Although Ryo had confidently told his younger brother— “This is simply the start of a lifetime of training.” —the reality was that he wasn’t nearly as confident as he sounded.
Those words had never been meant for himself.
They were spoken to reassure his family.
Because the truth was, he shared the same worries they did.
Even if my physical wounds eventually recover, living without sight is still unbelievably difficult.
Barefoot, Ryo slowly made his way around the room.
One hand remained pressed against the wall while he carefully mapped every corner and obstacle in his mind.
Depending solely on my other senses still isn’t enough to accurately understand everything around me…
Perhaps I should learn some kind of sensory ninjutsu— “Ow!” A sharp pain shot through his leg.
Immediately crouching down, he grabbed his knee and rubbed the spot he had just collided with.
Looks like I still can’t afford to get distracted while walking.
At least not until I’ve adapted completely to living in darkness.
Improving my chakra control and learning sensory techniques needs to become a priority.
After waiting for the pain to fade, he slowly got back to his feet.
This time he focused entirely on his surroundings.
Step by step.
Carefully.
Patiently.
After making several laps around the room and committing the furniture layout to memory, he finally released the wall.
Then he attempted to walk unaided.
Unfortunately, reality proved much harsher than his expectations.
After tripping repeatedly, smashing his toes into furniture, and hitting his forehead against various objects several times, Ryo eventually admitted defeat.
Finding the wall again, he lowered himself down with a sigh and gently rubbed the sore bump on his forehead.
Trying to navigate solely through memory without constantly using chakra was wishful thinking.
Maybe I should think about obtaining a summoning contract.
Though if I remember correctly, members of the clan are expected to pass a summon tribe’s trial through their own efforts…
Which means I still need to solve the blindness problem first.
After all, sensory ninjutsu generated chakra fluctuations that could easily be detected by others.
And maintaining such techniques continuously would consume chakra at an unsustainable rate.
Especially if combat broke out unexpectedly.
While Ryo wrestled with ways to adapt to his new reality, another member of the Uchiha household was occupied with his own thoughts.
Uchiha Madara.
However, unlike his elder brother, Madara’s mind was focused on an incident that had taken place at the academy the previous day.
Classes had already ended when he overheard a group of children chatting nearby.
Or rather— Gossiping.
About Ryo.
The more Madara listened, the more ridiculous their accusations became.
Naturally— He couldn’t tolerate it.
The child responsible for spreading the rumors ended up crying after Madara beat him up.
Humiliated, the boy immediately sought help from his older brother, who was two or three years older than Madara.
Madara didn’t back down.
Instead, he fought both of them.
The outcome?
One bruised eye for himself.
And another defeat for the two brothers.
A much more painful one than the first.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the matter.
After losing twice, the pair returned with backup.
The following morning, they blocked Madara’s path outside the academy.
Just as he was preparing to take on three opponents at once, something unexpected happened.
The older youth they had brought didn’t attack.
Instead, he calmly asked what had happened.
Madara recognized him immediately.
Uchiha Akihiko.
The son of one of the clan’s most aggressive elders.
Before Ryo’s accident, Akihiko had been considered one of the strongest candidates competing for the position of future heir.
Within the Uchiha Clan, the clan head’s children weren’t guaranteed inheritance.
They had to prove themselves.
If the clan head’s son couldn’t surpass the others of his generation, leadership would go to whoever demonstrated the greatest ability instead.
Following Ryo’s injury, Akihiko should have become the heir by default.
Yet unexpectedly, all of the older candidates voluntarily stepped aside.
Combined with the prestige Ryo earned from destroying the Senju supply line, the clan ultimately decided to hold a new selection process.
As a result, even Madara became eligible.
Despite his intimidating appearance, Akihiko patiently listened as Madara recounted everything that had happened.
Then— To Madara’s complete shock— The smiling teenager turned around and smacked both of his younger brothers on the back of their heads.
The two boys had spent the entire time standing behind him and making faces at Madara.
