#BUT how dare he reject Takasugi?!

[s2pdoktopus]

A comic thingy of @wallatile-qvibbler's "Fall for a Shooting Star" for what feels like three of us SakaTaka enjoyers <3

[razberryyum]

Gintama manga chap 633

Dear Gintama gods and Sorachi-sama,

Aaah, the joy of Joui. I can watch these boys banter for 10 more chapters and still want more. I only wish that Gintoki could physically be beside them, fighting with them again, but I know until Earth is finally saved, I will probably have to settle for just flashbacks to when they were bickering teenagers. By the way, oh my gosh, I keep on forgetting how young they were during the Joui wars! When I see them during those days, I naturally just imagine them being in their twenties, when in fact they were all only in their teens. I also pause in wonder when I then remember right now, none of them have even hit their thirties yet. To think, they've already lived more than a lifetime's worth of grief and hardship and maybe some happiness, but they still have almost an entire lifetime still ahead. Oh how I hope we will get to see what roads they travel after the dust on Earth and Utsuro has settled. Gintoki and Sakamoto's courses will probably be the more predictable ones, so I am highly curious as to where life will lead Zura and Takasugi, especially now that the very establishment they spent most of their lives rebelling against has essentially joined them in their cause, thanks to NobuNobu.  

My eyes actually welled up a bit when NobuNobu officially pardoned the Joui 4 and declared his alignment with them. It is a rather bittersweet development when I really think about it: his support can really only be meaningful right now. Even if they had such support back in the Joui days, I doubt that would have really changed anyone's fate since the Tendoshuu was already too deeply entrenched in the government. At most it would have only postponed their destiny a little. If the Shogunate had wholeheartedly opposed the Amantos (which is almost unimaginable since SadaSada was at the helm) back then, perhaps Gintoki and the others would have joined the Imperial Army in their efforts at first, but soon enough, once the Tendoshuu really flexed their talons to exert pressure on the Bakufu to open the country to the invading forces, the four of them would have still had to rebel, inevitably leading to the same fates for themselves and Shouyou. But now, with the Tendoshuu pretty much removed from power and nearly destroyed, thanks to Utsuro, NobuNobu's pardon and subsequent unification with the Joui 4 can at least lead to a more bright and peaceful future for them. The Shinsengumi boys can now openly confer with Zura and any members of his Jouishishi faction, instead of pretending to turn a blind eye out of courtesy and gratitude. They could even be friends with Takasugi and any members of the Kiheitai if they so desired. I am, of course, assuming that Kondou and the others would be taking up their old positions again. With this kinder, gentler version of NobuNobu, who continues to try so very hard to make us forget what a dick he once was, I can't imagine why they would reject their posts and go back to the countryside.  

Speaking of kinder and gentler, I am still getting used to seeing this new version of Takasugi. While he's no less passionate, he is definitely softer and dare I say, saner. I mean, despite his constant refrain about destroying the earth and the universe, his glowing assessment of Gintoki's strength and importance was equivalent to a compliment. I'm surprised Zura and Sakamoto didn't tease him for sounding like he was in love or something.  I hope the Joui 3's combined effort would be enough to destroy that big gun pointed at the Earth, but then again, maybe they won't have to since Kamui and his pirates still need to make an appearance, and how fun and fitting would it be if he were to swoop in at the last minute to claim the glory of saving Earth. Better yet, the Renhoians could be the ones to complete the job. They've been conspicuously absent as well so it would be quite a pleasant surprise if they were the ones to pop up and save the day.

Either way, I hope we continue to get more time with our Joui boys, even if we have to stay in space a little bit more. Even though Gintoki can only be with them through mentions and reminiscence for now, at least that could serve as a spiritual reunion between the four of them. Takasugi, Sakamoto and Zura obviously relish fighting together again, so I ask that you please extend their enjoyment a little bit longer. I hope once they return to the planet, there will still be enough of the Liberation Army left for them to face off together against the Amantos once again, this time as Imperial-sanctioned rebels. And if at the end of the entire battle you commemorate the occasion with a Medal Ceremony in NobuNobu's Throne Room, I would most likely cackle like a happy crazy person while being completely and gleefully unsurprised.  

Yours truly,

A silly fangirl with yaoi dreams

(^3^)

PS: in lieu of a GinHiji moment, I would like to express my gratitude instead for this bit of conversation between Gintoki and Takasugi which took a rather amusing turn. I think that might be the first dick joke Takasugi has ever uttered in the series, and for that, I thank you.