Road to Redemption - CH - 6 (Patreon)

Sasuke continued his journey, each step carefully measured as he moved through unfamiliar terrain. The realization that he was blind—a state he once would have considered unimaginable—had settled into his mind like a cold weight. But Sasuke was nothing if not resilient. He had faced countless challenges in his life, and this was simply another one, albeit one that felt particularly cruel for someone who had once relied so heavily on his eyes.

He couldn’t help but think of Madara Uchiha, a man who had fought with unparalleled skill even when his sight had failed him. Madara, with his overwhelming strength and mastery of ninjutsu, had proven that blindness was no excuse for weakness. Sasuke had learned that lesson well. If Madara could fight without his eyes, then so could he. He would not allow this to be his downfall.

As he walked, Sasuke began to train. It was not the first time he had done so while on the move. His life had been one long journey, and training had always been a part of it. But this time, it was different. His training was no longer just about perfecting his techniques—it was about survival. He needed to adapt, to find new ways to compensate for his blindness, and to ensure that his other senses could make up for what he had lost.

Sasuke started with the basics. He reached out with his chakra, feeling the world around him. Every movement, every breath, every shift of energy became an exercise in awareness. He focused on the vibrations in the ground, the subtle changes in the air, and the sounds that echoed around him. His heightened senses had already begun to sharpen, but now he pushed them even further, forcing himself to become hyper-aware of his surroundings.

He practiced his hand seals, a process that had once been so natural it required no thought. But now, without his eyes to guide him, every seal felt different. He relied on muscle memory, allowing his fingers to move in familiar patterns, and he began to feel the chakra flow through his body as he activated each jutsu. The gestures were still there, embedded in his muscles and chakra pathways, and he could still activate them with precision. It was a strange sensation, performing these techniques without the visual feedback he had always taken for granted. But Sasuke quickly learned that his body knew what to do, even if his eyes didn’t.

As he walked, he practiced channeling chakra to specific points in his body, activating jutsu with pinpoint accuracy. He could still summon his Chidori, the crackling lightning surging through his hand with the same ferocity as before. He could still feel the raw power of his techniques, even if he couldn’t see them. He would train until he could wield them with the same confidence as before, regardless of his blindness.

Sasuke also focused on his physical training. His body was still strong, despite the toll his recent experiences had taken on him. He practiced his taijutsu, refining his strikes and movements to be as efficient as possible. Without his sight, he had to rely on his other senses to anticipate his opponents' movements. He concentrated on the sounds of footsteps, the rush of wind, the subtle shifts in the air that signaled an attack. His movements became sharper, more deliberate, as he adapted to his new reality.

He also began to incorporate his chakra into his movements, enhancing his speed and strength. He pushed himself to his limits, training harder than ever before. Each step was calculated, each strike precise. He could no longer afford to rely on his eyes to guide him, so he had to ensure that every move he made was flawless.

As Sasuke continued his journey, his mind began to drift back to the past. He thought of all the battles he had fought, all the enemies he had faced. His visual prowess had always been a key part of his success, but it was not the only thing that had made him strong. His determination, his intelligence, and his ability to adapt had always been just as important. And now, more than ever, he would need to rely on those qualities.

He thought of his time with Orochimaru, the countless hours he had spent training under the legendary Sannin. Orochimaru had pushed him to his limits, forcing him to master techniques that had once seemed impossible. That training had shaped him into the shinobi he was today, and Sasuke knew that he could draw on those lessons now. Orochimaru had taught him the importance of perseverance, of pushing through pain and adversity. And Sasuke would need every ounce of that perseverance to overcome his blindness.

As he moved through the forest, Sasuke continued to practice his jutsu. He experimented with different techniques, adjusting them to suit his new reality. Some techniques were easier to adapt to than others. The Chidori, for example, was still effective, but it required precise timing and aim. Without his eyes, Sasuke had to rely on his other senses to guide the attack. He practiced again and again, focusing on the sounds and vibrations that would help him pinpoint his target. It was difficult, but with each attempt, he grew more confident.

He also worked on his Fire Release techniques, refining them to be as efficient as possible. The fire jutsu required careful control, and Sasuke focused on feeling the heat and energy of the flames as they formed in his hands. He practiced manipulating the fire, shaping it into precise attacks that could strike with deadly accuracy. His training was relentless, and he pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, knowing that he could not afford to be anything less than perfect.

