The next phase of the training took place at the Angeles Shooting Ranges. Here, there were tables with various kinds of firearms set up, along with ammunition, shooting glasses and earmuffs, plus targets set up at random distances. Today, the candidates were dressed in their hero costumes.

"All right, for your next class, I'll be teaching you shooting skills," said Todoroki. "Who here has never fired a gun before?"

Everyone but Kendo and Ashido raised their hands.

"All right, before I teach you the basics of how to use firearms, I have to teach you the four basic rules of gun safety: 1. Treat every gun as if it were loaded even if it's not. 2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot. 3. Never point the gun at anything you don't intend to destroy. 4. Finally, never fire unless you're sure of your target and what is beyond it. Is that understood?"

Everyone responded affirmatively, but a few women raised their hands.

"Yes, Deko?" said Todoroki.

"Excuse me, but if we have Quirks, then why are we being taught how to use guns?"

"I realize that some of you may view firearms as being superfluous, but if you think about it, they can serve not only as a supplement to your Quirks, but even as an extension in certain cases, not to mention that the mere act of brandishing a firearm is enough to show a villain that you mean business."

"Must we be forced to use such barbaric implements, though?" asked Shiozaki.

"Yeah, this seems a little excessive, ribbit," said Tsu.

"As barbaric as you may deem them, there are situations where they could save your life," said Todoroki. "Any other questions?"

No one else had any questions.

"Good. Now, every firearm has three main components: the action, the barrel, and the stock/grip. First, I want you to put on your shooting glasses and earmuffs."

Everyone put on their safety gear.

"Now, I want you all to pick up the handgun that's furthest to your left."

Everyone picked up the corresponding gun.

"What you are holding is the Smith & Wesson Model 66, a six-shot, double-action .357 Magnum revolver. Based on the medium-sized K-frame, it's very accurate and reliable. To load this one, use your right thumb to hold open the cylinder latch, and with your left index and middle fingers, press down towards the top of the cylinder to open it. Do not apply pressure to the cylinder before you open the cylinder latch."

Everyone opened the cylinder on their Model 66s as they were asked.

"Now, grab a speedloader, and with the gun pointed downwards, insert the bullets into the cylinder chambers, twist the knob on the back of the speedloader clockwise to release the bullets, and with your left hand on the gun, use your left thumb to close the cylinder.

Again, everyone loaded their revolvers according to the directions.

"Now, to aim the gun, line the front sight up perfectly with the notch in the rear sight and align that with where you want the bullet to go. It will also help to support your dominant hand with your other hand."

Everyone took aim.

"To shoot, place your index finger on the trigger, squeeze, and…FIRE!"

Everyone started shooting, filling the air with the characteristic "boom" of the .357 Magnum. Already, it became evident that some women were better shots than others, and some were better able to handle the Magnum recoil than others. However, there was still time to improve their skills. Todoroki waited until the last shot had been fired, and…

"OK, once you've used up all six shots, open the cylinder as I told you before, and with your left thumb, use the ejector rod on the front of the cylinder to expel the empty cartridges."

Once again, the candidates followed Todoroki's directions to the letter.

"Now, reload and continue shooting until I say 'cease fire'."

With that, Todoroki's women continued their target practice. While some of them still had trouble hitting the target, others showed some improvement the more they used their .357s. A few speedloaders later…

"Cease fire!" said Todoroki.

Everyone stopped shooting.

"Now, put down your pistols and grab the submachine gun that's second from your left."

Everyone put their Model 66s down where they'd originally been and picked up the next weapon.

"This weapon that you're holding is the Uzi, a 9mm submachine gun developed by Major Uziel Gal of the Israel Defense Forces in 1950. It can either fire in semi-automatic or fully-automatic at a rate of 600 rounds per minute. Smaller versions such as the Mini Uzi and Micro Uzi are compact enough to fit in a purse."

A bunch of the women giggled at the last part.

"Note that the version that you are carrying is equipped with a folding metal stock for stability. If you wish, you may give it a hard downwards yank and pull it back until it clicks."

Everyone extended the folding stocks on their Uzis.

"To load this one, grab a 32-round magazine, insert it into the pistol grip with the bullets facing forward, giving it a hard slap, and pull the charging handle on top all the way back to cock the weapon, letting it go once you pull it back."

Everyone loaded their guns accordingly.

"Currently, the selector switch is set to 'S' for 'safe', so to get it to fire, you'll either want to set it to 'R' for 'semi-auto' or 'A' for full-auto. Also, squeeze the grip to push down the grip safety on the back."

Everyone set the selector switches on.

"You can also use the forward handguard to give you better control over the gun."

Everyone grabbed the handguards on their guns as instructed.

"Take aim…"

Everyone aimed.

"FIRE!"

