The Second Island…Hajime didn't see much about it really. It was the same old place, just mostly beaches and the diner nearby…in all actuality this was one of the more boring places they could fight.

Still, meant it'd be easier to have a good time.

Usami had them all gathered outside the diner, with the entire group somewhat tired from being roughly awakened…

…and not just because it was 6AM.

"Why the fuck are we up so damn early?" Fuyuhiko griped, rubbing some sleep out of his eyes while Nekomaru snored nosily against the wall, not even complaining. Usami, at first, was a tad concerned, but the rabbit rapidly recomposed herself.

"Y-Yes well, it's time for the next match, one you'll all like. All of you have the potential to win a Victory Point!" Nekomaru snapped awake, Fuyuhiko calmed down, and everyone else immediately paid attention. "This time it's a team based fighter; Boys against Girls."

"Sooooo…they already lost? We're kinda better than them." Akane nearly got tackled by Fuyuhiko. Usami was about to break them up but thankfully the others did that for her.

"N-No fighting…I-I mean not yet I mean. This one is a team based game to see how you all work together and cooperate in a fighting situation, and prove you all can bond together to win a game together, further enhancing your friendships!" Her wand waved, and a special set of Paintball armor dropped down, one blue and one red, with black markings along it. "Boys get blue, and the girls get red; your team leader has to put the one with black markings on; if they're removed the game is over." Usami waved her wand again, and other specialized armor sets formed on the ground, Souda being the first to notice one seemed much heavier than the others.

"For this match, there are specialized classes as well, including the Medic. Using a special bottle of paint remover, they can pull players back into the game!"

"Bitchin'." The yakuza already liked the sound of that. "And the others?"

"There is a Heavy, who can wear armor that stops more paintball shots and can use bigger weapons, and a Sniper, who uses the long-ranged paintball weapons, and even a Grenadier who uses high area-of-effect paintball based weaponry; among the typical Assault class. But despite these new and innovating features to the Paintball war the long-term goal is to get to the enemy team's leader and eliminate them, or eliminate their entire team before the Medic can 'revive' them, in a sense. The winning team's members all win a Victory Point, so more of you can have your name on the board. Additional supplies will be scattered across the island for those who get there first, including extra paint removers and even stronger P-Weapons."

And be one step closer to keeping Mikan away from victory, hopefully…

Hajime nodded, as he rubbed his chin. So far this game was a wild card; if he and his team won then he'd be on the board, but if he lost, then Mikan would be one step closer to using those…things…

…he'd have nightmares for weeks.

"Alrighty! The boys get to use the Beach House for a base, and the girls get the Library; you can trespass into the other base just don't expect an easy time in the enemy territory!" That made sense. "You can take other players hostage to get information but…please no torturing! The goal isn't to hurt your friends, it's to have fun!"

The glimmer in Fuyuhiko's eyes was a dangerous warning.

And like that the meeting was adjourned, and the teams were dismissed to go get their gear and equipment prepared for the new battle.

"So guys, so far this is a sure win," Fuyuhiko said, the Yakuza loading his blue colored P-Rifle, staring at the guys on his team. "We may not outnumber them, but we got brawn and brainpower!"

"Correct," Twogami spoke, seating himself in the corner as he fiddled with the P-Sniper he found. "But you seem to have miscalculated something."

"And that is?"

"They have the same amount of brainpower and ability. Sonia, while at times daft, does come from a country where most are gifted in military prowess at a young age. If she were to apply that tactic here she could hit us in a sharp blitzkrieg that'd leave us with nowhere to run. She may even be bold enough and cruel enough to take prisoners of war to disclose our plans."

"We got Nekomaru's brawn to help with that—"

"They have Akane, who's at times more violent than our coach. Not to mention Peko is on their side and she may favor her false blade to simply beat someone into submission."

"…SHIT!" The big man himself already muttered, the better word being half-screamed, rubbing his chin. Souda finally spoke up, standing bolder than ever.

"Guys! What if we made a gun!?"

"…you're a jackass, we can't do that—"

"Actually, Fuyuhiko, Usami never disclosed there being a rule to not modify or augment the guns this game. If anything, Kazuichi could just rig us up some sort of tank or armored patrol car to use to go to them directly and win. It make take an extended duration but it could work out if he's quick enough and has the time to craft it."

"And then I can see 'dem panties!" Teruteru hit the ground when Fuyuhiko cracked him across the face.