Sasuke also spent time honing his sensory abilities. He had always been attuned to the presence of chakra, but now he needed to take that sensitivity to a new level. He practiced sensing the chakra signatures of the animals around him, focusing on the subtle differences between them. He could feel the life force of the creatures that roamed the forest, and he used that knowledge to anticipate their movements. This new level of awareness would be crucial in battle, allowing him to detect enemies before they could strike.

As he trained, Sasuke also thought about the techniques he had learned from his brother, Itachi. Itachi had been a master of genjutsu, and Sasuke had inherited that skill. He practiced his genjutsu techniques, focusing on creating illusions that could deceive even the most skilled opponents. His blindness did not hinder his ability to manipulate his chakra and cast powerful genjutsu. He knew that these techniques would be a valuable asset in future battles, allowing him to control the battlefield even without his sight.

Despite the challenges he faced, Sasuke refused to give up. He knew that his blindness was a severe handicap, but it would not stop him from achieving his goals. He had come too far, fought too many battles, and sacrificed too much to be defeated by this. He would continue to train, continue to grow stronger, and continue to fight until he had overcome this obstacle.

As the days passed, Sasuke’s progress became evident. His movements were more fluid, his attacks more precise. His senses had sharpened to the point where he could detect the slightest changes in his surroundings. He could hear the rustle of leaves, the soft footfalls of animals, and the distant sounds of the village. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his skin, the cool breeze that whispered through the trees, and the energy of the forest around him.

Sasuke had adapted. He had transformed his weakness into a new kind of strength. He no longer relied on his eyes to see the world—he saw it through his chakra, through his senses, through the connection he had with the energy that flowed around him. And in that connection, he found a new sense of purpose.

He knew that the road ahead would not be easy. There were still many challenges to face, many battles to fight. But Sasuke was ready. He had always been a survivor, and this time would be no different. He would continue to train, continue to push himself to new heights, and continue to seek the answers he needed.

With each step, Sasuke grew more confident. He was no longer the same shinobi who had relied on his visual prowess to defeat his enemies. He was something more now—something stronger, something more resilient. And as he moved forward, he knew that he would never stop fighting, never stop pushing himself to be the best.

The world might have taken his sight, but it had not taken his will. Sasuke Uchiha was still a force to be reckoned with, and nothing would stand in his way.

Sasuke's journey continued through the villages and towns of the Land of Rice, a seemingly aimless wanderer in the eyes of those who saw him. His appearance was that of a simple, blind man with one arm, dressed in ragged clothes, clutching a wooden walking stick. No one could have guessed the true nature of the man beneath the humble facade—a shinobi who had once been among the most powerful in the world, now a phantom of his former self, yet still dangerous beyond imagination.

Despite his appearance, Sasuke was far from destitute. The scrolls he carried contained wealth beyond what any common man could comprehend: gold, rare chakra-infused weapons, and tools that could fetch fortunes in any village. But he kept these hidden, preferring to blend in as just another poor traveler, cautious and unassuming. He knew that in this unfamiliar timeline, drawing attention to himself could lead to complications. Better to be underestimated.

In one small village, where the air was thick with the smell of burning wood and roasting meat, Sasuke decided it was time to make a few adjustments. He had been relying on the rough wooden stick he had fashioned in the forest, but now he needed something more refined, something that could serve as both a walking aid and a weapon. After all, despite his outward appearance, he still needed to be prepared for the dangers of the world.

The village was modest, with narrow, winding streets that echoed with the sounds of daily life. The clanging of a blacksmith's hammer rang out from a nearby forge, and Sasuke followed the sound, his senses keen and alert. The blacksmith was a burly man with a deep voice that reverberated in the enclosed space of his workshop. Sasuke could feel the heat of the forge on his face as he approached, the acrid scent of molten metal filling the air.

"Looking for something, stranger?" the blacksmith asked, his tone gruff but not unfriendly.

Sasuke nodded. "I need a walking stick. Something sturdy, well-crafted. But I also need a hidden blade inside it."

The blacksmith grunted, clearly intrigued by the unusual request. "A hidden blade, eh? Not something a common man would ask for. You sure you know how to handle a weapon like that?"

