.

"Also, I have to say Izuku, I'm once again impressed. Even with how little time you've had, you've managed to craft a very well-reasoned and thought out argument." Ozpin took one last sip of his hot chocolate as he gave a small sigh. "I believe that will be all for today Mr. Midoriya. This was... rather enlightening, would you agree?" Izuku shrugged slightly as he said this, finishing his own cup of hot cocoa.

"Yeah, I'd say so." Izuku'd gotten a little bit of advice off of Ozpin on how to write future papers, got tested on his friend's rankings as leaders and played a game of chess against one of the smartest men in Vale. He'd say that was enlightening.

"Then let's do it again sometime. Though, I'm rather busy to be doing it too too often... I'll send you a message as to when I think I'll be free again." Izuku nodded in agreement as Ozpin gave Izuku the go ahead to leave.

Katsuki was walking back to his room after some late training, it was a good workout and best of all he had no annoyances to deal with: No school work needed to be done, no team members he had to deal with, and best of all no Deku.

Unfortunately, that couldn't last as he had noticed for the past 5 minutes he had been followed and surrounded.

"All right, idiots you have a minute to come out and give a reason not to blow you up!" Katsuki announced annoyed. He could tell that there were four of them which while not bad odds was annoying considering that he was tired and that he had used up his aura earlier. Sure he recovered some of it, but he only had enough to do a few decent explosions at best, though he still had more than enough to beat the idiots who thought that they could ambush him.

At his announcement, he saw the four idiots who wasted their time harassing Faunus. Bakugo inwardly scowled at that. He didn't get racists, he thought it was stupid to be afraid of Faunus because they had a few different features from you. It's the same as hating someone for having a different semblance than the one you had. It was pointless and a complete waste of time.

Hating someone because they're useless and would only drag someone down was different in his opinion. Which was why he went after Deku so much, because without aura he would have been canon fodder at best and at worst a drag on whoever he was working with who would just leech off their efforts. Granted he somehow got his hands on some aura though, which while his explanation was bullshit, at the very least meant he wasn't a complete waste of a huntsmen now and could actually be somewhat competent.

"What do you want?" Katsuki asked rudely.

The idiot who was the leader decided to speak, "Well, I've noticed that you don't fit in with your team and their friends am I right."

"And?" Katsuki asked scowling, tempted to just blow the idiot up.

The leader idiot smiled, "Well how about joining us. Your personality fits us much more. We don't take shit from others and we just want strength."

"Pass," Bakugo said scowling "I don't give a shit about your stupid racist antics. Besides if I needed you losers to help me then I have no right to call myself a huntsmen."

"Is that right," Cardin said cautiously. Meanwhile, the rest of his team had spread out and were prepared to draw their weapons out.

Katsuki smirked, "I'll say it again, if I relied on the help of you pansy bitches then I should just kill myself right then and there."

Cardin took a moment and said, "You know, I can respect that pride of yours. Heck, I respect your decision... that said you've just insulted the wrong team." And with that, he roared with rage, raised his mace up high as he and his team charged at Bakugo.

Katsuki got into his stance with eager anticipation for that upcoming fight.

A young Katsuki watched a video of Toshinori killing hordes of Grimm by himself.

"No way," he said, his eyes shining with amazement. "He killed so many of them by himself."

Katsuki leaped up into the air, "That's so cool! He's the strongest! It didn't matter that there was so many because he's the strongest!" A thought came into his mind.

"I want to just be like him! To be the strongest huntsmen ever!"

xXxXxXxXxXx

Katsuki walked into his team's room. Everyone in the room could see some bruises on him.

Ruby was worried and asked "What happened, who gave you those injuries?" While Katsuki was annoyed, he could at least respect that Ruby didn't ask that question out of pity, but because she intended to make the perpetrators pay. Though annoyance still won out in the end.

"It doesn't matter, I won." That was all Katsuki was willing to say on that matter. As he went into the bathroom ready to take his evening shower he thought to himself.

'It doesn't matter who, whether it's half-half bastard, the runt, the runt's sister, Deku's partner, or even Deku himself. It doesn't matter who stands in my way. I will crush them all and I will become the strongest. That I swear.'

"How'd your lesson plan go Toshinori," Ozpin flipped through his notebook as he and the decrepit form of the world's greatest hero sat across from another. It was nearly nine, and Ozpin could tell that Toshinori was exhausted, and he almost felt bad having him come to these monthly check up sessions. But, well rules are rules, and Toshinori was the newest teacher, and one of the perks of seniority were forcing your most recently arrived colleagues to come in to mandatory one-on-ones last.

Them's the breaks basically.,

"Oh, pretty well I'd say," Toshinori nodded, flipping through his notebook, "Most of the class seems to be understanding the point of strengthening their bodies. Ms. Rose seems to be having the most trouble, but I suppose that is to be expected.

"Yes," Ozpin nodded, "Ruby does face certain challenges. I have never seen someone her age be so in control of her aura, but her age means that she has not grown to be quite as physically capable as her classmates," Even Weiss, despite her lack of height, was simply further along in her physical development, "But ultimately, that is but a small obstacle for her. She will grow in ways that you can't possibly imagine."

"...One of your plans?" Toshinori's eyes, sunken almost completely into his skull, stared directly into Ozpin's.

"Basically."

"You're one of a kind Ozpin," Toshinori chuckled, then stopped, when he heard Ozpin place his mug down on the desk. That was unusual, Ozpin had just gotten another cup, and if there was one truth that defined Ozpin, is that he would never actually put down a cup of that warming brew. Toshinori looked up from his notes, and saw a small glint in Ozpin's eye.

"Something wrong...Ozpin?"