"Ignoring the fucktard, here's the game plan. Nagito, since you're the medic you stick close to Hajime and Souda but if things get hairy, get your ass outta there; you three'll be heading for their base and surveying who's there, as well as covering Souda while he gets the needed parts we require. Teruteru, whenever he gets up, will accompany Twogami to the Ancient Ruins over there where he can set up shop as a sniper. Nekomaru, you need to head off with Gundham and see if you can go get those supplies and bring 'em back."

"And you? I mean, you'll be here defenseless…are you sure that's a good idea?" Nagito finally spoke up, checking his P-Shotgun and adjusting the weird backpack he wore filled with paint removing equipment…a form of medical kit. The Yakuza just shrugged, seating himself in a chair and leaning back.

"I'll just wait around and keep low. There ain't no rules sayin' they can't storm the base so if they do I'll slip out the window and run like hell."

…not the best plan, but Hajime was glad to see there was a plan in general established. He picked his P-Rifle up and motioned to Nagito and Souda…if they had a chance to take the shot they needed to.

There was no other way.

"So, got anything yet?" Souda shook his head no when asked, Hajime taking point and keeping his eyes up while the mechanic worked. They were outside the diner, and Souda was trying to take apart some things he found and rig something up, while Nagito kept his eyes out for anything threatening. Souda managed to make a few trigger mechanisms for his grand plan, but even then he was paranoid and terrified…as he should be; there was no telling what could happen. While they were supposed to be scouting out the enemy base and seeing who was there defending it, Hajime opted instead for helping Souda gather the needed pieces and mechanisms for his special project.

A light pap nearby made all three of them take aim; Souda shivering while Hajime remained stoic and focused. Finally, after enough time they assumed they were safe…

…until Hajime hit the ground, clutching his chest, as a red splotch adorned his front. It stung, not enough to be mind-numbing agony but it was potent enough to snap him to focus and remind him that he'd been taken down.

"Sniper!" All three of them took cover behind the diner, another shot hitting the ground while Nagito dug his hand into the bag, withdrawing a bottle of clear liquid. He applied it to a sterile white rag before wiping it fervently across the splotch on Hajime's front, the red paint soon giving away and cleaning his shirt aside from the wetness on his front from the cleaner.

At least he was back in the fight, though a tad sloppy.

"I hit Hajimeme a second ago! Where'd they go?!"

"I hit him, Ibuki, and they couldn't have gone far. Start looking!" Crap, Mahiru and Ibuki were searching for them…this wasn't good. Souda was nearly hyperventilating while Nagito remained as calm as ever, waiting…and waiting.

When a patch of red appeared at the corner, he popped up and fired the P-Shotgun.

"What the hell?!" Mahiru had paint covering her front, absolute fury covering her face. When Ibuki popped out next she got the same treatment, hitting the ground from the force.

"I'm hit! Medic! I want my last will!" Souda calmed down when he noticed they were no longer…really able to do anything to them. Hajime could see Mahiru about ready to blow up about the fact she got eliminated so early, and he sighed.

"Hey, you got me a while ago…so…good shot there." She calmed down slightly, but still looked fumed over getting taken down. "Guess you guys should go find Mikan and get brought back in."

"Yeeaaah…I guess." Ibuki darted off without a second thought, Mahiru following a while later. Breathing a sigh of relief, Hajime lowered his P-Rifle, overall glad the skirmish was over.

"We need to flee this area." Nagito said, reloading his shotgun. "They know we're here, meaning the likes of Akane or even Peko could come after us."

"Right; Souda you done over there?"

"Y-yeah, we can head on out." The group gathered the parts and materials he collected and they made their way back to the Beach house, to continue working and planning for things.

"Now are ya sure you're safe up there?" Teruteru asked Twogami, the latter of the two standing on one of the rocky peaks on the Ancient Ruins; loading his P-Sniper rifle and taking aim through the telescopic lens. The cook was standing in the sand, holding his P-Grenade Launcher, though he kept a nervous eye out for anything problematic. With a humph, the sniper merely waved his concern off.

"I'm well-fortified and secure up here and secure. You should focus on something else right now." The imposter glanced around, keeping a keen eye out for anyone. "Return to the base and try not to-" A splash of red paint below him made him shoot his gaze down. Teruteru was on the ground, covered in red paint, twitching sporadically as the imposter barely had time to drop down and roll behind cover, several paintballs peppering the roost he had been at.

