Itachi glared at Ken as he again took the sweets that he had bought for his little brother, Sasuke.
Itachi's eyes narrowed as he watched Ken casually munching on the sweets meant for Sasuke. He spoke in a stern tone, "Those were for Sasuke, Ken."
Ken, unfazed, grinned mischievously and quipped, "Relax, Itachi, I'm just helping Sasuke with his diet plan. Can't let him have too much sugar, you know!"
Itachi's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "That's not your decision to make, Ken. Give them back."
Ken shrugged, popping another sweet into his mouth. "Sure, sure, after I finish this one. Can't let it go to waste!"
Kabuto was glad to be sidelined by those two as he diligently read a medical book.
Shikuro appeared in front of the three genins. But alas, he was ignored by the three genins for different reasons.
Kabuto was too engrossed in reading the novel to notice him. But Shikuro knew that he had already noticed him. He was waiting for Shikuro to get the other two's attention first.
'Kabuto has always been the most aware of them all. He listens and sees everything. He would have made a good spy.' Shikuro thought, unaware of how right he was about Kabuto.
Ken ignored him always and most of his attention was occupied currently by protecting the sweets from Itachi.
Itachi too had noticed him but he had a grudge against Shikuro for not scolding or reprimanding Ken for causing them so much trouble.
'Itachi, I would love to punish this little bastard but the kid got ways with the Hokage and Shikaku who is a Jonin commander. I don't want him blackmailing me again that he would have my pay decreased. I have a young son that I had to take care off.' Shikuro sympathised with the kid, Ken was a menace but an intelligent one who knew how to get out of trouble easily.
Shikuro coughed to bring the attention of the genins to him.
"I have applied you three for the chunin exams. I know that you are ready for it. All three of you are as strong as a chunin already if not stronger. I will hand you your forms later to fill them up." Shikuro announced as the genins faces lit up with excitement.
'Ah time surely passes quickly when you are training. I can't believe it has been 8 months since I started training in Ice release. It's already time for the chunin exams.' Ken thought
"While you are strong, don't underestimate the other candidates. I have got some information that the genins from other villages who are participating are pretty strong too." Shikuro said trying to bring them back to reality.
"Sensei, Which villages are participating in the exams?" Kabuto asked
"Konoha is hosting the chunin exams this year. It is also the reason that the Hokage is willing to let you guys participate in the exams. It would ensure your safety somewhat. The other great villages that are going to participate are Kumo, Iwa and Kiri. Some of the smaller Shinobi villages are also sending some of their genin teams. Though Amegakure backed out from the chunin exams this year." Shikuro told them
'Amegakure backed out of chunin exams? It looks like Nagato has taken care of Hanzo and has now become the leader of the village hidden in the rain. He does not want the village to get more attention and hide the fact that Hanzo has died. And now the village is the headquarters for Akatsuki.' Ken surmised
"Why is Suna not coming, Sensei? Every other great village is participating in the exams." Itachi questioned
"There is lot of politics involved in participating in chunin exams. Mainly it is to show the Damiyos and nobles that their village has a lot of good talent. These nobles in turn fund the village with the most talent as well as give more missions to those villages."
"Suna have lost a lot of their talent in the past wars and does not have much to show on the big stage. They are not coming to hide the fact that they don't have many talents left in the village. Besides with Kiri Genin participating, there is a high chance that they would slaughter the remaining Suna talents." Shikuro explained to them
'This is kinda true. Suna really does not have much talented ones in their village. The only real Kekkei Genkai clan that they have is the Kazekage's clan of magnet release. But the only one with that Kekkei Genkai in that clan currently is the Kazekage. The rest have been killed during the past great Shinobi wars.'
'Then the only thing they have are puppet users. Two of their best puppet users are too old to fight. The best genius turned rogue after killing the third Kazekage. The only other Kekkei Genkai user is now in Konoha. And their only jinchuriki is a toddler. They are really the unluckiest Shinobi village. They don't have fertile land, food, water, alliance with other villages or powerful shinobi.' Ken grimaced at the misfortune of Suna.