How would you draw a curve/path and make a gradient face the direction of the path? Let me show you what I mean: https://prnt.sc/1036pgl If that isn't clear, I want that path to have a gradient moving dynamically along each of those directions along the path. It would look like a cleaner, procedural version of this: https://prnt.sc/1036suz I realize this is probably a longshot, but if anybody would know how to do this it's you guys. (Also, if there's another way to achieve what I'm describing, I would love to know ) Thanks!

The short answer, from what I know, is that you can't.
The gradient is applied over an area that encloses the vector path/stroke and the gradient properties can't be varied locally on the vector path/stroke itself.

With a thick straight vector line, you can get that effect by having a linear gradient go 'across' the line.

If you're desperate for that effect on a curved line, you can convert the resulting gradient across a straight line to a paint layer (raster image) and then use a Mesh Transform to 'bend' the image. That would be a fiddly and painstaking exercise and would be very frustrating as you tried to get it looking good.

Edit:Add: Maybe not all that fiddly but it's far from perfect. Also, you need to start with a long, thin rectange because putting a gradient across a line really is fiddly.

How does one achieve this bending? By mesh transform you mean this right?
I'm new to this program so if you could give me a brief walkthrough of how you achieved what you did that would be super helpful. Thank you!

I'm sure it would and it would take me a super long time.
Note: I've just remembered that version 4.4.2 has introduced mesh gradient fills which can be used to fit a gradient to a vector shape.

The manual is well written and well illustrated and has a search facility: https://docs.krita.org/en/

Remember to use the Tool Options docker, it tells you what you can do with any particular tool and lets you choose options.