"I don't understand why you hate me." Zero said to his guardian, hand laid over his eyes to block out the morning sun. It was his first day at U.A. "My schedule is so different from everyone else, they'll think I'm weird."

"Zero, honey," Nedzu said in a patronising way. It made Zero smile. "You're a retired villain turned student, you're coming in at a different time then other students, and you're my ward. Of course your schedule is going to be better."

"Ah, right. Better." Zero mumbled. It was far too early for this. His body was still used to sleeping all day and doing his work at night.

"You know, when you reach third year we can always turn your schedule nocturnal. I have a few other students at A.U. who prefer the night time study." Zero bristled. He was ninety-five percent sure Nedzu put a chip in his head. "Though, I assume you'll want to stay with your classmates. They're quite lively!"

Nedzu laughed, and Zero felt like somewhere across the world a lab blew up.

The rest of the ride was done in quiet conversation. Zero was honest with his mentor, saying he didn't plan to make any friends, and that really he was just here to stay out of jail.

"Maybe, in the slightest way, just a tiny speck of maybe, I might become an underground hero. Maybe. But I don't wanna be old and grouchy like Aizawa" Nedzu let out a cheerful chuckle.

"Zero, I guarantee by the end of the year you'll see what I have planned for you." Zero almost regretted helping him out of their car. Their driver, a fucking robot, was apparently the best in the business. Meaning Nedzu designed them.

"How ominous!" Zero heard. He turned around, and there was All Might in all his glory. Not! In fact, the man looked sickly, as if he hadn't eaten in days.

"Hello, Toshinori!" Nedzu replied. Izuku gave a small wave. Sensei's words flashed in his head.

In a dimly lit chamber deep within a concealed underground lair, All for One sat upon an ornate, high-backed chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. His gaunt face bore the scars of countless battles, a testament to his enduring power and resilience. Across from him, Izuku Midoriya, now fully immersed in the mantle of villainy under the name Zero, stood with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. The air was heavy with tension, a palpable reminder of the vast difference in experience and strength between the two figures.

"All Might's transformation," All for One began, his voice deep and measured, "is nothing short of a revelation, young Zero. The once-mighty Symbol of Peace, reduced to a frail form that echoes the limitations of his power." His lips curled into a sardonic smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling with malice. "What thoughts does this transformation stir within you?"

Zero's gaze shifted between the sinister figure before him and the floor, his brow furrowing in thought. "It's... strange, to see him like that. I used to idolise All Might, believing in his invincibility. But now, seeing him in that form, it's as if the foundation of my beliefs has been shaken." Kurogiri had instructed him on what to say. He was only ten after all, and 'pretty fucking lame' was not an appropriate response.

All for One's fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest of his chair. "Indeed, Zero. The hero who once stood as an unyielding pillar of hope is now a reminder of vulnerability and the transient nature of power. But tell me, do you consider his transformation a weakness?"

Zero's gaze hardened, his hands clenched into fists. "No, it's not a weakness. It's a testament to his strength, his resolve to continue fighting even when he's not at his peak. It's... inspiring, in a different way."

Zero had to have his third surgery after Sensei was done with him. His knee was still a little out of shape.

"So, what do I do?" Zero asked when he and Nedzu reached the office. Toshinori was tailing them, and it honestly annoyed Zero quite a bit. Not because of the whole Number One Hero and Retired Villain nonsense, but because All Might looked like a kicked puppy.

"Oh, nothing too much, help me around the office, maybe answer some calls. We'll just ease you into it today."

"So, I'm your secretary?" Zero said, tone flat. Nedzu just raised his cup of tea.

"I'd prefer the term successor." Zero paused, sucking in a breath of air. He couldn't be serious. I mean, a villain leading U.A.? What sort of crazy plan did Nedzu have in mind?

"You can't seriously mean that."

"On the contrary, Zero, I do. Of course, when you take over I might politely nudge you into going by Izuku again, but that is many years in the future. For now, I just want you to learn." He poured Izuku a cup of tea. The cup had soft lilac flowers trailing the sides of it, and became prominent glass bumps on the handle.

"Why me?" Zero couldn't help but ask. "I'm, well I was a villain. I don't have a quirk, I'm not strong."

"You mean you're no All Might?" Izuku nodded once, and Nedzu sighed. "You spent enough time under All for One that you know his plans, his teaching, the way he thinks. And though many heroes may disagree with me, some of the things he says are good points. When I read your notebook on All for One, some of the plans you had detailed had me nodding along in agreement. There is truth to his words, but he's going about them the wrong way. You, Izuku, know these teachings better than anyone else. I won't apologise for what you have gone through, but I will say it has made you stronger. You can lead U.A., start a new birth of thinkers, and get rid of the people who think strength is everything. That is exactly why I want you to be my successor."

"Oh."

"Well, let that be food for thought I suppose. Come along, you've got your own office over here."

The next room they walked into was gorgeous. Almost as good as Izuku's bedroom.

The door bore a sleek, engraved nameplate. Zero. Not Izuku, not someone he could have been, but who he was. Zero.

The office was generously sized, striking a balance between functionality and a sense of personal space. The walls were adorned with framed certificates, diplomas, and accolades, a testament to the occupant's achievements and expertise. Soft, muted tones dominated the colour palette, creating an environment conducive to focused work and clear thinking.

