[ There's no conscious hidden intent in Maruki's words. To his mind, Akechi is his ally, has proven enough times that they have the same goal and similar enough feelings on several critical topics. Their differences are stark, but haven't yet thrown up any obstacles that couldn't be handled. Akechi knows him well; he would never say it, but he feels he knows Akechi as well as anyone could. At this point, there's so little that could rattle Maruki's resolve in their bond that he can't even imagine a reality where it wouldn't come to exist if ever they met.

But perhaps it is a subconscious test after all. The most overt gesture either of them have made. It's all well and good to talk, to theorize, to dream – it is another thing entirely to act, and Maruki has never been one for inaction. He wouldn't presume that Akechi has ever been either.

Not a true test, and yet, it still solidifies something deep in his soul. Bedrock, unshaken, immovable.

He grins at Akechi, as wide and warm as ever, but perhaps a bit of something else at the edges as well. ]

Any time. We've been afforded relative peace at the moment... Comparatively speaking, anyway. I can't think of a better time to start than the present.