Joint Training.

The 72-hour punishment caused many to pass out from hunger or exhaustion as quirks needed high energy. By pushing themselves they were working on fighting against exhaustion, but it was still not pretty. Bedeila herself passed out after the 72-hour mark from a lack of energy.

That was just one of the first days as training had picked up in intensity for everyone. Connor had already returned to Japan as he was only staying for 2 weeks to keep an eye on Bedeila. However, when he saw that she did not require him, he returned home after appeasing his crying mother. Jenna could be so childish when it came to her baby boy, but he would soon lose that title.

After all, his mother become pregnant a month after he left. That was shocking for Bedeila and Connor who wanted to rush back, but Jack told him off. That enraged Connor so he took it out on the criminals of Japan keeping his promise.

It had been 4 months for Bedeila under Jackson pushing herself to the breaking point. She also acquired a small group of friends that included Tiango, Bigby, Rome, and 3 others. The Dragon Divison was full of talents so rare quirks were commonplace. As such, she got to know a few friends which she never had before.

The pride she felt was a biological part of her and she refused to consider anyone weaker than her as a friend. Only her equals and superior were worthy of such a title and she found quite a few. Her close friends on the other hand only numbered 6.

One of them was a young man barely 17 who had the power to control the weather. His quirk was named Storm Ruler and his name was Bennet Stoll. He made it past the extreme screening process of the Dragon Divison as his father was once a member who pushed him so he could join. His father was now in reserve, but still training. The second was an older soldier named Michael who was 35.

He was unique as his quirk gave him the power of a Mantis Shrimp while he still looked mostly human. He was trained under many martial arts that required heavy punches as that was his specialty. His punching power was insane as he actually managed to crack three of Bedeila's ribs during a spar.

That was one of the hardest things to achieve as her bones were harder than tungsten. Her Regeneration, nanomachines, and Adaptation made use of that as she had him punch her more while she did chin-ups. Thanks to him she felt like she could take a punch from All Might with how strong her bones and skin had gotten.

The last one was the soldier who could control Carbon in the air. Her name was Martha and these were some of the few friends Bedeila had made. At the moment the 6 of them were in the Chow Hall eating after another extreme training experience.

It had only increased in intensity as the nanomachines made sure that everyone could keep improving. Even soldiers who had reached roadblocks in their development had once again grown stronger. It was a miracle, especially for returned soldiers who once again had hoped to awaken their quirks.

That also increased the importance of Mathew who kept on getting invitations from I-Island. He had received several in the past, but he always refused them. He was not out to help heroes, he loved to research weapons of war.

He would have to stop that if he accepted so they had to keep trying to invite the man who was considered one of the smartest men in the world. Besides that, training had already paid off.

Bedeila had her mask off and looked a little more relaxed than before. Thanks to the extreme training Jackson forced on her lungs she increased the time she could go without her mask from 10 minutes to 25. It was not much, but the power she could unleash was elevated.

Each soldier was given enough food for their specific caloric intake as Bedeila herself had to intake 18,000 a day to keep up with the extreme requirements that her body needed. So her food was made with that in mind.

Instead of eating a giant feast, she ate condensed protein bars that could sustain her. Plus she also had normal food which she just liked to eat. Next to her Rome was eating just as much as her as his Demon quirk was an energy sink.

At the end of the table was Bigby eating some kibble that made use of the same idea behind the protein bars. Full to the brim was meat and very little filler as he was a wolf. Not a dog so he needed heavy protein.

"Bedeila, you got taller."

She glanced at Tiango who was sitting next to her.

"Last month in the monthly check-up my height is now 6'3. My lineage is full of giant werewolves and my Adaptation used the stress on my body to grow. Now, growth-wise Bennet is a shrimp."

They all chuckled as Bennet who was 5'8 made him feel small compared to his friends. Even Martha was 5'10 which made him feel embarrassed.

"Shut it. It's not my fault my mom is short."

Rome glanced at him before going back to his bar. It was steak flavored.

"Being short is not too bad. The taller you are the more custom clothes you got to get."

That did not help him much though.

"You forget the Dragon Divison and the army gives all we could need. Height and clothes do not bother us. What do you think Bigby?"

He turned to the giant wolf stuffing his face into his food. The wolf roared at him covering him in drool and making Martha laugh at him.

