“Ahh, that. You guys were talking about that! Gonta remember!” yelled Gonta violently. 

“Jeez calm down. I know you have a PTSD of that and all but I don’t give a damn. Mental illnesses are fake anyways.” said Kokichi casually.             
“Crazy person denies the existence of craziness, figures” mumbled Kaito. 

“Yes, we only assumed the capabilities of a virtual world is limited because of the neo world program we entered.” said Shuichi. 

“Yeah, it was easy to distinguish it from reality. Our avatars were kawaii and chibi afterall.” said Tsumugi. 

“But I don’t think that’s the full capacity of the technology. It may be able to recreate reality perfectly. That would explain why the juvenile academy is intact, why Hope’s peak academy and Jabberwock island exists and why our bodies look exactly the same as how we looked in Danganronpa 53. In fact, I heard that the Jabberwock Island killing game also happened in a virtual reality. We definitely need their account on this.” said Shuichi. 

“Good luck with that when they are trying to kill us.” said Rantaro and smiled creepily.

Shuichi’s shoulders dropped when he heard this but he quickly recovered. 

“This forced war will end after 4 people die. Maybe even sooner if we’re smart about it.” said Shuichi. 

“Any plans then?” asked Ryoma. 

“I…don’t have much now, unfortunately.” said Shuichi. 

“Then allow me to take the reins. You’re clearly not in the right state of mind!” hissed Korekiyo. 

“Meh, you’re the one to talk?” taunted Himiko while pointing her finger towards Korekiyo who sat on the stone pavement, still yet to be released. 

“Yeah, why would we ever follow a crazy maniac like you!” yelled Kaito. 

“I still have my head above my shoulders. So no, thanks Korekiyo. You just be my assistant if you don’t want us to throw you to the other killing game students.” said Shuichi.

Shuichi went towards Korekiyo, Maki followed him. They both untied the rope surrounding Korekiyo’s body. Korekiyo happily got up and bowed towards Shuichi then smiled.   

Shuichi turned to face the others and said “Korekiyo and I will become one team. Also, Kaede, you wouldn’t mind leading us like you did in the past, right? We’re running out of time and we need a strong leader. And someone to replace me if something happens.”

Shuichi glanced at Korekiyo when saying his last line.  

Kaede was taken aback by his request.

“Oh, I…if everyone else is fine with that. I don’t feel comfortable leading you all after what I did tho” said Kaede with a sad face. 

“It’s fine Kayayaday, half of the people here are murderers or just really messed up people in general” said Kokichi with a grin.

“Rest of you, team up or split up to search for useful tools and materials and bring everything to the dining hall. And come to the dining hall at least 15 minutes before the deadline.” said Shuichi. 

Above the portal a text was floating.

“40 minutes before the portals open.”

“We don’t have time to lose, let’s move it!” yelled Himiko. 

“On it!” yelled Tenko.   

Soon the students scattered towards every direction. Shuichi and Korekiyo went with Maki and Kaito to the assassin’s lab first. As expected they found crossbows and knives. Shuichi and Korekiyo left them and went up to the fifth floor. They entered the detective lab and carried poisons that were on the shelf down to the dining hall. When they reached the dining hall, it was empty. They put the poisons on the table.    

“Kehehe, you seem so idiotically brave Shuichi Saihara. Listening and teaming up with a serial killer such as myself, it is astoundingly precious, the way you act.” mumbled Korkeiyo as he got behind Shuichi and whispered to his ear.

“What? What is so idiotic or brave about what I’m doing? I trust myself and I trust my friends. Don’t you trust yourself?” asked Shuichi. 

“Kehehe, ahh yes, friendship. Of course, you are my dearest friend. Even if we’ve known each other only during the killing game that lasted only a few days…for me at least. The word friend truly is to be thrown around often to lower guards and use others is it not? Yes, words contain the greatest of powers because they convince the mind and manipulate the heart. Kehehehe.”

“I…I meant my words when I said it. I wasn’t trying to manipulate you. To be honest, I kinda wish I could be friends with everyone. Even you, the way you helped out in trials, gave advice to us. Even your story regarding the death of your sister and how you loved her. You weren’t trying to manipulate us back then, right?” said Shuichi with a smile. 

“Of course, yes. Why would I not be genuine to the people I appreciate? You people are so interesting, each one of you, and I do interact with great passion with the people I find fascinating.” said Korekiyo with a smile. 

“See, the way you’re acting. Even if your personality and memories are fabricated, your words still seem genuine to me. You just don’t think much of death, don’t you? And you’re obsessed with your sister and your rituals. That’s the difference between us.” said Shuichi. 

“Heh, perhaps to the blind a great love could be seen as an obsession. And I can make the dead meet my sister, that is undoubtedly true.” said Korkeiyo with angst in his last line.                                                    

“Do you have proof or evidence of what you claim? If it can’t be proven by an experiment and shown to others, it’s simply a lie.” said Shuichi with a narrow eye. 

“Ahh, such cutting and fitting words for a detective...or a scientist too. But I can show you the way, if you really want me to.” said Korekiyo with sinisterness. 

Suddenly Keebo and Miu rushed into the dining hall from outside the school. They were holding boxes and items.

“What are you two lazybutts doing here? Sipping tea and wanking one another off?!” yelled Miu. 

“Keebo, Miu, what did you find?” asked Shuichi.  

“I checked my lab. I for sure thought I would find my jetpack and laser cannon upgrades there. But it wasn’t there.” said Keebo with disappointment.   

“Right, Keebo, you can’t hear your inner voice, right?” asked Shuichi.

“Yes, I cannot. My mind is completely blank. I wish to fight this killing game and tear it down but unfortunately I don’t have the strength.” said Keebo. 

“We need more information and opportunities to beat Monokuma, Keebo. Until then, just try to live and survive.” said Shuichi.

“Yes, but I did find a jetpack of sorts. I don’t think it’s as strong as the one I used to destroy the academy” said Keebo as he put the box on the table.

He opened it and indeed inside was a backpack with a gas tank as well as a notebook and assembling parts.

“That’s very useful.” said Shuichi.

Miu seemed pissed off, dropped her own box on the table and said “And I brought 1 electro bomb, 1 electo hammer, some cameras, security lasers and a-” 

Miu’s face became pink and she salivated.

“This little bad boy!”

She brought out a purple colored dildo out of the box with a triumphant smile.