After an unknown amount of time, Uchiha Hachidai turned around.
The anger on his face had already settled, replaced by the cold calm of a battle-hardened veteran making his final decision.
His Sharingan had closed, but his gaze remained as sharp as ever.
He looked at Shaoyu, then at the young Ai, before finally sweeping his eyes over the wounded clansmen behind him, their eyes filled with anticipation and confusion.
"We need to discuss this."
Hachidai spoke in a low voice. It was not loud, yet it carried authority.
Shaoyu gave a slight nod and withdrew with the young Ai and Lianhuo into the deeper shadows of the cave, giving them space.
More than thirty Uchiha gathered together, centered around Hachidai and Uchiha Inabi.
Their low but heated discussion continued for quite some time.
Some wore pained, conflicted expressions. Some were furious and impassioned. Some remained silent. In others, a new fire gradually began to burn in their eyes.
It was the desire to survive, resistance against betrayal, and a faint longing for a possible new future.
In the end, Uchiha Hachidai stepped forward. Behind him followed clansmen with varied expressions, but most of their gazes had unified into a single resolve.
Hachidai stopped before Shaoyu, took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.
"Uchiha Shaoyu."
He addressed him formally, as though carrying out an important handover.
"We... accept your proposal. From this day onward, Uchiha Hachidai and the thirty-seven under his command died on the battlefield of the Land of Rain. Those standing before you are a group of nameless Uchiha seeking rebirth and the flames of vengeance."
He paused, his voice firm and decisive.
"We'll go with you."
At last, Shaoyu showed the first true smile he had worn that day, one filled with relief and ambition.