#chapter 687

Make yourselves comfortable, I'm not going to shut up for a while.

We start strong with this conversation between Sanji and the G-5 right after Sanji tells them he doesn’t kick women, it doesn’t matter if the woman in question is her enemy.

Up until this point, Zoro had already fought against women but never in a direct face to face and without more enemies (the exception is Film Z but it’s not canon so I don't count it for this). What Sanji says implies that he has noticed please just kiss already that Zoro, contrary to what it may seem (and unlike Luffy), does make a distinction when fighting a man and when fighting a woman. But it is not the same distinction Sanji makes.

As I said in the post where I talked about Tashigi and Law, she doesn't know that. Tashigi reflects her own insecurities in this particular trait of him and takes things for granted that aren't true.

Since Zoro was only defending and had not attacked her even once, Monet believes Tashigi's words because she was thinking the same. Now she really thinks she has a chance of winning because she is confident that Zoro is not going to hurt her and doesn’t seem to consider Tashigi a difficult enemy to defeat.

And because of Tashigi’s never ending nagging, he decides to step back and let the women fight. He only decides to intervene to save Tashigi when she is put in a difficult position... and it’s the moment both women realize they might be wrong about him.

Look at what he says here, just before he defeats Monet by cutting her in half:

And this is where I wanted to get to because it's time to talk about Kuina and the impact she had on Zoro.

When he met her, Zoro was an arrogant brat who thought he was invincible (and he was only eight years old, he had to be unbearable). Even adults couldn't beat him and then another girl came along and humiliated him in seconds. No matter how much he trained, Kuina was always so much better than him and he could never defeat her.

But Kuina had the same insecurities that Tashigi has now and she shared them with Zoro. And it doesn’t matter that he didn't believe any of the things Kuina told him about her womanhood and her skill with the sword, she never had the chance to prove herself.

Zoro doesn’t consider women to be weaker than him because the only person in the world that Zoro can never, ever defeat is a woman. But she died and it was so unexpected and in such a simple way that her words stuck with him after all these years. Kuina’s death defines Zoro’s life and Kuina’s words define his approach to women.

He doesn’t consider women weaker just because they are women but he doesn’t feel comfortable fighting with them, even when he has to. This is why he doesn’t finish off Monet and let Tashigi do it. He will do it if it’s what it takes to protect his people... he just prefers not to.

Tashigi is the only exception, she is the only woman he CAN’T fight. I don't think we'll ever see something like that because Tashigi will fight on his side when we get to the final war but, if the two had to face each other, it would be a very traumatic thing for Zoro. He would probably be able to attack her if he needs to but mentally it would be a very hard blow to him.

And while we're on the subject, I'll take this opportunity to mention that Kuina’s death and words are also why Zoro is so angry with Enel when he throws his lightning at Robin and he rushes to catch her before she hits the ground in Skypiea. That’s because he says she is a woman, because he is afraid that something similar to what happened to Kuina will happen to Robin here. He just doesn’t do well with women falling.

That’s it for today and as a bonus I will put this panel here because why a few lines on paper look so handsome, I don’t understand it.

So 12 years after the war against the Quincy, and two years after the epilogue, we have this little chapter. Some very interesting highlights are.

At long last, the time for Yorozuya to reunite is here. Well, technically it is, but not properly. They do work together, but their mind isn’t connected like old times. The teases continues. Despite the obvious changes, since chapter one, they have been the best of bros and nothing can change that. This was a satisfying chapter with its build-up for a proper and complete reunion, a fun action that told its differences yet remain familiar, and few surprises that had me quite amused.

Not a moment later, Hijikata is already being interrogated by the ladies. If only he remained cool before; now, he’s about to feel what Gintoki has suffered. As expected, it’s humorous with Hijikata sealing his lips on Gintoki’s whereabouts, no matter how many mayonnaise they can throw at him. That’s right, his torment involves with mayonnaise; that’s so like him. I laughed at Yamazaki, who technically betrayed him by siding with the heroines like he has been on their side. What a twist. “Crispy old man.” I can never get tired of the use of KFC puns.

You would think Hijikata would be strong enough to prevent from submission. I can see multiple tries that would eventually force him to spill out. Nope. It only took one try and not only he spills the bean, but for whatever reason, he has become a jar of mayonnaise. I guess he’s a god now? Funny because now he doesn’t know what’s so appealing about mayonnaise. That torture is incredible. Now the heroines know about Gintoki’s whereabouts, Otae is going after Shinpachi to tell him. That’s going to be interesting, but is it needed because of the next scene?

The main hype is the Yorozuya’s reunion. Kagura is not there, but it is a start with Shinpachi only, considering that he was the first new member. Let me tell you, those three pages have to be the most gut wrenching experience of the arc so far, and there’s no action involved. It’s all about the two making their first move to interact; it only takes one.

It’s quite the experience how the chapter slowly goes over the scene with each movement. When Shinpachi stopped, it was heart pounding. It had me pleading for anyone to say something, anything. What makes it tensed is how one of them actually wants to move, instead of running away or continue to hide. That’s more effective in character’s storytelling.