“You idiots!” “You’re spreading rumors, getting beaten up by the victim’s little brother, and then dragging me here to get revenge for you?” “Do you have any shame at all?!” “None?” “And stop glaring!” “If you weren’t my brothers, two hits wouldn’t even begin to cover your punishment!” Madara was completely stunned.
The Uchiha were famous for protecting their own.
Even he couldn’t deny that.
Which made Akihiko’s reaction utterly unexpected.
Not only had he listened fairly, but he had immediately disciplined his own family.
Yet things became even stranger.
After forcing his brothers to apologize, Akihiko pulled Madara aside.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, he spoke.
“Ahem…
Madara.” “You know your brother has been through a lot recently.” “My father belongs to the faction that wants to continue the offensive.” “Being ordered to hold our position instead of attacking has left him grumbling nonstop at home.” “My little brother repeats everything he hears.” “Honestly, he doesn’t even understand the full situation.” He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“So…
don’t take it too seriously.” Madara could only stare.
Completely confused.
Akihiko coughed again.
“Anyway.” His expression became serious.
“Tell Ryo that no matter what rumors are circulating, the people from our generation still support him.” “Tell him to focus on recovering.” “We’re all waiting for him to return.” Then his face became slightly red.
“As for my idiot brother slandering him…” “Please don’t mention that part.” “I’ll deal with him once we get home.” “Consider it a favor.” Madara: “…” Why?
Unfortunately, Akihiko showed no interest in elaborating.
He simply grabbed one younger brother under each arm and marched away while continuing his lecture.
Judging from the sounds that followed, their punishment was far from over.
After witnessing the entire encounter, Madara remained utterly bewildered.
For the first time in his life, he found himself wondering whether there was a side of Ryo that even their family didn’t know.
And while he pondered exactly what his elder brother had been doing all these years, a series of light tapping noises suddenly echoed from outside his room.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The sound pulled him out of his thoughts.
Confused, Madara walked over and opened the door.
The scene before him almost made him laugh.
A tiny child was staggering down the hallway while dragging a branch nearly twice his own height.
The poor thing had clearly suffered abuse.
Its bark had been stripped away unevenly, and crude carving marks covered the surface.
Each time it struck the wall, it produced the tapping sounds Madara had heard.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Quickly stepping forward, Madara grabbed the branch before it could inflict further damage on the house.
“Izuna?” Looking down at his youngest brother, he asked, “What are you doing?” “If you need something, Big Brother can help.” The little boy immediately looked up.
A huge grin spread across his face, proudly displaying several missing baby teeth.
“I wanna see Big Brother!” Then he enthusiastically lifted the branch.
“And I’m giving him this!” “You’re going to visit Big Brother?” Madara blinked before smiling.
Taking Izuna’s hand, he began leading him down the hallway.
“Let’s go together.” “It’s almost time to change his bandages anyway.” Then he glanced at the branch.
“But why are you bringing him a tree branch?” Izuna puffed out his chest proudly.
“Today I heard Father talking with the elders.” “They said Big Brother’s eyes can’t be fixed anymore.” His cheerful tone didn’t change in the slightest.
“But blind swordsmen exist in stories, right?” “They always carry walking sticks!” “They use them to find their way!” “So I wanted to make one for Big Brother!” A bright smile filled his face.
“I spent a really long time searching through the forest to find the perfect branch!” Madara froze.
Then he laughed helplessly.
“Our Izuna really is thoughtful.” Gently squeezing the younger boy’s hand, he continued, “But this isn’t quite ready to become a cane yet.” “How about we improve it first before giving it to Big Brother?” “Okay!” Izuna nodded energetically.
“I’ll do whatever you say!” As they continued walking, he chattered excitedly.
“Once Big Brother gets his walking stick, he’ll become just like those blind swordsmen!” “He’ll be super strong!” “Then we can train together!” “And go on missions together!” Madara’s fingers tightened slightly around the branch.
The smile on his face weakened.
A hint of worry appeared in his eyes.
Even so, his voice remained gentle.
“Yeah.” Looking ahead quietly, he nodded.
“You’re right, Izuna.” “Big Brother will definitely stand back up again.”