But by this time the choices offered by the rebels amounted to only the resignation or abdication of Uthman and selection of another caliph. As turmoil broke out, Ali left. He seems to have broken with Uthman.
By this point, the rebels had only two choices: either Uthman's resignation or his abdication, followed by the election of another caliph. Amidst the chaos, Ali left. His actions indicated a separation from Uthman.