Undercurrents.

When one falls, another one rises.

As was the case with Konoha's Hokage, his total military victory over Iwa propelled his infamy amongst the other villages and shinobi.

Tearing a great village down to its roots, killing the Tsuchikage and 1000 Iwa shinobi singlehandedly, using the retreat of his forces to deliver a pincer attack to the border forces of Iwa.

Any of these achievements could have easily propelled him amongst the top Kage in History, but together they did something much more impressive.

Together they painted Kei Uchiha as someone who uprooted a great village in one night, granting Kei the title 'God of Warfare' at the young age of 14.

And as Kei became one of the 'Gods' of Konoha… rumors spread once again. People did what they do best, they judged and compared, and as the comparisons spread… they caught the ears of many Konoha shinobi who did their own comparisons.

This victory would be recorded for future generations, it was going to be an example of the prowess of the Godaime Hokage… of Konoha as a whole which begged the question… why was there no such record for the first Hokage?

Sure there were plenty describing his prowess as a shinobi… but few and far between were the records describing his skill in the actual war despite strong and charismatic, outside his role as a shinobi.

Whispers continued to spread and inflate. Was the First Hokage… a good Hokage, a good leader?

He founded the village as the first Hokage… but was he alone? No, the Uchiha also founded the village as much as the Senju, and yet few and far were the records pertaining to their feats except the infamy of Madara Uchiha.

And as the truth became distorted, history was doubted… especially with the rise in power of Kei Uchiha and his exemplary performance as a Hokage. After all, history was just that, history. Nobody today could account for what had happened back then, but they all could firmly support the events that transpired in Iwa.

Seeing was believing… and everyone saw the bloodied green and yellow coat with a red collar being paraded by the returning victorious shinobi forces of Konoha.

As the advantages of this swift war were being revealed one by one… the disadvantages were also slowly developing under the shadow of victory. Some that the young Hokage had seen coming… and some that even he didn't foresee.

--------------------------

Jiraya of the three Sannin stood over a devasted battlefield. Contrary to the usual sight of blood and corpses, this one missed the most important one… corpses. The battlefield was empty as if it was all a lie as if the Hokage's claim was all but false bravado… and yet, 1000 shinobi and the Tsuchikage had disappeared in this area, quite possibly dead.

'But where are the corpses, why take the bodies of the dead. Not a whisper from the shinobi means he did it alone… but how and why?'

As Jiraya looked around for any clue, he suddenly remembered something and quickly rummaged through his small bag.

Pulling out numerous little books, he suddenly stopped as he found one with a red cover.

Opening and reading through the information inside he abruptly closed the book and smiled.

'2000 samurai killed in the border fortress of the Land of Iron. Escaping civilians witnessed the death of the samurai but no corpses were found after the investigation, nevertheless, the amount of blood and disappearance of the samurai with no further contact from any of them backs up the story of the civilians.'

Two massacres, nobody in either case. There is definitely a connection in here. What connects the young Hokage to a Rampaging S-Class. Is it possible for them to be the same person? If it wasn't for the Red Demon joining that organization, I would believe he could have pulled this off with shadows clones and Genjutsu.

But the kind of shinobi in there won't be fooled so easily. Just Itachi Uchiha being there would tear down any disguise with his Sharingan. Given how they fought, it's unlikely for them to be working together… but you never know.

At the very least, I have a connection. All I have to do is follow it… but the Hokage is untouchable at this time, and the Red Demon hasn't surfaced in quite some time. Rather than wait, the previous Matron of the orphanage might have some insight on when Kei Uchiha was exposed to the Senju, something that could drive him to act against them in such fervor…

---------------------------

As Jiraya continued his investigation, chasing both false and genuine leads… another person had taken a keen interest in the young Uchiha Patriarch, now holding the position of Hokage… one whose existence had long been thought extinguished from this world.

"Black Zetsu… this is quite the development." – The mysterious man spoke as he looked at the folder in his hand.

"Exactly why I believed you might be interested beforehand."

"Oh, I am interested… very interested. To think someone this young would be so cunning, another sign of what is to become of this world."

"Then do we move to remove him from the picture?"

"For now… no. To wrestle control of his clan from that brat and those snakes at the head of the village. Becoming Hokage at only 13 and bringing the Senju name to its lowest point. Not to mention his prowess at such a young age coupled with his leadership. Such strength, cunning, and audacity… It is impressive. If only he was born slightly earlier. Sadly with no living relatives, this is as far as he will go without an unorthodox solution to his eyes."

"He has already mastered some form of sage mode. I have seen it in action and it is formidable, this without accounting for his own physical strength."

"It will only delay his eyes inevitable blindness. There is only so much power he can attain. In the end, it will be for naught."

"And yet you seem in a rather jovial mood for once in a long time for some reason."

"I was just imagining the face of a particular Senju was he to learn of the recent events."

As the man spoke, his grin widened and his red eyes spun slightly.

(AN: Still alive and going, though editing took sometime. Writing even more so given I rewrote this chapter multiple times. Do join our server if u enjoy evil mc novels and fanfiction, as those are the only ones found there. fanfictions each have their own spot, such does ours too. Hope you enjoyed today's chapter :)