[ This is an interesting turn to the conversation and may be what Varian was angling to ask from the get go.

And Akechi does listen. There's an intensity in his gaze that didn't exist a moment ago, every stumble and pause noted.

These are dangerous questions. Exploitable questions. There's a value in wondering, risk in considering. The question is too specific to be from a wandering thought.

Save everyone - what a delusional goal.

But they're not questions Akechi hasn't thought about before to some degree. He considered less when a gun was put in his hand. His fingers and body still entirely. A tone shifting to reflect the serious topic. ]

In this hypothetical scenario -

[ There's a facade to keep and a truth to hide. It doesn't matter what's just. ]

One has to wonder the value of a life, regardless of how you see them. How can you be certain an incapacitation will end whatever is ailing the world? Often, you can't and if you act to harm someone and it does nothing at all -

Can you live with that? Becoming a monster that harms for the sake of harming, no matter the intent you started with? Is it truly the world's salvation that guides you or a distorted sense of justice that warps you?

[ Akechi can't speak for it. Can't say for certain. ]

As for myself, it's difficult to say. I would ask myself the same question and consider the implications of harming a puppet for no reason while the true instigator remains. It's a difficult scenario to consider.