Zenkichi huffs out a breath—half a tired chuckle, half an exhale that still carries the weight of everything that’s happened. He rubs a hand over his face before finally looking at Ren again, this time with something softer in his expression.

"Wouldn't blame you if you lost your damn mind after all this," he says, voice wry but warm. "Hell, I think I did for a second there. You deserve the rest, kid. And to celebrate, too. You did your best trying to lead everyone through that mess."

He lets out another breath, this one a little lighter, as if saying it out loud helps him believe it, too. His hand instinctively drifts to Akane’s arm, grounding himself in the rising and falling rhythm of her breath.

"And I know Akane appreciates it." His fingers curl slightly, just for a second. "Not just you keeping things together, but... still being here. Still talking to an old man like me, even after I nearly blew up your entire team formation." He doesn't even remember who he shoved at.

He shakes his head, the corners of his mouth twitching upward—an attempt at a smirk that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

"Not a lot of people would bother," he adds, quieter this time.