(Dairoku's POV)

(Flashback)

After I had finished talking to Ruby, she left to go to Glynda's class next. I was about to leave as well until I heard a familiar voice behind me. When I turned around, I saw it was Ozpin with his infamous mug in hand.

Oz: That was quite the speech you gave to Ms. Rose. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Me: And I meant every word of it too. I know she has what it takes to become an amazing and reliable leader.

Oz: And what about Ms. Schnee?

Me: Hmm... If I was to be completely honest, I don't see a leader. Instead, I see a teammate that will always have your back. She just needs to realize it herself and get rid of that terrible entitled attitude of hers.

Oz: Is that why you put your position of leader on the line?

Me: Precisely. If she truly think she has what it takes, then I'll gladly give up my position but I still stand by what I said before.

Oz chuckled a bit before taking a sip from his mug

Oz: Very well Mr. Rein. I'll inform Glynda of your match with Ms. Schnee

Me: Thanks Oz.

(End of Flashback)

So there I was, standing at the front of Glynda's class in my combat gear, my arms crossed with Weiss directly in front of me in her combat gear, looking confident. Now all we were doing was waiting for Glynda to start the dual. Finally, she began to speak.

"I DON'T SEE A LEADER, I SEE A RELIABLE TEAMMATE..."
CHAPTER 5: THE BURDEN

(3rd Person POV)

Glynda: Okay class, before we begin, we have a match scheduled for today; Dairoku Rein against Weiss Schnee

Blake, Yang and JNPR all looked surprised at the news that Dairoku and Weiss were going to fight

Yang: Weiss is going to fight Dairoku??

Blake: Why is she fighting him?

Ruby: Because... Weiss and Dairoku got into an argument after Professor Port's class...

Everyone looked at Ruby who looked generally upset and stressed out about the situation

Jaune: Argument? About what?

Ruby:... *sigh* because Dairoku and I were messing around a little bit in class, so she got mad and now she thinks she can be a better leader than Dairoku. So Dairoku decided to challenge her and he said if she won, he'll give up his position of leader to her.

Everyone's expression at Ruby changed to ones of shock

Ren: Is he really putting his position of leader on the line?

Yang: Why would he do something like that?

Pyrrha: He's going to prove a point.

Everyone looked to Pyrrha, confused

Blake: To prove a point?

Pyrrha: Yes. Since the first day she got here, Weiss always had this... for the lack of a better term, entitled mindset and she looks down on others... So if what Ruby said was accurate, then it only further proves my point.

Jaune: What do you mean?

Pyrrha: Dairoku... Although he seems pretty laid back, he too has his limits and one of those is Entitlement. He cannot stand anyone who acts spoilt or entitled to things that they didn't work for.

Everyone looked at Pyrrha once again before turning their attention back to Weiss and Dairoku

Glynda: The match will end when either of your Auras' enters the red or one of you forfeits the match. Do you understand?

Dairoku/Weiss: Yes ma'am.

Glynda: Good. Prepare yourselves.

Weiss unsheathed her Myrtenaster and got into her signature stance. Dairoku on the other hand, just closed his eyes, before unfolding his arms and reaching behind him to unsheathe his Glacial Blaze... Correction, what he was actually doing is using his left hand to reach behind and grab his Blaze and put it in his right hand; he was going to use one sword only. Everyone seemed confused at why he wasn't taking out Glacial as well.

Weiss: You're using only one of your swords?

Dairoku: Yes because, I'm quite positive I won't need both for this match.

Weiss looked shocked for a moment before looking slightly angry at Dairoku for not taking her seriously.

Weiss: Well, you're going to regret that.

Dairoku: Hmph. Alright... Then prove it.

The two combatants stared at each other, both in their combat stances, waiting for Glynda to start the match. Weiss looked determined and confident while Dairoku showed barely any emotion at all; in fact, his eyes looked emotionless.

Glynda: Begin!

Weiss immediately rushed at Dairoku who haven't moved from his position and thrust her Myrtenaster at him but Dairoku effortlessly parried her attack and redirected it upwards, creating a loud sound wave that cause everyone in the class except for Pyrrha to cover their ears and a large gust of wind; Weiss on the other hand looked completely shocked that he barely moved to block it. She quickly regained her composer and continued her assault on Dairoku who simply parried and dodged her, much to her annoyance.

