Toward the end of III, while sitting beside Don Tommasino's coffin, Michael seems to anoint Vincent as his heir. Michael basically has given up. Vincent says all the wants is to preserve the family. Michael says, "Nephew, call yourself Vincent Corleone." There's a bunch of hand-kissing. Michael tells Vincent he has to give up Mary, then Vincent busies himself with organizing the assassinations of Michael's enemies. You know the rest of it.

My question: What did Michael really have i mind for Vincent, long term? Did he envision Vincent as just physical protector? Or would Vincent have a place in Immobiliare or the rest of the Corleone legitimate empire? Your thoughts?