Almost instantly, the air rumbled with the full-auto chatter of Uzis. While Todoroki admired how they were able to load and handle the guns, one thing became apparent to him…

"CEASE FIRE!"

Everyone stopped shooting.

"I've noticed that some of you are holding down the trigger, and that reminds me: when firing any machine gun, try to fire in short bursts. Not only will the gun be more controllable and accurate that way, but you'll save ammo. Is that understood?"

Everyone responded affirmatively.

"Good. Continue shooting!"

Everyone kept practicing with their Uzis until their magazines ran out.

"To remove the magazine, press the magazine release on the bottom of the grip."

Some of the women, having gotten a taste of full-auto recoil, decided to practice in semi until they felt more confident in their handling of the weapons. Regardless, as with the Model 66s, a number of them were improving the more they handled the weapons, and some of them, such as Deko, smiled, finding the rush they got from firing a machine gun to be invigorating. A few magazines later, Todoroki gave another "cease fire" order.

"All right, we're done with this weapon, so put it down and grab the submachine gun to its right," said Todoroki.

Everyone put down their Uzis and grabbed the next submachine gun.

"This is the Smith & Wesson M76. It's an American-made copy of the Swedish Carl Gustaf Model 45. Like the Uzi, this one also uses 9mm ammunition and can fire semi-auto or full-auto, the latter at a rate of 720 rounds per minute. While not as compact as the Uzi, this one offers a few advantages, namely better accuracy and a larger 36-round magazine. To load this one, insert the magazine into the magazine well forward of the grip and pull the cocking handle on the right side of the gun."

Once again, everyone had no trouble loading the M76.

"To unfold the stock, press down on the top of the gun with your left thumb, pull up on the stock and swing it outwards."

Everyone unfolded the stock on their M76s as told.

"This gun has an ambidextrous selector switch. Push it forward once for semi-auto, and push it all the way forward for full-auto."

Having experienced the full-auto fury of the Uzi, a bunch of the women set their M76s on semi-auto, but a few brave souls put theirs on full-auto.

"On this weapon, you may hold the magazine well for support."

Everyone did so.

"Take aim…"

Everyone took aim.

"FIRE!"

Having spent some time with previous weapons, the women were having an easier time with the M76. To eject the magazine on this gun, one had to push down on the mag release lever with their left thumb. On this day, the women also got to try other guns such as the M16A1 assault rifle, the Mossberg 500 shotgun and the M60 machine gun. They spent at least a week training to use guns, even field stripping and maintenance. Then, on the final day of shooting practice, Todoroki had a little surprise for his women…

"Last, but most certainly not least, we have the M202 Flame Assault Shoulder Weapon, aka the 'Grim Reaper'. Derived from a Vietnam War-era design, it usually fires 66mm rockets with a thickened pyrophoric agent, causing extremely severe burns. However, it can also fire other types of munitions: anti-tank, bunker buster, nuclear…you name it. Everyone, draw a number."

Once again, everybody drew a number card from the red bowl.

"Whoever has number 1, please step forward."

This time, it was Uraraka who got number 1.

"Congratulations, Uraraka. You'll be the first to try out this fearsome weapon of war."

Uraraka smiled and quickened her pace as she headed to try out the M202.

"To operate this weapon, first unlatch the rear cover and lock it in the open position."

Uraraka grabbed the Grim Reaper and did so.

"Now, pull the handle on the rear tubes and pull them back until they lock into place."

Uraraka continued to follow Todoroki's directions.

"Next, unlatch the front cover and lock that in the open position."

Uraraka did so.

"With the front cover open, swing the grip/trigger assembly until it locks into position."

Uraraka did that, too.

"Unfold the sight."

Uraraka did that as well.

"Take aim, and…FIRE!"

Uraraka aimed the M202 at a Rallye Red 2007 Honda Civic coupe that was set up along with other cars and fired. The rocket struck the car and blew it to smithereens.

"Hooah!" Uraraka pumped her left fist.

"All right, whoever has number 2, please step forward."

Next, it was Kodai's turn to try out the Grim Reaper. Unlike Uraraka, however, she showed no emotion when she blew apart a Magnetic Gray 2010 Nissan Sentra with the weapon. Unlike her, however, most of the women got a kick out of the big bad rocket launcher.

Having gotten in a suitable amount of target practice, the next phase of the training would take place at the US Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton.

"All right, all of you have gotten in a suitable amount of CQB training and firearms training. Now, I want to see how each of you will fare in a mock firefight. To this end, you'll be facing automated combat dummies like this, called 'Simulants'." Todoroki pointed to a dummy that resembled a crash test dummy, but was somewhat more human in appearance in addition to having more articulation. "These simulants can be programmed to have different movement speeds, different aiming skills and different reaction times. Your objective will be to get through this live fire course without getting shot."