Sasuke smirked faintly. "I'm sure."

The blacksmith didn't press further. He knew better than to pry into the business of strangers, especially those who carried themselves with a quiet confidence like this one. "Well, if you're serious, I can make it for you. It'll cost you, though."

Sasuke reached into one of his scrolls, subtly drawing out a small piece of chakra-infused metal. "I have this. It's rare and valuable. Use it to craft the blade, and You can have what's left."

The blacksmith's eyes widened as he examined the metal, running his calloused fingers over its surface. "Chakra metal... This is worth more than anything I could charge you. Alright, I'll make you the finest walking stick you've ever seen."

Over the next few days, Sasuke worked with the blacksmith and a carpenter to create the weapon he envisioned. The carpenter carefully shaped the wooden shaft, making it smooth and comfortable to grip, while the blacksmith crafted the hidden blade with precision. The blade was small but razor-sharp, made from the chakra metal Sasuke had provided. It could be drawn quickly and silently from the end of the stick, making it a perfect weapon for someone who needed to keep up appearances.

During the process, Sasuke remained patient, his mind focused on his training even as he interacted with the villagers. He practiced using his other senses to compensate for his blindness, refining his ability to sense chakra and movement around him. He would sometimes sit in the village square, listening to the sounds of the people around him—the footsteps, the whispers, the rustle of clothing. It was a kind of meditation, one that sharpened his instincts and kept him ready for anything.

When the walking stick was finally completed, Sasuke held it in his hand, feeling its weight and balance. It was perfect—an unassuming tool that concealed a deadly weapon. To the outside world, he still appeared to be a harmless traveler, but now he was armed with a blade that could cut down anyone foolish enough to provoke him.

As he prepared to leave the village, he asked for directions toward the Land of Fire. His ultimate destination was Konoha, the village that had once been his home and the heart of the shinobi world. But he was in no hurry. The journey itself was a form of training, a way to hone his skills and test himself in this Timeline.

The villagers he met along the way were kind, for the most part, though some were wary of the mysterious blind man who asked too many questions. They told him stories of the Land of Fire, of the great forests and rivers that lay to the west. Some spoke of Konoha, the hidden village that was said to be a place of immense power and influence, though few had ever seen it with their own eyes.

As Sasuke traveled, he continued to practice his jutsu in secret, pushing his chakra to its limits. Though he had lost his visual powers, his mastery of ninjutsu and genjutsu remained intact. He could still summon the lightning and fire that had once made him feared on the battlefield. And he could still perform the hand signs, though he did so with one hand now, a skill he had mastered long ago.

The journey took him through dense forests, where the air was thick with the smell of pine and moss, and the sounds of animals rustling through the underbrush. He crossed wide rivers, the water rushing past him with a roar that filled his ears. He passed through fields of tall grass, where the wind whispered secrets as it moved through the blades. Each place had its own unique feel, its own rhythm and pulse that Sasuke absorbed through his heightened senses.

And all the while, he listened. He listened to the stories of the people he met, the merchants and travelers who passed through the same roads, and the villagers who lived simple lives far from the conflicts of the shinobi world. He learned of the state of the world, of the shifting alliances and the rumors of war that always seemed to be on the horizon.

But no one spoke of the Uchiha clan, and no one mentioned Naruto Uzumaki. It was as if the great battles and tragedies that had shaped Sasuke's life had never happened in this world. And that both disturbed and relieved him in equal measure.

As he neared the borders of the Land of Fire, Sasuke felt a growing sense of anticipation. The journey had been long and filled with challenges, but it was far from over. There were still questions that needed answering, and mysteries that needed solving. He knew that Konoha held the key to many of those answers, and that his path would eventually lead him back to the place where it all began.

But for now, he was content to continue walking, his refined walking stick tapping softly against the ground as he moved forward. To anyone watching, he was just another traveler, a blind man with a wooden stick, moving through the world with quiet determination.

But those who truly knew Sasuke Uchiha would recognize the danger that lay beneath that humble exterior. And should anyone make the mistake of underestimating him, they would soon learn just how wrong they were.

For now, the demon walked among men, biding his time, ready to unleash hell if necessary. And the Land of Fire was waiting for him.