Weeks have passed since the Cultural Festival. X-23 and the rest of Class 1-A continued their training to become Heroes. One day, all of Class 1-A met in the industrial training area from the Final Exams. As they waited for Aizawa to arrive, Class 1-B arrives.

Monoma: Let's settle this rivalry once and for all! Come, Class 1-A! Today's the day!

X-23 looked upon the scene with annoyance as Monoma went off on a rant about how Class 1-B would finally beat Class 1-A. During this, Monoma turned his attention onto X-23. 

Monoma: This goes especially for you!

Suddenly, Monoma found himself restrained by Aizawa's Combat Scarves as Aizawa and Vlad King entered the training grounds.

X-23: About time you showed up. I was starting to get a massive headache from that ranting. 

Vlad King: We have a special guest.

Aizawa: Try not to make a fool of yourself in front of him.

As Aizawa said this, the students of both 1-A and 1-B were curious as to who this guest would be. It is soon revealed to be none other than Hitoshi Shinso from General Studies who is applying to transfer into the Hero Course. Shinso then approaches both classes and states his intention to give it his all despite being relatively behind everyone.

Aizawa: Now that we have the introductions out of the way, let's get down to it.

Vlad: Combat Exercises! This time around, it's a battle between Class 1-A and Class 1-B and the stage will be this section of the training field! Each side will be split up into groups of four, and one from each team will battle it out!

Aizawa: And considering the rivalry between these classes, this is the perfect time to resolve this class rivalry more or less. The way this exercise will play out just like the Battle Trials with a little bit of adjustments. Each team shall perceive the others as Villains. Victory will go to the team who captures all members of the opposing team.

Yaoyorozu: And with the numbers between the two classes being uneven, one will have an advantage. That is unless the rules will be altered.

Aizawa: Meaning if you're on a team of five, you are still eliminated if four are captured.

X-23: Perhaps that is why Shinso was brought along to even the numbers out. 

Monoma: It's a good thing your traitor brother isn't here.

As Monoma mentioned Daken, X-23 clenched her fists in rage. She was tempted to attack Monoma, but Kirishima stepped in.

Kirishima: Don't, Laura. It's not worth it.

As Kirishima said this, X-23 took a moment to calm herself. Despite wanting to punch Monoma in the face, X-23 restrained herself. After a moment, Aizawa regains control of the group.

Aizawa: We've bent the rules a bit to make this work. But rest assured that this Joint Training will further test your abilities. Given your recent field experience, there should be no excuses as to why you can't give it your all. 

As Aizawa said that, both classes fell silent. It was clear to both classes that this Joint Training Exercise would put the skills of both classes to the test. While Class 1-A had the advantage of field work, Class 1-B was a formidable force with field experience of their own.

Iida: We're supposed to be Heroes, and yet the other team will see us as Villains?! So which is it?! What are we?!

Yaoyorozu: I think it's fine to consider yourself a Hero.

X-23: Agreed. At the end of the day, this scenario will better prepare us for future field work as Pro Heroes. Especially with what we've faced before.

Tetsutetsu: Nice and simple. I like it!

Komori: They have been saying that the Villains are becoming more organized.

With that, Aizawa and Vlad King then have the students draw lots to create the teams. Once the lots were drawn, the teams were decided.

Round One: Tsuyu Asui, Denki Kaminari, Eijiro Kirishima, and Koji Koda against Ibara Shiozaki, Kosei Tsuburaba, Hiryu Rin, and Jurota Shishida.

Round Two: Momo Yaoyorozu, Fumikage Tokoyami, Toru Hagakure and Yuga Aoyama against Itsuka Kendo, Shihai Kuroiro, Manga Fukidashi and Kinoko Komori.

Round Three: Shoto Todoroki, Mashirao Ojiro, Tenya Ida, and Mezo Shoji against Pony Tsunotori, Sen Kaibara, Juzo Honenuki, and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu.

Round Four: Katsuki Bakugo, Kyoka Jiro, Hanta Sero, and Rikido Sato against Yosetsu Awase, Setsuna Tokage, Kojiro Bondo, and Togaru Kamakiri.

Round Five: Izuku Midoriya, Ochaco Uraraka, Mina Ashido, and Minoru Mineta against Neito Monoma, Yui Kodai, Nirengeki Shoda, and Reiko Yanagi.

When the teams were decided, only X-23 and Shinso were left. 

Aizawa: Kinney. Shinso. Go ahead and draw yours.

As Aizawa said this, Shinso drew his numbers. Shinso would participate in the first match as a member of 1-A team. Shinso would then participate in the fifth match as a member of 1-B team. X-23 drew hers and found herself in the first match on the Class 1-A team. Unlike Shinso, she did not have to pull out a number for another team. X-23 was initially confused at this, but she soon realized that this test was more than just a test for Class 1-A and Class 1-B. It was a test for Shinso. While X-23 didn't know the full story behind this, she knew that Aizawa had his reasons for this. For now, X-23 would go along with whatever Aizawa had planned for this exercise. With the teams decided, the stage was set. In that moment, the Joint Training Exercises had begun and X-23 was ready to give it everything she had.