Naruto: Blind Uchiha

For the first time since returning from the battlefield, Uchiha Kiyoshi realized how difficult life had become.

Eating, adressing wounds, getting up—it all used to be effortless. Now, each small task felt like climbing a mountain, each mistake reopening injuries or worsening them.

Losing his sight made the world colder, harsher. The malice of the world seemed clearer, more unrelenting.

Kiyoshi propped himself against the wall, silent but troubled. His mind spun with negative thoughts, dark clouds he couldn't dispel.

I said I'd get better. But... can I?

An Uchiha without the Sharingan... Am I even still an Uchiha?

His thoughts swirled until the soft sound of a paper door sliding open broke his trance. His tense expression softened into a smile. "At this hour... is that you, Madara?"

From the other side of the room came a voice, steady but trying to sound older than it was. "Yes, it's me. How are you feeling, brother?"

Kiyoshi smiled faintly. "Better. The pain isn't too bad now. I'll be able to move around in a few days."

Madara stepped closer, a medicine kit in hand, and knelt beside Kiyoshi. "Father talked to me yesterday. He said I should prepare for the clan's selection of a new heir."

Kiyoshi nodded calmly. "That's good. You're incredibly talented, Madara. I'm sure you'll do better than I did."

Madara's lips tightened into a frown. "But isn't it unfair? The elders didn't even wait for you to recover before deciding to replace you! They're saying horrible things about you—things that aren't true!"

Kiyoshi reached out, and Madara took his hand. He squeezed it gently. "Madara, there are things that can't be decided by appearances alone."

"But they're spreading lies, brother!" Madara's voice rose in anger. "They're saying you fled from the Senju, abandoned your mission, and lost your position because you disgraced the clan! Some even say your eyes were taken as punishment! It's all nonsense!"

Madara's grip on Kiyoshi's hand tightened, trembling with frustration.

Kiyoshi sighed. "The elders spoke with me about this, Madara. It was a decision we came to together. This situation is... complicated."

"What's complicated about it?!" Madara burst out. "You completed your mission perfectly! You destroyed the Senju's supply line and turned the tide of battle. This slander against you is ridiculous!"

Kiyoshi's voice softened, though he felt his brother's anger. "Yes, I completed the mission, but at a cost. The Senju won't let this go, Madara. Our clan's victory will make them push back harder, and more of our people could die.

"But if the story changes—if my actions are framed as a failure—the clan will focus on my supposed mistakes instead of rushing to escalate the war. The Senju's anger will burn out before we lose more lives. When the time is right, the truth will come to light. My name will be cleared."

Madara stared at him, his youthful defiance dimmed but not extinguished. "So you're saying... you agreed to this?"

Kiyoshi nodded. "For the clan's future, yes. My pride is a small price to pay if it means fewer graves."

Madara shook his head, his anger simmering. "But how can you not hate them, brother? They've treated you so unfairly!"

Kiyoshi let out a quiet laugh. "Madara, being a leader means looking at the bigger picture. You'll understand this one day."

Madara looked down, his fists clenched. "But I'm not like you. When you were my age, you had already awakened the Sharingan and led the clan to victories. I haven't even awakened mine yet. If it weren't for the Senju, you'd still have your eyes. They're the reason for all this pain!"

Kiyoshi sighed deeply. "I don't hate the Senju, Madara. I don't even blame them. The world we live in—the war, the hatred—it forces us into these battles. I only hate my own weakness."

"But they killed mother! They killed Shun! How can you not hate them for that?!" Madara's voice cracked with emotion.

Kiyoshi placed a hand on Madara's head, gently ruffling his hair. "I hate the ones who struck them down, yes. But the Senju as a whole? They're just like us, fighting to survive in this broken world. Hatred won't heal us, Madara."

Madara's anger faltered as Kiyoshi's voice grew softer. "My eyes are gone, Madara. I can never lead the clan like this. Imagine a leader who can't read scrolls, who can't fight at his best. The elders aren't wrong to look for a replacement."

"But—"

"Madara," Kiyoshi interrupted gently, his smile faint but warm. "This isn't the end for me. Losing my sight isn't the end. It's just another trial. I'll adapt. Trust me."

Madara's shoulders slumped, his defiance crumbling. "...Do you mean it?"

Kiyoshi chuckled. "When have I ever lied to you?"

Madara hesitated before nodding reluctantly. "Alright... but you will get better, right?"

"Of course," Kiyoshi said, ruffling Madara's hair again. "And when I'm recovered, how about I take you to get some tofu sushi?"

Madara puffed his cheeks. "Brother! I'm not a kid anymore!"

"Seven years old is still pretty young, Madara," Kiyoshi teased. "At this rate, you'll grow up to be a fine successor in no time. I'll have to work hard just to keep up!"

"Stop teasing me!" Madara grumbled, but a faint smile tugged at his lips. "Anyway, I'm here to change your bandages. So stop talking and lie down already!"

"Hahaha!" Kiyoshi's laughter filled the room, though he winced as his wounds reminded him of their presence. Even in pain, his teasing didn't stop. "You're too cute when you're mad, Madara—"

"Brother!!!" Madara shouted, flustered, as Kiyoshi's laughter rang out again.

___

T/N: Shun seems to be an original character, I might be wrong because I haven't read the fanfic yet but it appears so, and if it turns out to be a mistake on my part, I'll make amend for it by fixing it.