"Yo! C'mon out fatass and face me!" Akane…well this wasn't good; she's playing Grenadier. "Or are you too mucha've coward!" The secondary shots told him she wasn't alone, and he popped out of cover briefly just to barely avoid another shot.

Hiyoko was with her…not a bad thing, all things considered. Twogami took a deep breath, and popped out of cover briefly; pulling the trigger just in time to take a paint grenade to the chest.

"Ha! I got him!"

"Aaand he got you." Hiyoko tapped Akane's stomach, the blue paint already seeping in. "…you're still dumb for not noticing he could just shoot you."

"Tch, at least we got this place secure…gonna…go find Mikan and get this paint offa me." She started to walk away, while Hiyoko calmly walked over to Teruteru, kicking his side a tad.

"Heh…you didn't even see it coming didja fatass?" He gurgled lightly in response. "Keep on gurgling; it's still really funny to listen to." She kicked his side again, enjoying the pained sounds he made.

"You know there's no real reason to keep torturing him right?" Twogami muttered, just sighing at the dancer's sadistic intent.

Sometimes he wondered how a girl so small could have so much unbridled monstrosity.

"Status report?" Fuyuhiko asked, back in the room with everyone. So far he was not prepared for Twogami to haul back Teruteru's unconscious form, coated in paint; thankfully Nagito could still remove it even though it'd take an extended time. That already told him that sniper position was lost, and that area was more dangerous now than it should be.

"Mahiru odds are has the sniper position in the Ancient Ruins; we can't afford to go through that area without getting pelted and if we stray too far we can take the same chance."

"Shit that's bad; what about you guys?" He glanced to Nekomaru and Gundham. "Ya got somethin' good to report?"

"The giant behemoth and I secured the provisions as expected," Gundham spoke, tapping a brown crate he brought back. "Though its contents seem best designed for another tale." When he checked Fuyuhiko confirmed they were just additional Paint Removers; meant more times Nagito could revive someone.

"Okay, not bad but not what I expected…was thinkin' it'd be some sort of weapon. Souda, how's that secret project comin' along?"

"Finished it actually," He spoke, jumpsuit covered with grease and dirt stains. "Took forever to make though but I think we're ready. So, what's the plan?"

"Simple; we need someone to keep all the girls in one spot at one time, and prevent them from moving on; so, when we go in we can get the assurance Sonia's there." It took everyone a second to catch on to what he was saying. "That's right; we need someone to play bait. The girls'll all be gathered in one spot no doubt to hear the information since we don't have any radios."

"So you need someone to get captured? I know they'll interrogate him all together so we should send someone strong like Nekomaru or—" Twogami was silenced when Fuyuhiko waved his hand abruptly, cutting him off.

"We need him for the operation; we gotta send someone they won't see coming. If we send Teruteru and let him get captured, they might just let him go and follow him. We need someone who we know will get a rise out of them…" Hajime suddenly felt a lot less comfortable being in the room.

"…hey, Hajime, how good are you at playing hostage?"

"This sucks…this sucks so much…" Hajime swore to himself, walking along the road and keeping his eyes peeled. The problem was he was wandering dangerously close to the enemy base and he was armed with a P-Rifle nearly drained of all its ammo intentionally.

Based on what Fuyuhiko said, it'd make him a more inviting target. They'd see him and assume he'd be easy to take down with their hand, and not shoot at him. What was worse was that on his back he was carrying a bag filled with fresh cooked meat…it was the only way to attract them...or rather her…

A sharp pat to his right made him take notice, taking aim in a second…so far nothing…and then he heard a rapid series of footfalls, and turned around, fear coating his every fiber.

And like that ever nerve in his body stopped. His brain worked, processed and understood. Out of everyone on the island only one person liked meat more than anyone and would flock to it the mere second it was detected…

"MEAT!" Akane slammed right into him at bone breaking speed; Hajime nearly losing consciousness from the impact as the gymnast stood atop his back, devouring the meat in his bag without any form of hesitation or ease, Hajime's gun having clattered away in the struggle.

"Akane, you're aware you should eliminate him, right?" Peko's cold voice pierced his ear, the swordswoman approaching and surveying the situation with a slightly less than amused look. "Sonia wanted all guys eliminated when they get too close."

"I-I'm unarmed, and I came to talk about…eh…negotiations."