"Looks like the big guy hates your guts."

They all looked at Bedeila waiting for the translation. Only she could understand wolf.

"He said and I quote. "Leave me to my food you sad sack of shortness." End quote."

That made them all chuckle as they saw how sad it made Bennet. Michael shook his head at the younger man.

"Ignore them, I doubt you can hear them from down there."

Michael was 6'2 which was shorter than Bedeila, but decently tall. Not everything was about height, but it came to some through genetics. Nanomachines were helpful as while they gave Bennet shit, he was still growing.

Just as they were going to finish, Jack and Mathew walked in. That made everyone stand at attention as Jack rarely interrupted lunch. After training his soldiers needed to refuel except when the training sought to push that. So something big had happened to make him come. Either that or he was just being a prick.

"At ease."

In unison, all the soldiers went at ease as Jack explained what was going to happen.

"Very soon we will be joining a joint training exercise with some of our allies like Britain, Japan, and South Korea. Not to mention a few extras such as Russia, China, and 25 others. Apparently, world leaders are trying to reduce tensions after WW3 which still has ramifications even now. This means we are going to choose 50 from our quirk divisions. Any questions?"

Rome spoke up.

"Sir, where will it take place and when?"

Mathew took over for that.

"Over the last month, it has been decided that it will take place in Siberia. Set up will be done in 2 weeks and the training exercise will take place a week after. It will last 2 months after that. As for why they decided on this, is simple.

They want is to reduce tensions that former enemies might have by working together. You all know that my father dealt massive defeats to Russia, China, and North Korea in the Western Theater. He even killed the Leader at the time personally when we invaded that shit hole and saw the state of the people.

As he is far from dead and still ready to take control again they do not want to get on his bad side."

(Western as in West of Alaska. Eastern for European perspective.)

Bedeila now had a question herself.

"Sir."

Jack gazed at Bedeila who had gotten used to military life.

"Canis, what is it?"

"What about the old monsters still alive from that time? What do they have to say about this? WW3 was the largest and most bloody conflict in all of history so the loss of life was far worse than WW2 500 years ago.

It has only been 98 years since WW3 so the old monsters are still alive. Do they accept the current situation?"

Mathew took over from his son as he would know this better than Jack. He and his dad were alive during that time after all.

"The ones still alive are open to the exorcize. Except for the most stubborn ones, they have agreed to this training for one reason. I have offered them a deal to keep themselves alive and grow stronger. Many of the old monsters and trump cards of their countries are reaching their last legs. Some have died already and some of their descendants are not cutting it. They need my help as their own scientists cannot compare to my genius."

He was just as prideful as Bedeila, but his genius and power allowed him to be arrogant. Another soldier not part of Bedeila's group called out.

"Sir."

"Bates, what is it?"

"Sir. How will we deside who will take place in the training? If only 50 of us can go, who will?"

Jack grinned.

"We have been screening you guys during these 4 months So far, 43 have already been decided."

This time the same Komodo Dragon soldier that Connor and Bedeila saw during her first day called out.

"Sir."

"Hopekins."

"Sir. Does Bigby count?"

Mathew looked at his tablet and the reports of the nanomachines in Bigby.

"He does. Bigby is stronger than quite a few of you, During these 4 months, he has grown leaps and bounds. Of course, we will send him to show the strength of my gr-"

Jack elbowed him before so Mathew corrected him.

"Stregth of America, and Bedeila. To be serious, we have chosen the strongest, brightest, and those we think have great potential to be unleashed. This is a great experience as you will meet the best of the best of our allies, potential allies, and possible enemies."

More questions were asked as this was a big deal. Of course, the ones who were chosen were curious as they were not informed. Bigby was an exception as they wanted to make sure.

No one had any hard feelings as unity was what made the Dragon Divison terrifying. You could not get in if you were someone who would throw your team under the bus. Even Bedeila with her outlook on life knew when to be cordial to people she did not like.

Once everyone got done with the debrief they had no more duties to attend to. It was already late in the afternoon so they were free. Before they left, Jack motioned for them to talk to him so they did. Mathew clicked on his watch to set up a small barrier around them so they would not be heard.

Before Bedeila could react she was already in a tight hug by Jack.

"How time flies? I did not know how hurtful it would be to be called sir by you. I will cry at this rate one of these days."

"Sorry, grampa."

