Like the mass of humanity that he condemns, Akechi himself is far from wise; wouldn't claim to be. Wisdom wouldn't have sought out his father at fifteen. Sometimes you just have to do something, and damn the consequences; he just nods in understanding. "It sounds as if you already know how it was. Not a lack of usefulness, so much as an excess of ambition—and yes, he was far more useful dead." Black ichor, running down his face like blood; what would even cause that?

He tilts his head a little more, studying her; purses his lips as he thinks of the putative ruler of the ship they're both on. Shido plans to dispose of you once he becomes prime minister. The thought alone makes him want to melt through the floor like a ruptured Shadow.

"Are you telling me that doesn't anger you at all?" Because some of the ways people propose dealing with Shido almost make him scream.