The days had stretched into weeks since Sasuke had arrived at the village. The healer, an old man with a kind but worn face, had commented several times about the progress Sasuke had made.

"You've healed faster than most would, considering the state you were in when we found you," he remarked one afternoon while they sat in the hut. "It's been a few weeks and you're already moving around as if you've lived here your whole life."

Sasuke only nodded in response, his expression unreadable, though inwardly he had long come to terms with his blindness. There was no mourning for his lost sight; it had been inevitable the moment Orochimaru took his eyes. The old man had been straightforward with him early on: "You'll be blind for the rest of your life. There's no fixing that."

Sasuke had accepted it before the words had even left his lips. In truth, Sasuke found this new reality almost liberating. He wasn't Uchiha Sasuke anymore—at least not in the way he once was. The Sharingan, the symbol of his clan's power, was no longer a part of him. He had been stripped of those burdens. Now he was simply Sasuke, nothing more, nothing less, and in this simplicity he found peace.

He moved around the small hut with surprising ease now, having adapted quickly to his blindness. Relying on his other senses, he had learned to pick up on subtle cues—sounds, scents, even the faint outlines of chakra that flickered in the air around him. With these, he navigated the space as if the darkness no longer hindered him.

Sasuke had also taken it upon himself to assist the healer with tending to the village's patients. After weeks of being cared for he couldn't bear to be a burden any longer. He helped grind herbs, prepare poultices, and apply bandages. The healer, seeing Sasuke's aptitude and willingness, soon began teaching him more.

"You've got a knack for this, boy," the healer had said one evening as they tended to a young villager's sprained ankle. "How about you stay and learn more? I could use an extra pair of hands and you've already proven to be useful."

Sasuke agreed without hesitation, not out of a need for purpose, but because it felt right. For the next five months he immersed himself in the art of civilian healing, learning how to mend wounds without chakra, how to diagnose ailments by touch and sound alone. It was a far cry from the violent life he had once led, but in this small village, among people who did not care for shinobi or power, Sasuke found solace.

Yet, as time passed, Sasuke knew it was time to move on. He couldn't stay hidden away forever. One day, without much fanfare, he gathered his belongings—a few coins, a day's worth of food, and a rusty kunai he had found discarded near the outskirts of the village. He stowed away on a merchant cart and began his journey once more.

For months, Sasuke traveled from village to village, moving quietly through the lands, always a shadow among the crowds. His time on the road was peaceful, and even though the voices of his ancestors still whispered in his mind, berating him for his decisions, he had grown used to their taunts. He no longer fought them. He merely acknowledged their existence and moved on.

One evening, as the cart he had stowed away on rumbled along the road, Sasuke drifted into a restless sleep. He was unaware of the danger approaching until the sharp clash of metal and the screams of the merchants jolted him awake.

He blinked into the darkness, but of course, he saw nothing. Instead, his senses flared, picking up the sudden surge of chakra—a group of bandits, five of them, approaching the cart. Sasuke remained silent, listening to the scuffling feet, the harsh voices demanding money and supplies.

Then, they found him.

One of the bandits yanked back the cloth covering the cart, revealing Sasuke lying there, apparently helpless.

"What's this? Another prize?" The bandit sneered, reaching for him.

Before the bandit could react, Sasuke moved. With nothing but a rusty kunai and his bare hands, he dispatched them one by one with brutal efficiency. His movements were fluid, precise—blindness had not dulled his ability to fight. Within minutes, the bandits lay defeated at his feet, their bodies sprawled across the road.

Sasuke sensed the merchants staring at him, their terror palpable. He could feel their fear, the way their breaths quickened and their chakra trembled. He said nothing, merely stepping off the cart and heading down the road alone. He didn't need their thanks nor did he wish to stay any longer.

With only a few coins, some food, and his kunai, Sasuke continued his journey.

Eventually he found himself in a shinobi village. It was far from the lands he had once known, and its people were unfamiliar, but Sasuke decided to settle in. He had no intention of drawing attention to himself, so he took a job at the local hospital, working as a nurse. It was quiet, humble work, but it gave him a sense of purpose.

The months passed quickly. Sasuke's skill in healing did not go unnoticed. One of the doctors, a woman named Fumiko, saw potential in him. She trained him personally, teaching him the intricacies of medical ninjutsu. Sasuke picked it up with ease, his chakra control already honed from his past life as a shinobi.

Fumiko often complained about the state of the medical profession, especially when it came to Konoha.

"They hoard the best medical-nin for themselves, you know," she grumbled one afternoon. "Tsunade Senju, the progenitor of medical ninjutsu herself, is their Hokage and the rules she set up... It's stifling. My former sensei always said those guidelines should be abolished. I agree with her."

Sasuke listened in silence, but he found himself agreeing with Fumiko, though more out of disdain for rules than anything else. He was never one for structure or authority, not anymore.

One day, after weeks of training, Fumiko asked Sasuke, "Do you know how to fight?"

Sasuke hesitated before answering. "I do but it's been a while."