Dairoku: Come on Ice Queen, I thought you wanted to be a leader but considering that you can't even get a scratch on me, what chance do you got?

Weiss became angered from his taunt and began to use her Semblance, her Glyphs to propel herself towards Dairoku at blinding speeds but Dairoku was faster. He blocked all her attacks and got some solid hits on her, even sending her back to the other side of the arena with a powerful kick that created a powerful shockwave. Weiss' Aura dropped into the yellow while Dairoku's was still in the green; in fact, it seemed like his Aura didn't drop at all. Dairoku rested Blaze on his shoulder before speaking to Weiss again

Dairoku: I'm disappointed Weiss. You say you have what it takes to be a leader, yet you can't even land a solid hit on me.

Weiss: How dare you! I do have what it takes!

Dairoku: If so, then prove me wrong.

Weiss got even more annoyed and summoned multiple Glyphs behind her, getting ready to launch multiple ice shards at him. Dairoku at first looked unsurprised but then laughed a little before twirling his Blaze around in his hand until it he began holding it backhanded and he pressed down on the trigger, causing the 'gear' in the blade to start rotating fast and the blade itself to glow a bright red. Everyone, including Weiss looked shocked at this.

Ruby: What's going on with Dairoku's sword?

Pyrrha: Dairoku's swords... Glacial Blaze are forged with dust in them; Ice dust in Glacial and fire dust in Blaze. Each sword has a trigger that when pressed, will supercharge the dust and coat the entire blade in the respective dust.

Ruby: Wait... So that first wave of ice when we were in the forest...

Pyrrha: Yes. That came from him supercharging the Ice Dust in Glacial, and the wave of fire came from him supercharging the Firs Dust in Blaze. That's the special function of his swords... but that's not all that is to it...

They looked at Pyrrha slightly confused before looking back at Dairoku whose Blaze began glowing brighter and brighter but eventually, his eyes began glowing their color of crimson and his Blaze and the tips of his wings were suddenly set ablaze.

Blake: Is that the fire dust from his sword?

Pyrrha: Yes and no. He is supercharging the Fire Dust in Blaze but the actual flames on his sword isn't... that's his Aura.

Everyone: His Aura?

Pyrrha: Yes. Dairoku can transfer his Aura into his swords, making their strikes stronger but it's a risky thing to do as it drains his Aura and if he isn't fully focused, he'll just dispel his entire Aura, leaving him vulnerable. As for the flames on his wings, that's just his Semblance. He's able to manipulate fire.

Ruby: He's... so strong...

Everyone looked back at Dairoku in awe as his flames burned brightly.

Dairoku: Come at me.

Weiss complied his request and fired off Ice shards at Dairoku like bullets. Dairoku on the other hand just simply began deflecting each one that came near him and even flipping to dodge some; the flames lashed out more as he kept slashing until Weiss ran out.

Before she even had a chance to react, Dairoku rushed up to her at full speed. He then dealt five high speed-consecutive thrusts, followed by a downward, then upward slash before culminating in a final, overhead slash; that last attack fully dropped Weiss' Aura into the red. His flames extinguished themselves and he holstered his Blaze back onto the underside of his left wing; Dairoku was the victor.

Glynda: And that is the match, the winner is Dairoku Rein!

Dairoku turned around and walked up to Weiss who was on the ground, frustrated; he kneeled down to her.

Weiss: What do you want now?

Dairoku: Just for you to keep up your side of the bet. I want you to stop acting the way you've been acting and give Ruby a chance.

She just looked down in shame but then she felt his hand rest on her head, patting it gently. She looked back up, slightly shocked.

Dairoku: Well, there no doubt that you're an amazing fighter but it's your poor attitude that brought you down.

Weiss looked down again but Dairoku held her chin up so that she would look at him

Dairoku: I'll tell you what I told Ruby... Being a leader isn't just a title you carry into battle like you think it is. But is a badge that you can never take off and with that badge, also comes a burden. Being a leader also means she is responsible for each and every one of your safety's. One wrong move, one bad order could put any one of you in danger. And that burden's now placed on Ruby's shoulders. I have personal experience of that... One of my teammates got... handicapped... just because of a wrong move I made and now... I hold myself responsible for her current condition... Every day I wish I could turn back time and stop myself from making that order... But I just have to face it... I make sure that burden becomes a reminder to me of one of the many things that could happen if I was a bad leader...