A sizable desk stood as the centrepiece of the room, its surface impeccably organised. A high-end computer with multiple monitors occupied a prominent position, flanked by an array of meticulously aligned stationery and neatly stacked documents. The desk was bathed in the warm glow of a desk lamp, casting a soft pool of light over the workspace.

A plush leather chair with ergonomic design sat behind the desk, inviting productivity with its promise of comfort during long hours of contemplation and decision-making. The chair was positioned in a way that allowed its occupant to have an unobstructed view of the room, reinforcing a sense of control and authority.

Bookshelves adorned the walls, housing an eclectic collection of volumes that spanned a spectrum of genres and subjects. Here, well-worn classics stood shoulder-to-shoulder with modern reference materials and leather-bound tomes. A cosy seating area near the window comprised a plush sofa and a low coffee table, providing a space for informal discussions and moments of respite.

The window, dressed in tasteful drapes, offered a view of the city skyline or perhaps a well-manicured courtyard, depending on the office's location. Natural light filtered in, illuminating the room and harmonising with the gentle artificial lighting to create a pleasant ambiance.

On a sideboard, a sleek coffee machine and an assortment of refreshments awaited, ready to fuel the occupant's intellectual pursuits. Artful accents, such as potted plants and framed photographs, injected a touch of personality into the space, reminding visitors of the occupant's multifaceted identity beyond the realm of work.

"Nedzu, this is-"

"If it's not enough, I can always bring in more items." Nedzu said with a confident grin. It was quite scary to see on the rat, but Zero was growing used to it enough. "It's almost a full copy of my own private office, and it's where in a few months I'll start having you meet with clients. You will have a budget to use on whatever you want in here, but use it wisely. The budget is by every semester, not month like other schools have it."

Zero was struck with the desire to hug the little rat man. He gave him a fist bump instead.

"The only classes you have to actually leave for are Heroics and Construction and Design. I won't start you on both of those today. Today will be your heroics and tomorrow will be the other. After that, you'll be attending both every day. I'll leave you to get settled."

Zero plopped himself into his fancy desk chair. There was a cabinet labelled by common classes, and a little yellow sticky note was stuck to them.

Make sure to have these done by the end of the month! That's when we'll check in. ;0

Crazy little rat bastard. He began to write.

"Nezu, also known as Principal," Zero muttered softly to himself as his pen glided over the page. "His quirk, 'High Spec,' grants him an astonishing level of intelligence and cognitive abilities. It's said that his intellect rivals that of some of the greatest minds in the world."

Zero paused, allowing the weight of that statement to sink in. Nezu's quirk wasn't one that involved flashy displays of power or brute force; instead, it manifested as an unparalleled intellect that allowed him to analyse situations, formulate strategies, and make informed decisions with remarkable speed and accuracy.

He continued to write, his pen practically keeping up with the rapid flow of his thoughts. "Nezu's quirk also grants him a heightened sense of perception, similar to that of a small animal. This keen awareness of his surroundings enhances his ability to gather information and make split-second judgments."

As Zero wrote, his mind wandered back to the first time he had met Principal Nezu. It hadn't been a moment of surprise and wonder when he realised that the intelligent being before him was, in fact, a creature with a quirk that defied conventional expectations. It was just something he thought was kind of cool. Nomu's were like Nedzu, just a bit dumb.

"In addition to his quirk," Zero mused, "Nezu possesses an extensive knowledge of various subjects, ranging from heroics to science. He's not only a skilled strategist but also a talented inventor, often utilising his scientific expertise to create gadgets and devices that aid both heroes and the academy. He is also a crazy rat bastard."

"All right, settle down." The class instantly went silent. Zero stood impatiently outside of the classroom door. Nedzu insisted he be introduced as a regular kid, but his lack of uniform (it got hot) was probably a dead give away. Not to mention that the only class he was attending with Class 1-A would be heroics.

"Today we're getting a new student. I don't want any questions. Come in, Zero." He took a deep breath and opened the door. Confidence, that's all you need.

As he awkwardly walked into the classroom, many of the girls started to whisper to each other. Damn, was he not confident enough? He was pretty sure he looked confident. Maybe he just had to actually feel confident? Well, he was confident because he said he was, right?

"Introduce yourself, brat." Aizawa said. Zero jolted.

"Right, yeah, okay. I'm Zero, I go here. Cool." That wasn't confident at all!

"What's your last name?" A girl asked. She had pink skin and yellow horns coming out of her hair. A cool quirk, he decided. He'd have to get some info on it. Now back to her question, he needed something quick and easy and-

"His last name is Nedzu." Aizawa spoke for him. He just- he lied! "He prefers to go by his first name."

"Right, yeah, what he said." No one said anything for a moment, but a kid with yellow hair stood up with a large grin on his face.

"Welcome to the class!" Many more welcomes followed suit. Maybe class with them wouldn't be so bad.

Heyo! I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I had a lot of fun designing Izuku's office room as I picture him spending a lot of time in there. I hope you enjoyed! As each chapter progresses I want to try and play a little more into Izuku's past and his quick (PATERNAL) feelings for Nedzu. I mean, Izuku never had a childhood really, and while he's not overly trusting Nedzu has been trustworthy and has trusted him so... I don't know, just a little idea I've got swarming.