[ He clenches his fists, trembling from helpless anger. Not enough... Never enough... Were they right? Was it wrong to ask so much of their people? Every time he replays this scene he asks himself if there was aught different he could do. But every time he arrives at the same answer:

No. No, he would not have done anything differently, because they weren't given a choice. ]

What would you do...? [ His voice comes out hoarse at first. He clears his throat and asks again. ] What would you do if your world was ending, and you knew of no other way to halt it save for summoning a god? You would do it, wouldn't you? You would sacrifice what was needed to avert the end...?

[ He looks to Hijikata now, with the look of a desperate man seeking validation. ]

Was I wrong, then...?