The Bad Batch (Star Wars X My Hero Academia)

Chapter Fourteen - First Impression

When the next day came, Jiro began by participating in a sparring match with Wrecker. During the sparring match, Wrecker landed several powerful blows which knock the breath out of her. Jiro lasted for a good long minute before Wrecker overpowered her.

Hunter: Not bad, Jiro. You lasted longer than expected.

Jiro: But...but I only lasted a minute!

Tech: Most people last between 5-10 seconds against Wrecker. One minute against Wrecker is really impressive.

Despite the praise from Hunter and Tech, Jiro's entire body felt sore. She felt as if she went through five rounds of a MMA fight against a super heavyweight fighter. As Jiro slowly got up, she heard a hearty laugh from Wrecker.

Wrecker: You got guts, kid! You just might make it in the 99!

Wrecker smacks Jiro in the back, almost knocking her on the ground. As Jiro reganined her composure, Hunter spoke with her.

Hunter: You good?

Jiro: I'll live. My body's sore after that fight. I can still continue.

Hunter: Good. Head over to the gun range. Crosshair's expecting you. Good luck.

Jiro then heads over to the outdoor gun range where she sees Crosshair shooting targets with his 773 Firepuncher Sniper Rifle. As Jiro approached him, Crosshair coldly glares at her.

Jiro: Crosshair, I'm ready to begin the training.

After a tense moment of silence, Crosshair reloads his sniper rifle.

Crosshair: Have you ever fired a rifle?

Jiro: I...I used to fire an air rifle when I was a kid.

Crosshair was unimpressed with Jiro's answer. Jiro felt tense as he walked over to a nearby console and presses a button. This activates a moving target at 500 yards.

Crosshair: If you want in on this team, then you're going to need to prove that you can carry your weight.

Jiro: I can do that, Crosshair.

Crosshair: We'll see about that.

As Crosshair aimed Jiro his sniper rifle, Jiro was confused.

Jiro: What's this? I thought you were the team's sniper.

Crosshair: What if during a Villain fight, I'm taken down or killed? What if we need a sniper to save our lives and I'm unable to fulfill that role?

As Crosshair made his point, Jiro was taken aback by this. As a response, she took the sniper rifle and aimed it at the target.

Crosshair: Steady your aim.

Jiro: Got it.

Crosshair: Keep your eye on the target.

Jiro: That's easy.

Crosshair: Well this is the part where it's not. You have to feel the shot. Keep in mind variable humidity and wind speed along the bullet's flight path. At this distance you'll also have to take the Coriolis Effect into account. Take your time with it. You have all the time you need. All the time in the world.

Jiro took aim at the target with Crosshair's sniper rifle. The target was far for Jiro. Even with the scope of the sniper rifle, the moving target could barely be seen. She kept her eye on the target, wanting to impress Crosshair. As she took the shot, she missed the target.

Crosshair: Too soon. You got impatient and fired too early.

Jiro: I could barely see it!

Crosshair: Excuses might've helped you with Aizawa, but it won't help you here. At this distance, I can hit that target with my eyes closed. I wouldn't even have to use my Quirk.

As Crosshair lectured Jiro about her missed shot, Jiro once more took aim at the target. She knew that the best way to impress Crosshair was to hit this target. However, she was no sniper. She knew that a shot like this would be impossible for her. Despite this, Jiro refused to give up. This might be her only shot at impressing Crosshair. She looked through the scope and set her eyes on the barely visible target. She held her breath and steadied herself. Without hesitation, she took the shot. Not knowing whether she hit the target or not, she watched as Crosshair flipped a switch on the console. The wait was nerve-wracking as Crosshair remained silent. Soon enough, Jiro and Crosshair turned their attention to the target. She had managed to hit the target in the upper torso area.

Crosshair: With a shot like that, you'll immobilize the target without killing. Good shot considering the distance.

Hearing Crosshair compliment Jiro's shot boosted Jiro's confidence.

Jiro: T..thanks, Crosshair.

Crosshair: But you're a long way from impressing me. You've got a long way to go if you're going to be a part of this team. But you're off to a good start. Keep this up and you just might be as good as Aizawa.

Jiro: What was he like in the Bad Batch?

Crosshair: Same as he is now. He's a better Pro Hero than most of the Regs you deal with on a daily basis.

Jiro: You call the other Pros Regs like it's a bad thing. Why?

Crosshair: Because Regs are focused too much on glory and sponsorships when they be focused on the job. That's why most of them don't like we. We play by our own rules rather then theirs. Once you're in the field as a member of the 99, you better get used to the Regs looking down on you.

In that moment, Jiro had impressed Crosshair, but it would be a long way before she would earn his respect. With that, Jiro continued her training under the Bad Batch. As the training went on, Jiro made good progress. What Jiro didn't know was that she would soon gain field experience from the Bad Batch.