Under everyone's gaze, An did not take a stance right away. Instead, he first asked Izuna, "Lord Izuna, do you think they should forgive Madara?"
"Well..." Izuna immediately hesitated.
Although he was deeply disappointed in Madara at that moment, Madara was still his own older brother. Blood was thicker than water, after all.
If possible, he certainly hoped his brother could earn the forgiveness of the clansmen who had died.
But he truly could not bring himself to say that. If he put himself in their shoes, he would also find it hard to forgive the culprit who had caused his death.
An offered Izuna a timely way out.
"Lord Izuna, I think an apology made with words alone isn't enough to bring the victims any comfort."
"Madara needs to atone through action!"
"Uh, how should he atone, then?" Izuna hurriedly asked.
"By rendering service to the clan to make up for his crimes, of course!" An declared firmly.
"Lord Madara might not be very bright, but his fighting strength is still quite dependable."
"As it happens, we're planning to revive the Uchiha Clan, and we need his strength."
"Once the Uchiha Clan has been revived, surely these fallen clansmen will be able to forgive Madara for his past mistakes!"
"That's right! That's a great idea!" Izuna clapped excitedly and voiced his wholehearted agreement. "My brother really should make up for his crimes through service!"
"Not only can he serve the clan, but I can stay behind too and help him atone."
"Izuna, we're already dead..." Madara interjected from beside him, his face clouded with worry.
"Does being dead mean we can't fight?" Izuna immediately flared up. He glared fiercely at his brother and retorted, "This state I'm in might be strange, but I think I can still use seventy