Gintoki wanted to say something, but couldn’t do it. He was shaking, probably due to fear of many things. Shinpachi wanted to say something as well, but chooses to move along. He stops again with a second thought, but ultimately move forward. Perhaps he felt it was too good to be true. It is possible that he may know that it’s Gintoki, but maybe he’s not ready? It’s tensed and somewhat heartbreaking once they move on. You can grasp that Gintoki is disappointed at himself; unable to contact. Why, Gorilla?!

The atmosphere suddenly changes with Naraku arriving and attack Gintoki. That’s not good at all. That means the next phase of serious action is here with Naraku already in Edo. Right? I was cursing at Sorachi for dismissing the reunion, but that quickly changes when Shinpachi returns to tag along with Gintoki without acknowledging him. Now I am praising him to high heaven. Seriously, there’s an undertone that maybe Shinpachi does know it’s him. Regardless, we are treated with a team in a fun action.

I really like how you can tell the differences with Shinpachi’s skills. Two years ago, his fighting style was portrayed like a novice but growing talent, which later on became slow but thoughtful. Now, he can keep up with the flow of Gintoki’s style as well as being agile to evade and fight swiftly. Being ranked at number seven at the poll did so much justice. I also like how he stays true to the code of Yorozuya; always butting in like no one’s business. You taught him well, Gintoki.

Thankfully, the comedy isn’t over yet. Just before Shinpachi uncover his identity, he got so desperate for a disguise that he takes a loincloth from a downed enemy and wears it to cover his face. Behold, the birth of Loincloth Mask! He’s going to be in a stealth video game one day. That and he apparently has undies fetish. Shinpachi’s reaction is funny, feeling like he chose the wrong side. I’ll say…

As nice it was to see them working together, it sadly has to cut short because Gintoki is a good man to put his life over his own. Just before I was about to feel sad for the short reunion, the boss appears and orders his men to aim for Shinpachi. It got serious now…right? Actually, this is a plot twist. They’re not Naraku. They’re working with that mysterious man. Then, the reveal. It’s been two years but finally! Shachi has returned and he wants to kill Shinpachi for being a fake. Hilarious!

It’s so kind of Shachi to honor Gintoki as his precious buddy and will take out anyone who tried to imitate him. I can’t stop laughing at Gintoki’s face that reads, “You got to be kidding me…” In a single panel, Shachi is taken out by his precious buddy; the series can now conclude. So to recap, those guys aren’t Naraku and their weapons are bamboo swords. That means the serious aspect is saved for later. That’s a relief. Now then, why the hell did it take this long for Shachi to reappear? Maybe Sorachi finally remembered.

There’s actually a backstory from Shachi. It starts off sincere with his recollection with Gintoki, who he is thankful to meet with him. After all, if it wasn’t for him, Shachi wouldn’t have a dream of becoming a successful mangaka. Good times. It got a bit depressing when he talks about life in prison during the war. It’s messed up that the guards just abandoned the place and let the prisoners burn. Shachi’s hope was about to be perished and he was trying to finish one thing before his life may end. It was rather touching. That is until I learn more about his could have been but should have been last action.

It’s not that he was working on something meaningful like writing a farewell letter or trying to escape. He was so busy to find a screen tone for the nipples. Yeah, he should just burn in hell for all I care. Someone did save the prisoners, but under an oath to atone their sins and return back once it is normal, or else a Shinigami will take their life. When I saw the mask, I was marking out. Finally, once again, it’s been two years, but Asaemon makes her return! Well, in a flashback, but it’s a sign of hope. That was nice of her to give prisoners a chance to atone their sins, which would explain Shachi joining the war to help...

…right?

I love how self-aware this series is. Sorachi actually mocks himself with the two missing characters that appeared once in the war or to be precise, volume 68. This tells me that he had a long-term plan all the long since the remaining characters didn’t appear until now. I wonder what would have happened if the series was cancelled. Like that would happen. This begs the question: where were Shachi and Asaemon during the war?

Shachi had a convincing and heartwarming story of his triumphant return to Edo. He struggled and thought if he had the rights to leave and persuade to redeem himself. That’s a nice character development. Then he just had to end the damn story with his newfound purpose to fight: to grab all Number 61 screen tones for the nipples. So, in other words, he went off to grab all screen tones while the war was going on in which could have legit ended the world. This guy has no sense of priority. So much for atoning his sins.

Asaemon was following him for a reason I thought to back him up, but instead, she was spectating until it’s time for a punishment. Seriously. On the positive note, she does appear at the end and this time, we finally get to see her new look. Fight me here and now, but she looks drop dead gorgeous. I’ll go far as saying the most prettiest of the heroines. Okay, it’s all debatable but who knew a longer hair would raise her beauty level. I’m like the last panel with the reactions, except I’m thinking, “Oh my god, she’s hot!”

So to recap once more. The not Naraku are prisoners, Shachi’s goal was to collect all Number 61 screen tones for nipples instead of fighting a war, and Asaemon, now the beauty title holder, was chasing him during the war. That makes perfect sense. Sorachi is a clever gorilla to hint a connection of the two with the fascination on nipples. The timing and execution couldn’t be any better. Well played.