"…you came to negotiate…armed, and with a bag filled with meat?" Peko asked, having a hard time believing what he said. "This seems more akin to a trap rather than you trying to negotiate, Hajime." He had to think of something; if she didn't buy it then the entire plan would be ruined!

"J-Just let me talk to Sonia, it's important." Peko's piercing gaze made him nearly regret this whole plan until she finally shook her head.

"Akane, restrain him accordingly…we could find something useful from him if we're lucky." He sighed…well phase one done.

Phase two was not cracking when things went south.

Hajime really hated his friends sometimes. He was tied up in a desk chair, with the entirety of the enemy team standing around him, debating amongst themselves on what to do with their Prisoner of War. In the case of Chiaki, she voted to let him go and use him as a lure…in the case of Ibuki she wanted to use her music to get him to spit out his team's plans.

Mikan-it's best not to cover just what she wanted. For fuck's sake it was best to never let her get a say in regarding his interrogation.

"Spit it out, ahoge-face! What the hell are the guys planning?!"

"Nothing, Hiyoko, I just came to discuss a peaceful solution to this…mindless fighting." He was improvising; the sharp narrow of Peko's eyes told him fairly clearly she could see through his bullshit, the others remained entirely oblivious…except Chiaki; something told him she could also tell, as well as the most important figure.

Sonia.

"Akane, please go out and scout the area; this feels like an elaborate ruse." The Gymnast shot off without warning, followed by Ibuki. "Now, mister Hajime, you will tell me exactly what the others are planning, or I'll call everyone out sans Mikan…she seems very eager to spend some time with you." Hajime's blood thinned, not just because of the threat of nigh rape from the Ultimate Nurse, but because his mouth was slowly moving, trying to force him to get the words out. Willpower was all he had now…and it was fading.

"The…guys…are-" They came to his aid; he could hear a series of explosions before the wall literally exploded inwards, the front of a literal car ramming through. From the top of it, paint fired out like a rapid machine gun from a mounted cannon, Fuyuhiko eagerly manning it and pelting everyone in the room.

…including Hajime.

"…hey we win right?" The Reserve Course Student just grimaced.

Shit stung; it stung like a fucking wasp on LSD.

"Well, that was an exciting game." Usami spoke, almost ignorant to much of the class being covered in paint, wearing grimaces of fury and some pain, though a few like Chiaki and Peko remained indifferent to the treatment. "But, I can safely award all of the boys with their Victory Points; congratulations!"

"No fair! They cheated to get them with their tank!" Hiyoko still remained like a spoiled brat, Souda lifting his hand a tad.

"Actually, she never said we couldn't use our talents to win; if anything, you just got the short end of the stick and-ACK!" Hiyoko had gut checked him long before he finished. Usami was close to intervention but Fuyuhiko waved it off, just motioning for Mikan to do something about him.

"N-Now, let's take a thirty-minute resting period before we move to the next big game mode; it'll be team based as well but I'll add some lenience. So get some breakfast and let's all meet back at the diner by 9AM!" And with that, the bunny completely vanished as if she were never there, Hajime, Fuyuhiko, and Nagito moving towards the diner in advance, the Ultimate Yakuza in thought.

"Shit's gettin' harder." He muttered, Nagito asking what he affirmed by that. "She's making it easier for people to get mass points; that shit means if we get to the Third Island there's a chance for people to fall behind easier, and for others to catch up a helluva lot faster."

"So that makes the game that much more challenging. Everyone will need to truly shine if they ever want to come close to winning this battle and earning the title of Kinghood," Nagito spoke, soon turning to look towards Hajime. "Speaking of which, Hajime, what exactly did you plan to do if you won? I know it's no place for scum like be to inquire, but I'm just curious."

"O-Oh, I'm…not all sure; I guess just have everyone enjoy themselves more and…stop fighting?"

"Lame and pathetic; I'm gonna force everyone to act like actual fuckin' Yakuza for the day. So don't act surprised if you find Teruteru in the water with cinderblocks on his feet." Hajime had to grimace there, but it seemed Fuyuhiko was fairly confident on his plans for victory.

…but now that left Hajime worried; Nagito didn't inquire whatsoever on what he sought from winning; odds are, that meant whatever he wanted was something debilitating.

There was even the off chance of forcing them to participate in that Killing Game that weird bear wanted when he showed up…that terrified Hajime more considering he got to know these teens and he really liked them.

So that meant there were two people he had to prevent from winning at any cost.

To Be Continued…