[Ren can't blame him for that reaction. He knows Maruki's actions can't be defended, yet he can't find it in himself to hate the man.]

He refused to live in a reality where he was being controlled, and would rather be dead free. Even though Maruki said it wasn't his intention, he did use Akechi as a bargaining chip to try to manipulate me into accepting his reality.

[He toys with a lock of hair.] I chose to let him go and restore the old reality. Because as much as I cared for him as a rival, I respected his feelings.

[While a small part of him hoped he was alive somewhere, it's rather unlikely given what happened in Shido's palace.]