Weiss looked at him shocked and sadden, then disappointed in herself

Dairoku: But, I'll be honest with you. When I look at you, I don't see a leader. I see a reliable teammate... a teammate who would always have her leader's and teammate's backs; a teammate who can help her leader carry that burden; a teammate, who will always be there to support her and lift her spirits up. Even if you think she's not a great leader now, that's why she's here, to forge herself into one. You can't expect her to become an amazing leader overnight, it takes a lot of time and patience.

Weiss was completely speechless at Dairoku's speech. He just gave her a smile and offered her his hand, which she took. When he helped her up, Dairoku turned to look at Ruby, who looked equally as speechless.

Dairoku: Ruby, do you remember what I told you earlier?

Ruby looked back at him and nodded.

Dairoku: Good. Never forget it.

Everyone looked at Dairoku in awe as he left the room to change back into his uniform. On his way out, he took a glance at Pyrrha who was smiling then at Jaune before nodding to him and saying,

Dairoku: That goes for you too Jaune, I know you can become a great leader.

Then he left.

(Time Skip)

(Dairoku's POV)

It was nighttime and I was making my way back to my room but as I passed by Team RWBY's room, I heard Weiss talking to Ruby, in a calm tone...

Weiss: Ruby... I think you have what it takes to be a good leader. Just know, that I'm going to be the best teammate you'll ever have. Good luck studying.

I couldn't help but smile at the fact that she was giving Ruby a chance. Then I heard her correct something.

Weiss: That's wrong by the way.

Ruby: Gah!

I chuckled to myself at that; I could definitely see those two working amazingly together. I them saw Weiss open the door and say something else to Ruby.

Weiss: Hey, Ruby...

Ruby: Uh huh?

Weiss:... I've always wanted Bunk Beds as a kid.

She closed the door and turned around to see me standing there, smirking

Weiss: D-Dairoku! I didn't see you there

Me: Yeah, sorry about that but... I'm glad that you're giving Little Rose in there a chance.

Weiss: Well, what you said was true... So I want to change.

Me: Good enough for me.

Weiss: And I wanted to apologize to you...

Me: For what?

Weiss: For all of those things I said about you... If I had knew that you had went through all that, I wouldn't have said those things... I'm so sorry Dairoku... You really deserve to be a leader... I just hope that... we could become friends...

Me: What do you mean? We're already friends. That's why I did my best to help you break out of that mindset of yours. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for comparing you to your father. I know you're nothing like him.

Weiss just slightly chuckled at me, embarrassingly

Weiss: No, you're right. I did sound like him... But... Thank you... Umm... Dairoku...?

Me: Yes?

She looked around to see in there was anyone but there wasn't. Then she looked back at me and embarrassingly asked me,

Weiss: D-Do you mind... if we... hug...?

I was slightly confused but, decided to give her the benefit of the doubt

Me: Sure, I don't mind.

She then lunged into me and began to hug me, me returning it. I just rubbed the back of her head gently. Weiss was just a kind and caring person at heart... We pulled away and I could see her smile warmly which was a nice sight

Weiss: Could you introduce me to the girl you said who got handicapped?

Me: Not a problem! When she comes back, I'll introduce you to her. Besides, I think she'll be excited to see you; she always looked up to you as she heard your songs.

Weiss: I see... Well, thank you Dairoku... You truly are the prodigy of a legend.

Me: No problem Snowflake. I'm going to go to bed now, I'll see you tomorrow. Good night

Weiss: Good night.

END

https://youtu.be/OOohbQZc9o8

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Weiss is finally giving Ruby a chance and now respects Dairoku. And before anyone wonders, no Dairoku x Weiss is not going to be a thing though I do plan to give her a love interest. Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Also, the reason i didn't put a gif for Dairoku's final attack is because the gif i found was apparently too large and i can't find another. If you want to see it, look up Sword Art Online Howling Octave.