Gin Tama, Volume 12: The Longest Way Around is the Shortest Way

by Hideaki Sorachi

unpaged

Gin battles Nizo and his "demon" sword while Katsura, who is very much alive, confronts Shinsuke. Of course, the good guys win. The only problem is that now the Shinsengumi thinks that Gin is working with Katsura's terrorist group. So, Hijikata sends Sagaru Yamazaki to take down Gin, who is recouperating at Shinpachi's house. Little does Sagaru know that Otae has upgraded the place to capture stalkers and other intruders. Later, after Gin has recovered, Gin helps out two men whose dress up every year as Santa and His Reindeer to deliver presents to the neighborhood children. Only, Gin ruins the evening by having Santa and the reindeer dress up as thieving ninjas and they only deliver one present. Then Gin and his friends share a New Year's pot of stew. But instead of sharing, they fight over who will get all of the meat. The Shinsengumi, in order to improve their image, hire singing sensation Otsu as their Chief For The Day, hoping she will show them how. but they lose her to kidnappers and realize they can only be themselves. Finally, due to an unusual amount of snow, Otose organizes a winter festival where folks can compete in a snow sculpture contest. Of course, it all degenerates into a massive snowball battle royale, complete with random acts of vandalism.