Bihei still recognized Shin as a leader that he would give his life for.

Again, I disagree. First of all respect for typing out paragraphs, this was a fun debate lol.

Secondly, I disagree that they could have just run. A good portion of the camp was slaughtered, and Mangoku was there too so they were already in severe danger. Furthermore, the rest of the Unit was ok with fighting Houken. Sure you might think its fucked up that someone would prioritize a dream over a life, but thats just the kind of story Kingdom is. At that moment, the whole hi shin unit realized that Killing Houken and achieving that glory was something worth dying for in the pursuit to make Shin a great general. Its not also just a childish ambition, as Im sure adult Shin would have also tried to slay Houken. Also Shin does give them the option to Pull out and survive (see page 15 of chapter 144).

Lol so you wanted Bitou to leave Shin behind? That pretty much contradicts the whole story then and the whole relationship between Shin and his men is ruined. Bitou would never leave Shin behind. He was loyal to his leader

Sure he was conscripted, but he was genuinely excited to join Shins unit specifically. Also what terrible decision did shin make? He had to fight Houken, and already the whole unit decided that they would give their lives to Shin. They literally said that the Hi shin unit would not die as long as Shin was alive

I dont really understand your point here, Bihei didn't have to join Shins squad. He signed up knowing full well that they could die

My main point is not that Bitou was forced into his death, but that he chose it.

But I disagree entirely that shin fucked up at all or made any kind of mistake

Even if they didnt have to, Shin wanted to have a chance at his dream

Of course he might "regret" it or feel bitter about that decision but thats a long way from actually BLAMING, shin and carrying a grudge. I agree its not as simple as black and white. Also its not an "idealistic" loyalty. It tracks quite well to a world where people sacrifice for others and thinfs that they believe to be bigger than them