Danny, it would be worth understanding why it takes more time for the endpoint system_store to get updated with the new bucket, specifically with external mode clusters, following the aforementioned scenario of node failure. IIUC, we do not see this problem other than this specific combination of deployment method and scenario. As this issue is seen with a pretty narrowed combination and upload is possible with a few seconds delay, I agree it's not a release blocker and medium severity seems right
I don't yet know why there is a difference in external mode clusters. it needs to be investigated