Fumiko nodded thoughtfully. "I know some shinobi in Kiri. They could use a medical ninja and in exchange they could train you. There's just one catch."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"

"These shinobi are part of the resistance. They want to overthrow Yagura and put Mei Terumi in power. You'd be helping them in their rebellion."

Sasuke considered this for a moment. He had no loyalty to any village, no ties to any cause, but the offer intrigued him.

"I'll do it," he said finally.

Fumiko smiled. "I'll send word to them. They'll be expecting you soon."

Sasuke nodded, already preparing himself for the next chapter in his journey.

...

Three days after setting out, Sasuke arrived at the rebellion's hidden base nestled deep within the mountainous region of the Water Country. The entrance was discreet, concealed behind dense foliage and natural barriers, but as he approached, several shinobi on guard spotted him and beckoned him forward. They led him inside without much fanfare, but there was a clear sense of anticipation in the air. Word had spread quickly about the blind medic who had agreed to aid them in their struggle.

The rebels greeted him with quiet respect and curiosity. They showed him around the base—a network of tunnels and caverns that had been turned into makeshift quarters, training areas, and an infirmary. Wounded soldiers lay in rows, some groaning in pain, others unconscious. Sasuke was ushered into the infirmary where the severity of the rebellion's losses became starkly apparent.

Without a word, Sasuke got to work. He moved with an efficiency and calmness that surprised the other medics. His hands, though unable to see the wounds, found the source of each injury with expert precision. He applied remedies, bandages, and herbs using the civilian techniques he had mastered. As he worked, whispers spread among the rebellion forces.

"He's mostly using civilian remedies," one of the medics remarked, awe evident in their voice. "No medical ninjutsu and yet the results are incredible."

The rebels watched, fascinated by how hard Sasuke worked. He didn't speak much nor did he seek recognition for his efforts. He simply moved from patient to patient, his focus unwavering. It wasn't long before he caught the attention of Mei Terumi herself.

...

One afternoon, as Sasuke carefully sutured a deep wound on a shinobi's arm, he felt a strong presence approach. A gentle yet authoritative voice spoke behind him.

"You're the one Fumiko sent, aren't you? Thank you for coming all this way to help us," Mei said warmly.

Sasuke paused only briefly before nodding in acknowledgment.

"It's what I'm here for," he said quietly before returning to his work.

Mei observed him for a moment, a flicker of interest in her eyes. There was something about Sasuke that intrigued her, but she couldn't quite place what it was. Despite his impassive demeanor and lack of small talk, he exuded a quiet intensity. She left him to his work, but from that moment she kept a close eye on him.

...

Over the next two weeks Sasuke continued to tend to the injured, gradually learning a few new jutsus under the careful watch of the rebellion's shinobi. He honed his chakra control and healing abilities, gaining more proficiency in medical ninjutsu. Although he largely relied on civilian remedies, he slowly began incorporating more advanced techniques, blending both approaches with his trademark precision.

Then, one morning, a wave of excitement swept through the rebellion's hideout. News had arrived: Yagura, the tyrant Mizukage, had been defeated. The Akatsuki were responsible, and with Yagura's death, the reign of terror he had imposed over Kirigakure was finally over. The rebels saw this as the perfect opportunity to put Mei Terumi in power.

The transition happened swiftly. With the support of her loyalists, Mei was officially declared the Godaime Mizukage. The rebellion had succeeded and Kirigakure was on the brink of a new era.

Mei wasted no time in turning her attention back to Sasuke. Seeing his potential, she took it upon herself to train him personally. Under her guidance, Sasuke became adept in both Water Release and Earth Release along with mastering a variety of techniques that suited his natural chakra affinity (which was lightning). Mei's teaching was rigorous, but Sasuke's dedication was unmatched.

At the same time, Ao, one of Mei's trusted shinobi and personal guard, began training Sasuke in mastering Yin Release. This helped Sasuke sharpen his control over his chakra and improve his sensory abilities. Over the course of a year Sasuke grew into a formidable force, not only as a medic but as a shinobi who could hold his own in combat.

Though he had found a sense of peace in Kirigakure, Sasuke knew it was time to move on. The world was vast, and there were still things he needed to discover about himself. On the final day of his stay in the village, he meticulously packed his belongings, sealing most of his supplies into storage scrolls. He worked in silence, preparing for the next step of his journey.

As he finished, the door to his apartment swung open. Mei stood in the doorway, her eyes brimming with emotion. Before Sasuke could say a word, she crossed the room and wrapped him in a tight hug.

"I'm going to miss you," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.

Sasuke stood still, his expression calm, though he could feel the weight of her words. He allowed the embrace but remained impassive, his mind already focused on the road ahead.

"I'll return someday," he reassured her, his voice low and steady.

Mei sniffled and reluctantly released him, wiping at her eyes. Before she could say anything else, Ao appeared in the doorway, looking slightly awkward as he gestured for Mei to follow him. "Come on, let him finish."

With a final glance, Mei let Ao guide her out of the apartment, leaving Sasuke alone once more. He stood there for a moment, listening to the sound of their footsteps fading away.

Once they were gone, Sasuke finished packing his things, slinging the bag over his shoulder. Without looking back, he walked out of the apartment and left Kirigakure behind, stepping into the vast unknown.