>>56445768I see your point and like your vision. I'll bring my two cents as well.
Setting off for Kitakami without hesitation is him jumping at the opportunity to do something new after multiple boring requests. He sees himself as an adventurer going on a whimsical journey of friendship to grant his parents' wishes, perhaps only realising along the way that the idea might be more dangerous than he had previously anticipated. Hence why he gives Munkidori the ability to see the future while Fezandipiti gets captivating pheromones. The story even explicitly states he only felt safe after recruiting his three retainers. When the Loyal Three fall he doesn't even attempt to fight back, he's utterly terrified. Although on second thought that's a perfectly reasonable reaction to seeing your best friends getting their skulls caved in. And frankly I'm not sure he has the mental maturity required for pragmatism lol.
I don't think it's too unreasonable to interpret that at least after the mask incident (or better yet, because of) he develops an aversion to fighting. He was clearly trying to avoid a confrontation by waiting until the two were gone and snatching the masks during the night. He could've zergrushed the cave if he wanted. He may think the plan was going just fine until Ogerpon attacked, and so he's made to believe that if he gets into a fight everything will go horribly wrong, which to be fair is exactly what happens. In Mochi Mayhem he runs away like a bitch after you defeat the Penny/Arven duo and after Nemona, it's worth noting you're the one to initiate the fight that time. You challenge him when he's cornered and desperately looking around either for someone to protect him or a way to escape. And his Nature is Timid. That's the biggest indicator.
There's nothing I can say to undermine the fact he stayed with the Loyal Three until the end though. He didn't run. Let it be known he chose to go down with the ship. That is courage all right.
