Shinpachi was tired of being the straight man. It wasn't all that healthy for his constitution either. So much time spent yelling at the ridiculous antics of the idiots around him was bound to be the foundation for at least one crippling terminal illness anyway.
Yeah, mused the least popular main character on Gintama, I'm going to show these jokesters what real comedy is.
How does a straight man transition to the role of a comic? Well, such a proposition might seem unfathomable to those with weak mindsets and and will-power; and rightly so. In fact, even Shinpachi had to admit that donning a badge that might put him on the same playing field as the unfunny Gin-san or the one-trick gorilla Kondou-san was a terrifying prospect.
No… that kind of thinking will only resort in defeat. I must focus on that faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and not weigh myself down with the countless depressing possibilities. I shall perfect the highest grade of comedy and demonstrate to the world my true potential! Yeah… never again will I allow myself to once more be swayed by the crushing responsibilities of an under-appreciated straight ma-
All thoughts froze as in the corner of his eye, Shinpachi witnessed a nose-picking Gintoki and a scrunched-up-faced Kagura hard at work constructing a Neo Armstrong Cyclone Jet Armstrong Cannon out of stacked toilet paper rolls and crumpled up newspaper.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU TWO THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
The road ahead for the straight man in a midlife crisis would evidently not be an easy one.