The candidates gasped upon hearing about getting shot.

"I understand your hesitance to be on the wrong end of a gun," said Todoroki. "Fortunately, the simulants' guns are loaded with less-lethal paint bullets, as are yours. They'll hurt like hell, but you won't die. Each of you will be wearing one of these sensor vests during the exercise. If you get hit even once, the simulants will deactivate automatically and you'll fail. Fortunately, you'll have plenty of opportunities to pass, and for the first few rounds, the simulants have not been programmed to shoot or move. Just remember: an amateur practices until she can get it right; a professional practices until she can't get it wrong. Now then, we'll pass around the bowl again."

Once again, the candidates passed around the red bowl.

"Number 1, please step forward."

This time, it was Hatsume who stepped forward.

"You may take whatever weapons and ammunition you wish for this exercise. Just remember that you can only carry so much and that certain weapons may be better suited for certain situations than others."

"Right!"

After putting on the sensor vest, Hatsume took a Colt 1911A1 and an M16A1, plus ammo for each.

"Line up at the starting line."

Equipping the M16, Hatsume lined up.

"Ready, set…GO!"

While not ordinarily a speedster, Hatsume had a bit of a speed advantage thanks to her Electromagnetic Soles. She hustled through the course, blasting any simulants that got in her way. Because her Quirk allowed her vision to zoom in, she tried sniping the simulants on certain occasions. In the meantime, Todoroki monitored her progress using various cameras he'd set up around the course. Eventually, she came back to the start, after which Todoroki stopped his stopwatch.

"Not bad, but you can do better," said Todoroki. "Why don't you let number 2 have a turn now?"

This time, it was Jiro's turn, and she picked a Mossberg 500 Cruiser and an Uzi as her weapons of choice. Thus it went throughout this week, with the women repeatedly going through the course, the simulants getting faster and better with their aim and reaction times as the days wore on. As usual, some women had a better time going through the course than others, but sooner or later, they all had it down pat.

The next phase of the training would take place at the LAPD's Edward M. Davis Training Facility, more precisely at their EVOC course.

"You're all doing well so far," said Todoroki. "Today, we're going to practice high-speed driving techniques. I realize that some of you may find cars superfluous given your Quirks. However, cars can prove useful in catching villains more quickly, and they can also serve as deadly weapons. Any questions?"

No one had any questions.

"Good. We'll be passing around the bowl again."

Once again, the women passed around the red bowl and took a number card.

"Number 1, please step forward."

This time, it was Ashido's turn to go first.

"Right this way, please."

Todoroki led Ashido over to the car that would be used for this test, a Medium Blue 1970 Ford Torino Cobra.

"WOW!" said Ashido. "That's a nice car!"

Todoroki merely nodded. Ashido got in the driver's seat, while Todoroki rode shotgun.

"Put that helmet on, please," said Todoroki.

Ashido put on a Bell open-face helmet with black/red/orange/yellow stripes, and Todoroki put on an identical helmet.

"For this test, I want you to take two laps around the course," said Todoroki. "Start the car, please."

Ashido fired up the mighty 429 Super Cobra Jet V8.

"Be sure of your surroundings."

Ashido looked around.

"Ready, set…"

Ashido shifted the car into "Drive".

"GO!"

Ashido rammed down the gas pedal and burned some serious rubber as she began to throw the Torino around the EVOC course, while Todoroki timed her. Despite Ashido driving like a maniac thus far, Todoroki kept his cool about him even as he prayed she wouldn't wreck the car.

"There's a slalom coming up," said Todoroki. "Get ready."

Soon enough, Ashido came to a straightaway with a line of cones set up for a slalom. She weaved the Torino around the cones as best as she possibly could, and then headed for another series of curves. While Ashido had never considered herself "a car girl", she loved the thrill of being able to drive at high speeds and not having to worry about what the cops thought. Her veins pumped with adrenaline as she bombed around the track with old-school American muscle. Of all things, the battle tournament was nice, and she loved shooting practice, but this was a whole new level for her. Eventually, they came upon another straightaway with three traffic lights.

"Go through green," said Todoroki.

One of the lights turned red, and doing her best, Ashido attempted to steer into a lane that was marked as green. She seemed to do a good job of it, and she continued running the course as usual until Todoroki signalled her to stop.

"How'd I do?" asked Ashido.

"Not bad, but you hit a few cones during the slalom, so I'm subtracting points. Fortunately, there's still plenty of time to improve, but right now, it's time for someone else to take the wheel."

Ashido shut off the engine and got out, and Todoroki followed.

"All right, let me see Number 2," said Todoroki.

Yaoyorozu stepped forward, and she took the driver's seat of the Torino Cobra.

Criticism is gold. Negativity and nitpicking are pyrite.