Since VR technology had not yet matured, the members still trained their marksmanship in more primitive ways—namely, live-field training.
To improve the assassins' ability to adapt to their environment, the training ground was divided into multiple zones. Each zone featured a different simulated environment, ranging from open clearings to the depths of dense forests.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, splashing across the faces of the two youths. The air was thick with the fresh scent of earth and pine needles; occasionally, the distant chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves could be heard.
Both wore the same black tactical turtleneck. One had long golden hair and a cold, unapproachable expression; the other stood with his hands in his pockets, perfectly at ease, his flawless features brimming with playfulness.
Satoru Gojo and Jin Kurosawa stood at their respective shooting positions.
In his mind, Jin Kurosawa had already popped the champagne.
For the past few days, training had consisted mostly of combat drills and academic classes; they had barely practiced marksmanship.
A gun isn't something you can master through brute force alone. It requires not only good physical fitness, endurance, and stability, but also the mastery of correct shooting postures and grips. One must then practice aiming, breath control, and trigger discipline to improve accuracy. Furthermore, one needs to evaluate environmental factors like wind speed, direction, humidity, and temperature.
This kid was a newcomer, and his hands were fair and smooth, lacking the calluses that come from range practice—he probably hadn't even touched a sniper rifle before. To dare accept this challenge... did he not know that marksmanship was Jin's specialty?
[Heh... should I call you arrogant or just stupid? You've got guts, Satoru Gojo; I'm actually starting to admire you. You might be a physical combat genius, but when it comes to sniping, it's impossible for you to beat me.]
However, Satoru Gojo remained as steady as a mountain, looking as though victory was already in his grasp.
No, it's impossible.
Jin Kurosawa fought to suppress the growing unease in his heart.
News of their marksmanship duel had somehow spread through the entire training camp, drawing a large crowd of onlookers. Even Tequila had heard about it and come to watch, which made the surrounding trainees hesitate on whether they should leave.
The instructor was in a rare good mood today, speaking with unusual gentleness.
"Why are you leaving? Jin Kurosawa's sniping has always been top-tier. Although the newcomer Satoru Gojo hasn't been on the island long, you all know his strength. Don't miss this chance to watch and learn."
At this, everyone who was planning to leave stopped in their tracks.
Jin Kurosawa felt a bit strange. How did these guys know they were going to compete in sniping? Did he have it written on his forehead?
Then, he heard the whispers from the crowd.
"I told you I saw them passing notes in class..."
"Really?! I thought they hated each other."
"No way. I even heard Kurosawa said if he loses this time, he'll become Gojo's lackey and work for him like an ox or a horse."
"Who would have thought? Even the fierce, crocodile-like Kurosawa has been conquered by Gojo."
Jin Kurosawa had excellent hearing, but right now, he wished he were deaf.
Damn that Satoru Gojo! And what is wrong with these people? Aren't they afraid I'll slaughter them?
He'd deal with them once this was over. "Alright, you two begin," Tequila nodded.
Each participant had five shots. The targets would be set at varying distances: 800 yards, 600 yards, 400 yards, 200 yards, and 100 yards. Scoring was based on rings; the higher the number, the better the score.
The rifles provided to the training camp members were modified, with recoil significantly lower than adult models.
Jin Kurosawa went first.
He calmly lifted the sniper rifle, legs spread and knees bent, arms resting on his knees. He held the gun with his left hand, braced it over his right arm, and supported the buttstock with his right hand.
His posture was as textbook-perfect as an illustration.
He narrowed his dark green eyes, leaned into the scope, aimed at the distant target, and gently pressed the trigger. A crisp gunshot rang out instantly.
The marker ran out to check and announced the result.
300 yards, a direct bullseye.
"Incredible..."
"As expected of Jin Kurosawa." Gasps of admiration erupted from the crowd.
Don't be fooled by Conan characters hitting 700 or 800 yards at the drop of a hat—those are based on extensive real-world experience. For a fledgling like Jin Kurosawa to achieve this result was already quite remarkable.
Seeing this, the corners of Jin's mouth curled up as he glanced at Satoru Gojo.
Gojo merely tilted his head, showing no trace of surprise.
"Hmph..."
Jin Kurosawa raised the rifle again. His first three shots were all 300-yard bullseyes, but his hands shook slightly during the last two, which only hit the outer rings.
He frowned. However, such a minor slip-up wasn't a big deal.
"Your turn, Gojo."
He reloaded the ammunition and handed the gun over. When Gojo took it, it felt as light as a feather.
In fact, during his time at Jujutsu High and later as a teacher, the original Gojo had practiced with firearms. Even though he never actually needed them, he found them somewhat fun. He hadn't practiced much, but it was enough.
Satoru Gojo looked up, his beautiful azure eyes seemingly overflowing with a white mist.
Everyone thought these eyes were special, but no one would ever realize their true power.
360-degree long-distance vision—he could see everything, no matter how far. Whether in front or behind, the movement of any living creature could not escape the range of the Six Eyes.
Combined with his god-tier physical constitution and strength...
Was this not the "Natural-Born Holy Body of Sniping"?