His hand clenches around his sword, his still-wet, red eyes hidden behind his mask, furious. He keeps half an eye on the Ren cognition, ready to act if it tries something, but most of his focus is on the flickering Maruki.

"No," he grits out, voice still wet, "no- fuck you. I don't- care what you're trying to pull here. I'll never forgive you for trying to use my memories- my own damn brother against me." His breaths come out heavier despite himself, rage and grief coiling inside of him like horrid parasites. "Give me my goddamn tape back, let me go, and I'll consider not shoving my sword through your gut."

Palnatoke roars in approval in his mind, and Kou's face pulls into a snarl, flexing his clawed gauntlets dangerously. It's a bluff- all of this is a bluff, he knows he can't win, but fuck it if he's going down without a fight. It's not like death sticks here anyway, but-

He won't let Maruki actualize him. He won't let him spit on Goro's grave- his final wish any more.