"...Nothing," Ozpin picked up his mug again, and took a long swig. For a second, Toshinori wondered if the headmaster's brew was spiked with some sort of alcohol, but quickly dismissed that notion. Ozpin would never indulge in something that could dull his mind and body.

"Okay then," Toshinori looked back down at his notes, "I was thinking that next, we could try a mixing of teams. I understand that having partners is very important, but the modern hunter needs to be prepared to adapt to any team composition that is around them, and fill out their role in it accordingly," he looked at Ozpin, who nodded consent to continue, "I was thinking picking teams of four out of a hat, then sending them against two Atlesian drones. Not at full power, but just enough to provide a challenge."

"Seems like a fair enough plan," Ozpin nodded, "Bring a detailed lesson plan to Glynda on Monday, and then we can try it sometime soon."

"Damnit," Toshinori grumbled, "Glynda's idea of detailed is something I really am having trouble getting used to. Never let's me play to my strengths."

"Winging it?"

"Yup," Ozpin just shook his head, "Before you go, how is Izuku's training going?"

"Great," Toshinori's hands flew out, causing Ozpin to stumble back, "I mean, you wouldn't believe how far that kid has come. Sure he fanboys a bit too much. Sure he is still just trying to figure out how to even use One for All in his pinkie toe. But I'm telling you Ozpin, I could not have asked for a better successor."

"I can imagine," Ozpin looked down into his coffee, "You know, I'd never thought I'd say it Toshi, but I'm jealous of you."

"...what?"

"Oh yes," Ozpin got out of his seat, stretching his arms out, "I am quite jealous of you Toshinori. So jealous that it actually kind of ticks me off."

"But, why?" Toshinori just stared on in disbelief.

"It's not because of your fame or popularity," Ozpin chuckled ruefully, "I'm not quite as petty as Enji. But...," He stopped himself, trying to put his words together correctly, "I just can't believe that you got the closest kid I have ever seen to my ideal heir as your successor."

"WHAT!?"

"SHUSH!" Ozpin's finger flew in front of Toshi's mouth, "Glynda is still in her office. Do you know what would happen if she walked in right now?"

"She'd ask about the fact that your thinking about a replacement," Toshinori accused, his sunken eyes narrowing.

"No, she'd be mad at me and make me organize my desk," Toshi looked back at the desk, and nodded in agreement, "but yes, I do think that Izuku Midoriya has all the qualifications to take my place should something ever remove me from the game...permanently."

"But...you-"

"One must be prepared for all eventualities my friend," Ozpin chuckled, "I have a few back up plans, but should our enemies, both known and unknown, manage to truly wipe me from the face of this planet, we must have a plan for who would take my post as its guardian."

"But, Midoriya wouldn-"

"Oh, he absolutely would," Ozpin smiled, "The young man has a encyclopedia for a mind. Enough training, and he would be perfect for understanding all the information I am confronted with about how Remnant operates. He has shown a good deal of skill in both tactics and logistics, and when allowed to stretch his wings, he is more than capable with forming connections with those that will allow him to move up into higher social circles."

"You know, I don't think the boy thinks that's what he is doing when making his friends."

"Obviously he doesn't think that, but that doesn't change that is exactly what he is doing," Ozpin took another sip from his coffee, "He is able to remember Hunters' histories and relationships on a level even I have trouble replicating. Heck, his ranking of leadership ability for the teams he was grouped up with was almost exactly identical to my own, and the only reason he was off was because he underestimated himself."

"So, I almost wish that instead of meeting you, he had just sent that essay into me on his own time. I could have attempted to cultivate him, aura or no aura, and trained him to follow me. To learn how to make the difficult calls, to see the world from the eye of an eagle, and protect the future of humanity."

"Ozpin," Toshinori reached out slowly.

"Oh, sorry," Ozpin stopped, and brought up a familiar smile, "Coulda, woulda, shoulda as it were. Izuku is your successor, more than likely destined to be one of the top hunters this generation. He is almost certainly going to do the world a great deal of good, no matter how much this old man may whinge for some young gun to take his post away from him. Anything else you wish to discuss," Toshinori shook his head left and right, "Well then, see you on Monday. Good Night."

"Good Night," Toshinori tossed back, getting out of his chair. For a moment he felt a sense of dread at the back of his head, and thought about the boy who followed his footsteps.

'Unfortunately Ozpin,' Toshinori thought as he walked out of the great door to the rest of Beacon, 'I don't think he could be your heir. Izuku,' he saw a young boy rushing to help a classmate despite a complete lack of combat ability, 'could never sit back on the sideline. He could not take your role as grand master.'

Toshinori looked back at the now closed door, 'You are civilization's great defender, but I have faith that one day, Izuku Midoriya will be-

'Remnant's Greatest Hero.'

E/N: This chapter is finished off with "Heir" by my fellow editor Wind Waker. Who was also the one who decided to put it there. Perks of being editor I guess. Before that we also have Katsuki and Team CRDL by Supa. Which I almost failed to attribute.

-Shovern

I actually wrote Heir as my second shot at an omake style snippet for this story. The first was an attempt to bring one of the underutilized in the story My Hero Academia characters into the limelight a bit. I'll talk about that story in the future, but for the meantime, Heir was a fairly simple idea I had, about how Ozpin likely would like someone like Izuku to be the next...whatever he is. It's not too complicated, deeply insightful young man with unusual level of charisma and dedication to do the right thing comes before him, and Ozpin can't help but wonder if he missed a real shot at actually choosing the next leader of the fight against evil. Of course, Toshinori tends to disagree with that, and the difference between Toshinori and Ozpin will come up again.

-Wind-Waker