He shook his head.

"Don't bother. I just wanted to say that you all have already been chosen. Remember to keep your guard up and make sure to make the right friends. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

Rome found the hidden meaning.

"Sir, is there a darker plot for it?"

"Yes. Did you really think that world leaders really care about peace and human rights? Hell no, they want to profit, and what better way than WW4? This is more like getting to see how strong a country's quirk divisions are as we are sending our best."

Mathew scoffed.

"They really tried to demand my secrets as they did not ask me for just treatment, but the method I use. I told them to shove it as they either take it or leave it. Of course, I charged them an arm and a leg for my help, and each one they want me to help cost them."

Bedeila squinted her eyes.

"Grampa Mathew, is it really alright?"

"It's fine. I will make sure to bankrupt their treasuries if they want to use my secrets."

Tiango was curious about something.

"So, do we also have a hidden agenda to go?"

Jack smiled at him.

"Of course. If things go well we won't have to use it, but if things go south you will have a second job. Our direct allies have been informed and will work with us if needed to get rid of their talents. Rome, Bedeila, Tiango, Bigby, Martha, Bennet, Michael, I want you seven to keep an eye out. If things do go south, kill every single one of our enemies.

Slit their throats, rip them apart, turn them to dust. For America."

"SIR, YES SIR!"

Mathew removed the barrier around them as Jack all smiled.

"Alright, Jenna wants to see you all. If you are Bedeila's friend she wants to get to know you all better. She had been on leave since she got pregnant so come on."

That was something new for them as only Bedeila and Connor had been informed. Jack told them as they were Bedeila's friends. It was known that the friends chosen by a Canis were never wrong. They could smell lies after all and his own smell told them it was fine.

Even Bedeila had not seen her grandmother for 2 months already so she wanted to see her.

"Let's go already. I want to see her."

Jack chuckled as they would have to leave Alaska.

"Take it as a short vacation for doing so well. We are going to take a plane ride to New York. Come on then."

Mathew grinned as he looked totally giddy.

"Come on, we take my plane."

Jack looked nervous.

"You mean the one you molded after the Blackbird."

Mathew nodded.

"Yup. Of course, it's not the same as I made it far better than that piece of junk from 500 years ago. It's double the size armed to the teeth, made of quirk-enhanced material all around, and the best fuel I ever made. Nothing is getting a scratch on my baby.

Add on weapons no one has ever seen. Warhammer edition."

Bedeila had stars in her eyes as she looked at Mathew.

"Can I fly it?"

Mathew nodded.

"Of course."

Jack gritted his teeth in jealousy.

"You never let me fly it. Why her?"

"Shut up brat, don't question your father. Let's go. My plane needs a run."

Jack sulked as he really wanted to fly it, but his father had not let anyone else fly it before. It was still so unfair, but there was nothing that could change his father's mind. When Bedeila saw the Blackbird-like fighter jet she gasped in shock.

She placed her hand on it as Mathew explained.

"Made it of Ceramite, so it is lighter than it looks. Nothing is getting a scratch on her as it even has two Hades Autocannons built-in. Through the use of spatial quirks, we can make giant ammo belts without increasing the size or weight.

It carried 28,000 rounds of ammunition per gun along with some ballistic missiles. Force Field, laser defense, trust me she has got it."

That left them all speechless as even Bigby was shocked. It was bigger than him by far so there would be no problem with him going into it.

"Everyone in."

When the back opened up they all entered inside to appreciate the invention of Mathew. He and Bedelia went to the cockpit while everyone sat down and put on their seat belts. Bigby on the other hand just grabbed on with his shadows so he would not be thrown around.

This was going to be Bedeila's first time flying, but Mathew could take over at a moment's notice if things went wrong. She took a deep breath as she was nervous, but excited. Mathew patted her on the shoulder.

"Relax, I can take over at any time. Plus, I can just ask Robute to fly if you can't."

That made her frown.

"Let's see then."

The plane started to move forward picking up speed on the runway. Even with its huge size, the weight was actually lighter than something that size would suggest. She pulled up and took off into the air while Mathew kept on explaining to her what she should do.

When she got the hang of it, there was no way she was not going to go max speed. She loved to go fast and this was the fastest she had ever gone. Good thing she had the inventor and sole flyer with her who taught her all she ended to know.