A1: You need to get the toy gun in edge and upgrade it in very hard mode.

A2: No, that thesis is qwrong, you can get the ultima weapon in any mode - normal mode you can get it as well, in chap 3, after you get the cardkey when protecting the boy, go back into the dooor behind you to obtain a Model Gun (US Version) Toy Gun (Jap Version). You can only upgrade it halfwayin chapter 8. I t costs 250,000 for the whole upgrade. The first 2 upgrades suck so don't worry. Best finish the game with exp, and then play Ex Hard Mode for the gil. You should get chunks of gil. Whoever sent in the first review is wrong!