"As a warrior, abandoning your companions is an unforgivable act. But if you know how to run while carrying your companions' wishes with you, that's an entirely different matter." Akame's explanation wasn't very clear. She seemed to realize that herself, so after thinking for a moment, she continued, "Simply put, it depends on whether you're running away out of fear or running away because of hope."
With that, Riviera understood.
They had encountered situations like this in the Dungeon before.
If they were surrounded, it was better to do everything they could to let one person escape than to have the entire force wiped out. Whether that meant one more person surviving or bringing back reinforcements, it represented hope.
Nobara Kugisaki was running with hope now.
Because staying behind would be of no use to her.
"Not bad." Ryougi Shiki even offered a rare word of praise. "Being able to recognize your own heart isn't easy."
"Indeed." Riviera nodded as well.
Perhaps Nobara Kugisaki would be the easiest one among them to become a member.
Megumi Fushiguro found the conversation between these people somewhat incomprehensible.
Although he was completely bound by branches, he hadn't been knocked unconscious. They had merely restrained the power within his body and gagged him, leaving him able to do nothing but watch helplessly.
That was all.
But as he watched Itadori Yuji clearly return, Megumi Fushiguro already knew what he intended to do. He didn't know how many times he had called him an idiot in his heart.
"Hey!" Itadori Yuji returned beneath the giant tree, raised his head, and took a deep breath as he looked at the three terrifyingly powerful enemies who had appeared from who knew where. Then he shouted, "I'm your target, right? Let Megumi Fushiguro go!"
A textbook protagonist's line.