Shiro chuckled at Takeo's notion that he wouldn't look them in the eye. He remained silent for the duration of Takeo's idignant speech, quietly studying the mental image and tone of the rebel commander's voice. This was the man in position of leading Konoha's rebellion, second only to the Fourth Hokage? Shiro shook his head at this thought, trailing off as he recalled his reasons for joining the rebellion. The respect he held for Takeo was diminishing by the second as he accosted Ryozan's personal choices as if he was in a rightful position to judge. 

As the commander finished his speech and began to walk away Shiro turned to Ryozan and tilted up his rice hat, revealing the X-shaped scar he bore across his eyelids. "If I could look him in the eyes... I would so I may see just how clouded his judgment is. If I could have dulled my sharp hearing I would not have eavesdropped... but this man, his perception of the matter... it is warped." And with that the blind samurai would stand from his seat and allow his left hand to gently rest on the hilt of Tachiwaru Ametsuchi. He walked so that he was directly in line with Takeo in the street and faced his back. 

"You act like this young man, by saving a fellow human being, is truly responsible for the actions of those who he saved. He is not, he is responsible for himself and no more. And to protect the integrity of his moral fiber he protected your enemy, commander. Maybe this man truly wants no part in your foolish endeavors. I am here by choice, not for some monetary attachment that Sungakure provides. I have until now supported your cause for my own reasons..." Shiro's words hung in the air for a moment as a gust of wind came from behind him, blowing his kimono forward. "..but your arrogance precedes your words." His methods of intimidation did not fool Shiro, as the samurai could see the man's ego was quite swollen. And while he could bully his own into submission such was not the case with all. Shiro was quite aware that his skill in battle would match his arrogant tone, one could not walk around speaking in such a mighty tone without being able to back it up. Yet Shiro stood facing this man with no fear in his heart, standing on equal ground with Takeo. 

He allowed the commander to leave but could still hear his footsteps echo in the distance. Shiro's focus fell back to Ryozan who he heard murmur [i]You're wrong[/i] several times before disappearing. The lone samurai decided to follow Takeo's footsteps from a distance for a short time until they led him to the Uchiha compound. By the time Shiro arrived his target was gone. He continued on his path elsewhere until the sound of an explosion nearby caught him off guard. [i]This is it.[/i] The blind samurai thought to himself while finding cover next to a building connected to the main road stemming from the central gate. Before he knew it shinobi were pouring into the village toward the Imperial barracks. Shiro stood silently as the two sides fought, his presence was a nonfactor in this battle.