[It would be disheartening to see that it was a fault that extended to other civilizations and other species outside of their own world. Ashitaka's only frame of reference was the juxtaposition of humans' greed and arrogance with the reflexive defensiveness of the gods, who were merely trying to defend lands that men were suddenly invading. War had always seemed to be something unique to mankind. Animals would kill, but they did so as nature dictated, and if left unincited, the gods would simply keep to their own lands and leave all else alone.

He had wondered quite a lot about what it was about humans that made them so uniquely susceptible to the vices that left them wanting more, and removed from them the inhibitions which would keep them from doing something terrible in order to get what they wanted. He has only ephemeral ideas, the far more solid one being that such things might not be accessible to the minds of humans.

His first response to the answer is a nod; it makes sense, and he doesn't feel particularly pressured to ask about any reasons. Ashitaka had reasons of his own for leaving his home and embarking on his own journey, and while not secret, he didn't relish the idea of rehashing them very much (or at all).]

We will be well-equipped then. [He wouldn't have minded if Genji knew little about living in the wilderness, but it certainly makes it easier.] I had only just started traveling on my own in my own time, but I am familiar with living in the wilds.

Though...

[He's right. They're on the back of a colossal alien fish in the middle of the timeless, space-less aether. There's no telling what they will find.]

You are right. It will most likely be unlike anything we have seen or experienced. We would do best to be cautious, then.

[He follows along, Yakul keeping pace a short distance behind them.]