Chapter 576: Every Building and Old Man Has Its Historical Background


    「...I''ll pretend I didn''t hear that just now.」 Elizabeth silently turned around, raising a signboard slowly. 「Renpou regulations state that an immediate purge will follow if any hint of rebellion is shown.」


    「Shut up, I won''t remind you again.」


    Watching Elizabeth retract the signboard and walk away with a slightly sad silhouette, Katsura spoke calmly: "If the general shows any intention of rebellion, it would incite everyone to rebel. In that case, everyone would be purged, right?"


    Elizabeth stopped again, without turning around, slowly pulling out another signboard.


    「I learned many things on Earth...」


    「Things that this cold star doesn''t have...」


    「...Many warm things.」


    「I learned them after fighting together.」


    「From the back of that person.」


    「So, I don''t regret it...」


    「I have something I must protect.」


    「Even if it means destroying Earth...」


    「Even if it means fighting that person...」


    「A person who protects their friend''s back is called a friend.」


    「Yes, that''s what that person... Earth''s friend taught me.」


    Raising the last signboard, Elizabeth looked back at Katsura, then turned and ran off swiftly with duck-like strides.


    Watching Elizabeth disappear into the distance, Katsura Elizabeth opened her mouth, revealing Katsura''s face full of unresolved emotions.


    "Eli... Elizabeth..."


    Seeing Katsura''s expression, Kawaki rubbed his eyes and yawned. Then, he tried to scratch his head but couldn''t reach it due to the suit, so he gave up.


    At this awkward moment, an urgent alarm sounded over their heads!


    Immediately, all the Renpou soldiers playing UNO stopped and looked up.


    A black virtual screen appeared above them.


    [Deployment order! Full assault on Earth in one hour! All units are prepared immediately!]


    Seeing the deployment order, all the Renpou soldiers dropped their UNO cards, stood up, and hurriedly ran towards the armory''s exit with duck-like steps.


    "It''s... it''s a deployment order, aru!" Kagura''s expression grew slightly tense.


    "What are you babbling about? The thing being squeezed is your head." Gintoki replied nonchalantly.


    At this moment, Katsura, Gintoki, and Sakamoto stopped simultaneously.


    Katsura''s shoulders seemed to tremble slightly, and he softly warned, "Don''t look back."


    "I won''t," Gintoki''s dead fish eyes seemed to stare at something only he knew, his tone flat.


    "I leave the rear to you." Katsura spoke again.


    "Hey, Sakamoto," Kawaki suddenly called out, "Were you serious about causing a ruckus? Are you sure we won''t be held responsible?"


    "What''s wrong? Has your blood boiled too?" Sakamoto chuckled lightly.


    "No, just worried since you guys have tricked me badly before." Kawaki pulled his umbrella from his mouth, "If I accidentally blow up this metal planet, I''m not taking responsibility..."


    "Hey!" Katsura turned in shock.


    Gintoki and Sakamoto turned, too, cold sweat trickling down their faces.


    "You said you wouldn''t turn back." Shinpachi commented dryly, "Kawaki''s one sentence made all three turn back."


    "Operation time is thirty minutes," Kawaki stated flatly, then glanced at Katsura, "Zura... do what you believe is right."


    He then looked at Sakamoto and Gintoki and said, "The same goes for you two; do as you see fit."


    "What kind of plan is that?!" Gintoki retorted, "It''s no different from saying nothing!"


    "But one thing..." Kawaki continued, "Within thirty minutes, get everyone off this planet. Remember, everyone..."


    "What are you talking about..." Gintoki started, but Sakamoto cut him off.


    "Seems... you''ve noticed something before us again..." Sakamoto sighed. You were always ahead, always sprinting off while we were still planning. We must''ve covered your tab at Flower Street countless times."


    "That''s you guys..." Kawaki retorted, "Always running off first is you guys! The ones who ditch on bills are you!"


    "Gintoki, remember that?" Sakamoto looked at Gintoki.


    "It''s Gintoki," Gintoki corrected, then casually added, "No, I don''t remember. Never been to such places anyway."


    He whispered to Sakamoto, "Did you hear? That guy who looks like the protagonist of this series said he''s been to those places. Can someone like that be the protagonist? This isn''t good, in many ways. He''ll definitely get complaints."


    Sakamoto nodded, occasionally glancing at Kawaki.


    "I want to kill you both now..." Veins bulged on Kawaki''s face as he glanced around the armory, noting no one else was present, and slammed his umbrella to the ground.


    "Operation start!!" Kawaki roared as he smashed the umbrella down.


    Boom!! As the booming sound echoed, Gintoki and the others turned and ran in their original direction.