Nara Shikaku secretly made his calculations. Once the Chunin Exams were over, he would help the Third Hokage gradually weaken the Uchiha clan's authority.
The Uchiha had become far too arrogant!
A mere Uchiha Kento had insulted him repeatedly, and it left Nara Shikaku deeply displeased.
In Konoha, Root had now been merged into the Anbu and placed under the Hokage's unified command.
Meanwhile, the captain of the Konoha Guard Force was also Fugaku, the Uchiha clan head. The Guard Force was responsible for security within the village.
Moreover, Fugaku had divided the Konoha Guard Force into many squads.
For instance, the captain of Squad One was Uchiha Itachi.
The captain of Squad Two was Kento...
In short, Nara Shikaku never could have imagined that the Third Hokage would not survive these Chunin Exams.
Hokage Building. The Sunagakure ninja delegation arrived in Konoha in grand procession.
Kazekage Rasa and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, entered the Hokage Building. The instant Rasa removed his hat, the Third Hokage froze for a moment.
Rasa smiled. "Heh heh, what is it, Lord Third?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, then said, "Nothing. You just seem familiar."
Rasa said, "Heh heh heh, Lord Third Hokage, I am the Kazekage. Of course you would find me familiar. Konoha should have a portrait of me."
That was true. Every nation had spies planted in other nations; it was an unspoken fact everyone understood.
Still, with Rasa stating it so bluntly, the Third Hokage felt a little awkward.
Rasa and the Third Hokage set the Chunin Exams for the morning three days later!
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Gaara walked down the street with a scarf wrapped around his head, while people nearby pointed at him.
They seemed to be mocking him for having no eyebrows and such heavy dark circles.